Electrophysiological Effects of LU111995 on Canine Hearts: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies1

Abstract

We studied the electrophysiological effects of LU111995 (1–15 mg/kg p.o.) in conscious dogs with chronic atrioventricular block and ventricular pacing at 50 to 130 beats/min. LU111995 had no effects on idioventricular rhythm, QRS duration, and ventricular conduction time. It significantly prolonged Q–T interval (by 5–8%) and effective refractory period (ERP) (by 5–12%) with the maximal effect at 4 h after a 10 mg/kg dose. At 10 and 15 mg/kg, it increased the ERP/Q–T ratio. In vitro, the effects of LU111995 (1 × 10−7 to 1 × 10−5m) on action potentials of Purkinje fibers (PFs) and M cells were studied at cycle lengths (CL) of 300 to 2000 ms. It had no effects on maximum diastolic potential and action potential amplitude in either tissue. High concentrations induced a moderate, rate-independent decrease ofmax in M cells. In PFs and M cells, it produced reverse use-dependent lengthening of action potential duration (APD). In PFs at long CL, the drug exhibited a biphasic concentration-dependent effect on APD: maximum prolongation (by 26% at a CL of 2000 ms) was attained at 1 × 10−6m, and a decrease of APD occurred at higher concentrations. In M cells, the maximum effect on APD occurred at 3 × 10−6m. Early afterdepolarizations were seen in 50% of M cell preparations but only at CL of 2000 ms. Triggered activity did not occur. In summary, LU111995 prolongs the Q–T interval to a limited degree and is not arrhythmogenic over the physiological range of CLs.

Footnotes

  • Send reprint requests to: Michael R. Rosen, M.D., Gustavus A. Pfeiffer Professor of Pharmacology, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, Department of Pharmacology, 630 West 168 St., PH7 West-321, New York, NY 10032. E-mail: emf3{at}Columbia.edu

  • 1 This study was supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant HL53956 and by Knoll AG.

  • 2 Present address: Knoll AG, Ludwigshaten, Germany.

  • Abbreviations:
    MDP
    maximum diastolic potential
    APD
    action potential duration
    EAD
    early afterdepolarization
    Vmax
    maximum rate of rise of phase 0
    ERP
    effective refractory period
    PF
    Purkinje fiber
    CL
    cycle length
    • Received January 7, 1999.
    • Accepted March 8, 1999.
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