The Classically Cardioprotective Agent Diazoxide Elicits Arrhythmias in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The Classically Cardioprotective Agent Diazoxide Elicits Arrhythmias in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY VOL. 66, NO. 10, 2015 ª 2015 BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY FOUNDATION ISSN 0735-1097/$36.00 ...

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JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY

VOL. 66, NO. 10, 2015

ª 2015 BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY FOUNDATION

ISSN 0735-1097/$36.00

PUBLISHED BY ELSEVIER INC.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.06.1329

The Classically Cardioprotective Agent Diazoxide Elicits Arrhythmias in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Chaoqin Xie, MD, Jun Hu, PHD, Lukas J. Motloch, MD, PHD, Basil S. Karam, BS, Fadi G. Akar, PHD

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an enhanced propensity for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) under conditions of metabolic demand. Activation of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatesensitive potassium (KATP) channels by low-dose diazoxide (DZX) improves hypoglycemia-related complications, metabolic function, and triglyceride and free fatty acid levels and reverses weight gain in T2DM. OBJECTIVES In this study, we hypothesized that DZX prevents ischemia-mediated arrhythmias in T2DM via its putative cardioprotective and antidiabetic property. METHODS Zucker obese diabetic fatty (ZO) rats (n ¼ 43) with T2DM were studied. Controls consisted of Zucker lean (ZL; n ¼ 13) and normal Sprague-Dawley (SprD; n ¼ 30) rats. High-resolution optical action potential mapping was performed before and during challenge with no-flow ischemia for 12 min. RESULTS Electrophysiological properties were relatively stable in T2DM hearts at baseline. In contrast, ischemia uncovered major differences between groups, because action potential duration (APD) in T2DM failed to undergo progressive adaptation to ischemic challenge. DZX promoted the incidence of arrhythmias, because all DZX-treated T2DM hearts exhibited ischemia-induced VTs that persisted on reperfusion. In contrast, untreated T2DM and controls did not exhibit VT during ischemia. Unlike DZX, pinacidil promoted ischemia-mediated arrhythmias in both control and T2DM hearts. Rapid and spatially heterogeneous shortening of APD preceded the onset of arrhythmias in T2DM. DZX-mediated proarrhythmia in T2DM was not related to changes in the messenger ribonucleic acid expression of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1A, SUR1B, SUR2A, SUR2B, or ROMK (renal outer medullary potassium channel). CONCLUSIONS Ischemia uncovers a paradoxical resistance of T2DM hearts to APD adaptation. DZX reverses this property, resulting in rapid and heterogeneous APD shortening. This promotes reentrant VT during ischemia. DZX should be avoided in diabetic patients at risk of ischemic events. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2015;66:1144–56) © 2015 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

T

ype 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a mul-

Because T2DM affects multiple organ systems, its

tifactorial disease process that encompasses

pharmacological management is fraught with cardio-

hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hyper-

vascular complications (3,4). One promising strategy

insulinemia. Collectively, these factors produce a

is the use of the potassium channel agonist diazoxide

malignant environment marked by oxidative stress

(DZX), which improves the metabolic function of

(1). Although patients with T2DM are more vulnerable

Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats by restoring

to ischemic injury than nondiabetic people (2), the

their triglyceride and free fatty acid levels and

detailed

electrophysiological

substrate

of

T2DM

reversing their weight gain and diabetes status (5).

hearts and their response to ischemia are poorly

The antidiabetic efficacy of DZX is linked to preser-

defined.

vation of pancreatic beta cells through promotion of

From the Cardiac Bioelectricity Research Laboratory, Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York. The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. Drs. Xie and Hu contributed equally to this work. William Stevenson, MD, served as the Guest Editor for this paper. Listen to this manuscript’s audio summary by JACC Editor-in-Chief Dr. Valentin Fuster. Manuscript received June 26, 2014; revised manuscript received June 6, 2015, accepted June 23, 2015.

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1145

beta cell rest and inhibition of apoptosis (5). These

12- to 16-week-old male Zucker obese diabetic

ABBREVIATIONS

mechanistic studies in animal models are being

fatty (fa/fa) rats (ZO) (n ¼ 43) as a standard

AND ACRONYMS

rapidly translated to humans. In a proof-of-principle

model of established insulin resistance and

trial,

DZX

T2DM. This model faithfully recapitulates

(4 mg/kg) exhibited a 30% decrease in glucose pro-

hallmark features of the clinical disease,

duction, with no difference in the rate of glucose

including

uptake compared with placebo-treated counterparts

and

healthy

people

who

received

oral

hyperinsulinemia,

hyperglycemia

(21).

