In canine right atrial cells, chronic atrial fibrillation is associated with reduced Na+ and Ca2+ current densities, with the latter likely driven by mechanisms distinct from nonsustained AF.
Does chronic atrial fibrillation alter the density and function of sodium and calcium currents in canine right atrial cells compared to nonsustained AF and controls?
Chronic atrial fibrillation in canine models leads to sustained reductions in sodium and calcium current densities via mechanisms distinct from those in nonsustained AF.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether I(Na) and I(CaL) are altered in function/density in right atrial (RA) cells from dogs with chronic atrial fibrillation (cAF dogs, episodes lasting at least 6 days) and whether the changes that occur differ from those in dogs with nonsustained or brief episodes of fibrillation (nAF dogs). METHODS: Using whole cell voltage clamp, sodium and calcium current density and function were determined in disaggregated RA cells from nAF, cAF and control atria (Con). Ca(2+) currents were studied with either Ca(2+) or Ba(2+) as charge carrier, as well as with either EGTA or BAPTA as the internal solution Ca(2+) chelator. RESULTS: After rapid atrial pacing, dogs can either fibrillate for short periods of time (nAF) or longer, more sustained periods (cAF). Both the Na(+) and Ca(2+) current decrease in cells of the nAF atria. Na(+) current density remains reduced in cAF cells with some slowing of recovery kinetics. Ca(2+) current density does not further decrease with persistent atrial fibrillation (cAF cells) remaining significantly different from Con cells. However, the difference in density of Ca(2+) currents between nAF and Con cells is negligible when Ba(2+) is charge carrier and when Ca(i) is quickly and effectively chelated with BAPTA. On the contrary, cAF I(BaL) densities remain significantly reduced compared to Con and nAF values when Ba(2+)/BAPTA conditions are used. CONCLUSIONS: Na(+) current density/function does not recover to Con values in cAF. Further these enhanced Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation processes contribute significantly to the reduction of I(CaL) density observed in nAF cells while reduction of Ca(2+) currents in cAF atria is probably by another mechanism
Takuya Yagi (2002) studied Atrial fibrillation. Chronic atrial fibrillation vs. Nonsustained atrial fibrillation and control atria was evaluated on Sodium and calcium current density and function in disaggregated right atrial cells. In canine right atrial cells, chronic atrial fibrillation is associated with reduced Na+ and Ca2+ current densities, with the latter likely driven by mechanisms distinct from nonsustained AF.