SHR心肌细胞内钙离子浓度改变与左室肥厚和功能的关系

目的:探讨自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)心肌细胞内钙离子浓度的动态演变规律及其与左室肥厚和功能的相互关系。方法:应用Ca²⁺荧光指示剂Fura-2/AM分别测定了10周龄、22周龄、34周龄SHR心肌细胞内Ca²⁺浓度以及导管法测定了大鼠心功能,并以同龄京都-Wistar(WKY)大鼠作对照。结果:各周龄SHR收缩压(SBP)、心肌细胞内Ca²⁺浓度([Ca⁺]_i)、左室重量/体重(LVM/BW)均明显高于同龄正常血压WKY大鼠,22周龄SHR左室压力最大下降速率(-dp/dt_max)低于、左室松弛时间常数(τ)长于同龄WKY大鼠,34周龄SHR±dp／dt_max和左室收缩指数均显著低于同龄WKY大鼠,τ进一步延长;心肌细胞内[Ca⁺]_i与大鼠LVM/BW、SBP-dp／dt_max、τ呈显著正相关(r=0.47-0.83,P＜0.01),与dp／dt_max和收缩指数呈显著负相关(r=-0.46,P<0.05和-0.81,P<0.01)。结论:SHR心肌细胞内钙离子超负荷不仅介导了心肌肥厚的形成,还导致了心肌的收缩和舒张功能障碍。     

Ultra-slow voltage-dependent inactivation of the calcium current in guinea-pig and ferret ventricular myocytes

L-type Ca²⁺ current, i _Ca, has been recorded in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes at 36° C using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Intracellular Ca²⁺ was buffered with ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA). An increase in the rate of stimulation from 0.5 to 3 Hz resulted in an abrupt decrease in i _Ca in the first beat at the high rate, followed by a progressive decrease ( approx. 7 s) over the next 30 s. The changes were not the result of Ca²⁺-dependent inactivation, because similar changes occurred with either Ba²⁺ or Na⁺ as the charge carrier. During 20-s voltage clamp pulses there was an ultra-slow phase of inactivation of Ba²⁺ or Na⁺ current through the Ca²⁺ channel ( approx. 6 s at 0 mV). This was confirmed by applying test pulses after conditioning pulses of different duration: the Ba²⁺ current during the test pulse decreased progressively when the duration of the conditioning pulse was increased progressively to 20 s. Ultra-slow inactivation of Ba²⁺ current was voltage dependent and increased monotonically at more positive potentials. Recovery of Ba²⁺ current from ultra-slow inactivation occurred with a time constant of 3.7 s at –40 mV and 0.7 s at –80 mV. The gradual decrease in i _Ca on increasing the rate to 3 Hz may have been the result of the development of ultra-slow voltage-dependent inactivation.     

High-voltage-activated calcium current in developing neurons is insensitive to nifedipine

We have analyzed the effect of nifedipine on the macroscopic high-threshold, voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current in four cell types: postnatal rat Purkinje and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, embryonic chick DRG neurons, and adult cat ventricular myocytes. As is consistent with previous reports, nifedipine reduced HVA current in myocytes in a voltage-sensitive manner. Analysis of nifedipine actions on neurons, however, was compromised by slow inactivation of the current at holding potentials between –80mV and –40 mV. The slow inactivation was voltage-dependent, irreversible after 5 min, and contributed to rundown of the current. At –40 mV, slow inactivation displayed two time constants: 12±8 s and 7±4 min. When slow inactivation was taken into account, we found no evidence for a nifedipine-sensitive component of the HVA current in these neurons. Consistent with previous studies, DRG neurons were reduced irreversibly by -conotoxin, whereas cardiac and Purkinje cells were unaffected. Our biophysical and pharmacological results are consistent with two types of neuronal HVA currents (N type and P type) in developing neurons that are distinct from cardiac HVA currents (L type).     

