名古屋大学博士学位論文 学位の種類 : 博士(医学)(課程) 学位授与年月日:平成10年6月4日 李鍾國氏の博士論文として提出された

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides including cAMP and cGMP. We recently discovered that natriuretic peptides elicit effects in the atrial myocardium via a PDE dependant pathway; however, the role(s) of specific PDE subtypes in atrial myocytes are not clear. Thus, I studied the effects of PDE selective blockers on mouse atrial action potentials (APs) and L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa,L). AP duration (APD) was significantly increased in the presence of IBMX (inhibits all PDEs) as well as EHNA (PDE2 inhibitor) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor). The PDE 3 inhibitor milrinone had no effect on APD. Applying milrinone and rolipram (PDE3/PDE4 inhibition) or EHNA, milrinone, and rolipram (PDE2/ PDE3/PDE4 inhibition) in combination prolonged APD as effectively as IBMX. A similar pattern of results was obtained for atrial ICa,L. These data provide novel insight into the unique effects of PDE inhibitors in atrial myocytes

No / 1 Pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein phosphatases 1/2A were used to determine whether basal L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) observed in the absence of exogenous ß-adrenergic receptor stimulation is sustained by PKA-mediated phosphorylation. Amphotericin B was used to record whole-cell ICa in the perforated patch-clamp configuration. 2 Calyculin A and isoprenaline (both 1 ¿mol l¿1) increased basal ICa (P<0.05), whereas H-89 inhibited ICa in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 ~5 ¿mol l¿1. H-89 also inhibited the response to 1.0 ¿mol l¿1 isoprenaline, although relatively high concentrations (30 ¿mol l¿1) were required to achieve complete suppression of the response. 3 Double-pulse protocols were used to study the effects of 10 ¿mol l¿1 H-89 on time-dependent recovery of ICa from voltage-dependent inactivation as well as the steady-state gating of ICa. T0.5 (time for ICa to recover to 50% of the preinactivation amplitude) increased in the presence of H-89 (P<0.05) but was unaffected by calyculin A or isoprenaline. 4 Steady-state activation/inactivation properties of ICa were unaffected by 10 ¿mol l¿1 H-89 or 1 ¿mol l¿1 calyculin A, whereas isoprenaline caused a leftward shift in both curves so that V0.5 for activation and inactivation became more negative. 5 Data show that basal ICa is regulated by cAMP-PKA-mediated phosphorylation in the absence of externally applied ß-receptor agonists and that relatively high concentrations of H-89 are required to fully suppress the response to ß-adrenergic receptor stimulation, thereby limiting the value of H-89 as a useful tool in dissecting signalling pathways in intact myocytes.

Paralyzed muscle fatigues more quickly than intact muscle. The reason for this difference is currently unknown. This work will bridge this gap in knowledge by evaluating the predictive abilities of higher-resolution closed-form mathematical models of muscle force and fatigue. Knowledge garnered from this effort will suggest possible mechanisms for the differences in fatiguability of muscle in different states of health. The hypothesis to be tested is that the concept missing from present models, and thus the present understanding of the physiology, is the dynamic behavior of divalent calcium (Ca2+) during induced muscle contraction. If the behavior of Ca2+ can be understood as a Riccati-Bass diffusion process, muscle force and low-frequency fatigue in paralyzed muscle can be more accurately predicted over the time course of response to neuromuscular electrical stimulation. The abilities of existing mathematical models to predict force and low-frequency fatigue are compared to the predictive abilities of new models that include the Riccati-Bass equation. There are several major findings of this study. First, it was found that the structure of the Conaway models better predicts force and low-frequency fatigue than do the Ding models. Second, the cross-bridge friction is the most influential factor in generating force in fresh muscle at frequencies greater than 5 pps. Finally, the calcium leak current is most influential in low-frequency fatigue in paralyzed muscle. It is concluded that the process of muscle fatigue occurs as calcium channel remodeling and inactivation of excitation-contraction coupling from ionic crowding accelerate with every additional contraction.

