Effects of platelet-activating factor on intracellular Ca2+ concentration and contractility in isolated cardiomyocytes

We investigated the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) and cell length in isolated and field-stimulated rat cardiomyocytes. [Ca2+](i) and cell length of field-stimulated cells were determined simultaneously by confocal laser scan microscopy by using the fluorescent Ca2+ dye Fluo-3. PAF (10-(12)-10(-8) M) inhibited systolic [Ca2+](i) increase in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Maximal effects were observed after an incubation time of 6-8 min, resulting in a 17% (10(-12) M), 41% (10(-10) M), and 52% (10(-8) M PAF) inhibition of systolic [Ca2+](i) increase. A time-and concentration-dependent decrease in simultaneously measured cell shortening also was demonstrated. Cell shortening was inhibited by 10% (10(-12) M), 32% (10(-10) M), and 50% (10(-8) M) after an incubation time of 8 min. The effects of PAF could be antagonized by the PAF-receptor antagonist WEB 2170. These data demonstrate that PAF receptor-dependently induces a negative inotropic effect, which is correlated with a decrease in systolic [Ca2+](i) and is most likely not due to a decrease in myofilament sensitivity.