The Changes of Potassium Currents in Rabbit Ventricle with Healed Myocardial Infarction

To elucidate the mechanism of arrhythmia in healed myocardial infarction (HMI), the changes of action potential duration (APD), transient outward potassium current (I to), delayed rectifier potassium current (I K) and inward rectifier potassium current (I K1) of left ventricular myocytes in non-infarcted zone of HMI were investigated. Rabbits were randomly assigned into two groups: HMI group, in which animals were subjected to thoracotomy and ligation of the circumflex coronary and sham-operated group, in which rabbits underwent thoracotomy but no conorary ligation. 3 months after the operation, the whole myocyte patch clamp technique was used to record APD, I to, I K, and I K1 of ventricular myocytes in non-infarcted zone.Our results showed that the membrane capacitance was larger in HMI group than in sham-operated group. Action potential duration was significantly lengthened in HMI group and early afterdepolarization (EAD) appeared in HMI group. The densities of I to, I K, tail, and I K1 were reduced significantly in HMI group, from 6.72±0.42 pA/pF, 1.54±0.13 pA/pF and 25.6±2.6 pA/pF in sham-operated group to 4.03±0.33 pA/pF, 1.14±0.11 pA/pF and 17.6 ±2.3 pA/pF, respectively. It is concluded that the reduced densities of I to , I K, tail and I K1 in ventricular myocytes of non-infarcted zone in HMI were responsible for the prolongation of APD and the presentation of EAD which played important roles in the development of malignant arrhythmia in HMI.

Effects of Volsartan on Transmural Heterogeneous Changes of Transient Outward Potassium Currents in Hypertrophic Cardiomyocytes in Rabbits

The transmural heterogeneous changes of transient outward potassium currents (Ito) in rabbit hypertrophic cardiaomyocytes and the effects of long-term prophylactic treatment with volsartan were investigated. Rabbits were divided into hypertrophy group (left ventricular hypertrophy induced by partial ligation of abdominal aorta), vol-treated group (volsartan was administrated after the ligation), and control group (sham operated). Myocytes were isolated by a two-step enzymatical method. The sub-endocardial (Endo) and sub-epicardium (Epi) tissues were separated from midmyocardium (Mid) with a razor. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record potassium currents. The results showed that membrane capacitance was larger in hypertrophic cells than those in control and vol-treated cells (P<0.01 vs control cells, n=30). The densities of Ito in hypertrophic cells were reduced by sub-epicardium (Epi) (27.8±2.9) %, midmyocardium (Mid) (41.0±4.7) %, and sub-endocardium (Endo) (20.3±3.4) % compared with those in control cells. The decrease of Ito density was more pronounced in Mid than in Epi and Endo (P<0.01 vs Epi or Endo). There were no significant differences in Ito densities between vol-treated group and control group in three layers separately. In conclusion, volsartan can inhibit the transmural heterogeneous changes of Ito in left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyocytes in rabbit.

Effect of etomidate on voltage-dependent potassium currents in rat isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Background Previous studies demonstrated general anesthetics affect potassium ion channels, which may be one of the mechanisms of general anesthesia. Because the effect of etomidate on potassium channels in rat hippocampus which is involved in memory function has not been studied, we investigated the effects of etomidate on both delayed rectifier potassium current （IK（DR）） and transient outward potassium current （I_K（A）） in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons.Methods Single rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons from male Wistar rats of 7-10 days were acutely dissociated by enzymatic digestion and mechanical dispersion according to the methods of Kay and Wong with slight modification. Voltage-clamp recordings were performed in the whole-cell patch clamp configuration. Currents were recorded with a List EPC-10 amplifier and data were stored in a computer using Pulse 8.5. Student＇s paired two-tail t test was used for data analysis. Results At the concentration of 100 μmol/L, etomidate significantly inhibited IK（DR） by 49.2% at ＋40 mV when depolarized from -110 mV （P 〈0.01, n=8）, while did not affect IK（A） （/1=8, P 〉0.05）. The IC50value of etomidate for blocking IK（DR）was calculated as 5.4 μmol/L, with a Hill slope of 2.45. At the presence of 10 μmol/L etomidate, the V1/2 of activation curve was shifted from （17.3±1.5） mV to （10.7±9.9） mV （n=8, P 〈0.05）, the V1/2 of inactivation curve was shifted from （-18.3±2.2） mV to （-45.3±9.4） mV （n=8, P 〈0.05）. Etomidate 10 μmol/L shifted both the activation curve and inactivation curve of IK（DR））to negative potential, but mainly affected the inactivation kinetics.Conclusions Etomidate potently inhibited IK（DR） but not IK（A） in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. IK（DR） was inhibited by etomidate in a concentration-dependent manner, while IK（A） remained unaffected.

