

Guinea-pig cardiomyocytes for preclinical drug studies
Due to their origin, guinea-pig ventricular cardiomyocytes present the same functional and electrophysiological characteristics as native cardiomyocytes. This study model allows to test drugs on ventricular cells within the general cardiomyocyte population in order to reveal potential ventricular dysfunctions. The guinea-pig cardiomyocyte model also allows to reduce the number of animals (one animal can provide several experiments) in accordance with the 3R rule (Replacement-Reduction-Refinement).
Animal cardiomyocytes & cardiac safety
Ventricular cardiomyocytes from guinea-pigs provide a good solution to study drug effects on action potential. This in vitro model is well established in cardiac safety studies as it is included in the ICH S7B guideline for in vitro eletrophysiology follow-up studies. It can be useful to evaluate the cardiac safety of newly developed drugs according to the recommendations of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.
What is shown?
To evaluate the cardiac safety of your drug, we study its effects on the shape of the action potential. A modification of the shape of the action potential gives information about ion channels effects.
Technique
- Manual Patch Clamp (current clamp configuration)
- Non-cumulative concentrations
Study model
- Isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes by enzymatic digestion
- 3 to 6 treated cardiomyocytes
Measured parameters
- Resting Potential (mV)
- Amplitude (mV)
- Action Potential Duration at 20% and 90% repolarisation (ADP20, ADP90) (ms)
Stimulation protocol

Typical effects of Dofetilide on guinea-pig ventricular cardiomyocytes.
Reference products
- E-4031
- Dofetilide