APD = action potential duration

APD75 = action potential

dyslipidemia,

Age-

and

duration at 75% of

sex-

repolarization

(6). Moreover, DZX reversed weight gain in pre-

matched Zucker lean (ZL) (n ¼ 13) and

CV = conduction velocity

diabetic obese, hyperinsulinemic people (7,8). The

normal Sprague-Dawley (SprD) (n ¼ 30) rats

DZX = diazoxide

therapeutic utility of DZX was also tested in patients

were also used. In a subset of experiments

KATP channel = adenosine

with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (9) and in those

involving 6 ZL and 7 SprD rats, we found no

triphosphate-sensitive

undergoing coronary bypass surgery (10). Radtke

significant differences in electrophysiological

et al. (9) reported that treatment of newly diagnosed

parameters, including action potential dura-

T1DM patients with DZX for 6 months improved their

tion at 50%, 75% (APD75), and 90% of repo-

glycemic control without affecting their beta cell

larization

function. Finally, in a double-blinded randomized

Marked hyperglycemia and weight gain in the

ribonucleic acid

study, supplementation of cardioplegia with low-

absence of hypertrophy were confirmed in

PCL = pacing cycle length

dose DZX protected cardiac mitochondria, meta-

T2DM compared with control rats (Table 1).

bolism, and function in patients undergoing cardiac

OPTICAL ACTION POTENTIAL MAPPING OF

reaction

EX VIVO PERFUSED HEARTS. Hearts were

ROMK = renal outer medullary

bypass surgery (10).

and

conduction

velocity

potassium channel

mKATP = mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatesensitive potassium

(CV).

mRNA = messenger

PCR = polymerase chain

potassium channel

excised rapidly and Langendorff perfused

SEE PAGE 1157

with

These highly encouraging clinical findings likely stem from the activation of cardioprotective signaling

Tyrode’s

solution

containing

SprD = Sprague-Dawley

121.7

T1DM = type 1 diabetes

mmol/l NaCl, 25.0 mmol/l NaHCO 3, 2.74

mellitus

mmol/l MgSO 4 , 4.81 mmol/l KCl, 5.0 mmol/l

T2DM = type 2 diabetes

dextrose, and 2.5 mmol/l CaCl 2 (pH 7.40; 95%

mellitus

via mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive

O2 /5% CO 2). Atria were removed to avoid

potassium (mKATP ) channels by DZX (11–19). Howev-

competitive stimulation of the ventricles.

tachyarrhythmia

Perfusion pressure was maintained at 60 to

ZL = Zucker lean (rat)

er, at high concentrations (300 m mol/l), DZX was shown to promote arrhythmias in coronary-perfused

70 mm Hg by regulating coronary perfusion

atria and ventricles from failing and nonfailing hu-

flow.

man hearts by activating sarcolemmal (as opposed to mitochondrial) KATP channels (20).

VT = ventricular

ZO = Zucker obese diabetic fatty (rat)

Preparations were placed in a custom-built tissue bath and pressed gently against a glass imaging

We hypothesized that owing to its dual nature as

window by a stabilizing piston (22–26). Movement

an antidiabetic and cardioprotective agent, low-dose

was suppressed by perfusion with blebbistatin 10

(30 m mol/l) DZX may be particularly useful in suppressing

ischemia-related

arrhythmias

in

T2DM

mmol/l for 10 to 15 min. To avoid surface cooling, preparations were immersed in the coronary effluent

without altering basal electrophysiology. Contrary

maintained at a physiological temperature by a heat

to our original hypothesis, we uncovered a potent

exchanger assembly (22). Cardiac rhythm was moni-

proarrhythmic effect of DZX exclusively in T2DM

tored continuously via silver electrodes connected to

hearts during challenge with ischemia. Our findings

an electrocardiogram amplifier. Cardiac rhythm,

raise major concerns regarding the safety profile of

perfusion

mK ATP channel activation in T2DM patients at risk of

continuously during each experiment.

pressure,

and

flow

were

monitored

ischemic injury.

METHODS

T A B L E 1 Average BW, HW, Ratio of BW to HW, and

Blood Glucose Levels of T2DM and Control Animals

EXPERIMENTAL RAT MODEL OF T2DM. All pro-

T2DM

Control

410  65

283  29

cedures involving animal handling were approved by

BW (g)

the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Icahn

HW (g)

1.6  0.1

1.2  0.1

School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and adhered to the

HW/BW, mg/g

3.9  0.3

4.3  0.2

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Glucose, mg/dl

408  119

128  14

published by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Age, weeks

13–16

13–14

All animals were purchased from the Charles River Laboratory (Wilmington, Massachusetts). We used

BW ¼ body weight; HW ¼ heart weight; T2DM ¼ type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Optical action potentials were measured with an

amplitude were quantified. Action potential duration

80  80-pixel charge-coupled device camera coupled

(APD) was defined as the temporal difference be-

to an imaging macroscope that contained a high

tween the repolarization and activation times at each

numerical aperture lens, a dichroic mirror, excita-

site.

tion and emission filters, a beam splitter, and a

REAL-TIME

light-collimating tube. Excitation light was provided

MEASUREMENTS. Tissue specimens from SprD (n ¼ 3),

POLYMERASE

CHAIN

REACTION

by a low-noise, high-power tungsten-halogen lamp

ZL (n ¼ 3), and ZO (n ¼ 3) hearts were used to measure

and directed in an epifluorescence configuration onto

messenger

the heart through a side port of the macroscope in a

levels of the alpha (Kir6.1, Kir6.2) and beta (SUR1A,

manner that minimized heterogeneity of incident

SUR1B, SUR2A, SUR2B) subunits that constitute

light across the mapped 8  8 mm 2 region. Emitted light was collected by the front lens of the macroscope, filtered, and directed onto the charge-coupled

ribonucleic

acid

(mRNA)

expression

the K ATP channel, as well as the 2 cardiac isoforms of the

renal

outer

medullary

potassium

channel

(ROMK1 and ROMK2). Total ribonucleic acid was

device detector. High-resolution optical action po-

extracted by acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-

tentials were measured simultaneously from 6,400

chloroform using TRIzol reagent (Life Technologies,

sites during each recording. To improve signal qual-

Carlsbad, California). One microgram of total ribo-

ity, spatial binning was performed, which yielded an

nucleic acid was reverse transcribed into first-strand

array of 400 (20  20) high-fidelity optical action

complementary deoxyribonucleic acid by use of a

potentials that were amenable to accurate automated

high-capacity complementary deoxyribonucleic acid

analyses.