No description available.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause or mortally in the western world. Heart failure is the most rapidly growing cardiovascular disease (Hobbs, 2004; Levy, et al., 2002). Heart failure, by definition, is progressive deteriorating function of the heart due to progressive cardiac myocytes loss. Though after decades of endeavor of searching the pathophysiology and treatments for heart failure, it remains highly lethal. Therefore, it is vital to find novel therapies to help treat such chronic disease. Replace the lost cardiomyocyte with new ones could restore cardiac function and reduce mortality. The purpose of this study is to investigate on how TTCCs (T-type calcium channels) affect cardiomyocyte proliferation. In mice after birth, the major TTCC expressed in the heart is Cav3.1/α1G, and therefore we used Cav3.1/α1G transgenic (TG), knockout (-/-) and wild type mice respectively to define the role of TTCC in cardiomyocyte proliferation. In neonatal mouse ventricular myocyte (NMVMs) right after birth, there is almost no TTCC after birth in α1G-/- NMVMs, whereas there are around 35% NMVMs in wild type (WT) show TTCC. On day 7 after birth, there are no T-type calcium currents in both α1G-/- NMVMs and WT NMVMs. Using BrdU, a DNA synthesis marker, we identified plenty of BrdU positive cardiomyocyte during the first seven days after birth. Cardiomyocyte is special due to its double nucleation property. Our cell cycle studies showed that there is significant difference in cell cycle distribution between α1G-/- and WT NMVMs on day seven after birth. Significantly more NMVMs are arrested in G1 phase in α1G-/-, compared to WT NMVMs. Even until 2 month old, there are still significantly more mono-nucleated cardiomyocyte in α1G-/- than in WT. In conclusion, all these evidence showed that blocking T-type calcium channel could partially prevent binucleation from happening and stop cardiomyocytes withdrawal from cell cycle. Mononucleated cardiomyocyte is still able to proliferate. Hence, mononucleated cardiomyocytes in adult still have potential to proliferation because these cardiomyoctes are arrested in their cell-cycle before their terminal differentiation, which could offer a novel approach for cardiac repair. / Physiology

Mūsų tyrymų tikslas – ištirti baltymų kinazės A, baltymų kinazės C, Src šeimos nereceptorinės baltymų tirozino kinazės ir jų signaliniuose keliuose dalyvaujančių molekulių įtaką L tipo kalcio srovei (ICa,L) fermentiniu būdu izoliuotuose iširdies miocituose. Šis tikslas buvo įgyvendintas sprendžiant keturias užduotis: 1) ištiriant varlės ir žiurkės skilvelių bei žmogaus prieširdžių miocitų β-adrenerginių receptorių signalinės grandinės elementų: β-adrenerginių receptorių, adenilatciklazės, fosfodiesterazių, baltymų kinazės A, baltymų fosfatazių (baltymų fosfatazės 1 ir baltymų fosfatazės 2A) bei įtampos valdomų L tipo kalcio kanalų bazinį aktyvumą; 2) ištiriant β3-adrenerginių receptorių įtaką žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L ir susitraukimo jėgai; 3) nustatant Src šeimos nereceptorinės baltymų tirozino kinazės įtaką žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L, taip pat jos aktyvinimo būdą ir veikimo vietą β-adrenerginių receptorių signalinėje grandinėje; 4) ištiriant baltymų kinazės C įtaka žmogaus prieširdžių ICa,L. / The objective of study was to investigate the role of protein kinase A, protein kinase C, Src family nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases and other signaling molecules involved in pathways regulating the L-type calcium current (ICa,L) in enzymatically isolated cardiac myocytes. This objective was realized by resolving four tasks: 1) Examination of the basal activity of β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) signaling cascade involving β-ARs, adenylyl cyclases, phosphodiesterases, protein kinase A, protein phosphatases (protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A) and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in frog and rat ventricular myocytes and human atrial myocytes; 2) Investigation of the role of β3-ARs in regulation of ICa,L and force of contraction in human atrium; 3) Exploration of the role of Src family nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in regulation of ICa,L, determining the route of their activation and site of action in β-AR signaling cascade of human atriual myocytes; 4) Probing of the impact of protein kinase C on basal and β-AR stimulated ICa,L in human atrial myocytes. The experiments were performed using whole-cell configuration of the pach-clamp technique.

