Progressive loss of creatine maintains a near normal ΔG∼_ATP in transgenic mouse hearts with cardiomyopathy caused by overexpressing Gsα

Myocardial [ATP] falls in the failing heart. One potential compensatory mechanism for maintaining a near normal free energy of ATP hydrolysis (ΔG∼_ATP), despite a fall in [ATP], may be the reduction of myocardial creatine (Cr). To test this, we conducted a longitudinal study using transgenic mice overexpressing cardiac Gsα, which slowly developed cardiomyopathy. Myocardial energetics measured using ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and isovolumic contractile performance were determined in perfused hearts isolated from 5-, 10-, 17-month-old Gsα and age-matched littermate wild type (WT) mice. In young Gsα hearts, contractile performance was enhanced with near normal cardiac energetics. With age, as contractile performance progressively decreased in Gsα hearts, [ATP] and [PCr] progressively decreased while [Pi] increased only modestly; no changes were observed in WT hearts. Myocardial (but not skeletal) [Cr] in Gsα mice decreased, beginning at an early age (1.5 months). Consequently, cytosolic [ADP] and the free energy available from ATP hydrolysis were maintained at normal levels in Gsα hearts, despite decreased [ATP]. During increased cardiac work caused by supplying isoproterenol, the relationship between the rate pressure product (RPP) and ΔG∼_ATP in Gsα mouse hearts demonstrated an increased cost of contraction in failing hearts. Thus, our results suggest that the decrease of myocardial [Cr] and net Pi efflux play compensatory roles by maintaining a nearly normal free energy of ATP hydrolysis in the dysfunctional heart; however, it also increased the cost of contraction, which may contribute to the lower contractile reserve in the failing heart.