Both T- and L-type Ca2+ channels can contribute to excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac Purkinje cells.

Although L-type Ca2+ channels have been shown to play a central role in cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, little is known about the role of T-type Ca2+ channels in this process. We used the amphotericin B perforated patch method to study the possible role of T-type Ca2+ current in E-C coupling in isolated canine Purkinje myocytes where both Ca2+ currents are large. T-type Ca2+ current was separated from L-type Ca2+ current using protocols employing the different voltage dependencies of the channel types and their different sensitivities to pharmacological blockade. We showed that Ca2+ admitted through either T- or L-type Ca2+ channels is capable of initiating contraction and that the contractions depended on Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The contractions, however, had different properties. Those initiated by Ca2+ entry through T-type Ca2+ channels had a longer delay to the onset of shortening, slower rates of shortening and relaxation, lower peak shortening, and longer time to peak shortening. These differences were present even when L-type Ca2+ current amplitude, or charge entry, was less than that of T-type Ca2+ current, suggesting that Ca2+ entry through the T-type Ca2+ channel is a less effective signal transduction mechanism to the SR than is Ca2+ entry through the L-type Ca2+ channel. We conclude that under our experimental conditions in cardiac Purkinje cells Ca2+ entry through the T-type Ca2+ channel can activate cell contraction. However, Ca2+ entry through the L-type Ca2+ channel is a more effective signal transduction mechanism. Our findings support the concept that different structural relationships exist between these channel types and the SR Ca2+ release mechanism.     

Frequency-dependent blockade of T-type Ca2+ current by efonidipine in cardiomyocytes

Efonidipine is a dihydropyridine Ca2+ antagonist with inhibitory effects on both L-type and T-type Ca2+ channels and potent bradycardiac activity especially in patients with high heart rate. In the present study, we examined the frequency dependence of efonidipine action on the T-type Ca2+ channel in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. The potency of efonidipine to inhibit the T-type Ca2+ current was higher under higher stimulation frequencies. The IC50 values were 1.3 x 10(-8), 2.0 x 10(-6) and 6.3 x 10(-6) M under stimulation frequencies of 1, 0.2 and 0.05 Hz, respectively. The reduction of T-type Ca2+ current amplitude was not accompanied by change in the time course of current decay. Efonidipine (10 microM) inhibited T-type Ca2+ current elicited by depolarization from holding potentials ranging from -90 to -30 mV by about 30%; the voltage-dependence of steady-state inactivation was not changed by the drug. Efonidipine slowed the recovery from inactivation following an inactivating prepulse. In conclusion, efonidipine was shown to have frequency-dependent inhibitory effects on the T-type Ca2+ channel, which could be explained by slow dissociation of the drug from the inactivated state of the channel.     

Agonist of dihydropyridine receptors, BayK8644 depresses excitation-contraction coupling in myocytes of guinea pig heart.

BayK8644(-)(BayK), an agonist of L-type Ca2+ channels has been recently shown to impair excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac myocytes by increasing Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and by decreasing the gain factor of calcium induced release of calcium. It has been proposed that BayK affects the properties of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) of SR by binding to the sarcolemmal dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs). This would suggest that the linkage between these receptors is more direct than currently sought. However, it has been recently found that BayK may also directly affect the RyRs increasing their open probability. In this paper we tested the effect of BayK on excitation-contraction coupling in single ventricular myocytes of guinea-pig heart superfused with 5 mM Ni2+ which blocks the L-type Ca2+ current and Na+/Ca2+ exchange. We have previously shown that it is possible to activate in these cells nearly normal Ca2+ transients and contractions despite total inhibition of ICa. This eliminated the effect of ICa increased by BayK on excitation contraction coupling thus simplifying the studied system. 0.5 microM BayK increased the diastolic [Ca2+]i and decreased the diastolic length in stimulated or rested cells superfused with Ni2+, decreased by approximately 50% amplitude of Ca2+ transients and contractions and decreased by approximately 70% the responses of cells to rapid superfusion of 15mM caffeine used as an indirect index of the SR Ca2+ content. The effects on diastolic length and [Ca2+]i in rested cells were not affected by 20 microM nifedipine. We conclude that under our experimental conditions the dominating mechanism of suppression of excitation-contraction coupling by BayK was depletion of the SR Ca2+ by the direct effect on the RyRs.     

