Direct and indirect effects of ethanol on isometric tension in rabbit isolated strip auricle

Besides the negative inotropic action of ethanol on cardiac muscle, this paper describes also an "indirect effect" which appears when the ethanol treated isolated strip auricle preparation is washed with low Ca Tyrode solution. This effect depends on the previous concentration of ethanol in the isolated organ bath. A kinetic analysis of the washout effect of ethanol shows that just the first tension diminution phase is altered by the action of ethanol. The results suggest that alcohol may act also on inner membranes of myofibrils.