Abstract
In ventricular myocytes (VMs), Ca sparks relieve the SR from Ca overload (during diastole) and triggered sparks form the systolic Ca transient. In sinoatrial node myocytes (SANCs), Ca sparks regulate pacemaker automaticity. Ca spark characteristics in both cell types were assessed and β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) stimulation responsiveness was compared. Myocytes were isolated from hearts from adult male Wistar rats. Procedures were in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Changes in [Ca 2+ ]i were detected by fluo-8 AM. Isoprenaline (ISO) was applied at 100 nM. Analysis was performed using xySpark. Mean data (VMs vs SANCs): Ca spark amplitude (ΔF/F0), 0.33 ± 0.02 vs 0.64 ± 0.03 (p –1 s –1 ), 9.41 ± 2.02 vs 33.4 ± 4.4 (p 3 ), 10.52 ± 0.98 vs 14.68 ± 2.44. Following ISO, VMs; Ca spark amplitude and spark mass; increased by 34.4 ± 12% and 10 ± 1% respectively; spark duration: decreased by 17 ± 4% (p
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