Role of Ca2+-dependent Cl- current on delayed afterdepolarizations. A simulation study

Ann Biomed Eng. 2008 May;36(5):752-61. doi: 10.1007/s10439-008-9460-9. Epub 2008 Feb 15.

Abstract

Calcium-dependent chloride current (I (Cl,Ca)) is the second component (I (to2)) of the transient outward current (I (to)) that provokes the action potential (AP) phase 1 repolarization. This current contributes to the transient inward current (I (ti)) that generates delayed afterdepolarizations (DAD) in several pathological conditions. The present work uses a computer AP model of rabbit atrial myocyte and a one-dimensional (1D) tissue model of 400 cells to study the role of I (Cl,Ca) on the generation of DAD and triggered activity under calcium-overload conditions. A mathematical model describing the dependence of I (Cl,Ca) on intracellular Ca(2+) is proposed. This model takes into account the experimentally recorded characteristics of I (Cl,Ca): (1) calcium dependence, (2) voltage-dependent inactivation, and (3) I-V field-diffusion relation. Our results support the hypothesis that I (Cl,Ca) plays an important role in action potential repolarization, mainly at high frequencies. In the calcium-overload conditions tested in this work, I (Cl,Ca) represents between 28% and 44% of the total I (ti) that provokes DADs. Our simulations also show that the blockage of I (Cl,Ca) reduces the calcium overload range in which DADs provoke triggered activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Atrial Function / physiology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology*
  • Chloride Channels / physiology
  • Chlorine / metabolism*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Heart Conduction System / physiology*
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Chloride Channels
  • Chlorine
  • Calcium