Figure 1. Whole-cell patch clamp methods were employed to study acid-induced currents to pH 6.7 in DRG neurons of control rats and rats with 24 h of femoral artery ligation.

Two different ASIC currents were distinguished on the basis of their inactivation kinetics. One type of current exhibited a slow inactivating rate (larger τ value) and was only expressed in small DRG neurons with a cell capacitance of <20 pF. This group of currents represents typically an ASIC_1a response to pH 6.7. Another type of current had rapid inactivation kinetics (smaller τ value), and the currents were observed in small, medium and large DRG neurons with cell capacitance ranging from 10 to 60 pF. Those currents are typically observed as recombinant ASIC₃ channels are activated. Note that there were no significant differences in inactivating rate and cell capacitance for DRG neurons of control rats and occluded rats.