Glucocorticoid regulation of cardiac K+ currents and L-type Ca2+ current in neonatal mice.

Previous studies have reported that dexamethasone (Dex) prolongs cardiac action potential repolarization in mice and rats. However, the cellular mechanisms of this effect have not been addressed. Because action potential duration is influenced by a complex interplay of both inward and outward currents, this study evaluated the role of K+ currents and the L-type Ca2+ current in response to chronic in vivo Dex treatment. Accordingly, neonatal mice were randomly allocated to treatment with Dex (1 mg/kg per day) or placebo (saline) given subcutaneously for 5 days. At 14 to 15 days of age, the L-type Ca2+ current and K+ currents were recorded in ventricular myocytes using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. The density of peak outward K+ currents was significantly decreased in the chronic Dex-treated group, but the current measured at the end of a 1-second depolarization pulse was similar in both groups. We further measured the magnitudes of the fast-inactivating (I(to)) and the slowly inactivating (I(slow)) currents that contribute to the peak outward K+ currents. I(to) was reduced from 17.5+/-3.0 pA/pF (control) to 10.6+/-2.5 pA/pF (Dex) at +50 mV (P<0.05), but I(slow) was not significantly different. These data suggest that downregulation of I(to) is responsible for the reduced peak outward current. Time courses of the onset and offset of in vivo Dex effects were also assessed. A period of 3 days of treatment was required to observe the Dex effect on peak outward K(+) currents, whereas a 7-day period after discontinuation of Dex was required to recover the baseline current density. Acute in vitro treatment with Dex (1 micromol/L) had no effect on K+ current densities. In addition, chronic Dex treatment significantly increased the density of the L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca-L)) from -7.2+/-0.5 pA/pF of control to -8.9+/-0.6 pA/pF of Dex at +10 mV, P<0.05. In conclusion, chronic in vivo Dex treatment decreases I(to) and increases I(Ca-L) in neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes, both of which contribute to the prolongation of cardiac action potential repolarization induced by glucocorticoids.     

钙离子激活性氯通道在犬心力衰竭心肌功能重塑的观察

目的观察 I_(to)第2个成分 I_(to2)即钙离子激活性氯通道(CLCA)是否参与心力衰竭(心衰)心脏的功能重塑。方法快速起搏犬右心室,诱发心衰,酶学法分离心肌细胞,以经典膜片钳全细胞记录法评价心衰时 I_(to2)电流密度的变化、I_(to2)与 L-型钙通道电流(I_(Ca-L))的关系和在恒定的细胞内钙浓度条件下 I_(to2)与膜电压的关系。用氯通道阻断剂4,4′diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid(DIDS)200μmol 筛选出 I_(to2)。结果 I_(to2)电压-电流关系呈倒钟型,与 I_(Ca-L)的曲线成镜影关系但右移10 mV_oI_(Ca-L)密度在心衰和对照组之间差异无统计学意义。在膜电压0～40 mV 之间,I_(to2)密度在心衰组明显减小。例如膜电压为20 mV 时,对照组与心衰组 I_(to2)分别为(3.02±0.55)pA/pF(n=7)和(1.31±0.25)pA/pF(n=8),P<0.05。I_(to2)电流的衰退时间常数在两组间差异无统计学意义。当细胞内钙浓度锁定在100μmol 时,I_(to2)密度在心衰组反而比对照组增大,提示 CLCA 功能上调。结论心衰时 I_(to2)密度下降,这可能与心衰细胞兴奋释放钙浓度下降有关。I(to2)密度下降可能参与心衰时的动作电位时程延长和晚期后除极的发生,可能是心衰时心律失常的发生机制之一。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对人心房肌细胞膜钾钙离子电流的作用

