Run-down of calcium current is related to intracellular sodium

Run-down of Ca2+ current was studied in isolated guinea pig ventricular cells and it was found to be attenuated by intracellular sodium. Calcium currents were recorded after activation of Na+ channels by a step pulse. The "run-down" in 30 min was significantly reduced compared with control cells. When NaCl (0.1-10 mM) diffused from the micropipette into the cells, run-down of Ca2+ current was also significantly attenuated. However, the resulted increase of intracellular Na+ did not affect voltage dependent activation of Ca2+ current, but the duration of the action potential was shortened slightly.