Li+ inhibition of membrane current responses to epinephrine in guinea-pig ventricular cells.

Membrane currents of guinea-pig ventricular myocytes were recorded using the whole-cell voltage clamp method. The epinephrine-induced increase in Ca2+ current (2.9 +/- 0.5 times control) was reduced (1.8 +/- 0.3 times) by replacing Na+ with Li+ in the bathing solution. In addition, 0.5 microM epinephrine increased a time-independent membrane conductance in the Na+ external solution, having a reversal potential of -19 +/- 3 mV (epinephrine-induced current). In the Li+ external solution, however, 0.5 microM epinephrine failed to induce the epinephrine-induced current. The findings are consistent with the reported Li+ inhibition of GTP-binding protein and/or adenylate cyclase.