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Effects of free fatty acids on electrophysiological properties of ventricular myocardium

Die Wirkung freier Fettsäuren auf elektrophysiologische Parameter des Ventrikelmyokards

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Zusammenfassung

Am isolierten Papillarmuskel des Meerschweinchenherzens wurde mit elektrophysiologischen Methoden untersucht, inwieweit freie Fettsäuren die myokardiale Erregbarkeit beeinflussen können. Durch intrazelluläre Ableitung mit Mikroglaselektroden wurden Ruhe- und Aktionspotential sowie die Refraktärzeit unter Einwirkung von Linol- und Palmitinsäure (0,2–2,5 mM) gemessen. Die Ergebnisse lassen unter Einfluß freier Fettsäuren eine signifikante Abnahme der Aktionspotentialdauer und der Refraktärperiode erkennen. Palmitinsäure zeigt eine schwächere Wirkung als Linolsäure. Die Befunde sprechen dafür, daß freie Fettsäuren Membranwirkungen am Ventrikelmyokard besitzen und durch eine Refraktärzeitverkürzung die Ausbreitung ektopischer Erregungen begünstigen können. Somit unterstützen die Ergebnisse die Hypothese, daß hohe Konzentrationen von freien Fettsäuren eine zusätzliche Rolle in der Genese ventrikulärer Tachyarrhythmien bei kardialer Ischämie spielen können.

Summary

Several metabolic factors have been regarded as a cause of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in cardiac ischemia, i.e. hypoxia, acidosis, intracellular potassium loss, local catecholamine release as well as an increased catecholamine concentration and an elevation of serum free fatty acids. The arrhythmogenic properties of anoxia and hypoxic acidosis, catecholamines as well as potassium depletion are well known. However, the relationship between elevated free fatty acid concentration and the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias remain obscure. The microelectrode technique was applied to examine the electrophysiological effects of free fatty acids in papillary heart muscle fibres. Both linoleate and palmitate cause a concentration-dependent decrease of action potential duration and a corresponding shortening of the functional refractory period in the presence of sufficient oxygen supply. The results suggest that a high concentration of free fatty acids may play an additional role in the genesis of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in cardiac ischemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University of Munich Medical Clinic I, Klinikum Großhadern, Germany

    B. Lüderitz, C. Naumann d'Alnoncourt & G. Steinbeck

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  1. B. Lüderitz
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  2. C. Naumann d'Alnoncourt
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  3. G. Steinbeck
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Lüderitz, B., Naumann d'Alnoncourt, C. & Steinbeck, G. Effects of free fatty acids on electrophysiological properties of ventricular myocardium. Klin Wochenschr 54, 309–313 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01471576

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