HE EFFECT OF PROBENECID ON α-1-ADRENOCEPTOR STIMULATION INDUCED PROARRHYTHMIC CONDUCTION IN THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE OF RAT HEART

Abstract

Cardiac tissue contains adrenergic receptors (AR) not only of the beta type, but also of the alpha type (α-AR). Both types of ARs play signifi cant role in regulation of cardiomyocytes electrophysiology in diff erent parts of the heart, including the atrioventricular node (AVN). An augmentation of α1-AR mediated component of adrenergic signaling results in impaired conduction of excitation in the heart and onset of various rhythm disturbances including AVNassociated arrhythmias. The activation of α1-AR facilitates anionic transmembrane transport causing electrophysiological changes in myocytes. Current study is aimed to the investigation of the eff ects of anion/chloride blockade on α1-AR-mediated proarrhythmic alteration of AVN functioning. Functional characteristics of AVN including AVN conduction time, AVN refractoriness and the AVN conduction alterations were examined via recording of surface electrograms in Langendorff -perfused isolated rat heart (Wistar, 250 ± 30 g). Phenylephrine was used as α1-AR agonist. Probenecid demonstrating anion/chloride transmembrane conductance blocking activity was used to modify Phe-induced α1-AR-mediated eff ects in AVN. The activation of α1-AR by Phe results in a signifi cant increase in the duration of AV intervals (N = 10, p < 0.001) and eff ective refractory period (ERP) in the AVN (by 9.8% ± 1.2%, n = 10, p < 0.001). Also, Phe induces AV-blocks of conduction and oscillations in atrioventricular delay (N = 10) at the stimulation rates close to ERP. Probenecid signifi cantly reduces the magnitude of AVD oscillations during non-stationary conduction in the AV node. In addition, probenecid attenuates ERP prolongation caused by Phe (107 ± 4 ms, N = 6) and 114.2 ± 5.35 ms (N = 10) in presence of only Phe and Phe with probenecid, respectively, returning its values toward typical for normal conditions. In conclusion, probenecid maintains physiological mode of AVN conduction when α1-AR are stimulated. This also suggests that chloride ion channels and anion carriers may contribute to the α1-AR-mediated AVN arrhythmias.