Littérature scientifique sur le sujet « Late L-type calcium current »

Although the neonatal sinus node beats at a faster rate than the adult, when a sodium current ( I Na) present in the newborn is blocked, the spontaneous rate is slower in neonatal myocytes than in adult myocytes. This suggests a possible functional substitution of I Na by another current during development. We used ruptured [T-type calcium current ( I Ca,T)] and perforated [L-type calcium current ( I Ca,L)] patch clamps to study developmental changes in calcium currents in sinus node cells from adult and newborn rabbits. I Ca,T density did not differ with age, and no significant differences were found in the voltage dependence of activation or inactivation. I Ca,L density was lower in the adult than newborn (12.1 ± 1.4 vs. 17.6 ± 2.5 pA/pF, P = 0.049). However, activation and inactivation midpoints were shifted in opposite directions, reducing the potential contribution during late diastolic depolarization in the newborn (activation midpoints −17.3 ± 0.8 and −22.3 ± 1.4 mV in the newborn and adult, respectively, P = 0.001; inactivation midpoints −33.4 ± 1.4 and −28.3 ± 1.7 mV for the newborn and adult, respectively, P = 0.038). Recovery of I Ca,L from inactivation was also slower in the newborn. The results suggest that a smaller but more negatively activating and rapidly recovering I Ca,L in the adult sinus node may contribute to the enhanced impulse initiation at this age in the absence of I Na.

The aim of the study was to explore the effects of memantine on responses elicited in the frog tectum by the bursts of spikes of moderate strength of a single retina ganglion cell and to gain an insight about the effect of memantine on the L-type Ca2+ current. Material and Methods. The experiments were performed in vivo on adult frogs (Rana temporaria). An individual retina ganglion cell (or its retinotectal fiber) was stimulated by current pulses delivered through a multichannel stimulating electrode positioned on the retina. Responses to the discharge of a single retinal ganglion cell were recorded in the tectum by an extracellular carbonfiber microelectrode positioned in the terminal arborization of the retinotectal fiber in the tectum layer F. The solution of memantine (1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane) hydrochloride (30 or 45 μM) was applied onto the surface of the tectum by perfusion at a rate of 0.4 mL/min. Results. Memantine (30–45 μM) largely inhibited the L-type Ca2+ channel-mediated slow negative wave and late discharges seen in the tectum responses without any effect on fast synaptic retinotectal transmission. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of memantine could arise not only through the inhibition of the NMDA receptor current but also through the suppression of the L-type Ca2+ current.

Classical conditioning of Hermissenda crassicornisrequires the paired presentation of a conditioned stimulus (light) and an unconditioned stimulus (turbulence). Light stimulation of photoreceptors leads to production of diacylglycerol, an activator of protein kinase C, and inositol triphosphate (IP3), which releases calcium from intracellular stores. Turbulence causes hair cells to release GABA onto the terminal branches of the type B photoreceptor. One prior study has shown that GABA stimulation produces a wave of calcium that propagates from the terminal branches to the soma and raises the possibility that two sources of calcium are required for memory storage. GABA stimulation also causes an inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) followed by a late depolarization and increase in input resistance, whose cause has not been identified. A model was developed of the effect of GABA stimulation on the Hermissenda type B photoreceptor to evaluate the currents underlying the late depolarization and to evaluate whether a calcium wave could propagate from the terminal branches to the soma. The model included GABAA, GABAB, and calcium-sensitive potassium leak channels; calcium dynamics including release of calcium from intracellular stores; and the biochemical reactions leading from GABAB receptor activation to IP3 production. Simulations show that it is possible for a wave of calcium to propagate from the terminal branches to the soma. The wave is initiated by IP3-induced calcium release but propagation requires release through the ryanodine receptor channel where IP3 concentration is small. Wave speed is proportional to peak calcium concentration at the crest of the wave, with a minimum speed of 9 μm/s in the absence of IP3. Propagation ceases when peak concentration drops below 1.2 μM; this occurs if the rate of calcium pumping into the endoplasmic reticulum is too large. Simulations also show that both a late depolarization and an increase in input resistance occur after GABA stimulation. The duration of the late depolarization corresponds to the duration of potassium leak channel closure. Neither the late depolarization nor the increase in input resistance are observed when a transient calcium current and a hyperpolarization-activated current are added to the model as replacement for closure of potassium leak channels. Thus the late depolarization and input resistance elevation can be explained by a closure of calcium-sensitive leak potassium currents but cannot be explained by a transient calcium current and a hyperpolarization-activated current.

Abstract Aims SCN5A mutations are associated with arrhythmia syndromes, including Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT3), and cardiac conduction disease. Long QT syndrome type 3 patients display atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction slowing which may contribute to arrhythmogenesis. We here investigated the as yet unknown underlying mechanisms. Methods and results We assessed electrophysiological and molecular alterations underlying AV-conduction abnormalities in mice carrying the Scn5a1798insD/+ mutation. Langendorff-perfused Scn5a1798insD/+ hearts showed prolonged AV-conduction compared to wild type (WT) without changes in atrial and His-ventricular (HV) conduction. The late sodium current (INa,L) inhibitor ranolazine (RAN) normalized AV-conduction in Scn5a1798insD/+ mice, likely by preventing the mutation-induced increase in intracellular sodium ([Na+]i) and calcium ([Ca2+]i) concentrations. Indeed, further enhancement of [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i by the Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain caused excessive increase in AV-conduction time in Scn5a1798insD/+ hearts. Scn5a1798insD/+ mice from the 129P2 strain displayed more severe AV-conduction abnormalities than FVB/N-Scn5a1798insD/+ mice, in line with their larger mutation-induced INa,L. Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) caused excessive prolongation of AV-conduction in FVB/N-Scn5a1798insD/+ mice (while HV-intervals remained unchanged), which was prevented by chronic RAN treatment. Scn5a1798insD/+-TAC hearts showed decreased mRNA levels of conduction genes in the AV-nodal region, but no structural changes in the AV-node or His bundle. In Scn5a1798insD/+-TAC mice deficient for the transcription factor Nfatc2 (effector of the calcium-calcineurin pathway), AV-conduction and conduction gene expression were restored to WT levels. Conclusions Our findings indicate a detrimental role for enhanced INa,L and consequent calcium dysregulation on AV-conduction in Scn5a1798insD/+ mice, providing evidence for a functional mechanism underlying AV-conduction disturbances secondary to gain-of-function SCN5A mutations.