reverse transcription kit with ribonuclease inhibitor. from control

Real-time polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were

(SprD, ZL) and T2DM (ZO) rats underwent steady-

performed with the Applied Biosystems 7500 system

state pacing at a wide range of pacing cycle lengths

and Power SYBR Green PCR Master Mix (Applied

(PCLs) (300 to 100 ms, in 20-ms decrements) during

Biosystems, Waltham Massachusetts) in triplicate.

baseline perfusion. Subsequently, hearts underwent

High-resolution melting curves were generated to

ischemia-reperfusion injury while being paced at a

confirm the specificity of PCR products. Threshold

EXPERIMENTAL

PROTOCOL. Hearts

PCL of 300 ms. We chose a 12-min global no-flow

cycle (CT ) values were determined after rectification

ischemia challenge because we found in a pilot

by the passive reference dye Rox within the master

study that this protocol gave rise to sustained post-

mix. mRNA expression levels were evaluated by the

ischemic arrhythmias within 1 min of reperfusion in

2 - DCT method. Levels of K ATP channel subunits were

w50% of hearts. This rate of post-ischemic arrhyth-

normalized to those of the internal control, beta-

mias allows one to examine whether a given drug

actin.

decreases or increases the incidence of arrhythmias.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES. Summary data are pre-

Untreated hearts were perfused with normal Tyrode’s

sented as mean  SD. Welch’s unpaired t test was

solution throughout the entire protocol, except for

used to detect differences in blood glucose levels

the 12-min ischemia phase. DZX-treated hearts were

between T2DM and controls. The Student t test was

initially perfused with normal Tyrode’s solution, fol-

used to compare electrophysiological parameters be-

lowed by Tyrode’s containing DZX 30 m mol/l.

tween T2DM and control hearts. The paired t test was

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS. C o n d u c t i o n

used to compare groups before and after drug treat-

v e l o c i t y . As detailed previously (23,24), conduction delays were assessed by recording action potentials during steady-state pacing. Local activation time at each site was defined as the maximum first derivative

ment. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences between more than 2 groups. A Fisher exact test was used to compare differences in susceptibility to arrhythmias. Differences were

during the upstroke of the action potential. Velocity

considered significant at p < 0.05.

vectors (magnitude and direction) were derived from

RESULTS

the activation times of each pixel relative to those of its neighbors. CV was measured by averaging the

BASAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF

magnitude of the velocity vectors along the longitu-

T2DM AND CONTROL ANIMALS. Figure 1 shows

dinal and transverse axes. The anisotropic ratio was

representative optical action potentials recorded

defined as the ratio of fast (longitudinal) divided by

from control (SprD, ZL) and T2DM (ZO) rats during

slow (transverse) CV.

steady-state pacing at a PCL of 300 ms. On average,

A c t i o n p o t e n t i a l d u r a t i o n . Repolarization times at

ZO rat hearts exhibited a trend toward prolonged

75% and 90% relative to the action potential

(by 18.5%; p ¼ 0.052) APD 75 compared with controls

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Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

F I G U R E 1 Baseline Electrophysiological Properties of T2DM and Control Hearts

Control

A SprD

T2DM

ZL

Average APD75 100

(PCL=300ms)

200ms

C

APD Heterogeneity (PCL=300ms)

40

Control

20

50ms

p = 0.052

0

n=6

n=6

Control

T2DM

20 10 0

n=6

n=6

Control

T2DM

E SprD 2

SprD 4

Base

Control

SprD 3

CV (cm/sec)

D SprD 1

ZO 2

ZO 3

ZO 4

T2DM

ZO 1

p = 0.863

6

30

60 40

APD75 Std Dev

8

p = 0.632

(ms)

T2DM

(ms)

80

APD75 Range

(ms)

B

ZO

4 2 0

150

n=6

n=6

Control

T2DM

Longitudinal

100

50 n=6 0

n=4

15 ms

RV

Anisotropic Ratio

Apex 0

8mm

n=6

n=4

Control T2DM Control T2DM 4

LV

Transverse

Depolarization Time (ms)

Ratio

3 2 1 0

n=6

n=4

Control

T2DM

(A) Representative optical action potentials recorded during steady-state pacing of hearts from control rats (Sprague-Dawley [SprD] and Zucker lean [ZL]) and rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (Zucker obese diabetic fatty [ZO]). (B) Average action potential duration measured at 75% of repolarization (APD75) at pacing cycle length (PCL) of 300 ms. Analysis is based on 6 ZL and 6 ZO rats. (C) Range and standard deviation (Std Dev) of APD75 values measured across the mapping field as independent indices of APD heterogeneity. (D) Representative isochrone maps illustrating the elliptical spread of the impulse across the epicardial surface. (E) Average longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities and the anisotropic ratio of control and T2DM hearts. CV ¼ conduction velocity; LV ¼ left ventricle; RV ¼ right ventricle.