盐酸莫索尼定对自发性高血压大鼠左室肥厚的影响

目的:研究国产盐酸莫索尼定对自发性高血压大鼠左室肥厚时心肌纤维化和冠状动脉微血管结构的影响。方法:20周龄的雄性自发性高血压大鼠30只随机分为①Mox+SHR组;②Cap+SHR组;③SHR组, 每组10只。另设性别周龄相配的SD大鼠10只为正常对照组(NC组)。观察13周后处死动物, 获取心脏。测量左心室重/体重, 左室胶原分数, 标准化血管周胶原面积和肌间动脉中膜厚度的变化。结果:Mox+SHR组不仅左心室重/体重明显低于SHR组, 而且左室胶原分数低于SHR组(0.086±0.018vs0.046±0.015, P＜0.01), 血管外膜胶原少于SHR组(0.69±0.11vs1.34±0.29, P＜0.01), 中膜薄于SHR组。结论:盐酸莫索尼定长期抗高血压治疗能够减轻左室肥厚时的心肌纤维化和改善受损的冠脉微血管结构。     

苯丙氨酸对自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞内钙的影响

目的 探索苯丙氨酸对自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞内钙的影响，方法 将ＳＨＲ和ＷＫＹ的血管平滑肌细胞在不同浓度苯丙酸培养液中培养一定时间后，加入（＾４５ＣａＣｌ２）温育一定时间后，测定进入细胞内（＾４５Ｃａ＾２＋）的量；而后将在不同浓度苯丙氨酸培养液中培养一定时间后的ＳＨＲ和ＷＫＹ的血管平滑肌细胞同ＰＳＳ液温育，采用Ｆｕｒａ－２／ＡＭ荧光指示剂测定不同浓度苯丙氨酸对细胞内游离Ｃａ＾２＋的影响。结果     

cGMP facilitates calcium current via cGMP-dependent protein kinase in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes

 The effect of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) on L-type Ca current (I _Ca) was investigated in a study of rabbit ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular application of cGMP (100 μM) increased I _Ca in the absence of isoprenaline or forskolin. 8-Bromo-cGMP (100 μM) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-pCPT-cGMP, 400 μM), relatively specific stimulators of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PK), also increased I _Ca. The stimulatory effect of 8-pCPT-cGMP was suppressed by Rp-8-chlorophenylthio-cGMP (400 μM), a phosphodiesterase-resistant cGMP-PK inhibitor. When I _Ca was increased by bath application of the non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 100 μM), 8-pCPT-cGMP (400 μM) resulted in additional stimulation of I _Ca. In the presence of 8-pCPT-cGMP, additional applications of isoprenaline (1 μM) or forskolin (1 μM) induced a further increase in I _Ca. From these results, it could be concluded that the activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in the facilitation of I _Ca by cGMP in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Received: 17 March 1997 / Received after revision: 28 August 1997 / Accepted: 16 September 1997     

Effects of spironolactone in spontaneously hypertensive adult rats subjected to high salt intake

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of spironolactone on ventricular stiffness in spontaneously hypertensive adult rats subjected to high salt intake.

INTRODUCTION:

High salt intake leads to cardiac hypertrophy, collagen accumulation and diastolic dysfunction. These effects are partially mediated by cardiac activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

METHODS:

Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs, 32 weeks) received drinking water (SHR), a 1% NaCl solution (SHR-Salt), or a 1% NaCl solution with a daily subcutaneous injection of spironolactone (80 mg.kg^-1) (SHR-Salt-S). Age-matched normotensive Wistar rats were used as a control. Eight weeks later, the animals were anesthetized and catheterized to evaluate left ventricular and arterial blood pressure. After cardiac arrest, a double-lumen catheter was inserted into the left ventricle through the aorta to obtain in situ left ventricular pressure-volume curves.

RESULTS:

The blood pressures of all the SHR groups were similar to each other but were different from the normotensive controls (Wistar  =  109±2; SHR  =  118±2; SHR-Salt  =  117±2; SHR-Salt-S  =  116±2 mmHg; P<0.05). The cardiac hypertrophy observed in the SHR was enhanced by salt overload and abated by spironolactone (Wistar  =  2.90±0.06; SHR  =  3.44±0.07; SHR-Salt  =  3.68±0.07; SHR-Salt-S  =  3.46±0.05 mg/g; P<0.05). Myocardial relaxation, as evaluated by left ventricular dP/dt, was impaired by salt overload and improved by spironolactone (Wistar  =  -3698±92; SHR  =  -3729±125; SHR-Salt  =  -3342±80; SHR-Salt-S  =  -3647±104 mmHg/s; P<0.05). Ventricular stiffness was not altered by salt overload, but spironolactone treatment reduced the ventricular stiffness to levels observed in the normotensive controls (Wistar  =  1.40±0.04; SHR  =  1.60±0.05; SHR-Salt  =  1.67±0.12; SHR-Salt-S  =  1.45±0.03 mmHg/ml; P<0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Spironolactone reduces left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to high salt intake and ventricular stiffness in adult SHRs.     

