Gender difference in functional properties of Na,K-ATPase in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The aim of present study was the investigation of functional properties of the cardiac Na,K-ATPase in 16 weeks old male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The Na,K-ATPase activity in the presence of increasing concentrations of ATP, as well as Na+ was lower in SHR of both genders, as compared to respective normotensive controls. Evaluation of kinetic parameters revealed a significant decrease of the maximum velocity (Vmax) in males (30% for ATP-activation, 40% for Na+-activation), as well as in females (24% for ATP, 29% for Na+), indicating a hypertension-induced diminution of the number of active enzyme molecules in cardiac sarcolemma. Insignificant changes were observed in the value of Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) in both cases. The concentration of sodium that gives half-maximal reaction velocity (KNa), increased by 38% in male and by 70% in female SHR. This impairment in the affinity of the Na+-binding site together with decreased number of active Na,K-ATPase molecules are probably responsible for the deteriorated enzyme-function in hearts of SHR. Direct comparison of SHR of both genders showed, that the enzyme from female hearts seems to be adapted better to hypertension as documented by its increased activity as a consequence of improved ability to bind and utilize ATP, as suggested by 32% decrease of Km value in females. In addition, the enzyme from female hearts is able to increase its activity (by 41%) in the presence of increasing sodium concentration even in the range where the enzyme from male hearts is already saturated.