Electrical heterogeneity of canine right ventricular transient outward potassium currents

Background Some studies have confirmed that the right ventricular walls of most rodents, such as canines and humans, have evident transient outward potassium current (I to1) heterogeneity, and this heterogeneity is closely related to J point elevation, J wave formation, and some ventricular tachycardias such as ventricular fibrillations caused by Brugada syndrome. This study is designed to investigate transmural electrical heterogeneity of the canine right ventricle during repolarization (phase 1) from the viewpoint of 4-aminopyridine sensitive and calcium-independent I to1. Methods Adult canine single right ventricular epicardial (Epi) cells, mid-myocardial (M) cells, and endocardial (Endo) cells were enzymatically dissociated. Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings were made to compare the I to1 values of the three cell types. Results At 37℃ and using 0.2 Hz and +70 mV depolarizing test potentials, the average peak I to1 values of Epi cells and M cells averaged (4070±1720) pA and (3540±1840) pA, respectively. The activated and inactivated Epi and M cells kinetic processes were in accordance with the Boltzmann distribution. Compared with I to1 in Epi cells and M cells, the average peak I to1 in Endo cells was very low, averaged (470±130) pA. Conclusions These results suggest that there are evident differences and potent gradients in I to1 between the three cardiac cell types, especially between Epi and Endo cells. These differences are among the prominent manifestations of right ventricular electrical heterogeneity, and may form an important ionic basis and prerequisite for some malignant arrhythmias in the right ventricle, including those arising from Brugada syndrome and other diseases.

Lanthanum Chloride Promoted Proliferation with Enhanced S-phase Entry and Inhibited Potassium Currents of NIH 3T3 Cells

The effects of La^3＋ on proliferation, cell cycles, apoptosis and ion channels were investigated in mouse embryo fibroblast NIH 3T3 cells and its possible mechanisms were explored. Our data showed that La^3＋ promoted cell proliferation with increased S-phase entry and inhibited the outward potassium currents in a concentration-dependent manner in NIH 3T3 cells. La^3＋ and Ca^2＋ had synergistic effect on cell proliferation and cell cycles. It showed that Ca^2＋ was needed for La^3＋ promoted cell cycle progression. Using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique, we found that La^3＋ blocked the outward potassium current in a Lanthanum ions can increase intracellular Ca^2＋ concentration concentration-dependent manner in NIH 3T3 cells. through inhibition of potassium currents, which induce a series of physiological changes and improve proliferation of cells. This may be one of the molecular mechanisms of lanthanum ions induced cell proliferation. The present work provides a new perspective for understanding the biological and toxicological effects of lanthanum.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ACTIONPOTENTIAL AND THEIR UNDERLYING OUTWARD CURRENTS IN MAMMALIAN TASTE RECEPTOR CELLS

Many rat taste receptor cells conduct action potentials(APs).APs had a mean threshold of -35 mV(n=95 cells)and a spike height of 52mV above threshold in current clamp(hold= -80mV).Aps could be classified into two significantly different (P<0.001) groups-fast,with short half-time durations and large outward currents (mean1.3 ms and 2.7nA),and slow,with long duration and small outward currents(mean9.2ms and 0. 29nA).AP upstrokes were conducted by TTX-sensitive sodium currents whereas the downstroke by TEA-blockable outward currents. Voltage dependent analysis of outward current separated transient and sustained components.The transient component was specifically blocked by 4-AP(1mmol/L).A calcium-dependent outward component was also revealed modulating voltage and external calcium concentration.The fast recovery phase of the AP appears related the sustained outward current whereas the after hyperpolarization(AHP) was blocked by 4AP suggesting a significant contribution of the transient component.Forskolin (FSK),which elevates cAMP,reversibly blocked the majority of the sustained current without influencing the transient. FSK greatly exaggerated the AHP without changing the spike height or duration. These data suggest that several components of the outward current contribute specifically to the gustatory AP and that the AP may be modulated by cyclic nucleotides.

