Influence of halothane on electrical coupling in cell pairs isolated from guinea-pig ventricle

1. The actions of halothane on electrical coupling between cells were investigated in cell pairs isolated from guinea-pig ventricular muscle. 2. Under voltage-clamp conditions a step depolarization applied to one cell caused a similar change in potential in the second. Application of halothane led to the appearance of double peaks in inward current evoked by step depolarizations. These observations were interpreted in terms of uncoupling of the cells leading to escape of the second cell from the influence of the voltage-clamp in the first cell. 3. This suggestion that uncoupling in the presence of halothane led to differences in electrical activity in the two cells was confirmed in experiments in which independent electrodes were used to measure membrane potential in the two cells. 4. The voltage responses of both cells of the pair were recorded in response to constant current pulses. Administration of halothane led to abolition of the response recorded from the second cell while that of the first was enhanced. The actions are consistent with an action of halothane on gap junctions to block electrical coupling. 5. Qualitatively similar observations, consistent with electrical uncoupling, were observed with isoflurane. 6. These findings may be significant in relation to the arrhythmogenic actions of halothane.