Effects of Matrine on Aconitine-Induced Electrophysiological Changes in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Abstract

Abstract: Aim To explore the reason that the antiarrhythmic effect of the extract of traditional Chinese medicinal herb, matrine, is weaker than quinidine and verapamil by comparision of the effect and efficacy of matrine on various kinds of transmembrane ionic currents with those of quinidine and verapamil; and to demonstrate the best targets for antiarrhythmic drugs. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to record the action potential and ionic currents in single cells of rat ventricular myocytes. Aconitine was used to induce the changes of ionic currents, then study the effects of matrine and quinidine, verapamil on aconitine-induced imbalanced channel currents and action potential. Results Aconitine 1 μmol·L^-1 induced significant changes in transmembrane currents and action potential in single cells of rat ventricular myocytes. APD was significantly prolonged by aconitine. Simultaneously, aconitine increased sodium, L-type calcium and inward rectifier potassium currents. Matrine 100 μmol·L^-1 reversed the aconitine-induced changes of sodium current (INa) from (-70.2±10.5) pA/pF to (-39.6±4.0) pA/pF (n=5, P<0.05 vs aconitine); L-type calcium current (ICa-L) from (20.4±3.8) pA/pF to (-12.9±2.9) pA/pF (n=6, P<0.01); the inward rectifier potassium current (Ik1) from (-32.2±1.08) pA/pF to (-24.0±3.4) pA/pF (n=6, P<0.01), and action potential duration. The reversal effects of quinidine and verapamil on aconitine-induced changes of APD and ionic currents were more marked than matrine. Conclusion Aco-nitine significantly disturbs the normal equilibrium of ion channels in ventricular myocytes. It induces changes of INa, ICa-L, Ik1 and prolongation of action potential duration. Matrine at concentration 50 or 100 μmol·L-1 statistically significantly suppresses aconitine-induced changes of APD and ionic currents. The potency and efficacy of inhibitory effect of matrine are markedly weaker than those of commonly used verapamil and quinidine.

Key words: arrhythmias, arrhythmias, matrine, matrine, quinidine, quinidine, verapamil, verapamil, ion channel, ion channel

CLC Number:

R965

R972.2

Supporting:

SHAN Hong-li, YANG Bao-feng^*, ZHOU Yu-hong, WANG He, LI Bao-xin. Effects of Matrine on Aconitine-Induced Electrophysiological Changes in Rat Ventricular Myocytes[J]. .

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