Postnatal developmental changes in the sensitivity of L-type Ca 2+ channel to inhibition by verapamil in a mouse heart model

Background In the clinical setting, verapamil is contraindicated in neonates and infants, because of the perceived risk of hypotension or bradyarrhythmia. However, it remains unclear whether there is an age-dependent difference in the sensitivity of cardiac L-type Ca 2+ channel current ( I Ca,L ) to inhibition by verapamil. Methods Ventricular myocytes were enzymatically dissociated from the hearts of six different age groups (0, 7, 14, 21, 28 days, and 10–15 weeks) of mice, using a similar Langendorff-perfusion method. Whole-cell patch-clamp technique was applied to examine the sensitivity of I Ca,L to inhibition, by three classes of structurally different L-type Ca 2+ channel antagonists. Results Verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem concentration-dependently blocked the ventricular I Ca,L in all six age groups. However, although nifedipine and diltiazem blocked ventricular I Ca,L with a similar potency in all age groups, verapamil more potently blocked ventricular I Ca,L in day 0, day 7, day 14, and day 21 mice, than in day 28, and 10–15-week mice. Conclusion In a mouse heart model, ventricular I Ca,L before the weaning age (~21 days of age) exhibited a higher sensitivity to inhibition by verapamil than that after the weaning age, which may explain one possible mechanism associated with the development of verapamil-induced hypotension in human neonates and infants.