The effects of nitroglycol on rat isolated cardiac muscles

To elucidate the action of nitroglycol (Ng) on cardiac muscles, the contractile and chronotropic responses of the isolated rat cardiac muscles to Ng in a cumulative manner were investigated. Ng produced negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on spontaneously beating right atria in concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 3 x 10(-4) M. Ng also produced dose-dependent negative inotropic effects on electrically driven left atrial muscles. On the other hand, in right ventricle muscles, Ng induced positive inotropic effects. These results suggest that Ng acts directly on the cardiac muscles as well as vascular smooth muscles in acute poisoning.