Measurement of contraction of isolated cardiomyocytes during anoxia/reoxygenation and the antagonism of Salvia miltiorrhiza

The purpose of the present study was to determine the alterations of contraction parameters in isolated cardiomyocytes under anoxia and reoxygenation by using a video tracking system developed by us and examine the pharmacological application of this system to determine the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) on anoxia and reoxygenation-induced mechanical changes. The results showed that the parameters measured were stable and consistent with those determined by other commercial device. Anoxia and reoxygenation reduced the peak velocity of cell shortening/relengthening (+/- dL/dtmax), the amplitude of contraction (dL) and the end-diastolic cell length of the isolated ventricular myocyte. Under normoxia SM alone also decreased the parameters, but under anoxia followed by reoxygenation SM attenuated the alterations of the contraction parameters. The results indicate that the video tracking system is a valuable tool for analyzing the mechanical events of cardiomyocytes and SM could protect cardiomycytes against the deterioration of contraction function induced by anoxia and reoxygenation.