Ionic basis of the action potential prolongation in ventricular myocytes from Syrian hamsters with dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the main electrophysiological alterations associated with cardiac dilation in MS200 strain Syrian hamsters, a model of genetically determined cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Ventricular action potentials (APs) were recorded with standard microelectrodes in isolated hearts from 120-day-old cardiomyopathic (strain MS200) and age-matched control (strain CHF148) Syrian hamsters. Ionic currents were recorded from single ventricular myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: In MS200, AP was prolonged and the plateau phase was markedly increased as compared to CHF148. Differences in both AP duration and 4-aminopyridine-induced AP lengthening between epicardial and endocardial tissues were less marked in MS200 than in CHF148 ventricles. Cell size and membrane capacitance were not higher in MS200 than in CHF148 myocytes, indicating the absence of cell hypertrophy in myopathic ventricles. The L-type calcium current (ICa,L) density was significantly reduced in MS200 and the voltage-dependence of both steady-state activation and inactivation was altered. The voltage-dependent outward current was composed of both transient (Ito1) and sustained (Iss) components, respectively sensitive and insensitive to 4-aminopyridine. Ito1 density was strongly depressed in MS200 compared to CHF148, whereas Iss density was only slightly reduced. The conductance-voltage and steady-state inactivation relationships for Ito1 were shifted to more positive potentials in MS200. The Ito1 recovery process was markedly slower in MS200 than in CHF148. The steady-state current-voltage relationships, in the physiological voltage range, were superimposable in MS200 and CHF148. CONCLUSIONS: In ventricular myocytes from dilated heart of MS200 Syrian hamsters, Ito1 is more drastically depressed than ICa,L. Such an observation might partially explain dilation-induced AP lengthening.