Application of recording SK2 current in human atrial myocytes by perforated patch clamp techniques with the mix of beta-escin and amphotericin B / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a perforated patch-clamp technology with amphotericin B and beta-escin and to research the regulation of small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel SK2 currents by calcium ions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Single human atrial myocytes were enzymatically isolated from the right atrial appendage. Amphotericin B and / or beta-escin were used by perforated electrode liquid. The regulation of SK2 current by calcium ions in human atrial myocytes was performed with the perforated patch-clamp technique. The intracellular calcium changes were measured by the intracellular calcium test system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mixed perforated electrode liquid compared with 150 microg/ml amphotericin B or 6.88 microg/ml beta-escin alone, it was easy to seal cells and activate SK2 current by the former method. Moreover, the ration of F340/380 was consistent with the change of intracellular free calcium ion concentration increase after the formation of perforation. The ration of F340/380 was measured by intracellular calcium test system.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The appropriate concentration of amphotericin B mixed with beta-escin can form a stable whole-cell patch recording technology that is appropriate for the research of SK2 current regulation by intracellular calcium.</p>

An improved method for isolation of single atrial myocyte from human heart / 生理学报

To approach the method of isolation of tolerant human atrial myocytes, single myocytes were isolated by modified procedure of enzymatic dissociation with protease (type XXIV) and collagenase (type V). L-type calcium channel current (I(Ca-L)), sodium current (I(Na)), transient outward potassium current (I(to1)), and inward rectifier potassium current (I(K1)) in isolated atrial myocytes were recorded by using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. Single cardiocytes isolated by this method were smooth, well-striated and rod-shaped. The yields of recordable myocytes, which viable and calcium-tolerant for electrophysiological studies, were 50%-60% of the total isolated cells. Compared with other isolation methods, this method was simple and steady, but with yield of a great number of qualified myocytes. The currents recorded in these cells were functional and active. Our research suggests that the myocytes isolated by the described method in this paper have normal electrophysiological function and are appropriate for patch-clamp experiments.

Research of L-type Ca2+ channel current in atrial myocytes of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of L-type Ca(2+) channel current (I(Ca-L)) and its voltage-dependent activation and inactivation in atrial myocytes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The specimens of right atrial appendage were obtained from 18 patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and 12 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). Single myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation with two-step method and the ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp techniques to detect the changes of I(Ca-L) density and kinetic properties.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) I(Ca-L) density was (-1.32 +/- 0.19) pA/pF in CAF group (n = 12) and (-4.58 +/- 0.39) pA/pF in NSR group (n = 21) at the test potential from -40 mV to 0 mV. I(Ca-L) density of CAF group was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), compared with the NSR group. (2) No significant differences were noted between the two groups in the voltage-dependent activation parameters (V(1/2), K) and inactivation parameters (V(1/2), K).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>I(Ca-L) density of CAF group was significantly decreased whereas it's voltage-dependent kinetic properties had no change. This phenomenon may be one of the mechanisms of atrial electrophysiological remodeling in chronic atrial fibrillation.</p>