Effects of volsartan on transmural heterogeneous changes of transient outward potassium currents in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes in rabbits

The transmural heterogeneous changes of transient outward potassium currents (Ito) in rabbit hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and the effects of long-term prophylactic treatment with volsartan were investigated. Rabbits were divided into hypertrophy group (left ventricular hypertrophy induced by partial ligation of abdominal aorta), vol-treated group (volsartan was administrated after the ligation), and control group (sham operated). Myocytes were isolated by a two-step enzymatical method. The sub-endocardial (Endo) and sub-epicardium (Epi) tissues were separated from midmyocardium (Mid) with a razor. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record potassium currents. The results showed that membrane capacitance was larger in hypertrophic cells than those in control and vol-treated cells (P<0.01 vs control cells,n=30). The densities of Ito in hypertrophic cells were reduced by sub-epicardium (Epi) (27.8±2.9)%, midmyocardium (Mid) (41.0±4.7)%, and sub-endocardium (Endo) (20.3±3.4)% compared with those in control cells. The decrease of Ito density was more pronounced in Mid than in Epi and Endo (P<0.01 vs Epi or Endo). There were no significant differences in Ito densities between vol-treated group and control group in three layers separately. In conclusion, volsartan can inhibit the transmural heterogeneous changes of Ito in left ventricular hypertrophic cardiomyocytes in rabbit.