ASPECTS OF CARDIOMYOPATHY IN COPPER-DEFICIENT PIGS - ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL FINDINGS

Pigs were made copper(Cu)-deficient to evaluate cardiac function and p athology, and electrocardiography. Fifteen-day-old pigs were fed a Cu- restricted diet over an 8 wk period and compared to Cu-adequate diet-f ed pigs. Cardiac effects were examined concerning gross morphometry an d ultrastructure, echocardiography, and electrocardiography, as well a s serum cholesterol levels. The Cu-restricted diet-fed pigs exhibited a marked deceleration of growth and lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, and Liver and serum Cu concentrations compared to the Cu-adequate diet-fed pigs. The Cu-restricted diet-fed pigs developed a significantly great er heart weight:body weight ratio, along with greater diastolic measur es of ventricular wall and internal dimension relative to body weight. Electrocardiography in the Cu-restricted diet-fed pigs revealed one i nstance of electrical alternans and an intraventricular conduction dis turbance and several instances of T-wave inversion. The Cu-restricted pigs also displayed a prolonged QT interval at the closure of study. i ncreased mitochondrial volume density and mitochondria:myofibril volum e density ratio were observed in the Cu-restricted pig electron microg raphs along with excessive lipid and glycogen inclusion and focal degr adation of Z-lines, intercalated disk, and sarcomeres. Copper-restrict ion in young pigs results in cardiac pathology and electrical disturba nces. These alterations are similar to those reported for young Cu-res tricted rodents. Given then that many cardiac manifestations of develo ped Cu-deficiency appear conserved across specie Lines, the potential for human disturbances in response to severe Cu-deficiency may be plau sible.