Structural, Biochemical, and Elemental Correlates of Injury in Cultured Cardiac Cells

Several investigators (Trumpet al., 1976; Nayler, 1981; Nayler and Grinwald, 1981; J. G. Murphyet al., 1987) have suggested that the movement and redistribution of cellular ion contents, especially calcium, play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiac ischemia. Since 1982 (Murphyet al.) our investigations have focused on the study of subcellular ionic mechanisms underlying this pathophysiology. We have utilized a model system of heart cells grown in culture to obtain basic information about (1) the regulation of ion transport in cardiac cells (Liebermanet al., 1984) and (2) the relationship between maintenance of ionic homeostasis, metabolic integrity, and the onset of irreversible cell injury (Liebermanet al., 1985).