Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spontaneous tension oscillations in guinea-pig atrial trabeculae

  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Spontaneous tension oscillations have been recorded from intact guinea-pig auricular trabeculae bathed in Na-poor and/or Ca-rich solutions.

The frequency of these oscillations and that of after-contractions (oscillations following an electrically induced contraction) evoked under identical experimental conditions was the same (33°C).

The amplitude of the oscillations rose when the [Ca2+]0/[Na+]0 2-ratio or the intracellular Na-concentration was increased. When the increase of the [Ca2+]0/[Na+]0 2-ratio was relatively small, tension oscillations only occured after a period of electrical stimulation.

The oscillation-frequency increased slightly in media containing 70 instead of 5.4 mM KCl.

MnCl2 (3mM) did not affect either the amplitude or the frequency of the oscillations.

Caffeine (0.5–2.5 mM) decreased the amplitude and enhanced the frequency of the oscillations. After-contractions were diminished and, at higher concentrations, abolished.

It is demonstrated that the membrane potential does not participate in the process causing the tension oscillations. An increased [Ca2+]i is a prerequisite for the occurrence of these oscillations. Characteristics of intracellular Ca-movement probably determine the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous oscillations of tension.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bassingthwaighte, J. B., Reuter, H.: Calcium movements and excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac cells. In: Electrical Phenomena in the Heart, edit. by W. C. De Mello. New York: Academic press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, S.: Spontaneous rhythmic contractions of separated heart muscle cells. Science167, 1727–1729 (1970a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, S.: Phylogenetic differences in spontaneous contractility of isolated heart muscle cells. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.37, 127–129 (1970b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, S.: Requirements for spontaneous contractility in isolated adult mammalian heart muscle cells. Exp. Cell Res.69, 17–24 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, S., Brady, A. J., Langer, G. A.: Calcium metabolism and active tension in mechanically disaggregated heart muscle. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol.8, 137–147 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, R. A.: A study of the contractures induced in frog atrial trabeculae by a reduction of the bathing sodium concentration. J. Physiol. (Lond.)237, 295–313 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabiato, A., Fabiato, F.: Excitation-contraction coupling of isolated cardiac fibres with disrupted or closed sarcolemmas. Circulat. Res.31, 293–307 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabiato, A., Fabiato, F., Sonnenblick, E. H.: Calcium dependent cyclic contractions of cardiac and skeletal muscle cells with disrupted sarcolemmae. Fed. Proc.31, 373 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, L. E., Podolsky, R. J.: Force development by skinned muscle fibres in EGTA buffered solutions. J. Physiol. (Lond.)223, 1–19 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford, L. E., Podolsky, R. J.: Intracellular calcium movements in skinned muscle fibres. J. Physiol. (Lond.)223, 21–33 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glitsch, H. G., Reuter, H., Scholz, H.: The effect of the internal sodium concentration on calcium fluxes in isolated guinea-pig auricles. J. Physiol. (Lond.)209, 25–43 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, R. A., Katzung, B. G.: Simultaneously recorded oscillations in membrane potential and isometric contractile force from cardiac muscle. Nature (Lond.)217, 961–963 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, R., Fleckenstein, A., Antoni, H., unter Mitarbeit von Wolf, H.: Ursachen und Auslösungsbedingungen von Myokard-Kontraktionen ohne reguläres Aktionspotential. Pflügers Arch.278, 435–446 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, R., Homburger, H., Tritthart, H.: Spezifische Hemmung des Erschlaffungsprozesses am stark gekühlten Warmblütermyokard. Pflügers Arch.305, 1–8 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerrick, W. G. L., Best, P. M.: Calcium ion release in mechanically disrupted heart cells. Science183, 435–438 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Langer, G. A.: Heart: Excitation-contraction coupling. Ann. Rev. Physiol.35, 55–86 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüttgau, H. C., Niedergerke, R.: The antagonism between Ca and Na ions on the frog's heart. J. Physiol. (Lond.)143, 486–505 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mascher, D.: Electrical and mechanical events in depolarized cardiac muscle fibres during low sodium perfusion. Pflügers Arch.323, 284–296 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, D. J.: Evidence for calcium-induced calcium release in intact depolarized frog heart muscle. J. Physiol. (Lond.)242, 93–95 P (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima, Y., Endo, M.: Release of calcium induced by ‘depolarization’ of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. Nature (Lond.)246, 216–218 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • New, W., Trautwein, W.: The ionic nature of slow inward current and its relation to contraction. Pflügers Arch.334, 24–38 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohba, M.: Effects of caffeine on tension development in dog papillary muscle under voltage-clamp. Jap. J. Physiol.23, 47–58 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, M.: Die Entstehung von “Nachkontraktionen” im Herzmuskel unter Einwirkung von Calcium und von Digitalisglykosiden in Abhängigkeit von der Reizfrequenz. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch. exp. Path. Pharmak.242, 497–507 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, H.: Divalent cations as charge carriers in excitable membranes. Progr. Biophys. molec. Biol.26, 1–43 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, H.: Exchange of calcium in the mammalian myocardium. Circulat. Res.34, 599–605 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, H., Seitz, N.: The dependence of calcium efflux from cardiac muscle on temperature and external ion composition. J. Physiol. (Lond.)195, 451–470 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rougier, O., Vassort, G., Garnier, D., Gargouïl, Y. M., Corabœuf, E.: Données nouvelles concernant le rôle des ions Na+ et Ca2+ sur les propriétés électrophysiologiques des membranes cardiaques: existence d'un canal lent. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)266, 802–805 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Scholz, H.: Über die Wirkung von Calcium und Natrium auf die Kaliumkontraktur isolierter Meerschweinchenvorhöfe. Pflügers Arch.308, 315–332 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiger, G. J.: Stretch activation and myogenic oscillation of isolated contractile structures of heart muscle. Pflügers Arch.330, 347–361 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Verdonck, F., Busselen, P., Carmeliet, E.: Ca-action potentials and contractions of heart muscle in Na-free solutions. Influence of caffeine. Arch. int. Physiol. Biochim.80, 167–169 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Zellphysiologie und Sonderforschungsbereich 114 Bionach, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    H. G. Glitsch & L. Pott

Authors
  1. H. G. Glitsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. Pott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Glitsch, H.G., Pott, L. Spontaneous tension oscillations in guinea-pig atrial trabeculae. Pflugers Arch. 358, 11–25 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584566

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00584566

Key words

Search

Navigation