Inhibitory action of aliphatic alcohols on smooth muscle contraction.

The addition of 0.05-0.20 mM CaCl2 to the isolated guinea pig ileum immersed in a depolarizing (excess potassium), and calcium-free Tyrode solution produces a dose-related contraction, which is reversibly blocked by aliphatic alcohols of low molecular weight. The inhibitory potency of the alcohols increases with the length of their carbon chain, and may be due to an interference with the movement of calcium across the smooth muscle cell membrane.