Chapter Coherent Resonant Properties of Cardiac Cells

Materials / States of matte

Coherent Resonant Properties of Cardiac Cells

Materials / States of matte

Effects of caffeine on potassium currents in isolated rat ventricular myocytes

NoRapid exposure of cardiac muscle to high concentrations of caffeine releases Ca 2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). This Ca 2+ is then extruded from the cell by the Na +/Ca 2+ exchanger. Measurement of the current carried by the exchanger ( I Na/Ca) can therefore be used to estimate of the Ca 2+ content of the SR. Previous studies have shown that caffeine, however, can also inhibit K + currents. We therefore investigated whether the inhibitory effects of caffeine on these currents could contaminate measurements of I Na/Ca. Caffeine caused partial inhibition of the inward rectifier K + current ( I K1): the outward current at ¿40 mV was 1.15±0.24 pA/pF in control and decreased to 0.34±0.15 pA/pF in the presence of 10 mmol/l caffeine ( P<0.05, n=15). This was similar to the effect of caffeine on the holding current observed at ¿40 mV in the absence of K + channel block and could therefore account for the contaminating effects of caffeine observed during measurements of I Na/Ca. Moreover, caffeine also partially inhibited the transient outward ( I to) and the delayed rectifier ( I K) K + currents

Na+/Ca2+ exchange current INa/Ca) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release in catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

NoCatecholamines that accompany acute physiological stress are also involved in mediating the development of hypertrophy and failure. However, the cellular mechanisms involved in catecholamine-induced cardiac hypertrophy, particularly Ca2+ handling, are largely unknown. We therefore investigated the effects of cardiac hypertrophy, produced by isoprenaline, on INa/Ca and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function in isolated myocytes. Methods: INa/Ca was studied in myocytes from Wistar rats, using descending (+80 to ¿110 mV) voltage ramps under steady state conditions. Myocytes were also loaded with fura-2 and either field stimulated or voltage clamped to assess [Ca2+]i and SR Ca2+ content. Results: Ca2+-dependent, steady state INa/Ca density was increased in hypertrophied myocytes (P<0.05). Ca2+ release from the SR was also increased, whereas resting [Ca2+]i and the rate of decline of [Ca2+]i to control levels were unchanged. SR Ca2+ content, estimated by using 10.0 mmol/l caffeine, was also significantly increased in hypertrophied myocytes, but only when myocytes were held and stimulated from their normal resting potential (¿80 mV) but not from ¿40 mV. However, the rate of decline of caffeine-induced Ca2+ transients or INa/Ca was not significantly different between control and hypertrophied myocytes. Ca2+-dependence of INa/Ca, examined by comparing the slope of the descending phase of the hysteresis plots of INa/Ca vs. [Ca2+]i, was also similar in the two groups of cells. Conclusion: Data show that SR Ca2+ release and SR Ca2+ content were increased in hypertrophied myocytes, despite an increase in the steady state INa/Ca density. The observation that increased SR function occurred only when myocytes were stimulated from ¿80 mV suggests that Na+ influx may play a role in altering Ca2+ homeostasis in hypertrophied cardiac muscle, possibly through increased reverse Na+/Ca2+ exchange, particularly at low stimulation frequencies

Preparation of metal nanoparticles by femtosecond laser ablation

Nanoparticles (NPs) proved to have numerous applications in various fields, including biomedicine and environmental sciences. In this work, we designed and created an apparatus for fabrication of metal NPs directly in liquids initiated by femtosecond laser pulses. The laser parameters leading to ~10 μJ/pulse energy and 0.1 GW peak power resulted in predominantly spherical particles with the sizes varying from <10 nm to ~100 nm in diameter. NPs generated from Cobalt and Zinc targets were smaller in order of magnitude compared to that of Nickel. The fabricated NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, while spectroscopic properties were investigated by absorption spectroscopy and spectrally resolved fluorescence imaging. We also tested the possible interaction of the created NPs with living algae for their potential use for environmental research. Employing such ultrashort laser opens route to provide on-demand production of NP's in-situ at even factory environment

Structural, functional and metabolic remodeling of rat left ventricular myocytes in normal and in sodium-supplemented pregnancy

International audienceObjectives: Pregnancy is an important physiological condition associated with hemodynamic and endocrine changes that affect the heart. Nevertheless, very little is known about cardiomyocyte remodeling in this condition. Here, we studied the morphological, functional and metabolic remodeling of rat left ventricular myocytes that occurs in late stages of normal pregnancy (P) and in experimental preeclampsia induced by elevated (0.9%) sodium intake (P0.9).Methods: We applied confocal microscopy to examine the morphology and the contractility of single cells, while the patch clamp technique was used to assay ionic currents.Results: Our results revealed a significant increase in the volume of single left ventricular cardiac myocytes in P, mainly resulting from cell elongation. In P0.9, further increase in the cell length led to a significant rise in the length/width ratio. Cell contractility was significantly decreased in glucose-based solutions in response to stimulation at 0.5 Hz and 6 Hz in P as well as in P0.9. The density of L-type calcium current (ICaL) was not significantly altered in P or in P0.9. Metabolic substrates lactate and pyruvate, increased in the blood of P and P0.9 rats, enhanced contractility in P, without affecting ICaL. The same effect, present but blunted in P0.9, was associated with a significant increase in ICaL.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that processes of adaptive remodeling take place in normal pregnancy, while maladaptive components are identified in experimental preeclampsia; they also reveal an adaptation in the use of energy substrates in pregnancy and its impairment by sodium supplementation

Microfabrication of biocompatible constructs for live cell and bacteria studies

Microfabrication of biocompatible constructs for live cell and bacteria studies. ICTRNH 3rd International Congress of Translational Research in Human Nutritio