Intracellular Levels of Na+ and TTX-sensitive Na+ Channel Current in Diabetic Rat Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Intracellular Na(+) ([Na(+)](i)) is an important modulator of excitation-contraction coupling via regulating Ca(2+) efflux/influx, and no investigation has been so far performed in diabetic rat heart. Here, we examined whether any change of [Na(+)](i) in paced cardiomyocytes could contribute to functional alterations during diabetes. Slowing down in depolarization phase of the action potential, small but significant decrease in its amplitude...