Inward rectifier potassium currents (I Kir,x) belong to prominent ionic currents affecting both resting membrane voltage and action potential repolarization in cardiomyocytes. In existing integrative models of electrical activity of cardiac cells, they have been described as single current components. The proposed quantitative model complies with findings indicating that these channels are formed by various homomeric or heteromeric assemblies of channel subunits with specific functional properties. Each I Kir,x may be expressed as a total of independent currents via individual populations of identical channels, i.e., channels formed by the same combination of their subunits. Solution of the model equations simulated well recently observed unique manifestations of dual ethanol effect in rat ventricular and atrial cells. The model reflects reported occurrence of at least two binding sites for ethanol within I Kir,x channels related to slow allosteric conformation changes governing channel conductance and inducing current activation or inhibition. Our new model may considerably improve the existing models of cardiac cells by including the model equations proposed here in the particular case of the voltage-independent drug-channel interaction. Such improved integrative models may provide more precise and, thus, more physiologically relevant results.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály * MeSH
• alosterická regulace MeSH
• draslíkové kanály dovnitř usměrňující chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• ethanol farmakologie   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty účinky léků   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• modely kardiovaskulární MeSH
• multimerizace proteinu MeSH
• srdce - funkce komor MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Detection of patterns of subcellular calcium distribution in the cardiovascular system can contribute to understanding its role in cardiac and blood function. The present study localized calcium in heart atrium, ventricle, and bulbus arteriosus as well as in erythrocytes of zebrafish Danio rerio using an oxalate-pyroantimonate technique combined with transmission electron microscopy. Intracellular calcium stores were detected in caveolae, mitochondria, and the nuclei of several zebrafish cardiac cell types. Melanin pigmentation containing calcium stores was detected in the pericardial cavity. Melanin might be an extracellular source of calcium for heart beating and/or a lubricant to prevent friction during beating process. Calcium deposits were also detected in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus of erythrocytes as well as in blood plasma. Possible exchange of calcium between erythrocytes and blood plasma was observed. Interactions of such calcium stores and possible contribution of extracellular calcium stores such as melanin pigmentation to supply calcium for vital functions of heart cells should be addressed in future studies.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčné jádro metabolismus   MeSH
• dánio pruhované fyziologie   MeSH
• erytrocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• kaveoly metabolismus   MeSH
• melaniny metabolismus   MeSH
• mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• srdeční síně cytologie   MeSH
• transmisní elektronová mikroskopie MeSH
• vápník analýza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Alcohol consumption may result in electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias, at least partly due to effects of ethanol on cardiac ionic currents. Contractility and intracellular Ca(2+) dynamics seem to be altered as well. In this study, we integrated the available (mostly animal) experimental data into previously published models of the rat and human ventricular myocytes to assess the share of ionic current components in ethanol-induced changes in AP configuration and cytosolic Ca(2+) transient in ventricular cardiomyocytes. The rat model reproduced well the experimentally observed changes in AP duration (APD) under ethanol (slight prolongation at 0.8 mM and shortening at ≥8 mM). These changes were almost exclusively caused by the ethanol-induced alterations of I K1. The cytosolic Ca(2+) transient decreased gradually with the increasing ethanol concentration as a result of the ethanol-induced inhibition of I Ca. In the human model, ethanol produced a dose-dependent APD lengthening, dominated by ethanol effect on I Kr, the key repolarising current in human ventricles. This effect might contribute to the clinically observed proarrhythmic effects of ethanol in predisposed individuals.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály účinky léků   MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• ethanol farmakologie   MeSH
• intracelulární prostor účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počítačová simulace * MeSH
• sarkoplazmatické retikulum účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• vápník metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Atrial natriuretic peptide antifibrotic properties are mainly described in cardiac myocytes or in induced cardiac myofibroblasts (Angiotensin II or TGF-beta induced differentiation). In the present work, we investigate the effects of ANP/NPRA/cGMP system in modulating rat cardiac fibroblasts function. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from adult Wistar male rats and cultured in the presence of serum in order to induce fibroblasts differentiation. Cultures were then treated with ANP (1 microM), 8-Br-cGMP (100 microM) or IBMX (100 microM), a non-specific phosphodiesterases inhibitor. ANP significantly decreased proliferation rate and collagen secretion. Its effect was mimicked by the cGMP analog, while combining ANP with 8-Br-cGMP did not lead to additional effects. Moreover intracellular cGMP levels were elevated when cells were incubated with ANP confirming that ANP intracellular pathway is mediated by cGMP. Additionally, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were used to confirm the presence of guanylyl cyclase specific natriuretic peptide receptors A and B. Finally we scanned specific cGMP dependent PDEs via RT-qPCR, and noticed that inhibiting all PDEs led to an important decrease in proliferation rate. Effect of ANP became more prominent after 10 culture days, confirming the importance of ANP in fibroblasts to myofibroblasts differentiation. Uncovering cellular aspects of ANP/NPRA/cGMP signaling system provided more elements to help understand cardiac fibrotic process.

