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

ABSTRACT

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. Diltiazem, at 0.4 microM in the perfusion medium, greatly reduced the diminution of the activation of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol and forskolin, and completely prevented the depression of the activation of adenylate cyclase by NaF. These effects may be due to interference by diltiazem with the mechanisms that promote an excessive influx of calcium into the heart during the calcium paradox.