观察血管紧张素Ⅱ对人心房肌细胞膜主要离子流的作用,揭示其参与房性心律失常的细胞电生理机制。急性分离单个人心房肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳方法记录细胞膜短暂外向钾电流(Ito)、内向整流钾电流(Ik1)和L型钙电流(ICaL)。结果:0.1μmol/LAngⅡ使人心房肌细胞膜Ito峰值电流密度明显下降6.54±0.49pA/pFvs12.65±0.86pA/pF(P<0.05),在-100mV电压下使IK1峰值电流密度显著升高-8.93±1.12pA/pFvs-5.23±0.95pA/pF,(P<0.05),并明显促进人心房肌细胞膜ICaL-12.72±1.69pA/pFvs-5.79±0.84pA/pF(P<0.05)。结论:AngⅡ可促进人心房肌细胞膜IK1及ICaL,抑制人心房肌细胞膜Ito。     

心肌梗死后残存心室肌细胞L型钙通道的改变

目的　探讨L型钙通道在急性心肌梗死 (AMI)后室性心律失常发生中的作用及其机制。方法　开胸冠脉结扎制备兔AMI模型 ,于 1周和 2个月处死动物分离心室肌细胞 ,以膜片钳技术记录梗死及周边区心外膜细胞L -型钙通道电流 (ICa -L)的变化。结果　AMI兔梗死周边区心外膜细胞L型钙电流受到抑制 ,电流密度 -电压关系 (I -V)曲线上移 ,其峰值电流密度在正常对照组、AMI后 1周和 2个月分别为 - ( 5 5 8± 1 5 3) pA /pF(n =10 )、- ( 3 5 2± 0 93) pA/ pF (n =6 ,与对照组比较P <0 0 5 )和 - ( 4 84± 1 4 8)pA/ pF(n =11,与对照组比较P <0 0 5 ) ,但I -V曲线的形态轨迹不变。其失活曲线左移 ,失活速度加快 ,半数最大失活电位 3组分别为 -( 13 1± 4 2 )mV、- ( 2 5 9± 7 0 )mV和 - ( 2 1 3± 5 6 )mV ,P <0 0 5。结论　AMI后梗死周边带心外膜细胞L型钙通道受抑制 ,可能为AMI后室性心律失常发生的机制之一 ;AMI后 2个月钙通道的异常程度减轻 ,有恢复正常的趋势     

持续性心房颤动患者心房肌细胞L型钙通道电流变化的研究

目的比较窦性心律(窦律)患者和持续性心房颤动(房颤)患者心房肌细胞L-型钙通道电流密度及通道电压依赖的激活和失活特性变化。方法应用两步酶解法获得单个人体心房肌细胞,采用常规全细胞膜片钳技术记录L-型钙通道电流,观察18例窦律患者和12例持续房颤患者右心房肌L-型钙通道电流密度及动力学特性变化。结果(1)持续房颤组与窦律组相比,L-型钙通道电流密度降低,测试脉冲从-40~0mV时的L-型钙通道电流密度分别为(-4.58±0.39)pA/pF(n=21)和(-1.32±0.19)pA/pF(n=12),两组比较P<0.01。(2)动力学特性:窦律组与持续房颤组比较,通道激活曲线参数半数最大激活电压(V1/2)、斜率因子(K)以及失活曲线参数半数最大失活电压(V1/2)、斜率因子(K)差异均无统计学意义。结论持续房颤患者心房肌细胞L-型钙通道电流密度明显降低,其通道动力学特性变化差异无统计学意义。L-型钙通道电流密度的变化是房颤时“心房电生理重构”离子机制之一。     

T-type calcium current in electrical activity of cardiomyocytes isolated from rabbit pulmonary vein