1. The single-electrode voltage-clamp technique was used to assess the effect of elevated intracellular cyclic AMP levels on the three calcium current components of mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in culture. 2. Neither forskolin, cholera toxin, nor 8-Br-cyclic AMP affected the isolated transient low-threshold (T) calcium current. 3. When calcium currents were evoked at clamp potentials (Vc) positive to -20 mV from holding potentials (Vh) near the resting membrane potential, the calcium current consisted primarily of the transient high-threshold (N) and the slowly inactivating high-threshold (L) calcium current components. Under these conditions forskolin, cholera toxin, and 8-Br-cyclic AMP reduced the peak calcium current but had little or no effect on the late (greater than or equal to 300 ms) calcium current. When calcium currents were evoked from very negative Vh, however, there was no effect of these compounds. 4. Forskolin had no effect on the voltage-dependence of the current-voltage relation, nor on the rate of recovery of the calcium current from inactivation. 5. In other experiments, current traces were fitted using a multiexponential curve-fitting program that determined the amplitudes and inactivation time constants (tau i) of the three calcium current components. Forskolin selectively reduced the magnitude of the (curve-fitted) N current, and reduced its tau i. 6. Forskolin also enhanced steady-state inactivation of the N current, producing a -7.5 mV shift in the steady-state inactivation curve. 7. Cholera toxin, forskolin, and 8-Br-cyclic AMP had similar effects on calcium currents in mouse DRG neurons in culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

This study determined the role of a slowly inactivating component of sodium current ( INa), late INa, to induce delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) and triggered activity. We hypothesized that an increase of late INa may induce not only early afterdepolarizations (EADs), but also intracellular calcium overload and DADs. Guinea pig atrial myocytes were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Anemone toxin II (ATX-II) (5–10 nmol/l) was used to enhance late INa. Ranolazine (10 μmol/l) and TTX (2 μmol/l) were applied to block ATX-II-induced late INa. ATX-II prolonged action potential duration and induced EADs. In the continuous presence of ATX-II, following the appearance of EADs, both DADs and sustained triggered activity occurred. Triggered activity was abolished and DADs were reduced by either ranolazine or TTX. Consistent with induction of DADs, ATX-II induced the transient inward current ( ITI). The amplitude of ITI was significantly reduced by ranolazine. ATX-II induced only EADs, but no DADs, in the presence of the sodium-calcium exchange inhibitor KB-R7943 or the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel inhibitor ryanodine, or when the calcium chelator EGTA or BAPTA was included in the pipette solution. In conclusion, an increase of late INa, in addition to inducing EADs, can cause cellular calcium overload and induce DADs and sustained triggered activity in atrial myocytes. The data reveal that an increase of late INa is a novel mechanism for initiation of atrial arrhythmic activity.

The factors that regulate the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in pregnant uterine smooth muscle cells have not been elucidated, including any roles for protein kinase C (PKC). Therefore, the role of PKC in the regulation of the slow (L type) Ca2+ channels was examined in myometrial cells isolated from late pregnant (18–19 day) rat uterus, using the nystatin-perforated whole-cell voltage clamp. A PKC activator, phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB), increased the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa(L)). Bath application of PDB (0.03 and 0.3 μM) increased the peak amplitude of ICa(L) by 21 ± 14% (n = 6) and 37 ± 8% (n = 9, p < 0.01), respectively. PDB did not change the holding current or shift the current–voltage relationship for ICa(L). The PKC inhibitors, H-7 (20 μM) or staurosporine (10 nM), reversed the effect of PDB. These results indicate that PKC may play a role in regulating Ca2+ channel function in pregnant rat myometrial cells and, therefore, may be involved in control of uterine contraction.Key words: protein kinase C, phorbol ester, calcium current, myometrial cell, nystatin-perforated patch, whole-cell voltage clamp.

Mūsų tyrymų tikslas – ištirti baltymų kinazės A, baltymų kinazės C, Src šeimos nereceptorinės baltymų tirozino kinazės ir jų signaliniuose keliuose dalyvaujančių molekulių įtaką L tipo kalcio srovei (ICa,L) fermentiniu būdu izoliuotuose iširdies miocituose. Šis tikslas buvo įgyvendintas sprendžiant keturias užduotis: 1) ištiriant varlės ir žiurkės skilvelių bei žmogaus prieširdžių miocitų β-adrenerginių receptorių signalinės grandinės elementų: β-adrenerginių receptorių, adenilatciklazės, fosfodiesterazių, baltymų kinazės A, baltymų fosfatazių (baltymų fosfatazės 1 ir baltymų fosfatazės 2A) bei įtampos valdomų L tipo kalcio kanalų bazinį aktyvumą; 2) ištiriant β3-adrenerginių receptorių įtaką žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L ir susitraukimo jėgai; 3) nustatant Src šeimos nereceptorinės baltymų tirozino kinazės įtaką žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L, taip pat jos aktyvinimo būdą ir veikimo vietą β-adrenerginių receptorių signalinėje grandinėje; 4) ištiriant baltymų kinazės C įtaka žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L.
The objective of study was to investigate the role of protein kinase A, protein kinase C, Src family nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases and other signaling molecules involved in pathways regulating the L-type calcium current (ICa,L) in enzymatically isolated cardiac myocytes. This objective was realized by resolving four tasks: 1) Examination of the basal activity of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling cascade involving β-ARs, adenylyl cyclases, phosphodiesterases, protein kinase A, protein phosphatases (protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A) and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in frog and rat ventricular myocytes and human atrial myocytes; 2) Investigation of the role of β3-ARs in regulation of ICa,L and force of contraction in human atrium; 3) Exploration of the role of Src family nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in regulation of ICa,L, determining the route of their activation and site of action in β-AR signaling cascade of human atriual myocytes; 4) Probing of the impact of protein kinase C on basal and β-AR stimulated ICa,L in human atrial myocytes. The experiments were performed using whole-cell configuration of the pach-clamp technique.

