Membrane current through adenosine-triphosphate-regulated potassium channels in guinea-pig ventricular cells

Electrical and mechanical responses to inhibition of cell respiration in vascular smooth muscle of the rat portal vein

Metabolic regulation of contractility in vascular smooth muscle was studied in the spontaneously active rat portal vein using respiratory depression by cyanide (0.2-2.0 mM) as a model for tissue hypoxia. Intracellular recordings of electrical activity were done with concomitant registration of force development. Average membrane potential in the absence of cyanide was -61 +/- 1 mV (n = 27). Addition of cyanide to normal Krebs solution resulted in a reduction of force amplitude and the number of action potentials per burst, with a relatively more pronounced effect on the mechanical activity. At moderate levels of inhibition of force amplitude the frequency of spontaneous bursts of action potentials transiently increased concomitant with a slight depolarization, but after prolonged (15-20 min) exposure to cyanide the membrane repolarized to the level prior to cyanide addition and the burst frequency decreased to be equal to or lower than that in the absence of cyanide. Higher concentrations of cyanide totally inhibited spontaneous mechanical and electrical activity. In contrast to the results with glucose, it was found that when beta-hydroxybutyrate was used as substrate the addition of 2 mM cyanide led to a marked hyperpolarization (13 +/- 1 mV) after total inhibition of spontaneous activity. The hyperpolarization was not prevented by administration of 4-aminopyridine (2.5 mM) or tetraethylammonium (4-6 mM) prior to the addition of cyanide. To investigate the effects of increased metabolic demand on the relation between force and membrane potential in cyanide-treated muscle, high-K+ (40 mM) contractures were studied. Contractures were associated with depolarization of 34 +/- 3 mV (n = 5). 1 mM cyanide reduced the amplitude of the contractures to about 9% of control with a moderate reduction in the amount of depolarization (28 +/- 1 mV, n = 5). It is concluded that the decrease of mechanical activity during respiratory inhibition may partly reflect a reduction in the number of spikes per burst but that other mechanisms, independent of membrane activity, also contribute to the inhibition. The increase of glycolysis during respiratory inhibition seems to prevent more pronounced changes in membrane potential.

Enhancement of potassium-sensitive current in heart cells by pinacidil. Evidence for modulation of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel

Pinacidil belongs to a novel group of compounds that enhance the potassium permeability of vascular smooth muscle. Evidence also exists that this drug enhances the potassium permeability of cardiac tissue. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if pinacidil alters potassium-channel activity in heart and, if so, which potassium channel is the target. We used the whole-cell arrangement of the patch voltage clamp to record membrane currents from isolated guinea pig ventricular cells. In solutions designed to isolate potassium currents, pinacidil enhances a time-independent current positive to the potassium equilibrium potential. Current measured at voltages negative to the potassium equilibrium potential are essentially unaltered by the drug. The potassium sensitivity of outward current indicates that the target for the drug is a potassium channel. Experiments designed to test for voltage-dependent channel gating strongly suggest that the pinacidil-sensitive current is not voltage gated. Pinacidil-sensitive current is blocked by externally applied Ba2+, Cs+, and tetraethylammonium ion. In addition, it is potently blocked after external application of 100 nM glibenclamide. Taken along with the time- and voltage-independent properties of pinacidil-sensitive current, this pharmacology strongly suggests that the target for pinacidil in heart is the ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

The ATP- and tolbutamide-sensitivity of the ATP-sensitive K-channel from human pancreatic B cells

The ATP- and sulphonylurea-sensitivity of the ATP-sensitive K-channel was measured in human pancreatic B cells. In inside-out patches, half-maximal inhibition of channel activity was produced by 10 mumol/l ATP (with 2 mM Mg2+) and ATP-inhibition was partially antagonised by ADP. A significantly lower sensitivity to ATP was found in whole-cell recordings. Tolbutamide inhibited whole-cell ATP-sensitive K-currents half-maximally at 18 mumol/l; the sensitivity to tolbutamide was somewhat less in the inside-out patch. Ca-activated K-channels were unaffected by tolbutamide (10 mmol/l). These results resemble those found for rodent B cells and suggest that sulphonylureas exert their therapeutic effects in Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes by inhibition of the ATP-sensitive K-channel.

