Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Cav1.2 , Kir2.3 , Kv11.1 , Kv7.1 , Slo1

Title: Induced ion currents and the endothelin pathway as targets for anti-arrhythmic agents.

Authors: De-Zai Dai, Yin Dai

Journal, date & volume: , 2008 Sep , 9, 1001-8

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18729007

Abstract
The development of novel anti-arrhythmic drugs is necessary, specifically agents that do not cause torsades de pointes (Tdp). Ion channelopathy that is involved in mechanisms underlying sudden cardiac death (SCD) includes both ion channels in the membrane, and the calcium-releasing channels and the calcium uptake process in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Advances in the understanding of abnormalities of ion channels in the myocardium caused by congenital defects or by a failing heart and cardiomyopathy offer further insights into the relationship between channelopathy and SCD. Enhanced L-type Ca2+ current (ICa.L) activity has been detected in the hearts of patients with a mutation of the Cav1.2 gene; these patients exhibit a high risk of SCD. Rats with thyroxin-induced cardiomyopathy demonstrate an increase in ICa.L activity that is responsible for exacerbated ventricular fibrillation (VF). This is suppressed by propranolol or CPU-86017, a class III anti-arrhythmic agent with potent antioxidant activity. Interestingly, an increase in rapidly (IKr) and slowly (IKs) activating delayed rectifying K+ currents is caused by gain-of-function mutations of the KCNH2 and KCNQ1 genes, respectively, in patients with short QT syndrome (SQT). Increased IKr and IKs, which are associated with exacerbated VF, are also found in models of thyroxin-induced cardiomyopathy and are suppressed by CPU-86017. ICa.L, IKr and IKs can also be induced in cardiomyocytes when incubated with isoproterenol. A reversal of upstream lesions by an endothelin receptor antagonist CPU-0213 provides suppression of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and upregulates FK506 binding protein 12.6. CPU-86017 and its chiral isomer SR-CPU-86017 relieve upstream lesions, with mild suppression of IKr and moderate suppression of IKs and ICa.L. These agents may be promising as anti-arrhythmic agents that produce less Tdp tachyarrhythmias.