IONIC MECHANISMS UNDERLYING ELECTRICAL SLOW WAVES IN CANINE AIRWAY SMOOTH-MUSCLE

In canine bronchial smooth muscle (BSM), spasmogens evoke oscillations in membrane potential (''slow waves''). The depolarizing phase of the slow waves is mediated by voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels; we examine d the roles played by Cl- and K+ currents and Na+-K+-ATPase activity i n mediating the repolarizing phase. Slow waves were evoked using tetra ethylammonium (25 mM) in the presence or absence of niflumic acid (100 mu M; Cl- channel blocker) or ouabain (10 mu M; block Na+-K+-ATPase) or after elevating external K+ concentration ([K+]) to 36 mM (to block K+ currents); curve fitting was performed to quantitate the rates of rise/fall and frequency under these conditions. Slow waves were marked ly slowed, and eventually abolished, by niflumic acid but were unaffec ted by ouabain or high [K+]. Electrically evoked slow waves were also blocked in similar fashion by niflumic acid. We conclude that the repo larization phase is mediated by Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents. This info rmation, together with our earlier finding that the depolarizing phase is due to voltage-dependent Ca2+ current, suggests that slow waves in canine BSM involve alternating opening and closing of Ca2+ and Cl- ch annels.