Modulation of single slow (L-type) calcium channels by intracellular ATP in vascular smooth muscle cells

Involvement of ATP in the regulation of slow (L-type) Ca2+ channels of vascular smooth muscle cells was investigated by recording single Ca2+ channel currents (single-channel conductance of 18 pS) using a patch clamp technique. In the cell-attached configuration, intracellular composition was modified by permeabilizing the cell membrane with mechanical disruption at one end of the cell. Single cells were freshly isolated from guinea-pig portal vein by collagenase treatment. For the channel recordings, the pipette solution contained 100 mM Ba2+ and the bath contained K+-rich solution (with 5 mM EGTA) to depolarize the membrane to near 0 mV. The channel activity decreased usually within 3 min after permeabilizing the cell end and exposure to ATP-free bath solution. If ATP (1-5 mM) was applied to the bath (access to cell interior) before complete disappearance of channel activity, channel activity was partially recovered. ATP did not change the current amplitude (i) or the mean open time of the channels, whereas the number of channels available for opening and/or the probability of their being open (NPo) were increased by ATP. A non-hydrolyzable analogue of ATP, AMP-PNP, did not exert an ATP-like effect; ATP-gamma-S had a weak effect. With 1 microM Bay-K-8644 (Ca2+ channel agonist) in the pipette, the activity of the Ca2+ channel was high; such activity persisted for more than 10 min after permeabilizing the cell and exposing to ATP-free solution containing KCN (1 mM) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (10 mM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The mechanism of early contractile failure of isolated rat ventricular myocytes subjected to complete metabolic inhibition

1. Twitch shortening of isolated rat ventricular myocytes was measured on exposure to complete metabolic blockade (2 mM-cyanide in the presence of 10 mM-2-deoxyglucose). Under these conditions twitch shortening declines to undetectable levels over 1-15 min. This 'early' contractile failure is followed by the development of a maintained contracture. 2. Contractures induced by caffeine (20 mM) were similar in amplitude before and after 'early' contractile failure. This result suggests that 'early' contractile failure is not due to depletion of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. 3. The action potential shortened as the twitch magnitude declined during 'early' contractile failure, raising the possibility of a causal link. Voltage-clamp experiments show that an enormous increase in K+ conductance (greater than 20-fold) occurs during the period of 'early' contractile failure, and presumably underlies the action potential shortening. 4. If the K+ conductance changes are inhibited by replacement of intracellular K+ with N-methyl glucosamine and inclusion of 2 mM-tolbutamide in intra- and extracellular solutions, good voltage control can be achieved. Under these conditions, 'early' contractile failure did not occur on exposure to complete metabolic blockade and neither Ca2+ current nor the twitch were completely abolished until a maintained contracture had begun to occur. 5. Injection of ATP following 'early' contractile failure could partially restore the twitch and prolong the foreshortened action potential. 6. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 'early' contractile failure occurring under non-voltage-clamped conditions is due principally to failure of activation of the Ca2+ current because of the shortening of the action potential. Although a decline in the availability of Ca2+ current also occurs, action potential shortening results mainly from increased conductance through ATP-sensitive K+ channels which are activated by a fall of intracellular [ATP]. Contractile failure arises not because of a primary alteration, or defect, in the coupling of excitation to contraction, but because the cell membrane is effectively clamped at a potential close to the K+ equilibrium potential.

Simultaneous measurements of action potential duration and intracellular ATP in isolated ferret hearts exposed to cyanide

Shortening of the cardiac action potential during ischemia and anoxia is likely to contribute to the decline in contractility that occurs under such conditions. It has been hypothesized that a decrease in the intracellular ATP concentration ([ATP]i) underlies the changes in the action potential. The recently discovered potassium channel activated at low ATP concentrations might provide the link between action potential shortening and low [ATP]i. However, it has yet to be shown that [ATP]i falls to the range required for channel activation at the time when action potential shortening occurs. We have measured action potentials and [ATP]i simultaneously in isolated ferret hearts during inhibition of both oxidative phosphorylation and anaerobic glycolysis (metabolic blockade). Metabolic blockade caused a rapid decline in cardiac contractility, accompanied by a rapid fall in action potential duration. [ATP]i fell only slightly and remained well above the range where activation of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel would be expected to occur. Moreover, reintroduction of glucose to the perfusate led to a substantial recovery in both contraction and in action potential duration, again in the absence of any great change in [ATP]i. These results suggest that the action potential shortening observed in metabolic blockade cannot be explained by the simple hypothesis of K+ channel opening as a consequence of a decrease in bulk [ATP]i unless the Km for suppression of channel activity by ATP is very much higher in intact cells than in any of the patch configurations studied. An alternative explanation is that the channel may be regulated under these conditions by mechanisms other than a change in [ATP]i.

Effects of gallopamil, diltiazem and nifedipine on the loss of K+ from ischaemic pig hearts

