Electrophysiologic Effects of Beta-blocking Agent, Tilisolol, on Isolated Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes

BACKGROUND: Electrophysiologic effects of a beta-blocking agent, tilisolol, were studied with isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes using the whole cell patch clamp technique. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tilisolol at 10 μM or higher concentrations prolonged action potential duration (APD) at 90% repolarization (APD(90)) and at 100 μM or higher concentrations shortened APD at 20% repolarization (APD(20)) without changes in resting membrane potential. At 10 μM concentration tilisolol prolonged APD(90) from 236.6 +/- 55.3 ms in the control to 253.4 +/- 52.4 ms (n = 16; P <.01), while APD(20) was unaffected. At 100 μM tilisolol, APD(20) was shortened from 143.6 +/- 15.7 ms in the control to 133.7 +/- 22.6 ms (n = 8; P <.05). Under voltage clamp, tilisolol decreased the delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(K1)). Applications of 10 μM and 100 μM tilisolol reduced the maximal conductance of I(K) by 35.7 +/- 3.5% and 47.4 +/- 3.5% of the control, respectively, without changes in voltage dependence (n = 10). Tilisolol at 100 μM decreased the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca.L)) by 22.0 +/- 9.8% (n = 6) of the control, and the inactivation curve was shifted to a hyperpolarizing direction. CONCLUSIONS: Tilisolol has a direct membrane action to depress I(K) and I(Ca.L), in addition to its beta-receptor blocking action.