Cardiovascular research
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Previous studies have shown that chronic cardiac denervation impairs myocardial glucose oxidation. To investigate this further we tested whether the tissue content of glucose transporters, activity of glycolytic enzymes or metabolic capacity of pyruvate dehydrogenase were altered. Moreover, we investigated whether the decline in glucose utilization was associated with an upregulation of proteins and enzymes involved in fatty acid handling. Chronic cardiac denervation results also in decreased left ventricular efficiency. We explored whether alterations in mitochondrial properties could be held responsible for this phenomenon. ⋯ The impairment of glucose oxidation in the chronically denervated myocardium is most likely caused by a decline of pyruvate dehydrogenase in its active form. It is unlikely that the decrease in work efficiency is caused by alterations in mitochondrial properties.