Multiple effects of caffeine on calcium current in rat ventricular myocytes

Caffeine exerts a number of different effects on L-type calcium current in rat ventricular myocytes. These include: (1) a slowing of inactivation that is comparable to, but not additive to, that produced by prior treatment of the cells with ryanodine (a selective sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ releaser) or high concentrations of intracellular 1,2-bis[2-aminophenoxy]ethane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) (a fast Ca²⁺ chelator), (2) a stimulation of peak I _Ca that is comparable to, but not additive to that produced by prior treatment with isobutylmethylxanthine (a selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and (3) a dose-dependent decrease of peak I _Ca that is not prevented by pretreatment with any of these agents. None of the caffeine actions could be mimicked or prevented by administration of 8-phenyltheophylline, a specific adenosine receptor antagonist. We conclude that only the slowing of I _Ca inactivation is due to caffeine's ability to deplete the sarcoplasmic reticulum of calcium. The stimulatory effect of caffeine on peak I _Ca is probably due to phosphodiesterase inhibition, while caffeine's inhibitory effect on I _Ca is independent of these processes and could be a direct effect on the channel. The multiplicity of caffeine actions independent of its effects on the sarcoplasmic reticulum lead to the conclusion that ryanodine, though slower acting and essentially irreversible, is a more selective agent than caffeine for probing sarcoplasmic reticulum function and its effects on other processes.The experimental part of this work was published during the postdoctoral stay of I. Zahradník in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA     

Temporal characteristics of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

BACKGROUND: The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is frequently used as model of cardiovascular disease, with considerable disparity in reported parameters of hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to assess the temporal changes occurring during the development and progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in SHR, subsequent to pressure overload, compared to changes associated with normal aging using the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. METHODS: Ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from rats at 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks, and parameters of hypertrophy (cell dimensions, protein mass, de novo protein synthesis, and gene expression) and function (contraction and hypertrophic responsiveness in vitro) were assessed. RESULTS: Hypertension was evident at > or =7 weeks in SHRs. Heart:body mass ratio, cardiomyocyte protein mass and width were elevated (P<.05) in SHRs at 16-20 weeks compared to WKYs. In SHRs compared to WKYs at 16 weeks, there was a transient increase (P<.05) in protein synthesis, enhanced hypertrophic responsiveness to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, and induced hypertrophic responsiveness to isoprenaline. Skeletal-alpha-actin mRNA was detected in SHR but not WKY cells at all ages. ANP mRNA was lower in SHR than in WKY cells at 8-20, but progressively increased (P<.05) from 12 to 24 weeks within SHRs. Contractile function increased (P<.05) at 20 weeks in SHR compared to WKY rats. CONCLUSION: Structural and functional changes occurring at the cellular level in the myocardium of SHR follow a distinct pattern, such that pressure overload was initially accompanied by expressional changes (8-12 weeks), followed by active hypertrophic growth and enhanced function (16-20 weeks), which subsequently decelerated as stable compensation was attained.     

Losartan抗高血压左室肥厚的细胞学机制研究

目的:探讨细胞增殖与细胞凋亡在高血压左室肥厚中的作用及血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(AT₁受体)拮抗剂在体干预对其影响。方法:选用成年12及24周龄SHR和WKY大鼠,干预组SHR自12周龄起每日胃管灌饲losartan(15mg·kg^-1·d^-1)至24周龄止。称重法测量左室肥厚指数,免疫组化法检测PCNA的蛋白表达,TUNEL法原位检测细胞凋亡,半定量RT－PCR法检测fas mRNA表达。结果:SHR左室肥厚指数、心肌细胞凋亡率显著多于同龄WKY(P＜0.01),心肌成纤维细胞凋亡率显著低于同龄WKY(P＜0.05)。12周龄SHR心肌细胞PCNA阳性率显著高于同龄WKY(P＜0.05),心肌成纤维细胞阳性率在两组间无显著差异。24周龄WKY和干预组SHR无PCNA阳性细胞检出,24周龄SHR偶见阳性心肌细胞。干预组左室肥厚指数、心肌细胞凋亡率显著低于同龄SHR组,成纤维细胞凋亡率显著高于同龄SHR组。各组大鼠心肌组织中fasmRNA表达量与细胞凋亡率呈正相关(r=0.52,P＜0.05)。结论:成年SHR左室肥厚的细胞学变化表现为心肌细胞的增殖/凋亡的失衡,以及心肌成纤维细胞凋亡的减少。losartan抗成年SHR左室肥厚的机制可能与改变这种异常的细胞群体变化及调节fas基因的表达有关。     

