通络药物对心肌细胞钠钙离子通道的影响

目的观察通络药物参松养心胶囊提取干粉溶液对单个豚鼠J0室肌细胞膜钠通道电流（INa）、L型钙通道电流（ICa,L）的影响。方法用钙外液将参松养心胶囊干粉配制成不同浓度（1％、0．5％、0．25％）。用酶解法分离单个心室肌细胞,并用全细胞膜片钳记录技术记录电流。结果当药物浓度0．5％时,可以使INA峰值电流密度从（27．2±5．4）pA／pF降至（14．9±2．8）pA／pF,平均抑制率为44．8％±7．7％（n=5,P〈0．05）;药物浓度为1％,0．5％,0．25％时,分别对ICa,L的峰值电流密度的抑制率为50．7％±5．6％,44．8％±6．5％,和19．2％±1．1％,（n=5,P〈0．05）。药物可以使INA、ICa,L的电流密度-电压曲线上移,但均不改变其激活、峰值和反转电位。结论参松养心胶囊提取干粉溶液对,INA、ICa,L具有阻滞作用,这可能是其抗心律失常和心肌保护作用药理机制的一部分。     

哌替啶的心脏电生理效应

目的 :观察哌替啶对心脏电生理学特性的影响 ,探讨可能的离子机制。方法 :采用 L angendorff灌流心脏模型 ,观察哌替啶对大鼠心率和心律的影响 ;采用全细胞电流钳及电压钳技术 ,在酶解分离的心室肌细胞上观察哌替啶对动作电位和离子电流的影响。结果 :哌替啶呈浓度依赖地减慢窦性心率 ,当浓度≥ 2 5 0μmol/ L时 ,能引起严重的房室传导阻滞。哌替啶可浓度依赖地降低心室肌细胞动作电位的去极化速度和幅度 ,延长动作电位时程。哌替啶 10 0 μmol/ L孵育后 ,能分别抑制 INa、Ito、Ik 和 ICa.L到对照组的 (6 0 .7± 6 .9) %、(5 5 .4± 5 .6 ) %、(6 5 .1± 8.0 ) %和(6 7.4± 10 .1) % ,阿片受体阻断剂纳洛酮不能阻断上述效应。结论 :哌替啶可减慢心率 ,引起房室传导阻滞 ,可能与它抑制了心肌细胞多种跨膜离子电流有关 ,其抑制作用并不通过阿片受体介导。     

The effects of paeoniflorin monomer of a Chinese herb on cardiac ion channels

Background  Because of the potential proarrhythmic effect of current antiarrhythmic drugs, it is still desirable to find safer antiarrhythmic drugs worldwide. Paeoniflorin is one of the Chinese herb monomers that have different effects on many ion channels. The present study aimed to determine the effects of paeoniflorin on cardiac ion channels.

Methods  Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record ion channel currents. L-type calcium current (I_Ca-L), inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1), and transient outward potassium current (I_to1) were studied in rat ventricular myocytes and sodium current (I_Na), slow delayed rectifier current (I_Ks), and HERG current (I_Kr) were investigated in transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells.

Results  One hundred μmol/L paeoniflorin reduced the peak I_Ca-L by 40.29% at the test potential of +10 mV (from (–9.78±0.52) pA/pF to (–5.84±0.89) pA/pF, n=5, P=0.028). The steady-state activation curve was shifted to more positive potential in the presence of the drug. The half activation potentials were (–11.22±0.27) mV vs. (–5.95±0.84) mV (n=5, P=0.007), respectively. However, the steady-state inactivation and the time course of recovery from inactivation were not changed. One hundred μmol/L paeoniflorin completely inhibited the peak I_Na and the effect was reversible. Moreover, paeoniflorin inhibited the I_K1 by 30.13% at the test potential of –100 mV (from (–25.26±8.21) pA/pF to (–17.65±6.52) pA/pF, n=6, P=0.015) without effects on the reversal potential and the rectification property. By contrast, 100 μmol/L paeoniflorin had no effects on I_to1, I_Ks or I_Kr channels.

