Rate-dependent prolongation of action potential duration in isolated rat ventricular myocytes

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.

Download Full-text

Mechanical and electrophysiological effects of a hydroxyphenyl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline, SL-1, on isolated rat cardiac tissues

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1139/y95-727 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 1651-1660 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gwo-Jyh Chang ◽

Ming-Jai Su ◽

Pei-Hong Lee ◽

Shoei-Sheng Lee ◽

Karin Chiung-Sheue Liu

Keyword(s):

Action Potential ◽

Action Potential Duration ◽

Positive Inotropic Effect ◽

Ventricular Myocytes ◽

Inotropic Effect ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cardiac Tissues ◽

Inward Current ◽

Adrenoceptor Antagonist ◽

Isolated Rat

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.

Download Full-text