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium mobilization in right ventricular pressure-overload hypertrophy in the ferret: relationships to diastolic dysfunction and a negative treppe

In a model of right-ventricular pressure-overload hypertrophy (POH) in the ferret, action potential duration (to 90% repolarization) was found to be significantly longer (228±11 vs 314±12 ms) with no change in amplitude (85±3 vs 85±2 mV) or resting membrane potential (-79 ±1.5 vs -79±1 mV) for control and POH, respectively. Peak sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release (expressed as the logarithm of the fractional luminescence,-4.2±0.1 vs -4.4±0.3) and resting calcium concentrations (-5.5±0.1vs -5.7±0.1) were not different between the two groups (control vs POH respectively). Muscles from control and POH animals demonstrated a positive force/interval relationship in the presence of physiological extracellular [Ca²⁺]. However, unlike muscles from control animals, muscles from animals with POH subjected to increasing frequencies of contraction in the presence of increased extracellular [Ca²⁺] demonstrated further impairment of diastolic relaxation and a negative treppe. Exposure of muscles from POH animals to isoproterenol returned the slowed Ca²⁺ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum as detected with aequorin to control values, although the relaxation phase of the isometric twitch remained prolonged compared to non-hypertrophied muscles. Exposure to milrinone also abbreviated the time course of the intracellular Ca²⁺ transient, but did not return it to that seen in normal myocardium. The exposure of non-hypertrophied isolated muscles to caffeine resulted in similar prolongation of the isometric twitch duration to that seen in hypertrophied myocardium. Results of these experiments suggest that impaired muscle relaxation in POH reflects changes at the level of the myofilaments. Thus, although slowed intracellular calcium mobilization contributes to diastolic relaxation abnormalities, it can not be the sole factor responsible for the slowed relaxation as has been suggested.     

Activation of a slow outward current by the calcium released during contraction of cultured rat skeletal muscle cells

A slow outward current, activated during depolarization, which induced contraction in whole-cell patch-clamped rat skeletal muscle cells in primary culture [10], was extensively characterized in the present study. This current, I _O, was simultaneously recorded with the contraction as a slow outward current during the test pulse, and a slow outward bell-shaped tail after repolarization. I _O never appeared below the threshold potential for contraction, and the tail amplitude displayed a similar evolution with peak contraction amplitude as a function of membrane potential. This feature is consistent with the fact that I _O was suppressed when contraction was blocked by 5 M nifedipine [10], and it suggests that I _O was dependent on calcium released during contraction. This was confirmed by the fact that the presence of 10 mM EGTA in the patch pipette prevented the development of both contraction and I _O, and that I _O could be activated during caffeine-induced contractures without applying depolarizations. I _O could be carried by K⁺ or Cs⁺ ions, but not by Na⁺. The pharmacology of I _O was different from that of Ca²⁺-dependent BK and SK channels, since it was resistant to tetraethylammonium (135 mM), charybdotoxin (25 nM) and apamin (50 nM). I _o was also insensitive to 4-aminopyridine (1 mM) but blocked by 5 mM Ba²⁺ without change to contraction. It was concluded that rat cultured myoballs exhibit a Cs⁺ permeation through an atypical K⁺ channel type, which is activated by the calcium released during contraction.     

Activation of Ca2+-sensitive Cl– current by reverse mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange in rabbit ventricular myocytes

 We investigated how Ca²⁺-sensitive transient outward current, I _to(Ca), is activated in rabbit ventricular myocytes in the presence of intracellular Na⁺ (Na⁺ _i) using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique at 36°C. In cells dialysed with Na⁺-free solutions,the application of nicardipine (5 μM) to block L-type Ca²⁺ current (I _Ca) completely inhibited I _to(Ca). In cells dialysed with a [Na⁺]_i≥5 mM, however, I _to(Ca) could be observed after blockade of I _Ca, indicating the activity of an I _Ca-independent component. The amplitude of I _Ca-independent I _to(Ca) increased with voltage in a [Na⁺]_i-dependent manner. The block of Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum by caffeine, ryanodine or thapsigargin blocked I _Ca-independent I _to(Ca). In Ca²⁺-free bath solution I _to(Ca) was completely abolished. The application of 2 mM Ni²⁺ or the newly synthesized compound KBR7943, a selective blocker of the reverse mode of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange, or perfusion with pipette solution containing XIP (10 μM), a selective blocker of the exchanger, blocked I _Ca-independent I _to(Ca). From these results we conclude that, in the presence of Na⁺ _i, I _to(Ca) can be activated via Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release triggered by Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange operating in the reverse mode after blockade of I _Ca. Received: 20 January 1998 / Received after revision: 6 July 1998 / Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Non-steady-state calcium handling in failing hearts from the spontaneously hypertensive rat

