I(to) and action potential notch are smaller in left vs. right canine ventricular epicardium

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (2) ◽  
pp. H548-H561 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Di Diego ◽  
Z. Q. Sun ◽  
C. Antzelevitch

Transmural heterogeneities of repolarizing currents underlie prominent differences in the electrophysiology and pharmacology of ventricular epicardial, endocardial, and M cells in a number of species. The degree to which heterogeneities exist between the right and left ventricles is not well appreciated. The present study uses standard microelectrode and whole cell patch-clamp techniques to contrast the electrophysiological characteristics and pharmacological responsiveness of tissues and myocytes isolated from right (RVE) and left canine ventricular epicardium (LVE). RVE and LVE studied under nearly identical conditions displayed major differences in the early repolarizing phases of the action potential. The magnitude of phase 1 in RVE was nearly threefold that in LVE: 28.7 +/- 6.2 vs. 10.6 +/- 4.1 mV (basic cycle length = 2,000 ms). Phase 1 in RVE was also more sensitive to alterations of the stimulation rate and to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), suggesting a much greater contribution of the transient outward current (I(to) 1) in RVE than in LVE. The combination of 4-AP plus ryanodine, low chloride, or 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (chloride channel blocker) completely eliminated the notch and all rate dependence of the early phases of the action potential, making RVE and LVE indistinguishable. At +70 mV, RVE myocytes displayed peak I(to) 1 densities between 28 and 37 pA/pF. LVE myocytes included cells with similar I(to) 1 densities (thought to represent subsurface cells) but also cells with much smaller current levels (thought to represent surface cells). Average peak I(to) 1 density was significantly smaller in LVE than in RVE at voltages more than or equal to +10 mV. Our data point to prominent differences in the magnitude of the I(to) 1-mediated action potential notch in cells at the surface of RVE compared with the LVE and suggest that important distinctions may exist in the response of these two tissues to pharmacological agents and pathophysiological states, as previously demonstrated for epicardium and endocardium. Our findings also suggest that a calcium-activated outward current contributes to the early repolarization phase in RVE and LVE and that the influence of this current, although small, is more important in the left ventricle.

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. E302-E307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo-Qian Sun ◽  
Kaie Ojamaa ◽  
William A. Coetzee ◽  
Michael Artman ◽  
Irwin Klein

Thyroid hormones play an important role in cardiac electrophysiology through both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms of action. The effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on the electrophysiological properties of ventricular myocytes isolated from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats were studied using whole cell patch clamp techniques. Hypothyroid ventricular myocytes showed significantly prolonged action potential duration (APD90) compared with euthyroid myocytes, APD90 of 151 ± 5 vs. 51 ± 8 ms, respectively. Treatment of hypothyroid ventricular myocytes with T3 (0.1 μM) for 5 min significantly shortened APD by 24% to 115 ± 10 ms. T3 similarly shortened APD in euthyroid ventricular myocytes, but only in the presence of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), an inhibitor of the transient outward current ( I to), which prolonged the APD by threefold. Transient outward current ( I to) was not affected by the acute application of T3 to either euthyroid or hypothyroid myocytes; however, I to density was significantly reduced in hypothyroid compared with euthyroid ventricular myocytes.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. H1992-H2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Wang ◽  
B. Fermini ◽  
J. Feng ◽  
S. Nattel

