The antiarrhythmic effect of potassium and rubidium in strophanthidin toxicity

European Journal of Pharmacology
C I Lin, M Vassalle

Abstract

The effect of potassium and rubidium on the electrical and mechanical activity of canine Purkinje fibers were studied in vitro in the presence and absence of strophanthidin. High (5.4mM) K or 2.7 Rb decreased the force of contraction. In the presence of these ions, strophanthidin increased the force of contraction as usual but the onset of arrhythmias was delayed. During the toxic stage of strophanthidin, high K or Rb increased the force of contraction, abolished the arrhythias and improved markedly the action potential. In the presence of calcium overload induced by exposure to a K-poor or Na-free solution, K and Rb induced an increase in force of contraction. And in ventricular muscle these ions relaxed the contracture induced by strophanthidin. It is concluded that K and Rb (in addition to other mechanisms) exert an antiarrhythmic action by increasing potassium conductance and by reducing the calcium overload induced by strophanthidin.

References

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Citations

Dec 1, 1994·Journal of Biomedical Science·P. Abete, M. Vassalle
Jan 1, 1982·Toxicon : Official Journal of the International Society on Toxinology·F C ChenR D Wei
Sep 16, 2004·The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation : the Official Publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation·Fan-Yen LeeCheng-I Lin
Sep 6, 2000·Journal of Biomedical Science·D E Berg, M Vassalle
Jul 1, 1983·Basic Research in Cardiology·T Li, M Vassalle
Aug 19, 2004·Journal of Biomedical Science·Mario Vassalle, Cheng-I Lin
Jul 1, 1983·International Journal of Cardiology·C I Lin, M Vassalle

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