• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.112-112
• /
• 2003

Voltage-gated $K^{+}$ (Kv) channels represent a structurally and functionally diverse group of membrane proteins. These channels play an important role in determining the length of the cardiac action potential and are the targets for antiarrhythmic drugs. Many $K^{+}$ channel genes have been cloned from human myocardium and functionally contribute to its electrical activity. One of these channels, Kv1.5, is one of the more cardiovascular-specific $K^{+}$ channel isoforms identified to date and forms the molecular basis for an ultra-rapid delayed rectifier $K^{＋}$ current found in human atrium. Thus, the blocker of hKv1.5 is expected to be an ideal antiarrhythmic drug for atrial fibrillation. Chelidonine was isolated from Chelidonium majus L. We examined the effect of chelidonine on the hKv1.5 current expressed in Ltk-cells using whole cell mode of patch clamp techniques. Chelidonine selectively inhibited the hKv1.5 current expressed in Ltk-cells in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas did not affect the HERG current expressed in HEK-293 cells. Additionally, chelidonine reduced the tail current amplitude recorded at -50 mV after 250 ms depolarizing pulses to +60 mV, and slowed the deactivation time course resulting in a 'crossover' phenomenon when the tail currents recorded under control conditions and in the presence of chelidonine were superimposed. We found that chelidonine also inhibited the $K^{+}$ current in isolated human atrial myocytes where hKv1.5 channels were predominantly expressed. Furthermore, we examined the effects of chelidonine on the action potentials in rabbit hearts using conventional microelectrode technique. Chelidonine prolonged the action potential durations (APD) of atrial, ventricular myocytes and Purkinje fibers in a dose-dependent manner. However, the effect of chelidonine on atrial APD was frequency-dependent whereas the effect of chelidonine on the APDs of ventricular myocytes and Purkinje fibers was not frequency- dependent. Also, the selective action of chelidonine on heart was more potent than dofetilide, $K^{+}$ channel blocker.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.327-332
• /
• 2012

Sertraline is a commonly used antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) class. In these experiments, we have used the whole cell patch clamp technique to examine the effects of sertraline on the major cardiac ion channels expressed in HEK293 cells and the native voltage-gated $Ca^{2+}$ channels in rat ventricular myocytes. According to the results, sertraline is a potent blocker of cardiac $K^+$ channels, such as hERG, $I_{Ks}$ and $I_{K1}$. The rank order of inhibitory potency was hERG > $I_{K1}$ > $I_{Ks}$ with $IC_{50}$ values of 0.7, 10.5, and 15.2 ${\mu}M$, respectively. In addition to $K^+$ channels, sertraline also inhibited $I_{Na}$ and $I_{Ca}$, and the $IC_{50}$ values are 6.1 and 2.6 ${\mu}M$, respectively. Modification of these ion channels by sertraline could induce changes of the cardiac action potential duration and QT interval, and might result in cardiac arrhythmia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.81 no.2
• /
• pp.302-309
• /
• 2020

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked metabolic disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of glycosphingolipids in various organs, resulting from the deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A. Cardiac involvement is relatively common; myocardial inflammation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis secondary to abnormal lipid deposition in myocytes are often observed. Hence, the diagnosis of cardiac involvement is crucial for evaluating patient prognosis. Cardiac MRI is the standard technique for measuring the function, volume, and mass of the ventricles. It is also useful for myocardial tissue characterizations. The evaluation of native myocardial T1 values can facilitate early diagnosis of cardiac involvement, while measurements of left ventricular myocardial mass can be used to monitor treatment outcomes, in patients with Fabry disease. Consequently, cardiac MRI can provide useful information for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating patients with Fabry disease.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.299-313
• /
• 2003

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the development of cardiac injury following scald burn. Sprague-Dawley rats were induced a scald burn a 15% total body surface area. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 2 mg/kg) and bisindolylmaleimide (BIS, 0.05 mg/kg) were immediately administered i.p. after burn injury. 5 h and 24 h later, heart was removed and examined biochemical assay, ultrastructural changes and stereological analysis. The activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased at 5h (p<0.01) and 5h+BIS (p<0.001) after burn compared with that of control. The activity of serum creatinine was significantly decreased in PMA-treated groups after burn compared with postburn 5 h. PMA caused a decrease in MPO activity and induced wavy fibers in cardiac myocytes at postburn 5 and 24h. BIS induced contraction band, separation of intercalated disk and abnormal mitochondria in cardiac myocytes at postburn 5 and 24h. In stereological analysis, treatment of rats with PMA increased volume density of myofibril and mitochondria compared with postburn 5 and 24h. Our data suggest that the activation of PKC in scald burned heart decreases inflammation and protects the myocardium.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.129-143
• /
• 2024

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a novel endogenous gas signaling molecule, is involved in the regulation of cardiac function. Exerting a key role in progression of hyperthyroidism-induced cardiomyopathy (HTC), myocardial fibrosis is mainly caused by myocardial apoptosis, leading to poor treatment outcomes and prognoses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SO₂ on the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis and the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Elisa, Masson staining, Western-Blot, transmission electron microscope, and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), apoptosis, changes in endogenous SO₂, and Hippo pathways from in vitro and in vivo experiments. The study results indicated that the hyperthyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis was accompanied by decreased cardiac function, and down-regulated ERS, apoptosis, and endogenous SO₂-producing enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AAT)1/2 in cardiac myocytes. In contrast, exogenous SO₂ donors improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial interstitial collagen deposition, up-regulated AAT1/2, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and inhibited excessive activation of Hippo pathway in hyperthyroid rats. In conclusion, the results herein suggested that SO₂ inhibited the overactivation of the Hippo pathway, antagonized ERS and apoptosis, and alleviated myocardial fibrosis in hyperthyroid rats. Therefore, this study was expected to identify intervention targets and new strategies for prevention and treatment of HTC.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.30-30
• /
• 2003

