Inotropic action, myocardial uptake and subcellular distribution of ouabain, digoxin and digitoxin in isolated rat hearts

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Abstract
Summary In experiments on isolated, electrically driven (240/min) rat hearts, perfused via the aorta at a constant flow (3.8 ml/min), the pharmacologically effective concentration range, the myocardial uptake and the subcellular distribution of three cardiac glycosides (digitoxin, digoxin, ouabain) were determined. The following results were obtained: 1. The effective range varied depending on the cardiac glycoside tested: With digoxin and ouabain very similar results were found—the positive inotropic concentration ranges being within 8×10−6M and 6×10−5M, the maximum positive inotropic effects attainable being about 100% and the concentration for half maximum effects (ED-50) being 2.4×10−5M and 2.3×10−5M, respectively. With digitoxin the inotropic concentration range was found to be within 3.6×10−6M and 2.4×10−5M with a maximum inotropic effect attainable of about 50% only and an ED-50 of 9.5×10−6M. The analysis of the time course of the inotropic action revealed extremely short half times for all cardiac glycosides studied (between 48 and 54 sec). 2. The myocardial uptake correlated with the physicochemical behaviour of the three cardiac glycosides studied and was found-depending on the perfusion time (5 to 60 min)—to be in the range of 23 and 36 (ouabain), 66 and 98 (digoxin) and 169 and 264 (digitoxin) nmoles/g wet weight. The respective computed half times for these uptake processes were 2.5 min (digoxin, ouabain) and 3.4 min (digitoxin). 3. Regarding the subcellular distribution an accumulation exceeding an “unspecific” binding (non-perfused hearts) was found mainly in the nuclear-membrane fraction. On the basis of these results (very short half times of either the pharmacological action and the cardiac uptake) the site of action of cardiac glycosides in the rat heart is supposed to be located at the surface membrane of the heart muscle cells. Furthermore, the above results are discussed with respect to those obtained in digitalis-sensitive species.

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