Selective inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase III activity by the cardiotonic agent saterinone in guinea pig myocardium

The effects of saterinone [+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propoxy] phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) on force of contraction, beating frequency, and on phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity were investigated in isolated preparations from guinea pig hearts. The effects of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and milrinone were studied for comparison. Saterinone exerted a concentration-dependent (1-30 mumol/l) positive inotropic effect (EC50 = 9.1 mumol/l) in guinea pig papillary muscles. The drug was more potent in increasing force of contraction than was milrinone, but its efficacy was only half as great as that of milrinone. Also IBMX revealed an about 4-fold greater positive inotropic efficacy than saterinone. This study provides functional evidence that the positive inotropic effect of saterinone is at least partially due to a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent mechanism because carbachol antagonized the increase in force of contraction completely. In order to elucidate a possible mechanism of action of saterinone its effects on cardiac cAMP PDE activity were investigated. Saterinone selectively and potently inhibited the isoenzyme III of PDE (IC50 = 0.06 mumol/l). The mean IC50-values for the inhibition of PDE I and II were 323-fold greater. Thus, saterinone proved to be a selective inhibitor of "low-Km, cAMP specific" PDE III. Saterinone revealed only a moderate positive chronotropic effect. The beating frequency of guinea pig spontaneously beating right auricles was augmented by 26.4% at most, that is half as much as the effect of isoprenaline at a similarly effective positive inotropic concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacological properties of the positive inotropic and alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking agent saterinone

The pharmacological properties of saterinone [+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propoxy]phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) were investigated in isolated organs of the guinea pig and in human platelets. Saterinone was found to be a potent antagonist at vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptors with a pA2-value of 8.46 +/- 0.12. Besides its affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors saterinone exerted a positive inotropic effect in the isolated papillary muscle at an EC50-value of 3.2 X 10(-6)mol/l indicating 10-fold greater potency than milrinone. Comparable EC50-values were also found for the inotropic, chronotropic and bronchodilatory actions of the drug, indicating a common mechanism for these effects. The inotropic effects were not mediated by beta-adrenergic or H2-histaminergic receptors, but were shown to involve an elevation of myocardial cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content. Saterinone also inhibited crude cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in homogenates obtained from guinea pig right ventricles. The IC50-value for PDE-inhibition was 2.3 X 10(-5) mol/l and thus at a higher concentration than the inotropic effect. Saterinone was a potent inhibitor of human platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen and arachidonate. Against the latter agonist, saterinone was about 40-fold more effective than acetylsalicylic acid. In conclusion, saterinone exhibited a dual mechanism of action--direct inotropic effects in the myocardium and alpha 1-receptor blockade in the guinea pig vasculature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of milrinone (Win 47203) on the in vitro electropharmacological properties of mammalian cardiac tissue

The electropharmacological effects of milrinone (Win 47203), a new positive inotropic agent of the bipyridine class, were studied on dog and guinea pig cardiac muscle by means of microelectrode techniques. In dog Purkinje fibers perfused with a Krebs solution containing 4 mM K+, milrinone did not produce any changes in action potential configuration. However, rate of discharge from spontaneously active Purkinje fibers was increased by milrinone. In dog auricular and ventricular trabeculae, milrinone increased action potential amplitude, overshoot, and phase 2 of the action potential. The duration of the action potential and the effective refractory period were decreased. In guinea pig papillary muscle, the changes in the action potential produced by milrinone consisted of a slight increase in overshoot and a reduction in the duration of the action potential. Dog Purkinje fibers depolarized with 20 mM K+ did not respond to milrinone. When such depolarized Purkinje tissue was treated with norepinephrine, slow action potentials appeared, and these could be increased by milrinone. Depolarized dog trabeculae were quiescent and addition of milrinone produced a slow action potential; the amplitude, rate of depolarization, and duration of the slow action potentials were dependent on the milrinone concentration. In depolarized guinea pig papillary muscles, milrinone induced dose-dependent slow action potentials and contractions which could be reversed on washing. Preexisting slow action potentials induced by tetraethylammonium plus high [Ca]o were potentiated by milrinone in a dose-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Positive inotropic and electrophysiological effects of APP 201-533 can be explained by an increase of cardiac cyclic AMP