Le système rénine-angiotensine est impliqué dans le remodelage structurel et électrique caractérisant la fibrillation auriculaire (FA). L’angiotensine II (ANG II) induit le développement de fibrose et d’hypertrophie au niveau des oreillettes, prédisposant à la FA. Or, les mécanismes électrophysiologiques par lesquels l’ANG II pourrait promouvoir la FA sont peu connus. L’objectif de ce projet de recherche est d’évaluer l’effet de l’ANG II sur les courants potassiques et calciques au niveau auriculaire indépendamment du remodelage structurel. Pour ce faire, nous avons utilisé la technique de patch-clamp avec un modèle de souris surexprimant le récepteur de type 1 à l’angiotensine II (AT1R) spécifiquement au niveau cardiaque. Pour distinguer les effets directs de la surexpression d’AT1R des effets induits par le remodelage cardiaque, nous avons étudié des souris âgées de 180 jours, qui présentent du remodelage structurel, et des souris âgées de 50 jours, qui n’en présentent pas. Des études précédentes sur ce modèle ont montré qu’au niveau des myocytes ventriculaires, l’ANG II réduit le courant potassique global (Ipeak) et rectifiant entrant (IK1) ainsi que le courant calcique de type L (ICaL). Ainsi, notre hypothèse est que l’ANG II modulera aussi ces courants au niveau auriculaire, pouvant ainsi augmenter l’hétérogénéité de repolarisation auriculaire et de ce fait le risque de développer et maintenir la FA. Nous avons observé une diminution significative de la densité d’IK1 dans l’oreillette gauche des souris transgéniques sans changement d’Ipeak. De plus, la densité d’ ICaL n’est pas réduite chez les souris transgéniques âgées de 50 jours. En conclusion, l’effet de l’ANG II sur les courants potassiques et calciques semble dépendre de la chambre cardiaque. En effet, nous savions que l’ANGII réduisait Ipeak, IK1 et ICaL au niveau ventriculaire, mais nos résultats ont montré qu’il ne les affectait pas directement au niveau des oreillettes. Ceci suggère des mécanismes de régulation impliquant des voies de signalisation distinctes selon les chambres cardiaques. Enfin, nos résultats montrant l’absence de l’influence directe de la surexpression d’AT1R sur les canaux K+ et Ca2+ au niveau des myocytes auriculaires renforcent l’importance d’approfondir nos connaissances sur les effets de l’angiotensine II sur le développement de la fibrose, sur le remodelage structurel et sur la conduction électrique cardiaque. / The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system contributes to the structural and electrical remodelling that characterise atrial fibrillation (AF). Angiotensin II (ANG II) induces fibrosis and hypertrophy in the atrium, creating a substrate for AF development. Whether or not ANG II promotes electrophysiological remodelling in the atrium and by which mechanisms is not known. The objective of this research project is to evaluate the effect of ANG II on potassium and calcium currents in atrial myocytes independently of structural remodelling. We used the patch-clamp technique to measure ionic currents in a mouse model overexpressing the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) locally in the heart. To differentiate the direct effects of AT1R overexpression with those related to structural remodelling, we studied mice aged of 180 days that are characterised by structural remodelling and mice aged of 50 days that aren’t. Previous studies have shown that this mouse presented with reduced total potassium current (Ipeak) and inward rectifier potassium current (IK1) as well as with a decrease in L-type calcium currents (ICaL) in ventricular myocytes. Therefore, our hypothesis was that ANG II would also regulate those currents at the atrial level, possibly leading to an increase in heterogeneity in atrial repolarisation and to an increase in AF initiation and maintenance. We show in this project a significant reduction of the IK1 in the left atrium of transgenic mice without any changes of the Ipeak. Furthermore, we show no modulation of ICaL density in 50 days old transgenic mice. We conclude that ANG II effect on potassium and calcium currents depends on the cardiac chamber. Indeed, although we already knew ANG II reduced Ipeak, IK1 and ICaL in ventricular myocytes of transgenic mice, in this project we found ANG II did not affect Ipeak and ICaL at the atrial level. These findings suggest distinctive regulation pathways by which ANG II affects the different cardiac chambers. Furthermore, the absence of direct influence of ANG II on potassium and calcium currents in atrial myocytes reinforces the importance to better understand ANG II’s effect on cardiac fibrosis development, structural remodelling and electric conduction.

