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Kodirov SA, Brachmann J, Safonova TA, Zhuravlev VL. Inactivation of Native K Channels. J Membr Biol 2021; 255:13-31. [PMID: 34383081 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-021-00195-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We have experimented with isolated cardiomyocytes of mollusks Helix. During the whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of K+ currents a considerable decrease in amplitude was observed upon repeated voltage steps at 0.96 Hz. For these experiments, ventricular cells were depolarized to identical + 20 mV from a holding potential of - 50 mV. The observed spontaneous inhibition of outward currents persisted in the presence of 4-aminopyridine, tetraethylammonium chloride or E-4031, the selective class III antiarrhythmic agent that blocks HERG channels. Similar tendency was retained when components of currents sensitive to either 4-AP or TEA were mathematically subtracted. Waveforms of currents sensitive to 1 and 10 micromolar concentration of E-4031 were distinct comprising prevailingly those activated during up to 200 ms pulses. The outward current activated by a voltage ramp at 60 mV x s-1 rate revealed an inward rectification around + 20 mV. This feature closely resembles those of the mammalian cardiac delayed rectifier IKr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sodikdjon A Kodirov
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of General Physiology, Saint Petersburg University, 199034, Saint Petersburg, Russia. .,Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Department of Biophysics, Saint Petersburg University, 199034, Saint Petersburg, Russia. .,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Johannes Brachmann
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tatiana A Safonova
- Department of General Physiology, Saint Petersburg University, 199034, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir L Zhuravlev
- Department of Cardiology, Medical University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of General Physiology, Saint Petersburg University, 199034, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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2
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Tse G, Li KHC, Cheung CKY, Letsas KP, Bhardwaj A, Sawant AC, Liu T, Yan GX, Zhang H, Jeevaratnam K, Sayed N, Cheng SH, Wong WT. Arrhythmogenic Mechanisms in Hypokalaemia: Insights From Pre-clinical Models. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:620539. [PMID: 33614751 PMCID: PMC7887296 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.620539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Potassium is the predominant intracellular cation, with its extracellular concentrations maintained between 3. 5 and 5 mM. Among the different potassium disorders, hypokalaemia is a common clinical condition that increases the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. This review aims to consolidate pre-clinical findings on the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying hypokalaemia-induced arrhythmogenicity. Both triggers and substrates are required for the induction and maintenance of ventricular arrhythmias. Triggered activity can arise from either early afterdepolarizations (EADs) or delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs). Action potential duration (APD) prolongation can predispose to EADs, whereas intracellular Ca2+ overload can cause both EADs and DADs. Substrates on the other hand can either be static or dynamic. Static substrates include action potential triangulation, non-uniform APD prolongation, abnormal transmural repolarization gradients, reduced conduction velocity (CV), shortened effective refractory period (ERP), reduced excitation wavelength (CV × ERP) and increased critical intervals for re-excitation (APD-ERP). In contrast, dynamic substrates comprise increased amplitude of APD alternans, steeper APD restitution gradients, transient reversal of transmural repolarization gradients and impaired depolarization-repolarization coupling. The following review article will summarize the molecular mechanisms that generate these electrophysiological abnormalities and subsequent arrhythmogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Ka Hou Christien Li
- Faculty of Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Konstantinos P Letsas
- Second Department of Cardiology, Laboratory of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aishwarya Bhardwaj
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Abhishek C Sawant
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Tong Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ionic-Molecular Function of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Institute of Cardiology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Gan-Xin Yan
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research and Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA, United States
| | - Henggui Zhang
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Nazish Sayed
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.,Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Shuk Han Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Science, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Tak Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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3
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Prado NJ, Egan Beňová T, Diez ER, Knezl V, Lipták B, Ponce Zumino AZ, Llamedo-Soria M, Szeiffová Bačová B, Miatello RM, Tribulová N. Melatonin receptor activation protects against low potassium-induced ventricular fibrillation by preserving action potentials and connexin-43 topology in isolated rat hearts. J Pineal Res 2019; 67:e12605. [PMID: 31408542 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hypokalemia prolongs the QRS and QT intervals, deteriorates intercellular coupling, and increases the risk for arrhythmia. Melatonin preserves gap junctions and shortens action potential as potential antiarrhythmic mechanisms, but its properties under hypokalemia remain unknown. We hypothesized that melatonin protects against low potassium-induced arrhythmias through the activation of its receptors, resulting in action potential shortening and connexin-43 preservation. After stabilization in Krebs-Henseleit solution (4.5 mEq/L K+ ), isolated hearts from Wistar rats underwent perfusion with low-potassium (1 mEq/L) solution and melatonin (100 μmol/L), a