Rabbit atrial cells manifest a prominent transient outward K+ current (Ito1), but this current recovers slowly from inactivation and is unlikely to be important at physiological rates (3-5 Hz). Depolarization of rabbit atrial cells also elicits a transient Ca(2+)-dependent outward Cl- current (Ito2). To compare the relative magnitude of these transient outward currents at various rates, we applied whole cell voltage-clamp techniques to isolated rabbit atrial myocytes. Whereas peak Ito1 exceeded Ito2 at slow rates (0.1 Hz), Ito1 was strongly reduced as rate was increased (by 97 +/- 2%, mean +/- SE, at 4 Hz), while Ito2 was slightly reduced (by 28 +/- 4%, 4 Hz). The reversal potential of transient outward tail currents at 0.07 Hz was -49 +/- 9 mV, while at 2.5 Hz the reversal potential became -18 +/- 7 mV (calculated Cl- reversal potential -18 mV). The addition of the Cl- transport blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 150 microM) or the replacement of external Cl- with methanesulfonate inhibited a large part of the transient outward current elicited by depolarization at 4 Hz. DIDS and Cl- replacement increased action potential duration in both single rabbit atrial cells and multicellular rabbit atrial preparations. We conclude that the Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- current is substantially larger than the transient K+ current at physiological rates in the rabbit and is likely to play a more important role in action potential repolarization than the latter current in this tissue in vivo.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (1) ◽  
pp. H1-H11 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Yehia ◽  
A. Shrier ◽  
K. C. Lo ◽  
M. R. Guevara

Wenckebach-like rhythms in isolated rabbit ventricular cells are characterized by beat-to-beat increments in action potential duration (APD) and latency, giving rise to a beat-to-beat decrease in the recovery interval and culminating in a skipped beat. These systematic APD changes are associated with a beat-to-beat decrease in the slope of the early repolarizing phase (phase 1) of the action potential, which is partially controlled by the transient outward potassium current (Ito). When Ito is blocked with 4-aminopyridine, periodic Wenckebach rhythms are replaced by aperiodic Wenckebach rhythms, in which the beat-to-beat changes in the slope of phase 1 and in APD disappear but the beat-to-beat increase in latency remains. A beat-to-beat decrease in Ito, paralleling the beat-to-beat changes in the slope of phase 1 and in APD, is seen in action-potential clamp experiments with Wenckebach rhythms previously recorded in the same cell. Simulations with an ionic model of Ito show cyclical changes in Ito consistent with the experimental data. These results demonstrate a key role for Ito in the generation of maintained periodic Wenckebach rhythms in isolated rabbit ventricular cells.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (3) ◽  
pp. H1386-H1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Aggarwal ◽  
J. Pu ◽  
P. A. Boyden

Myocytes from the epicardial border zone (EBZ) of the 5-day infarcted canine heart (IZ) have abnormal transmembrane action potentials, reduced L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L) and altered intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) transients compared with those of normal epicardial myocytes (NZ). We hypothesized that altered Cai cycling might be reflected in differences in Cai-dependent outward currents (Ito2). We recorded Ito2 in NZ and IZ using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. Ito2 was defined as the amplitude of the 4-aminopyridine-resistant transient outward current that was blocked by 200 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or DIDS+ ryanodine (2 microM). Ito2 were present in both NZ and IZ, but peak density was significantly reduced in IZ, particularly at positive plateau voltages. Time course of decay of Ito2 was biexponential and similar in NZ and IZ. A given peak ICa,L was usually associated with a smaller peak Ito2 in IZ. These differences were exaggerated when Ito2 and Cai transients were determined in rapidly paced cells. In summary, myocytes surviving in the EBZ of the infarcted heart have Ito2, yet they are reduced in density and can vary, particularly at fast pacing rates.


2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (1) ◽  
pp. H397-H421 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zhang ◽  
A. V. Holden ◽  
I. Kodama ◽  
H. Honjo ◽  
M. Lei ◽  
...  

Mathematical models of the action potential in the periphery and center of the rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node have been developed on the basis of published experimental data. Simulated action potentials are consistent with those recorded experimentally: the model-generated peripheral action potential has a more negative takeoff potential, faster upstroke, more positive peak value, prominent phase 1 repolarization, greater amplitude, shorter duration, and more negative maximum diastolic potential than the model-generated central action potential. In addition, the model peripheral cell shows faster pacemaking. The models behave qualitatively the same as tissue from the periphery and center of the SA node in response to block of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+current, L- and T-type Ca2+ currents, 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current, rapid and slow delayed rectifying K+ currents, and hyperpolarization-activated current. A one-dimensional model of a string of SA node tissue, incorporating regional heterogeneity, coupled to a string of atrial tissue has been constructed to simulate the behavior of the intact SA node. In the one-dimensional model, the spontaneous action potential initiated in the center propagates to the periphery at ∼0.06 m/s and then into the atrial muscle at 0.62 m/s.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (5) ◽  
pp. H1387-H1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Tande ◽  
E. Mortensen ◽  
H. Refsum