The possible mechanism of action of the positive inotropic agent APP 201-533 [3-amino-6-methyl-5-phenyl-2(1H)-pyridinone] was investigated. In guinea pig papillary muscles, APP 201-533 increased force of contraction concentration dependently at 10(-4)-10(-3) M. The effect was associated with an abbreviation of contraction and relaxation time. In guinea pig papillary muscles partially depolarized with 22 mM K+, APP 201-533 in concentrations of 10(-4) and 10(-5) M restored slow action potentials, which were not influenced by cimetidine, propranolol, and prazosin but were blocked by the Ca2+ antagonist PY 108-068 and by carbachol in an atropine-sensitive manner. The concentration-effect curve of histamine was shifted to the left in the presence of APP 201-533. These actions can be explained by the increase in cardiac cyclic AMP level that was found in rabbit papillary muscles and guinea pig left atria treated with APP 201-533 due to the known phosphodiesterase inhibitory effect of pyridinones. APP 201-533 increased the inotropic potency of dihydroouabain in guinea pig papillary muscles. It seems possible that this effect is based on an increased Ca2+ sensitivity of myocardial contractile structures as described previously for APP 201-533.     

The positive inotropic response to milrinone in isolated human and guinea pig myocardium

Summary The bipyridine derivative, milrinone, produced positive inotropic effects in isolated, contracting right ventricular papillary muscles and left atria from guinea pigs as well as in human papillary muscle strips. The inotropic effect was biphasic in guinea pig papillary muscles (EC₅₀, high affinity, 1.5×10^–6 mol/l, about 35% of maximal effect; apparent EC₅₀, 3×10^–5 mol/l with a maximal effect at 2×10^–4 mol/l) but monophasic in guinea pig left atria (EC₅₀, 6×10^–5 mol/l) and in human papillary muscle strips (EC₅₀, 5.8×10^–5 mol/l). In guinea pig papillary muscles, reserpine pretreatment or l-practolol preincubation reduced the low concentration effect only. In the presence of l-practolol, carbachol reduced the low concentration effect only. In the presence of l-practolol, carbachol reduced but not abolished the inotropic effects of milrinone (3×10^–6 mol/l, 1×10^–4 mol/l) in both guinea pig and human myocardium. This antagonism was prevented by atropine preincubation. The maximum inotropic effect of milrinone was similar to that of ouabain and calcium in guinea pig myocardium but markedly less than either calcium or ouabain in human myocardium. Milrinone inhibited crude guinea pig and human cardiac phosphodiesterase activity in vitro but did not inhibit ³H-ouabain binding to partially purified human cardiac (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase-containing membranes.We conclude that the primary mode of action of milrinone in both guinea pig and human myocardium is through inhibition of phosphodiesterase. The reduced maximal inotropic effect of milrinone compared with calcium in human but not in guinea pig myocardium indicates basic differences between healthy animal and diseased human cardiac muscle.These studies were supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Er 65/4-4)The human heart papillary muscles were provided by: Prof. E. Kreuzer, Prof. B. Kemkes, Dr. C. Weinhold, Herzchirurgische Klinik der Universität, Klinikum Grosshadern, München, Federal Republic of GermanyParts of these studies have been presented at the Joint Meeting of the German, Dutch and Belgian Pharmacological Societies in Aachen, September 1985 (Brown et al. 1985) and at the Symposium on Cardiac Glycosides 1785–1985 in München, October 1985 (Brown et al. 1986a)     

