Pharmacology of peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors in the heart

RO5-4864 decreased in a dose-dependent manner the duration of intra cellular action potential and the contractility in the guinea pig papillary muscle. Diazepam was less active and clonazepam inactive. The effects of RO5-4864 were blocked by PK 11195 but not by RO15-1788. These results indicate that peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites are pharmacological receptors. PK 11195 antagonized the increase and the decrease in the duration of intracellular action potential induced by BAY K-8644 and calcium channel blockers (nitrendipine, diltiazem, verapamil) respectively but not the increase induced by tetraethylammonium which blocks potassium channel. Moreover the decrease in contractility provoked by RO5-4864 was antagonized by 4 mM Ca2+. Thus peripheral type BZ receptors are coupled with Ca2+ channels in the heart.