Work

Computational Modeling of Sodium-Ion-Channel-Based Glucose Sensing Biophysics to Study Cardiac Pacemaker Action Potential

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Elevated blood glucose levels, known as glycemia, play a significant role in sudden cardiac arrest, often resulting in sudden cardiac death, particularly among those with diabetes. Understanding this link has been a challenge for healthcare professionals, leading many research groups to investigate the relationship between blood glucose levels and cardiac electrical activity. Our hypothesis suggests that glucose-sensing mechanisms in cardiac tissue could clarify this connection. To explore this, we adapted a single-compartment, in-silico model of the human atrial node's action potential. We incorporated glucose-sensing mechanisms with voltage-gated sodium ion channels using ordinary differential equations. Parameters for the model were based on existing experimental studies to mimic the impact of glucose levels on atrial node action potential firing. Simulations using voltage clamp and current clamp techniques showed that elevated glucose levels decreased sodium ion channel currents, leading to a reduction in the sinoatrial node action potential frequency. In summary, our model provides a cellular-level understanding of how high glucose levels can lead to bradycardia and sudden cardiac death.

Source: Mathematical and Computational Applications

DOI: 10.3390/mca29050084

Authors: Chitaranjan Mahapatra, Kirubanandan Shanmugam, Maher Ali Rusho

Institutions: University of California, San Francisco, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, National Chemical Laboratory, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado System

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,591