Theophylline, fatigue, and diaphragm contractility: cellular levels of 45Ca and cAMP

The relationship between variations in diaphragmatic contractility and corresponding changes in total tissue levels of 45Ca and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was examined. The contractile performance of perfused contracting rat diaphragms was manipulated with theophylline (10(-4) M), induced fatigue, or both. The increased contractility associated with theophylline was related to significant increases in 45Ca levels without changes in cAMP levels. Fatigue-diminished contractility was associated with increases in both 45Ca and cAMP levels. The increased 45Ca and cAMP levels associated with fatigue persisted, even in the presence of theophylline. Calcium channel blockade with 10(-4) M verapamil blocked the positive inotropic influence of theophylline as well as the theophylline-associated increase in 45Ca levels. Verapamil had no effect on either the fatigue-associated decreases in contractility or the fatigue-enhanced 45Ca uptake. The results of this study strongly suggest that the enhanced contractility associated with theophylline is related to its influence on cellular calcium metabolism. The elevated level of isotopic calcium measured in fatigued muscle probably represents calcium sequestered in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the result of cAMP-enhanced Ca-adenosine triphosphatase activity.