Conduction between isolated rabbit Purkinje and ventricular myocytes coupled by a variable resistance

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (4) ◽  
pp. H1163-H1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delilah J. Huelsing ◽  
Kenneth W. Spitzer ◽  
Jonathan M. Cordeiro ◽  
Andrew E. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Circuit ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Conduction Block ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Electrotonic Interactions ◽  
Unidirectional Block ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Junctional Resistance

Conduction at the Purkinje-ventricular junction (PVJ) demonstrates unidirectional block under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Although this block is typically attributed to multidimensional electrotonic interactions, we examined possible membrane-level contributions using single, isolated rabbit Purkinje (P) and ventricular (V) myocytes coupled by an electronic circuit. When we varied the junctional resistance ( R j) between paired V myocytes, conduction block occurred at lower R j values during conduction from the smaller to larger myocyte (115 ± 59 MΩ) than from the larger to smaller myocyte (201 ± 51 MΩ). In Purkinje-ventricular myocyte pairs, however, block occurred at lower R j values during P-to-V conduction (85 ± 39 MΩ) than during V-to-P conduction (912 ± 175 MΩ), although there was little difference in the mean cell size. Companion computer simulations, performed to examine how the early plateau currents affected conduction, showed that P-to-V block occurred at lower R j values when the transient outward current was increased or the calcium current was decreased in the model P cell. These results suggest that intrinsic differences in phase 1 repolarization can contribute to unidirectional block at the PVJ.

Modulation of repolarization in rabbit Purkinje and ventricular myocytes coupled by a variable resistance

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (2) ◽  
pp. H572-H581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delilah J. Huelsing ◽  
Kenneth W. Spitzer ◽  
Jonathan M. Cordeiro ◽  
Andrew E. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Computer Simulations ◽  
Calcium Current ◽  
Electronic Circuit ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Inward Rectifier ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Coupling Current ◽  
Junctional Resistance

Purkinje-ventricular junctions (PVJs) have been implicated as potential sites of arrhythmogenesis, in part because of the dispersion of action potential duration (APD) between Purkinje (P) and ventricular (V) myocytes. To characterize electrotonic modulation of APD as a function of junctional resistance ( R j), we coupled single isolated rabbit P and V myocytes with an electronic circuit. In seven of eight PV myocyte pairs, both APDs shortened on coupling at R j = 50 MΩ. This was in contrast to modulation of APD in paired ventricular myocytes, which demonstrated APD shortening of the intrinsically longer action potential and APD prolongation of the intrinsically shorter action potential. Companion computer simulations, performed to suggest possible mechanisms for the paradoxical shortening of the V action potential in paired P and V myocytes, showed that the difference in intrinsic peak plateau potentials ( V pp) of the P and V myocytes determined whether the V action potential shortened or prolonged on coupling. This difference in V pp caused a large, repolarizing coupling current to flow to the V myocyte, contributing to early inactivation of the L-type calcium current and early activation of the inward rectifier current. These results suggest that intrinsic differences in phase 1 repolarization could yield differing patterns of APD shortening or prolongation in the network of subendocardial PVJs, leaving some PVJs vulnerable to conduction of premature stimuli while other PVJs remain refractory.

Effect of simulated Ito on guinea pig and canine ventricular action potential morphology

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. H631-H637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Dong ◽  
Xiaoyin Sun ◽  
Astrid A. Prinz ◽  
Hong-Sheng Wang
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Ventricular Cells ◽  
Perforated Patch Clamp ◽  
Ventricular Action Potential

The transient outward current ( Ito) is a major repolarizing current in the heart. Marked reduction of Ito density occurs in heart failure and is accompanied by significant action potential duration (APD) prolongation. To understand the species-dependent role of Ito in regulating the ventricular action potential morphology and duration, we introduced simulated Ito conductance in guinea pig and canine endocardial ventricular myocytes using the dynamic clamp technique and perforated patch-clamp recordings. The effects of simulated Ito in both types of cells were complex and biphasic, separated by a clear density threshold of ∼40 pA/pF. Below this threshold, simulated Ito resulted in a distinct phase 1 notch and had little effect on or moderately prolonged the APD. Ito above the threshold resulted in all-or-none repolarization and precipitously reduced the APD. Qualitatively, these results agreed with our previous studies in canine ventricular cells using whole cell recordings. We conclude that 1) contrary to previous gene transfer studies involving the Kv4.3 current, the response of guinea pig ventricular myocytes to a fully inactivating Ito is similar to that of canine ventricular cells and 2) in animals such as dogs that have a broad cardiac action potential, Ito does not play a major role in setting the APD.

