A study of the contractures induced in frog atrial trabeculae by a reduction of the bathing sodium concentration

1. The relationship between the [Ca](o), the [Na](o) and the strength of the contracture evoked when the [Na](o) is reduced has been investigated in isolated frog atrial trabeculae.2. The strength of the contracture varies by the [Ca](o) (2) and by 4 radical([Na](o)) over the lower tension range.3. The contracture induced by reduction of [Na](o) is not sustained, but relaxes spontaneously. The rate of this relaxation is only dependent on the [Na](o) is the presence of strophanthidin.4. After the spontaneous relaxation of an Na-free contracture, the ability of the trabecula to develop tension upon a second challenge with Na-free solution returns in about 3 min if the muscle is perfused with Na-containing fluid. This recovery process is slowed if the [Na](o) is low during the recovery period, but the recovery is hastened by electrical stimulation of the preparation or by perfusion with K-free or strophanthidin containing sodium-Ringer.5. It is suggested that the influx of Ca(2+) which induces the Na-free contracture depends on the presence of Na(+) inside the cells. When the intracellular Na concentration falls, the Ca influx falls, and the muscle relaxes as a result of the activity of an intracellular relaxing structure.

Interaction of external K, Na, and cardioactive steroids with the Na-K pump of the human red blood cell

The interaction of extracellular Na (Na(o)), K (K(o)), and strophanthidin with the Na-K pump of the human red blood cell has been investigated. Inhibition by submaximal concentrations of strophanthidin rapidly reaches a level which does not increase further over a relatively long period of time. Under these circumstances, it is possible to apply a steady-state kinetic analysis to the interaction of Na(o), K(o), and strophanthidin with the pump. In Na-free solutions, strophanthidin increases the apparent K(1/2) of the pump for K(o), but does not change the form of the relation between the reciprocal of the active K influx ((i)M(K) (P-1)) and the reciprocal of [K(o)] ([K(o)](-1)); the relation both in the presence and absence of strophanthidin is adequately described by a straight line. In solutions containing Na, strophanthidin changes the form of the curve describing the relation between (i)M(K) (P-1) vs. [K(o)](-1); the curve becomes more parabolic in solutions containing strophanthidin. The rate of ouabain binding to K-free cells has also been measured; in the absence of K, the rate of binding is unaffected by Na(o). The data are considered in terms of a simple kinetic model. The findings can be explained if it is supposed that at low external K the form of the pump combined with one Na(o) is more likely to combine with strophanthidin than is the uncombined form of the pump. The uncombined form of the pump is more likely to combine with K even at very low K(o) than with strophanthidin.

Effect of calcium on acetylstrophanthidin-induced transient depolarizations in canine Purkinje tissue

The role of calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) in the generation of transient depolarizations (TDs) by acetylstrophanthidin was examined. Transmembrane activity was recorded from isolated canine false tendons exposed to acetylstrophanthidin; concentrations from 7.5 x 10 -8 to 2 x 10 -7 g/ml caused TDs coupled to driven action potentials and depressed slow diastolic depolarization. TDs could reach threshold and induce extrasystoles. Elevation of the Ca 2+ concentration increased the amplitude of TDs induced by acetylstrophanthidin. High Ca 2+ concentration (12.5 mM) caused TDs and depression of slow diastolic depolarization in the absence of acetylstrophanthidin. Elevation of potassium (K + ) concentration depressed and reduction of K + concentration potentiated TDs caused by either acetylstrophanthidin or high Ca 2+ concentration. The production of TDs and the depression of slow diastolic depolarization by acetylstrophanthidin were reversed by reduction of the Ca 2+ concentration or addition of manganese (2 mM) to the superfusing Tyrode's solution. The results suggest that TDs and arrhythmias produced by acetylstrophanthidin may be caused by a transient Ca 2+ influx.