A transient outward current (Ito), long considered to be a unique feature of Purkinje fiber tissue, has recently been demonstrated in dog ventricular tissue in vitro and most prominently in the epicardium. To investigate its possible contribution to ventricular repolarization in vivo, we recorded right ventricular endocardial and epicardial monophasic action potentials (MAP) simultaneously in pentobarbital-anesthetized open-chest dogs. Epicardial MAP had lower phase 1 than phase 2 amplitude at both spontaneous heart rate and paced cycle length of 300 and 400 ms. This "spike-and-dome" morphology of the epicardial MAP, possibly attributable to Ito, progressively disappeared at shorter extrastimulus intervals. In endocardium the phase 1 amplitude was always higher or equal to phase 2 amplitude and was not affected by shorter extrastimulus intervals. The action potential duration (APD) was shorter in epicardium than in endocardium. Both endocardial and epicardial APD shortened as the premature intervals were reduced, but the shortening was not parallel. The restitution curves converged so that, at the shortest intervals (160 ms), there were no longer any significant differences in APD between endocardium and epicardium. This study indicates that Ito contributes to ventricular repolarization in vivo, and most prominently in the epicardium. Unequal shortening of APD between endocardium and epicardium after progressively shorter diastolic intervals may thus partly result from uneven distribution of Ito across the ventricular wall.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (2) ◽  
pp. H643-H649 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Qi ◽  
J. A. Yeung-Lai-Wah ◽  
J. Xiao ◽  
C. R. Kerr

Regional differences in rabbit atrial repolarization were investigated using a conventional microelectrode technique. A more rapid phase 1 repolarization (lower phase 1 amplitude) was seen in the left atrial (LA) roof area compared with the right atrial (RA) roof area: 54 +/- 10 vs. 82 +/- 6 mV at 1,000 ms (P < 0.001). In addition, action potential duration at 40 mV above the resting potential (APD40) was shorter in LA and was associated with a slower phase 3 repolarization rate. Furthermore, the recovery time constant of phase 1 amplitude at 500 ms was 0.9 +/- 0.2 s in LA and 3.5 +/- 1.5 s in RA (P < 0.001). Pacing cycle lengths (2,000, 1,500, 1,000, 800, and 500 ms) modulated phase 1 amplitude, APD40, and phase 3 rate in both regions. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP; 1 mM), a selective transient outward current (I(to)) blocker, abolished cycle length dependence of the above action potential parameters and diminished the differences in electrophysiological properties between the two regions. 4-AP also flattened the restitution curve of phase 1 amplitude in both regions. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the different kinetics of I(to) play an important role in regional differences of atrial repolarization.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (6) ◽  
pp. H2513-H2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Pacioretty ◽  
R. F. Gilmour

Developmental changes of the transient outward current (I(to)) and action potential configuration were determined in canine epicardium ranging in age from fetal to 60 wk. The contributions of I(to) to rapid initial repolarization and to terminal repolarization were estimated by measuring the amplitude of phase 1 of the action potential and action potential duration, respectively. Phase 1 amplitude decreased progressively from fetal to 40 wk and remained constant thereafter. Action potential duration decreased from fetal to 2 wk, increased to 20 wk, and tended to decrease thereafter. Peak I(to) at +40 mV increased progressively from 2 to 60 wk. However, I(to) density was less at 2-10 wk than at 20-60 wk. The time constant of decay of I(to) increased with age from 2 to 60 wk, whereas the steady-state voltage dependence of inactivation did not vary with age. The time constant for the initial rapid phase of recovery from inactivation decreased from 2 to 10 wk and remained constant thereafter. The time constant for the more slowly evolving phase did not vary with age. The observation that the age-dependent reduction in phase 1 amplitude did not necessarily coincide with significant increases in I(to) density suggests that maturation of other ionic currents or transport mechanisms may contribute to developmental alterations of phase 1 repolarization.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (3) ◽  
pp. H1096-H1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Zygmunt ◽  
D. C. Robitelle ◽  
G. T. Eddlestone