Calcium flux in turtle ventricular myocytes

The relative contribution of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the L-type Ca(2+) channel and the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) were assessed in turtle ventricular myocytes using epifluorescent microscopy and electrophysiology. Confocal microscopy images of turtle myocytes revealed spindle-shaped cells, which lacked T-tubules and had a large surface area-to-volume ratio. Myocytes loaded with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-sensitive dye Fura-2 elicited Ca(2+) transients, which were insensitive to ryanodine and thapsigargin, indicating the SR plays a small role in the regulation of contraction and relaxation in the turtle ventricle. Sarcolemmal Ca(2+) currents were measured using the perforated-patch voltage-clamp technique. Depolarizing voltage steps to 0 mV elicited an inward current that could be blocked by nifedipine, indicating the presence of Ca(2+) currents originating from L-type Ca(2+) channels (I(Ca)). The density of I(Ca) was 3.2 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, which led to an overall total Ca(2+) influx of 64.1 +/- 9.3 microM/l. NCX activity was measured as the Ni(+)-sensitive current at two concentrations of intracellular Na(+) (7 and 14 mM). Total Ca(2+) influx through the NCX during depolarizing voltage steps to 0 mV was 58.5 +/- 7.7 micromol/l and 26.7 +/- 3.2 micromol/l at 14 and 7 mM intracellular Na(+), respectively. In the absence of the SR and L-type Ca(2+) channels, the NCX is able to support myocyte contraction independently. Our results indicate turtle ventricular myocytes are primed for sarcolemmal Ca(2+) transport, and most of the Ca(2+) used for contraction originates from the L-type Ca(2+) channel.     

Effect of mibefradil on sodium and calcium currents

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate the electrical slow wave. The ionic conductances that contribute to the slow wave appear to vary among species. In humans, a tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ current (Na(V)1.5) encoded by SCN5A contributes to the rising phase of the slow wave, whereas T-type Ca2+ currents have been reported from cultured mouse intestine ICC and also from canine colonic ICC. Mibefradil has a higher affinity for T-type over L-type Ca2+ channels, and the drug has been used in the gastrointestinal tract to identify T-type currents. However, the selectivity of mibefradil for T-type Ca2+ channels over ICC and smooth muscle Na+ channels has not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mibefradil on T-type and L-type Ca2+ and Na+ currents. Whole cell currents were recorded from HEK-293 cells coexpressing green fluorescent protein with either the rat brain T-type Ca2+ channel alpha(1)3.3b + beta(2), the human intestinal L-type Ca2+ channel subunits alpha(1C) + beta(2), or Na(V)1.5. Mibefradil significantly reduced expressed T-type Ca2+ current at concentrations > or = 0.1 microM (IC(50) = 0.29 microM), L-type Ca2+ current at > 1 microM (IC(50) = 2.7 microM), and Na+ current at > or = 0.3 microM (IC(50) = 0.98 microM). In conclusion, mibefradil inhibits the human intestinal tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ channel at submicromolar concentrations. Caution must be used in the interpretation of the effects of mibefradil when several ion channel classes are coexpressed.     

L, P-/Q- and T-type Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle cells from human umbilical artery.

The electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) were determined by the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in smooth muscle cells from human umbilical artery. Using 5 mM extracellular Ca(2+), depolarizing step pulses from -60 to 50 mV from a holding membrane potential of -80 mV evoked an I(Ca) which activated at membrane potentials more positive than -50 mV and exhibited a maximum current density in a range of 10-20 mV. Steady-state inactivation protocols using a V(test) of 10 mV gave a voltage at one-half inactivation and a slope factor of -35.6 mV and 9.5 mV, respectively. Nifedipine (1 microM), an L-type Ca(2+) channels antagonist, completely inhibited I(Ca), while the L-type Ca(2+) channels agonist Bay-K 8644 (1 microM) significantly increased I(Ca) amplitude. Moreover, the selective blocker of P-/Q-type Ca(2+) channels omega-agatoxin IVA partially blocked I(Ca) (about 40 % inhibition at +20 mV by 20 nM). These pharmacological results suggest that L- and P-/Q-type Ca(2+) channels, both nifedipine-sensitive, underlie the I(Ca) registered using low extracellular Ca(2+). The presence of the P-/Q-type Ca(2+) channels was confirmed by immunoblot analysis. When I(Ca) was recorded in a high concentration (30 mM) of extracellular Ca(2+) or Ba(2+) as current carrier, it was evident the presence of a nifedipine-insensitive component which completely inactivated during the course of the voltage-step (75 ms) at all potentials tested, and was blocked by the T-type Ca(2+) channels blocker mibefradil (10 microM). Summarizing, this work shows for the first time the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of voltage-activated Ca(2+) currents in human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells.     

Remodeling excitation-contraction coupling of hypertrophied ventricular myocytes is dependent on T-type calcium channels expression

We utilized Wistar rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) in order to evaluate the T-type Ca2+ channel current (ICaT) for myocardial contraction. RT-PCR provides that mRNA for T-type Ca2+ channel alpha1-subunits in hypertrophied myocytes was significantly higher than those in control rats (alpha1G; 264+/-36%, alpha1H; 191+/-34%; P<0.05). By whole-cell patch-clamp study, ICaT was recorded only in hypertrophied myocytes but not in control myocytes. The application of 50 nmol/L nifedipine reduced the twitch tension of the right ventricles equally in the control and RVH rats. On the other hand, 0.5 micromol/L mibefradil, a T-type Ca2+ channel blocker, strongly inhibited the twitch tension of the RVH muscle (control 6.4+/-0.8% vs. RVH 20.0+/-2.3% at 5 Hz; P<0.01). In conclusion, our results indicate the functional expression of T-type Ca2+ channels in the hypertrophied heart and their contribution to the remodeling of excitation-contraction coupling in the cardiac myocyte.     

Block of T-type Ca channels in guinea pig atrial cells by antiarrhythmic agents and Ca channel antagonists

Myocardial cells have two types of Ca channels commonly called T-type and L-type. Whole cell Ca channel currents in guinea pig atrial myocytes can be separated and quantitated by analyzing channel closing kinetics after a brief depolarization (tail current analysis). L-type Ca channels deactivate rapidly when the membrane is repolarized and T-type Ca channels deactivate relatively slowly. Ca channel block by the therapeutically useful Ca channel antagonists is voltage dependent, so it is desirable to study block of both channel types over an extended voltage range. Tail current analysis allows this and was used to study block of both types of Ca channels under identical conditions. Amiodarone, bepridil, and cinnarizine block T-type Ca channels more potently than L-type Ca channels when binding equilibrates at normal diastolic potentials (approximately -90 mV). None of these drugs is a selective blocker of T-type Ca channels because block of L-type Ca channels is enhanced when cells are almost completely depolarized. Although weak block of T-type Ca channels by 1,4-dihydropyridines has usually been reported, we found that felodipine blocks these channels with high affinity. When most T-type Ca channels are inactivated, the apparent dissociation constant (KI) is 13 nM. Felodipine also blocks T-type Ca channels in GH3 cells (a cell line derived from rat anterior pituitary), but KI = 700 nM. Thus, T-type Ca channels in different cell types are pharmacologically distinct. Felodipine can block L-type Ca channels in atrial cells more potently than T-type Ca channels, but block of L-type Ca channels is potent only at depolarized potentials; block of both channel types is comparable at normal diastolic membrane potentials. Felodipine and the 1,4-dihydropyridines isradipine and (-)-202-791 are approximately equipotent at blocking T-type Ca channels, but differ substantially in potency for block of L-type Ca channels. Block of T-type Ca channels may account for some of the pharmacological effects of 1,4-dihydropyridines and for the antiarrhythmic activity of amiodarone and bepridil.     

Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchange activity regulates contraction and SR Ca(2+) content in rainbow trout atrial myocytes

We have used the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique to measure sarcolemmal Ca(2+) transport by the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) and its contribution to the activation and relaxation of contraction in trout atrial myocytes. In contrast to mammals, cell shortening continued, increasing at membrane potentials above 0 mV in trout atrial myocytes. Furthermore, 5 microM nifedipine abolished L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) but only reduced cell shortening and the Ca(2+) carried by the tail current to 66 +/- 5 and 67 +/- 6% of the control value. Lowering of the pipette Na(+) concentration from 16 to 10 or 0 mM reduced Ca(2+) extrusion from the cell from 2.5 +/- 0.2 to 1.0 +/- 0.2 and 0.5 +/- 0.06 amol/pF. With 20 microM exchanger inhibitory peptide (XIP) in the patch pipette Ca(2+) extrusion 20 min after patch break was 39 +/- 8% of its initial value. With 16, 10, and 0 mM Na(+) in the pipette, the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content was 47 +/- 4, 29 +/- 6, and 10 +/- 3 amol/pF, respectively. Removal of Na(+) from or inclusion of 20 microM XIP in the pipette gradually eliminated the SR Ca(2+) content. Whereas I(Ca) was the same at -10 or +10 mV, Ca(2+) extrusion from the cell and the SR Ca(2+) content at -10 mV were 65 +/- 7 and 80 +/- 4% of that at +10 mV. The relative amount of Ca(2+) extruded by the NCX (about 55%) and taken up by the SR (about 45%) was, however, similar with depolarizations to -10 and +10 mV. We conclude that modulation of the NCX activity critically determines Ca(2+) entry and cell shortening in trout atrial myocytes. This is due to both an alteration of the transsarcolemmal Ca(2+) transport and a modulation of the SR Ca(2+) content.     

Positive inotropic effect of ceramide in adult ventricular myocytes: mechanisms dissociated from its reduction in Ca2+ influx

Ceramide, a sphingolipid metabolite produced by activation of sphingomyelinase, has been previously shown to reduce L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa,L) in adult rat ventricular myocytes; however, its effect on contractile function is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ceramide on excitation-contraction coupling in adult ventricular myocytes and on left ventricular (LV) function in isolated hearts. Surprisingly, in patch-clamped myocytes, ceramide increased contraction concomitant with reductions in ICa,L. In intact myocytes, ceramide increased cell shortening (CS) concurrently with enhancing maximum rates of shortening and relaxation and the duration of contraction. Ceramide also increased the amplitudes of postrest potentiated (PRP) contraction. In fura-PE3-loaded myocytes, ceramide increased systolic Ca2+ and the magnitude and maximum rates of the rising and declining phases of Ca2+ transients. Ceramide-elicited decreases in magnitudes of PRP relative to steady-state contraction and the Ca2+ transient suggest an increased fractional Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). However, ceramide slightly reduced the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient and had no significant effect on the amplitude of the PRP-elicited Ca2+ transient. Additionally, the ceramide-induced upward shift in the relationship of contraction and the Ca2+ transient and increase in the Ca2+ responsiveness of CS suggest an increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. In isolated hearts, ceramide increased LV developed pressure and maximum rates of contraction and relaxation at balloon volumes of 30-50 microl. In summary, regardless of decreasing ICa,L, ceramide elicits distinct positive inotropic and lusitropic effects, resulting probably from enhanced SR Ca2+ release and uptake, and increased Ca2+ sensitivity of ventricular myocytes.     

Measurements of Ca2+ entry and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content during the cardiac cycle in guinea pig and rat ventricular myocytes.