(Figure 1B). No significant differences (p ¼ 0.65) in

or their ratio (p ¼ 0.13) between T2DM and control

APD 75 were found between ZL (46.1  7.0 ms) and

hearts (Figure 1E). Finally, programmed electrical

SprD (47.9  3.0 ms) hearts. APD heterogeneity

stimulation with single premature stimuli (S2) was

indexed by the range and standard deviation of APD 75

performed in a subset of 4 ZO hearts. S2 coupling

values over an 8  8 mm 2 region of each heart

intervals were initially varied in 10-ms decrements,

revealed no significant differences between T2DM

followed by 2-ms increments to resolve local refrac-

and controls for either metric (Figure 1C).

toriness. No arrhythmias were observed when this

Figure 1D shows representative isochrone maps

protocol was used (not shown).

depicting the elliptical spread of the action potential

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF T2DM HEARTS

wave front across the epicardium in control and

TO ISCHEMIA. Patients with T2DM are highly suscep-

T2DM hearts. There were no significant differences in

tible to ischemic injury. We therefore tested whether

longitudinal CV (p ¼ 0.205), transverse CV (p ¼ 0.156),

ischemia-mediated electrophysiological remodeling

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F I G U R E 2 Differential APD Response to Ischemia in Control Versus T2DM Hearts

APD Response to Ischemia

SprD

T2DM ZL

Control

B

SprD

T2DM ZO

ZL

ZO

75 65

Baseline Ischemia (12 min)

Base

55

35 25

200ms

Control

C

T2DM

LV

D 120

7 min

90

APD90 (ms)

6 min

9 min

8mm

RV

Ischemia (12 min)

Baseline

8 min

45

Apex

Ischemia (12 min)

APD75 (ms)

Control

Baseline

A

Ischemia

1148

50ms

T2DM (n=4)

60 30

Control (n=9)

10 min 0 11 min

0

6

8

12

10

Time of Ischemia (min)

12 min 200ms

(A) Representative action potential traces before and 12 min after ischemia in control hearts (purple) and hearts of rats with T2DM (red). (B) Representative APD75 contour maps measured before and after 12 min of ischemia from control and T2DM hearts. (C) Representative action potential traces recorded at baseline and during no-flow ischemia. (D) Average action potential duration measured at 90% of repolarization (APD90) in control and T2DM hearts showing sustained shortening in the former group (purple) and a biphasic response in the latter (red). Superimposed action potential traces from representative T2DM (red) and control (purple) hearts at 12 min of ischemia. Controls consisted of SprD (n ¼ 3) and ZL (n ¼ 6) animals; T2DM was ZO animals (n ¼ 4). APD ¼ action potential duration; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.

was more severe in hearts from T2DM rats compared

We next investigated potential differences in

with control animals. Figures 2A and 2B show repre-

ischemia-mediated

sentative action potential traces and APD contour

groups. Figure 3A shows isopotential contour maps

conduction

slowing

between

maps measured from control (SprD, ZL) and T2DM

recorded at 1-ms intervals before (baseline) and 12 min

(ZO) hearts before and 12 min after no-flow ischemia.

after ischemia in control (SprD, ZL), and T2DM (ZO)

As expected, no-flow ischemia resulted in significant

hearts. Figure 3B shows representative action poten-

APD shortening in hearts from control animals

tial upstrokes (first derivatives) measured from equi-

(Figures 2A to 2C). In sharp contrast, hearts from

distant sites. Figure 3C presents average CV during

T2DM animals did not undergo progressive APD

baseline perfusion and after ischemic challenge. As

adaptation in response to an identical ischemic

expected, ischemia resulted in significant CV slowing

challenge (Figures 2A to 2C). Instead, they exhibited a

in all groups. Interestingly, a trend toward a greater

biphasic response, because early APD shortening was

percentage reduction of CV by ischemia was noted for

fully reversed during the latter phase (9 to 12 min) of

T2DM rats than for controls (Figure 3D); however, this

ischemia (Figure 2D).

trend did not reach statistical significance (p ¼ 0.243).

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Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

F I G U R E 3 Conduction Slowing in Response to Ischemia in Control and T2DM Hearts

Control

A

T2DM

SprD

ZO

ZL

baseline

Ischemia

baseline

Ischemia

baseline

0

0

Ischemia 0

48ms

48ms

48ms

B

SprD

C

P = 0.0019

80

ZO

20ms

D % Change In CV

P = 0.0004 P = 0.0002

60

0

40

20

20

n=3

n=3

n=6

n=6

n=4

n=4

Is (1 che 2 m m ia in ) Ba se lin e Is (1 che 2 m m ia in )

e m mia in ) Ba se lin e

(1

2

ch Is

Ba

se

lin

e

0

%

CV (cm/sec)

ZL

SprD

ZL

ZO

n=3

n=6

n=4

40 60

P=0.243

80

(A) Representative series of isopotential contour maps recorded at 1-ms intervals indicate the sequential spread of depolarization before and after the ischemic challenge in SprD, ZL, and ZO hearts. Each frame is 8  8 mm2. (B) Representative action potential first derivatives recorded from equidistant sites across the mapping field. (C) Average CV measurements at baseline and after 12 min of ischemia in control and T2DM hearts. (D) Percentage change in CV after 12 min of ischemia relative to baseline in control and T2DM (ZO) hearts. Controls were SprD (n ¼ 3) and ZL (n ¼ 6) animals; T2DM was ZO animals (n ¼ 4). Abbreviations as in Figure 1.

