The present paper aims to explore the effects of [Mg2+]o and glucose, insulin and K+ (GIK) on action potential parameters in guinea-pig atrial muscle. Specimens of atrial appendages were taken from guinea-pig hearts. Action potentials were recorded in isolated atrial trabeculae. Resting potential (RP) and action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD90) were measured with conventional microelectrode techniques. [Mg2+]o at 6 and 12 mmol L-1 depolarized the RP and prolonged the APD90, whereas 4 mmol L-1 had no effect at all. Glucose alone or in combination with insulin had no effect on action potential parameters. GIK solution with supernormal [K+]o at 6 mmol L-1 depolarized the RP and decreased the APD90. Intervention with [Mg2+]o at 4 mmol L-1 in combination with GIK solution with supernormal [K+]o of 6 mmol L-1, reversibly depolarized the RP, whereas the APD90 was not significantly changed. [Mg2+]o at 12 mmol L-1 in combination with GIK solution with a physiological [K+]o of 4 mmol L-1 prolonged the APD90 whereas the RP was unaffected. [Mg2+]o at 6 and 12 mmol L-1 slightly depolarized the RP and prolonged the APD90. The action potential of normally polarized atrial muscle was not sensitive to supernormal levels of glucose alone or in combination with insulin. The effects of [Mg2+]o in combination with the GIK solutions on action potential parameters seemed to be attributable to the supernormal [Mg2+]o and [K+]o alone, while these seemed to have opposite effects on APD90.