| Abstract: | In the presence of verapamil (0.1 mM) rat soleus muscle fibers failed to generate action potentials with overshoots. In fibers with their Vm set to a local level of -90 mV, verapamil produces a gradual reduction in the amplitude of the repetitive action potentials; this effect is more pronounced at high rates of stimulation (100 Hz). Our results suggest a local anesthetic action of this drug that could contribute with its calcium channel blocking effect to the diminished mechanical tension observed in the presence of the drug. |