Conclusions  The study demonstrated that paeoniflorin blocked I_Ca-L, I_Na, and I_K1 without affecting I_to1, I_Ks, or I_Kr. The multi-channel block effect may account for its antiarrhythmic effects with less proarrhythmic potential.

     

四氢小檗碱衍生物86035对豚鼠心室肌L型钙通道的抑制作用

目的　研究氯苄基四氢小檗碱 (CPU) 86 0 35对豚鼠单个心室肌细胞L型钙通道的抑制作用 ,分析对L型钙通道相互作用的状态依赖性。方法　采用膜片钳全细胞技术 ,记录不同浓度(5 0～ 2 5 0 μmol/L)CPU86 0 35作用前后的L型钙电流 (ICa L)。结果　 (1)CPU86 0 35呈剂量依赖性地抑制L型钙电流 ,半数抑制浓度 (IC50 )为 75 μmol/L。(2 )CPU86 0 35对L型钙电流的抑制依赖于保持电位(HP)。HP =- 4 0mV时 ,75 μmol/LCPU86 0 35的抑制率为 4 9%± 2 % ,HP =- 80mv时 ,抑制率为6 4 %± 4 %。 (3)CPU86 0 35作用后 ,稳态激活曲线右移 ,V1/ 2 由对照的 6 7mV± 1 6mV变为 15 4mV±0 8mV。 (4)CPU 86 0 35作用后 ,稳态失活曲线右移 ,V1/ 2 由对照的 - 19 1mV± 2 5mV变为 - 12 6mV± 2 7mV。 (5 )用药后L型钙通道从失活状态恢复的时间变长。结论　CPU86 0 35对L型钙通道有较强的抑制作用 ,药物可能主要与通道的静息状态结合     

人心肌细胞的分离方法和充血性心力衰竭患者心房肌细胞钾电流的特征

目的：探索人类心房肌细胞的分离方法及充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者心房肌细胞延迟整流钾电流（Ik）和内向整流钾电流（Ik1）的特征。方法：酶法分离心肌细胞；全细胞膜征钳法记录电流。结果：两种酶学分离方法均能成功地分离出合格的心肌细胞。其中，用I型胶原酶和蛋白酶分离出的活细胞的比例约为40%-50%，而且理想的细胞较多；而用V型胶原酶则仅能分离出1%-3%的活细胞。细胞分离过程受消化酶的类型、季节、病种、心功能等多种因素的影响。以上任一因素发生变化，分离细胞的质和量均会发生改变。利用掌握的全细胞膜片钳技术，我们对人心肌细胞上的钾电流进行了探索。结果显示，在充血性心衰患者心房肌细胞上，存在着Ik和Ik1。其中，Ik的激活较慢，其电流轨迹在刺激开始后缓慢上升，至刺激中止前达到顶点。复极至-30mV时，可引导出Ik的尾电流。与时间依赖性电流相比，此电流的幅值较小。与Ik相比，Ik1的激活较快，激活后迅即趋于稳态，不失活。当膜电位处于不同的电位水平时，Ik1分别表现为内向电流和外向电流，并且随着膜电位的增大，内向电流逐渐减小，外向电流则越来越大。结论：人心肌细胞的分离过程受多种因素的影响。对于CHF患者而言，其心房肌细胞上存在着Ik和Ik1，这两种电流具有不同的电生理特征。     

