[Effects of Aliphatic Alcohols on Slow Action Potential of Guinea-pig Papillary Muscle]

Effects of ethanol, butanol, hexanol and octanol on slow action potential (APA, APD50, Vmax, and V'max) and its correspondent ICa (Imax) and Ik (I'max) of guinea-pig papillary muscle were measured and analysed by using phase-plane method. The results showed that all of four alcohols inhibited calcium current of cardiac membranes, but the action on potassium current changed from enhancement (ethanol) to impairment (hexanol and octanol) with the increase in carbon number of alcohols. Furthermore, the longer the chains of alcohols, the less the concentration needed to produce these effects. This phenomenon suggests a possible correlation between the actions of aliphatic alcohols and their hydrophobic properties.