Low-frequency Oscillations of Functional Indicators of the Body

Abstract

It has been shown in a number of our studies that low-frequency (LF) oscillations in the functional parameters of the oxygen transport system are stable and synchronized with each other. The literature presents a large number of examples of LF oscillations of various functional indicators that are directly or indirectly related to energy metabolism. In parallel, for more than 40 years, artificially induced attenuated and constant spontaneous oscillations in the energization levels of mitochondria in the same LF range have been studied. The aim of this review is to consider a possible relationship between oscillations in the functional parameters of the oxygen transport system and the functional parameters of mitochondria in the very-low-frequency (VLF) range common to them (0.003–0.03 Hz). We believe that a common source for all these oscillations is the periodic dynamics of “energization” in mitochondria united in mitochondrial networks. The process of generating these oscillations proceeds in two phases. In the first phase, the inflow of Ca²⁺ into the mitochondria exceeds the outflow and enhances the activity of oxidative phosphorylation. In the second phase, the outflow of Ca²⁺ from the mitochondria prevails over the inflow and is accompanied by the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. The oscillations are of a constant spontaneous nature and are based on autocatalytic regulation based on the feedback principle. The inertia of the full cycle processes (first and second phases) lasting 1–3 min may be due to the capacity of the mitochondrial phosphate buffer. The mitochondrial networks of excitable tissues can be the structural basis for synchronizing oscillations at the tissue level. Synchronization at the body level between mitochondrial oscillations and oscillations in indicators related to energy metabolism can be carried out through a system of tunneling nanotubes.