Class III anti-arrhythmia drug E-4031 potentiates Na+/Ca2+ exchange current in rat ventricular myocytes

AIM: To study the effects of E-4031 on the Na+/Ca2+ exchange currents (INa/Ca). METHODS: The quasi-steady state current-voltage relationship from the isolated rat ventricular myocytes was measured using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques with a ramp pulse protocol. RESULTS: At potential of mV, E-4031 5, 10, and 20 mumol.L-1 increased Ni(2+)-sensitive current from (0.48 +/- 0.12), to (0.78 +/- 0.20), (0.96 +/- 0.16), and (1.15 +/- 0.13) pA/pF, respectively; tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) 50 nmol.L-1 increased Ni(2+)-sensitive current from (0.60 +/- 0.16) to (1.33 +/- 0.25) pA/pF. Tamoxifen 20 mumol.L-1 completely prevented the current changes induced by E-4031 and TPA. CONCLUSION: E-4031 stimulates the Na+/Ca2+ exchange via a protein kinase C-dependent pathway.