Sodium-calcium exchange in rabbit heart muscle cells: direct measurement of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ activity

Calcium ion-selective microelectrodes made with Simon's neutral carrier were used to measure simultaneously sarcoplasmic Ca2+ activity (aiCa) and resting tension (Tr) of rabbit ventricular muscle during reduction and restoration of external sodium ion concentration, [Na]0. Under the same experimental conditions the change in contractile tension (Ta) also measured. In resting muscle the aiCa was 38 +/- 17 nanomolar (mean +/- standard deviation; N = 10). The reduction of [Na]O from 153 to 20 millimolar led to about a threefold increase in aiCa with parallel increases in Tr and Ta. The time course of the change in aiCa was similar to that of the changes in Tr and Ta. The results are consistent with an important role of the sodium-calcium exchange system for regulating sarcoplasmic Ca2+ activity.