Analysis of the inotropic effect of prenalterol in papillary muscles from guinea-pig hearts.

The inotropic effects of prenalterol were studied in papillary muscles isolated from the right ventricle of guinea-pig hearts. Force production and action potential were recorded. The preparations were paced at 0.4 Hz (at 31-32 degrees C) under isometric conditions. Prenalterol, in concentration 0.1 microM did not change the action potential duration whereas the peak force and the maximum rate of force development increased by 40.3 and 36.3%, respectively. Time to peak force was slightly shortened (-3.0%) and so was the time from peak force to half relaxation (-5.2%). A predetermined stimulus protocol was used for assessment of the recirculation fraction of activator calcium. At selected times an extra contraction was introduced in order to obtain contractile potentiation. Force of the subsequent two test contractions (after fixed intervals) was analysed. Prenalterol slightly reduced the decay of the postextrasystolic potentiation measured in the two test contractions. It is suggested that the inotropic effect of prenalterol is due to an intensified calcium influx during the action potential, and to some extent to more efficient re-utilization of released calcium. There seems to be a more rapid release of calcium from troponin C giving rise to a shortened time to peak force and an enhanced relaxation.