Objective: To assess the electrophysiological impact of aldosterone during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.
Methods: We used an in vitro model of "border zone" using rabbit right ventricle and standard microelectrodes.
Results: Aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L) shortened ischemic action potential [action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90), from 55 ± 3 to 39 ± 1 ms and 36 ± 3 ms, respectively, P < 0.05] and induced resting membrane potential (RMP) hyperpolarization in the nonischemic zone (from -83 ± 1 to -93 ± 7 mV and -94 ± 3 mV, respectively, P < 0.05) and in the ischemic zone during reperfusion (from -81 ± 2 to -88 ± 2 mV and -91 ± 2 mV, respectively, P < 0.05). Bimakalim, an ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel opener, also induced RMP hyperpolarization and APD90 shortening. Aldosterone (10 and 100 nmol/L) increased APD90 dispersion between ischemic and nonischemic zones (from 96 ± 3 to 117 ± 5 ms and 131 ± 6 ms, respectively, P < 0.05) and reperfusion-induced severe premature ventricular contraction occurrence (from 18% to 67% and 75%, respectively, P < 0.05). Adding glibenclamide, a nonspecific K(ATP) antagonist, to aldosterone superfusion abolished these effects different to sodium 5-hydroxydecanoate, a mitochondrial-K(ATP) antagonist.
Conclusions: In this in vitro rabbit model of border zone, aldosterone induced RMP hyperpolarization and decreased ischemic APD90 evoking the modulation of K currents. Glibenclamide prevented these effects different to 5-hydroxydecanoate, suggesting that sarcolemmal-K(ATP) channels may be involved in this context.