RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The proarrhythmic, early afterdepolarisations during phase two of the action potential (phase-2 EADs) are associated with secondary Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This makes it probable that the Ca2+-activated Cl- current (ICl(Ca)) may contribute to phase-2 EADs. Activation of ICl(Ca) during phase two of the action potential will result in a repolarising current and may thus be expected to prevent excessive depolarisation of phase-2 EADs. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis. METHODS: The contribution of ICl(Ca) during phase-2 EADs was studied in enzymatically isolated sheep ventricular myocytes using the patch-clamp methodology. EADs were induced at a stimulus frequency of 0.5 Hz by exposure of the myocytes to 1 µM noradrenaline. RESULTS: The ICl(Ca) blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS, 0.5 mM) abolished phase-1 repolarisation of the action potential in all myocytes tested. This indicates that ICl(Ca) is present in all myocytes. However, DIDS had no effect on phase-2 EAD characteristics. CONCLUSION: In sheep ventricular myocytes, ICl(Ca) contributes to phase-1 repolarisation of the action potential, but plays a limited role in phase-2 EADs.
RESUMO
In determination of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), the Boehringer immunoinhibition method gives a high and variable blank activity as compared with column-chromatography. Thus a correction must be applied. Furthermore, a second correction of 1% of total creatine kinase activity is necessary to compensate for nonspecific creatine phosphate-dependent activity. As a consequence, two immunoinhibition determinations--one for CK-MB and one for blank activity--and a determination of total creatine kinase are required. Use of the manufacturer's diagnostic criteria, on the basis of which suspected myocardial infarction is confirmed or eliminated, leads to a high frequency of false-negative conclusions.
