We recently observed that cycloheximide and actinomycin prevent the positive inotropic effect of ouabain on atria and ventricle strips. On the other hand, they neither affect the force of contraction of the myocardium, nor modify the activity of other positive inotropic agents such as Ca2+ and noradrenaline (Arletti et a1 1983). We inferred that either the synthesis of a short-lived protein is required for the inotropic effect of ouabain, or that at least part of its effect is due to the stimulated synthesis of some protein(s).In an attempt to clarify this point we studied the influence of a-amanitin, which specifically inhibits mammalian DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Fiume 1972), on the inotropic activity of ouabain and of digoxin.
MethodsMongrel guinea-pigs (350-450 g) and rats of a Wistar strain (Morini, S.Polo d'Enza, Reggio Emilia, Italy) were decapitated and their hearts rapidly removed and placed in previously gassed (97% Oz -3% COa) standard Tyrode solution having the following composition (mM. )NaCI 115.0; KCl 4.7; CaCIy HzO 3.66;MgS04 .7H20 1.2; KH2P04 1.2; NaHC03 25-0; glucose 10.0; pH 7.4. Strips (2.10 mm) of the right ventricle were mounted vertically in a double-chambered bath (volume = 20 ml) perfused at 32+0-2 "C with Tyrode.One end of the ventricle strips was secured to the bottom of the chamber by means of platinum electrodes and the other end was attached to a force-displacement transducer (MARB, Pistoia, Italy). Resting tension was set at 0.8 g, and maintained at the same value for the duration of the experiment. The preparations were stimulated electrically at a constant rate (1 Hz) by square-wave pulses, of 5 ms duration, that exceeded threshold voltage by 20%. Pulses were delivered by a pulse generator (WP1 301-105; New Haven USA) connected to an isolation unit. The signal from the transducer was recorded via a dc preamplifier (MARB, Pistoia, Italy) on an oscilloscope monitor.Experiments started after a 1 h equilibration period. Ouabain and digoxin (Aldrich-Europe, Beerse, Belgium) were diluted with Tyrode solution to the desired concentration and left in the bath for 1 h. a-Amanitin (gift of Prof. Th. Wieland, Max-Plank Institut, Heidelberg) was also dissolved in Tyrode and added to the perfusion medium 5 min before glycosides. Student's t-test was used for the statistical analysis of data.