[Simulation of K-contracture curve in smooth muscle (author's transl)].

40 mM K-induced isometric contracture of guinea pig taenia coli in the presence of 30 microM dantrolene showed a rapidly rising peak followed by a plateau and then a low sustained tonic contraction. The plateau was delayed by low Ca so that two phasic contractions, fast and slow, were separated from each other. In K-contracture after 15 sec contact with normal Ca following low Ca condition, the fast phasic contraction but not the slow one regained its tension depressed by preceding low Ca, while the slow phasic contraction recovered from its delay.

Potassium contracture of smooth muscle in the presence of dextran.

The apparent diffusion coefficient of Ca ions in the extracellular space of guinea pig taenia coli was estimated from model experiments to be 3.2 x 10(-6) cm2 sec -1, while the relationship between Ca concentration in the medium and tonic tension in 40 mM K-contracture was measured in the same muscle both in the presence and absence of dextran 10. On the basis of these experiments and certain assumptions, the time course of tension decline by Ca withdrawal during K-contracture was calculated.

[Caffeine-induced contraction of guinea pig taenia coli (author's transl)].

Caffeine (10 or 20 mM)-induced isometric contraction of guinea pig taenia coli showed two successively occurring phasic contractions (I and II) followed by a low sustained tension. Half-time of tension decay in II was 4 approximately 6 times longer than in I. The contraction occasionally showed only a single phasic contraction, of which tension, however, decayed showing two half-times as in two phasic contractions.