Myocardial depressant effects of diethylcarbamazine citrate in vitro.
The effects of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DECC) have been examined in isolated, electrically driven left atria of guinea-pigs. This anthelmintic drug (DECC, 10(-9) -10(-4) M) produced a sustained, concentration-dependent depression of atrial contractile tension that was reversible by replacing the incubation fluid with DECC-free physiological solution. The negative inotropic response induced by DECC was antagonized in a competitive manner by increasing the calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration of the bathing fluid. On the contrary, the myocardial depressant effects of DECC were antagonized in a non-competitive manner by noradrenaline (NA). The present findings suggest a direct negative inotropic effect of DECC and indicate that this anthelmintic drug interferes with the empirical function of Ca2+ in the events leading to mechanical activity of the isolated atrial myocardium.
D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D007545:Isoproterenol; D002118:Calcium; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine; D009638:Norepinephrine