Role of plasma membrane defect of skeletal muscle in malignant hyperthermia.

Halothane, at clinical concentrations, depolarizes the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle from Poland China pigs susceptible to malignant hyperthermia but does not affect the resting membrane potential of muscle from normal poland China pigs, mice, or frogs. The depolarization is reduced or partially reversed in the presence of dantrolene sodium. We suggest the possibility that malignant hyperthermia may be initiated by this abnormal depolarization of skeletal muscle by halothane.