K+ release into the extracellular space was investigated during repeated 6-min coronary occlusions before and after the intravenous administration of cardiovascular active doses of gallopamil (0.02; 0.05 mg/kg), diltiazem (1.0; 2.0 mg/kg) or nifedipine (0.01; 0.05 mg/kg) to anaesthetized pigs. [K+]e was measured epicardially using silver valinomycin electrodes calibrated in vivo. During control occlusions [K+]e- rose steeply in all groups, from a pre-ischaemic baseline value of about 3.5 mmol/l reaching a plateau value within the ischaemic period. This response was reproducible in an untreated control group. Gallopamil reduced the ischaemic K+ efflux dose dependently and significantly 10 min after injection; the higher dose also did 60 min after injection. Diltiazem had less effect on K+ efflux 10 min after administration and an effect was no longer detectable after 60 min. Nifedipine did not significantly inhibit the ischaemic K+ loss. Besides these differences in the direct protection of the ischaemic myocardium, the Ca2+ antagonists also had the following effects on the haemodynamic profile. Diltiazem and gallopamil significantly prolonged PQ intervals whereas nifedipine caused a shortening accompanied by a significant increase in heart rate. Blood pressure and LV dP/dtmax were significantly reduced by all compounds, but to a different degree. Diltiazem reduced blood pressure to a greater extent than did nifedipine and gallopamil. LV dP/dtmax was comparably reduced by gallopamil and diltiazem, while nifedipine had less effect. Thus, gallopamil exerted pronounced protective effects on the ischaemic pig heart.

ATP regulation of the slow calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells of guinea pig mesenteric artery

Effects of intracellularly perfused ATP, and extracellularly applied cyanide and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, on fast and slow Ca2+ channel currents of isolated single vascular smooth muscle cells were investigated by a whole-cell voltage-clamp method combined with an intracellular perfusion technique. Single smooth muscle cells were prepared by collagenase treatment from guinea pig small mesenteric arteries (diameter of less than 300 micron). With Cs+-rich solution in the pipette and isotonic Ba2+ solution (100 mM) in the bath, depolarizing pulses evoked two types of the Ca2+ channel current. Depolarizing pulses from the holding potential of -80 mV to over -30 mV evoked a fast Ca2+ channel current. This fast component was inhibited by shifting the holding potential in a positive direction. With a holding potential of -40 mV, the fast component was almost inhibited. In contrast, the slow current was evoked by command potentials to above -10 mV, and its full amplitude was preserved at the holding potential of -40 mV. Without ATP in the pipette, the fast current was dominant. Increase in the ATP concentration in the pipette (0.3 to 5 mM) enhanced the slow current but did not affect the fast current. Maximum enhancement of the slow current was observed at 5 mM ATP. Increase in ATP concentration, however, did not modify the shape of the current trace and the steady state inactivation curve of the slow current. Maximum amplitudes of the fast current and slow current recorded with 5 mM ATP averaged 17.4 pA (SD of 10.4 pA, n = 30; observed at -10 mV to +10 mV) and 141.8 pA (SD of 27.1 pA, n = 30; observed at +30 mV to +40 mV), respectively. Presence of CN- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (without glucose) in the bath, and absence of ATP in the pipette, abolished the slow current within 10 minutes; in contrast, it took more than 10 minutes to depress the fast current. The inhibitory effect of CN- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose on the slow current was reduced by intracellular application of ATP. In summary, the activation of the slow Ca2+ channel required physiological concentration of ATP, whereas the fast channel current was preserved, even under ATP-free conditions. These results indicate that only the slow current is a metabolically dependent Ca2+ channel current in these vascular smooth muscle cells.

BRL 34915 (cromakalim) activates ATP-sensitive K+ current in cardiac muscle

The mechanism by which the antihypertensive agent BRL 34915 (cromakalim) affects action potential duration (APD) and effective refractory period (ERP) in isolated cardiac muscle was investigated. BRL 34915 (greater than or equal to 3 microM) shortened ERP of ferret (Mustela putorius furo) and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) papillary muscles in a concentration-dependent fashion. The reduction in ERP resulted from a decrease in APD. ERP and APD of papillary muscles were also reduced during hypoxia produced by bubbling the physiological bathing solution with N2 instead of O2. Reduction of APD during hypoxia has previously been attributed to activation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in heart. Glyburide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, prevented or reversed the shortening of ERP and APD produced by hypoxia and BRL 34915, respectively. These results suggest that BRL 34915 acts by opening ATP-sensitive K+ channels in heart. The actions of BRL 34915 were temperature-dependent, decreasing ERP 64% at 37 degrees C, but having no effect at 22 degrees C. The effect of BRL 34915 on K+ currents was tested directly in voltage-clamped guinea pig ventricular myocytes. As observed with the papillary muscles, BRL 34915 was without effect at 22 degrees C. At 36 degrees C, BRL 34915 (after a delay) increased outward currents positive to, and less so at potentials negative to, the K+ current reversal potential. The normal inwardly rectifying current-voltage relationship for peak K+ currents during 200-msec pulses was changed to one that was nearly ohmic. The current activated by BRL 34915 was blocked by glyburide. The data support the hypothesis that BRL 34915, like hypoxia, activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the heart. Based upon the profound temperature sensitivity of BRL 34915 action, this activation may be indirect, perhaps by means of modulation of an enzymatic activity that regulates gating of these channels. BRL 34915 and glyburide will be valuable tools for studying the role of ATP-sensitive K+ channels in normal and abnormal cardiac function.

