Cardiomyocyte dysfunction during the chronic phase of Chagas disease

AUTOR(ES)

Roman-Campos, Danilo, Sales-Júnior, Policarpo, Duarte, Hugo Leonardo, Gomes, Eneas Ricardo, Guatimosim, Silvia, Ropert, Catherine, Gazzinelli, Ricardo Tostes, Cruz, Jader Santos

FONTE

Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2013-04

RESUMO

Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of heart failure. We investigated modifications in the cellular electrophysiological and calcium-handling characteristics of an infected mouse heart during the chronic phase of the disease. The patch-clamp technique was used to record action potentials (APs) and L-type Ca2+ and transient outward K+ currents. [Ca2+]i changes were determined using confocal microscopy. Infected ventricular cells showed prolonged APs, reduced transient outward K+ and L-type Ca2+ currents and reduced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Thus, the chronic phase of Chagas disease is characterised by cardiomyocyte dysfunction, which could lead to heart failure.

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