有机锗化物对豚鼠和家兔心脏电机械效应的影响

有机锗化物(二羧乙基锗三氧化物,dicarboxyethenylgermanium sesquioxide简称DCG)系一人工合成的新型化合物,分子式(GeCH_2CH_2COOH)_2O_3,分子量339.18,其中含纯锗42.8%。锗是生物体内非必需微量元素,在自然界及生物体内分布相当广泛。最近Ninomiya     

赛庚啶对豚鼠乳头状肌的收缩性与动作电位的影响

Cyp对豚鼠孔头状肌有浓度依赖性负性肌力作用,提高浴液钙浓度此作用减弱,对高K~+除极后ISO恢复的收缩抑制作用更强。较高浓度的Cyp使频率依赖性正阶梯现象取消和翻转。对乳头状肌AP,Cyp浓度依赖性地使APD_(20),APD_(50),APD_(90)和ERP缩短。灌流液中Ca~(2+)降低或升高分别使该作用增强或减弱,K~+的改变对其作用影响较小。提示Cyp对豚鼠乳头状肌收缩性和AP的作用可能主要是抑制心肌跨膜Ca~(2+)内流所致。     

Characterization of the cardiotonic effects of milrinone, a new and potent cardiac bipyridine, on isolated tissues from several animal species

The cardiotonic activity of milrinone (Win 47203), a potent analogue of amrinone, was demonstrated in isolated guinea pig, cat, rabbit, rat, and hamster atria and papillary muscles. Milrinone, in concentrations of 0.1-300 micrograms/ml, caused concentration-dependent increases in guinea pig papillary muscle and atrial developed tension with minimal increases in atrial rate. Compared with the in vitro inotropic activity of amrinone, milrinone was approximately 30 times more potent. The inotropic and chronotropic effects of milrinone do not appear to be mediated by the release of endogenous norepinephrine, by the direct stimulation of beta-adrenergic or histaminergic receptors, or through the stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis. The inotropic response of the guinea pig papillary muscles to isoproterenol was potentiated when isoproterenol was given at the peak effect of a minimally effective concentration of milrinone or after prolonged incubation with milrinone. No potentiation was observed when isoproterenol was administered at the peak effect of a high concentration of milrinone, which suggests that the positive inotropic action of milrinone may not be solely attributable to cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibition.     

The role of cyclic AMP and the dihydropyridine-sensitive channels on the mechanism of action of milrinone (Corotrope)

Milrinone (Corotrope) increased cyclic AMP levels in dog guinea pig and rat cardiac muscle. A correlation between the increase in contractile force and cyclic AMP levels in dog ventricular trabeculae was obtained when measurements were made 60-70 s after the addition of milrinone. When cyclic AMP levels were determined at the time of maximal contractile response, only concentrations of milrinone 200-300 times the inotropic dose had any effects in elevating cyclic nucleotide levels. In dog Purkinje tissue and rat cardiac muscle, milrinone had minimal or no effects on contractile force but increased cardiac cyclic AMP levels. Sequential doses of milrinone to perfused guinea pig hearts resulted in severe tachyphylaxis to the inotropic activity of milrinone. However, under these conditions, milrinone was found to elevate cardiac cyclic AMP upon each administration. Furthermore, in this preparation, cross-tachyphylaxis between Bay K 8644 and milrinone was demonstrated. The mechanism of action of Bay K 8644, which acts on sarcolemmal Ca2+, is not mediated by increases in cyclic AMP. Following development of tachyphylaxis to Bay K 8644, in the guinea pig hearts, addition of milrinone results in no increases in contractile force but a significant increase in cyclic AMP levels. In all of the instances of tachyphylaxis, isoproterenol increased both contractile force and cyclic AMP. The data are discussed and we put forth the hypothesis that increased cardiac force due to milrinone is in part due to a direct or indirect action on sarcolemmal Ca2+ channels.     

