title: Frequency-dependent depression of Vmax in K(+)-depolarized guinea pig papillary muscle by tetrandrine.
abstract: The effect of tetrandrine (Tet), a calcium antagonist, on the maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) of depolarization in K(+)-depolarized guinea pig papillary muscles was studied by standard microelectrode method with computer. The results showed that: (1) the resting block of Tet on Vmax was concentration dependent; (2) the drug (50 or 100 mumol.L-1) caused a marked frequency-dependent block of Vmax, which accounted for 65 +/- 8% of total block at a concentration of 100 mumol.L-1 and the pacing frequency of 0.3 Hz; (3) the recovery kinetics of Vmax could be characterized as a biexponential function, of which the second phase was prolonged by the drug; (4) compared with verapamil, nitrendipine, and diltiazem, the above-mentioned effects of Tet on Vmax were similar to those of diltiazem. These results suggest that Tet can block calcium channel in both frequency-dependent and frequency-independent manner, mainly the former.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical College, China.
authors.forename: Q P
authors.initials: QP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009568:Nitrendipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; C009438:tetrandrine; D009568:Nitrendipine; D014700:Verapamil; D004110:Diltiazem