Hydrogen sulphide is an inhibitor of L-type calcium channels and mechanical contraction in rat cardiomyocytes.
OBJECTIVE
Hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) is an endogenously generated gaseous transmitter that has recently been suggested to regulate cardiovascular functions. To date, there is no direct evidence for a potential role of H(2)S in regulating calcium channels in the heart. The present study aims to examine the hypothesis that H(2)S is a novel inhibitor of the L-type calcium channel current (I(Ca,L)).


RESULTS
Electrophysiological measurements were performed in cardiomyocytes isolated from Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Bath application of 100 microM NaHS (a H(2)S donor) significantly reduced the time required for the repolarization of the action potential. Inhibition of the peak I(Ca,L) by NaHS was determined to be concentration-dependent (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 microM). NaHS inhibited the recovery from depolarization-induced inactivation. Electric field-induced [Ca(2+)]i transients and contraction of single cardiomyocytes and isolated papillary muscles were reduced by NaHS treatment. In contrast, caffeine induced an increase in [Ca(2+)]i that was not altered by NaHS. NaHS had no effect on the K(ATP) current or on the levels of cAMP and cGMP in the current study.


CONCLUSIONS
H(2)S is a novel inhibitor of L-type calcium channels in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, H(2)S-induced inhibition of [Ca(2+)]i appears to be a secondary effect owing to its initial action towards I(Ca,L). The inhibitory effect of H(2)S on I(Ca,L) requires further investigation, particularly in the exploration of new pathways involved in cardiac calcium homeostasis and disease pathology.
Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, The Ministry of Education, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, 138 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.
Ying-Gang
YG
Sun
Yin-Xiang
YX
Cao
Wen-Wei
WW
Wang
Shan-Feng
SF
Ma
Tai
T
Yao
Yi-Chun
YC
Zhu
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D054086:KATP Channels; D013440:Sulfides; D000242:Cyclic AMP; C025451:sodium bisulfide; D006152:Cyclic GMP; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide