Investigating the inotropic effect of pyruvic acid on the isolated rat heart and its underlying mechanism.

Pyruvic acid is important organic chemical intermediates that plays a role in cardiomyocyte pathophysiology and therapy. This study sought to explore the inotropic effects of pyruvic acid on the function of the isolated rat hearts and investigate its underlying mechanism. Pyruvic acid produced a greater negative inotropic effect compared to HCl and sodium pyruvate in a concentration-dependent pattern in the hearts. The role of low dose of pyruvic acid on heart function was regulated by pyruvic acid molecules and high dose pyruvic acid may be influenced by pyruvic acid molecules and pH. Kv channels may be involved in the pyruvic acid-induced negative inotropic effect. Finally, pyruvic acid markedly increased the level of LDH and CK and reduced the level of Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase and Na+K+-ATPase. These results suggest that pyruvic acid may modulate cardiac function at physiological or low doses but can cause damage to cardiomyocytes at high doses.