K. Brixius et al., EFFECT OF INOTROPIC INTERVENTIONS ON CONTRACTION AND CA2+ TRANSIENTS IN THE HUMAN HEART, Journal of applied physiology, 83(2), 1997, pp. 652-660
The present study investigated the influences of inotropic interventio
n on the intracellular Ca2+ transient (intracellular Ca2+ concentratio
n ([Ca2+](i))} and contractile twitch. Isometric twitch and [Ca2+](i)
(fura 2 ratio method) were measured simultaneously (1 Hz, 37 degrees C
) after stimulation with Ca2+ (0.9-3.2 mM), the cardiac glycoside ouab
ain (Oua; 0.1 mu M), the beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenoceptor-agonist iso
prenaline (Iso; 1-10 nM), and the Ca2+ sensitizer EMD-57033 (30 mu M)
by using isolated human nonfailing right auricular trabeculae (n = 19)
. Inotropic interventions increased force of contraction and peak rate
of tension rise (+T) significantly. Only Iso stimulated peak rate of
tension decay (-T) higher than +T (P < 0.05), thereby reducing time of
contraction (T-twitch) EMD-57033 increased +T more effectively than -
T and prolonged T-twitch (P < 0.05). Ca2+, Oua, and Iso, but not EMD-5
7033, increased systolic Ca2+. Diastolic Ca2+ increased after stimulat
ion with Oua or Ca2+, but not in the presence of EMD-57033. Iso shorte
ned the Ca2+ transient and did not influence diastolic Ca2+. In conclu
sion, positive inotropic agents differently affect force and [Ca2+](i)
depending on their mode of action. Inotropic interventions influence
diastolic Ca2+ and thus may be less advantageous in a situation with a
ltered intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis (e.g., heart failure due to dila
ted cardiomyopathy).