Teas and infusions from C. spiralis leaf have largely been used by folk medicine as diuretic, hypotensor, cytotoxic, immunomodulator, antilithiasic, antidiarrheic, antispasmodic, antiurolitic, antimicrobian, antifungic, antioxidant, antileishmania activity, antiinflamatory, and antiedematogenic activity. In spite of these biological effects attributed to the extracts of C. spiralis, nothing so far could be found in the scientific literature dealing with its effects on the mammalian myocardium.The present study aimed to describe the inotropic effects produced by extracts from the C. spiralis leaf on isolated guinea pig atrium, as well as to contribute for a better understanding about its mechanism of action in that tissue. In isolated mouse cardiomyocytes, the effect produced by those extracts on the intracellular calcium transient and on the sarcolemal L-type calcium current were also measured. Experiments performed to evaluate the contractile effects were carried out on isolated atrium from guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Firstly, our purpose was to determine the most potent fraction obtained from the C. spiralis leaf. This was done by comparing the hydroalchoolic crude extract with the following ones: aqueous, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. A phytochemical analysis was performed on the fraction exhibiting the greater potency. This evaluation followed the procedures proposed by Matos (1997). The content of sodium and potassium in the most potent fraction was determined by flame photometry. In the contractile experiments, the atrial force was measured isometrically. Biological signals were captured, amplified, and then stored in computer to be processed off line. Intracellular calcium transients were studied by confocal microscopy with laser scanning by using the fluorescent dye FLUO 4AM. Calcium inward currents were measured in mouse cardiomyocytes by using patch clamp technique in the whole cell configuration. Yield percentage of the aqueous fraction (AqF) was 69,40%. This fraction showed the most potent depressor effect on the myocardial contractility (EC50 = 305 ± 41,00 mg/L, Hill constant = 1,46 ± 0,19). The following metabolites were found in the AqF: tannins, saponins, and polifenols (flavonol, flavononol, flavone, xanthone, phenol, and flavonoid). The potassium and sodium contents in 1 g/L of AqF were 1,91 and 0,15 mM, respectively. This was not enough to change the myocardial inotropism, even in the highest concentration of AqF used in the experiments. The contraction and the relaxation time, as well as the time related to the excitation-contraction coupling (stimulus-response) were not modified by adding AqF to the organ bath. However, AqF reduced the Efficiency Index for the contraction and relaxation phases. The Neyler & Merrillees protocol was employed to evaluate the AqF effect on the calcium inward current in myocardial cells. Our results showed that AqF is able to completely abolish the Bowditch phenomenon, suggesting that it could be acting by reducing the sarcolemal calcium current. Supported by those experimental evidences, experiments were proposed to better understand the relationship between AqF and calcium mechanisms in cardiac cells. The following results were obtained with 1,5 g/L AqF: 1) AqF completely abolished the positive inotropic effect induced by isoproterenol (10-1 to 103 pM); 2) AqF shifted rightwardly the concentration-effect curve for CaCl2 (0.5 to 7.0 mM) and increased the EC50 from 1.12 ± 0.07 (Hill = 1.5) to 7.23 ± 0.47 mM (Hill = 7.4) (n = 3; p < 0.05); 3) AqF completely abolished the positive inotropic effect of (-) BAY K8644 (5 to 2000 nM); 4) AqF reduced the intracellular fluorescence from 4.66 ±1.17 to 3.74 ± 1.0 a.u. (n = 30 cells, 4 mice, p < 0.05); 5) AqF did not modify the decay rate of the fluorescent signal (892 ± 37 to 930 ± 30 ms, n = 30 cells, 4 mice, p > 0.05), indicating that it does not interfiere with the calcium removal from the sarcoplasm; 6) AqF reduced the calcium inward current through L-type calcium channels from 6,29 ± 0,34 to 4,9 ± 0,2 A/F (23% , n = 5 animals, p < 0,05). This study brought us unto the following conclusions: 1) AqF is the most potent fraction obtained from C. spirallis leaves; 2) AqF contains the following secondary metabolites: tannins, saponins, and poliphenols; 3) AqF reduces the contraction force of the guinea pig left atrium; 4) AqF acts on the myocardium contractility by reducing the calcium entry in myocardial cells during contraction.
Preparados de Costus spiralis têm sido usados pela medicina popular (diurético, hipotensor, citotóxico, imunomodulador, antilitiásico, antidiarréico, antiespasmódico, antiurolítico, antimicrobiano, antifúngico, antioxidante, antileishmânia, anti-inflamatório e antiedematogênico). Apesar da gama de ações a eles atribuídas, nada pôde ser encontrado na literatura científica com respeito ao possível efeito dos Este trabalho visou determinar os efeitos inotrópicos obtidos das folhas de C. spiralis, que apresentava maior potência, bem como contribuir para o mecanismo de ação desse preparado no miocárdio de mamíferos. Os experimentos sobre contração foram realizados em átrio esquerdo de cobaia (Cavia porcellus), enquanto que as medidas de transiente de cálcio intracelular e de corrente de membrana foram feitas em cardiomiócitos de camundongo. A investigação fitoquímica do preparado mais ativo foi conduzida segundo Matos (1997). Os teores de sódio e de potássio presentes na fração mais potente, foram determinados por fotometria de chama. A força de contração atrial foi captada isometricamente e, depois amplificada, foi armazenada em computador. O transiente de cálcio intracelular foi avaliado com microscopia confocal de varredura a laser. As correntes de cálcio sarcolemais foram medidas em cardiomiócitos submetidos à técnica do patch clamp ( whole cell ). A fração aquosa (FAq) foi a que apresentou maior rendimento (69,40%) e a que exerceu maior efeito inotrópico negativo (CE50 = 305 ± 41,00 mg/L, Hill = 1,46 ± 0,19). Na sua constituição foram detectadas as seguintes classes de metabólitos secundários: taninos e saponinas, com reação fortemente positiva, e os polifenóis, com reação positiva (flavonóis, flavononóis, flavonas, xantonas, fenóis e flavonóides). Em 1 g/L de FAq foram encontrados 1,91 mM de potássio e 0,15 mM de sódio. A adição de FAq ao Tyrode não modificou significativamente a concentração desses íons. Os tempos de contração e de relaxamento, bem como o tempo de acoplamento eletromecânico não foram alterados pela FAq. Contudo, ela reduziu os Índices de Eficiência da contração e do relaxamento. A FAq aboliu completamente o fenômeno de Bowditch induzido por alta frequência de estimulação, indicando que ela reduz a entrada desse íon nas células. Com base nessa evidência, foram realizados protocolos para aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a participação das correntes de cálcio no mecanismo cardiodepressor da FAq. Esta fração produziu os seguintes resultados: 1) aboliu completamente o efeito inotrópico positivo do isoproterenol (10-1 a 103 pM); 2) deslocou para a direita a curva concentração-efeito para o CaCl2 (0,5 a 7,0 mM), aumentando a CE50 de 1,12 ± 0,07 (Hill = 1,5) para 7,23 ± 0,47 mM (Hill = 7,4) (n = 3; p < 0,05); 3) aboliu completamente o efeito inotrópico positivo do (-) BAY K8644 (5 a 2000 nM); 4) reduziu em cerca de 20% o pico da fluorescência intracelular correspondente ao transiente de cálcio citoplasmático (controle: n = 30 células; teste: n = 27 células; 4 animais); 5) não modificou a velocidade de decaimento do sinal de fluorescência, o que significa que ela não interfere com o funcionamento da bomba de cálcio do retículo sarcoplasmático; 6) reduziu em 23% a densidade de corrente de cálcio tipo-L que variou de -6,29 ± 0,34 para -4,9 ± 0,2 A/F (n = 5 animais, p < 0,05). 1) a FAq foi a fração com maior potência inotrópica; 2) os principais metabólitos secundários presentes na FAq foram taninos, saponinas e polifenóis; 3) a FAq reduz a força de contração do átrio; 4) o mecanismo da ação cardiodepressora da FAq sobre a contratilidade miocárdica se deve à diminuição da disponibilização do cálcio durante a contração.

