Chronic potentiation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channels by pirfenidone

On the basis of its ability to inhibit fibrosis, pirfenidone has drawn the attention as an intriguing candidate for treating cardiac disease. However, its precise electrophysiological effects have yet to be elucidated. Here, we have investigated its potential to modulate ion channels. Adult rat cardiac myocytes were investigated using whole-cell patch-clamp, western-blot and qRT-PCR techniques. Pirfenidone increased the density of L-type Ca2+...