Two outward potassium current types are expressed during the neural differentiation of neural stem cells

The electrophysiological properties of potassium ion channels are regarded as a basic index for determining the functional differentiation of neural stem cells. In this study, neural stem cells from the hippocampus of newborn rats were induced to differentiate with neurotrophic growth factor, and the electrophysiological properties of the voltage-gated potassium ion channels were observed. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the rapidly proliferating neural stem cells formed spheres in vitro that expressed high levels of nestin. The differentiated neurons were shown to express neuron-specific enolase. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the neural stem cells were actively dividing and the percentage of cells in the S ＋ G2/M phase was high. However, the ratio of cells in the S ＋ G2/M phase decreased obviously as differentiation proceeded. Whole-cell patch-clamp re- cordings revealed apparent changes in potassium ion currents as the neurons differentiated. The potassium ion currents consisted of one transient outward potassium ion current and one delayed rectifier potassium ion current, which were blocked by 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, respectively. The experimental findings indicate that neural stem cells from newborn rat hippo- campus could be cultured and induced to differentiate into functional neurons under defined condi- tions in vitro. The differentiated neurons expressed two types of outward potassium ion cur＇ents similar to those of mature neurons in vivo.

Effect of Interleukin-1β on I_A and I_K Currents in Cultured Murine Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons

To investigate the effect of intedeukin-1β （IL-1β） on IA and IK currents in cultured murine trigeminal ganglion （TG） neurons, whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the IA and IK currents before and after 20 ng/mL IL-1β perfusion. Our results showed that 20 ng/mL IL-1β inhibited IA currents （18.3±10.7）% （n=6, P〈0.05）. IL-1β at 20 ng/mL had no effect on G-V curve of IA but moved the H-infinity curve V0.5 from -36.6±6. 1 mV to-42.4±5.2 mV （n=5, P〈0.01）. However, 20 ng/mL IL-1β had effect on neither the amplitude nor the G-V curve of IK. IL-1β was found to selectively inhibit IA current in TG neurons and the effect may contribute to hyperalgesia under various inflammatory conditions.

Silencing gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor alpha 1 subunit expression and outward potassium current in developing cortical neurons

We used RNA interference （RNAi） to disrupt synthesis of the cortical neuronal y-aminobutyric acid A receptor （GABAAR） al in rats during development, and measured outward K＋ currents during neuronal electrical activity using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Three pairs of small interfering RNA （siRNA） for GABAAR al subunit were designed using OligoEngine RNAi software. This siRNA was found to effectively inhibited GABAAR al mRNA expression in cortical neuronal culture in vitro, but did not significantly affect neuronal survival. Outward K^currents were decreased, indicating that GABAAR al subunits in developing neurons participate in neuronal function by regulating outward K＋ current.

Sex Difference in the Repolarization Currents of Rabbit Ventricular Cells

The current difference between male and female rabbit ventricular myocytes was investigated for elucidating the mechanism of longer QT interval and higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes in female rabbits than in male rabbits. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, I_to, I_K,tail, I_K1 and I_Ca,L of myocytes from left ventricular apex. There was no difference in the membrane capacitance between male and female rabbit myocytes. APD_90 was longer in female rabbits (560.4±26.5 ms, n=15) than in male ones (489.0±20.7 ms, n=14), P<0.05. In female rabbit myocytes, I_K,tail, I_to, I_K1 and I_Ca,L were 0.71±0.05 pA/pF (n=17), 8.28±1.03 pA/pF (n=18), 24.5±3.6 pA/pF (n=12) and 9.0±2.3 pA/pF (n=15) respectively. In male rabbit myocytes, they were 0.84±0.07 pA/pF (n=18), 8.60±1.20 pA/pF (n=18), 25.9±4.5 pA/pF (n=14) and 9.3±2.6 pA/pF (n=16) respectively. I_K,tail in female rabbits was significantly lower than that of male rabbits (P<0.05), but there was no difference in I_to, I_K1 and I_Ca,L between male rabbits and female rabbits (P>0.05). The lower I_K,tail of female rabbit myocytes may contribute to the longer repolarization and the higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes.