Na+/Ca2+交换体电流在兔左心室壁分布的异质性

目的探讨Na+/Ca2+交换体电流(INa+/Ca2+)在左室肌不同部位的分布特征及其与跨壁复极异质性的关系.方法采用全细胞膜片钳技术,分别记录兔左心室肌内膜下、中层及外膜下细胞的动作电位(AP)、INa+/Ca2+及IK.结果中层细胞AP时程明显长于外膜下细胞(P<0.01);在+40 mV时,外向INa+/Ca2+密度在中层细胞明显大于外膜下及内膜下细胞(P分别＜0.01,0.05);在-100 mV时,内向INa+/Ca2+密度在中层细胞明显大于外膜下(P<0.05);在测试电压为+50mV时,中层细胞的IKs尾电流密度明显小于外膜下细胞(P<0.05), 内膜下、中层及外膜下细胞的IKr尾电流密度无明显区别(P>0.05).结论 INa+/Ca2+与IKs在兔左室肌的分布具有异质性,并导致了跨壁复极异质性的形成.     

Na+/Ca2+ exchanger current and K+ current remodeling in midmyocardial cells of hypertrophic left ventricle]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger current (INa+ /Ca2+) and K+ current remodeling in midmyocardial cells of hypertrophic left ventricle for understanding the ionic basis of arrhythmia of the hypertrophic heart. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were divided equally into normal control group and operation group, and in the latter, left ventricular hypertrophy was induced in the rabbits by partial ligation of the abdominal aorta. Action potentials, INa+/Ca2+, slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs) and rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr) were recorded in the two groups by using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: At the basic cycle length of 2 s, 90% action potential duration (APD90) in control and operation groups was 522.0+/-19.5 ms (n=6) and 664.7+/-32.7 ms (n=7) respectively; at the testing potential of +40 mV, outward INa+/Ca2+ density in the two groups was 0.94+/-0.11 pA/pF (n=9) and 1.30+/-0.11 pA/pF (n=8) respectively; the testing potential of -100 mV elicited inward INa+/Ca2+ density of 0.40+/-0.05 pA/pF (n=9) and 0.56+/-0.02 pA/pF (n=8) respectively. The testing potential of +50 mV induced IKs tail current density of 0.26+/-0.03 pA/pF (n=8) and 0.17+/-0.01 pA/pF (n=9), and IKr tail current density of 0.34+/-0.02 pA/pF (n=8) and 0.23+/-0.02 pA/pF (n=9) respectively. Statistically significant differences were identified between the control and operation groups in all the above indices measured. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of electrical remodeling changes in midmyocardial cells of hypertrophic left ventricle, exhibited by prolonged action potential, up-regulated INa+/Ca2+ and down-regulated IKs and IKr.     

匹那地尔对大鼠缺血心肌钙调控的作用

目的 :探讨大鼠缺血心肌再灌注 (I- R)损伤的钙调控机制及匹那地尔对心肌 I- R损伤的保护作用机理。方法 :取 SD大鼠 ,心室肌细胞酶解分离 ,心肌细胞静息 1～ 2 h后随机分为 4组 :对照组、高钾停搏液组、匹那地尔强化组、格列苯脲拮抗组。 4组细胞在 2 4℃下保存 2 h后 ,复氧、复灌 2 0 min同时测定 [Ca2 + ]i 瞬态变化、肌浆网内贮钙释放功能。结果 :经匹那地尔强化处理的心肌细胞在 I- R过程中 [Ca2 + ]i 瞬态变化恢复率明显高于高钾停搏液组 (90 .2 7%～ 95 .5 7% vs6 7.0 5 %～ 80 .11% ,P<0 .0 1)。肌浆网内贮钙释放能力 (173.15 %± 2 6 .0 1% )明显高于高钾停搏液组 (112 .0 0 %± 16 .93% ) (P<0 .0 1)。经匹那地尔强化处理的心肌细胞在咖啡因诱导的钙释放后 ,胞内钙离子浓度从高水平回复到舒张末静息水平的时间为 (3.2 0± 0 .71) ms,显著短于高钾停搏液组 (3.93± 0 .4 6 ) ms(P<0 .0 5 )和对照组 (4 .6 8± 0 .77) ms(P<0 .0 1)。结论 :匹那地尔通过肌浆网和细胞膜 Na+ /Ca2 +交换体功能来调节钙瞬态变化 ,减少细胞内钙超载使心肌细胞在 I- R过程中保持较好的钙调控功能。     