It is generally agreed that changes in Ca²⁺ cycling are often associated with heart failure, yet the impact of these changes on a beat-to-beat basis remains unclear. Measurements of isometric force and [Ca²⁺]_i were made at 37°C in left ventricular trabeculae from failing spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hearts, and their normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) controls. At 1 Hz, peak stress was reduced in SHR (14.5?±?2.4 mN mm^?2 versus 22.5?±?6.7 mN mm^?2 for WKY), although the Ca²⁺ transients were bigger (peak [Ca²⁺]_i 0.60?±?0.08 μM versus 0.38?±?0.03 μM for WKY) with a slower decay of fluorescence (time constant 0.105?±?0.005 s versus 0.093?±?0.002 s for WKY). To probe dynamic Ca²⁺ cycling, two experimental protocols were used to potentiate force: (1) an interval of 30 s rest, and (2) a 30-s train of paired-pulses, and the recirculation fraction (RF) calculated for recovery to steady-state. No difference was found between rat strains for RF calculated from either peak force or Ca²⁺, although the RF was dependent on potentiation protocol. Since SR uptake is slower in SHR, the lack of change in RF must be due to a parallel decrease in trans-sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ extrusion. This view was supported by a slower decay of caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ transients in SHR trabeculae. Confocal analysis of LV free wall showed t-tubules were distorted in SHR myocytes, with reduced intensity of NCX and SERCA2a labelling in comparison to WKY.     

Psychosocial stress, dietary calcium and hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The interactive effects of psychosocial stress and diet on the development of hypertension were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Psychosocial stress, produced through manipulation of group housing conditions, was evaluated at three levels of dietary calcium and sodium: Low (0.1% Ca2+, 0.25% Na+), Intermediate (1.0% Ca2+, 0.45% Na+), and High (2.0% Ca2+, 1.0% Na+). After 13 weeks of exposure, stressed animals had higher blood pressure and lower serum ionized calcium than nonstressed animals across all diets. Likewise, animals on the low diet had higher blood pressures and lower ionized calcium values than animals on normal or high diets regardless of stress condition. The combination of stress and low diet produced the highest blood pressure and lowest serum ionized calcium values. The results suggest that stress both independently and in combination with dietary Ca2+ altered calcium metabolism. The interaction between psychosocial stress and dietary factors appears to contribute to reductions in serum ionized calcium and elevations in blood pressure in this experimental model of genetic hypertension.     

不同剂量缬沙坦单用或与苯那普利钠联合应用对SHR血压和左室心肌肥厚的影响

目的:评价不同剂量AT₁受体拮抗剂valsartan单用和与benazepril联合应用对SHR的降压疗效、逆转心肌肥厚作用和对RAAS、内洋地黄素水平的影响。方法:30只14周龄雄性SHR随机分成空白对照组、benazepril组、小剂量valsartan组、大剂量valsartan组和小剂量valsartan与benazepril联用组,另设WKY正常对照组,分别给予生理盐水、benazepril 1 mg·kg^-1、valsartan 8 mg·kg^-1、valsartan 24 mg·kg^-1、valsartan 8 mg·kg^-1+benazepril 1 mg·kg^-1,每日1次灌胃给药,持续8周。结果:药物干预各组SHR动脉收缩压(SBP)水平明显下降,尤以大剂量valsartan组和联合用药组SBP下降最显著;药物干预各组血浆和心肌组织肾素活性均明显升高;benazepril组和小剂量valsartan与benazepril组血浆和心肌组织AngⅡ水平降低;大、小剂量valsartan组血浆和心肌组织AngⅡ水平均明显升高,valsartan剂量越大,血浆和心肌组织AngⅡ水平升高越明显;随SBP水平的降低,心肌组织Na⁺-,K⁺-ATP酶活性明显升高,而内洋地黄素水平则明显下降;药物干预各组LVM/BW、TDM均明显减低,尤以联合用药组改变最为显著。结论:不同剂量AT₁拮抗剂valsartan和benazepril单用或联用均有明显的降低SHR的SBP作用,能明显抑制左室肥厚进展;联合用药效果最为显著,并能有效防止单用AT₁拮抗剂所致血浆和心肌组织AngII水平的升高的副作用。     

