The role of constitutive PKA-mediated phosphorylation in the regulation of basal I(Ca) in isolated rat cardiac myocytes.

1. Pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein phosphatases 1/2A were used to determine whether basal L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca)) observed in the absence of exogenous beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation is sustained by PKA-mediated phosphorylation. Amphotericin B was used to record whole-cell I(Ca) in the perforated patch-clamp configuration.

H-89 inhibits transient outward and inward rectifier potassium currents in isolated rat ventricular myocytes.

1. Voltage clamp was used to investigate the effects of N-[2-p-bromo-cinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide (H-89), a potent inhibitor of PKA, on transient outward K(+) current (I(to)) and inward rectifying K(+) current (I(K1)) in rat cardiac muscle. 2.

Halothane alters contractility and Ca2+ transport in ventricular myocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

General anaesthetics have previously been shown to have profound effects on myocardial function. Moreover, many patients suffering from diabetes mellitus are anaesthetised during surgery. This study investigated compromised functioning of cardiac myocytes from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the additive effects of halothane on these dysfunctions.