AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 247, Issue 2 337-H340, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
New Ca2+ agonist (Bay K 8644) enhances and induces cardiac slow action potentials
G. M. Wahler and N. Sperelakis
Bay K 8644 is an analogue of nifedipine that has positive inotropic and
vasoconstricting actions and was postulated to be a Ca agonist (i.e., a
Ca2+-channel activator). To test this hypothesis, we examined the
electrophysiological effects of this compound in isolated guinea pig
papillary muscles. Bay K 8644 (10(-6) M) had little effect on the normal
fast action potentials, although it did increase contractility. Bay K 8644
did, however, induce Ca2+-dependent slow action potentials (fast Na+
channels inactivated by 25 mM K+). When slow action potentials had been
previously induced by tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM) plus Ca2+ (4.0
mM) or isoproterenol (2 X 10(-7) M), 10(-6) M Bay K 8644 potentiated the
slow action potentials, i.e., increased their maximal rate of rise (Vmax),
concomitant with its positive inotropic effect. All effects of Bay K 8644
could be reversed by 10(-6) M nifedipine. Thus it appears that Bay K 8644
enhances Ca2+ influx through the myocardial slow channels, consistent with
the concept that Bay K 8644 is a Ca2+-channel stimulator.
