Age-dependent variation in contractility of adult cardiac myocytes

This study was designed to examine the influence of the age of adults on the contractile characteristics of the myocardium and to ascertain whether the age dependent variation is related to variation in sarcolemmal calcium channels. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from 2, 6 and 12-month-old, male Sprague–Dawley rats and the extent and velocity of contraction were recorded as a function of change in cell length. Age dependent increase in cell length...