Biomedical subjects

T Opthof

Publications and source records attributed to T Opthof.

74 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1984

Cycle length dependence of the chronotropic effects of adrenaline, acetylcholine, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the Guinea-pig sinoatrial node.

Ca (1.1-5.5 mM) has a positive chronotropic action on isolated right atria of the guinea-pig. The magnitude of the response depends on the cycle length. Magnitude and cycle length dependence of the Ca response are independent of beta-blockade by propranolol. Mg (0.6-6.0 mM) has a negative chronotropic action. At 6.0 mM it interferes with responses to adrenaline and acetylcholine by preventing pacemaker shifts. Adrenaline has a positive chronotropic action in a cycle length dependent manner. A shift of pacemaker dominance under the influence of adrenaline to an identical site in all preparations (as in the rabbit) was not observed. However, pacemaker shifts in the presence of adrenaline do occur and they are always directed towards the inferior part of the node. Acetylcholine has a negative chronotropic action, independent of cycle length. Acetylcholine also induces pacemaker shifts. Contrary to the pacemaker shifts caused by adrenaline, the new, acetylcholine-induced pacemaker center, has an identical site in all preparations. This was previously observed in the rabbit too. The acetylcholine-induced center is located about 1 mm inferior from the primary center. During exposure to acetylcholine different action potentials may be recorded at the epi- and endocardial side of the preparation, but only close to the Ach-induced center. The acetylcholine-induced center is located at the epicardial side. The response to acetylcholine predominates over the response to adrenaline. All results are discussed in comparison with our previous findings in the rabbit.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1984

Electrophysiological effects of alinidine on nodal and atrial fibers in the guinea-pig heart.

The effect of alinidine on transmembrane electrical activity of nodal and atrial fibers was studied in the isolated right auricle of the guinea-pig. Alinidine was applied in concentrations between 0.72 and 28.5 X 10(-5) M. In nodal fibers the main effect was a dose-dependent decrease in rate of diastolic depolarization and a delayed repolarization of especially the terminal part of the action potential. In both fiber types alinidine causes a marked delay of the terminal part of repolarization; the increase of the duration of the action potential was related to the alinidine concentration over the whole concentration range used. In addition the amplitude of the action potential and the maximal diastolic potential are increased dose dependently up to a concentration of 2.8 x 10(-5) M. Application of higher concentrations does not increase these parameters. In nodal fibers diastolic depolarization is already depressed considerably at a relatively low concentration. This is particularly so in fibers that normally have a high rate of diastolic depolarization, i.e., the dominant pacemaker fibers. A shifting of the pacemaker seems only to occur at high concentrations (11.4 X 10(-5) M or higher). The strong negative chronotropic effect of alinidine can be attributed to both the depression of diastolic depolarization and the increase in duration of the action potential. At low concentrations the increase of the maximum diastolic potential can also contribute to the slowing of the heart rate.

Action Potentials↗