³¹P and ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of acute alcohol cardiac depression in rats

Cardiac depression in the isolated rat heart perfused with 4% ethanol was correlated with intracellular phosphate energetics and tissue water distributions. Energy metabolites were assessed using ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and correlated to the mitochondrial redox state using epicardial surface fluorometry. Changes in myocardial water compartmentation were measured by using ¹H NMR spectroscopy with an extracellular chemical‐shift reagent (DyTTHA) and correlated to results of 2D echocardiography (2DE). During alcohol perfusion there was a significant decrease in developed pressure and in coronary flow. No change was seen in ATP, PCr, pH_i, P_i, or NADH. After withdrawal of alcohol from the perfusate cardiac function reverted to control values without a depletion of energy levels. During alcohol perfusion 'H MRS showed a marked redistribution of water from the intra‐ to the extracellular space, corresponding to a 35% left ventricular wall thinning confirmed by 2DE. The results indicate that acute alcohol cardiac depression is related to a dehydration of myocardial cells, but is not associated with intracellular acidosis or energy depletion. 0 1988 Academic Press, Inc. © 1988 Academic Press, Inc.