Cardiac Hypertrophy Diminished the Effects of Isoproterenol on Delayed Rectifier Potassium Current in Rat Heart

Cardiomyocyte Adaptation to Exercise: K+ Channels, Contractility and Ischemic Injury

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and exercise-training (TRN) is known to reduce risk factors and protect the heart from ischemia and reperfusion injury. Though the cardioprotective effects of exercise are well-documented, underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This review highlights recent findings and focuses on cardiac factors with emphasis on K+ channel control of the action potential duration (APD), β-adrenergic and adenosine regulation of cardiomyocyte function, and mitochondrial Ca2+ regulation. TRN-induced prolongation and shortening of the APD at low and high activation rates, respectively, is discussed in the context of a reduced response of the sarcolemma delayed rectifier potassium channel (IK) and increased content and activation of the sarcolemma KATP channel. A proposed mechanism underlying the latter is presented, including the phosphatidylinositol-3kinase/protein kinase B pathway. TRN induced increases in cardiomyocyte contractility and the response to adrenergic agonists are discussed. The TRN-induced protection from reperfusion injury is highlighted by the increased content and activation of the sarcolemma KATP channel and the increased phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β, which aid in preventing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and mitochondria-triggered apoptosis. Finally, a brief section is presented on the increased incidences of atrial fibrillation associated with age and in life-long exercisers.

Ionic current changes underlying action potential repolarization responses to physiological pacing and adrenergic stimulation in adult rat ventricular myocytes

This study aimed to simulate ventricular responses to elevations in myocyte pacing and adrenergic stimulation using a novel electrophysiological rat model and investigate ion channel responses underlying action potential (AP) modulations. Peak ion currents and AP repolarization to 50% and 90% of full repolarization (APD_50-90 ) were recorded during simulations at 1-10 Hz pacing under control and adrenergic stimulation conditions. Further simulations were performed with incremental ion current block (L-type calcium current, I_Ca ; transient outward current, I_to ; slow delayed rectifier potassium current, I_Ks ; rapid delayed rectifier potassium current, I_Kr ; inward rectifier potassium current, I_K1 ) to identify current influence on AP response to exercise. Simulated APD_50-90 closely resembled experimental findings. Rate-dependent increases in I_Ks (6%-101%), I_Kr (141%-1339%), and I_Ca (0%-15%) and reductions in I_to (11%-57%) and I_K1 (1%-9%) were observed. Meanwhile, adrenergic stimulation triggered moderate increases in all currents (23%-67%) except I_K1 . Further analyses suggest AP plateau is most sensitive to modulations in I_to and I_Ca while late repolarization is most sensitive to I_K1 , I_Ca , and I_Ks , with alterations in I_Ks predominantly stimulating the greatest magnitude of influence on late repolarization (35%-846% APD₉₀ prolongation). The modified Leeds rat model (mLR) is capable of accurately modeling APs during physiological stress. This study highlights the importance of I_Ca , I_to , I_K1, and I_Ks in controlling electrophysiological responses to exercise. This work will benefit the study of cardiac dysfunction, arrythmia, and disease, though future physiologically relevant experimental studies and model development are required.

Incorrectly corrected? QT interval analysis in rats and mice

QT interval, a surrogate measure for ventricular action potential duration (APD) in the surface ECG, is widely used to identify cardiac abnormalities and drug safety. In humans, cardiac APD and QT interval are prominently affected by heart rate (HR), leading to widely accepted formulas to correct the QT interval for HR changes (QT corrected - QTc). While QTc is widely used in the clinic, the proper way to correct the QT interval in small mammals such as rats and mice is not clear. Over the years, empiric correction formulas were developed for rats and mice, which are widely used in the literature. Recent experimental findings obtained from pharmacological and direct pacing experiments in unanesthetized rodents show that the rate-adaptation properties are markedly different from those in humans and the use of existing QTc formulae can lead to major errors in data interpretation. In the present review, these experimental findings are summarized and discussed.

Cardiomyocyte slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel: regulation by exercise and β-adrenergic signaling

Results demonstrate that exercise training (TRN) downregulates ventricular IKs channel current and the channel’s responsiveness to β-agonist factors mediated by TRN-induced decline in channel subunits KCNQ1 and KCNE1 and the A-kinase anchoring protein yotiao. The reduced IKs current helps explain the TRN-induced prolongation of the action potential in basal conditions and, coupled with previously reported upregulation of the KATP channel, results in a more efficient heart that is better able to respond to beat-by-beat changes in metabolism.

The effect of resveratrol on angiotensin II levels and the rate of transcription of its receptors in the rat cardiac hypertrophy model

This study investigated the effect of resveratrol on serum and cardiac levels of angiotensin II and transcription of its main receptors following pressure overload induced-hypertrophy. Rats were divided into untreated (Hyp) and resveratrol treated hypertrophied groups (H + R). Intact animals served as the control (Ctl). Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by abdominal aortic banding. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded via left carotid artery cannula. Fibrosis was confirmed by Masson trichrome staining. Angiotensin II level was measured using an ELIZA test. Gene expression was assessed by a real time PCR (RT-PCR) technique. We observed that in the H + R group BP and heart weight/body weight were decreased significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively vs Hyp). The cardiac levels of angiotensin II and AT1a mRNA were increased in the Hyp group (p < 0.01 vs Ctl). In the H + R group the AT1a mRNA level was decreased significantly (p < 0.05 vs Hyp). It could be concluded that resveratrol protects the heart against hypertrophy progression in part by affecting cardiac AT1a transcription.

