Voltage-gated Ca ²⁺ currents are necessary for slow-wave propagation in the canine gastric antrum

Electrical slow waves determine the timing and force of peristaltic contractions in the stomach. Slow waves originate from a dominant pacemaker in the orad corpus and propagate actively around and down the stomach to the pylorus. The mechanism of slow-wave propagation is controversial. We tested whether Ca(2+) entry via a voltage-dependent, dihydropyridine-resistant Ca(2+) conductance is necessary for active propagation in canine gastric antral muscles. Muscle strips cut parallel to the circular muscle were studied with intracellular electrophysiological techniques using a partitioned-chamber apparatus. Slow-wave upstroke velocity and plateau amplitude decreased from the greater to the lesser curvature, and this corresponded to a decrease in the density of interstitial cells of Cajal in the lesser curvature. Slow-wave propagation velocity between electrodes impaling cells in two regions of muscle and slow-wave upstroke and plateau were measured in response to experimental conditions that reduce the driving force for Ca(2+) entry or block voltage-dependent Ca(2+) currents. Nicardipine (0.1-1 microM) did not affect slow-wave upstroke or propagation velocities. Upstroke velocity, amplitude, and propagation velocity were reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by Ni(2+) (1-100 microM), mibefradil (10-30 microM), and reduced extracellular Ca(2+) (0.5-1.5 mM). Depolarization (by 10-15 mM K(+)) or hyperpolarization (10 microM pinacidil) also reduced upstroke and propagation velocities. The higher concentrations (or lowest Ca(2+)) of these drugs and ionic conditions tested blocked slow-wave propagation. Treatment with cyclopiazonic acid to empty Ca(2+) stores did not affect propagation. These experiments show that voltage-dependent Ca(2+) entry is obligatory for the upstroke phase of slow waves and active propagation.