Blocking effects of phentolamine on L-type calcium current and ATP-sensitive potassium current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

AIM: To study the effect of phentolamine on L-type calcium currents (ICa) and ATP-sensitive K+ currents (IK,ATP) in ventricular myocytes. METHODS: ICa and IK,ATP were observed using patch clamp techniques in whole-cell recording configuration. RESULTS: Phentolamine reduced ICa of ventricular myocytes in concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manners. Phentolamine 5, 25, and 100 mumol.L-1 decreased ICa from 370 +/- 99 nA to 310 +/- 95 nA (17% block, n = 6, P < 0.01), from 230 +/- 98 nA to 180 +/- 73 nA (23% block, n = 5, P < 0.05), and from 293 +/- 66 nA to 206 +/- 44 nA (30% block, n = 5, P < 0.01), respectively, without affecting the current-voltage relationship. Prazosin 100 mumol.L-1 and yohimbine 100 mumol.L-1, which were specific blockers of alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors respectively, did not show the inhibitory effect on ICa. Phentolamine 100 mumol.L-1 also inhibited the IK,ATP induced by 2, 4-dinitrophenol (DNP) at 0 mV from 3.2 +/- 0.6 nA to 0.8 +/- 0.5 nA (75% block, n = 4, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Phentolamine directly inhibits ICa and IK,ATP in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.