Possible role of Na+ ions in intracellular Ca2+ release in frog auricular trabeculae

Membrane potential-current and mechanical tension of frog atrial muscle were studied in a Ca and Mg-free solution containing 1 mmol/l EGTA (Ca-free solution). Exposure to Ca-free solution resulted in a shortening of action potential duration within 1.5 min and a subsequent lengthening which were paralleled by changes in magnitude and duration of the contraction. Similarly, the slow inward current quickly disappeared and progressively reappeared with a quite slower inactivation time-course. Its reversal potential varied with [Na]0 as for a pure Na current. By 12 min in Ca-free solution, the tension-voltage relation could be interpreted as the sum of two components correlated with the slow inward current and the membrane potential respectively. Contractures in response to sustained large depolarizations had similar time courses in Ca-free solution and Ringer's containing Na-Ca exchange blockers (Mn2+ 15 mmol/l or La3+ 3 mmol/l). Intracellular Na loading by voltage-clamp depolarizations (40 mV from the resting potential for 100 ms, at 0.2 Hz) in the presence of Veratrine (7.5 X 10(-6) g/ml) caused a large progressive increase in tonic tension. An intracellular Ca2+ release is invoked, partly related to Na+ entry and partly to membrane potential changes. The potential dependent part could be influenced by intracellular Na+.