Ryanodine in low concentrations is a Ca-release stimulator rather than inhibitor in rat myocardium

The effects of ryanodine on negative force staircase and potentiated rested-state contraction (RC) in rat myocardium were compared to the action of Ca release stimulator (caffeine) and inhibitors (local anesthetics). Only low ryanodine concentrations (0.1-0.5 mumol/l) were found to reverse anomalous mechanical patterns in rat myocardium to similar to those as generally observed in other mammalian species. Ryanodine-induced positive staircase and a weak RC were potentiated by noradrenaline. The results obtained seem to characterize ryanodine as a Ca2+ release stimulator rather than an inhibitor in this species and suggest different molecular substrates for ryanodine and caffeine inotropy in rat myocardium.