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Modulation of delayed afterdepolarisations by alpha 1 adrenergic receptor subtypes
1Department of Pharmacology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.
Objective:
The aim was to evaluate the role of alpha 1 adrenoceptor stimulation and selective receptor subtype blockade on delayed afterdepolarisations induced by high extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o = 8.1 mM) and by ouabain (2 x 10(-7) M) in canine Purkinje fibres.
Methods:
Standard microelectrode techniques were used to record transmembrane action potentials from Purkinje fibres placed at cycle length = 500 ms. The drive was interrupted for 5 s every minute to allow observation of delayed afterdepolarisations or any subsequent spontaneous rhythms.
Results:
The alpha 1 adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine, 1 x 10(-7) M, increased the amplitude of delayed afterdepolarisations induced by high [Ca] from 4.2(SEM 0.4) to 5.4(0.2) mV (p < 0.05), and by ouabain from 4.3(0.6) to 6.9(1.0) mV (p < 0.05). The selective alpha 1 adrenoceptor subtype agonist WB 4101, 1 x 10(-7) M, blocked the effect of phenylephrine on delayed afterdepolarisations induced by ouabain + phenylephrine [DAD = 4.6(0.6), p < 0.05] but decreased the amplitude of those induced by Ca + phenylephrine, to 2.0(0.3) mV (p < 0.05). In contrast, the selective alpha 1b adrenoceptor antagonist chloroethylclonidine, 1 x 10(-7) M, increased the amplitude of delayed afterdepolarisations induced by Ca and phenylephrine to 6.6(0.6) mV (p < 0.05) and by ouabain and phenylephrine to 12.6(2.0) mV (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
alpha 1 Adrenoceptor subtypes modulate the amplitude of delayed afterdepolarisations induced by ouabain and by high [Ca]. The chloroethylclonidine-blocked alpha 1 adrenoceptor subtype decreases, and the WB 4101-blocked subtype potentiates, this arrhythmogenic mechanism.