EFFECT OF COXSACKIEVIRUS B3 ON ION CHANNEL CURRENTS IN RAT VENTRICULAR MYOCYTES

Objective. To investigate the effects of coxsackievirus B3 ( CVB3 ) on ion channel currents in rat ventricular my-ocytes. Methods. Rat hearts were isolated with collagenase to acquire single ventricular myocytes, L-type voltage-depen-dent calcium channel( VDCC) current (ICa),Na^ current (INa), outward potassium current (Iout), inwardly rectifying potassium current(IKI) were recorded using whole cell patch clamp techniques. Results. CVB3 infection increased Ica and Iout, while decreased IKI; but it had no obvious effect on INa. Conclusion. The effects of CVB3 on ICa,Iout, IKI may be one of the mechanisms of myocytes damage and the oc-currence of abnormal electroactivities induced by CVB3 infection.     

Cardioprotective effects of simvastatin on reversing electrical remodeling induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion in normocholesterolemic rabbits

Background Recent studies have revealed that pretreatment with statin is effective in preventing arrhythmia, but its electrophysiological mechanism is unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the cardioprotective effects of simvastatin on reversing electrical remodeling in left ventricular myocytes of rabbit heart undergoing ischemia-reperfusion, so as to explore the ionic mechanism responsible for the anti-arrhythmic effect of statin. Methods Forty-five rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： ischemic-reperfusion group （I-R）, simvastatin intervention group （Statin） and sham-operated control group （CON）. Anesthetized rabbits were subjected to 30-minute ischemia by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and a 60-minute reperfusion after a 3-day administration of oral simvastatin of 5 mg-kg^-1.d^-1 in the Statin group or a placebo in the I-R group. Single ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically from the epicardial zone of the infracted region dedved from the hearts in the I-R and Statin group and the same anatomical region in the CON animals. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to record membrane ionic currents, including sodium current （IRa）, L-type calcium current （Ica-L） and transient outward potassium current （Ito）. Simultaneously, the level of serum cholesterol was examined. Results There was no significant difference in the serum cholesterol concentration among the three groups. The peak IRa current density （at -30 mV） was significantly decreased in I-R （（22.46±5.32） pA/pF, n=12） compared with CON （（42.78±5.48） pA/pF, n=16, P〈0.01） and Statin （（40.66±5.89） pA/pF, n=15, P〈0.01）, while the peak IRa current density in the Statin group was not different from CON （P〉0.05）. The peak ICa-L current density （at 0 mV） was significantly increased in I-R （（4.34±0.92） pA/pF, n=15） compared with CON （（3.13±1.22） pA/pF, n=13, P〈0.05） and Statin （（3.46±0.85） pNpF, n=16, P〈0     

川芎嗪对单个心室肌细胞电生理的影响

采用全细胞膜片钳（Ｗｈｏｌｅｃｅｌｌｐａｔｃｈ ｃｌａｍｐ） 技术研究川芎嗪（ 四甲基吡嗪,ｔｒｔｒａｍｅｔｈｙｌｐｙｒａｚｉｎｅ,ＴＭＰ） 对豚鼠心室肌细胞Ｌ型钙通道电流（Ｌ ＩＣａ）的浓度依赖性影响。当维持电位为－ ４０ ｍ Ｖ,刺激频率为０－５ Ｈｚ,钳制时间为４００ ｍｓ,步进电压为１０ ｍ Ｖ,去极到６０ ｍＶ,发现３ μｍｏｌ／ＬＴＭＰ对Ｌ ＩＣａ无影响（Ｐ＞ ０－０５） ;１０ ,３０ 和１００ μｍｏｌ／ＬＴＭＰ对Ｌ ＩＣａ的抑制为３６－３４ ％ ,５８－９４ ％ 和７４－２４％ （Ｐ均＜ ０－０１） ,且浓度愈大,其抑制作用愈强,但都不使Ｉ Ｖ曲线的峰值发生偏移。提示ＴＭＰ具有阻断Ｌ ＩＣａ的作用,且呈浓度依赖性阻滞效应。     

