Rate-dependent changes in action potential duration and membrane currents in hamster ventricular myocytes

2002 ◽  
Vol 443 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Kocic ◽  
Yuji Hirano ◽  
Masayasu Hiraoka
1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. H826-H833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seiko Tanabe ◽  
Toshio Hata ◽  
Masayasu Hiraoka

To explore a possible ionic basis for the prolonged Q-T interval in women compared with that in men, we investigated the electrophysiological effects of estrogen in isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Action potentials and membrane currents were recorded using the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Application of 17β-estradiol (10–30 μM) significantly prolonged the action potential duration (APD) at 20% (APD20) and 90% repolarization (APD90) at stimulation rates of 0.1–2.0 Hz. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol, APD20 and APD90 at 0.1 Hz were prolonged by 46.2 ± 17.1 and 63.4 ± 11.7% of the control ( n = 5), respectively. In the presence of 30 μM 17β-estradiol the peak inward Ca2+ current ( I CaL) was decreased to 80.1 ± 2.5% of the control ( n = 4) without a shift in its voltage dependence. Application of 30 μM 17β-estradiol decreased the rapidly activating component of the delayed outward K+ current ( I Kr) to 63.4 ± 8% and the slowly activating component ( I Ks) to 65.8 ± 8.7% with respect to the control; the inward rectifier K+ current was barely affected. The results suggest that 17β-estradiol prolonged APD mainly by inhibiting the I Kcomponents I Krand I Ks.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (6) ◽  
pp. H2321-H2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Zhang ◽  
T. Sawanobori ◽  
H. Adaniya ◽  
Y. Hirano ◽  
M. Hiraoka

Effects of extracellular magnesium (Mg2+) on action potential duration (APD) and underlying membrane currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes were studied by using the whole cell patch-clamp method. Increasing external Mg2+ concentration [Mg2+]o) from 0.5 to 3 mM produced a prolongation of APD at 90% repolarization (APD90), whereas 5 and 10 mM Mg2+ shortened it. [Mg2+]o, at 3 mM or higher, suppressed the delayed outward K+ current and the inward rectifier K+ current. Increases in [Mg2+]o depressed the peak amplitude and delayed the decay time course of the Ca2+ current (ICa), the latter effect is probably due to the decrease in Ca(2+)-induced inactivation. Thus 3 mM Mg2+ suppressed the peak ICa but increased the late ICa amplitude at the end of a 200-ms depolarization pulse, whereas 10 mM Mg2+ suppressed both components. Application of 10 mM Mg2+ shifted the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation by approximately 10 mV to more positive voltage due to screening the membrane surface charges. Application of manganese (1-5 mM) also caused dual effects on APD90, similar to those of Mg2+, and suppressed the peak ICa with slowed decay. These results suggest that the dual effects of Mg2+ on APD in guinea pig ventricular myocytes can be, at least in part, explained by its action on ICa with slowed decay time course in addition to suppressive effects on K+ currents.


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1165-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiya Shiga ◽  
Sandro Yong ◽  
Joseph Carino ◽  
Paul A. Murray ◽  
Derek S. Damron

Background Droperidol has recently been associated with cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Changes in action potential duration seem to be the cause of the arrhythmic behavior, which can lead to alterations in intracellular free Ca concentration ([Ca]i). Because [Ca]i and myofilament Ca sensitivity are key regulators of myocardial contractility, the authors' objective was to identify whether droperidol alters [Ca]i or myofilament Ca sensitivity in rat ventricular myocytes and to identify the cellular mechanisms responsible for these effects. Methods Freshly isolated rat ventricular myocytes were obtained from adult rat hearts. Myocyte shortening, [Ca]i, nitric oxide production, intracellular pH, and action potentials were monitored in cardiomyocytes exposed to droperidol. Langendorff perfused hearts were used to assess overall cardiac function. Results Droperidol (0.03-1 mum) caused concentration-dependent decreases in peak [Ca]i and shortening. Droperidol inhibited 35 mm KCl-induced increase in [Ca]i, with little direct effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca stores. Droperidol had no effect on action potential duration but caused a rightward shift in the concentration-response curve to extracellular Ca for shortening, with no concomitant effect on peak [Ca]i. Droperidol decreased pHi and increased nitric oxide production. Droperidol exerted a negative inotropic effect in Langendorff perfused hearts. Conclusion These data demonstrate that droperidol decreases cardiomyocyte function, which is mediated by a decrease in [Ca]i and a decrease in myofilament Ca sensitivity. The decrease in [Ca]i is mediated by decreased sarcolemmal Ca influx. The decrease in myofilament Ca sensitivity is likely mediated by a decrease in pHi and an increase in nitric oxide production.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 1651-1660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwo-Jyh Chang ◽  
Ming-Jai Su ◽  
Pei-Hong Lee ◽  
Shoei-Sheng Lee ◽  
Karin Chiung-Sheue Liu

