The effect of buthobendin on glycolysis in rabbit myocardial slices in vitro.

The effect of buthobendin (2S,2'S isomer of N,N'-dimethyl N,N'-bis[1-(3',4',5'-trimethoxybenzoyloxy)-butyl-2]-ethylenediamin e dihydrochloride), (CravitenR) on aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis in rabbit myocardial slices was compared with that of the biologically inactive isomer 2R,2'R and the well-known antiarrhythmic drugs quinidine and procainamide. Only buthobendin stimulated lactate formation under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. However, that effect was not accompanied with a parallel increase in the glucose uptake, but was related to a decrease in the glycogen level. This finding might indicate that buthobendin stimulates glycolysis by mobilization of the glycogen degradation.