Summary
Dantrolene sodium, a skeletal muscle relaxant, inhibits the twitch response by direct action on the muscle. The action potentials from dantrolene sodium depressed muscles have been examined by taking their first derivative, and membrane capacitance has been measured with cable analysis techniques. It is concluded that dantrolene sodium has no effect on the electrical excitability of the muscle and uncouples excitation-contraction mechanisms.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bryant, S. H.: Cable properties of external intercostal muscle fibres from myotonic and nonmyotonic goats. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 204, 539 (1969).
Chyatte, S. B., Birdsong, J. H., Bergman, B. A.: The effect of dantrolene sodium in spasticity and motor performance in hemiplegia. Sth. med. J. (Bgham, Ala.) 64, 180 (1971).
Ellis, K. O., Carpenter, J. F.: The effects of dantrolene sodium (F-440) on skeletal muscle. Fed. Proc. 30, 670 (1971).
Gage, P. W., Eisenberg, R. W.: Capacitance of the surface and transverse tubular membrane of frog sartorius muscle fibers. J. gen. Physiol. 53, 256 (1969).
Honkomp, L. J., Halliday, R. P., Wessels, F. L.: Dantrolene, 1-[5-(p-nitrophenyl)-furfurylidene]amino hydantoin, a unique skeletal muscle relaxant. Pharmacologist 12, 301 (1970).
Ross, S. M., Brust, M.: A transistorized pulse amplifier for massive stimulation of muscle. J. appl. Physiol. 20, 354 (1965).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ellis, K.O., Bryant, S.H. Excitation-contraction uncoupling in skeletal muscle by dantrolene sodium. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 274, 107–109 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00501011
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00501011