Effect of acetylcholine on the passive electrical properties and intercellular electrical link in the sino-atrial node of the rabbit heart

F. Bukauskas, A. Bitautas, R. Veteikis, K. Runkevicius

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Using the microelectrode technique in an isolated preparation of the sino-atrial (s.a.) region of the rabbit heart the authors have studied the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) an the passive electrical properties and intercellular electrical link with measurement of the the length constant of the decay in electrotonus (λe) and input resistance (Rin). It was established that ACh reduces λe and increases Rin. From analysis of the experimental data using the model of a thin-layer three-dimensional syncytium it is shown that ACh in concentrations of 10-7, 10-6 and 10-5, m raises the resistance of the intracellular medium of the syncytium 1 · 25, 1 · 36 and 1 · 43 fold and reduces that of the electrogenic membrane 1 · 13, 1 · 12 and 1 · 23 fold respectively. It is concluded that ACh increases the resistance of the intercellular contacts in the s.a. node.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)728-732
Number of pages5
JournalBiophysics
Volume34
Issue number4
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of acetylcholine on the passive electrical properties and intercellular electrical link in the sino-atrial node of the rabbit heart'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this