Calcium alternans in a couplon network model of ventricular myocytes: role of sarcoplasmic reticulum load.

ABSTRACT: Intracellular calcium (Ca) alternans in cardiac myocytes have been shown in many experimental studies, and the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We recently developed a "3R theory" that links Ca sparks to whole cell Ca alternans through three critical properties: randomness of Ca sparks; recruitment of a Ca spark by neighboring Ca sparks; and refractoriness of Ca release units. In this study, we used computer simulation of a physiologically detailed mathematical model of a ventricular myocyte couplon network to study how sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca load and other physiological parameters, such as ryanodine receptor sensitivity, SR uptake rate, Na-Ca exchange strength, and Ca buffer levels affect Ca alternans in the context of 3R theory. We developed a method to calculate the pa

SUBMITTER: Nivala M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3423167 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature