title: Anti-arrhythmic effects of atrial ganglionated plexi stimulation is accompanied by preservation of connexin43 protein in ischemia-reperfusion canine model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to provide a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-related arrhythmias by preventing the loss of Connexin43 (Cx43). Our previous studies showed that atrial epicardial ganglionated plexus stimulation (GPS) might exert a VNS-like effect on ventricular electrophysiology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether GPS could preserve Cx43 and reduce I/R induced ventricular arrhythmia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen dogs were randomly divided into GPS group (N = 8, receiving GPS) and Sham group (N = 8, receiving sham GPS). Ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline and 1 h after GPS. Myocardial I/R was then performed. Ventricular arrhythmia occurred during the first hour after reperfusion was measured and myocardial tissue from the peri-infarct zone was excised for immunohistological analysis. In another 4 dogs (Control group, receiving sham GPS and sham I/R), myocardial tissue from the corresponding area was also excised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the Sham group, GPS caused a significant increase in ventricular ERP and HRV, and a significant decrease in I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Western blotting revealed a marked reduction in the amount of phosphorylated Cx43 and total Cx43 in the Sham group, whereas no significant change was observed in the GPS group compared with the Control group. Immunohistochemistry results confirmed that the myocardial I/R-induced loss of phosphorylated Cx43 from the intercellular junctions was prevented by GPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPS protects against I/R induced ventricular arrhythmias, accompanied by preserving Cx43.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Songyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Liyuan Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hewei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Lilei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Mingxian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Liping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoya
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: Ganglionated plexus stimulation; connexin43; ventricular arrhythmia