European journal of pharmacology
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Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac function, but its electrophysiological effects on sino-atrial (SA) node are not well understood. In this study, the immediate effect of Ang II on action potentials and ionic currents were investigated by using whole-cell patch-clamps in single guinea-pig SA node pacemaker cells. We demonstrated that Ang II exerted a negative effect on spontaneous firing rate, with a concomitant reduction in the slope of diastolic depolarization. ⋯ Furthermore, Ang II decreased the current density of L-type Ca2+ current in SA node cells. Our data demonstrate that Ang II reduces the auto rhythm of SA node cells via enhancing Iks and reducing ICaL. The result suggests a potential mechanism by which elevated levels of Ang II may be involved in the occurrence of SA node dysfunction in cardiac pathophysiology.