参松养心胶囊对心室肌细胞钾通道的影响

目的观察参松养心胶囊干粉提取溶液对大鼠单个心室肌细胞内向整流钾电流(IK1)、瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)以及豚鼠心肌细胞延迟整流钾电流(Ik)的影响。方法用酶解法分离单个心室肌细胞,并用全细胞膜片钳记录技术。结果当药物浓度0.5%时,可以使大鼠心肌细胞IK1内向成分降低,使-100mV时IK1电流密度从(-10.8±1.8)pA/pF降至(-7.2±2.1)pA/pF,平均抑制率为(33.1±16.9)%(n=11,P<0.05),但不改变电流的翻转电位及整流特性。药物同时对Ito电流的瞬时成分有抑制作用,60mV时Ito电流密度从(-19.8±7.1)pA/pF降至(-10.0±3.9)pA/pF,平均抑制率为(50.6±10.8)%(n=6,P<0.05),稳态失活曲线左移,失活后恢复时间常数增大。药物浓度0.5%时,对Ik有电压依赖性抑制作用,50mV时对尾电流峰值的抑制率为(30.8±1.1)%(n=5,P<0.05)。结论参松养心胶囊干粉提取溶液对IK1,Ito和Ik均具有不同程度的阻滞作用。这种多离子通道阻滞作用不仅使参松养心胶囊具有广谱的抗心律失常疗效,减少致心律失常的副作用,对Ito的阻滞效应还将显示其独特的抑制2相折返的作用,值得对其作更深入和广泛的研究。     

法乐四联症儿童肥厚右心室细胞瞬间外向钾电流的研究

目的观察压力增高导致的人肥厚心室组织离子通道的特性.方法应用酶解分离技术从法乐四联症(F4)患儿的心脏右室得到单个细胞,应用膜片钳全细胞记录技术观察了细胞Ito1的特征.结果将钙电流阻断后,去极化至-20mV～+60mV时均可记录到Itn1,激活后电流衰减速度不随去极化程度的增强而改变,在0、20、40、60mV时分别为123ms±6ms、131ms±10ms、122ms±6ms、122ms±6ms,去极化至60mV时的电流密度为4.7pA/pF±0.8pA/pF,半数最大激活电位为4.1mV±2.8mV,半数最大失活电位出现在-41mV±4mV,失活后再激活的恢复时间常数为83ms±4ms.这种电流可被10mM4-AP基本抑制.结论肥厚的人右室细胞存在Itn1,通道动力学特征与成人心房肌细胞类似.     

藻酸双酯钠对豚鼠心室肌细胞离子电流的作用

目的:观察藻酸双酯钠(Polysaccharide sulfate,PSS)对豚鼠单个心室肌细胞离子流的影响。方法:采用Ⅰ型胶原酶分离单个豚鼠心室肌细胞的方法,利用全细胞膜片箝记录技术,在不同箝制条件下,记录并分析了PSS对L-型Ca2+电流(ICa,L)、内向整流K+电流(IK1)的影响。结果:①PSS使ICa,L的激活时间常数变大,电流幅度减小,Ⅰ-Ⅴ曲线上移。在箝制电位为+10 mV时,PSS在6-9 min内使ICa,L的激活时间常数从(0.92±0.10)ms增加到了(1.15±0.11)ms(n=5,P<0.052);ICa,L的电流幅度从(16.80±1.71)pA/pF下降至(13.86±1.67)pA/pF(n=5,P<0.01)。②PSS可使IK1的内向成分和外向成分均增加。当箝制电位在-170 mV时,PSS能使IK1内向电流幅度从(224±16.17)pA／pF增加至(257±17.36)pA／pF(n=7,P<0.01);箝制电位在-50 mV时,PSS使IK1的外向电流幅度从(8.89±0.86)pA／pF增加至(10.38±1.18)pA／pF(n=7,P<0.05)。在反转电位附近时(-70--120 mV),PSS的作用不明显。PSS能使IK1的激活时间常数减小,当箝制电位在-160 mV时,激活时间常数从加药前的(1.05±0.11)ms减小到了加药后的(0.78±0.90)ms(n=7,P<0.01);同时,IK1的电导值变大,从(2.53±0.17)nS／pF增加到了(2.82 ±0.20)nS／pF(n=7,P<0.05)。结论:PSS对L-型Ca2+电流有抑制作用,对内向整?     

