Ca2+ plays a crucial role in connecting membrane excitability with contraction in
myocardium. The hallmark features of heart failure are mechanical dysfunction and …

The apelin receptor (APJ; gene symbol APLNR) is a member of the G protein-coupled
receptor gene family. Neural gene expression patterns of APJ, and its cognate ligand apelin …

Since it became clear that K+ shifts with exercise are extensive and can cause more than a
doubling of the extracellular [K+]([K+] s) as reviewed here, it has been suggested that these …

Routine use of diuretics and neurohumoral activation make hypokalemia (serum K+< 3. 5
mM) a prevalent electrolyte disorder among heart failure patients, contributing to the …

Background—Intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+] i) modulates cardiac contractile and
electrical activity through Na/Ca exchange (NCX). Upregulation of NCX in heart failure (HF) …

Abstract Intracellular [Na+]([Na+] i) is regulated in cardiac myocytes by a balance of Na+
influx and efflux mechanisms. In the normal cell there is a large steady state electrochemical …

Cardiac excitation-contraction (EC) coupling consumes vast amounts of cellular energy,
most of which is produced in mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation. In order to adapt …

The transmembrane sodium gradient is essential for both excitability of the cardiac cell and
the regulation of the cytoplasmic concentrations of Ca and protons. In addition, movements …

Ca 2+ is a central player in the excitation-contraction coupling of cardiac myocytes, the
process that enables the heart to contract and relax. Mishandling of Ca 2+ is a central cause …

In the heart, intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+] i) is a key modulator of Ca 2+ cycling,
contractility and cardiac myocyte metabolism. Several Na+ transporters are electrogenic …