Reversible depression of action potentials and force production in frog single muscle fibres by calmodulin-inhibitors

The effects of the calmodulin-inhibitors trifluoperazine, thioridazine and zaldaride maleate on the responses to electrical stimulation in isolated frog skeletal muscle fibres were investigated. All three drugs initially reduced the amplitude of the action potentials but potentiated twitch force. This was followed by a total loss of action potentials and force production. However. the resting membrane potential was not changed. The effects were completely reversible upon removal of the drugs. These results suggest that an intact calmodulin system is required for normal function of the sarcolemmal sodium channels of frog skeletal muscle.