L’inflammation: Une réponse adaptative du système immunitaire face à une insulte est aujourd’hui reconnue comme une composante essentielle à presque toutes les maladies infectieuses ou autres stimuli néfastes, tels les dommages tissulaires incluant l’infarctus du myocarde et l’insuffisance cardiaque. Dans le contexte des maladies cardiovasculaires, l’inflammation se caractérise principalement par une activation à long terme du système immunitaire, menant à une faible, mais chronique sécrétion de peptides modulateurs, appelés cytokines pro-inflammatoires. En effet, la littérature a montré à plusieurs reprises que les patients souffrant d’arythmies et de défaillance cardiaque présentent des taux élevés de cytokines pro-inflammatoires tels le facteur de nécrose tissulaire alpha (TNFα), l’interleukine 1β (IL-1β) et l’interleukine 6. De plus, ces patients souffrent souvent d’une baisse de la capacité contractile du myocarde. Le but de notre étude était donc de déterminer si un lien de cause à effet existe entre ces phénomènes et plus spécifiquement si le TNFα, l’IL-1β et l’IL-6 peuvent affecter les propriétés électriques et contractiles du cœur en modulant le courant Ca2+ de type L (ICaL) un courant ionique qui joue un rôle primordial au niveau de la phase plateau du potentiel d’action ainsi qu’au niveau du couplage excitation-contraction. Les possibles méchansimes par lesquels ces cytokines exercent leurs effets seront aussi explorés. Pour ce faire, des cardiomyocytes ventriculaires de souris nouveau-nées ont été mis en culture et traités 24 heures avec des concentrations pathophysiologiques (30 pg/mL) de TNFα, IL-1β ou IL-6. Des enregistrements de ICaL réalisés par la technique du patch-clamp en configuration cellule entière ont été obtenus par la suite et les résultats montrent que le TNFα n’affecte pas ICaL, même à des concentrations plus élevées (1 ng/mL). En revanche, l’IL-1β réduisait de près de 40% la densité d’ICaL. Afin d’examiner si le TNFα et l’IL-1β pouvaient avoir un effet synergique, les cardiomyocytes ont été traité avec un combinaison des deux cytokines. Toutefois aucun effet synergique sur ICaL n’a été constaté. En outre, l’IL-6 réduisait ICaL significativement, cependant la réduction de 20% était moindre que celle induite par IL-1β. Afin d’élucider les mécanismes sous-jacents à la réduction de ICaL après un traitement avec IL-1β, l’expression d’ARNm de CaV1.2, sous-unité α codante pour ICaL, a été mesurée par qPCR et les résultats obtenus montrent aucun changement du niveau d’expression. Plusieurs études ont montré que l’inflammation et le stress oxydatif vont de pair. En effet, l’imagerie confocale nous a permis de constater une augmentation accrue du stress oxydatif induit par IL-1β et malgré un traitement aux antioxydants, la diminution de ICaL n’a pas été prévenue. Cette étude montre qu’IL-1β et IL-6 réduisent ICaL de façon importante et ce indépendamment d’une régulation transcriptionelle ou du stress oxydatif. De nouvelles données préliminaires suggèrent que ICaL serait réduit suite à l’activation des protéines kinase C mais des études additionelles seront nécessaires afin d’étudier cette avenue. Nos résultats pourraient contribuer à expliquer les troubles du rythme et de contractilité observés chez les patients souffrant de défaillance cardiaque.
Cytokines are immune system modulators that are secreted in response to an insult. Even though on the short term they play a crucial role in the healing process, the prolonged secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, locally or systemically, has many deleterious effects. For almost 20 years reports of alteration in serum cytokine levels have been emerging in patients with various heart failure aetiologies, however it is only recently that the role of inflammation in heart pathologies is being more and more studied. Indeed, several studies have shown that patients suffering from heart failure or arrhythmias have high levels of cytokines. Three particularly of these cytokines in particular are highly present and together they play a central role in the inflammatory response. Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are secreted chronically by immune cells or the cardiomyocytes themselves and can possibly, as shown by animal studies, induce cardiac remodelling, hypertrophy, apoptosis, fibrosis and generation of highly reactive oxidative species (ROS) among other effects. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that these pro-inflammatory cytokines are not only important mediators of cardiac remodelling that can contribute to worsening of heart failure but they have also been linked to cardiac arrhythmias and prolongation of action potential. Overall, the findings suggests a strong role for pro-inflammatory cytokines in affecting cardiac function and inducing electrical remodelling, thus we hypothesised that high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines can affect the electrical and subsequently the contractile properties of the heart. Thus, the aim of this project was to help establish the effects of the above mentioned cytokines on the electrical and contractile properties of cardiac myocytes while exploring the mechanisms by which these cytokines mediate their effect. Using cultured intact mouse neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes which were treated chronically with various cytokines, at a pathophysiological concentration (30 pg/mL), the specific objective of this study was to measure the direct effect of chronic cytokine treatment on the L-type calcium current (ICaL), an important ionic current responsible for the plateau phase of the action potential and in the excitation contraction coupling (ECC) and the current l and subsequently, determine via which pathways cytokines are able to affect the calcium current. Patch-clamp experiments in the whole-cell voltage-clamp configuration were used to measure L-type calcium current and showed that ICaL was not affected by TNFα. Furthermore, no effect at a significantly higher concentration of TNFα (1 ng/mL) could be observed. In contrast, chronic treatment of cardiomyocytes with IL-1β depressed ICaL by up to 40 %. Furthermore, when combining TNFα with IL-1β, two cytokines often reported to act synergistically, no further reduction in ICaL current density compared to IL-1β treatment alone was observed, showing the specificity of IL-1β response. Expression studies using qPCR to quantify the mRNA of CaV1.2, the underlying alpha subunit channel which encodes for ICaL, were conducted in order to determine if the reduction in current is due to a cytokine mediated change in gene expression. We found that none of the cytokines significantly affected levels of CaV1.2 mRNA. A key component of the inflammatory response is the induction of oxidative stress. Indeed, when challenged with cytokines cardiomyocytes exhibited significant increases in ROS level. In an attempt to reverse the depression of ICaL in response to IL-1β, we treated myocytes concurrently with antioxidants and IL-1β. While we observed a significant decrease in intracellular ROS levels, antioxidant therapy failed to restore current density, indicating thus, that ROS produced in response to cytokines does not regulate ion channels. New preliminary data suggests a role for members of the protein kinase C family in regulating the properties of CaV1.2 in response to cytokines. Nonetheless, exploring this avenue will require substantial experimentation and will be the subject of future work. Overall our experiments will help provide a better understanding of the role of cytokines in regulating the electric and contractile properties of cardiomyocytes in the setting of inflammatory cardiomyopathies.