An increased TREK-1-like potassium current in ventricular myocytes during rat cardiac hypertrophy

To elucidate the expression and identify the functional changes of 2 pore domain potassium channel TREK-1 during cardiac hypertrophy in rats, left ventricular hypertrophy was induced by subcutaneous injection with isoproterenol. Western blot was used to detect the expression of TREK-1 channel protein, and inside-out and whole-cell recordings were used to record TREK-1 currents. The results showed that TREK-1 protein expression in endocardium was slightly higher than that in epicardium in control left ventricles. However, it was obviously upregulated by 89.8% during hypertrophy, 2.3-fold higher than in epicardium. Mechanical stretch, intracellular acidification, and arachidonic acid could activate a TREK-1-like current in cardiomyocytes. The slope conductances of cardiac TREK-1 and CHO/TREK-1 channels were 123 ± 7 and 113 ± 17 pS, respectively. The TREK-1 inhibitor L-3-n-butylphthalide (10 μM) reduced the currents in CHO/TREK-1 cells, normal cardiomyocytes, and hypertrophic cardiomyocytes by 48.5%, 54.3%, and 55.5%, respectively. The percentage of L-3-n-butylphthalide-inhibited outward whole-cell current in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes (23.7%) was larger than that in normal cardiomyocytes (14.2%). The percentage of chloroform-activated outward whole-cell current in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes (58.3%) was also larger than normal control (40.2%). Our results demonstrated that in hypertrophic rats, TREK-1 protein expression in endocardium was specifically increased and the ratio of TREK-1 channel current in cardiac outward currents was also enhanced. TREK-1 might balance potassium ion flow during hypertrophy and might be a potential drug target for heart protection.

Down-regulation of the human ether-a-go-go-related gene in rat cardiac hypertrophy

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac hypertrophy is a risk factor for QT prolongation and cardiac sudden death. In this study, the authors examined the expressional regulation on the rat human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG), which encodes a structural subunit of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Kr)), during myocardial hypertrophy using rat as a model system.

METHODS

Cardiac hypertrophy was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by coarctation of the abdominal aorta [left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) group]. Sham-operated rats were defined as control group (Ctrl group). Hemodynamic, morphologic and histologic parameters were recorded 6 weeks after operation. In addition, the expression of HERG was also determined using a combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS

Compared with the sham-operated Ctrl group, abdominal aortic coarctation induced LVH in the LVH group, as evidenced by significantly increased ratios of heart weight/left ventricular weight to body weight and enlarged left ventricular myocytes in the histologic sections. The hemodynamic profile revealed significant increases in heart rate and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, as well as a decrease in the maximal rate of left ventricular pressure fall in the LVH rats, when compared with the Ctrl rats. Electrocardiograms showed prolonged QT and corrected QT intervals. On the molecular level, a significant reduction of HERG, messengerRNA and protein was observed in LVH group, which was inversely correlated with prolonged corrected QT (r = -0.842, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The expressional down-regulation of HERG gene may constitute a novel mechanism for QT prolongation during cardiac hypertrophy.

Altered expression of Na+ transporters at the mRNA level in rat normal and hypertrophic myocardium

Intracellular Na(+) ([Na(+)](i)) regulation plays a crucial role in the structural, mechanical, and electrical properties of myocardium. It is assumed that the [Na(+)](i) handling system may differ not only between normal and diseased hearts but also regionally within a heart. To gain new insight concerning disease- and region-dependent differences in the [Na(+)](i)-regulatory system, we investigated mRNA expression of Na+ transporters, the principal determinants of [Na(+)](i). Nonischemic pressure-overloaded hypertrophy was created by suprarenal abdominal aortic constriction of 50% for 7 weeks. mRNA abundances of Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX1), Na(+)-H(+) exchanger (NHE1), Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) exchanger (NKCC1) and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase multigene family(alpha(1), alpha(2), alpha(3), and beta(1) isoforms) were measured by the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. mRNA abundance of all transporters mediating Na(+) influx (NCX1, NHE1, and NKCC1) was significantly upregulated as compared to normal. In contrast, Na(+)-efflux-mediating transporter (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase) mRNA expression was unaltered between normal and hypertrophic hearts. Losartan, an angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist, significantly attenuated upregulation of Na(+)-influx-mediating transporters induced by aortic constriction. The onset of Na(+)-influx-mediating transporter upregulation occurred within 5 days following constriction. In normal and hypertrophied hearts, mRNA of all Na(+)-influx-mediating transporters was expressed in order of abundance as: apex > septum approximately free wall of left ventricles. A transmural gradient in expression was also evident in normal hearts (midcardium > endo- and epicardium), which was attenuated under hypertrophic development. Myocardial hypertrophy is associated with significant changes in the spatial distribution and expression levels of Na(+) transporters. The upregulation of Na influx transporters during hypertrophy may contribute to the remodeling process, modulate contractility and promote arrhythmias.