Finally, after the 12-min ischemia protocol, 4 of

which discounts a role for nonischemic activation of

9 control and 3 of 5 T2DM hearts underwent sus-

sarcolemmal KATP channels.

tained arrhythmias within 1 min of reperfusion

We next investigated potential differences in the

(not shown).

response of untreated and DZX-treated T2DM hearts

DZX PARADOXICALLY PROMOTES ARRHYTHMIAS IN

to ischemia. Although APD 75 of untreated T2DM

T2DM. The main purpose of our study was to deter-

hearts failed to shorten progressively in response to

mine whether low-dose DZX, which improves meta-

ischemia (Figure 4B), DZX treatment caused rapid and

bolic

in

sustained APD shortening during the course of

humans, would prevent arrhythmias in T2DM. We

ischemia (Figure 4B). On average, APD 75 of DZX-

therefore examined its effects on key electrophysio-

treated T2DM hearts was shorter by 32.6% (p < 0.01)

logical properties before and during challenge of

after 6 min of ischemia compared with their un-

T2DM hearts with ischemia.

treated counterparts (Figure 4B).

function

in

experimental

models

and

Figure 4A shows the average APD75 rate relation-

The heightened sensitivity of DZX-treated T2DM

ships in untreated and DZX-treated T2DM hearts

hearts to ischemia-induced APD shortening was likely

during baseline perfusion. Clearly, DZX 30 m mol/l did

significant, because all 7 DZX-treated but none of the

not alter baseline APD values at any PCL (Figure 4A),

5 untreated T2DM hearts exhibited onset of sustained

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F I G U R E 4 Proarrhythmic Effect of DZX in T2DM

A

C

80

Incidence of VT during ischemia

T2DM (untreated, n=4)

Control

APD75 (ms)

VT (+)

T2DM (DZX, n=6)

60 40 20 0

160

200

240

280

T2DM

120

PCL (ms)

80

DZX

Untreated DZX

*

* * *

T2DM (untreated)

60

*

40 T2DM (DZX, n=6)

20

APD75 (ms)

*

APD before onset of VT or end of ischemia

80

T2DM (untreated, n=4)

60 APD75 (ms)

Untreated

D

B

VT (-)

40

T2DM (DZX)

20

0

0 0

6

8

10

12

0

Ischemia (min)

8

9 10 Ischemia (min)

11

12

(A) Treatment of hearts with 30 mmol/l diazoxide (DZX) did not alter baseline APD75 in T2DM hearts. (B) Average APD75 at PCL of 300 ms in untreated (red) and DZX-treated (blue) T2DM hearts during ischemia. (C) Summary of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) propensity during ischemia in untreated and DZX-treated control and T2DM hearts. Only DZX-treated T2DM hearts exhibited VT during 12 min of no-flow ischemia. (D) APD75 at end of ischemia or before onset of VT in untreated (red) and DZX-treated (blue) T2DM hearts, respectively. Each asterisk indicates that the red dot is significantly different (greater) than the blue dot. APD ¼ action potential duration; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.

ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) during the latter

hearts. Whereas on average, DZX-treated T2DM hearts

phase (10 to 12 min) of ischemia (Figure 4C). More-

exhibited a minor trend toward longer APD75 values

over, none of the 9 untreated or 7 DZX-treated control

during ischemia than DZX-treated controls, differ-

hearts exhibited VT during ischemia (Figure 4C).

ences were not statistically significant (Figure 5A). In

As such, DZX provoked VT exclusively in T2DM hearts

contrast, APD heterogeneity, as indexed by the stan-

during ischemia (Figure 4C). Figure 4D shows indi-

dard deviation and range of APD75 values across the

vidual measurements of APD 75, either before the

mapping field, was more than 2-fold greater in DZX-

onset of VT in DZX-treated T2DM hearts or at the end

treated T2DM than in DZX-treated control hearts at

of the 12-min ischemic challenge in untreated T2DM

8 and 10 min of ischemia (Figure 5A). Figure 5B shows

hearts. In all cases, APD 75 of untreated T2DM hearts

representative APD contour maps that illustrate the

was longer after 12 min of ischemia than that of DZX-

greater APD heterogeneity at 8 min of ischemia in

treated T2DM hearts, which underwent a 26% to 56%

DZX-treated T2DM than in control hearts. Figure 5C

reduction before the onset of VT.

shows representative histograms that illustrate the

We investigated the potential mechanism underly-

wider distribution of APD 75 values in individual DZX-

ing the selective proarrhythmic effect of DZX on T2DM

treated T2DM hearts than in their control counterparts.

