title: Mathematical models of action potentials in the periphery and center of the rabbit sinoatrial node.
abstract: Mathematical models of the action potential in the periphery and center of the rabbit sinoatrial (SA) node have been developed on the basis of published experimental data. Simulated action potentials are consistent with those recorded experimentally: the model-generated peripheral action potential has a more negative takeoff potential, faster upstroke, more positive peak value, prominent phase 1 repolarization, greater amplitude, shorter duration, and more negative maximum diastolic potential than the model-generated central action potential. In addition, the model peripheral cell shows faster pacemaking. The models behave qualitatively the same as tissue from the periphery and center of the SA node in response to block of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na(+) current, L- and T-type Ca(2+) currents, 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current, rapid and slow delayed rectifying K(+) currents, and hyperpolarization-activated current. A one-dimensional model of a string of SA node tissue, incorporating regional heterogeneity, coupled to a string of atrial tissue has been constructed to simulate the behavior of the intact SA node. In the one-dimensional model, the spontaneous action potential initiated in the center propagates to the periphery at approximately 0.06 m/s and then into the atrial muscle at 0.62 m/s.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kodama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Honjo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Boyett
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D008433:Mathematics; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000502:physiology*; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D015221:Potassium Channels; D015222:Sodium Channels