Cardiac glycosides: Correlations among Na+, K+-ATPase,sodium pump and contractility in the guinea pig heart

Summary Relationships among positive inotropic response to cardiac glycosides, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inhibition and monovalent cation pump activities were studied using paced Langendorff preparations of guinea-pig heart. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was estimated from the initial velocity of (³H)-ouabain binding in ventricular homogenates, and cation pump activity from ouabain-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb uptake of ventricular slices. These parameters were assayed in control, ouabain- or digitoxintreated hearts either at the time of inotropic response to the cardiac glycosides or during the course of drug washout. Development and loss of the inotropic response during ouabain or digitoxin perfusion and washout was accompanied by reduction and subsequent recovery of the initial ouabain binding velocity, respectively. If homogenates from glycoside-treated hearts were incubated at 37°C for 10 min during ouabain-binding studies, the levels of binding were not different from those of control hearts, indicating a rapid dissociation of the glycosides from cardiac Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in this species. Despite differences in the time course of the loss of inotropic responses produced by ouabain or digitoxin, the relationship between Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inhibition and inotropic responses were similar. Inotropic responses to digitoxin during perfusion, and subsequent los during washout, also were accompanied by a reduction and subsequent recovery of ⁸⁶Rb uptake. A correlation between inhibition of cation pump activity and positive inotropy has hitherto not been demonstrated. Thus, it appears that with cardiac glycosides, a relationship exists among contractility, cardiac Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and monovalent cation pump activities.