Cardiomyocyte dysfunction during the chronic phase of Chagas disease |
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Authors: | Danilo Roman-Campos Policarpo Sales-Júnior Hugo Leonardo Duarte Eneas Ricardo Gomes Silvia Guatimosim Catherine Ropert Ricardo Tostes Gazzinelli Jader Santos Cruz |
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Institution: | 1.Laboratório de Membranas Excitáveis e Biologia Cardiovascular, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia;2.Laboratório de Imunopatologia, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou-Fiocruz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil;3.Laboratório de Sinalização Intracelular em Cardiomiócitos, Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil |
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Abstract: | Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of heart failure. We investigated modifications in the cellular electrophysiological and calcium-handling characteristics of an infected mouse heart during the chronic phase of the disease. The patch-clamp technique was used to record action potentials (APs) and L-type Ca2+ and transient outward K+ currents. Ca2+]i changes were determined using confocal microscopy. Infected ventricular cells showed prolonged APs, reduced transient outward K+ and L-type Ca2+ currents and reduced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the chronic phase of Chagas disease is characterised by cardiomyocyte dysfunction, which could lead to heart failure. |
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Keywords: | Chagas disease calcium current action potential potassium current intracellular calcium Trypanosoma cruzi |
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