Hemodynamic and electrophysiological effects of a novel positive inotropic drug, OPC-8212, in normal and "failing" guinea pig heart preparations

OPC-8212, 3,4-dihydro-6-[4-(3,4-dimethoxy-benzoyl)-1-piperazinyl]-2 (1H)-quinolinone, significantly decreased heart rate and increased contractility (+ dP/dt) and coronary flow in isolated, perfused guinea pig Langendorff and work-performing heart preparations. The effect on contractility, but not on coronary flow, was significantly greater when the negative chronotropic effect was prevented by pacing. In guinea pig hearts made incompetent by aortic stenosis, OPC-8212 produced a significant increase in contractility and coronary flow and greater negative chronotropic effects than in control hearts. OPC-8212 improved the work performance of normal and "failing" isolated work-performing guinea pig hearts during pressure load and during volume load. In electrophysiological studies, OPC-8212 enhance Vmax, amplitude, and duration of fast action potentials (APs) in guinea pig papillary muscles. Tetraethylammonium (TEA)-induced slow APs were also potentiated with respect to Vmax, amplitude, and duration. OPC-8212 in the absence of TEA also lowered the voltage threshold for inducing the slow APs. Positive inotropic effects, but not the slow APs, of guinea pig papillary muscles were greatly enhanced by OPC-8212 at higher frequencies of stimulation (2-3 Hz), indicating an important mechanism of action that may be at least in part independent of Isi.     

Cardiovascular effects of the new cardiotonic agent 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate. 1st communication: studies on isolated guinea pig cardiac muscles

Cardiotonic effects and the mechanism of action of 1,2-dihydro-6-methyl-2-oxo-5-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)-3-pyridine carbonitrile hydrochloride monohydrate (E-1020), a new cardiotonic agent, were investigated in vitro. E-1020 (10(-7)-10(-4) mol/l) produced a concentration-dependent positive inotropic effect in papillary muscles. E-1020 also caused an increase in contractile force in the right atria which was accompanied by small increases in spontaneous beating rate. The inotropic effect of E-1020 on papillary muscles was not altered by treatment with beta-adrenoceptor or histamine H2-receptor blockade, but was attenuated by the muscarinic agonist, carbachol. E-1020, like isoprenaline (isoproterenol, Iso), restored the contraction of papillary muscles which had been arrested in a high-potassium solution. The inotropic response of papillary muscles to Iso was potentiated by pretreatment with E-1020 at a minimally-effective inotropic concentration (3 x 10(-7) mol/l). E-1020 did not affect the activity of dog kidney Na+, K+-ATPase. On the other hand, the compound specifically inhibited the cyclic AMP-specific isoenzyme (fraction III) of phosphodiesterase and caused an elevation of cyclic AMP content in guinea pig hearts. These results indicate that E-1020 is a potent cardiotonic agent with a minor chronotropic effect and that its inotropic action is mainly mediated by the rise in cardiac cyclic AMP content due to the inhibition of cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase.     

UD-CG 115 — a cardiotonic pyridazinone which elevates cyclic AMP and prolongs the action potential in guinea-pig papillary muscle

The mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of a benzimidazole-pyridazinone, UD-CG 115, was analysed in the isolated guinea-pig papillary muscle contracting isometrically at a frequency of 0.2 Hz. UD-CG 115 produced a slowly developing and poorly reversible positive inotropic effect increasing with concentration (3-300 mumol/l). The effect amounted to 30 and 74% of the maximum inotropic effect of a standard, dihydroouabain, at 34 and 300 mumol/l, respectively. Low concentrations shortened and 300 mumol/l UD-CG 115 significantly prolonged the duration of contraction. The enhancement of the maximum rate of relaxation, S2, was intermediate between those produced by isoprenaline and dihydroouabain, respectively. UD-CG 115 prolonged the duration of the transmembrane action potential (90% repol .) by up to 22% at 300 mumol/l, whereas an equieffective concentration of isoprenaline did not consistently alter action potential duration. UD-CG 115 increased Vmax and overshoot, and prolonged the duration, of slow action potentials elicited at 24 mmol/l [K]0. The inotropic potency of UD-CG 115 was not significantly changed by reserpine pretreatment of the guinea pig or by the presence of 1 mumol/l(-)-propranolol, 3 mumol/l phentolamine or 10 mumol/l cimetidine. Neither was it reduced by 10 mumol/l TTX. The inotropic effect of 100 mumol/l UD-CG 115 remained unchanged when [K]0 was elevated from 3.2 to 12.0 mmol/l. A sarcolemmal preparation of guinea- pig ventricular Na,K-ATPase was only slightly inhibited by the highest concentration of UD-CG 115.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on the mechanism of positive inotropic activity of Ro 13-6438, a structurally novel cardiotonic agent with vasodilating properties

