THE EFFECT OF LITHIUM ON THE INOTROPIC EFFECT OF OUABAIN AND MANIFESTATION OF ARRHYTHMIA IN GUINEA-PIG ATRIA

Abstract

rli....xposure ofthe guinea-pig whole a/ria to lithium (1 and 5 mM) produced a reduction ofinotropic response to ouubain. The inhibitory effect oflithium (1 m"f) was slight, whereas lithium (5 mM) significantly reduced tlze response oj the preparations to ouabain (2 and 3 /-df). Lithium (l and 5 mM) did not modify the inotropic response to 2 and 3 ,tiM of ouabain ill electrically stimulated guinea-pig left atria. Lithium was not able to modify the capacity of ouabain to produce arrhythmia The extent of contribution of the ouabain-like effect of lithium to our results could 1101 be assessed, thus, all interaction between ouabain and lithium seems unlikely.