The nature of the initial positive inotropic effect of K depletion in bullfrog atrial muscle.
In frog atrium, K depletion exerts initial, and late positive inotropic effects. The initial effect on the membrane potential, current and tension components was studied using a double gap method under voltage clamped and unclamped conditions. In both cases, the presence of the initial effect was demonstrated. The effect was clearer in preparations in which a positive inotropic effect to toxic doses of ouabain (10(-6) M) had already been attained. This suggests that the initial phase is independent from Na-pump inhibition. Voltage clamp study revealed that the slow inward calcium current (ICa) was enhanced transiently after K depletion concomitant with an augmentation of ICa-dependent phasic tension. ICa-independent tonic tension was not altered at this initial phase. For the enhancement of ICa, two mechanisms appeared to be involved, one an enhancement of gCa and the other a faster and/or longer opening of the slow channel. These results indicated that an enhancement of ICa together with the well-known prolongation of action potential were the cause of the initial positive inotropic effect of K depletion.
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D012996:Solutions; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D007473:Ion Channels; D012996:Solutions; D011188:Potassium