Voltage-dependence of contraction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic myocytes

N. K. Bracken, A. J. Woodall, F. C. Howarth, J. Singh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cardiac contractile dysfunction is frequently reported in human patients and experimental animals with type-1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the voltage-dependence of contraction in ventricular myocytes from the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. STZ-induced diabetes was characterised by hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinaemia. Other characteristics included reduced body and heart weight and raised blood osmolarity. Isolated ventricular myocytes were patched in whole cell, voltage-clamp mode after correcting for membrane capacitance and series resistance. From a holding membrane potential of -40 mV, test pulses were applied at potentials between -30 and +50 mV in 10 mV increments. L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) density and contraction were measured simultaneously using a video-edge detection system. Membrane capacitance was not significantly altered between control and STZ-induced diabetic myocytes. The ICa,L density was significantly (p<0.05) reduced throughout voltage ranges (-10 mV to +10 mV) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to age-matched controls. Moreover, the amplitude of contraction was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats at all test potentials between -20 mV and +30 mV. However, in electrically field-stimulated (1 Hz) myocytes, the amplitude of contraction was not altered by STZ-treatment. It is suggested that in field-stimulated myocytes taken from STZ-induced diabetic hearts, prolonged action potential duration may promote increased Ca2+ influx via the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX), which may compensate for a reduction in Ca2+ trigger through L-type-Ca2+-channels and lead to normalised contraction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)235-243
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular and cellular biochemistry
Volume261
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2004

Keywords

  • Calcium current
  • Diabetes
  • Heart
  • Streptozotocin
  • Ventricular myocytes
  • Voltage-dependence of contraction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Voltage-dependence of contraction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic myocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this