Beat-to-beat repolarization variability in ventricular myocytes and its suppression by electrical coupling

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. H677-H687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Zaniboni ◽  
Andrew E. Pollard ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Kenneth W. Spitzer
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Delayed Rectifier Current ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Electrotonic Interactions ◽  
Single Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Junctional Resistance

Single ventricular myocytes paced at a constant rate and held at a constant temperature exhibit beat-to-beat variations in action potential duration (APD). In this study we sought to quantify this variability, assess its mechanism, and determine its responsiveness to electrotonic interactions with another myocyte. Interbeat APD90 (90% repolarization) of single cells was normally distributed. We thus quantified APD90 variability as the coefficient of variability, CV = (SD/mean APD90) × 100. The mean ± SD of the CV in normal solution was 2.3 ± 0.9 (132 cells). Extracellular TTX (13 μM) and intracellular EGTA (14 mM) both significantly reduced the CV by 44 and 26%, respectively. When applied in combination the CV fell by 54%. In contrast, inhibition of the rapid delayed rectifier current with L-691,121 (100 nM) increased the CV by 300%. The CV was also significantly reduced by 35% when two normal myocytes were electrically connected with a junctional resistance ( R j) of 100 MΩ. Electrical coupling ( R j = 100 MΩ) of a normal myocyte to one producing early afterdepolarization (EAD) completely blocked EAD formation. These results indicate that beat-to-beat APD variability is likely mediated by stochastic behavior of ion channels and that electrotonic interactions act to limit temporal dispersion of refractoriness, a major contributor to arrhythmogenesis.

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
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Chloride Channel Blocker ◽  
The Right ◽  
Basic Cycle Length

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.

Existence of a transient outward K+ current in guinea pig cardiac myocytes

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (1) ◽  
pp. H130-H138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Rong Li ◽  
Baofeng Yang ◽  
Haiying Sun ◽  
Clive M. Baumgarten
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Time Constants ◽  
Zero Current ◽  
Steady State Inactivation ◽  
K Current ◽  
External K

A novel transient outward K+current that exhibits inward-going rectification ( I to.ir) was identified in guinea pig atrial and ventricular myocytes. I to.ir was insensitive to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) but was blocked by 200 μmol/l Ba2+or removal of external K+. The zero current potential shifted 51–53 mV/decade change in external K+. I to.ir density was twofold greater in ventricular than in atrial myocytes, and biexponential inactivation occurs in both types of myocytes. At −20 mV, the fast inactivation time constants were 7.7 ± 1.8 and 6.1 ± 1.2 ms and the slow inactivation time constants were 85.1 ± 14.8 and 77.3 ± 10.4 ms in ventricular and atrial cells, respectively. The midpoints for steady-state inactivation were −36.4 ± 0.3 and −51.6 ± 0.4 mV, and recovery from inactivation was rapid near the resting potential (time constants = 7.9 ± 1.9 and 8.8 ± 2.1 ms, respectively). I to.ir was detected in Na+-containing and Na+-free solutions and was not blocked by 20 nmol/l saxitoxin. Action potential clamp revealed that I to.ir contributed an outward current that activated rapidly on depolarization and inactivated by early phase 2 in both tissues. Although it is well known that 4-AP-sensitive transient outward current is absent in guinea pig, this Ba2+-sensitive and 4-AP-insensitive K+ current has been overlooked.

Intracellular calcium activates a chloride current in canine ventricular myocytes

1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (5) ◽  
pp. H1984-H1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Zygmunt
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Current ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Reversal Potential ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Chloride Current ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Triggered Arrhythmias ◽  
Inward Currents

The contribution of chloride and potassium to the 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-resistant transient outward current was investigated in dog cardiac myocytes. Whole cell currents were recorded at 37 degrees C in single cells dissociated from epicardial and midmyocardial regions of the canine ventricle. Sodium-calcium exchange current and voltage-dependent transient outward potassium current (IA) were blocked in sodium-free solutions containing 2 mM 4-AP; sodium channels were inactivated by the -50-mV holding potential. When patch pipettes contained 0.4–0.8 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, voltage-clamp steps over the range -20 to +50 mV activated an inward calcium current (ICa) and a Ca(2+)-activated chloride current [ICl(Ca)]. ICl(Ca) was blocked by 200 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, 1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), or reduction of external chloride. Independent of the presence of potassium, the reversal potential of the SITS-sensitive current varied with extracellular chloride, as predicted for a chloride-selective conductance. The bell-shaped current-voltage relation of ICl(Ca) has a threshold of -20 mV and a peak at +40 mV. No evidence could be found for a Ca(2+)-activated potassium current or a Ca(2+)-activated nonspecific cation current under these conditions. ICl(Ca) contributed to oscillatory inward currents at diastolic potentials in cells superfused by isoproterenol and high Ca2+, suggesting a role for this current in triggered arrhythmias associated with delayed afterdepolarizations. In the normal heart, ICl(Ca) is likely to contribute to rate- and rhythm-dependent repolarization of the cardiac action potential.

Role of the Transient Outward Current in Regulating Mechanical Properties of Canine Ventricular Myocytes

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 697-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIN DONG ◽  
SUJUAN YAN ◽  
YAMEI CHEN ◽  
PAUL J. NIKLEWSKI ◽  
XIAOYIN SUN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Transient Outward Current

Effects of thyroid hormone on action potential and repolarizing currents in rat ventricular myocytes

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. E302-E307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo-Qian Sun ◽  
Kaie Ojamaa ◽  
William A. Coetzee ◽  
Michael Artman ◽  
Irwin Klein
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Cardiac Electrophysiology ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Outward Current ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Transient Outward Current ◽  
Prolonged Action ◽  
Electrophysiological Properties ◽  
Whole Cell Patch Clamp ◽  
Prolonged Action Potential Duration

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.

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