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary veins (PVs) are known to initiate paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. T-type calcium current (I(Ca-T)) has a role in normal and abnormal automaticity of cardiomyocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether I(Ca-T) contributes to PV electrical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: By whole-cell clamp techniques in rabbit myocytes, I(Ca-T) was identified in 12 (39%) of 31 PV cardiomyocytes with pacemaker activity, 2 (9%) of 23 PV cardiomyocytes without pacemaker activity, and 2 (15%) of 13 atrial myocytes (P < 0.05). Maximum I(Ca-L) and I(Ca-T) densities from PV cardiomyocytes with pacemaker activity were 6.87 +/- 2.17 pA/pF and 1.38 +/- 0.69 pA/pF, respectively. Nickel (40 microM) decreased the spontaneous activity in 5 (36%) of 14 PV cardiomyocytes (3.1 +/- 0.6 Hz vs 2.2 +/- 0.5 Hz, P < 0.05), reduced the amplitudes of delayed after depolarization from 13 +/- 1 mV to 7 +/- 1 mV (n = 4, P < 0.05) and inhibited transient inward currents from 1.2 +/- 0.2 pA/pF to 0.7 +/- 0.1 pA/pF (n = 11, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that I(Ca-T) contributes to PV pacemaker activity and triggered activity, which are of functional importance in PV arrhythmogenesis.     

The properties of the pacemaker current I(F)in human ventricular myocytes are modulated by cardiac disease

The pacemaker current I(f)is present in ventricular myocytes from the human failing heart where it may contribute to arrhythmogenesis. The role of cardiac disease in the modulation of I(f)expression is still uncertain. We studied the functional expression and properties of I(f)in human ventricular myocytes isolated from control donor hearts or from explanted failing hearts of patients with ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy. In patch-clamped cells, I(f)was elicited by hyperpolarization. Membrane capacitance (C(m)) was significantly higher in dilated cardiomyopathy than in control or ischemic cardiomyopathy. I(f)was present in all ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy tested cells and in 76% of control cells. In ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy, I(f)amplitude measured at -120 mV was significantly greater than in control. However, I(f)density (i.e. current normalized to C(m)) was significantly higher in ischemic cardiomyopathy (2.0+/-0.2 pA/pF) than in dilated cardiomyopathy (1.2+/-0.1 pA/pF) or control (1.0+/-0.1 pA/pF). In diseased hearts, the activation curve was significantly shifted to more positive values compared to control. The slope of the fully-activated I-V relations was greater in ischemic cardiomyopathy than in dilated cardiomyopathy or control (P<0.05) while the intercept with the x -axis (V(rev)) was similar. In conclusion, I(f)is overexpressed in human ventricular myocytes from failing hearts; its functional expression seems related to the etiology of the disease, being higher in ischemic than in dilated cardiomyopathy, and not to the degree of cell hypertrophy.     

Comparison of K+ currents in cardiac Purkinje cells isolated from rabbit and dog

The repolarization reserve determines the ability of drugs to prolong the cardiac action potential duration. Differences in K(+) currents between rabbit and dog cardiac Purkinje cells were studied by recording the transient outward K(+) current (I(to)) as well as the delayed rectifier K(+) currents (I(Ks) and I(Kr)) during repolarization. Purkinje fibers were dissected from dog and rabbit hearts and exposed to enzymatic digestion until isolated cells were obtained. Whole cell voltage clamp methods were used to measure K(+) currents in both cell types. Action potential (AP) recordings from Purkinje cells displayed a rapid phase 1 repolarization due to a prominent I(to) with densities of 13.3+/-2.3 and 9.6+/-0.6 pA/pF at +40 mV in dog and rabbit respectively. I(Ks) tail currents were significantly larger in dog Purkinje cells. I(Kr) tail current densities were comparable in Purkinje cell from both species. Rabbit ventricular and Purkinje cell AP waveforms were used for action potential clamp experiments in TSA201 cells expressing human ether a go-go related gene (HERG). HERG currents elicited by the ventricular waveform reached its maximum amplitude during phase 3 repolarization. In contrast, Purkinje cell AP waveform elicited markedly smaller HERG currents even though the action potential duration was longer. The observations suggest that the fast phase 1 and negative plateau of the Purkinje cell AP limits the contribution of I(Kr) to repolarization. These results provide evidence that rabbit Purkinje cells have a smaller repolarization reserve and provide a biophysical explanation for a previously observed higher sensitivity to QT prolonging drugs in rabbit than dog Purkinje fibers.     