We investigated the possible mechanisms involved in the positive inotropic activity of Ro 13-6438 (R-6-chloro-1,5-dihydro-3- methylimidazo -[2,1-b] quinazolin -2[ 3H]-one), a structurally novel cardiotonic agent with vasodilating properties. The positive inotropic response to Ro 13-6438 of the isolated guinea pig papillary muscle was accompanied by inhibition of myocardial phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels Ro 13-6438 had no effect on Na+,K+-stimulated or Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity and did not influence the rate of 45Ca uptake in cardiac membrane vesicles. Ro 13-6438 caused a concentration-dependent increase in the upstroke velocity, overshoot, and duration of slow action potentials evoked in partially depolarized papillary muscles. Pretreatment of guinea pigs with reserpine did not prevent the effects of Ro 13-6438 on slow action potentials, but slightly decreased its positive inotropic activity. The muscarinic agonist carbachol reversed the Ro 13-6438-induced enhancement of contractility and changes in the slow action potential in an atropine-sensitive manner. These results indicate that the positive inotropic effects of Ro 13-6438 are correlated with PDE inhibition, increased cAMP levels, and an increase of the slow action potential in ventricular myocardium. It is suggested that the elevated cAMP levels resulting from the Ro 13-6438-induced inhibition of PDE enhance the slow inward Ca2+ current.     

Influence of N-ethylmaleimide on action potential and force of contraction of guinea-pig papillary muscles.

1. Standard microelectrode techniques were used to investigate the influence of N-ethylmaleimide on the action potential, slow response action potential and force of contraction of guinea-pig papillary muscles. 2. N-ethylmaleimide, 3 x 10(-5) to 10(-4) mol l-1, concentration-dependently increased the force of contraction. The positive inotropic effect developed quickly and, with the largest drug concentration, was followed by a progressive decline of the contractile force. The action potential duration was progressively shortened by N-ethylmaleimide. 3. The effects of N-ethylmaleimide were not prevented in the presence of tetrodotoxin 3 x 10(-8) mol l-1 and propranolol 4 x 10(-6) mol l-1 or by a reduction of the Na(+)-concentration to 70 mmol l-1. 4. Verapamil, 10(-6) mol l-1, reduced the positive inotropic, but not the action potential shortening effect of N-ethylmaleimide. 5. In K(+)-depolarized muscles in the presence of propranolol and tetrodotoxin, N-ethylmaleimide 10(-4) mol l-1 increased the maximum depolarization velocity and the duration of the slow response action potential. The latter effect was transient and was followed by a progressive reduction of the action potential duration. 6. The most likely explanation for the action potential shortening effect of N-ethylmaleimide seems to be an increase of an outward potassium current while the transient inotropic effect of the drug may be caused, at least in part, by an increase of the slow inward calcium current.     

