The Na+/K+ATPase mediates the alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulated increase in 86Rb(+)-uptake in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes from adult rat heart.

The aim of the present study was to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for the alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulated increase in potassium uptake in ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rat heart. The Na+/K+ATPase blocker ouabain the Na+/K+/2Cl(-)-cotransporter blocker bumetanide, the Na+/H(+)-exchanger blocker HOE 694 and the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine were used as experimental tools. 86Rb+ was used as potassium analogue. The basal 86Rb(+)-uptake rate was 0.25 +/- 0.01 ml/g protein x min. Maximal alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation increased the 86Rb(+)-uptake 38 +/- 2%. Ouabain dose dependently eliminated the alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulated response with a -logIC50-value of 3.64 +/- 0.23. Bumetanide did not affect the stimulated response, and there was no effect of bumetanide on the ouabain sensitive component. HOE 694 and 4-aminopyridine had no effect on the stimulated 86Rb(+)-uptake. Ouabain and HOE 694 also dose dependently inhibited a portion of the basal 86Rb(+)-uptake (about 60% and 20%, respectively), but there was no effect of bumetanide or 4-aminopyridine on the basal 86Rb(+)-uptake. The results show that the Na+/K+ATPase alone mediates the alpah 1-adrenoceptor stimulated increase in potassium uptake in this preparation of ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rat heart.