melatonin receptor blocker (luzindole, 5 μmol/L), melatonin + luzindole or vehicle. The primary endpoint of the study was the prevention of ventricular fibrillation. Electrocardiography was used, and epicardial action potentials and heart function were measured and analyzed. The ventricular expression, dephosphorylation, and distribution of connexin-43 were examined. Melatonin reduced the incidence of low potassium-induced ventricular fibrillation from 100% to 59%, delayed the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and induced a faster recovery of sinus rhythm during potassium restitution. Melatonin prevented QRS widening, action potential activation delay, and the prolongation of action potential duration at 50% of repolarization. Other ECG and action potential parameters, the left ventricular developed pressure, and nonsustained ventricular arrhythmias did not differ among groups. Melatonin prevented connexin-43 dephosphorylation and its abnormal topology (lateralization). Luzindole abrogated the protective effects of melatonin on electrophysiological properties and connexin-43 misdistribution. Our results indicate that melatonin receptor activation protects against low potassium-induced ventricular fibrillation, shortens action potential duration, preserves ventricular electrical activation, and prevents acute changes in connexin-43 distribution. All of these properties make melatonin a remarkable antifibrillatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Jorgelina Prado
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Tamara Egan Beňová
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute for Heart Research, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emiliano Raúl Diez
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Vladimír Knezl
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Boris Lipták
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Amira Zulma Ponce Zumino
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Mariano Llamedo-Soria
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Barbara Szeiffová Bačová
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute for Heart Research, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Roberto Miguel Miatello
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Narcisa Tribulová
- Center of Experimental Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute for Heart Research, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Yeo JM, Tse V, Kung J, Lin HY, Lee YT, Kwan J, Yan BP, Tse G. Isolated heart models for studying cardiac electrophysiology: a historical perspective and recent advances. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 28:191-200. [PMID: 28063261 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Experimental models used in cardiovascular research range from cellular to whole heart preparations. Isolated whole hearts show higher levels of structural and functional integration than lower level models such as tissues or cellular fragments. Cardiovascular diseases are multi-factorial problems that are dependent on highly organized structures rather than on molecular or cellular components alone. This article first provides a general introduction on the animal models of cardiovascular diseases. It is followed by a detailed overview and a historical perspective of the different isolated heart systems with a particular focus on the Langendorff perfusion method for the study of cardiac arrhythmias. The choice of species, perfusion method, and perfusate composition are discussed in further detail with particular considerations of the theoretical and practical aspects of experimental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ming Yeo
- School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London
| | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Judy Kung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R
| | - Hiu Yu Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R
| | - Yee Ting Lee
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R
| | - Joseph Kwan
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R
| | - Bryan P Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne
| | - Gary Tse
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R
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Osadchii OE. Role of abnormal repolarization in the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmia. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2017; 220 Suppl 712:1-71. [PMID: 28707396 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In cardiac patients, life-threatening tachyarrhythmia is often precipitated by abnormal changes in ventricular repolarization and refractoriness. Repolarization abnormalities typically evolve as a consequence of impaired function of outward K+ currents in cardiac myocytes, which may be caused by genetic defects or result from various acquired pathophysiological conditions, including electrical remodelling in cardiac disease, ion channel modulation by clinically used pharmacological agents, and systemic electrolyte disorders seen in heart failure, such as hypokalaemia. Cardiac electrical instability attributed to abnormal repolarization relies on the complex interplay between a provocative arrhythmic trigger and vulnerable arrhythmic substrate, with a central role played by the excessive prolongation of ventricular action potential duration, impaired intracellular Ca2+ handling, and slowed impulse conduction. This review outlines the electrical activity of ventricular myocytes in normal conditions and cardiac disease, describes classical electrophysiological mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmia, and provides an update on repolarization-related surrogates currently used to assess arrhythmic propensity, including spatial dispersion of repolarization, activation-repolarization coupling, electrical restitution, TRIaD (triangulation, reverse use dependence, instability, and dispersion), and the electromechanical window. This is followed by a discussion of the mechanisms that account for the dependence of arrhythmic vulnerability on the location of the ventricular pacing site. Finally, the review clarifies the electrophysiological basis for cardiac arrhythmia produced by hypokalaemia, and gives insight into the clinical importance and pathophysiology of drug-induced arrhythmia, with particular focus on class Ia (quinidine, procainamide) and Ic (flecainide) Na+ channel blockers, and class III antiarrhythmic agents that block the delayed rectifier K+ channel (dofetilide).
