title: Effects of hydrocortisone on transmembrane currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes--possible evidence for positive inotropism.
abstract: Steroid hormones are thought to have a positive inotropic action, but the precise electrophysiological effects which underlie this positive inotropism remain unknown. The effects of hydrocortisone on the L-type calcium current (ICa) of the isolated guinea pig ventricular cells were investigated under the whole-cell voltage-clamp recording. Hydrocortisone (10(-6) to 10(-5) M) increased the amplitude of ICa without any changes in the voltage-dependency in ICa. This agent retarded the fast inactivation component of ICa, but not the slow component. On the other hand, hydrocortisone slightly reduced the slope conductance of inward rectifying potassium current (IK1) at potentials less than -50mV. This effect on IK1 is favorable for the activation of ICa. Thus, these results indicate that the positive inotropism of hydrocortisone is mediated, at least in part, by a direct potentiating effect on ICa.
authors: First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Yano
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Tsuda
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Kaji
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kanaya
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Fujino
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Niho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D006854:Hydrocortisone