Repolarization abnormalities and their arrhythmogenic consequences in porcine tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES: Action potential prolongation related to the alteration of several membrane currents is constantly reported in heart failure (HF) but reports about its role in arrhythmogenesis are sparse. Our aim was to determine, by analogy with long QT syndromes, whether prolonged repolarization is associated with increased dispersion or linked to bradycardia-dependent ventricular arrhythmias in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. METHODS: QT intervals, action potentials and transmural activation-to-recovery intervals (ARIs) along with whole-cell delayed rectifier (I(K)) and transient outward (I(to1)) K+ currents were recorded in left ventricle from pigs with HF and controls. HF was obtained after 14 days of rapid pacing at 250 ms. RESULTS: Repolarization was delayed as indexed by corrected QT intervals (13.7% increase, P<0.01) or ARIs (252+/-4 to 340+/-7 ms, P<0.01). ARIs were uniformly prolonged with disappearance of the transmural gradient, spatial dispersion of repolarization decreased by 50% (P<0.05). I(to1) density was reduced in HF from 1.35+/-0.1 to 0.57+/-0.04 pA/pF subepicardially, from 1.05+/-0.19 to 0.55+/-0.08 pA/pF midmyocardially and from 1.04+/-0.1 to 0.48+/-0.04 pA/pF subendocardially. I(K) density was significantly decreased in HF pigs vs. controls: subepicardially from 0.46+/-0.04 to 0.22+/-0.02 pA/pF; midmyocardially from 0.46+/-0.05 to 0.25+/-0.03 pA/pF; and subendocardially from 0.49+/-0.04 to 0.20+/-0.04 pA/pF following depolarization at +50 mV. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring at the time of death did not disclose any polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmia. CONCLUSION: Despite a profound alteration in K+ currents, repolarization is uniformly prolonged in this model with no proclivity to develop bradycardia-dependent arrhythmias.     

Decreased ATP-sensitive K(+) current density during chronic human atrial fibrillation

Chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with shortening of action potential duration (APD), which involves modified activity of atrial ion currents. However, little is known about the activity of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (I(K,ATP)) during chronic AF. An AF-related increase in the activity of I(K,ATP) would reduce APD and could contribute to initiation and/or perpetuation of AF. Here, we studied the activity of I(K,ATP) in atrial myocytes from patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and chronic AF. Human atrial myocytes were isolated from atrial tissue obtained from patients undergoing open-heart surgery. Inward rectifier currents were measured with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique by applying a depolarizing ramp pulse (1245 ms) from -100 to +40 mV (0.5 Hz). I(K,ATP) was activated with the I(K,ATP) channel opener rilmakalim. The inward rectifier I(K1) and I(K,ATP) were identified by their sensitivity to 1 mM Ba(2+). Density of I(K1) did not differ between cells from patients with AF (at -100 mV: -14.8 +/- 1.3 pA/pF, n = 38/10 (cells/patients)) and SR (-13.8 +/- 1.5 pA/pF, n = 33/16). In both types of cells, rilmakalim stimulated I(K,ATP) (defined as rilmakalim-inducible current) in a concentration-dependent manner (0.3-10 microM). However, maximum activation of I(K,ATP) with 10 microM rilmakalim was smaller in AF than in SR cells (at -100 mV: -5.3 +/- 0.8 pA/pF, n = 22/7 vs. -11.2 +/- 2.9 pA/pF, n = 19/9; at +40 mV: +9.6 +/- 2.1 pA/pF, n = 22/7 vs. +23.7 +/- 3.4 pA/pF, n = 19/9 for AF and SR, respectively; P < 0.05). Only aortic valve disease and pulmonary hypertension were found to be independent contributors to I(K,ATP) current density. We provide evidence that chronic AF is associated with a downregulation of ATP-sensitive K(+) currents. These changes may provide an additional molecular mechanism for electrical remodeling in chronic AF.     