Teas and infusions from C. spiralis leaf have largely been used by folk medicine as diuretic, hypotensor, cytotoxic, immunomodulator, antilithiasic, antidiarrheic, antispasmodic, antiurolitic, antimicrobian, antifungic, antioxidant, antileishmania activity, antiinflamatory, and antiedematogenic activity. In spite of these biological effects attributed to the extracts of C. spiralis, nothing so far could be found in the scientific literature dealing with its effects on the mammalian myocardium.The present study aimed to describe the inotropic effects produced by extracts from the C. spiralis leaf on isolated guinea pig atrium, as well as to contribute for a better understanding about its mechanism of action in that tissue. In isolated mouse cardiomyocytes, the effect produced by those extracts on the intracellular calcium transient and on the sarcolemal L-type calcium current were also measured. Experiments performed to evaluate the contractile effects were carried out on isolated atrium from guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Firstly, our purpose was to determine the most potent fraction obtained from the C. spiralis leaf. This was done by comparing the hydroalchoolic crude extract with the following ones: aqueous, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. A phytochemical analysis was performed on the fraction exhibiting the greater potency. This evaluation followed the procedures proposed by Matos (1997). The content of sodium and potassium in the most potent fraction was determined by flame photometry. In the contractile experiments, the atrial force was measured isometrically. Biological signals were captured, amplified, and then stored in computer to be processed off line. Intracellular calcium transients were studied by confocal microscopy with laser scanning by using the fluorescent dye FLUO 4AM. Calcium inward currents were measured in mouse cardiomyocytes by using patch clamp technique in the whole cell configuration. Yield percentage of the aqueous fraction (AqF) was 69,40%. This fraction showed the most potent depressor effect on the myocardial contractility (EC50 = 305 ± 41,00 mg/L, Hill constant = 1,46 ± 0,19). The following metabolites were found in the AqF: tannins, saponins, and polifenols (flavonol, flavononol, flavone, xanthone, phenol, and flavonoid). The potassium and sodium contents in 1 g/L of AqF were 1,91 and 0,15 mM, respectively. This was not enough to change the myocardial inotropism, even in the highest concentration of AqF used in the experiments. The contraction and the relaxation time, as well as the time related to the excitation-contraction coupling (stimulus-response) were not modified by adding AqF to the organ bath. However, AqF reduced the Efficiency Index for the contraction and relaxation phases. The Neyler & Merrillees protocol was employed to evaluate the AqF effect on the calcium inward current in myocardial cells. Our results showed that AqF is able to completely abolish the Bowditch phenomenon, suggesting that it could be acting by reducing the sarcolemal calcium current. Supported by those experimental evidences, experiments were proposed to better understand the relationship between AqF and calcium mechanisms in cardiac cells. The following results were obtained with 1,5 g/L AqF: 1) AqF completely abolished the positive inotropic effect induced by isoproterenol (10-1 to 103 pM); 2) AqF shifted rightwardly the concentration-effect curve for CaCl2 (0.5 to 7.0 mM) and increased the EC50 from 1.12 ± 0.07 (Hill = 1.5) to 7.23 ± 0.47 mM (Hill = 7.4) (n = 3; p < 0.05); 3) AqF completely abolished the positive inotropic effect of (-) BAY K8644 (5 to 2000 nM); 4) AqF reduced the intracellular fluorescence from 4.66 ±1.17 to 3.74 ± 1.0 a.u. (n = 30 cells, 4 mice, p < 0.05); 5) AqF did not modify the decay rate of the fluorescent signal (892 ± 37 to 930 ± 30 ms, n = 30 cells, 4 mice, p > 0.05), indicating that it does not interfiere with the calcium removal from the sarcoplasm; 6) AqF reduced the calcium inward current through L-type calcium channels from 6,29 ± 0,34 to 4,9 ± 0,2 A/F (23% , n = 5 animals, p < 0,05). This study brought us unto the following conclusions: 1) AqF is the most potent fraction obtained from C. spirallis leaves; 2) AqF contains the following secondary metabolites: tannins, saponins, and