EFFECTS OF SULFUR COMPOUNDS FROM CAUCAS (ALLIUM VICTORIALIS L.) ON THE SPONTANEOUS BEATING OF MYOCARDIAL CELL SHEETS IN VITRO

AIM：To study the effects of volatile sulfur compounds isolated from caucas (Allium victorialis L.) on spontaneous beating of cultured mouse myocardial cells. METHODS: Cultured mouse myocardial cells were prepared. The effects of five compounds from caucas on the rate and amplitude of beating of cultured myocardial cells were examined by using microcomputer-driven image analyzing system. RESULTS: Of these compounds, dimethyl disulfide(DMDS), methyl allyl trisulfide(MATS), methyl allyl sulfide(MAS) and diallyl disulfide(DADS) appreciably increased the beating rate and beating amplitude, and significantly inhibited Ca²⁺ ATPase activity, but non-sulfur 2-pentanone did not affect them. CONCLUSION: The positive inotropic effect on cultured myocardial cell sheets induced by sulfur compounds may be correlated with its inhibition on enzyme.