Une accélération de la fréquence cardiaque (FC) au repos est observée chez les femmes enceintes. Au dernier trimestre, la FC accélère en moyenne de 15%, ce qui représente un facteur de risque dans le développement d’arythmies de novo ou dans l’exacerbation d’arythmies cardiaques préexistantes. Ceci est dangereux pour la mère ainsi que pour le fœtus. Cependant, les mécanismes responsables de ce changement cardiovasculaire restent peu connus. Notre laboratoire a récemment démontré que la grossesse était associée à une augmentation de la densité du courant pacemaker (If) et du courant calcique de type L (ICaL), ainsi qu’à des changements de l’homéostasie calcique dans les cellules de nœud sinusal (NS) de souris. Sachant que les concentrations plasmatiques en œstrogènes sont significativement augmentées pendant la grossesse et que ces hormones sexuelles féminines ont la capacité de modifier les propriétés électrophysiologiques du cœur, l’hypothèse de ce projet de recherche est que les œstrogènes jouent un rôle important dans l’augmentation de la FC associée à la grossesse et régulent les propriétés électrophysiologiques du NS. Les objectifs de ce projet de recherche sont de déterminer le rôle du 17β-œstradiol (E2) dans l’augmentation de la FC, d’examiner si ces effets sont régulés par les récepteurs aux œstrogènes alpha (ERα) et/ou bêta (ERβ) ainsi que d’évaluer les différents mécanismes de régulation de l’E2 sur l’électrophysiologie du NS. Des souris femelles adultes non-gestantes (2-4 mois) déficientes en ERα (ERKOα) ou en ERβ (ERKOβ) ont reçu un traitement chronique à l’E2 (30 μg deux fois par jour pendant quatre jours) simulant les concentrations plasmatiques en E2 retrouvées en fin de grossesse (23,3 ± 5,0 nM) chez la souris. L’analyse des électrocardiogrammes de surface montrent que la FC des souris ERKOβ (ERKOβ : 511 ± 15 bpm; ERKOβ +E2 : 580 ± 10 bpm, n = 10, p < 0,001) est significativement accélérée suivant le traitement à l’E2. Toutefois, la FC demeure inchangée chez les souris ERKOα (ERKOα : 520 ± 16 bpm; ERKOα +E2 : 530 ± 21 bpm, n = 7, p = 0,114). La méthode du patch-clamp en mode courant-imposé a permis de démontrer une accélération de l’automaticité des cellules du NS des souris ERKOβ suivant le traitement à l’E2, se traduisant par une augmentation de la fréquence des potentiels d’action spontanés (ERKOβ : 284 ± 24 bpm, n = 8; ERKOβ +E2 : 354 ± 23 bpm, n = 15, p = 0,0395) et par une pente de dépolarisation diastolique plus rapide (ERKOβ : 82 ± 12 mV/s, n = 8; ERKOβ +E2 : 140 ± 14 mV/s, n = 15, p < 0,003). En lien avec ces résultats, le patch-clamp en mode voltage-imposé a permis de démontrer que la densité de If est augmentée suivant un traitement à l’E2 (à -90 mV : ERKOβ : -6,6 ± 0,7 pA/pF, n = 12-15; ERKOβ +E2 : -11 ± 1 pA/pF, n = 9-11, p < 0,05). Cependant, If est similaire chez les souris ERKOα traitées ou non à l’E2. De plus, des cardiomyocytes humains dérivés de cellules souches pluripotentes induites de type nodal (N-hiPSC-CM) ont une accélération de la fréquence des potentiels d’action (CTL : 69 ± 5 bpm, n = 12; +E2 : 99 ± 6 bpm, n = 14, p < 0,001) ainsi qu’une augmentation de la densité de If (à -90 mV : CTL : -0,95 ± 0,14 pA/pF, n = 7-10; +E2 : -1,62 ± 0,17 pA/pF, n = 13-14, p < 0,05) suivant le traitement à l’E2. L’administration d’E2 ne modifie pas la fréquence des transitoires calciques des cellules de NS des souris ERKOα (139 ± 15, n = 13-14; +E2 : 142 ± 14, n = 15-16, p = ns) et ERKOβ (142 ± 11, n = 14-15; +E2 : 147 ± 13, n = 15-16, p = ns). En lien avec ces résultats, le courant ICaL des N-hiPSC-CM est inchangé suivant le traitement d’E2 (à 0 mV : CTL : -14,0 ± 1,3 pA/pF, n = 12-13; +E2 : -14,5 ± 1,4 pA/pF, n = 22, p = ns). En conclusion, l’accélération de l’automaticité cardiaque associée à la grossesse est, entre autres, expliquée par une augmentation de la densité de If, régulée par la voie de signalisation E2-ERα. Cependant, les changements de l’homéostasie calcique observés pendant la grossesse sont indépendants des niveaux élevés en œstrogènes. Les résultats obtenus sur les N-hiPSC-CM concordent avec ce qui est observé dans les cellules de NS de souris, ce qui démontre l’applicabilité humaine des résultats. Notre étude contribue à élucider l’influence de la grossesse et le rôle des hormones sexuelles féminines sur la fonction du NS et l’automaticité cardiaque. Ultimement, notre travail pourrait aider à développer une meilleure gestion des arythmies associées aux fluctuations hormonales féminines et/ou à la grossesse.