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F I G U R E 5 APD Response to DZX Treatment in Control and T2DM Hearts

Average APD

APD Heterogeneity

A

DZX-treated DZX-treated

P = 0.0039

Ischemia (10 min)

6

P = 0.0008

5

10

n=5

n=6

n=5

n=6

1

n=5

0

Co

T2

nt

ro

l

DM

l ro Co

T2

nt

DM

l ro nt Co

T2

n=5

n=6

n=5

0

DM

l ro nt Co

DM T2

Co

nt

ro

l

0

n=6

DM

n=6

2

T2

n=5

3

l

20

20

4

ro

40

n=6

P = 0.0049

nt

P = 0.087

APD Std. Dev. (ms)

APD Range (ms)

30 P = 0.106

P = 0.045

Co

60 APD75 (ms)

Ischemia (8 min)

40

DM

80

Ischemia (10 min)

DZX-treated

Ischemia (10 min)

T2

Ischemia (8 min)

Ischemia (8 min)

DZX-treated

C

Ischemia (8 min) 40

25

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

45

Count 45

0 20

50

0 20

10

25

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

45

50

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

45

50

APD75

30 Count

20

25

40

APD75

Count

Count

Count

T2DM

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

30

10

2 mm

25

40

30

20

10

0 20

50

APD75

30

20

20

10

40

20

30

Count

Count

Count

20

0 20

40

APD75

30

10

50 ms

T2DM

40

APD75

30

Control

Control

40

APD75

Count

DZX-treated Ischemia (8 min)

Count

B

20

10

0 20

25

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

45

50

0 20

25

30 35 40 APD75 (ms)

45

50

(A) Average APD75, APD75 range, and APD75 standard deviation at 8 min and 10 min of ischemia in DZX-treated control and T2DM hearts. (B) Representative APD75 contour maps from control and T2DM hearts at 8 min of ischemia. (C) Representative histograms showing the distribution of APD75 values across the mapping field in individual DZX-treated control and DZX-treated T2DM hearts at 8 min of ischemia. Controls were 3 ZL and 3 SprD rats; T2DM was 5 ZO rats. APD ¼ action potential duration; other abbreviations as in Figures 1 and 3.

We next compared the electrophysiological ef-

control and T2DM hearts (Figure 6B), whereas DZX

fects of DZX with those of the classic SUR2A activator

only

pinacidil. Unlike DZX, which did not affect base-

(Figure 5). Profound action potential shortening was

exerted

a

proarrhythmic

effect

in

T2DM

line APD 75 in either group, pinacidil 100 m mol/l

evident by 5 min of ischemia in pinacidil-treated

caused significant APD75 shortening in T2DM hearts

control and T2DM hearts (Figure 5C).

(p ¼ 0.047) and a strong trend toward shorter levels in

EXPRESSION

controls (p ¼ 0.069) during baseline perfusion

determine whether the proarrhythmic effect of DZX

(Figure 6A). Pinacidil also promoted the rapid (within

in T2DM hearts was related to altered expression of

6 to 7 min) onset of VT during ischemia in both

KATP channels, we measured the mRNA expression

OF

KATP

CHANNEL

SUBUNITS. To

Xie et al.

JACC VOL. 66, NO. 10, 2015

Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015:1144–56

F I G U R E 6 Effects of Pinacidil on Control and T2DM Hearts

A

DZX Control

T2DM

60 APD75 (ms)

APD75 (ms)

60 40 20

n=6

n=6

n=4

n=4

Baseline

DZX

Baseline

DZX

20

Control

VT (+) Untreated Pinacidil

Untreated

T2DM

P = 0.069

P = 0.047

n=4

n=4

n=4

n=4

Baseline

PIN

Baseline

PIN

0

C

Incidence of VT during ischemia

Control

40

0

B

Pinacidil

80

80

T2DM

1152

Control

T2DM

VT (-) Baseline

Pinacidil

Ischemia 5 min

Pinacidil 200ms (A) Average APD75 values for control (n ¼ 4) and T2DM (n ¼ 4) hearts before and after treatment with DZX (30 mmol/l) or pinacidil (100 mmol/l). (B) Summary of VT propensity during ischemia in untreated and pinacidil-treated control and T2DM hearts. Arrhythmogenesis during early ischemia was provoked by pinacidil treatment in both control and T2DM hearts. (C) Representative action potential traces revealing profound action potential shortening at 5 min of ischemia in pinacidil-treated control and T2DM hearts. PIN ¼ pinacidil; other abbreviations as in Figures 1 and 3.

levels of all known KATP channel subunits using real-

that are expressed in the heart. We found no sig-

time PCR. Figure 7A shows the normalized (to beta-

nificant differences in the expression levels of

actin) mRNA expression of the alpha (Kir6.1 and

either isoform between groups (Figure 7B). Primers

Kir6.2) and beta (SUR1A, SUR1B, SUR2A, and SUR2B)

used

subunits of the KATP channel in SprD, ZL, and ZO

Figure 7C.

for

mRNA

measurements

are

shown

in

hearts. We found that samples from ZL and ZO animals exhibited a trend toward increased expres-

DISCUSSION

sion of most K ATP channel subunits compared with their SprD counterparts (Figure 7A); however,

We

this apparent up-regulation only reached statistical

quences of ischemia in T2DM and tested whether low-

significance in the case of SUR2B between ZO and

dose DZX, a potent activator of cardioprotective

SprD animals (Figure 7A). Importantly, there were no

signaling (11–19), could improve electrical function in

significant differences in the expression of any of

that setting. Our major findings were as follows:

these subunits between ZL and ZO hearts (Figure 7A).