Chromanol 293B inhibits slowly activating delayed rectifier and transient outward currents in canine left ventricular myocytes

INTRODUCTION: Drugs that selectively inhibit the slowly activating component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) are being considered as possible antiarrhythmic agents, because they produce more prolongation of action potential duration at fast rates with less transmural dispersion of repolarization compared with blockers of the rapidly activating component (I(Kr)). Although the chromanol derivative chromanol 293B has been shown to be relatively selective in blocking I(Ks) in some species, its selectivity is far from established. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study uses whole-cell, patch-clamp technique to examine the selectivity of this compound for inhibition of I(Ks) in comparison with other repolarizing ionic currents, such as I(Kr), inward rectifier potassium current (I(Kl)), transient outward current (I(to)), and L-type calcium current (I(Ca-L)) in canine left ventricular mid-myocardial and endocardial cells. Chromanol 293B blocked I(Ks) with an IC50 of 1.8 microM and I(to) with an IC50 of 38 microM. Concentrations as high as 30 microM did not affect I(Kl), I(Kr), or I(Ca-L). Higher concentrations of chromanol 293B (100 microM) caused a slight, but statistically insignificant, inhibition of I(Kr). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that chromanol 293B is a relatively selective blocker of I(Ks) in canine left ventricular myocytes.     

Autocrine stimulation of cardiac Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger currents by endogenous endothelin released by angiotensin II

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Ang II on the current produced by the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (I(NCX)) working in the reverse mode and the possible autocrine role played by the release of endothelin (ET) in these actions. I(NCX) was studied in isolation in cat cardiac myocytes. Angiotensin II (Ang II) (100 nmol/L) increased I(NCX) at potentials higher than 0 mV (at +60 mV: 2.07 +/- 0.22 pA/pF in control versus 2.73 +/- 0.22 pA/pF in Ang II, n=9; P<0.05). The increase in I(NCX) induced by Ang II was prevented by the treatment of the cells with the unspecific blocker of the ET receptors, TAK 044 (1 micromol/L) (at +60 mV: 2.15 +/- 0.27 pA/pF in control versus 2.01+/- 0.26 pA/pF in Ang II, n=5, NS). These results show, for the first time, that the effect of Ang II on I(NCX) is the result of the autocrine actions of ET released by the octapeptide.     

Effects of chromanol 293B on transient outward and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier potassium currents in human atrial myocytes

It is unclear whether chromanol 293B, a selective inhibitor of slow component of delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)), may affect other K(+) currents in human atrium. With whole-cell patch configuration, we evaluated effects of 293B on transient outward K(+) current (I(to1)) and ultra-rapid delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Kur)) in isolated human atrial myocytes. It was found that 293B inhibited I(to1) and I(Kur) in a concentration-dependent manner. At 10 microM 293B suppressed I(to1) to 3.4 +/- 0.4 from 5.1 +/- 0.3 pA/pF (P < 0.01), and I(Kur) to 1.5 +/- 0.2 from 2.1 +/- 0.3 pA/pF (P < 0.01) at +50 mV. The inhibition of I(to1) and I(Kur) was independent of depolarizing voltage, and the concentration of 50% inhibition was 31.2 microM for I(to1), and 30.9 microM for I(Kur). 293B blocked I(to1) and I(Kur) with the same concentration range, and the significant effect was observed from the concentration of 1 microM. The maximum inhibitive effect was 88% for I(to1) and 96% for I(Kur) at 250 microM. Voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, and time-dependent recovery from inactivation of I(to1) were not altered by 293B; however, time to peak and time-dependent inactivation of I(to1) was significantly accelerated. The results indicate that 293B significantly inhibits the major repolarization K(+) currents I(to1) and I(Kur) in human atrial myocytes.     

The slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current in undiseased human ventricular myocytes

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of the slow component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) in myocytes isolated from undiseased human left ventricles. METHODS: The whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was applied in 58 left ventricular myocytes from 15 hearts at 37 degrees C. Nisoldipine (1 microM) was used to block inward calcium current (I(Ca)) and E-4031 (1-5 microM) was applied to inhibit the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Kr)). RESULTS: In 31 myocytes, an E-4031 insensitive, but L-735,821 and chromanol 293B sensitive, tail current was identified which was attributed to the slow component of I(K) (I(Ks)). Activation of I(Ks) was slow (tau=903+/-101 ms at 50 mV, n=14), but deactivation of the current was relatively rapid (tau=122.4+/-11.7 ms at -40 mV, n=19). The activation of I(Ks) was voltage independent but its deactivation showed clear voltage dependence. The deactivation was faster at negative voltages (about 100 ms at -50 mV) and slower at depolarized potentials (about 300 ms at 0 mV). In six cells, the reversal potential was -81.6+/-2.8 mV on an average which is close to the K(+) equilibrium potential suggesting K(+) as the main charge carrier. CONCLUSION: In undiseased human ventricular myocytes, I(Ks) exhibits slow activation and fast deactivation kinetics. Therefore, in humans I(Ks) differs from that reported in guinea pig, and it best resembles I(Ks) described in dog and rabbit ventricular myocytes.     

The ionic mechanisms of long QT interval in diabetic rabbits

Objective Abnormal QT prolongation associated with arrhythmias is considered the major cardiac electrical disorder and a significant predictor of mortality in diabetic patients. The precise ionic mechanisms for diabetic QT prolongation remained unclear. The present study was designed to analyze the changes of ventricular repolarization and the underlying ionic mechanisms in diabetic rabbit hearts. Methods Diabetes was induced by a single injection ofalloxan （145mg/kg, Lv. ）. After the development of diabetes （10 weeks）, ECG was measured. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to record the action potential duration （APD50, APD90）, slowly activating outward rectifying potassium current （IKs）, L-type calcium current （ICa-L） and inward rectifying potassium current （IK1）. Results The action potential duration （APD50 and APD90） of ventricular myocytes was obviously prolonged from 271.5＋32.3 ms and 347.8＋36.3 ms to 556.6~72.5 ms and 647.9~72.2 ms respectively （P〈 0.05）. Meanwhile the normalized peak current densities of IKs in ventricular myocytes investigated by whole-cell patch clamp was smaller in diabetic rabbits than that in control group at test potential of＋50mV （1.27~0.20 pA/pF vs 3.08~0.67 pA/pF, P〈0.05）. And the density of the ICa-L was increased apparently at the test potential of 10 mV （-2.67~0.41 pA/pF vs -5.404-1.08 pA/pF, P〈0.05）. Conclusion Ventricular repolarization was prolonged in diabetic rabbits, it may be partly due to the increased L-type calcium current and reduced slow delayed rectifier K＋ current （IKs） （J Geriatr Cardio12010; 7：25-29）.     

Delayed rectifier K currents have reduced amplitudes and altered kinetics in myocytes from infarcted canine ventricle