• MeSH
• atriální natriuretický faktor aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• buněčná diferenciace účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• fibroblasty cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• myofibroblasty cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Alcohol consumption may result in electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias. Important role of modifications of the inward rectifier potassium current I(K1) in arrhythmogenesis is well established. Considering lack of relevant data, we aimed at studying the effect of 0.2-200 mM ethanol on I(K1) in enzymatically isolated rat right ventricular myocytes using the whole cell patch-clamp technique at 23±1°C. Ethanol reversibly affected I(K1) in a dual way. At a very low concentration of 0.8 mM (≈~0.004%), ethanol significantly decreased IK1 by 6.9±2.7%. However, at concentrations of ethanol ≥20 mM (≈0.09%), I(K1) was conversely significantly increased (by 16.6±4.0% at 20 mM and 24.5±2.4% at 80 mM). The steady-state I(K1) increase was regularly preceded by its transient decrease at the beginning of ethanol application. Under 2 and 8 mM ethanol, I(K1) was decreased at the steady-state in some cells but increased in others. Both effects were voltage-independent. In agreement with the observed effects of ethanol on I(K1), a transient action potential (AP) prolongation followed by its final shortening were observed after the application of ethanol in a low concentration of 8 mM (≈0.04%). Under the effect of 0.8 mM ethanol, only AP prolongation was apparent which agreed well with the above described I(K1) decrease. Other AP characteristics remained unaltered in both concentrations. These observations corresponded with the results of mathematical simulations in a model of the rat ventricular myocyte. To summarize, changes of the cardiac I(K1) under ethanol at concentrations relevant to the current alcohol consumption were first demonstrated in ventricular myocytes in this study. The observed dual ethanol effect suggests at least two underlying mechanisms that remain to be clarified. The ethanol-induced I(K1) changes might contribute to the reported alterations of cardiac electrophysiology related to alcohol consumption.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály účinky léků   MeSH
• draslíkové kanály dovnitř usměrňující fyziologie   MeSH
• ethanol farmakologie   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

We have used a previously published computer model of the rat cardiac ventricular myocyte to investigate the effect of changing the distribution of Ca(2+) efflux pathways (SERCA, Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange, and sarcolemmal Ca(2+) ATPase) between the dyad and bulk cytoplasm and the effect of adding exogenous Ca(2+) buffers (BAPTA or EGTA), which are used experimentally to differentially buffer Ca(2+) in the dyad and bulk cytoplasm, on cellular Ca(2+) cycling. Increasing the dyadic fraction of a particular Ca(2+) efflux pathway increases the amount of Ca(2+) removed by that pathway, with corresponding changes in Ca(2+) efflux from the bulk cytoplasm. The magnitude of these effects varies with the proportion of the total Ca(2+) removed from the cytoplasm by that pathway. Differences in the response to EGTA and BAPTA, including changes in Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation of the L-type Ca(2+) current, resulted from the buffers acting as slow and fast "shuttles," respectively, removing Ca(2+) from the dyadic space. The data suggest that complex changes in dyadic Ca(2+) and cellular Ca(2+) cycling occur as a result of changes in the location of Ca(2+) removal pathways or the presence of exogenous Ca(2+) buffers, although changing the distribution of Ca(2+) efflux pathways has relatively small effects on the systolic Ca(2+) transient.

• MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• EGTA analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• gating iontového kanálu účinky léků   MeSH
• intracelulární prostor účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• kompartmentace buňky MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• pufry MeSH
• pumpa pro výměnu sodíku a vápníku metabolismus   MeSH
• sarkolema účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• vápník metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

