title: Arachidonic acid enhances contraction and intracellular Ca2+ transients in individual rat ventricular myocytes.
abstract: Modulation of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by inotropic stimuli alters contractility in cardiac muscle. Arachidonic acid (AA), a precursor for eicosanoid formation, is released in response to receptor activation and myocardial ischemia and has been demonstrated to alter K+ and Ca2+ channel activity. We investigated the effects of AA on contractility by simultaneously measuring [Ca2+]i and shortening in single field-stimulated rat ventricular myocytes. [Ca2+]i transients were measured using fura 2, and myocyte shortening was assessed using video edge detection. AA stimulated a doubling in the amplitude of the [Ca2+]i transient and a twofold increase in myocyte shortening. In addition, AA stimulated a 30% increase in the time to 50% diastolic [Ca2+]i and a 35% increase in the time to 50% relengthening. These effects of AA were mediated by AA itself (56 +/- 5%) and by cyclooxygenase metabolites. Pretreatment with the protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine and chelerythrine nearly abolished (> 90% inhibition) these AA-induced effects. Inhibition of voltagegated K+ channels with 4-aminopyridine mimicked the effects of AA. Addition of AA to the 4-aminopyridine-treated myocyte had no additional effect on parameters of contractile function. These data indicate that AA alters the amplitude and duration of Ca2- transients and myocyte shortening via protein kinase C-dependent inhibition of voltage-gated K+ channels. Release of AA by phospholipases in response to receptor activation by endogenous mediators or pathological stimuli may be involved in mediating inotropic responses in cardiac muscle.
authors.affiliation: Center for Anesthesiology Research, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Damron
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D065607:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D065607:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D002118:Calcium