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 myocytes. METHODS: Rat hearts were isolated with collagenase to acquire single ventricular myocytes, L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) current (I(Ca)), Na+ current (I(Na)), outward potassium current (I(out)), inwardly rectifying potassium current(I(KI)) were recorded using whole cell patch clamp techniques. RESULTS: CVB3 infection increased I(Ca) and I(out), while decreased I(KI); but it had no obvious effect on I(Na). CONCLUSION: The effects of CVB3 an I(Ca), I(out), I(KI) may be one of the mechanisms of myocytes damage and the occurrence of abnormal electroactivities induced by CVB3 infection.