Positive inotropic and vasodilatory actions of saterinone in vivo

The cardiovascular actions of the newly developed inotropic and alpha 1-receptor blocking agent saterinone [+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propoxy]phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) was investigated in small laboratory animals in vivo. Saterinone caused a direct inotropic effect in pithed guinea pigs without affecting heart rate. In the same animal species saterinone competitively antagonized the pressor effects of phenylephrine at inotropic doses. In conscious rabbits saterinone exerted dose-dependent increase in left ventricular dP/dtmax and in heart rate, whilst reducing arterial blood pressure in the same dose range. The drug dose-dependently antagonized phenylephrine as evidence of its alpha 1-receptor blocking effects in the conscious rabbit. The duration of alpha 1-receptor blockade was longer than the duration of inotropic effects. The onset of inotropic and vascular effects of saterinone was found to be simultaneous, when the drug was slowly infused into the femoral vein of anesthetized cats. The saterinone dose which caused a significant inhibition of the pressor effects of phenylephrine (comparable to prazosin) still caused a reduction of femoral perfusion pressure and systemic blood pressure in anesthetized cats pretreated with phenoxybenzamine. Thus in contrast to prazosin, which was rendered ineffective after phenoxybenzamine, saterinone possesses an additional mechanism for vasodilation. Saterinone exhibited good oral efficacy in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in conscious cats, in which an oral dose of 10-30 mg/kg significantly reduced arterial blood pressure or increased left ventricular dP/dtmax, respectively. Thus saterinone exerts in vivo direct positive inotropic and vasodilating effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lack of stereoselectivity in the inotropic and phosphodiesterase inhibitory effects of saterinone enantiomers

The enantiomers of the positive inotropic and a1-adrenoceptor blocking agent saterinone (+/-)-1,2-dihydro-5-[4-[2-hydroxy-3- [4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propoxy] phenyl]-6-methyl-2-oxo-3-pyridine-carbonitrile, BDF 8634) have been investigated with in vitro and in vivo models in laboratory animals. In the guinea pig papillary muscle, saterinone enantiomers had equipotent inotropic activity and were also as potent as racemic saterinone; the (R)-enantiomer, however, exhibited a greater efficacy than the related compounds. Saterinone and its enantiomers were equipotent in the inhibition of phosphodiesterase PDE III activity in the guinea pig myocardium. The equipotent inotropic effects were also observed after parenteral and enteral administration in cats. In receptor binding studies, (S)-saterinone was 10-fold more potent than (R)-saterinone by inhibiting [3H]-prazosin binding to specific alpha 1-adrenoceptor sites in rat brain cortex membranes. However, in the isolated thoracic aorta of the rabbit, (S)-saterinone was only 3-fold more potent than (R)-saterinone at preventing the pressor effects of phenylephrine. When the enantiomers were tested in vivo against the pressor effects of phenylephrine in the pithed rat, (S)-saterinone was only 2-fold more potent than (R)-saterinone in its alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocking potency. Thus the enantiomers of saterinone do not display enantio-selectivity in their inotropic and PDE III inhibitory effects in vitro, nor in their cardiotonic effects in vivo. There is a slight enantio-selectivity at alpha 1-adrenoceptors in receptor binding studies, but this is reduced to biologically irrelevant magnitude in functional studies in vitro and in vivo.     

Cardiac profile of EGIS-9377, a novel cardiotonic agent as a Ca2+ sensitizer with bradycardiac activity

The cardiac profile of EGIS-9377 ?2-(1-methylthio)-5-(2-morpholinoethylamino)-8,9-dihydro-7H-thi opyrano[3,2-d][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine dihydrochloride?, a newly synthesized cardiotonic agent, was compared with those of pimobendan and isoprenaline in cardiac preparations isolated from guinea pigs. The positive inotropic potency and efficacy of EGIS-9377 were equal to those of pimobendan in electrically paced papillary muscles, with each agent maximally increasing force of contraction by 30-35% of the maximum effect of isoprenaline. The positive inotropic effects of EGIS-9377 and pimobendan were accompanied by an increase in the relaxation time of the isometric contraction curve, whereas that of isoprenaline was associated with an abbreviation of this parameter. Pimobendan significantly increased the spontaneously beating frequency of right atria, and its positive chronotropic effect amounted to 40% of the maximum effect of isoprenaline. In contrast, EGIS-9377 exerted a significant negative chronotropic action, which resulted in a 30% decrease in the basal frequency. In beta-escin-skinned trabecular muscles, both EGIS-9377 and pimobendan substantially enhanced contractions induced by Ca2+. EGIS-9377 at concentrations to cause a significant negative chronotropic action produced a marked prolongation of action potential duration (APD) in guinea pig papillary muscle and greatly inhibited the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in guinea pig ventricular single cells. This suggests that the negative chronotropic effect of EGIS-9377 may, at least in part, be due to the prolongation of APD as a result of the I(K) inhibition. The present results indicate that EGIS-9377 efficiently increases myocardial contractile force possibly due to its Ca2+ -sensitizing activity, and yet produces a substantial negative chronotropic action. This cardiac profile of EGIS-9377 is suggested to be a clinically favorable feature compared with the inotropic agents having cyclic AMP generation or phosphodiesterase inhibition as their action mechanisms.     