OBJECTIVE: The rapid (I(Kr)) and slow (I(Ks)) components of delayed rectifier currents play an important role in determining the cardiac action potential configuration. Abnormalities in their function may contribute to arrhythmogenesis under pathological conditions. We studied the effects of myocardial infarction on I(Kr) and I(Ks) in canine ventricular myocytes and their molecular basis. METHODS: Infarct zone myocytes (IZs) were isolated from a thin layer of surviving epicardium overlying an infarct 5 days after a total occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Normal myocytes (NZs) were isolated from the corresponding region of control hearts for comparison. Currents were recorded under the whole-cell patch clamp conditions. RESULTS: Both I(Kr) and I(Ks) current densities were reduced in IZs versus NZs. Kinetic analysis further suggests an acceleration of I(Kr) activation and I(Ks) deactivation. RNase protection assays were used to quantify the mRNA levels of I(Kr) and I(Ks) channel subunits (dERG, dIsK and dKvLQT1) in tissue immediately adjacent to the region where myocytes were isolated. mRNA levels of all three subunits were reduced 2 days after LAD occlusion (by 48+/-9%, 68+/-5%, and 45+/-4% for dERG, dIsK and dKvLQT1, respectively, n=8 each). By day 5, the dKvLQT1 message returned to control while those of dERG and dIsK remained reduced (by 52+/-7% and 76+/-6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in I(Kr) and I(Ks) amplitudes and changes in their kinetics in infarcted tissue might be due to a decrease in functional channels and/or changes in their subunit composition. Heterogeneous changes in I(Kr) and I(Ks) in infarcted hearts may impact on the effects of varying heart rate or neurohumoral modulation on repolarization.     

Contribution of IKr to rate-dependent action potential dynamics in canine endocardium

Previous modeling studies have suggested that the rapid component of the delayed rectifier (I(Kr)) may contribute importantly to action potential dynamics during tachycardia. To test this idea experimentally, I(Kr) was measured as the E-4031-sensitive current in isolated canine endocardial myocytes at 37 degrees C using the perforated patch-clamp technique. Command potentials were trains of action potential waveforms recorded at cycle lengths (CLs) of 1000, 500, 320, 170, and 120 ms. Action potential duration (APD) alternans occurred at CLs of 170 and 120 ms. During an action potential, I(Kr) increased gradually to a maximum at -55 to -60 mV. Peak I(Kr) increased initially as CL was shortened from 1000 to 500 ms (from 0.55+/-0.03 to 0.57+/-0.03 pA/pF), but decreased progressively as CL was shortened further (to 0.45+/-0.03 pA/pF at CL=120 ms). Baseline I(Kr) was negligible at CLs of 1000 to 320 ms, but increased to 0.12+/-0.01 pA/pF at a CL of 120 ms. During APD alternans, peak I(Kr) was larger for the short than for the long action potential (0.48+/-0.03 versus 0.46+/-0.03 pA/pF). A computer model of I(Kr) based on these data indicated that increasing I(Kr) suppressed alternans and decreasing I(Kr) increased alternans. In support of the latter result, inhibition of I(Kr) by E-4031 increased the maximal amplitude of alternans. These results indicate that I(Kr) contributes importantly to rate-related alterations of repolarization, including APD alternans. Modifying I(Kr) may be a promising approach to suppressing alternans and thereby preventing ventricular tachyarrhythmias.     

兔急性心肌梗死后梗死周边带心肌细胞L-型钙通道的变化

探讨L型钙通道在急性心肌梗死 (AMI)后室性心律失常发生中的作用及其机制。方法 :以开胸冠状动脉结扎法制备兔AMI模型 ,1周后处死动物分离心室肌细胞 ,采用全细胞膜片钳记录技术观察梗死周边缺血带心外膜心室肌细胞L型钙通道电流 (ICa L)的变化 ,以正常心肌ICa L为对照。结果 :AMI 1周时兔梗死周边区心室肌细胞L型钙电流受到抑制 ,其电流峰值由正常状态下的 - 5 .58± 1 .53pA/pF(对照组 ,n =1 0 )降至 - 3 .52± 0 .93pA/pF(AMI组 ,n=6) ,最大峰电流下降 2 9.1 % ,P <0 .0 5 ,I V曲线上移 ;其失活曲线左移 ,半数最大失活电位由 - 1 3 .1± 4 .2mV左移至 - 2 5 .9± 7.0mV ,P <0 .0 5 ,失活速度加快。结论 :AMI后 1周梗死周边带心外膜心室肌细胞L型钙通道受抑制 ,可能为AMI后室性心律失常发生的机制之一。     