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Affiliation(s)
- O. E. Osadchii
- Department of Health Science and Technology; University of Aalborg; Aalborg Denmark
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Tse G, Yeo JM, Tse V, Kwan J, Sun B. Gap junction inhibition by heptanol increases ventricular arrhythmogenicity by reducing conduction velocity without affecting repolarization properties or myocardial refractoriness in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:4069-4074. [PMID: 27633494 PMCID: PMC5101880 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current study, arrhythmogenic effects of the gap junction inhibitor heptanol (0.05 mM) were examined in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Monophasic action potential recordings were obtained from the left ventricular epicardium during right ventricular pacing. Regular activity was observed both prior and subsequent to application of heptanol in all of the 12 hearts studied during 8 Hz pacing. By contrast, induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) was observed after heptanol treatment in 6/12 hearts using a S1S2 protocol (Fisher's exact test; P<0.05). The arrhythmogenic effects of heptanol were associated with increased activation latencies from 13.2±0.6 to 19.4±1.3 msec (analysis of variance; P<0.001) and reduced conduction velocities (CVs) from 0.23±0.01 to 0.16±0.01 msec (analysis of variance; P<0.001) in an absence of alterations in action potential durations (ADPs) at x=90% (38.0±1.0 vs. 38.3±1.8 msec), 70% (16.8±1.0 vs. 19.5±0.9 msec), 50% (9.2±0.8 vs. 10.1±0.6 msec) or 30% (4.8±0.5 vs. 6.3±0.6 msec) repolarization (APDx) or in effective refractory period (ERPs) (39.6±1.9 vs. 40.6±3.0 msec) (all P>0.05). Consequently, excitation wavelengths (λ; CV x ERP) were reduced from 9.1±0.6 to 6.5±0.6 mm (P<0.01), however critical intervals for re‑excitation (APD90 ‑ ERP) were unaltered (‑1.1±2.4 vs. ‑2.3±1.8 msec; P>0.05). Together, these observations demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that inhibition of gap junctions alone using a low heptanol concentration (0.05 mM) was able to reduce CV, which alone was sufficient to permit the induction of VT using premature stimulation by reducing λ, which therefore appears central in the determination of arrhythmic tendency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Joseph Kwan
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Bing Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
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Choy L, Yeo JM, Tse V, Chan SP, Tse G. Cardiac disease and arrhythmogenesis: Mechanistic insights from mouse models. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2016; 12:1-10. [PMID: 27766308 PMCID: PMC5064289 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2016.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The mouse is the second mammalian species, after the human, in which substantial amount of the genomic information has been analyzed. With advances in transgenic technology, mutagenesis is now much easier to carry out in mice. Consequently, an increasing number of transgenic mouse systems have been generated for the study of cardiac arrhythmias in ion channelopathies and cardiomyopathies. Mouse hearts are also amenable to physical manipulation such as coronary artery ligation and transverse aortic constriction to induce heart failure, radiofrequency ablation of the AV node to model complete AV block and even implantation of a miniature pacemaker to induce cardiac dyssynchrony. Last but not least, pharmacological models, despite being simplistic, have enabled us to understand the physiological mechanisms of arrhythmias and evaluate the anti-arrhythmic properties of experimental agents, such as gap junction modulators, that may be exert therapeutic effects in other cardiac diseases. In this article, we examine these in turn, demonstrating that primary inherited arrhythmic syndromes are now recognized to be more complex than abnormality in a particular ion channel, involving alterations in gene expression and structural remodelling. Conversely, in cardiomyopathies and heart failure, mutations in ion channels and proteins have been identified as underlying causes, and electrophysiological remodelling are recognized pathological features. Transgenic techniques causing mutagenesis in mice are extremely powerful in dissecting the relative contributions of different genes play in producing disease phenotypes. Mouse models can serve as useful systems in which to explore how protein defects contribute to arrhythmias and direct future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois Choy
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- School of Medicine, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Canada
| | - Shing Po Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Gary Tse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Tse G, Sun B, Wong ST, Tse V, Yeo JM. Anti-arrhythmic effects of hypercalcemia in hyperkalemic, Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Biomed Rep 2016; 5:301-310. [PMID: 27588173 PMCID: PMC4998139 DOI: 10.3892/br.2016.