Electrophysiological effects of L-palmitoylcarnitine in single ventricular myocytes

In isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes, L-palmitoylcarnitine (L-PC) produced concentration- and time-dependent changes of resting potential (RP) and action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50). At 10(-8) to 10(-6) M, L-PC increased APD50 without changing RP. At 10(-5) M, the amphiphile initially increased (0-10 min) and eventually decreased (greater than 10 min) APD50; the membrane depolarized when APD50 decreased. Additionally, transient depolarizations (TDs) were consistently induced in 10(-5) M L-PC within 10 min, and TD amplitude progressively increased with continued exposure to L-PC. The TDs induced in L-PC were augmented by membrane depolarization, elevated extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o), and increased number of stimuli. Elevated [Ca2+]o or neuraminidase treatment also allowed TDs. In neuraminidase, the changes of RP, APD50, and TD amplitude were qualitatively similar to those seen with L-PC. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 10(-5) M L-PC causes intracellular Ca2+ overload. The blockade of L-PC and neuraminidase-induced TDs by ryanodine is consistent with the intracellular Ca2+ overload hypothesis.