poliphenols; 3) AqF reduces the contraction force of the guinea pig left atrium; 4) AqF acts on the myocardium contractility by reducing the calcium entry in myocardial cells during contraction. / Preparados de Costus spiralis têm sido usados pela medicina popular (diurético, hipotensor, citotóxico, imunomodulador, antilitiásico, antidiarréico, antiespasmódico, antiurolítico, antimicrobiano, antifúngico, antioxidante, antileishmânia, anti-inflamatório e antiedematogênico). Apesar da gama de ações a eles atribuídas, nada pôde ser encontrado na literatura científica com respeito ao possível efeito dos Este trabalho visou determinar os efeitos inotrópicos obtidos das folhas de C. spiralis, que apresentava maior potência, bem como contribuir para o mecanismo de ação desse preparado no miocárdio de mamíferos. Os experimentos sobre contração foram realizados em átrio esquerdo de cobaia (Cavia porcellus), enquanto que as medidas de transiente de cálcio intracelular e de corrente de membrana foram feitas em cardiomiócitos de camundongo. A investigação fitoquímica do preparado mais ativo foi conduzida segundo Matos (1997). Os teores de sódio e de potássio presentes na fração mais potente, foram determinados por fotometria de chama. A força de contração atrial foi captada isometricamente e, depois amplificada, foi armazenada em computador. O transiente de cálcio intracelular foi avaliado com microscopia confocal de varredura a laser. As correntes de cálcio sarcolemais foram medidas em cardiomiócitos submetidos à técnica do patch clamp ( whole cell ). A fração aquosa (FAq) foi a que apresentou maior rendimento (69,40%) e a que exerceu maior efeito inotrópico negativo (CE50 = 305 ± 41,00 mg/L, Hill = 1,46 ± 0,19). Na sua constituição foram detectadas as seguintes classes de metabólitos secundários: taninos e saponinas, com reação fortemente positiva, e os polifenóis, com reação positiva (flavonóis, flavononóis, flavonas, xantonas, fenóis e flavonóides). Em 1 g/L de FAq foram encontrados 1,91 mM de potássio e 0,15 mM de sódio. A adição de FAq ao Tyrode não modificou significativamente a concentração desses íons. Os tempos de contração e de relaxamento, bem como o tempo de acoplamento eletromecânico não foram alterados pela FAq. Contudo, ela reduziu os Índices de Eficiência da contração e do relaxamento. A FAq aboliu completamente o fenômeno de Bowditch induzido por alta frequência de estimulação, indicando que ela reduz a entrada desse íon nas células. Com base nessa evidência, foram realizados protocolos para aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a participação das correntes de cálcio no mecanismo cardiodepressor da FAq. Esta fração produziu os seguintes resultados: 1) aboliu completamente o efeito inotrópico positivo do isoproterenol (10-1 a 103 pM); 2) deslocou para a direita a curva concentração-efeito para o CaCl2 (0,5 a 7,0 mM), aumentando a CE50 de 1,12 ± 0,07 (Hill = 1,5) para 7,23 ± 0,47 mM (Hill = 7,4) (n = 3; p < 0,05); 3) aboliu completamente o efeito inotrópico positivo do (-) BAY K8644 (5 a 2000 nM); 4) reduziu em cerca de 20% o pico da fluorescência intracelular correspondente ao transiente de cálcio citoplasmático (controle: n = 30 células; teste: n = 27 células; 4 animais); 5) não modificou a velocidade de decaimento do sinal de fluorescência, o que significa que ela não interfere com o funcionamento da bomba de cálcio do retículo sarcoplasmático; 6) reduziu em 23% a densidade de corrente de cálcio tipo-L que variou de -6,29 ± 0,34 para -4,9 ± 0,2 A/F (n = 5 animais, p < 0,05). 1) a FAq foi a fração com maior potência inotrópica; 2) os principais metabólitos secundários presentes na FAq foram taninos, saponinas e polifenóis; 3) a FAq reduz a força de contração do átrio; 4) o mecanismo da ação cardiodepressora da FAq sobre a contratilidade miocárdica se deve à diminuição da disponibilização do cálcio durante a contração.