Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes--a model for the study of morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart.

The neonatal rat cardiomyocyte model enables heart researchers to study and understand the morphological, biochemical and electrophysiological characteristics of the heart. This model offers a broad spectrum of experiments, such as studies of contraction, ischaemia, hypoxia and the toxicity of various compounds. This review examines the methodology for the isolation and cultivation of primary neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cultures, considers possible problems and pitfalls, and presents an optimized protocol for cardiomyocyte preparation.