Effect of 1-acyl-5,6-dialkoxy-2-alkylthiobenzo[d] imidazoles on the action potential duration and isometric contraction in guinea pig atrium activated by carbachol and in guinea pig heart papillary muscles

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that some benzo[d]imidazole derivatives (1-(5,6-dimethoxy-2-methylthio-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-ethanone (1), 1-(6-ethylthio-5H[1,31dioxolo[4',5':4,5] benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-1-propanone (2), 1-(2-ethylthio-6,7-dihydro-1H[1,4]dioxino [2:3':4,5]benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-1-pro-panone (3) and 2,3,9,10-tetrahydro-8H [1,4]dioxino[2' 3":4',5']benzo[4,5]imid-azo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazin-10-one (4)) possess strong cardiotonic activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of compounds 1-4 on the action potential (AP) duration and contractile force in guinea pig atrium activated by carbachol and in guinea pig heart papillary muscles. METHODS: The experiments were carried out on the guinea pig papillary muscles and atrium. Isometric contraction and transmembrane potential were recorded using a force transducer and standard microelectrode technique. RESULTS: Compounds 1-4 exerted a positive inotropic effect in a dose-dependent manner on the electrically driven left atrium and papillary muscles, more pronounced in atrium. In response to 1 micromol/L carbachol the AP duration at a 90 % repolarization in atrium shortened more than 70 %, the isometric contraction decreased to the similar level as well. Compounds 1 and 4 significantly antagonized the shortening of the AP duration induced by carbachol and increased it. Compound 1 abolished the reduction of isometric contraction as well. Derivative 3 significantly lengthened (31 ms) the AP duration at a 90 % repolarization in papillary muscles, while 1 and 4 failed to affect this index. The selective blockade of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current (Ikr) by dl-sotalol (1 micromol/L) did not show the substantial influence on benzimidazole effects. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that the tested benzo[d] imidazole derivatives abolish the influence of carbachol on AP and the isometric contraction by inhibition of acetylcholine-activated potassium current (KACh) in guinea pig atrial myocytes and therefore may be beneficial for the prognosis of patients with advanced heart failure and atrial fibrillation.     

Effects of trapidil on electrical activities of canine ventricular muscle

The effects of N,N-diethyl-5-methyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-alpha]pyrimidine-7-amine (trapidil) on the electrical activities of canine right ventricular muscle were studied using standard microelectrode techniques. Trapidil (10(-4) and 10(-3) mol/l) increased the plateau amplitude and shortened the duration of the action potential without changing the resting membrane potential and the maximum rate of rise of the action potential. Trapidil (10(-3) mol/l) restored regenerative action potentials (the slow response) in the ventricular muscle depolarized by elevation of extracellular K+ concentrations to 30 mmol/l. The slow response induced by trapidil was not affected by pindolol (10(-7) mol/l) which abolished that elicited by isoprenaline (10(-6) mol/l). These results indicate that the action of trapidil on the cardiac cell membrane is to increase the slow inward current during the action potential independently of stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors. Taken together with the results obtained by previous investigations the present results suggest that the increase in slow inward current during the action potential would be responsible for the positive inotropic effect of trapidil and would probably be related to its inhibitory action on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.