The inhibitory effect of monensin on high K-induced contraction in guinea-pig taenia coli.

This study deals with the effects of monensin, a Na ionophore, on contraction, cellular Na content, oxygen consumption and tissue ATP content of smooth muscle of the guinea-pig taenia coli depolarized by high K (62.7 mM) solution. The application of monensin (10(-8) -10(-6) M) had little effect on the phasic component of the K contraction while it decreased the tonic component. The inhibitory effect of monensin, unlike that of verapamil, was not antagonized by raising the concentration of external Ca. Under hypoxic conditions, the inhibitory action of monensin (10(-7) M) was greatly reduced. The removal of Na (choline or sucrose substitution) from the high K solution did not attenuate the inhibitory effect of hypoxia or monensin. Monensin (10(-7) M) produced only a small increase in cellular Na in the depolarized muscle. The K-induced increase in the rate of oxygen consumption was suppressed by monensin (10(-6) M). In high K solution, but not in normal solution, monensin (10(-6) M) decreased the tissue ATP content. These results suggest that the relaxing action of monensin is mainly due to the inhibition of aerobic energy metabolism of the smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia coli.