Characterisation of the Na, K pump current in atrial cells from patients with and without chronic atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of the Na, K pump current (I(p)) to the action potential duration (APD) and effective refractory period (ERP) in human atrial cells, and to investigate whether I(p) contributes to the changes in APD and ERP associated with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Action potentials and ion currents were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp in atrial myocytes isolated from consenting patients undergoing cardiac surgery, who were in sinus rhythm (SR) or AF (>3 months). RESULTS: In cells from patients in SR, the I(p) blocker, ouabain (10 microM) significantly depolarised the membrane potential, V(m), from -80+/-2 (mean+/-S.E.) to -73+/-2 mV, and lengthened both the APD (174+/-17 vs. 197+/-23 ms at 90% repolarisation) and ERP (198+/-22 vs. 266+/-14 ms; P<0.05 for each, Student's t-test, n=7 cells, 5 patients). With an elevated pipette [Na(+)] of 30 mM, I(p) was measured by increasing extracellular [K(+)] ([K(+)](o)) from 0 to 5.4 mM. This produced an outward shift in holding current at -40 mV, abolished by 10 microM ouabain. K(+)- and ouabain-sensitive current densities were similar, at 0.99+/-0.13 and 1.12+/-0.11 pA/pF, respectively (P>0.05; n=9 cells), confirming the K(+)-induced current as I(p). I(p) increased linearly with increasing V(m) between -120 and +60 mV (n=25 cells). Stepwise increments in [K(+)](o) (between 0 and 10 mM) increased I(p) in a concentration-dependent manner (maximum response, E(max)=1.19+/-0.09 pA/pF; EC(50)=1.71+/-0.15 mM; n=27 cells, 9 patients). In cells from patients in AF, the sensitivity of I(p) to both V(m) and [K(+)](o) (E(max)=1.02+/-0.05 pA/pF, EC(50)=1.54+/-0.11 mM; n=44 cells, 9 patients) was not significantly different from that in cells from patients in SR. Within the group of patients in AF, long-term digoxin therapy (n=5 patients) was associated with a small, but significant, reduction in E(max) (0.92+/-0.07 pA/pF) and EC(50) (1.35+/-0.15 mM) compared with non-treatment (E(max)=1.13+/-0.08 pA/pF, EC(50)=1.76+/-0.14 mM; P<0.05 for each, n=4 patients). In cells from non-digoxin-treated patients in AF, the voltage- and [K(+)](o)-sensitivity (E(max) and EC(50)) were similar to those in cells from patients in SR. CONCLUSIONS: The Na, K pump current contributes to the human atrial cell V(m), action potential shape and ERP. However, the similarity in I(p) sensitivity to both [K(+)](o) and V(m) between atrial cells from patients with and without chronic AF indicates that I(p) is not involved in AF-induced electrophysiological remodelling in patients.     

增强型绿色荧光蛋白转染小鼠心脏后瞬时外向钾电流及钠钙交换电流的变化

目的探讨绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)转染对心脏瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)及钠钙交换电流(INCX)的影响。方法20只雄性小鼠等量随机分为对照组和增强型GFP(EGFP)组。EGFP组小鼠采用8点注射法均匀注射100μl腺病毒于左室游离壁上,对照组注射等量无菌生理盐水。一周后分离单个心室肌细胞,用膜片钳记录Ito及INCX。结果与对照组相比,EGFP组几乎所有测定电压下,Ito电流密度显著减小[如+60 mV时为8.40±1.55 pA/pF(n=9)vs 36.77±8.12 pA/pF(n=11),P<0.05]。INCX的前向模式不因转染EGFP变化[如-80 mV时为-0.35±0.05 pA/pF(n=8)vs-0.42±0.08 pA/pF(n=10),P>0.05],但反向模式电流显著增大[如+80 mV时为1.47±0.10 pA/pF(n=8)vs 0.72±0.05 pA/pF(n=10),P<0.05]。结论 EGFP转染可使心脏Ito显著减小,而INCX仅反向模式电流增大,其综合效应可能导致细胞内钙增加。