$\alpha_1$-Adrenergic Effects on Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, Contraction and L-type $Ca^{2+}$ Current in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes： Role of Protein Kinase C

The effects of $a_1$-adrenoceptor stimulation on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ([C $a^{2+}$]$_{i}$ ) transient, contraction, and L-type $Ca^{2＋}$ current ( $I_{Ca,L}$) were studied in single cells isolated from ventricles of guinea pig hearts. Phenylephrine, $\alpha$$_1$-adrenergic agonist, (5$\times$10$^{-5}$ ~10$^{-4}$ M) produced a biphasic pattern of inotropism： transient negative response (decrease in contraction by 23.9$\pm$2.5% of control) followed by a sustained positive response (increase in contraction by 60.0$\pm$3.4%, mean $\pm$ SD, n=12).(omitted)ted)