Effects of (+) and (-) enantiomers of calcium channel agonist, Bay K 8644, on mechanical and electrical responses of frog skeletal muscle

The effects of (+) and (-) enantiomers of Bay K 8644, a Ca²⁺ channel agonist, on the mechanical and electrical properties of frog skeletal muscle fibers were investigated. In the concentration range of 10^-6 to 10^-5 M, both (+) and (-) enantiomers of Bay K 8644 significantly increased the maximum amplitudes of twitch responses. Both (+) and (-) enantiomers of Bay K 8644, at higher concentrations such as 10^-4 M, greatly depressed the amplitudes of twitches. Potentiating and depressing effects of (-) enantiomer of Bay K 8644 on twitch responses were significantly greater than those of the (+) enantiomer. At all concentrations used, both (+) and (-) enantiomers of Bay K 8644 significantly decreased the area under the tetanic force x time curve. In intracellular recordings, it was found that the depressing effects of both (+) and (-)-Bay K 8644 on tetanic contractions and twitch responses were due to the inhibition of action potentials. The inhibitory effect of (-) enantiomer of Bay K 8644 on action potentials also was significantly greater than that of the (+) enantiomer. In conclusion, present results suggest that, in contrast with cardiac muscle fibers, (+) and (-) enantiomers of Bay K 8644 have similar inhibitory effects on the electrical and mechanical properties of frog skeletal muscle fibers.