The effect of extracellular Ca2+ concentration on the negative staircase of Ca2+ transient in field-stimulated rat ventricular cells

We performed experiments using the Ca²⁺ indicator dye, fura-2 to investigate the effect of extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_o) on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ release and loading in single rat ventricular cells. In normal Tyrode solution (1.8 mM [Ca²⁺]_o) repetitive stimulation (0.5 Hz) resulted in a gradual decrease in calcium transients (the negative staircase phenomenon) without being accompanied by a gradual decrease in diastolic intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. The rate of the slow decline in calcium transient was faster in lower [Ca²⁺]_o. However, the peak of the first calcium transient was relatively invariant over a wide range of [Ca²⁺]_o (0.5–5 mM). The size of the calcium transient elicited by field stimulation was proportional to that induced by 10 mM caffeine, applied following the field stimulation. These results suggest that the size of calcium transients depends mainly on the Ca²⁺ content of the SR. The quiescent period favoured the replenishment of the SR and this effect was promoted further by increasing the driving force for Ca²⁺ entry across the sarcolemma during this period. We conclude that in low [Ca²⁺]_o, short stimulation interval may limit Ca²⁺ influx across the sarcolemma during the quiescent period to cause a gradual reduction in calcium content of the SR and thus the calcium transient.     

Single channel activity associated with the calcium dependent outward current inHelix pomatia

A recently improved version of the extracellular patch clamp technique (9, 13) was used to record currents from microscopic membrane areas of Helix neurons with predominant Ca²⁺ dependent outward currents. Current fluctuations in the patches consisted mainly of frequently interrupted, one-sided steps indicating discrete open-closed state changes of single channels with an ohmic conductance of approximately 19 pS. Frequency of occurrence of the elementary events compares with amplitudes of macroscopic currents during depolarizing voltage steps of varied amplitude. Average delays in appearance of the events vary in line with delayed time courses of the cell's outward current.     

A Na+-activated K+ current (I K,Na) is present in guinea-pig but not rat ventricular myocytes

 The effects of removing extracellular Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on the membrane potential, membrane current and intracellular Na⁺ activity (a ⁱ _Na) were investigated in guinea-pig and rat ventricular myocytes. Membrane potential was recorded with a patch pipette and whole-cell membrane currents using a single-electrode voltage clamp. Both guinea-pig and rat cells depolarize when the bathing Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are removed and the steady-state a ⁱ _Na increases rapidly from a resting value of 6.4± 0.6 mM to 33±3.8 mM in guinea-pig (n=9) and from 8.9±0.8 mM to 29.3±3.0 mM (n=5) in rat ventricular myocytes. Guinea-pig myocytes partially repolarized when, in addition to removal of the bathing Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, K⁺ was also removed, however rat cells remained depolarized. A large diltiazem-sensitive inward current was recorded in guinea-pig and rat myocytes, voltage-clamped at –20 mV, when the bathing divalent cations were removed. When the bathing K⁺ was removed after Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ depletion, a large outward K⁺ current developed in guinea-pig, but not in rat myocytes. This current had a reversal potential of –80±0.7 mV and was not inhibited by high Mg²⁺ or glybenclamide indicating that it is not due to activation of non-selective cation or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K channels. The current was not activated when Li⁺ replaced the bathing Na⁺ and was blocked by R-56865, suggesting that it was due to the activation of K_Na channels. Received: 15 October 1998 / Received after revision: 22 January 1999 / Accepted: 5 February 1999     

Acetylcholine reduces the slow calcium current in embryonic skeletal muscle cells in culture

Xenopus skeletal muscle cells when grown in culture develop a slow inward calcium current that is sensitive to dihydropyridines. Acetylcholine (ACh, 10 M) applied through a puffer pipette caused a large inward current in these cells (at the holding potential) through the nicotinic receptor channels and reduced the inward calcium current (during a step depolarization to 0 mV). After the ACh application was discontinued the holding current rapidly returned to pre-ACh levels (20 s) whereas the calcium current showed a slow, partial recovery to pre-ACh levels. Outward potassium current was also reduced during the application of ACh but recovered completely after ACh was discontinued. The effect of ACh on the calcium current was not mimicked by muscarine (100 M) and was absent when 10 g/ml -bungarotoxin was added to the bath suggesting that the decrease in calcium current was mediated by current through the nicotinic receptor.