Stretch-induced membrane depolarization in ferret trachealis smooth muscle cells.

We determined the effects of increasing the length of the ferret trachealis muscle on smooth muscle membrane potentials recorded on successive impalements by microelectrodes. The preparation included the paratracheal ganglion nerve plexus as well as trachealis muscle. With sustained increases in muscle length over the range 0.5-0.8 to 1.2 maximal length (Lmax), depolarization occurred, which was related to the amplitude of the length increase. Membrane depolarizations were also evoked after stretching to lengths approximately 1.1 Lmax and returning to the control length. Stretch-induced membrane depolarizations developed after the stretch maneuver was complete; were slowly reversible; were not influenced by tetrodotoxin or atropine; were related to stretch rather than to maintained increase in muscle length; were not transmitted to adjacent nonstretched segments of the trachea; and were often associated with slow waves which appear to be secondary to membrane depolarization rather than stretch per se.