This study investigates the contribution of Ca2+ entry via sarcolemmal (SL) Ca2+ channels to the Ca2+ transient and its relationship with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content during steady-state contraction in guinea pig and rat ventricular myocytes. The action potential clamp technique was used to obtain physiologically relevant changes in membrane potential. A method is shown that allows calculation of Ca2+ entry through the SL Ca2+ channels by measuring Cd(2+)-sensitive current during the whole cardiac cycle. SR Ca2+ content was calculated from caffeine-induced transient inward current. In guinea pig cardiac myocytes stimulated at 0.5 Hz and 0.2 Hz, Ca2+ entry through SL Ca2+ channels during a cardiac cycle was approximately 30% and approximately 50%, respectively, of the SR Ca2+ content. In rat myocytes Ca2+ entry via SL Ca2+ channels at 0.5 Hz was approximately 3.5% of the SR Ca2+ content. In the presence of 500 nM thapsigargin Ca2+ entry via SL Ca2+ channels in guinea pig cardiac cells was 39% greater than in controls, suggesting a larger contribution of this mechanism to the Ca2+ transient when the SR is depleted of Ca2+. These results provide quantitative support to the understanding of the relationship between Ca2+ entry and the SR Ca2+ content and may help to explain differences in the Ca2+ handling observed in different species.     

Sustained subthreshold-for-twitch depolarization in rat single ventricular myocytes causes sustained calcium channel activation and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release

Single rat ventricular myocytes, voltage-clamped at -50 to -40 mV, were depolarized in small steps in order to define the mechanisms that govern the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] (Cai) and contraction, measured as a reduction in myocyte length. Small (3-5 mV), sustained (seconds) depolarizations that caused a small inward or no detectable change in current were followed after a delay by small (less than 2% of the resting length), steady reductions in cell length measured via a photodiode array, and small, steady increases in Cai measured by changes in Indo-1 fluorescence. Larger (greater than -30 and less than -20 mV), sustained depolarizations produced phasic Ca2+ currents, Cai transients, and twitch contractions, followed by a steady current and a steady increase in Cai and contraction. Nitrendipine (or Cd, verapamil, or Ni) abolished the steady contraction and always produced an outward shift in steady current. The steady, nitrendipine-sensitive current and sustained increase in Cai and contraction exhibited a similar voltage dependence over the voltage range between -40 and -20 mV. 2 microM ryanodine in the presence of intact Ca2+ channel activity also abolished the steady increase in Cai and contraction over this voltage range. We conclude that when a sustained depolarization does not exceed about -20 mV, the resultant steady, graded contraction is due to SR Ca2+ release graded by a steady ("window") Ca2+ current. The existence of appreciable, sustained, graded Ca2+ release in response to Ca2+ current generated by arbitrarily small depolarizations is not compatible with any model of Ca2(+)-induced Ca2+ release in which the releasing effect of the Ca2+ channel current is mediated solely by Ca2+ entry into a common cytosolic pool. Our results therefore imply a distinction between the triggering and released Ca2+ pools.     

Ginsenoside Re suppresses electromechanical alternans in cat and human cardiomyocytes

Ginseng botanicals are increasingly used as complementary or alternative medicines for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, yet little is known about their cellular actions in cardiac muscle. Electromechanical alternans (EMA) is a proarrhythmic cardiac abnormality that results from disturbances of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. This study sought to determine whether a purified ginsenoside extract of ginseng, Re, exerts effects to suppress EMA and to gain insight into its mechanism of action. Alternans was induced by electrically pacing cardiomyocytes at room temperature. Re (> or = 10 nM) reversibly suppressed EMA recorded from cat ventricular and atrial myocytes and Langendorff-perfused cat hearts. In cat ventricular myocytes, Re reversibly suppressed intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) transient alternans. Re exerted no significant effects on baseline action potential configuration or sarcolemmal L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)), Na(+) current, or total K(+) conductance. In human atrial myocytes, Re suppressed mechanical alternans and exerted no effect on I(Ca,L). In cat ventricular myocytes, Re increased [Ca(2+)](i) transient amplitude and decreased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content, resulting in an increase in fractional SR Ca(2+) release. In SR microsomes isolated from cat ventricles, Re had no effect on SR Ca(2+) uptake. Re increased the open probability of ryanodine receptors (RyRs), i.e., SR Ca(2+)-release channels, isolated from cat ventricles and incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. We concluded that ginsenoside Re suppresses EMA in cat atrial and ventricular myocytes, cat ventricular muscle, and human atrial myocytes. The effects of Re are not mediated via actions on sarcolemmal ion channels or action potential configuration. Re acts via a subcellular mechanism to enhance the opening of RyRs and thereby overcome the impaired SR Ca(2+) release underlying EMA.     

