Effect of ryanodine on myocardial calcium

The effects of ryanodine and ryanodine steady-state condition (RSSC) on contractile-related calcium were examined in isolated guinea pig left atrial muscle. 1. RSSC is a specific irreversible condition occurring after a brief exposure to 1 x 10(-7) M ryanodine, followed by washing. It is characterized by elimination of the contraction following a 10-sec rest interval (post-rest) and prolongation of the associated action potential duration (AP50%) from 78.9 to 160.8 msec with minimal alteration in steady-state tension development determined at 1 Hz. 2. Induction of RSSC with a ryanodine-bovine serum albumin conjugate produced similar alterations in post-rest contractile strength and action potential duration. 3. In the presence of 1 x 10(-7) M ryanodine, guinea pig left atria exhibit a significant increase in total 45Ca efflux from two rapidly exchangeable compartments (compartment 1, t1/2=1.58 min; compartment 2, t1/2=8.20 min). 4. In atria loaded after the induction of RSSC, total 45Ca release was significantly reduced by 7.2% of the total exchange. 5. The 45Ca exchange space for RSSC atria was reduced from 23.22 +/- 0.81 to 19.85 +/- 1.22 ml per 100 g muscle without a significant reduction in the total exchange space. 6. From these results, it is concluded that the effects of low concentrations of ryanodine and RSSC are to alter the contractile calcium levels of the tissue, primarily from sarcolemmal membrane sites which regulate post-rest contractile strength and action potential duration.