Action of deltamethrin on N-type (Cav2.2) voltage-sensitive calcium channels in rat brain

Isolated presynaptic nerve terminals prepared from whole rat brain were used to evaluate the action of deltamethrin on voltage-sensitive calcium channels by measuring calcium influx and endogenous glutamate release. Deltamethrin-enhanced K⁺-stimulated calcium influx and subsequent Ca²⁺-dependent glutamate release. The effect of deltamethrin was concentration-dependent, stereospecific, blocked by ω-conotoxin MVIIC but unaltered in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels are a site of action at the presynaptic nerve terminal. Electrophysiological studies were carried out using rat brain Ca_v2.2 and β₃ subunits coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes to validate such action. Deltamethrin reduced barium peak current in a concentraion-dependent and stereospecific manner, increased the rate of activation, and prolonged the inactivation rate of this channel. These experiments support the conclusion that N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel operation is altered by deltamethrin.     

Study on the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes of mouse

AIM: To study the electrophysiological characteristics of ion channels of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes(SCDC) of mouse. METHODS: Embryonic stem cells of D₃ line(ES-D₃) were cultured on the MEF feeder layer with BRL conditioned medium, and fetal mouse heart cells(FMHC)were cultured in vitro. Then ES-D₃ cells were induced to differentiate into many kinds of cells. SCDC were harvested on day 12 after differentiation initiating and identified by electro-microscope and immunocytochemistry. SCDC and FMHC were prepared for the patch-clamp research. Sodium and calcium currents together were elicited and compared between SCDC and FMHC. RESULTS: The current characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC were very similar to FMHC. CONCLUSION: The functional expression of ion channels occurred during ES-D₃ cells differentiation and the electrophysiological characteristics of sodium and calcium channels of SCDC are very similar to FMHC.     

Evaluation of jitter by stimulated single-fiber electromyography in normal dogs

Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG), a technique used to investigate neuromuscular transmission, has been described previously in the pelvic limb of dogs. Because preferential involvement of isolated muscle groups can occur in disorders of neuromuscular transmission, SFEMG was done in the peroneus longus (PL), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and orbicularis oculi (OO) muscles of 10 adult, clinically normal dogs. Jitter was calculated as the mean absolute value of the consecutive differences in latency of 50 single muscle fiber action potentials after stimulation of intramuscular nerve bundles at the level of the motor point in at least 20 muscle fibers per muscle. Bilateral recordings were performed in 3 dogs. Mean jitter values were determined for each muscle, and differences among muscle groups and among dogs were compared. The upper limits of mean consecutive difference (mean plus 3 standard deviations) for the PL, ECR, and OO muscles were 21.94, 22.53, and 23.39 micros, respectively, and the upper limit of mean consecutive difference for individual muscle fibers in the respective fiber pools was 28.62, 36.39, and 35.68 micros. Jitter values for the ECR and OO were significantly higher than the jitter value for the PL muscle (P < .05). Significant differences among muscles or dogs or between sides were not observed for the ECR. Significant differences among dogs were observed for OO jitter values and were attributed to extremely low jitter values in 1 dog. Significant differences were demonstrated between sides for the PL and were attributed to small sample size. Results of this study provide normative data that can be used in the application of the stimulated SFEMG technique to dogs with suspected disorders of neuromuscular transmission.     

Characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in a right ventricular rapid pacing-induced canine heart failure model

AIM: To research the characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in right ventricular rapid pacing-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) dogs.METHODS: Dogs (n=16) were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control (n=7) and the CHF group (n=9) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing at 240 pulse·min-1 for 4 to 5 weeks.The electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated by the technique of standard electric stimulation and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording.RESULTS: (1) Ventricular effective refractory period (VERP),ventricular MAP duration (MAPD90),ventricular late repolarization duration (VLRD) and intra-ventricular conduction time (IVCT) were prolonged by 26% (P<0.01),43% (P<0.01),318% (P<0.05),and 19% (P<0.01),respectively in CHF group.(2)The ratio of VERP to MAPD₉₀ (VERP/MAPD₉₀) was decreased by 13% (P<0.05) in CHF group.(3) The dispersion of ventricular recovery time (VRT-D) was increased by 185% (P<0.01) in CHF group.(4) The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was decreased by 48% (P<0.01) in CHF group.CONCLUSION: The abnormal electrophysiological changes in the CHF condition may be contributing factors of lethal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths in CHF.     

