Abstract
Background: Small-conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels play an important role in atrial electrophysiology. Blocking SK channels prolongs action potential (AP) duration and attenuate electrical remodelling. The effects of SK blocking on the pulmonary vein (PV) and the sinoatrial node (SAN) remain unclear. Materials and methods: Conventional microelectrodes were used to record the AP in SANs and in isolated rabbit PVs with and without denudation before and after treatment with apamin (1, 10 nM). Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, the SK current was investigated in isolated single PV and SAN myocytes. Results: In nondenudated PVs (n = 6), apamin (1 and 10 nM) increased PV spontaneous activity (from 1·8 ± 0·2 Hz to 2·4 ± 0·2 Hz and 2·3 ± 0·2 Hz, P
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 957-963 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European Journal of Clinical Investigation |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sep 2013 |
Keywords
- Apamin
- Atrial fibrillation
- Pulmonary vein
- Sinoatrial node
- Small-conductance calcium-activated potassium current
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
- Clinical Biochemistry
- Biochemistry