Abstract:
Effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on the slow inward currents in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers were studied by using two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Tet was shown to inhibit the peak value of the slow inward current (I
si PV) in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. After pretreatment with Tet 30 and 100 μmol/L for 10 min, respectively, the I
si PV decreased from 47.90±5.6 nA and 38.4±21.5 nA to 21±7.8 nA and 6.3±7.7 nA (p<0.01). I
si PV induced by strontium instead of calcium ions was also significantly reduced after exposure to Tet 100 μmol/L. The results suggest that Tet is a slow channel blocker.