Anoxic contractile failure in rat heart myocytes is caused by failure of intracellular calcium release due to alteration of the action potential

Anoxia of the heart causes failure of contraction before any irreversible injury occurs; the mechanism by which anoxia blocks cardiac excitation-contraction coupling is unknown. Studies in whole muscle are confounded by heterogeneity; however, achieving the low oxygen tensions required to study anoxia in a single myocyte during electrophysiological recording has been a barrier in experimental design. Guided by calculations of oxygen transport, we developed a system to insulate myocytes in an open dish from oxygen by a laminar counterflowing argon column, permitting free access to the cell by microelectrodes while maintaining a PO2 less than 0.02 torr (1 torr = 133 Pa). In the absence of glucose, the amplitude of stimulated contraction of anoxic ventricular myocytes fell to zero over 2 min after a lag period attributable to the consumption of endogenous glycogen. The cytosolic calcium concentration transient, measured by indo-1 fluorescence, fell to zero simultaneously with contraction. After the twitch had failed, microinjection of caffeine around the cell still caused a large calcium release and contraction, indicating that sarcoplasmic reticular calcium stores were not depleted. Twitch failure was accompanied by shortening and then failure of the action potential; under voltage clamp, large outward currents, reversing at the resting potential, developed during contractile failure. After failure of action potential-mediated contraction, voltage-clamp depolarization, with a large command voltage to compensate for the series-resistance error due to outward currents, restored normal twitch contraction. We conclude that anoxic contractile failure in the rat myocyte is due to alteration of the action potential and the distal pathways of excitation-contraction coupling remain essentially intact.

Inhibition of the calcium channel by intracellular protons in single ventricular myocytes of the guinea-pig

1. The inhibitory effects of intracellular protons (Hi+) on the L-type Ca2+ channel activity were investigated in single ventricular myocytes of guinea-pigs by using the patch-clamp method in the open-cell-attached patch configuration, where 'run down' of the channel was partially prevented. 2. Hi+ reduced the unitary Ba2+ current of the Ca2+ channel by 10-20% without changing the maximum slope conductance. 3. Hi+ did not alter the number of channels in patches containing one or two channels. 4. Hi+ markedly reduced the mean current normalized by the unitary current, which gave the open-state probability multiplied by the number of channels in the patch. The dose-response curve between Hi+ and the open-state probability indicated half-maximum inhibition at pHi 6.6 and an apparent Hill coefficient of 1. 5. Hi+ shifted both the steady-state activation and inactivation curves in a negative direction by 10-15 mV, and the effects were reversible. 6. Hi+ did not affect the fast open-closed kinetics represented by the C-C-O scheme, apart from increasing the slow time constant of the closed time. 7. Hi+ increased the percentage of blank sweeps and reduced that of non-blank sweeps resulting in a decreased probability of channel opening. 8. Photo-oxidation with Rose Bengal abolished the reducing effect of Hi+ on the open-state probability (Po) in two out of ten experiments, suggesting the possible involvement of histidine residues in the Hi+ effect. 9. The above results indicate that Hi+ inhibits the Ba2+ current mainly by affecting the slow gating mechanism of the channel.

Adenosine-5'-triphosphate-sensitive ion channels in neonatal rat cultured central neurones

ATP-sensitive channels were observed in isolated inside-out membrane patches from rat cultured central neurones. Two types of ATP-sensitive K+ channels were present in cortical neurones, one which had its open-state probability increased, the other its open-state probability decreased by application of ATP to the cytoplasmic membrane surface. Another, ATP-sensitive channel differing in ion conductance from all previously reported ATP-sensitive channels was also seen in patches from cortical neurones. This channel was nonselective with respect to Na+, K+ and Cl- ions and ATP produced a "flickery" type of block. The non-hydrolysable analogue, AMPPNP, did not mimic ATP and prevented ATP action. Preliminary experiments indicate that similar, but not, identical ATP-sensitive channels exist in cerebellar neurones.

Brain ion homeostasis in cerebral ischemia

Brain function is severely disturbed in ischemia. Within seconds, consciousness and spontaneous activity is lost, whereas interstitial concentrations of major ions are kept near normal levels. After a few minutes, there is a dramatic increase of potassium and a lowering of sodium, chloride, and calcium concentrations. Similar ionic changes are observed during spreading depression, however, that is spontaneously reversible and may be elicited in the otherwise normally perfused brain. In focal ischemia, the two events occur simultaneously. The central core of very low flow displays the ischemic increase of interstitial potassium concentration, whereas the surrounding tissue exhibits repeated episodes of spreading depression. This may induce energy failure by stimulating metabolism in areas with depressed flow thereby causing cell damage outside the ischemic core.