An increased heart rate (HR) is observed in pregnant women. In fact, in the last trimester, in average, the HR increases by 15%, which is a known risk factor to developing cardiac arrhythmias or exacerbating pre-existing arrhythmias. This can lead to major consequences for both the mother and fetus. However, the mechanisms underlying this increased HR remain largely unexplored. Our laboratory recently demonstrate that pregnancy is associated with an increased density of the pacemaker current (If) and the L-type calcium current (ICaL) as well as changes in calcium homeostasis of mouse sinoatrial node (SAN) cells. Knowing that estrogens are increased during pregnancy and that these sex hormones can modify cardiac electrophysiological properties, we hypothesized that estrogens play a key role in the pregnancy-induced increased HR and regulate the SAN electrophysiological properties. Our research project aims to determine the role of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the pregnancy-induced increased HR, to determine if these effects are regulated through estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and/or beta (ERβ) and to study the E2 underlying mechanisms on SAN electrophysiology. Non-pregnant female mice (2-4 months) lacking ERα (ERKOα) or ERβ (ERKOβ) received a chronic E2 treatment (30 μg twice daily for four days) mimicking E2 concentrations found in late pregnancy (23.3 ± 5.0 nM). Surface electrocardiogram analysis showed a significant increased HR in ERKOβ mice (ERKOβ: 511 ± 15 bpm; ERKOβ +E2: 580 ± 10 bpm; n = 10; p<0.001) following E2 administration. However, the HR remains unchanged in ERKOα mice (ERKOα: 520 ± 16 bpm; ERKOα +E2: 530 ± 21 bpm, n = 7, p = 0.114). Following E2 treatment, current-clamp method demonstrates an increase SAN cells automaticity in ERKOβ mice, resulting in an increase in the spontaneous action potential frequency (ERKOβ : 284 ± 24 bpm, n = 8; ERKOβ +E2 : 354 ± 23 bpm, n = 15, p = 0.0395), associated with a steeper diastolic depolarization slope (ERKOβ : 82 ± 12 mV/s, n = 8; ERKOβ +E2 : 140 ± 14 mV/s, n = 15, p < 0.003), a major determinant of cardiac automaticity. In line with these results, voltage-clamp data showed an increased If density in SAN cells of ERKOβ mice treated with E2 (at -90 mV: ERKOβ: -6.6 ± 0.7 pA/pF, n = 12-15; ERKOβ +E2: -11.0 ± 1.3 pA/pF, n = 9-11, p < 0.05). Nevertheless, If density was similar in E2-treated ERKOα mice. E2-treated nodal-like human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (N-hiPSC-CM) also showed an increased spontaneous action potential frequency (CTL : 69 ± 5 bpm, n = 12; +E2 : 99 ± 6 bpm, n = 14, p < 0.001) and If density (at -90 mV: CTL: -0.95 ± 0.14 pA/pF, n = 7-10; +E2: -1.62 ± 0.17 pA/pF, n = 13-14, p < 0.05). Following E2 administration, the rate of calcium transient was similar in SAN cells from ERKOα (139 ± 15, n = 13-14; +E2 : 142 ± 14, n = 15-16, p = ns) and ERKOβ (142 ± 11, n = 14-15; +E2 : 147 ± 13, n = 15-16, p = ns) mice. In line with these results, no modification was seen on ICaL density in E2-treated N-hiPSC-CM (at 0 mV: CTL: -14.0 ± 1.3 pA/pF, n = 12-13; +E2: -14.5 ± 1.4 pA/pF, n = 22, p = ns). In conclusion, the increased cardiac automaticity observed during pregnancy is, in part, explained by an increased If density. This mechanism is mediated by the E2-ERα pathway. In the other hand, calcium homeostasis changes detected during pregnancy appear to be mediated by an E2-independent mechanism. Finally, results obtained on N-hiPSC-CM are consistent with our observations on mouse SAN cells, demonstrating the human applicability of our results. This study provides novel insight on the effects of female sex hormones on the SAN functions. Ultimately, this information can lead to improved management of arrhythmias associated with female hormone fluctuations and/or pregnancy-induced arrhythmias.