The mechanisms of the positive inotropic action of a new synthetic tetrahydroisoquinoline compound, SL-1, were investigated in isolated rat cardiac tissues and ventricular myocytes. SL-1 produced a rapidly developing, concentration-dependent positive inotropic response in both atrial and ventricular muscles and a negative chronotropic effect in spontaneously beating right atria. The positive inotropic effect was not prevented by pretreatment with reserpine (3 mg/kg) or the α-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (1 μM), but was suppressed by either the β-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (3 μM) or the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4AP, 1 mM). In the whole-cell recording study, SL-1 increased the plateau level and prolonged the action potential duration in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the maximum upstroke velocity [Formula: see text] and amplitude of the action potential in isolated rat ventricular myocytes stimulated at 1.0 Hz. On the other hand, SL-1 had little effect on the resting membrane potential, although it caused a slight decrease at higher concentrations. Voltage clamp experiments revealed that the increase of action potential plateau and prolongation of action potential duration were associated with an increase of Ca2+ inward current (ICa) via the activation of β-adrenoceptors and a prominent inhibition of 4AP-sensitive transient outward K+ current (Ito) with an IC50 of 3.9 μM. Currents through the inward rectifier K+ channel (IKl) were also reduced. The inhibition of Ito is characterized by a reduction in peak amplitude and a marked acceleration of current decay but without changes on the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation. In addition to the inhibition of K+ currents, SL-1 also inhibited the Na+ inward current (INa) with an IC50 of 5.4 μM, which was correlated with the decrease of [Formula: see text]. We conclude that the positive inotropic effect of SL-1 may be due to an increase in Ca2+ current mediated via partial activation of β-adrenoceptors and an inhibition of K+ outward currents and the subsequent prolongation of action potentials.Key words: SL-1, tetrahydroisoquinoline, inotropic and chronotropic action, action potential, Na+, Ca2+, and K+ currents.


1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. H1216-H1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth J. Rials ◽  
Xiaoping Xu ◽  
Ying Wu ◽  
Roger A. Marinchak ◽  
Peter R. Kowey

Recent studies indicate that regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) normalizes the in situ electrophysiological abnormalities of the left ventricle. This study was designed to determine whether regression of LVH also normalizes the abnormalities of individual membrane currents. LVH was induced in rabbits by renal artery banding. Single ventricular myocytes from rabbits with LVH at 3 mo after renal artery banding demonstrated increased cell membrane capacitance, prolonged action potential duration, decreased inward rectifier K+ current density, and increased transient outward K+ current density compared with myocytes from age-matched controls. Additional rabbits were randomized at 3 mo after banding to treatment with either vehicle or captopril for an additional 3 mo. Myocytes from LVH rabbits treated with vehicle showed persistent membrane current abnormalities. However, myocytes isolated from LVH rabbits treated with captopril had normal cell membrane capacitance, action potential duration, and membrane current densities. Captopril had no direct effect on membrane currents of either control or LVH myocytes. These data support the hypothesis that the action potential prolongation and membrane current abnormalities of LVH are reversed by regression. Normalization of membrane currents probably explains the reduced vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmia observed in this LVH model after treatment with captopril.


1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 710-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Flemming ◽  
Betty I. Sasyniuk

The voltage- and frequency-dependent blocking actions of disopyramide were assessed in canine Purkinje fibers within the framework of concentrations, membrane potentials, and heart rates which have relevance to the therapeutic actions of this drug. [Formula: see text] was used to assess the magnitude of sodium channel block. Disopyramide produced a concentration- and rate-dependent increase in the magnitude and kinetics of [Formula: see text] depression. Effects on activation time (used as an estimate of drug effect on conduction) were exactly analogous to effects on [Formula: see text]. A concentration-dependent increase in tonic block was also observed. Despite significant increases in tonic block at more depolarized potentials, rate-dependent block increased only marginally with membrane potential over the range of potentials in which propagated action potentials occur. Increases in extracellular potassium concentration accentuated drug effect on [Formula: see text] but attenuated drug effect on action potential duration. Recovery from rate-dependent block followed two exponential processes with time constants of 689 ± 535 ms and 15.7 ± 2.7 s. The latter component represents dissociation of drug from its binding site and the former probably represents recovery from slow inactivation. A concentration-dependent increase in the amplitude of the first component suggested that disopyramide may promote slow inactivation. There was less than 5% recovery from block during intervals equivalent to clinical diastole. Thus, depression of beats of all degrees of prematurity was similar to that of basic drive beats. Prolongation of action potential duration by therapeutic concentrations of drug following a long quiescent interval was minimal. However, profound lengthening of action potential duration occurred following washout of drug effect at a time when [Formula: see text] depression had reverted to normal, suggesting that binding of disopyramide to potassium channels may not be readily reversed. Variable effects on action potential duration may thus be attributed to a block of the window current flowing during the action potential being partially or over balanced by block of potassium channels. Purkinje fiber refractoriness was prolonged in a frequency-dependent manner. Disopyramide did not significantly alter the effective refractory period of basic beats but did increase the effective refractory period of sequential tightly coupled extra stimuli. The results can account for the antiarrhythmic actions of disopyramide during a rapid tachycardia and prevention of its initiation by programmed electrical stimulation.Key words: action potential duration, effective refractory period, upstroke velocity, conduction, rate of sodium channel unblocking.


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