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Synchronization Modulation of Na/K Pumps Induced Membrane Potential Hyperpolarization in Both Physiological and Hyperkalemic Conditions

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Abstract

The capability of the synchronization modulation (SM) technique in enhancing the function of Na/K pumps has been demonstrated in various cells and tissues, including cardiomyocytes, a monolayer of cultured MDCK kidney cells, peripheral blood vessels, and frog skeletal muscles. This study characterized the membrane potential hyperpolarization induced by SM in both physiological and high [K+]o conditions on single skeletal muscle fibers. The results showed that SM could consistently induce membrane potential hyperpolarization by a few millivolts, and this hyperpolarization was not possible in the presence of ouabain. In contrast, the same electrical pulses but with random frequencies, constant frequencies, or synchronization with backward-modulation could not hyperpolarize the membrane potential. Prolonged field application and higher field intensity enhanced the effects of SM-induced hyperpolarization. Finally, the effect of SM was tested on skeletal muscle fibers incubated in a solution with high external potassium. Results showed that the SM electric field could hyperpolarize the membrane potential even if the external K+ concentration was higher than the normal, which implied the therapeutic effects of the SM electric field on the hyperkalemic situation.

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Funding

This project was partially supported by NIH Grant No. 2R01 50785 (W.C.) and NSF Grant No. 0515787(W.C.).

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PL conducted all of the experiments and data analysis; JM developed SM pulse generator with Java program; Dr. WC developed and patented the SM technique and supervised the project.

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Correspondence to Wei Chen.

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Conflict of interest

Wei Chen has a patent on the SM technique. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Liang, P., Mast, J. & Chen, W. Synchronization Modulation of Na/K Pumps Induced Membrane Potential Hyperpolarization in Both Physiological and Hyperkalemic Conditions. J Membrane Biol 252, 577–586 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-019-00080-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00232-019-00080-7

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