1) during normoxic perfusion, T2DM hearts are stable,

As such, none of the observed changes could explain

exhibiting only minor electrophysiological changes;

the proarrhythmic effect that was exclusive to ZO

2) in response to ischemia, T2DM hearts are charac-

animals.

terized by repolarization resistance, because their

A recent study highlighted the potential impor-

investigated

the

electrophysiological

conse-

average APD fails to exhibit progressive shortening;

tance of ROMK (KCNJ1) in formation of the mK ATP

3)

channel (27). We therefore measured the mRNA

clusively in T2DM hearts by promoting rapid and

DZX

treatment

levels of the 2 ROMK isoforms (ROMK1 and ROMK2)

heterogeneous

APD

exacerbates shortening

arrhythmias during

ex-

ischemia

JACC VOL. 66, NO. 10, 2015

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SEPTEMBER 8, 2015:1144–56

Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

F I G U R E 7 K ATP Channel Subunit Expression in Control and T2DM Hearts

B SprD (n=3)

4

ZL (n=3) ZO (n=3)

3

4

P < 0.05 mRNA Expression Level

mRNA Expression Level

A

2 1

3 2 1 0

0 Kir6.1

C

Kir6.2

Sur1A

Sur1B

Sur2A

ROMK1

Sur2B

ROMK2

Gene name

Forward primer (5’-3’)

Reverse primer (5’-3’)

beta-Actin Kir6.1 Kir6.2 SUR1A SUR1B SUR2A SUR2B ROMK1 ROMK2

CCTCTATGCCAACACAGTGCTGTCT AGCTGGCTGCTCTTCGCTATCA CAACGTCGCCCACAAGAACATC AGCATGCGTGGTACTCATC TGCCTCTCTCTTCCTCACA GGAGTGCGATACTGGTCCAAACCT CATAGCTCATCGGGTTCACACCATT AGTGAGCCAGCCAATCAGTGACA CCAAGGCACTGGGCACCTTTAGC

GCTCAGGAGGAGCAATGATCTTGA CCCTCCAAACCCAATGGTCACT CCAGCTGCACAGGAAGGACATG GCTGAGAGCTCCCTGTGTAG GTTGGATCTCCATGTCTGC CCCGATGCAGAGAACGAGACACT GCATCGAGACACAGGTGCTGTTGT TGGACCCAGACTCAGACAAAGGC TGCCGGGAACGCCCAAATATGTG

(A) Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1A, SUR1B, SUR2A, and SUR2B measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in SprD (n ¼ 3), ZL (n ¼ 3), and ZO (n ¼ 3) animals. (B) mRNA expression of ROMK1 and ROMK2 measured by RT-PCR in SprD (n ¼ 3), ZL (n ¼ 3), and ZO (n ¼ 3) animals. (C) Primers used for RT-PCR measurements. Beta-actin was used as a normalizing control. KATP ¼ adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel; other abbreviations as in Figure 1.

(Central Illustration); and 4) changes in the mRNA

speculated that acute ischemia might unmask the

expression of KATP channel subunits do not cause

electrophysiological vulnerability of these hearts. A

these phenotypic differences.

major finding of the present report was the failure of

STABILITY

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL

T2DM hearts to exhibit progressive APD adaptation

PROPERTIES IN T2DM. Our initial objective was to

(shortening) in response to 12 min of no-flow

define the electrophysiological substrate of hearts

ischemia. The mechanism underlying this repolari-

from obese T2DM animals. We focused on conduction

zation resistance will require additional investiga-

slowing and APD prolongation as potentially impor-

tion,

tant features of pathological electrical remodeling.

sarcolemmal K ATP channels, resulting from either

Surprisingly, we found only modest changes in APD

reduced expression or function of these channels.

and CV in this established model of obesity and

Interestingly, Ren et al. (29) found a marked reduc-

T2DM. As such, our present findings discount a major

tion in SUR2A mRNA expression in a model of T1DM.

role for these basal electrophysiological properties in

We measured the transcript levels of all known alpha

OF

BASAL

although

it

suggests

down-regulation

of

the proarrhythmic vulnerability of the diabetic heart.

and beta subunits of K ATP channels, including Kir6.1,

Our present findings are reminiscent of our previous

Kir6.2, SUR1A, SUR1B, SUR2A, SUR2B, ROMK1, and

findings in a guinea pig model of streptozotocin-

ROMK2. An important advantage of our experimental

induced T1DM, in which arrhythmias were only

design was the use of 2 different control groups that

encountered on depletion of the scavenging capacity

were functionally identical but genetically distinct.

of the heart (28).

Specifically, ZL controls share a common genetic

ALTERED APD ADAPTATION DURING ISCHEMIA:

background with their ZO counterparts but are func-

REPOLARIZATION RESISTANCE IN T2DM? Because

tionally identical (in terms of electrophysiology, heart

patients with T2DM are highly susceptible to the

weight, body weight, and blood glucose levels) to

complications

age-matched SprD animals. By measuring changes in

of

coronary

artery

disease,

we

1153

1154

Xie et al.

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Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015:1144–56

C EN T RA L IL LUSTR AT I ON

DZX-Mediated Arrhythmias in T2DM: Proarrhythmic Effect of DZX in Rats

Xie, C. et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015; 66(10):1144–56.

