Sodium bicarbonate and salbutamol facilitate recovery from hyperkalemia-induced electrocardiogram abnormalities in bullfrog hearts

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 85; no. 10; pp. 1063 - 1067
• Main Authors: AZUMA, Saya, KUWANA, Ryo, NARISAWA, Ken, KAZAMA, Itsuro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2023; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: bullfrog heart; EKG; electrocardiogram (ECG); Hyperkalemia; Kidney diseases; Na+/K+-exchanging ATPase; Physiology; Potassium chloride; Salbutamol; Sodium bicarbonate
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0292

Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality frequently complicated with chronic kidney disease. By injecting potassium chloride (KCl) solutions intravenously into bullfrogs, we reproduced typical electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities of hyperkalemia in the frog hearts, such as the peaked T waves and the widening of QRS complexes. Simultaneous recordings of cardiac action potentials showed morphological changes that synchronized with those of ECG. After 100 mM KCl injection, the widened QRS complexes continued for a while and gradually restored to their baseline widths. However, pre-treatment with sodium bicarbonate or salbutamol, which directly or indirectly stimulates Na+/K+-ATPase activity, significantly facilitated the recovery from the widened QRS duration, indicating the transcellular movement of potassium ions from the extracellular fluid into the intracellular stores.