Effects of the Ca2+ sensitizer EMD 57033 on intracellular Ca2+ in rat ventricular myocytes: relevance to arrhythmogenesis during positive inotropy

We have investigated the effects of the calcium-sensitizing inotropic agent EMD 57033 on Ca2+ handling in intact and skinned rat ventricular myocytes. Intracellular Ca2+ was monitored using fura 2. Myocytes were saponin-skinn ed, allowing study of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function. In intact myocy tes EMD 57033 (1-10 mu mol/l) produced a concentration-dependent decrease i n the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient and prolonged its declining phase, bu t had no effect on the rise time. In skinned myocytes, the amplitude of spo ntaneous Ca2+ release from the SR was decreased by EMD 57033 (5 and 10 mu m ol/l), although this agent had no significant effect on the frequency of sp ontaneous Ca2+ release. In the presence of the cross-bridge inhibitor 2,3-b utanedione monoxime (5 mmol/l), or in a low bathing Ca2+ concentration (I m mol/l), EMD 57033 (10 mu mol/l) had smaller effects on both the amplitude a nd time course of the Ca2+ transient in intact cells than in the absence of 2,3-butanedione monoxime or in the presence of 2 and 5 mmol/l Ca2+ respect ively. These data suggest that the effects of EMD 57033 on Ca2+ are due to changes in Ca2+ binding to troponin C, secondary to cross-bridge formation. Thus, during positive inotropy, EMD 57033 is unlikely to provoke arrhythmi as due to effects on SR Ca2+ handling. In intact cells, its effects on Ca2 handling would be expected to protect against arrhythmias.