Diltiazem prevents the depression of adenylyl cyclase activity induced by the calcium paradox in rat.

In isolated rat hearts the calcium paradox, induced by perfusion for 3 minutes in the absence of calcium followed by perfusion for 10 minutes in the presence of calcium, depressed the activation of adenylyl cyclase by l-isoproterenol, NaF and forskolin. The characteristics of the beta-adrenoceptors and the activation of adenylyl cyclase by guanylyl imidodiphosphate were not changed. The findings suggest an uncoupling of beta-adrenoceptors from the catalytic site of the adenylate cyclase complex.