Mechanism of depolarization in the ischaemic dog heart: discrepancy between T-Q potentials and potassium accumulation

1. To study the origin of ischaemic myocardial depolarization, the diastolic surface potential - T-Q depression-was correlated with subepicardial extracellular K+ accumulation during serial episodes of widespread ischaemia in open-chest dogs, and in isolated, blood-perfused canine hearts. Placement of the reference electrode on a small island of non-ischaemic myocardium simplified the interpretation of the T-Q potentials. 2. In some experiments, changes in resting potential in the ischaemic zone were recorded using a 'contact' monophasic action potential (MAP) electrode. The change in MAP resting potential was linearly related to T-Q depression for a wide range of experimental conditions (R greater than 0.98). T-Q depression is therefore a linear index of depolarization in superficial myocardial cells. 3. The validity of T-Q depression as a 'measure' of local cellular depolarization was further tested by infiltration of isotonic KCl into the superficial myocardium subjacent to the ischaemic zone electrode. Resulting T-Q depression was 2- to 3-fold larger than the maximum values obtained in ischaemia; and the ratio of T-Q depression to the amplitude of the accompanying monophasic potential was consistent with the assumption that KCl had fully depolarized the underlying myocardium (delta Vm = 89 mV). KCl prevented (i.e. occluded) further changes in the T-Q potential during ischaemia. KCl did not have these effects if it was introduced at sites more remote from the electrode (greater than 4 mm). 4. Ischaemic T-Q depression was drastically accelerated by increasing the heart rate from 90 to 180 beats/min and was further accelerated by arterial infusion of CaCl2. These effects were most striking during the first minute of ischaemia. 5. In contrast, the above manoeuvres produced little acceleration of subepicardial K+ accumulation. After CaCl2 infusion, large ischaemic potentials, severe conduction impairment, and arrhythmias could be observed when K+ activity was almost normal (aK = 4.0-4.5 mM). 6. T-Q depression was larger in vivo than in isolated hearts, both absolutely and relative to K+ accumulation. 7. Based on the reproducible amplitude of ischaemic epicardial potential-estimates of cellular depolarization (delta Vm) could be obtained, which were compared with the concurrent change in K+ electrode potential (delta EK) for each experimental condition. 8. Estimated depolarization was nearly identical to delta EK in isolated hearts under basal conditions. However, depolarization significantly exceeded delta EK during rapid pacing, CaCl2 infusion, or during paced occlusions performed in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Channel-mediated calcium current in the heart

Calcium ions play an important role in the regulation of heart functions. Calcium ions may enter or leave the myocardial cell through various mechanisms, including several exchange mechanisms and pumps. This review concentrates on the influx of calcium ions through channels in the sarcolemma, resulting in an electric current flow. The calcium current plays an important role in the maintenance of the action potential duration, in the generation of pacemaker activity, and in the initiation of contraction. The calcium current displays both activation and a subsequent inactivation when the membrane potential is changed in a stepwise fashion. Previously, the activation was thought to occur rather slowly, hence the name "slow inward current." Recent evidence suggests that the calcium current occurs much faster and that two types of calcium currents might exist, differing in their selectivity to other ions and in their sensitivity to membrane potential and to drugs. The calcium current is modulated by several factors. Beta-adrenergic stimulation increases the calcium current by increasing the opening probability of the calcium channel. The effects of acetylcholine are less well described. There also exists a class of drugs, called calcium channel blockers (or calcium antagonists) that decrease the flow of calcium ions through calcium channels. It is not quite clear how the calcium current is changed during myocardial ischemia. Factors that may reduce the calcium current during ischemia are the increased extracellular potassium concentration, metabolic inhibition and a decreased ATP level, and acidosis. Raised levels of intracellular cAMP, however, should lead to an increased calcium current.

Currents through ionic channels in multicellular cardiac tissue and single heart cells

Ionic channels are elementary excitable elements in the cell membranes of heart and other tissues. They produce and transduce electrical signals. After decades of trouble with quantitative interpretation of voltage-clamp data from multicellular heart tissue, due to its morphological complexness and methodological limitations, cardiac electrophysiologists have developed new techniques for better control of membrane potential and of the ionic and metabolic environment on both sides of the plasma membrane, by the use of single heart cells. Direct recordings of the behavior of single ionic channels have become possible by using the patch-clamp technique, which was developed simultaneously. Biochemists have made excellent progress in purifying and characterizing ionic channel proteins, and there has been initial success in reconstituting some partially purified channels into lipid bilayers, where their function can be studied.

