Abstract
The effect of ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptor(${\alpha}_1$-AR) stimulation on intracellular pH($pH_i$), $Na^+$ activity($a_{Na}{^i}$) and contractility were investigated in isolated papillary muscles of euthyroid or hyperthyroid guinea pig with conventional microelectrode, $Na^+$ or $H^+$-selective microelectrodes, and tension transducer. Stimulation of the ${\alpha}_1$-AR by phenylephrine produced a decrease in $a_{Na}{^i}$ in euthyroid preparations. This decrease in $a_{Na}{^i}$ was abolished in presence of PKC activator, phorbol dibutyrate, and increased contrary to decrease. Phenylephrine also increased $a_{Na}{^i}$ in hyperthyroid ones. However, phenylrephtine produced an increase in $pH_i$ in both euthyroid and hyperthyroid ones. These changes were blocked by prazosin, an antagonist of ${\alpha}_1$-AR. These findings suggest that the changes in $a_{Na}{^i}$ and $pH_i$ are mediated by a stimulation of $Na^+-H^+$ exchange via ${\alpha}_1$-AR stimulation. This study focused on the increase in $a_{Na}{^i}$, $pH_i$ and contractility. The increase in $pH_i$ was blocked by amiloride or EIPA, $Na^+-H^+$ exchange inhibitors. Therefore, the increase in $a_{Na}{^i}$ and $pH_i$ mediated by ${\alpha}_1$-AR appeared to be due to an influx of $Na^+$ and a reduction of $H^+$ through $Na^+-H^+$ exchange. This study also revealed that the increase in $pH_i$ and $a_{Na}{^i}$ might be related to the sustained positive inotropic response. The $a_{Na}{^i}$ increase may contribute to the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through the $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchange, and the $pH_i$ increase could cause an increase in the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of myofilaments and may augment the ${\alpha}_1$-AR-mediated positive inotropic response.