Effects of extracellular magnesium (Mg2+) on action potential duration (APD) and underlying membrane currents in guinea pig ventricular myocytes were studied by using the whole cell patch-clamp method. Increasing external Mg2+ concentration [Mg2+]o) from 0.5 to 3 mM produced a prolongation of APD at 90% repolarization (APD90), whereas 5 and 10 mM Mg2+ shortened it. [Mg2+]o, at 3 mM or higher, suppressed the delayed outward K+ current and the inward rectifier K+ current. Increases in [Mg2+]o depressed the peak amplitude and delayed the decay time course of the Ca2+ current (ICa), the latter effect is probably due to the decrease in Ca(2+)-induced inactivation. Thus 3 mM Mg2+ suppressed the peak ICa but increased the late ICa amplitude at the end of a 200-ms depolarization pulse, whereas 10 mM Mg2+ suppressed both components. Application of 10 mM Mg2+ shifted the voltage-dependent activation and inactivation by approximately 10 mV to more positive voltage due to screening the membrane surface charges. Application of manganese (1-5 mM) also caused dual effects on APD90, similar to those of Mg2+, and suppressed the peak ICa with slowed decay. These results suggest that the dual effects of Mg2+ on APD in guinea pig ventricular myocytes can be, at least in part, explained by its action on ICa with slowed decay time course in addition to suppressive effects on K+ currents.