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There are important postnatal changes in the sino-atrial node (SAN), the pacemaker of the heart. Compared with the neonate, the adult has a slower intrinsic heart rate and a longer SAN action potential. These changes may be due to differences in ion channel expression. Consequently, we investigated postnatal developmental changes in the expression of ion channels and Ca 2+ -handling proteins in the SAN to see whether this is indeed the case. Using quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we investigated the expression of ion channels, Ca 2+ -handling proteins and connexins in the SAN from neonatal (2-7 days of age) and adult (∼6 months of age) New Zealand White rabbits. The spontaneous beating rate of adult SAN preparations was 21% slower than that of neonatal preparations. During postnatal development, quantitative PCR revealed a significant decline in the SAN of the following mRNAs: HCN4 (major isoform responsible for I f ), Na V 1.5 (responsible for I Na ), Ca V 1.3 (in part responsible for I Ca,L ) and NCX1 (responsible for inward I NaCa ). These declines could be responsible for the slowing of the pacemaker during postnatal development. There was a significant decline during development in mRNA for delayed rectifier K + channel subunits (K V 1.5, responsible for I K,ur , K V LQT1 and minK, responsible for I K,s , and ERG, responsible for I K,r ) and this could explain the prolongation of the action potential. In situ hybridization confirmed the changes observed by quantitative PCR. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed hypertrophy of nodal cells during postnatal development. Moreover, there were complex changes in the expression of Ca 2+ -handling proteins with age. In summary, there are significant postnatal changes in the expression of ion channels and Ca 2+ -handling proteins in the SAN that could explain the established changes in heart rate and action potential duration that occur during normal development.

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Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the development and progression of diabetes and its complications. The renin-angiotensin system also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and its complications. We hypothesized that curcumin and captopril would restore the kidney and nerve functions of diabetic rats through their angiotensin converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) inhibiting activity as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (100 mg·kg(-1) body weight). One week after induction of diabetes, rats were treated with 100 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) curcumin or 50 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) captopril orally for 6 weeks. Compared with diabetic control rats, curcumin- or captopril-treated diabetic rats had significantly improved blood glucose, lipid profile, kidney/body weight ratio, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and pain thresholds assessed by Von Frey filaments, hot plate test, and tail-flick test. Diabetic control rats showed increased levels of total peroxide, renal and neural tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10, and renal ACE1 compared with nondiabetic rats. Although treatment with either curcumin or captopril restored the altered variables, captopril was more effective in reducing these variables. ACE1 was positively correlated with BUN and creatinine and negatively correlated with paw withdrawal threshold, hot plate reaction time, and tail-flick latency, suggesting a possible causal relationship. We conclude that curcumin and captopril protect against diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy by inhibiting ACE1 as well as oxidation and inflammation. These findings suggest that curcumin and captopril may have a role in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and neuropathy.