Channels involved in transient currents unmasked by removal of extracellular calcium in cardiac cells

In cardiac cells that lack macroscopic transient outward K(+) currents (I(to)), the removal of extracellular Ca(2+) can unmask "I(to)-like" currents. With the use of pig ventricular myocytes and the whole cell patch-clamp technique, we examined the possibility that cation efflux via L-type Ca(2+) channels underlies these currents. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) and extracellular Mg(2+) induced time-independent currents at all potentials and time-dependent currents at potentials greater than -50 mV. Either K(+) or Cs(+) could carry the time-dependent currents, with reversal potential of +8 mV with internal K(+) and +34 mV with Cs(+). Activation and inactivation were voltage dependent [Boltzmann distributions with potential of half-maximal value (V(1/2)) = -24 mV and slope = -9 mV for activation; V(1/2) = -58 mV and slope = 13 mV for inactivation]. The time-dependent currents were resistant to 4-aminopyridine and to DIDS but blocked by nifedipine at high concentrations (IC(50) = 2 microM) as well as by verapamil and diltiazem. They could be increased by BAY K-8644 or by isoproterenol. We conclude that the I(to)-like currents are due to monovalent cation flow through L-type Ca(2+) channels, which in pig myocytes show low sensitivity to nifedipine.     

Voltage-dependence of contraction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic myocytes

Cardiac contractile dysfunction is frequently reported in human patients and experimental animals with type-1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the voltage-dependence of contraction in ventricular myocytes from the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. STZ-induced diabetes was characterised by hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinaemia. Other characteristics included reduced body and heart weight and raised blood osmolarity. Isolated ventricular myocytes were patched in whole cell, voltage-clamp mode after correcting for membrane capacitance and series resistance. From a holding membrane potential of -40 mV, test pulses were applied at potentials between -30 and +50 mV in 10 mV increments. L-type Ca2+ current (I Ca,L) density and contraction were measured simultaneously using a video-edge detection system. Membrane capacitance was not significantly altered between control and STZ-induced diabetic myocytes. The I Ca,L density was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced throughout voltage ranges (-10 mV to +10 mV) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to age-matched controls. Moreover, the amplitude of contraction was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats at all test potentials between -20 mV and +30 mV. However, in electrically field-stimulated (1 Hz) myocytes, the amplitude of contraction was not altered by STZ-treatment. It is suggested that in field-stimulated myocytes taken from STZ-induced diabetic hearts, prolonged action potential duration may promote increased Ca2+ influx via the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX), which may compensate for a reduction in Ca2+ trigger through L-type-Ca2+-channels and lead to normalised contraction.     

Modulation of L-type Ca2+ channels in neonatal rat heart by a novel Ca2+ channel agonist