维生素K3通过钙依赖钾通道影响豚鼠结肠平滑肌收缩

目的 探讨维生素K3松弛胃肠道平滑肌的机制.方法 采用TD-112S型传感器测量豚鼠结肠平滑肌肌条收缩幅值、频率;用EPC10膜片钳放大器测量全细胞模式下细胞膜钙依赖钾电流[IK(ca)].结果 浓度为40、100、400、800 μmol/L的维生素K3作用后,肌条收缩频率分别为对照组的79%±4%,58%±5%,33%±4%,12%±3%(均P＜0.01).收缩强度分别为对照组的77%±10%,54%±7%,30%±6%,11%±4%(均P＜0.01).在+60 mV,I K(ca)值分别为对照组的120%±18%,149%±12%,197%±19%,223%±14%(均P＜0.01).结论 维生素K3能抑制平滑肌自发性收缩频率和强度,增强细胞膜IK(ca),且呈浓度依赖性.其机制与钙依赖钾通道的激活,促进钾离子外流有关.     

镁离子对低氧心肌保护作用的离子通道机制探讨

探讨Ｍｇ２＋对低氧心肌细胞保护作用的离子通道机制。方法采用膜片钳全细胞记录技术及细胞内透析的方法观察低氧时Ｍｇ２＋对心肌细胞钾电流、钙电流、Ｎａ＋－Ｃａ２＋交换电流及短暂性内向电流的调节作用。结果对１０个细胞观察显示常氧时细胞内１０ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＭｇ２＋对动作电位无明显影响，但可显著抑制低氧时动作电位时程的缩短（Ｐ＜０．０５），同时细胞内Ｍｇ２＋对１０分钟低氧引起的外向性钾电流有明显的抑制作用，对１０个细胞观察显示除极至０ｍＶ时其电流值从对照的２１３０±２４３ｐＡ降至１１８９±２１１ｐＡ，Ｐ＜０．０１；在常氧时细胞外１０ｍｍｏｌ／ＬＭｇ２＋对Ｎａ＋、Ｃａ２＋交换电流有部分抑制作用，细胞外Ｍｇ２＋可显著降低复氧早期短暂性内向电流的诱发率。结论细胞内Ｍｇ２＋可抑制低氧心肌细胞Ｋ＋外流，并对维持细胞内高钾及心肌细胞膜的正常兴奋性有重要意义。而细胞外Ｍｇ２＋对防止心肌缺血再灌流引起的钙超载有一定的作用。     

Effects of sodium ferulate on the ultrarapid delayed rectifier K^＋ current in human atrial myocytes

Objective To study the effects of sodium ferulate on the ultrarapid delayed rectifier K current(Ikur) in human atrial myocytes.MethodsHuman atrial myocytes were isolated by enzyme dispersion method. Ikur in human atrial myocytes were recorded by using the whole cell patch clamp. The changes of Ikur were compared in the absence and the presence of sodium ferulate. ResultsThere was no effect of 0.4 g/L sodium ferulate on I-V relation of Ikur However, 0.4 g/L sodium ferulate inhibited Ikur to some degrees at each test pulse. The current densities of Ikur at 60 mV decreased from 4.997 ± 0.35 PA/PF to 3.331 ± 0.26 PA/PF(n = 6, P ＜ 0.05). The inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent. IC50 was(0.41 ± 0.03)g/L and the Hill coefficient was 0.95 ± 0.05. ConclusionSodium ferulate as a potassium channel blocker can inhibit Ikur in human atrial myocytes effectively.     

