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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2006; 12(25): 4086-4088
Published online Jul 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i25.4086
Whole-cell recordings of calcium and potassium currents in acutely isolated smooth muscle cells
Qing Cai, Zhong-Liang Zhu, Xiao-Li Fan
Qing Cai, Zhong-Liang Zhu, Xiao-Li Fan, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical School of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Zhong-Liang Zhu, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical School of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China. zlzhu@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-29-85265669
Received: November 16, 2005
Revised: February 10, 2006
Accepted: February 18, 2006
Published online: July 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To record calcium and potassium currents in acutely isolated smooth muscle cells of mesenteric arterial branches in rats.

METHODS: Smooth muscle cells were freshly isolated by collagenase digest and mechanical trituration with polished pipettes. Patch clamp technique in whole-cell mode was employed to record calcium and potassium currents.

RESULTS: The procedure dissociated smooth muscle cells without impairing the electrophysiological characteristics of the cells. The voltage-gated Ca2+ and potassium currents were successfully recorded using whole-cell patch clamp configuration.

CONCLUSION: The method dissociates smooth muscle cells from rat mesenteric arterial branches. Voltage-gated channel currents can be recorded in this preparation.

Keywords: Patch clamp; Smooth muscle cell; Voltage-gated channel; Whole-cell recording