[The relationship between intracellular chloride concentration and ischemia reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in myocardial cells].

We investigated the effects of simulated ischemia on intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) in guinea pig ventricular myocardial cells and possible role of the [Cl-]i on the ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in perfused rat hearts. Our results provided direct evidence that the [Cl-]i in ventricular muscle was increased under ischemic conditions, which suggested that activation of the Cl-(-)HCO3- exchanger by ischemia would partially contribute to the elevation of [Cl-]i. Application of stilbene derivatives or lowering Cl- concentration in perfusion solution delayed the onset of ischemia-induced deterioration in action potentials, pHi, [Cl-]i, and suppressed the incidence of ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrhythmias. The conclusion was made to emphasize the important role of intracellular Cl- homeostasis in cardiac physiology and pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.