The Effect of Levobunolol Hydrochloride on the Calcium andPotassium Channels in Isolated Ventricular Myocytes of Guinea Pig

The effects of levobunolol hydrochlorid (Bun) on the type L calciumchannel currents (Ica) and delayed rectifier potassium channel currents (Ik) in isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig were studied by using patch clamp wholecell recording techniques. The results were showed that: 1) Bun caused a dosedependent decrease in Ica and a dose-dependent increase in Ik of the ventricular myocytes.The threshold concentrations of Bun for Ica and Ik were 10-8 mol/L and10-7 mol/L respectively. The maximum effective concentration of Bun for both Ica and Ik was 3 × 10-5 mol/L, and half-maximal concentration was 3 × 10-6 mol/L;2 ) Ik was blocked by 2× 10-6mol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA). A concentration of 3 × 10-6 mol/L Bun showed a decreasing effect on the Ica as revealed by the current-voltage relationship curve, i. e., Bun caused an elevation of the curve; 3)When Ica was blocked by 2 × 10-6 mol/L Isoptin (Verapamil), at a concentrationof 3 × 106- mol/L Bun showed an increasing effect on Ik and the effect could be blocked by TEA. The above-mentioned results indicated that Bun had an inhibito-ry effect on Ica and a fascilitatory effect on Ik The results suggested that themolecular mechanisms of antihypertensive, heart rate slowing and β-receptorblocking effects of Bun might be due to decrease of Ica and increase of Ik.

Frequency Selectivity Behaviour in the Auditory Midbrain： Implications of Model Study

By numerical simulations on frequency dependence of the spiking threshold, i.e. on the critical amplitude of periodic stimulus, for a neuron to fire, we find that bushy cells in the cochlear nuclear exhibit frequency selec- tivity behaviour. However, the selective frequency band of a bushy cell is far away from that of the preferred spectral range in human and mammal auditory perception. The mechanism underlying this neural activity is also discussed. Further studies show that the ion channel densities have little impact on the selective frequency band of bushy cells. These findings suggest that the neuronal behaviour of frequency selectivity in bushy cells at both the single cell and population levels may be not functionally relevant to frequency discrimination. Our results may reveal a neural hint to the reconsideration on the busily cell functional role in auditory information processing of sound frequency.

Effect of New O-Superfamily Conotoxin on Voltage-Activated Currents of Hippocampal Neurons

The effects of a new O-superfamily conotoxin, SO3, on sodium current (INa), transient A-type potassium currents (IA),and delayed rectified potassium currents (IK), were examined in cultured rat hippocampal neurons using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Addition of SO3 caused a concentration-dependent, rapidly developing, and reversible inhibition of voltage-activated currents. The IC50 values for the blockage of INa , IA, and IK were calculated as 0.49, 33.9, and 7.6 mmol/L, respectively. The determined Hill coefficients were 1.7, 0.6, and 1.2, respectively. These results indicate that SO3 can selectively inhibit neuronal sodium and potassium currents.

Effects of Xinjining(心悸宁) Extract on Inward Rectifier Potassium Current in Ventricular Myocytes of Guinea Pig

Objective： To study the effect of Xinjining extract （心悸宁, XJN） on inward rectifier potassium current （IKI） in ventricular myocyte （VMC） of guinea pigs and its anti-arrhythmic mechanism on ion channel level. Methods： Single VMC was enzymatically isolated by zymolisis, and whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to record the Ikl in VMC irrigated with XJN of different concentrations （1.25, 2.50, 5.00 g/L; six samples for each）. The stable current and conductance of the inward component of IK1 as well as the outward component of peak IK1 and conductance of it accordingly was recorded when the test voltage was set on -110 mV. Results： The suppressive rate of XJN on the inward component of IK1 was 9.54% ± 5.81%, 34.82% ± 15.03%, and 59.52% ± 25.58% with a concentration of 1.25, 2.50, and 5.00 g/L, respectively, and that for the outward component of peak IK1 was 23.94%± 7.45%, 52.98%± 19.62%, and 71.42% ± 23.01%, respectively （all P〈0.05）. Moreover, different concentrations of XJN also showed effects for reducing IK1 conductance. Conclusion： XJN has inhibitory effect on IK1in guinea pig＇s VMC, and that of the same concentration shows stronger inhibition on outward component than on inward component, which may be one of the mechanisms of its anti-arrhythmic effect.

Differential effects of d,l-sotalol and d-sotalol on isoproterenol increased delayed rectifier outward potassium current in guinea pig myocytes

