The effects of gadolinium, a stretch-sensitive channel blocker, on diaphragm muscle

Abstract

Stretch-activated channels (SAC) have been identified in many cell types including striated muscles. In diaphragm muscle, the influence of SAC on the length-active tension relationship remains unknown. Patch clamp experiments were performed on single fibres (n=10). In isolated diaphragm muscle from adult hamsters, the effects of gadolinium (Gd3+), the most potent inhibitor of SAC blocker, on tension response to stretch at baseline were studied (n=10), after pretreatment of the muscle with 1 nmol isoproterenol (n=10), 0.5 μmol forskolin (n=6), or 0.1 mmol dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) (n=10). Results were compared to those obtained in low [Na+](e) (n=10), Ca2+-free medium (n=6) or after 5 μmol nifedipine (n=8). Gd3+ reduced active tension measured over a range of initial muscle lengths in a concentration-dependent manner (10 and 50 μmol). In isolated fibres, mechanical stretch generated a membrane current that was sensitive to Gd3+. In muscles, lowering [Na+](e) mimicked the effects of Gd3+, while no change in the length-tension relationship was observed in Ca2+-free medium or after nifedipine. Drugs which increase cAMP prevented the effects of Gd3+ on active tension. In the diaphragm, gadolinium-sensitive channels are activated during physiological changes in length and influence tension development. Moreover, cyclic adenosine monophosphate content modulates the effects of gadolinium on stretch-activated channels.