Cellular-Energy Charge in the Initial Phase of Development of Cardiac-Hypertrophy

Cardiac adenine nucleotide concentrations and cellular energy charge were determined in rats 24 hr after initiating cardiac hypertrophy by a single dose of either triiodothyronine or isoproterenol. No significant differences in adenine nucleotide concentrations or in cellular energy charge were observed between control and treated animals. These data do not support the proposal that changes in the myocardial concentration of high-energy phosphate compounds, particularly a decline in ATP concentrations, may play an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy by causing activation of the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins.