Differential modulation by beta adrenoceptors of inward calcium and delayed rectifier potassium current in single ventricular cells of guinea pig heart.

This study was designed to investigate the modulation of the high-threshold (L-type) inward calcium current (ICa) and the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) by beta adrenoceptor stimulation in single ventricular cells of guinea pig heart. Single ventricular cells were prepared by the collagenase dispersion procedure, and membrane currents were recorded with a patch electrode by use of the whole-cell voltage clamp method. ICa was obtained by intra- and extracellular perfusion with the Cs(+)-solutions that suppressed potassium currents. IK was evaluated in Co+(+)-Tyrode's solution in which 0.9 mM Co+(+) was substituted for equimolar Ca+(+) to abolish ICa. Isoproterenol, a nonselective beta adrenoceptor agonist, increased not only ICa but also IK at the same threshold concentration (1 nM). In contrast, the threshold concentration of T-1583, a selective beta-1 adrenoceptor agonist, for increasing ICa (1 nM) was distinctly lower than that for increasing IK (100 nM). These results suggest that ICa and IK can be differentially modulated by beta adrenoceptors.