Ten seminal papers on disorders of the neuromuscular junction are described, covering historical aspects, recent advances in immunological, biological, and genetic researches, and future perspectives. Early descriptions of myasthenia gravis (MG) date back to the seventeenth century, and MG acquired its name in the nineteenth century. The first symptomatic treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors was reported in 1934, leading to the development of modern immunological therapies. Following the discovery of anti-MuSK (muscle-specific tyrosine kinase) antibody in 2001, MG is currently classified into three categories: AChR-positive, MuSK-positive, and dual-seronegative. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome was recognized in 1956, followed by the discovery of antibodies to voltage-gated calcium channels in the pre-synaptic membrane, facilitating diagnosis and improving the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms. Since the late twentieth century, many types of congenital myasthenic syndromes with pre-synaptic, synaptic, and post-synaptic defects have been identified, and a classification based on molecular genetics is in evolution.

Abstract Fruta del Norte is a completely concealed and extremely well-preserved, Late Jurassic epithermal gold-silver deposit of both low- and intermediate-sulfidation type, which is located in the remote Subandean mountain ranges of southeastern Ecuador. Currently defined indicated resources are 23.8 million metric tons (Mt) averaging 9.61 g/t Au and the total endowment is 9.48 Moz Au. The deposit, notable for the widespread occurrence of visible gold and bonanza grades, will be bulk mined underground. Fruta del Norte was discovered in 2006 during greenfield exploration and systematic drill testing of a conceptual geologic model, which predicted that auriferous veins would occur in andesitic volcanic rocks inferred to underlie a zone of arsenic- and antimony-anomalous silicification in fluvial conglomerate. The host andesitic volcanic rocks, crosscutting feldspar porphyry, and associated phreatic breccia are part of a roof pendant in the Zamora batholith. Together, they are products of a continental-margin volcanoplutonic arc of Middle to Late Jurassic age. The deposit lies beneath the northern extremity of the ~16-km-long, Suárez pull-apart basin where it is localized by steep, second-order faults within the regionally extensive Las Peñas strike-slip fault zone. The pull-apart basin was progressively filled by fluvial conglomerate, dacitic ignimbrite, finer grained siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, and, finally, andesite flows. The Fruta del Norte deposit comprises a 1.3-km-long and up to &gt;300-m-wide vein stockwork associated with quartz-illite-pyrite alteration. The deposit comprises two principal vein types, one in the south dominated by quartz, manganoan carbonates, and abundant base metal sulfides and the other in the north dominated by manganese- and base metal-poor quartz, chalcedony, and calcite. Adularia is a minor gangue mineral in both. Both vein types are abruptly transitional upward and westward to a third important ore type characterized by intense silicification and chalcedony veining, with disseminated and veinlet marcasite (± pyrite). An extensive silica sinter horizon directly overlies the andesitic rocks and/or occurs as interbeds in the lowermost 20 m of the conglomerate and, consequently, is in unusual proximity to the underlying gold-silver orebody. Much of the conglomerate lacks silicification except for a narrow, steeply inclined zone exposed above the deposit, which led to its discovery.

Lithium is the paradigmatic mood stabilizer. It is effective in the acute and prophylactic treatment of both mania and, to a lesser magnitude, depression. These characteristics are generally paralleled by the widely accepted anticonvulsant mood stabilizers valproate, carbamazepine (Table 6.2.4.1), and potentially by the less well studied putative mood stabilizers oxcarbazepine, zonisamide, and the dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker nimodipine. In contrast, lamotrigine has a profile of better antidepressant effects acutely and prophylactically than antimanic effects. Having grouped lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine together, it is important to note they have subtle differences in their therapeutic profiles and differential clinical predictors of response (Table 6.2.4.1). Response to one of these agents is not predictive of either a positive or negative response to the others. Thus, clinicians are left with only rough estimates and guesses about which drug may be preferentially effective in which patients. Only sequential clinical trials of agents either alone or in combination can verify responsivity in an individual patient. Individual response trumps FDA-approval. Given this clinical conundrum, it is advisable that patients, family members, clinicians, or others carefully rate patients on a longitudinal scale in order to most carefully assess responses and side effects. These are available from the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the STEP-BD NIMH Network, or www.bipolarnetworknews.org and are highly recommended. The importance of careful longitudinal documentation of symptoms and side effects is highlighted by the increasing use of multiple drugs in combination. This is often required because patients may delay treatment-seeking until after many episodes, and very different patterns and frequencies of depressions, manias, mixed states, as well as multiple comorbidities may be present. Treating patients to the new accepted goal of remission of their mood and other anxillary symptoms usually requires use of several medications. If each component of the regimen is kept below an individual's side-effects threshold, judicious use of multiple agents can reduce rather than increase the overall side-effect burden. There is increasing evidence of reliable abnormalities of biochemistry, function, and anatomy in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder, and some of these are directly related to either duration of illness or number of episodes. Therefore, as treatment resistance to most therapeutic agents is related to number of prior episodes, and brain abnormalities may also increase as well, it behooves the patient to begin and sustain acute and long-term treatment as early as possible. Despite the above academic, personal, and public health recommendations, bipolar disorder often takes ten years or more to diagnose and, hence, treat properly. In fact, a younger age of onset is highly related to presence of a longer delay from illness onset to first treatment, and as well, to a poorer outcome assessed both retrospectively and prospectively. New data indicate that the brain growth factor BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which is initially important to synaptogenesis and neural development, and later neuroplasticity and long-term memory in the adult is involved in all phases of bipolar disorder and its treatment. It appears to be: 1) both a genetic (the val-66-val allele of BDNF) and environmental (low BDNF from childhood adversity) risk factor; 2) episode-related (serum BDNF decreasing with each episode of depression or mania in proportion to symptom severity; 3) related to some substance abuse comorbidity (BDNF increases in the VTA with defeat stress and cocaine self-administration); and 4) related to treatment. Lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine increase BDNF and quetiapine and ziprasidone block the decreases in hippocampal BDNF that occur with stress (as do antidepressants). A greater number of prior episodes is related to increased likelihood of: 1) a rapid cycling course; 2) more severe depressive symptoms; 3) more disability; 4) more cognitive dysfunction; and 5) even the incidence of late life dementia. Taken together, the new data suggest a new view not only of bipolar disorder, but its treatment. Adequate effective treatment may not only (a) prevent affective episodes (with their accompanying risk of morbidity, dysfunction, and even death by suicide or the increased medical mortality associated with depression), but may also (b) reverse or prevent some of the biological abnormalities associated with the illness from progressing. Thus, patients should be given timely information pertinent to their stage of illness and recovery that emphasizes not only the risk of treatments, but also their potential, figuratively and literally, life-saving benefits. Long-term treatment and education and targeted psychotherapies are critical to a good outcome. We next highlight several attributes of each mood stabilizer, but recognize that the choice of each agent itself is based on inadequate information from the literature, and sequencing of treatments and their combinations is currently more an art than an evidence-based science. We look forward to these informational and clinical trial deficits being reduced in the near future and the development of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and other neurobiological predictors of individual clinical response to individual drugs. In the meantime, patients and clinicians must struggle with treatment choice based on: 1) the most appropriate targetting of the predominant symptom picture with the most likely effective agent (Table 6.2.4.1 and 6.2.4.2) the best side-effects profile for that patient (Table 6.2.4.2 and 6.2.4.3) using combinations of drugs with different therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action (Table 6.2.4.3 and 6.2.4.4) careful consideration of potential advantageous pharmacodynamic interactions and disadvantageous pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions that need to be avoided or anticipated.