Inhibitory effect of unaggregated amyloid beta protein (25-35) on delayed rectifier potassium current in rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of unaggregated Abeta(25.35) on delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in neonatal rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons. METHODS: The rat hippocampal neurons were enzymatically isolated from 10-11-day-old Wistar rat. The I(K) was recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect of unaggregated Abeta(25-35) on I(K) was time-dependent, because I(K) significantly decreased from (6.987 +/- 1.152) nA to (2.540 +/- 0.349) nA after adding unaggregated Abeta(25-35) and reached a stabilized level after 5-7 min (n = 8, P <0.01). However, the inhibitory effect was not concentration-dependent, because the decrease of the I(K) amplitude in different concentration groups were all around 60%. Unaggregated Abeta(25-35) also remarkably affected the half-activation potential, which was (4.114 +/- 0.730) mV and (-5.463 +/- 0.950) mV before and after its application (n = 15, P <0.05); however, the slope factor of activation curve was not significantly changed. CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of unaggregated Abeta(25-35) on I(K) may be a possible mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.     

Pathogenesis and the role of Ca2+ overload during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion

To study the regulation of [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i during myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i were measured simultaneously using guinea pig ventricular myocytes which were dual-loaded with SBFI/AM and fluo-3/AM. It was suggested that: (1) [Na+]i increased during metabolic inhibition (MI: 3.3 mM amytal and 5 microM CCCP) by both the activated Na+ influx via Na+/H+ exchange and the suppressed Na+ extrusion via the Na+/K+ pump; (2) Na+/Ca2+ exchange was inhibited during MI, causing the dissociation between [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i; (3) Na+/Ca2+ exchange could be reactivated by energy repletion, resulting in a significant increase in [Ca2+], Furthermore, a Ca2+ influx via the reverse-mode of Na+/Ca2+ exchange may play a key role in the mechanism of Ca2+ overload on reoxygenation; and (4) cell contracture during MI was related to rigor due to energy depletion, while cell contracture after energy repletion was likely to be related to Ca2+ overload.     

Changes in delayed rectifier K+ channel function and its regulation by protein kinase C pathway in bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats

Objective To investigate changes in the delayed rectifier K+ channel (Kv) function and the regulation of Kv by the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway in bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats. Methods The Kv currents and membrane potentials in bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats and from controls were observed, using whole cell voltage- and current-patch clamp techniques.Results Bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats showed a significant reduction in Kv-current density (51.6±9.4 pA/pF, n=14, P&lt;0.01) in comparison with those from control rats (72.4±12.3 pA/pF, n=14) at +50 mV. The current-voltage relationship curve exhibited a significant downward shift. Bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats had no significantly different capacitances (P&gt;0.05), but had more positive membrane potential ( P&lt;0.01) compared with those from controls. 1 μmol/L phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a PKC activator, caused an obvious reduction in Kv-current density (P&lt;0.01) and a significant downward shift in the current-voltage relationship curve, an effect which was partly abolished by 1 μmol/L Ro31-8220 (a PKC inhibitor); 1 μmol/L phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate caused more positive membrane potential (Em), from -36.8±5.7 mV to -30.4±7.3 mV, in rat bronchial myocytes (P&lt;0.05). This effect was partly abolished by 1 μmol/L Ro31-8220. Conclusions Bronchial myocytes from asthmatic rats have inhibited Kv function, more positive membrane potential, and higher excitability, all of which can also be induced by PKC activation. These characteristics may contribute to the development of airway hyperreactivity in asthma.