AIM: Even though alcohol intoxication is often linked to arrhythmias, data describing ethanol effect on cardiac ionic channels are rare. In addition, ethanol is used as a solvent of hydrophobic compounds in experimental studies. We investigated changes of the action potential (AP) configuration and main ionic membrane currents in rat cardiomyocytes under 20-1500 m(M) ethanol. Methods:  Experiments were performed on enzymatically isolated rat right ventricular myocytes using the whole cell patch-clamp technique at room temperature. Results:  Ethanol reversibly decelerated the upstroke velocity and decreased AP amplitude and duration at 0.2 and 3 Hz. The fast sodium current I(Na) , l-type calcium current I(Ca) and transient outward potassium current I(to) were reversibly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner (50% inhibition at 446 ± 12, 553 ± 49 and 1954 ± 234 m(M), respectively, with corresponding Hill coefficients 3.1 ± 0.3, 1.1 ± 0.2 and 0.9 ± 0.1). Suppression of I(Na) and I(Ca) magnitude was slightly voltage dependent. The effect on I(Ca) and I(to) was manifested mainly as an acceleration of their apparent inactivations with a decreased slow and fast time constant respectively. As a consequence of marked differences in n(H) , sensitivity of the currents to ethanol at 10% inhibition decreases in the following order: I(Ca) (75 mm, 3.5‰), I(to) (170 m(M), 7.8‰) and I(Na) (220 m(M), 10.1‰). Conclusion:  Our results suggest a slight inhibition of all the currents at ethanol concentrations relevant to deep alcohol intoxication. The concentration dependence measured over a wide range may serve as a guideline when using ethanol as a solvent.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály účinky léků   MeSH
• draslík metabolismus   MeSH
• ethanol farmakologie   MeSH
• gating iontového kanálu účinky léků   MeSH
• iontové kanály metabolismus   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• látky tlumící činnost CNS farmakologie   MeSH
• membránové potenciály účinky léků   MeSH
• metoda terčíkového zámku MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• rozpouštědla MeSH
• sodík metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• vápník metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Antipsychotic drug perphenazine belongs to the phenothiazine group commonly reported to induce ECG changes and tachyarrhythmias. Data about its effect on ionic membrane currents in cardiomyocytes are missing. We analyzed the effect of perphenazine (0.1-100 microM) on fast sodium current I (Na) and transient outward potassium current I (to) in enzymatically isolated rat right ventricular myocytes by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique at room temperature. Perphenazine reversibly blocked I (Na) (reducing its amplitude; IC(50) = 1.24 +/- 0.10 microM) and I (to) (accelerating its apparent inactivation with a slight decrease of its amplitude; IC(50) = 38.2 +/- 3.5 microM, evaluated from changes of the time integral). The fast time constant of I (to) inactivation was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 30.0 +/- 6.6 microM). Both blocks were use and frequency dependent at 3.3 Hz. We conclude that perphenazine causes concentration-, use-, and frequency-dependent block of I (Na) and I (to) . Computer simulations suggest that perphenazine interacts preferentially with I (Na) channels in inactivated states and with I (to) channels in both open and open-inactivated states.

• MeSH
• antipsychotika aplikace a dávkování   toxicita   MeSH
• draslíkové kanály metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• inhibiční koncentrace 50 MeSH
• kardiomyocyty metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• metoda terčíkového zámku MeSH
• perfenazin aplikace a dávkování   toxicita   MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• sodíkové kanály metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   účinky léků   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Regulatory volume decrease (RVD) is essential for the survival of animal cells. The aim of this study was to observe the RVD process in rat ventricular myocytes, and to determine if the KATP channels are involved in the RVD process in these cells. By using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, we demonstrated that there are two types of KATP channels expressed in rat ventricular myocytes: Kir6.1 and Kir6.2. When rat cardiac myocytes were exposed to hypotonic solution, cell volume increased significantly within 15 min and then gradually recovered. This typical RVD process could be inhibited by a Cl– channel blocker (0.5 mM 9-anthracene-carboxylic acid,9-AC), a K+ channel blocker (5.0 mM CsCl) and a KATP channel blocker glibenclamide (10 µM). Electrophysiological results showed that hypotonic solution activated a whole-cell current, which had similar biophysical characteristics with KATP opener (pinacidil)-induced currents. This current could be blocked by glibenclamide. Our data suggested that the RVD process in rat ventricular myocytes is dependent on the activation of K+ channels, and that KATP channels are involved in this process.

• MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• kardiomyocyty cytologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• KATP kanály metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   MeSH
• velikost buňky MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH

Hypotonic solution alters ion channel activity, but little attention has been paid to voltage-dependent sodium channels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hypotonic solution on transient sodium currents (INaT) and persistent sodium currents (INaP). We also explored whether the intracellular signal transduction systems participated in the hypotonic modifications of sodium currents. INaT and INaP were recorded by means of whole-cell patch-clamp technique in isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Our results revealed that hypotonic solution reduced INaT and simultaneously augmented INaP with the occurrence of interconversion between INaT and INaP. Hypotonic solution shifted steady-state inactivation to a more negative potential, prolonged the time of recovery from inactivation, and enhanced intermediate inactivation (IIM). Ruthenium red (RR, inhibitor of TRPV4), bisindolylmaleimide VI (BIM, inhibitor of PKC), Kn-93 (inhibitor of Ca/CaMKII) and BAPTA (Ca2+-chelator) inhibited the effects of hypotonic solution on INaT and INaP. Therefore we conclude that hypotonic solution inhibits INaT, enhances INaP and IIM with the effects being reversible. TRPV4 and intracellular Ca2+, PKC and Ca/CaMKII participate in the hypotonic modifications of sodium currents.

• MeSH
• benzylaminy farmakologie   MeSH
• chelátory farmakologie   MeSH
• EGTA analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• hypotonické roztoky MeSH
• indoly farmakologie   MeSH
• inhibitory proteinkinas farmakologie   MeSH
• kardiomyocyty metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• kationtové kanály TRPV antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• maleimidy farmakologie   MeSH
• membránové potenciály MeSH
• metoda terčíkového zámku MeSH
• proteinkinasa C antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteinkinasa závislá na vápníku a kalmodulinu typ 2 antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• rutheniová červeň farmakologie   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• sodík metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční komory cytologie   metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfonamidy farmakologie   MeSH
• vápník metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH