Effect of quinidine on Na, H+, and water transport by the turtle and toad bladders

The effect of quinidine on Na and H+ transport by the turtle bladder and water transport by the toad bladder was examined. Quinidine inhibited the short-circuit current and the potential difference in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of quinidine on the short-circuit was not dependent on extracellular calcium concentration and was not reversible with removal of the drug. Quinidine inhibited H+ secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of quinidine on H+ secretion also was not dependent on extracellular calcium concentration and was not reversible, either with removal of the drug or with stimulation of H+ secretion with 5% CO2. The effect of quinidine on Na or H+ transport could not be elicited by an equivalent dose of tetracaine, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of quinidine is not dependent on its anesthetic properties. Quinidine also inhibited vasopressin and cyclic AMP stimulated water flow in the toad bladder. Quinidine did not alter calcium uptake by the turtle bladder but increased calcium efflux by the turtle and toad bladders. These observations suggest that a rise in cytosolic calcium is responsible for the inhibitory effect of quinidine on Na, H+, and water transport.