Sex and sex hormonal regulation of the atrial inward rectifier potassium current (IK1): insights into potential pro-arrhythmic mechanisms.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Pronounced sex-differences are known in the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the atrial electrophysiological properties that may underlie sex-differences in AF incidence in the younger population, focusing on IK1, a cardiac ion current important for action potential (AP) stability and triggered activity.

Methods and results

We assessed sex-differences in P-wave morphology in 12-lead ECG in healthy young New Zealand White rabbits. Males presented longer PWD and larger P-wave area compared to females. Patch-clamp experiments were performed in isolated rabbit atrial cardiomyocytes (CMs). Male atrial CMs presented higher delayed after depolarizations (DAD) incidence, amplitude, and area under the curve (AUC) than females, potenti

SUBMITTER: Giammarino L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12310280 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature