Inhibition of the slow inward current and the time-dependent outward current of mammalian ventricular muscle by gentamicin.

The aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin (GM), depressed the plateau phase and shortened the duration of the action potential in guinea pig papillary muscle. Its effect on the membrane currents was studied by a single sucrose gap voltage clamp method. The slow inward current (is) was remarkably diminished by GM with little change in its time course, in the voltage-dependency of the steady-state inactivation and activation or in its reversal potential. The maximal amplitude of is, obtained by subtracting the Co2+-resistant current, was reduced to 57% by 0.1 mmol/l GM and almost reduced to zero by 1 mmol/l GM. The efficacy of GM in inhibiting (is) was reduced by increasing the external Ca2+ concentration from 1.8 to 5.4 or 10.8 mmol/l, but not by the application of adrenaline. The time-dependent outward current (ik) was also decreased by GM but only at higher concentrations. It is proposed that the depressant action of GM on is was due to a blockade of slow channels, whereby GM may have dislocated Ca from the binding sites at slow channels on the external surface of the membrane.