Objective Catecholamines antagonize the clinical efficacy of pure class Ⅲ antiarrhythmic agents in vivo. The antiarrhythmic agent d, l sotalol has β adrenergic blocking properties and class Ⅲ activity. However, its d isomer without β blockade has been shown to exert significant proarrhythmia. To determine the role of β adrenergic blocking properties of d, l sotalol on its antiarrhythmic effect, we compared the effects of d, l sotalol and d sotalol on delayed rectifier K + outward current in the presence of isoproterenol at different concentrations. Methods Time dependent delayed rectifier K + outward currents, I K (I Kr and I Ks ) and tail current (I K tail ) were measured in isolated guinea pig myocytes using the whole cell configuration of the patch clamp technique. Currents were measured in response to 300 ms depolarizing pulses from a holding potential of Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany (Yao XZ, Yannoulis NC, Kiehn J and Brachmann J) 40 mV in three experimental protocols [control, isoproterenol (10 9 -10 6 mol/L), and isoproterenol (10 9 -10 6 mol/L) plus either d, l sotalol (10 4 mol/L) or d sotalol (10 4 mol/L)]. I K tail currents were measured upon repolarization to 40 mV. Results Isoproterenol significantly inreased I K and I K tail in a concentration dependent manner. I K was significantly amplified in the presence of isoproterenol (10 9 -10 6 mol/L) plus d sotalol. At 10 8 mol/L isoproterenol, I K was increased by 92.3%±23.7% before and 54.3%±13.4% after d sotalol. In contrast, d, l sotalol strongly suppressed the effect of isoproterenol on I K, and compared to control, I K was decreased by 35.6%±8.1% at 10 8 mol/L isoproterenol. Conclusions The β adrenergic blocking property of d, l sotalol maintains delayed rectifier K + outward current block in the presence of isoproterenol in guinea pig myocytes. This may result in its supperior antiarrhythmic efficacy compared to d sotalol.

Changes of I_(K,ATP) current density and allosteric modulation during chronic atrial fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventriculararrhythmia in clinical practice. Chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF) is associated with ionicremodeling. However, little is known about the activity of ATP-sensitive potassium current I_(K,ATP) during CAF. So we studied the changes of I_(K, ATP) density and allosteric modulation ofATP-sensitivity by intracellular pH during CAF. Methods Myocardium samples were obtained from theright auricular appendage of patients with rheumatic heart disease complicated with valvular diseasein sinus rhythm (SR) or CAF. There were 14 patients in SR group and 9 patients in CAF group. Singleatrial cells were isolated using an enzyme dispersion technique. IKiATP was recorded using thewhole-cell and inside-out configuration of voltage-clamp techniques. In whole-cell model, myocytesof SR and CAF groups were perfused with simulated ischemic solution to elicit I_(K, ATP). Ininside-out configuration, the internal patch membranes were exposed to different ATP concentrationsin pH 7. 4 and 6. 8. Results Under simulated ischemia, I_(K, ATP) current density of CAF group wassignificantly higher than in SR group [(83.5 ± 10.8) vs. (58.7 ±8.4) pA/pF, P < 0. 01 ] . I_(K,ATP) of the two groups showed ATP concentration-dependent inhibition. The ATP concentration for 50%current inhibition (IC_(50) ) for the SR group was significantly different in pH 7. 4 and pH 6. 8(24 vs. 74 μmol/L, P < 0. 01). The IC_(50) did not change significantly in CAF group when the pHdecreased from 7. 4 to 6. 8. Conclusions During CAF, I_(K, ATP) current density was increased andits allosteric modulation of ATP-sensitivity by intracellular pH was diminished.

J Wave Syndromes： A Decade of Progress

Objective： The objective was to provide a brief history of J wave molecular, ionic, cellular mechanisms, and clinical features. We will clinical research for J wave syndromes. syndromes and to summarize our current understanding of their also discuss the existing debates and further direction in basic and Data Sources： The publications on key words of＂J wave syndromes＂, ＂early repolarization syndrome （ERS）＂, ＂Brugada syndrome （BrS）＂ and ＂ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI）＂ were comprehensively reviewed through search of the PubMed literatures without restriction on the publication date. Study Selection： Original articles, reviews and other literatures concerning J wave syndromes, ERS, BrS and STEMI were selected. Results： J wave syndromes were firstly defined by Yah et al. in a Chinese journal a decade ago, which represent a spectrum of variable phenotypes characterized by appearance of prominent electrocardiographic J wave including ERS, BrS and ventricular fibrillation （VF） associated with hypothermia and acute STEMI. J wave syndromes can be inherited or acquired and are mechanistically linked to amplification of the transient outward current （I ）-mediated J waves that can lead to phase 2 reentry capable of initiating VF. Conclusions： J wave syndromes are a group of newly highlighted clinical entities that share similar molecular, ionic and cellular mechanism and marked by amplified J wave on the electrocardiogram and a risk of VF. The clinical challenge ahead is to identify the patients with J wave syndromes who are at risk for sudden cardiac death and determine the alternative therapeutic strategies to reduce mortality.