Mechanistic insights into ventricular arrhythmogenesis of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19

  1. Gongxin Wang
  2. Chieh-Ju Lu
  3. Andrew W. Trafford
  4. Xiaohui Tian
  5. Hannali M Flores
  6. Piotr Maj
  7. Kevin Zhang
  8. Yanhong Niu
  9. Luxi Wang
  10. Yimei Du
  11. Xinying Ji
  12. Yanfang Xu
  13. Lin Wu
  14. Dan Li
  15. Neil Herring
  16. David Paterson
  17. Christopher L.-H. Huang
  18. Henggui Zhang
  19. Ming Lei
  20. Guoliang Hao
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Abstract

Aims

We investigate mechanisms for potential pro-arrhythmic effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) alone, or combined with azithromycin (AZM), in Covid-19 management supplementing the limited available experimental cardiac safety data.

Methods

We integrated patch-clamp studies utilizing In Vitro ProArrhythmia Assay (CiPA) Schema IC50paradigms, molecular modelling, cardiac multi-electrode array and voltage (RH237) mapping, ECG studies, and Ca2+(Rhod-2 AM) mapping in isolated Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts with human in-silico ion current modelling.

Results

HCQ blocked IKrand IK1with IC50s (10±0.6 and 34±5.0 μM) within clinical therapeutic ranges, INaand ICaLat higher IC50s, leaving Itoand IKsunaffected. AZM produced minor inhibition of INa, ICaL, IKs, and IKr,, sparing IK1and Ito. HCQ+AZM combined inhibited IKrand IK1with IC50s of 7.7±0.8 μM and 30.4±3.0 μM, sparing INa, ICaLand Ito. Molecular modelling confirmed potential HCQ binding to hERG. HCQ slowed heart rate and ventricular conduction. It prolonged PR, QRS and QT intervals, and caused prolonged, more heterogeneous, action potential durations and intracellular Ca2+transients. These effects were accentuated with combined HCQ+AZM treatment, which then elicited electrical alternans, re-entrant circuits and wave break. Modelling studies attributed these to integrated HCQ and AZM actions reducing IKrand IK1, thence altering cell Ca2+homeostasis.

Conclusions

Combined HCQ+AZM treatment exerts pro-arrhythmic ventricular events by synergetically inhibiting IKr, IKswith resulting effects on cellular Ca2+signalling, and action potential propagation and duration. These findings provide an electrophysiological basis for recent FDA cardiac safety guidelines cautioning against combining HCQ/AZM when treating Covid-19.

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