Effect of the calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 on mechanical and electrical responses of frog skeletal muscle

The effects of Bay K8644, a Ca²⁺ channel agonist, on the mechanical and electrical properties of frog skeletal muscle fibers were investigated. At relatively low concentrations, such as 10^-6 and 10^-5 M, Bay K8644 significantly potentiated the maximum amplitudes of twitch responses, and this effect was not reversed in the presence of the calcium channel antagonist nitrendipine. At higher concentrations, such as 10^-4 M, Bay K8644 depressed the amplitudes of twitch responses, and nitrendipine did not change this effect. At all concentrations, Bay K8644 greatly reduced the area under the tetanic force versus time curve, and this effect was not modified by the concomitant application of Bay K8644 and nitrendipine. Intracellular recordings revealed that the depressing effect of Bay K8644 on tetanic contractions was due to the blockade of sodium action potentials. In conclusion, the present results suggest that the modulation of twitch responses by calcium channel agonist and antagonists, at the concentration range used, is not related to the expected modulation of voltage-sensitive slow calcium channels in frog skeletal muscle fibers, and tetanic contractions are depressed by the calcium channel agonist Bay K8644 through its effect on sodium channels.