The geology of the Metaweja area is characterized by the turbidite sequence which are deposited in the deep-sea environment during the Miocene and exposed to surface due to the latest deformation. The research was conducted to identify the potential source rock and reservoir rock within the turbidite deposits. In the study area, there are three types of rock units, calcareous shale units formed in the Late Miocene, Sandstone unit and interbedded siltstone-sandstone unit that were deposited in Middle Miocene. Measured section was carried out at the several stations in order to analyze the turbid current deposition mechanism. Measured section of the alternating unit of sandstone - siltstone are observed at several places where the unit has intercalation of shale, coal and iron oxide. Some syn-depositional sedimentary structure also found within this unit. The carbonate shale unit has good total organic content (TOC) ranging from 0.51wt% to 2.56wt%. Pyrolysis analysis has S2 value 1.31 mg/g to 1.34 mg/g, Hydrogen Index (HI) 35 mgHC/g to 49 mgHC/g, Oxygen Index (OI) 35 mgHC/g to 49 mgHC/g, Tmax 430 °C to 434 °C and Vitrinite Reflecteance index (Ro) 0.32% to 0.54%. The carbonate shale characterized as the type III kerogen which prone gas source rock and interpreted as immature to early mature source rock. The petrography analysis of alternating rocks of sandstone - siltstone has characteristics of sandstones with 44% of volcanic lithic fragment composition, 20% matrix 10% clay size fragments, secondary porosity reaches 10% and 13% cement carbonate calcite. Based on the petrography analysis, this unit could be interpreted as reservoir rock, although we need further analysis for the Permeability measurement.

Goshen Valley contains extensive areas of agriculture, significant wetlands, and several small municipalities, all of which rely on both groundwater and surface water. The objective of this study is to characterize the hydrogeology and groundwater conditions in Goshen Valley and calculate a water budget for the groundwater system. Based on the geologic and hydrologic data presented in this paper, we delineate three conceptual groundwater zones. Zones are delineated based on areas of shared hydrogeologic, geochemical, and potentiometric characteristics within the larger Goshen Valley. Groundwater in Goshen Valley resides primarily in the upper basin fill aquifer unit (UBFAU) and lower carbonate aquifer unit (LCAU) hydrostratigraphic units. Most wells in Goshen Valley are completed in the UBFAU, which covers much of the valley floor. The UBFAU is the upper part of the basin fill, which is generally less than 1500 feet thick in Goshen Valley. Important spring discharge at Goshen Warm Springs issues from the LCAU. Relatively impermeable volcanic rocks (VU) occur along much of the upland parts of the southern part of Goshen Valley. Large sections of the southwest part of the Goshen Valley basin boundary have limited potential for interbasin flow. Interbasin groundwater flow is likely at several locations including the Mosida Hills and northern parts of Long Ridge and Goshen Gap in areas underlain by LCAU. Depth to groundwater in Goshen Valley ranges from at or just below the land surface to greater than 400 feet. Groundwater is within 30 feet of the land surface near and north of Goshen, in areas of irrigated pastures and wetlands that extend east toward Long Ridge and Goshen Warm Springs, and to the north towards Genola. Groundwater movement is from upland parts of the study area toward the valley floor and Utah Lake. Long-term water-level change is evident across much of Goshen Valley, with the most significant decline present in conceptual zone 2 and the southern part of conceptual zone 1. The area of maximum groundwater-level decline—over 50 feet—is centered a few miles south of Elberta in conceptual zone 2. Groundwater in Goshen Valley spans a range of chemistries that include locally high total dissolved solids and elevated nitrate and arsenic concentrations and varies from calcium-bicarbonate to sodium-chloride-type waters. Overlap in chemistry exists in surface water samples from Currant Creek, the Highline Canal, and groundwater. Stable isotopes indicate that groundwater recharges from various locations that may include local recharge, from the East Tintic Mountains, or far-traveled groundwater recharged either in Cedar Valley or east of the study area along the Wasatch Range. Dissolved gas recharge temperatures support localized recharge outside of Goshen. Most groundwater samples in Goshen Valley are old, with limited evidence of recent groundwater recharge. An annual water budget based on components of recharge and discharge yields total recharge of 32,805 acre-ft/yr and total discharge of 35,750 acre-ft/yr. Most recharge is likely from interbasin flow and lesser amounts from precipitation and infiltration of surface water. Most discharge is from well water withdrawal with minor spring discharge and groundwater evapotranspiration. Water-budget components show discharge is greater than recharge by less than 3000 acreft/yr. This deficit or change in storage is manifested as longterm water-level decline in conceptual zone 2, and to a lesser degree, in conceptual zone 1. The primary driver of discharge in conceptual zone 2 is well withdrawal. Conceptual zone 3 is broadly in balance across the various sources of recharge and discharge, and up to 1830 acre-ft/yr of water may discharge from conceptual zone 3 into Utah Lake. Minimal groundwater likely flows to Utah Lake from zones 1 or 2.