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Quercetin is a flavonoid widely distributed in plants, and it is shown to have several biological activities. This study aims to describe the effects of quercetin on the contracting and electrophysiological properties of the cardiac muscle as well as the homeostasis of intracellular calcium. This study evaluated the inotropic effect of quercetin in guinea pigs’ left atria, its effects on the adrenergic receptors, and on the electrocardiographic parameters. In mice ventricular cardiomyocytes the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L), the intracellular Ca2+ global transient and the calcium sparks were evaluated. The results revealed a positive inotropic effect from quercetin (EC50 3.64 x 10-6 M, n = 4) that was significantly reduced by 1 M propranolol. Furthermore, quercetin caused diastolic relaxation (~7%). In ventricular cardiomyocytes, 30 μM quercetin increased the density of ICa,L at 0 mV of −0.95 ± 0.01 A/F from −1.21 ± 0.08 A/F (n = 5, p < 0.05) and membrane potential at which 50% of the channels are activated (V0.5) diminished to -13.06 ± 1.52 mV from -19.26 ± 1.72 mV (n = 5, p < 0.001) not altering the slope factor. Furthermore, cardiomyocytes exposure at 30 μM quercetin presented [Ca2+]i transient of 4.61± 0.22 (n = 91 cells, p < 0.001) that was 28% higher compared with control situation (3.60 ± 0.14, n = 40 cells). Quercetin also accelerated the [Ca2+]i transient decay kinetics at 90% (t90) from 875.8 ± 13.44 ms to 740.0 ± 26.74 ms (p < 0.001) and at 50% (t50) from 253.3 ± 7.75 ms to 181.4 ± 12.67 ms (p < 0.001). In cardiomyocytes not electrically stimulated, quercetin did not increase the frequency of calcium sparks. In isolated guinea pig heart, quercetin increased the heart rate from 133.1 ± 5.49 bpm to 146.2 bpm ± 5.28 (n = 5, p <0.0001); decreased the PR interval from 107.3 ± 4.69 ms to 100.3 ± 1.79 ms (n = 5, p < 0.05) and decreased the QTc from 10.49 ± 0.048 ms to 10.23 ± 0.06 ms. The duration of the QRS complex was not significantly changed, and there was also no evidence of the appearance of cardiac arrhythmias. Thus, we showed that quercetin activates β-adrenergic receptors, leading to increased L-type calcium current and intracellular calcium transient, not inducing the increase of calcium sparks or arrhythmogenic effects. / A quercetina é um flavonoide, amplamente distribuído nas plantas e apresenta várias atividades biológicas. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo descrever os efeitos da quercetina sobre as propriedades contráteis e eletrofisiológicas do músculo cardíaco, assim como a homeostase do cálcio intracelular. Nesse estudo, foi avaliado o efeito inotrópico da quercetina em átrio esquerdo de cobaia, sua ação nos receptores adrenérgicos e sobre os parâmetros eletrocardiográficos. Em cardiomiócito ventricular de camundongo, foram estudadas as correntes de Ca+2 tipo-L (ICa,L), o transiente intracelular global de cálcio e as sparks de cálcio. Os resultados revelaram que a quercetina promoveu efeito inotrópico positivo (EC50 3,64 x 10-6 M, n = 4) que foi significativamente reduzido pelo propranolol a 1 M. Além disso, a quercetina induziu relaxamento diastólico (~7%). Em cardiomiócito ventricular, 30 μM de quercetina promoveu aumento da densidade da ICa,L em 0 mV de -0,95 ± 0,01 A/F para -1,21 ± 0,08 A/F (n = 5, p < 0,05) e o potencial de membrana, onde 50% dos canais estão ativados (V0,5) diminuiu de -13,06 ± 1,52 mV para -19,26 ± 1,72 mV (n = 5, p < 0,001) sem alterar a inclinação da curva. Além disso, os cardiomiócitos expostos a 30 μM de quercetina apresentaram um transiente intracelular de cálcio de 4,61 ± 0,22 (n = 91 células, p < 0,001) que foi 28% maior comparado com cardiomiócito na situação controle (3,60 ± 0,14, n = 40 células). A quercetina também acelerou a cinética do decaimento do transiente da Ca+2, em 90% (t90) foi reduzido de 875,8 ± 13,44 ms para 740,0 ± 26,74 ms (p < 0,001) e em 50% (t50) de 253,3 ± 7,7 ms para 181,4 ± 12,67 ms (p < 0,001). Em cardiomiócito não estimulados eletricamente, a quercetina não aumentou a frequência de sparks de cálcio. Em coração isolado de cobaia, a quercetina aumentou a frequência cardíaca de 133,1 ± 5,49 bpm para 146,2 ± 5,28 bpm (n = 5, p < 0,0001); diminuiu o intervalo PR de 107,3 ± 4,69 ms para 100,3 ± 1,79 ms (n = 5, p < 0,05); diminuiu o QTc de 10,49 ± 0,048 ms para 10,23 ± 0,06 ms. A duração do complexo QRS não apresentou alteração significativa, assim como não foi evidenciado o aparecimento de arritmias cardíacas. Assim, evidenciamos que a quercetina ativa receptores β-adrenérgicos, levando ao aumento da corrente de cálcio tipo-L e do transiente intracelular de cálcio, sem induzir o aumento de sparks de cálcio ou efeitos arritmogênicos.