Calcium fluxes and contractility in isolated guinea pig atrium: effect of A23187.

The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (10(-6) to 3 X 10(-5) M) increased the force of contraction is isolated guinea pig atria. In individual twitches, peak tension, maximum rate of tension development, time to peak tension, and total twitch duration were all increased by A23187. Tripelennamine, indomethacin, and atropine did not significantly alter the inotropic effect of A23187. Serotonin produced changes in individual twitches that differed qualitatively and quantitatively from those of A23187. Therefore, the inotropic action of A23187 is probably not mediated by release of endogenous histamine, prostaglandins, acetylcholine, or serotonin. 45Ca influx and efflux were increased by A23187. The enhanced 45Ca efflux exceeded that which would be predicted if the ionophore acted only to increase the passive Ca2+ permeability of the myocardial cell membrane. These results suggest that A23187 facilitates the entry of extracellular Ca2+ into the myocardial cell and the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores into the myoplasm. The resultant increase in intracellular Ca2+ activity could account for the positive inotropic action of A23187.