Electrophysiological modeling of the effect of potassium channel blockers on the distribution of stimulation wave in the human gastric wall cells

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to model the electrophysiological behavior of excitable membrane and wavefront propagation in the Stomach Wall in physiological and pharmacological states. The propagation of this wave is based on cellular electrophysiological activity and ionic channel properties. In this study, we arranged the stomach wall cells together using the Gap Junctions approach. Slow wave is generated by gastric pacemaker cells. This wave propagates via the interaction of cells with each other throughout the stomach wall. Potassium currents are one of the main factors in regulating the pattern of wavefront propagation. To investigate the effect of limiting the exchange of potassium currents from cell membranes, 10%, 50%, 90%, and complete blockade were applied on both non-inactivating potassium current (IKni) and fast-inactivating potassium current (IKfi). The results show that IKniion channel blockage has a considerable effect on the plateau phase in the propagation of the excitation wave. The maximum value of the action potential in the plateau phase in the excitation wave with complete obstruction from −40.92 mV in the physiological state reached −18.97 mV, which is about 54% higher than the physiological state. Also, compared to the physiological state, complete blockage of the I_Kfi causes a 15% increase in the slow-wave spike phase (from −36.72 mV to −31.36 mV). Using this model, the effect of ions in different phases of slow-wave can be investigated. In addition, by blocking ion channels, functional disorders and smooth muscle contraction can be improved.