L-type Ca2+ channels are essential in triggering the intracellular Ca2+ release and contraction in heart cells. In this study, we used patch clamp technique to compare the effect of two pure enantiomers of L-type Ca2+ channel agonists: (+)-CGP 48506 and the dihydropyridine (+)-SDZ-202 791 in cardiomyocytes from rats 2-5 days old. The predominant Ca2+ current activated by standard step pulses in these myocytes was L-type Ca2+ current. The dihydropyridine antagonist (+)-PN200-110 (5 microM) blocked over 90% of Ca2+ currents in most cells tested. CGP 48506 lead to a maximum of 200% increase in currents. The threshold concentration for the CGP effect was at 1 microM and the maximum was reached at 20 microM. SDZ-202 791 had effects in nanomolar concentrations and a maximum effect at about 2 microM. The maximal effect of (+)-SDZ-202 791 was a 400% increase in the amplitude of Ca2+ currents and was accompanied by a 10-15 mV leftward shift in the voltage dependence of activation. CGP 48506 increased the currents equally at all voltages tested. Both compounds slowed the deactivation of tail currents and lead to the appearance of slowly activating and slowly deactivating current components. However, SDZ-202 791 had larger effects on deactivation and CGP 48506 had larger effect on the rate of Ca2+ current activation. The effect of SDZ-202 791 was fully additive to that of CGP 48506 even after maximum concentrations of CGP. This observation suggests that the two Ca2+ channel agonists may act at two different sites on the L-type Ca2+ channel. We suggest that CGP 48506 would be a potential cardiotonic agent without the deleterious proarrhythmic effects attributable to the dihydropyridine agonists.     

Altered spatial calcium regulation enhances electrical heterogeneity in the failing canine left ventricle: implications for electrical instability

Myocytes across the left ventricular (LV) wall of the mammalian heart are known to exhibit heterogeneity of electrophysiological properties; however, the transmural variation of cellular electrophysiology and Ca(2+) homeostasis in the failing LV is incompletely understood. We studied action potentials (APs), the L-type calcium (Ca(2+)) current (I(Ca,L)), and intracellular Ca(2+) transients ([Ca(2+)](i)) of subendocardial (Endo), midmyocardial (Mid), and subepicardial (Epi) tissue layers in the canine normal and tachycardia pacing-induced failing left ventricles. Heart failure (HF) was associated with significant prolongation of the AP duration in Mid myocytes. There were no differences in I(Ca,L) density in normal Endo, Mid, and Epi myocytes, whereas in the failing heart, I(Ca,L) density was downregulated by 45% and 26% (at +10 mV) in Endo and Mid myocytes, respectively. The rates of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release and decay of the [Ca(2+)](i) were slowed, and the amplitude of the [Ca(2+)](i) was depressed in Endo and Epi myocytes isolated from failing, compared with normal, hearts. Experiments in sodium (Na(+))-free solutions showed that Epi and Mid myocytes of the failing ventricle exhibit a greater reliance on the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger to remove cytosolic Ca(2+) than myocytes isolated from normal hearts. Simulation studies in Endo, Mid, and Epi canine myocytes demonstrate the importance of L-type current density and SR Ca(2+) uptake in modulating the potentially arrhythmogenic repolarization in HF. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that spatially heterogeneous decreases in I(Ca,L) and defective cytosolic Ca(2+) removal contribute to the altered [Ca(2+)](i) and AP profiles across the canine failing LV. These distinct electrophysiological features in myocytes from a failing heart contribute to a characteristic electrogram arising from increased dispersion of refractoriness across the LV, which may result in significant arrhythmogenic sequellae.     

Participation of transient-type Ca2+ channels in the sustained increase of Ca2+ level in GH3 cells

Participation of two types of Ca2+ channels (T- and L-types) in the sustained increase of cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) was studied in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated clonal GH3 pituitary cells. The effects of Ca2+ channel blockers were analyzed by measuring Ca2+ channel current and [Ca2+]i, using whole-cell voltage-clamp and Fura-2 fluorometry, respectively. Phenytoin (100 microM) and Ni2+ (100 microM) selectively blocked T-type Ca2+ channels and suppressed the TRH-induced sustained [Ca2+]i increase in single cells. Synthetic omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTX, 2 microM) preferentially blocked L-type Ca2+ channels, but it did not suppress the TRH-induced sustained [Ca2+]i increase. The present results suggest that the sustained elevations of [Ca2+]i triggered by TRH may be mediated by T-type Ca2+ channels in GH3 cells.