Abstract
FK-506, a widely used immunosuppressant, has caused a few clinical
cases with QT prolongation and torsades de pointe at high blood concentration.
The proarrhytmogenic potential of FK-506 was investigated in single
rat ventricular cells using the whole cell clamp method to record
action potentials (APs) and ionic currents. Fluorescence measurements
of Ca$^2+$ transients were performed with indo-1 AM using a
multiphotonic microscope. FK-506 (25 micromol/l) hyperpolarized the
resting membrane potential (RMP; -3 mV) and prolonged APs (AP duration
at 90\% repolarization increased by 21\%) at 0.1 Hz. Prolongation
was enhanced by threefold at 3.3 Hz, and early afterdepolarizations
(EADs) occurred in 59\% of cells. EADs were prevented by stronger
intracellular Ca$^2+$ buffering (EGTA: 10 vs. 0.5 mmol/l in the
patch pipette) or replacement of extracellular Na$^+$ by Li+,
which abolishes Na$^+$/Ca$^2+$ exchange Na$^+$/Ca$^2+$
exchanger current (INaCa). In indo-1-loaded cells, FK-506 generated
doublets of Ca$^2+$ transients associated with increased diastolic
Ca$^2+$ in one-half of the cells. FK-506 reversibly decreased
the L-type Ca$^2+$ current (ICaL) by 25\%, although high-frequency-dependent
facilitation of ICaL persisted, and decreased three distinct K$^+$
currents: delayed rectifier K$^+$ current (IK; >80\%), transient
outward K$^+$ current (<20\%), and inward rectifier K$^+$
current (IK1; >40\%). A shift in the reversal potential of IK1 (-5
mV) accounted for RMP hyperpolarization. Numerical simulations,
reproducing all experimental effects of FK-506, and the use of nifedipine
showed that frequency-dependent facilitation of ICaL plays a role
in the occurrence of EADs. In conclusion, the effects of FK-506 on
the cardiac AP are more complex than previously reported and include
inhibitions of IK1 and ICaL. Alterations in Ca$^2+$ release and
INaCa may contribute to FK-506-induced AP prolongation and EADs in
addition to the permissive role of ICaL facilitation at high rates
of stimulation.
- 15471978
- action
- agents,
- animals,
- arrhythmia,
- artificial,
- calcium
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- cardiac,
- channels,
- electrocardiography,
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- gov't,
- heart
- immunosuppressive
- in
- inbred
- inwardly
- l-type,
- long
- myocytes,
- non-u.s.
- pacemaker,
- patch-clamp
- potassium
- potentials,
- qt
- rate,
- rats,
- rectifying,
- research
- sodium,
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- syndrome,
- tacrolimus,
- techniques,
- vitro,
- wky,
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