A new oil-gap method for internal perfusion and voltage clamp of single cardiac cells

(1.) We designed a new technique to achieve fast voltage clamp, combined with internal perfusion. The single guinea-pig cardiac cell, dissociated by collagenase treatment, was stretched across an oil-gap (30-40 micron wide) from a pool of Tyrode solution to a pool of internal solution. Part of the cell membrane was disrupted in the internal solution by crushing on the cell, a tapered tip of a glass capillary. Through the open end, the intracellular medium was equilibrated with test solutions and electrical current was injected for the voltage clamp of the membrane in the Tyrode pool. (2.) The capacitive transient on stepping the membrane potential decayed with a time constant of 10-60 microseconds, depending on the capacitive area (20-80 pF). The time course was a single exponential in 46% of the atrial cells and in 66% of the ventricular cells. In these tissues the series resistance, approximated by a ratio of the time constant and Cm, was 686 +/- 180 k omega (n = 37) in the ventricular cells or 812 +/- 143 k omega (n = 18) in the atrial cells. The stable seal resistance (Rseal) established in the oil-gap was around 33 M omega in the ventricular cells and 100 M omega in the atrial cells. (3.) A rapid increase in the inward current followed by a slow decay was observed on repolarization over the range negative to the potassium equilibrium potential. From the inward rectification of both peak and late currents and suppressive effects of Cs+ on the current, the current changes were attributed to activation and inactivation of the inward rectifier K channel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of components of ischemia and metabolic inhibition on delayed afterdepolarizations in guinea pig papillary muscle

Delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) may develop into triggered automaticity and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the potential role of DADs in the genesis of ischemic arrhythmias is not clear. We studied the effects of different components of severe ischemia (acidosis, hypoxia, lactate, increased potassium, and the absence of glucose) on DADs. DADs were evoked using trains of 30-60 externally applied pulses at a rate of 4-5 Hz in the presence of isoproterenol (10(-7) M) or dibutyryl cyclic 3', 5' adenosine monophosphate (dB-cAMP, 10(-3) M). Acidosis, caused by the addition of protons (pH = 6.8), increased the amplitude of DADs from 3.2 +/- 0.4 to 5.9 +/- 0.5 mV (n = 8, p less than 0.001). DADs were abolished by hypoxia (pO2 less than 35 mm Hg, n = 7, p less than 0.001) from control values of 3.4 +/- 0.3 mV. DADs were also abolished by neutral lactate (20 mM, n = 7, p less than 0.001) in the absence of glucose. Acidotic lactate (20 mM, pH0 = 6.8), however, was unable to abolish DADs. Increasing the extracellular potassium concentration to 16.2 mM decreased DAD amplitude from 3.6 +/- 0.27 mV to 1.3 +/- 0.1 mV (n = 5, p less than 0.002) with an associated reduction of membrane potential from -86.2 +/- 0.9 to -58.6 +/- 0.9 mV. The overall effect of simulated ischemia (all components tested together) was to abolish DADs (n = 8, p less than 0.001), with hypoxia as the most important factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes of membrane currents in cardiac cells induced by long whole-cell recordings and tolbutamide

Single isolated myocytes were obtained from the ventricles of adult guinea pig hearts. The whole-cell recording configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to measure membrane currents. A decrease (run-down) of the Ca2+ inward current and an increase of a time-independent K+ outward current were observed during long lasting (1-3h) recordings. The time at which the outward current developed depended on the intracellular ATP concentration in the pipette, suggesting that this current is identical to the ATP-dependent K+ current described by Noma and Shibasaki (1985). However, the maximum outward current reached in the experiments was independent of the ATP concentration indicating a limited diffusion of ATP in the cell interior. In single-channel experiments on isolated patches of cell membrane and in whole-cell recordings the ATP-dependent K+ current could be blocked by the hypoglycaemic sulphonylurea tolbutamide. The IC50 of 0.38 mM was about 50 times higher than that reported for pancreatic beta-cells (Trube et al. 1986). The Ca2+ inward current and the inwardly rectifying K+ current were not affected by tolbutamide (3 mM).

Conductance and kinetics of delayed rectifier potassium channels in nodal cells of the rabbit heart

1. The delayed rectifier K+ current (IK) of single pace-maker cells from the sino-atrial node and the atrioventricular node of the rabbit heart was investigated using the whole-cell and cell-attached configurations of the patch-clamp technique. 2. The activation kinetics of the macroscopic IK were not altered by varying the extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) between 5.4 and 150 mM. The amplitude of the tail current of IK, however, was about 10-fold larger at a [K+]o of 150 mM than that at a [K+]o of 5.4 mM. 3. By using a high-[K+]o solution, inward single-channel currents were observed on repolarization from potentials positive to -40 mV. The current-voltage (I-V) relation was linear over the negative potential range and the reversal potential estimated by extrapolating the I-V curve was shifted by about 60 mV for a 10-fold increase in [K+]o, indicating that the channel was highly selective for K+. 4. The single-channel conductance was 11.1 pS at a [K+]o of 150 mM and varied in proportion to the square root of [K+]o. The total number of channels was estimated as approximately 1000 per cell (0.7/micron 2). On repolarization, the averaged single-channel current disappeared with a time constant similar to that of the macroscopic tail current of IK. 5. At potentials between -50 and -100 mV, the open and closed times of the single channel fitted well with single-exponential and biexponential distributions, respectively. As the membrane was progressively depolarized, the open time was shortened while the closed time was prolonged, suggesting a decrease of open probability. These changes were in the opposite direction to those expected from the delayed rectifier K+ current which progressively increases in magnitude at more positive potentials. 6. At the beginning of the macroscopic tail current, a transient increase of the inward current was found to precede the time-dependent decrease. This rapid initial change can be attributed to a quick removal of inactivation of IK which had occurred during the depolarizing pulse. This inactivation gate of the channel has very fast kinetics and could be responsible for the inward-going rectification observed in the 'fully activated' IK.

