AIMFast 2-dimension scanning and line-scanning of confocal imaging were employed for measurement of cardiac Ca2+ transients, and the advantages and disadvantages about these two scannings were discussed.

METHODSSingle adult SD rat cardiac myocytes were made freshly and loaded with fluo4-AM. Intracellular Ca2+ was imaging by the LSMS10 META system. The Ca2+ transients were evoked by electrical field stimulation from an electronic stimulator which was triggered to work synchronically with the confocal imaging system.

RESULTSFast 2-dimension scanning showed the global Ca2+ signal clearly, which would be more helpful especially in monitoring a cell of Ca2+ overload or in other pathological conditions. And the images could be packaged into a vivid animation, which showed the process of Ca2+ transients and cell contraction visually and virtually. Line-scanning showed the Ca2+ transients in good temporal and spacial resolutions along the long axis of the cell. And the dynamic shortening of the cell length could be used for indicating the contraction of the cell. Data from line-scanning would be helpful for drawing some more exact conclusions.

CONCLUSIONIn general, fast 2-dimension scanning and line-scanning could work reciprocally to show a more perfect picture of the intracellular Ca2+ transients in cardiac myocytes.