Comparison of the color vision and spectral sensitivity of three flatfish species of different ecotypes,and application to selective fishing methods

In this study, we determined the color vision and spectral sensitivity of pointhead flounder, slime flounder, and red halibut by recording electrophysiological S-potentials from isolated retinas; this basic data was collected to aid the selection of appropriate colors and effective wavelengths for selective fishing gear for sustainable fisheries. Four kinds of L-response and one C-response were recorded in the pointhead flounder and red halibut. Two kinds of L-response were recorded in the slime flounder. The occurrence of a C-response indicates the possession of color vision. The C-responses show that the pointhead flounder has superior distinction from blue to yellow, and red halibut has superior distinction from blue and green to red. The most frequently recorded L-responses indicate high spectral sensitivity at 544 nm in pointhead flounder and 518 nm in slime flounder and red halibut. All recorded L- and C-responses indicate sensitivity to ultraviolet wavelengths.     

Effects of catestatin on ventricular arrhythmia in isolated rat hearts with chronic heart failure

AIM:To determine the effects of catestatin (CST) on ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in isolated rat hearts with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS:Fifty-one male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (CTL) group (n=17) and CHF group (n=34), which were injected with 0.9% normal saline (1 mL·kg-1·d-1, ip) and isoproterenol (ISO, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 7 d,respectively. The echocardiography was used to assess the cardiac functions 2 weeks after the end of modeling in both groups. The CHF rats were divided into non-treatment group (n=17) and CST treatment group (CST group, n=17). The rats in CST group was given CST (2 nmol·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 3 weeks, while 0.9% normal saline (1 mL·kg-1·d-1, ip) was applied to the rats in non-treatment group. To all the whole Langendorff-perfused hearts, the monophasic action potential (MAP) and the ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) were recorded and measured in left anterior free wall (LAF). The programmed electrical stimulation and burst pacing were used to induce action potential duration (APD) alternans (ALT) and VA in the LAF, respectively. The car-diac myocytes of LAF were enzymatically isolated and the technique of whole-cell patch clamp was used to record L-type Ca2+ current (ICa-L). RESULTS:Compared with CTL group, the peak ICa-L density, 90% of MAP duration (MAPD90), VERP, median of maximum pacing cycle length (PCLmax) inducing APD-ALT and incidence of VA (83.33% vs 1667%) were significantly increased in non-treatment group (all P<0.01). Compared with non-treatment group, the peak ICa-L density, MAPD90, VERP, median of PCLmax inducing APD-ALT and incidence of VA were significantly decreased in CST group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with CST reduces the incidence of VA in CHF rats, which might be associated with the inhibition of ICa-L.     

Resistance of the Peripheral Nervous System to the Effects of Chronic Canine Hypothyroidism

Background: Hypothyroidism has been implicated in the development of multiple peripheral mono‐ and polyneuropathies in dogs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiologic effects of experimentally induced hypothyroidism on the peripheral nervous system of dogs. Hypothesis: Chronic hypothyroidism will induce peripheral nerve sensorimotor dysfunction. Animals: Eighteen purpose‐bred, female dogs. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal study: Hypothyroidism was induced by radioactive iodine administration in 9 dogs, and the remaining 9 served as untreated controls. Neurological examinations were performed monthly. Electrophysiologic testing consisting of electromyography (EMG); motor nerve conduction studies of the sciatic‐tibial, radial, ulnar, and recurrent laryngeal nerves; sciatic‐tibial and ulnar F‐wave studies; sensory nerve conduction studies of the tibial, ulnar, and radial nerves; and evaluation of blink reflex and facial responses were performed before and 6, 12, and 18 months after induction of hypothyroidism and compared with controls. Results: Clinical evidence of peripheral nervous dysfunction did not occur in any dog. At 6 month and subsequent evaluations, all hypothyroid dogs had EMG and histologic evidence of hypothyroid myopathy. Hypothyroid dogs had significant (P≤ .04) decreases in ulnar and sciatic‐tibial compound muscle action potentials over time, which were attributed to the concurrent myopathy. No significant differences between control and hypothyroid dogs were detected in electrophysiologic tests of motor (P≥ .1) or sensory nerve conduction velocity (P≥ .24) or nerve roots (P≥ .16) throughout the study period, with values remaining within reference ranges in all dogs. Conclusion: Chronic hypothyroidism induced by thyroid irradiation does not result in clinical or electrophysiologic evidence of peripheral neuropathy, but does cause subclinical myopathy.