Aim: To study the mechanism of calcium overload induced by melittin in myocytes.
Methods: Whole cell patch-clamp technique was applied for recording the currents.
Results: Mel 0.05, 0.1 micromol/L increased the peak amplitude of I(Na) (nA) from -2.1+/-0.8 to -3.2+/-1.0 (n=7, P < 0.05) and -3.7+/-1.5 (n=7, P < 0.05) respectively at testing potential of -40 mV. Mel 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 micromol/L had no significant effect on I(Ca), but enhanced I(Na-Ca) (pA) from 53+/-21 to 427+/-256 (n=5, P < 0.05), 349+/-147 (n=5, P<0.01) and 320+/-97 (n=5, P < 0.05) respectively at a testing potential of +50 mV.
Conclusion: The stimulating effect of Mel on I(Na-Ca) rather than the effect on I(Ca) contributes to the calcium overload of myocytes.