The effect of calcium channels blockade on slow-wave distribution in the electrophysiological model of human gastric wall smooth muscle cells

Two of the most important ion channels in the smooth muscle membrane are L-type and T-type calcium channels. L-type calcium channels are responsible for smooth muscle contraction, while T-type calcium channels are involved in cell membrane depolarization.

In this study, a model consisting of 1200 cells was used to simulate the smooth muscle of the gastric wall. The paper explores the effects of blocking 10%, 50%, 90%, and 100% of L-type and T-type calcium channels on the spatiotemporal wavefront propagation in human gastric wall smooth muscle cells, simulated separately.

The results showed that complete blockage had the most significant effect on the slow-wave. Blockage of the L-type calcium channel led to a reduction of -3.4% and -0.8% in the membrane potential during the spike and plateau phases, respectively. The T-type calcium channel reduced the spike and resting membrane potential by -1.8% and -0.9%, respectively. In addition, the L-type calcium channel exhibited a greater impact on reducing muscle contraction compared to the T-type calcium channel. This suggests that higher blockage of calcium channels led to decreased membrane potential during slow-wave phases and reduced muscle contraction, compared to the physiological state.

Blocking ion channels in electrophysiological models can potentially help control gastrointestinal tract motility disorders and smooth muscle contraction.