Circadian rhythm disorders and dynamic changes of energy metabolism in rat heart muscle cells

Abstract

The functional states of pro- and antioxidant systems in blood and heart muscle cells in rats with long-term emotional stress have been studied. It has been shown that daily rhythm disorders produce psycho-emotional stress in animals and that, this is accompanied by quantitative changes in physiological parameters and hormones in the blood. In the present study, it was observed that such stress increased lipid peroxidation in blood and heart muscle cells. Also, activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were diminished, indicating deterioration of the antioxidant system. In addition, there were decreased activities of mitochondrial enzymes participating in energy metabolism, indicating decreased energy levels in heart muscle cells. These results suggest the likelihood that emotional stress is a key factor that can cause a whole range of diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Keywords:

• cardiac muscle cell
• lipid peroxidation
• psycho-emotional stress
• antioxidant system
• energy metabolism

Additional information

Funding

Funding. This work was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation [grant number FR/226/7-220/13; PG/22/7-220/13]. Any idea contained in this publication is the property of the authors and may not represent the opinion of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.