The contributions of the 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive transient outward potassium conductance (Ito1) and the calcium-activated chloride conductance (ICl(Ca)] to cardiac action potentials were investigated in canine ventricular myocytes. Action potentials or currents were recorded at 37 degrees C using standard whole cell or amphotericin B perforated-patch-clamp techniques. Inhibition of Ito1 by 1 mM 4-AP prolonged phase 1 repolarization, elevated the action potential notch, and depressed the plateau. Action potential voltage clamp revealed that 4-AP blocked a rapidly decaying outward current during phase 1 without affecting plateau or diastolic currents. These results suggested that depression of the plateau was not a direct result of Ito1 inhibition but followed from delayed phase 1 repolarization. Calcium current (ICa) at the peak of the action potential dome was reduced 60 +/- 4% when the rate of phase 1 repolarization was reduced. ICl(Ca) measured by action potential clamp reversed over the course of the action potential. Chloride fluxes associated with outward and inward components of the 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid-sensitive current were +130 +/- 17 and -184 +/- 20 (pA.ms)/pF, respectively. The effects of selective inhibition of ICl(Ca) on the action potential were dependent on the rate of early repolarization and the prominence of the notch. Inhibition of ICl(Ca) elevated the plateau and slightly abbreviated action potential duration when the notch was prominent. When repolarization was prolonged and the notch was shallow, inhibition of ICl(Ca) elevated the notch and the plateau and abbreviated duration. We have shown that Ito1 and ICl(Ca) contribute to canine ventricular action potentials. The extent of overlap between Ito1 and ICl(Ca) during the action potential is largely determined by the amplitude of Ito1 and the depth of the notch. Regional differences in the density of Ito1, or interventions that moderate phase 1 repolarization by reducing this current, will have considerable effect on the time course of ICa and calcium-dependent conductances.


1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 262-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. L. Silva ◽  
C. M. Pechura ◽  
J. L. Barker

1. We have investigated the electrical properties of neurons acutely dissociated from the substantia nigra zona compacta (SNZC) of the postnatal rat with whole cell patch-clamp recordings. Retrogradely labeled nigrostriatal neurons were identified with the use of rhodamine-labeled fluorescent latex microspheres. Over 90% of the rhodamine-labeled neurons in the SNZC demonstrated formaldehyde/glutaraldehyde-induced catecholamine fluorescence, indicating that they were dopaminergic (DA) neurons. 2. DA neurons had 15-20 microns ovoid or fusiform-shaped cell bodies with 2-3 thick proximal processes. Labeled neurons generated spontaneous action-potential activity in both regular and irregular patterns. These cells exhibited input resistances of 300-600 M omega and action-potential amplitudes of 60-80 mV. Locally applied dopamine inhibited the spontaneous activity of these neurons by hyperpolarizing the cells. 3. Outward currents were examined with voltage-clamp recordings using a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-containing medium. In all DA cells, depolarizing voltage commands activated several components of outward current depending on the holding potential of the cell. When cells were held at -40 mV (or more positive), voltage steps activated a sustained outward current. If the membrane potential was held more negative than -50 mV, a rapidly activating and inactivating component of outward current response could also be detected. 4. From a hyperpolarized holding potential (-90 mV) the transient outward current activated with depolarizing commands to -55 mV, peaking within 5 ms. The current inactivated with a monoexponential time constant of 53 +/- 4 (SE) ms. At more positive holding potentials (-40 mV) the steady-state inactivation of the current could be removed by applying a conditioning hyperpolarizing prepulse. In response to a fixed depolarizing voltage step, half-maximal inactivation occurred at about -65 mV. The transient current was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). 5. The sustained outward currents were isolated by holding the cells at -40 mV. Two components of sustained outward current were distinguished by their sensitivity to the calcium channel blockers Co2+ (5 mM) and/or Cd2+ (200 microM). The current remaining in the presence of Co2+/Cd2+ was activated by depolarizing voltage commands more positive than -40 mV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document