The influence of temperature and calcium concentration on the myoneural effect of antibiotics.

ABSTRACT

To obtain information on the sites and mechanisms of the myoneural effect of aminoglycoside and polypeptide type antibiotics, the influence of neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin and polymyxin B on the depression of the force of contraction (P) of the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation was investigated at 37 degrees C, 27 degrees C or 17 degrees C and also at 37 degrees C in electrolyte solutions containing 2.5, 1.25 or 0.625 mM CaCl2. Decreasing the temperature or the CaCl2 concentration ((CaCl2)o) of the bath significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased P. The depressant effect of aminoglycosides on P (about 50