Characteristics of single Ca(2+) channel kinetics in feline hypertrophied ventricular myocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the mechanism underlying the prolongation of action potential and delayed inactivation of the L-type Ca(2+) (I(Ca, L)) current in a feline model of left ventricular system hypertension and concomitant hypertrophy.


METHODS
Single Ca(2+) channel properties in myocytes isolated from normal and pressure overloaded cat left ventricles were studied, using patch-clamp techniques. Left ventricular pressure overload was induced by partial ligation of the ascending aorta for 4 - 6 weeks.


RESULTS
The amplitude of single Ca(2+) channel current evoked by depolarizing pulses from -40 mV to 0 mV was 1.02 +/- 0.03 pA in normal cells and 1.05 +/- 0.03 pA in hypertrophied cells, and there was no difference in single channel current-voltage relationships between the groups since slope conductance was 26.2 +/- 1.0 pS in normal and hypertrophied cells, respectively. Peak amplitudes of the ensemble-averaged single Ca(2+) channel currents were not different between the two groups of cells. However, the amplitude of this averaged current at the end of the clamp pulse was significantly larger in hypertrophied cells than in normal cells. Open-time histograms revealed that open-time distribution was fitted by a single exponential function in channels of normal cells and by a two exponential function in channels of hypertrophied cells. The number of long-lasting openings was increased in channels of hypertrophied cells, and therefore the calculated mean open time of the channel was significantly longer compared to normal controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Kinetic changes in the Ca(2+) channel may underlie both hypertrophy-associated delayed inactivation of the Ca(2+) current and, in part, the pressure overload-induced action potential lengthening in this cat model of ventricular left systolic hypertension and hypertrophy.
Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou 215006, China.
Xiangjun
X
Yang
Jie
J
Hui
Tingbo
T
Jiang
Jianping
J
Song
Zhihua
Z
Liu
Wenping
W
Jiang
D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002415:Cats; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques
D015220:Calcium Channels