EFFECT OF AGE ON THE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF 4 CATIONS IN THE RAT-HEART

It has been postulated that the concentration of metals in the heart influences the activity of enzymes and ultimately, cardiac function. In this investigation, the regional distribution of Calcium [Ca], Magnesium [Mg], Copper [Cu] and Zinc [Zn] was analyzed in the hearts of Fischer 344 rats (1, 3, 12, 24 months of age). Samples of right and left atria (RA, LA), right and left ventricles (RV, LV), and septum (S) were homogenized in 5% La, 25% HNOs. The samples were digested, centrifuged, and assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. [Ca] Increased in the RA, LA and LV from 3 to 24 months of age. [Mg] In the RV, LV and S decreased throughout the age span. [CU] in the LV decreased between 3 and 12 months of age, while [Zn] remained constant. The Zn:Cu increased by 56 percent between 3 and 24 months of age. In summary, these data suggest that there are differences in the concentration of metals in the heart as a function of age. © 1979 American Aging Association, Inc.