Diltiazem potentiates mechanical activity in mammalian skeletal muscle.
The calcium antagonist drug diltiazem produces a concentration dependent increase in twitch amplitude and a decrease in the mechanical threshold in mouse and rat skeletal muscle fibers in vitro. The greater potency of the d-cis isomer of diltiazem over the 1-cis isomer suggests that the effects of diltiazem are specific and may result from its binding to a specific receptor.
D000818:Animals; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D001552:Benzazepines; D004110:Diltiazem