The proarrhythmic effect of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (mKATP) channel activation by low-dose diazoxide (DZX) in hearts from rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is illustrated. Electrophysiological properties were stable at baseline but revealed impaired adaptation to increased metabolic demand during acute ischemia in diabetic (red) compared with nondiabetic (blue) rats. The classically cardioprotective agent DZX caused paradoxical exacerbation of arrhythmias in diabetic but not normal animals, owing to a rapid and spatially heterogeneous shortening of action potentials across the heart, which in turn, created a substrate for reentrant ventricular tachyarrhythmia. APD ¼ action potential duration; APD75 ¼ action potential duration at 75% of repolarization.

the mRNA expression of K ATP channel subunits in all 3

underlying impaired APD adaptation of T2DM hearts

groups, we were able to determine whether a given

to ischemia warrants investigation.

change was functionally important. Surprisingly, we

DZX FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS. In a

only found a significant change in the expression of

recent clinical study, DZX suppressed endogenous

SUR2B between ZO and SprD animals. Therefore, our

glucose production (6). The presumed antidiabetic

data indicate that the unique functional response of

efficacy of DZX has been linked to preservation of

T2DM hearts to ischemia is unrelated to the transcript

pancreatic beta cells through promotion of beta cell

levels of K ATP channel subunits. This suggests

rest and inhibition of apoptosis. Indeed, pilot clinical

involvement of post-transcriptional mechanisms that

trials using DZX have demonstrated improvement of

regulate protein synthesis, trafficking, insertion, sta-

metabolic function in pre-diabetic obese, hyper-

bility, or gating of these channels. Of note, AMP-

insulinemic patients and in those with T1DM (7–9).

activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling has been

Numerous experimental studies have established

implicated in preconditioning-induced shortening of

DZX as a potent cardioprotective agent that reduces

the action potential through effects on K ATP channel

reperfusion injury by promoting activation of bene-

activity and recruitment (30). Moreover, drugs that

ficial mitochondrial pathways (11–19). Indeed, a pilot

activate AMPK signaling are a mainstay of treatment

study demonstrated that supplementation of car-

of T2DM patients (31). Impaired AMPK in T2DM may

dioplegia with DZX improved the outcome of patients

contribute

Clearly,

undergoing coronary bypass surgery (10); however,

identification of the exact molecular mechanisms

the infarct-sparing efficacy of DZX in diabetes is less

to

repolarization

resistance.

JACC VOL. 66, NO. 10, 2015

Xie et al.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2015:1144–56

Diazoxide-Mediated Arrhythmias in Diabetes

clear, because DZX failed to reduce infarct size after

(Central Illustration). Specifically, a potent proar-

30 min of left anterior descending coronary artery

rhythmic effect during ischemic challenge should

occlusion in T2DM animals (32). This is consistent

caution against the rapid translation of DZX-based

with the notion that cardioprotective stimuli (such as

therapies for the treatment of T2DM patients, who

ischemic preconditioning), which likely depend on

are indeed at high risk of coronary artery disease,

mK ATP channels, are defective in diabetes (33).

acute myocardial infarction, and silent myocardial

Although the infarct-sparing effects of DZX have

ischemia (4,34–36).

been widely studied, there are no reports of its role in the modulation of electrophysiological properties of

REPRINT REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Dr.

T2DM hearts. A major finding of the present report

Fadi G. Akar, Cardiovascular Research Center, Icahn

was that DZX elicited a potent proarrhythmic effect

School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L.

exclusively in the setting of diabetes, because all

Levy Place, Box 1030, New York, New York 10029.

DZX-treated T2DM hearts but none of the untreated

E-mail: [email protected].

T2DM or control hearts exhibited sustained ischemiamediated VT. We used a widely accepted DZX concentration (30 mmol/l) that is relatively specific for the

PERSPECTIVES

mitochondrial pool of KATP channels (15–19). At this concentration, DZX did not alter basal electrophysi-

COMPETENCY IN MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE: The mito-

ological properties. The lack of effect of low-dose DZX

chondrial KATP channel agonist DZX exerts salutary myocardial

on baseline APD strongly discounts a role for nonse-

protective effects against ischemic injury, produces vasodila-

lective activation of sarcolemmal K ATP channels in the

tion in hypertensive patients, and reverses hypoglycemic

proarrhythmic effect that we uncovered. Unlike DZX,

complications in patients with T2DM. However, in an animal

the classic SUR2A-specific K ATP channel activator,

model of T2DM with impaired electrophysiological adaptation

pinacidil, provoked ischemia-mediated VT in all

to acute ischemia, DZX elicited proarrhythmic effects because

hearts (T2DM and control), consistent with previous

of the rapid, heterogeneous shortening of the action potential

findings in failing and nonfailing human heart prep-

unrelated to transcript levels of ATP-sensitive potassium

arations (20). Finally, the lack of arrhythmia protec-

channels.

tion by DZX in T2DM hearts on ischemic challenge is consistent

with

the

lack

of

protection

against

TRANSLATIONAL OUTLOOK: Agents considered safe and

myocardial infarction by ischemic preconditioning

effective in structurally normal hearts might be associated with

and DZX (33).

proarrhythmic risks in the setting of diabetes mellitus. Strategies to mitigate the proarrhythmic effects of mitochondrial KATP

CONCLUSIONS

channel agonists should be investigated in patients with T2DM at

Our current study raises important safety concerns

risk of myocardial ischemia.

regarding the use of DZX in diabetic patients

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KEY WORDS action potentials, ischemia, mitochondria, obesity, repolarization, ventricular tachycardia