Effect of induced hypothyroid state on the mechanical and electrical properties of the rat ventricular myocardium.

The effect of hypothyroid state on the transmembrane potential was studied in isolated cardiac ventricular trabeculae of rats. Hypothyroid state was induced by methimazole treatment or thyroidectomy and checked by determining serum thyroxine level. Hypothyroidism decreased the maximum rate of depolarization (Vmax) and the resting potential, increased the overshoot and the duration of action potential at 20, 50 and 90% repolarization. These changes were more pronounced after methimazole treatment than after thyroidectomy. The results strongly suggest that in hypothyroidism the significant alterations in the voltage-time course of the transmembrane action potential influencing Ca2+-movement across the sarcolemma may have an indirect role in the decreased myocardial contractility. On the other hand, methimazole has an aspecific cardiac effect which may modify the cardiac effect of hypothyroidism induced by the drug.