Downregulated transient outward potassium channel protein Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expression in PVN contributes to sympathoexcitation in rats with chronic heart failure

AIM: To investigate the transient outward potassium channel protein expression in paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and its contribution to renal sympathetic nerve activity(RSNA) in rats with chronic heart failure(CHF).METHODS: A rat model of CHF was prepared by acute myocardial infarction that was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Four weeks after heart failure, echocardiogram was applied to identify the CHF model and plasma norepinephrine(NE), serum NH₂-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) were detected by ELISA. The expression of ransient outward potassium channel proteins Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The mean arterial pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR) and RSNA were measured in anesthetized rats with PVN microinjection of potassium channel blockers 4-AP. RESULTS: In CHF group, the rat cardiac function and Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expression in PVN were obviously lower while plasma NE and serum NT-proBNP were obviously higher than those in sham group. Microinjection of 4-AP into PVN induced an increase in MAP, HR and RSNA in both sham and CHF rats, while the CHF rats exhibited smaller responses to 4-AP than sham-operated rats.CONCLUSION: Downregulation of Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expression in the PVN may be a potential mechanism for sympathoexciation in the rats with chronic heart failure.