RESUMEN
This study tested the robustness of our computational model of myocardial metabolism by comparing responses to two different inputs with experimental data obtained in pigs under similar conditions. Accordingly, an abrupt and a gradual reduction in coronary flow of similar magnitude were implemented and used as model input. After flow reductions reached 60% from control values, ischemia was kept constant for 60 min in both groups. Our hypotheses were that: (1) these two flow-reduction profiles would result in different transients (concentrations and flux rates) while having similar steady-state values and (2) our model-simulated responses would predict the experimental results in an anesthetized swine model of myocardial ischemia. The two different ischemia-induction patterns resulted in the same decrease in steady-state MVO2 and in similar steady-state values for metabolite concentrations and flux rates at 60 min of ischemia. While both the simulated and experimental results showed decreased glycogen concentration, accumulation of lactate, and net lactate release with ischemia, the onset of glycogen depletion and the switch to lactate efflux were more rapid in the experiments than in the simulations. This study demonstrates the utility of computer models for predicting experimental outcomes in studies of metabolic regulation under physiological and pathological conditions.