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the ventricular arrhythmic and electrophysiological properties during hyperkalemia (6.3 mM [K+] vs. 4 mM in normokalemia) and anti-arrhythmic effects of hypercalcemia (2.2 mM [Ca2+]) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. Monophasic action potential recordings were obtained from the left ventricle during right ventricular pacing. Hyperkalemia increased the proportion of hearts showing provoked ventricular tachycardia (VT) from 0 to 6 of 7 hearts during programmed electrical stimulation (Fisher's exact test, P<0.05). It shortened the epicardial action potential durations (APDx) at 90, 70, 50 and 30% repolarization and ventricular effective refractory periods (VERPs) (analysis of variance, P<0.05) without altering activation latencies. Endocardial APDx and VERPs were unaltered. Consequently, ∆APDx (endocardial APDx-epicardial APDx) was increased, VERP/latency ratio was decreased and critical intervals for reexcitation (APD90-VERP) were unchanged. Hypercalcemia treatment exerted anti-arrhythmic effects during hyperkalemia, reducing the proportion of hearts showing VT to 1 of 7 hearts. It increased epicardial VERPs without further altering the remaining parameters, returning VERP/latency ratio to normokalemic values and also decreased the critical intervals. In conclusion, hyperkalemia exerted pro-arrhythmic effects by shortening APDs and VERPs. Hypercalcemia exerted anti-arrhythmic effects by reversing VERP changes, which scaled the VERP/latency ratio and critical intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, P.R. China
| | - Bing Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Tongji University Affiliated Tongji Hospital, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
| | | | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- School of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
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Tse G, Lai ETH, Lee APW, Yan BP, Wong SH. Electrophysiological Mechanisms of Gastrointestinal Arrhythmogenesis: Lessons from the Heart. Front Physiol 2016; 7:230. [PMID: 27378939 PMCID: PMC4906021 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruptions in the orderly activation and recovery of electrical excitation traveling through the heart and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can lead to arrhythmogenesis. For example, cardiac arrhythmias predispose to thromboembolic events resulting in cerebrovascular accidents and myocardial infarction, and to sudden cardiac death. By contrast, arrhythmias in the GI tract are usually not life-threatening and much less well characterized. However, they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of GI motility disorders, including gastroparesis, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, mesenteric ischaemia, Hirschsprung disease, slow transit constipation, all of which are associated with significant morbidity. Both cardiac and gastrointestinal arrhythmias can broadly be divided into non-reentrant and reentrant activity. The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast the mechanisms underlying arrhythmogenesis in both systems to provide insight into the pathogenesis of GI motility disorders and potential molecular targets for future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Eric T. H. Lai
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Alex P. W. Lee
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Bryan P. Yan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Sunny H. Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
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Tse G, Lai ETH, Yeo JM, Tse V, Wong SH. Mechanisms of Electrical Activation and Conduction in the Gastrointestinal System: Lessons from Cardiac Electrophysiology. Front Physiol 2016; 7:182. [PMID: 27303305 PMCID: PMC4885840 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is an electrically excitable organ system containing multiple cell types, which coordinate electrical activity propagating through this tract. Disruption in its normal electrophysiology is observed in a number of GI motility disorders. However, this is not well characterized and the field of GI electrophysiology is much less developed compared to the cardiac field. The aim of this article is to use the established knowledge of cardiac electrophysiology to shed light on the mechanisms of electrical activation and propagation along the GI tract, and how abnormalities in these processes lead to motility disorders and suggest better treatment options based on this improved understanding. In the first part of the article, the ionic contributions to the generation of GI slow wave and the cardiac action potential (AP) are reviewed. Propagation of these electrical signals can be described by the core conductor theory in both systems. However, specifically for the GI tract, the following unique properties are observed: changes in slow wave frequency along its length, periods of quiescence, synchronization in short distances and desynchronization over long distances. These are best described by a coupled oscillator theory. Other differences include the diminished role of gap junctions in mediating this conduction in the GI tract compared to the heart. The electrophysiology of conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroparesis, and functional problems such as irritable bowel syndrome are discussed in detail, with reference to ion channel abnormalities and potential therapeutic targets. A deeper understanding of the molecular basis and physiological mechanisms underlying GI motility disorders will enable the development of better diagnostic and therapeutic tools and the advancement of this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Tse
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Eric Tsz Him Lai
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
| | - Jie Ming Yeo
- School of Medicine, Imperial College LondonLondon, UK
| | - Vivian Tse
- Department of Physiology, McGill UniversityMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sunny Hei Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease, LKS Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong KongHong Kong, China
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