Voltage-dependent magnesium block of adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel in guinea-pig ventricular cells

1. The adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel of guinea-pig ventricular cells was examined in the presence and absence of internal Mg2+ or Na+ using an open cell-attached configuration of the patch-clamp technique. 2. Millimolar concentrations of internal Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) produced marked fluctuations in the outward current, and the amplitude of the open-channel current was reduced with increasing [Mg2+]i. Millimolar Na+ applied internally also decreased the mean amplitude of the outward current, but the increase in current noise was not obvious. These effects became larger when the membrane potential was shifted to be more positive from the K+ equilibrium potential (EK). At potentials negative to EK the inward current was affected by neither internal Mg2+ nor Na+. 3. The external application of Na+, Mg2+ or Ca2+, however, failed to affect the single-channel current. 4. After removal of both internal Mg2+ and Na+, the mean open-channel current-voltage relationship became virtually linear. Referring to these unblocked values, relative amplitudes were determined at different levels of [Mg2+]i or [Na+]i. The dose-response relations gave a Hill coefficient of approximately 1 for Mg2+ block and approximately 2 for Na+ block. The half-maximum concentrations (Kh) for both Mg2+ and Na+ block were shifted to lower values with increasing positive potentials. 5. The power-density spectrum of the open-channel current noise induced by internal Mg2+ showed a Lorentzian function with a corner frequency above 1 kHz, suggesting that the current noise is due to rapid fluctuations of open-channel current between blocked and unblocked states. The corner frequencies gave Mg2+ block and unblock rate constants which were of the order of 10(7) M-1 s-1 and 10(4) s-1, respectively. 6. With increasing external K+ concentration ([K+]o) from 0 to 140 mM the current fluctuations became less prominent, and Kh for Mg2+ block was shifted to higher values. Raising [K+]o enhanced the unblock rate derived from the noise analysis while the block rate was not significantly altered. 7. The above findings could be explained by assuming a binding site for one Mg2+ or two Na+ located 30-35% of the electrical drop across the membrane from the inner mouth of the channel, thereby resulting in the ionic block of K+ passage. An apparent inward rectification observed in the single-channel current-voltage relation is attributable to the blockade of the channel by intracellular Mg2+ and/or Na+.

Inhibition of calcium influx in isolated adult rat heart cells by ATP depletion

Using 45Ca, indo1, and quin2, calcium uptake was measured in isolated quiescent adult rat heart cells under different metabolic conditions. Exposure of cells in a medium containing 1 mM CaCl2 to rotenone and uncoupler resulted in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion from 17.08 +/- 2.26 to 0.63 +/- 0.11 nmol/mg within 8 minutes, and the cells went into contracture. In this time, the cells lost 1.65 +/- 0.1 nmol Ca/mg of total rapidly exchangeable cellular calcium, and the level of free cytosolic calcium as measured by indo1 rose from 47.4 +/- 16.3 nM to 79.8 +/- 27.6 nM. The subsequent rate of rise of intracellular free calcium concentration was just 4 nM/min for at least 40 minutes. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ATP depletion on the rate of calcium entry. In cells loaded with sodium by ouabain treatment without calcium, the initial rate of calcium influx on calcium addition was inhibited by 82-84% when cellular ATP was depleted, as measured by 45Ca or indo1. Quin2 also showed a strong inhibition of calcium influx by ATP depletion, but itself also caused a strong inhibition of calcium influx. The rate of calcium influx declined even further in ATP-depleted cells after the initial influx: Between 1 and 12 minutes after calcium addition, the residual 45Ca uptake rate of the first minute was inhibited by an additional 90%. We conclude that ATP depletion per se does not quickly elevate cytoplasmic free calcium and that such an elevation is prevented by a very strong inhibition of the rate of calcium entry.

Is phosphodiesterase inhibition arrhythmogenic? Electrophysiologic effects in pithed rats and in normoxic and hypoxic rabbit atria of enoximone, a new cardiotonic agent

The positive inotropic and chronotropic actions of enoximone were confirmed. At concentrations within the clinical range, enoximone prolonged the chronotropic and hypotensive action of isoproterenol in pithed rats. Very high doses of both enoximone and isoproterenol caused ventricular fibrillation in only one of six rats. In isolated rabbit atria, the maximum frequency at which pacing stimuli were followed 1:1 was increased by enoximone, and atrial flutter was consistently induced, then terminated by greatly suprathreshold stimulation. Enoximone significantly shortened action potential duration (APD), but did not exacerbate the APD-shortening induced by hypoxia. Since such hypoxia-induced shortening occurred in the presence of glucose 11 mmol/L and oxygen 20%, it was concluded that it was unlikely to have been caused by the opening of ATP-regulated potassium channels. These animal experiments suggest that enoximone, at concentrations encountered clinically in humans, does not have any electrophysiologic actions that would be likely to increase the probability of arrhythmias.

