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Related Concept Videos

Specialized Characteristics of Cardiac Muscles01:27

Specialized Characteristics of Cardiac Muscles

The primary role of cardiac muscles is to propel blood throughout the cardiovascular system. The cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, exhibit specialized characteristics that allow them to perform this function.
Cardiac muscle cells are smaller than skeletal muscles, averaging 10–20 mm in diameter and 50–100 mm in length. However, they have large energy demands for continuous contraction and relaxation. This energy is almost exclusively derived from aerobic metabolism of energy reserves in...
Smooth Muscle Contraction01:25

Smooth Muscle Contraction

Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
Structure of Cardiac Muscles01:13

Structure of Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac muscle, or myocardium, is a specialized type of muscle found exclusively in the heart. Its unique structural and functional characteristics enable the heart to perform its vital role of pumping blood throughout the body continuously and rhythmically. The cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, possess an endomysium and perimysium but do not have an epimysium.
Compared to skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle cells are small and mostly have a single nucleus. Additionally, they are usually...
The Cardiac Cycle01:13

The Cardiac Cycle

The heart beats rhythmically in a sequence called the cardiac cycle—a rapid coordination of contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole).
The Process
Electrical signals—sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall to the atrioventricular (AV) node between the right atrium and right ventricle—cause both atria to simultaneously contract. When the signal reaches the AV node, it pauses for approximately a tenth of a second, allowing the atria to contract and empty blood into the...
Cross-bridge Cycle01:26

Cross-bridge Cycle

As muscle contracts, the overlap between the thin and thick filaments increases, decreasing the length of the sarcomere—the contractile unit of the muscle—using energy in the form of ATP. At the molecular level, this is a cyclic, multistep process that involves binding and hydrolysis of ATP, and movement of actin by myosin.
Cardiac Cycle01:29

Cardiac Cycle

The cardiac cycle refers to the sequence of events that occur in the heart from the beginning of one heartbeat to the next. It's characterized by alternating periods of contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of the heart muscles.
During the cardiac cycle, blood flow through the heart is regulated entirely by changing pressure gradients. This sequence of events begins with the heart in a state of total relaxation, known as mid-to-late diastole, during which blood passively flows from...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
08:34

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

Published on: July 25, 2019

Cyclical stretch induces structural changes in atrial myocytes.

Anne Margreet De Jong1, Alexander H Maass, Silke U Oberdorf-Maass

  • 1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|April 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study developed a rat atrial cell model to mimic pressure overload. The model showed that atrial stretch causes cell changes, electrical remodeling, and cell death, aiding research into atrial fibrillation mechanisms.

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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

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Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
08:34

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice

Published on: July 25, 2019

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to underlying diseases causing atrial remodeling.
  • Atrial stretch is a key factor in this remodeling process.
  • Existing models do not fully replicate stretch-induced atrial remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an atrial cell culture model simulating remodeling from atrial pressure overload.
  • To investigate cellular and molecular changes induced by mechanical stretch in cardiomyocytes.
  • To provide a platform for testing therapeutic interventions for AF.

Main Methods:

  • Neonatal rat atrial cardiomyocytes (NRAM) were cultured and subjected to cyclical stretch (1 Hz, 15% elongation).
  • Gene expression, protein phosphorylation (Erk, p38), and cellular changes were analyzed.
  • Specific signaling pathways (e.g., calcineurin) and ion channel expression were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Short-term stretch increased immediate early genes and Erk/p38 phosphorylation.
  • 24-hour stretch induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fetal gene re-expression, and cell death (non-apoptotic).
  • Increased expression of natriuretic peptides and GDF-15, activated calcineurin signaling, and decreased potassium channel expression were observed.

Conclusions:

  • The developed NRAM model effectively mimics atrial remodeling due to mechanical stretch.
  • Stretch induces significant cellular, hypertrophic, electrical, and stress responses in atrial cardiomyocytes.
  • This model is valuable for studying AF mechanisms and evaluating drugs like pravastatin.