26 Changes in mitochondrial function in uraemic cardiomyopathy

Chronic kidney disease leads to cardiac dysfunction and ultimately heart failure, however the cellular mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to characterise cardiac mitochondrial function in an experimental model of uraemic cardiomyopathy (UCM). UCM was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats via subtotal nephrectomy. Mitochondria were isolated 12 weeks post surgery and respiratory rates determined, and calcium-induced swelling monitored spectrophotmetrically to investigate susceptibility to permeability transition. Mitochondrial complex and aconitase activities were measured in submitochondrial particles. Cardiac expression of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) was quantified by immunoblotting. Urinary creatinine clearance was significantly impaired (0.78±0.1 vs 1.31±0.1 ml/min Control, p