Effect of allitridi on calcium current in rat ventricular myocytes

Background Allitridi is an active compound that is extracted from the garlic. It has effects of anti-atherosclerosis, anti-arrhythmias and lowering blood pressure. But the controversy about the effect on cardiac contractility still exists. Methods Whole-cell patch clamp recording technique was used to record ICa,Lin single cell isolated rat ventricular myocytes. The nifedipine- sensitive L-type calcium current was recorded in the rat ventricular myocytes. Results Allitridi decreased the calcium channel current in a dose-dependent and voltage-dependent manner in ventricular myocytes of rats. The current-voltage curve was shifted upwards, on which active potential,peak potential and reverse potential showed no significant changes. The inactivation curve was shifted to more negative potential, but the activation curve and recovery curve were not altered. Allitridi had no effect on frequent-dependency of calcium current. Conclusion These results show that allitridi could concentration-dependently decrease calcium channel current in ventricular myocytes of rats.