Application of the myocardial tissue/silicon substrate microelectrode array technology on detecting the effection of Zhigancao Decoction medicated serum on cardiac electrophysiology.

BACKGROUND Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed that the total extract of Zhigancao Decoction, either as a single active compound or in combination, can inhibit arrhythmia. In this study, the myocardial tissue/silicon substrate microelectrode array (MEA) was used to detect the Zhigancao Decoction medicated serum of the New Zealand white rabbits right atrial appendage after rapid right atrium pacing (RAP). METHODS New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups, with eight rabbits per group. The first group was the control animal group (Group A). The second was the drug-free serum vehicle control group (Group B). The third group used serum-containing f Zhigancao Decoction (Group C) at various concentrations. The fourth group was the Zhigancao Decoction medicated serum group (Group D). After establishing the atrial fibrillation model, the field action potential duration (fAPD) of the right atrial appendage (RAA) in the control group, and in groups after different interventions, were measured. RESULTS We report of an atrial fibrillation model using by rapid right atrium atrial pacing, in which fAPD was significantly shorter 12 hours after pacing (P < 0.05). The intervention by 10% to 25% of drug-containing serum or decoction could prolong the fAPD of rabbit atrial appendage in atrial fibrillation rabbits in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION fAPD can be used as an indicator for the change of cardiac electrophysiological properties. 10% to 25% of Zhigancao Decoction medicated serum can prolong fAPD in atrial fibrillation rabbits, which may be the electrophysiological mechanism of atrial fibrillation resistance.