Opposite effects of tolbutamide and diazoxide on the ATP-dependent K+ channel in mouse pancreatic beta-cells

The influence of the antidiabetic sulphonylurea tolbutamide on K+ channels of mouse pancreatic beta-cells was investigated using different configurations of the patch clamp technique. The dominant channel in resting cells is a K+ channel with a single-channel conductance of 60 pS that is inhibited by intracellular ATP or, in intact cells, by stimulation with glucose. In isolated patches of beta-cells membrane, this channel was blocked by tolbutamide (0.1 mM) when applied to either the intracellular or extracellular side of the membrane. The dose-dependence of the tolbutamide-induced block was obtained from whole-cell experiments and revealed that 50% inhibition was attained at approximately 7 microM. In cell-attached patches low concentrations of glucose augmented the action of tolbutamide. Thus, the simultaneous presence of 5 mM glucose and 0.1 mM tolbutamide abolished channel activity and induced action potentials. These were not produced when either of these substances was added alone at these concentrations. The inhibitory action of tolbutamide or glucose on the K+ channel was counteracted by the hyperglycaemic sulphonamide diazoxide (0.4 mM). Tolbutamide (1 mM) did not affect Ca2+-dependent K+ channels. It is concluded that the hypo- and hyperglycaemic properties of tolbutamide and diazoxide reflect their ability to induce the closure or opening, respectively, of ATP-regulated K+ channels.

Effects of intracellular acidification on membrane currents in ventricular cells of the guinea pig

The membrane currents of single ventricular cells were measured under whole cell voltage clamp using a giga-sealed patch electrode, and the effects of intracellular acidification were examined by perfusing the electrode pipette with different pH solutions. The plateau of the action potential was shortened when the pH of the pipette solution was lowered from the control of 7.2 to 6, and finally to 5. The pH 6 pipette solution evoked a time-independent outward current at positive potentials and increased the slope conductance near the resting potential. These changes were suppressed by removal of both intra- and extracellular potassium ion, indicating that these currents were carried by potassium ions, but not by protons. Increasing the calcium concentration in the pipette from pCa 8 to pCa 6 induced a time-dependent outward current which had a reversal potential of about -13 mV. This result clearly differed from the changes induced by the acidic pipette solution, suggesting that the calcium-mediated conductance was not involved in the genesis of the acidic effects. The calcium current was not significantly affected by perfusion at pH 6, but was decreased by the more acidic (pH 5) solution. When the calcium current was recorded in sodium- and potassium-free external solution but with a cesium-rich internal solution, however, the calcium current was suppressed even with a weak acidic (pH 6.8) pipette solution. This effect was attributed not to an increased sensitivity of the calcium channel to protons, but to a more extensive intracellular acidification, which might have been caused by a depressed extrusion of proton via a sodium-hydrogen exchange mechanism on the surface membrane.

Properties of adenosine-triphosphate-regulated potassium channels in guinea-pig ventricular cells

A class of K channels in cardiac muscle is reversibly blocked by intracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The characteristics of this K channel were studied by recording single-channel currents in ventricular cells isolated enzymatically from guinea-pig heart. The reversal potential of single-channel currents agreed well with the K equilibrium potential. Blockers of other K channels, such as tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, decreased the mean open time of the channel. The chord conductance increased as the 0.24th power of the K concentration on the outer surface of the membrane, and showed a marked inward-going rectification on strong depolarizations. The degree of rectification was larger with increasing Na concentration on the inner side of the membrane. The kinetics of the channel were almost voltage independent, but depended on the concentration of intracellular ATP. The conductance of the channel was not affected by ATP. When channel kinetics were examined in the presence of ATP, the distribution of open times and closed times was fitted well with a sum of two exponential components. When ATP concentration was increased, the time constants obtained from the open-time histogram decreased and those from the closed-time histogram increased, resulting in a decrease of the open-state probability. The channel was blocked by ATP, adenosine 5'-diphosphate,5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate, guanosine 5'-triphosphate and uridine 5'-triphosphate, but not by adenosine 5'-monophosphate, creatine phosphate, creatine or adenosine. Plots of the open-state probability versus the ATP concentration revealed Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetics with strong co-operativity of multiple receptor sites (Hill coefficient 3-4, concentration of half-saturation 0.5 mM). It was concluded that this K channel has three or four receptor sites selective for triphosphate nucleotide on the inner surface of the membrane, and that the channel is blocked through the binding of agonists to the receptors.