Without a definitive resolution of stoichiometry of cardiac Na$^{+}$-Ca$^{2+}$exchange (NCX), we cannot proceed to any quantitative analysis of exchange function as well as cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. The stoichiometry of cardiac NCX, however, is presently in doubt because reversal potentials determined by various groups range between those expected for a 3-to-1 and a 4-to-1 flux coupling. For a new perspective on this problem, we have used ion-selective microelectrodes to quantify directly exchanger-mediated fluxes of $Ca^{2+}$and Na$^{+}$in giant membrane patches. $Ca^{2+}$- and Na$^{+}$-selective microelectrodes, fabricated from quartz capillaries, are placed inside of the patch pipettes to detect extracellular ion transients associated with exchange activity. Ion changes are monitored at various distances from the membrane, and the absolute ion fluxes through NCX are determined via simulations of ion diffusion and compared with standard ion fluxes (Ca$^{2+}$ fluxes mediated by $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore, and Na$^{+}$ fluxes through gramicidin channels and Na$^{+}$/K$^{+}$pumps). Both guinea pig myocytes and NCX1-expressing BHK cells were employed, and for both systems the calculated stoichiometries for inward and outward exchange currents range between 3.2- and 3.4-to-1. The coupling ratios do not change significantly when currents are varied by changing cytoplasmic [Ca$^{2+}$] or by adding cytoplasmic Na$^{+}$. The exchanger reversal potentials, measured in both systems under several ionic conditions, range from 3.1- to 3.3-to-1. Taken together, a clear discrepancy from a NCX stoichiometry of 3-to-1 was obtained. Further definitive experiments are required to acquire a fixed number, and the present working hypothesis is that NCX current has an extra current via ‘conduction mode’.ent via ‘conduction mode’.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.125-129
• /
• 2004

A 2-year-old, female, American cocker spaniel dog presented for a 1-year history of severe ascites, exercise intolerance, tachypnea. At that time, she was in an emergency state. First, the dog was stabilized with oxygen therapy. A diagnosis of cardiac problem was made from history, auscultation, radiograph, ECG, and echocardiography. Jugular pulsation was palpated and a harsh, systolic murmur of tricuspid regurgitation was prominent at the right cardiac apex. Tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) was confirmed with echocardiography, accompanying enormous myocardial hypertrophy. The clinical signs had been improved for 8 months with careful therapy and periodic abdominocentesis, and ascites was well controlled. The situation, however, became worse quickly in a week because the client did not follow our management schedule. Finally, she died due to dyspnea and shock. After the spontaneous death, necropsy and histopathological examination were performed and when we opened the thorax, a significantly large heart was observed. On histopathological findings, grossly myocardium appeared pale initially, then progressed to yellow and white. Microscopically, there was an extensive hemorrhage along with loss of myocardial striations. Interstitial fibrosis and various degenerative alterations in myocytes were also present.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.305-313
• /
• 1999

To explore whether $Cl^-$ channel blockers interact with the ATP-sensitive $K^+\;(K_{ATP})$ channel, I have examined the effect of two common $Cl^-$ channel blockers on the $K_{ATP}$ channel activity in isolated rat ventricular myocytes using patch clamp techniques. In inside-out patches, 4,4'-diisothio-cyanatostilbene- 2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and niflumic acid applied to bath solution inhibited the $K_{ATP}$ channel activity in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ of 0.24 and 927 ${\mu}M,$ respectively. The inhibitory action of DIDS was irreversible whereas that of niflumic acid was reversible. Furthermore, DIDS-induced block was not recovered despite exposure to ATP (1 mM). In cell-attached and inside-out patches, DIDS blocked the pinacidil- or 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced $K_{ATP}$ channel openings. In contrast, niflumic acid did not block the pinacidil-induced $K_{ATP}$ channel openings in inside-out patches, but inhibited it in cell-attached patches. DIDS and niflumic acid produced additional block in the presence of ATP and did not affect current-voltage relationship and channel kinetics. All these results indicate that DIDS among $Cl^-$ channel blockers specifically blocks the cardiac $K_{ATP}$ channel.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.277-279
• /
• 2003

A 15 year-old boy was referred to us because of mild dyspnea on exertion and incidentally found heart murmur. On echocardiography, a mass involving mainly interventricular septum and causing left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was detected. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated a transaortic pressure gradient of 20 mmHg. Partial excision of the septal mass was performed via aortotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. The pathologic diagnosis revealed myocardial hamartoma. The lesion was mainly composed of mature, severely hypertrophic myocytes and intervening fibrosis. During the 5 year of follow-up after the surgery, no evidence of arrhythmia or tumor recurrence was documented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
• /
• 1996.07a
• /
• pp.40-40
• /
• 1996

Abnormally high $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations have been reported in the cardiac myocytes of diabetic mellitus (DM). In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ overload, the activities of $^{45}$ Ca$^{2+}$ uptake and $^{45}$ Ca$^{2+}$ release were measured from the vesicles of junctional SR (Heavy SR, HSR). (omitted)omitted)