Enhancement of the L-Type Ca ²⁺ Current by Mechanical Stimulation in Single Rabbit Cardiac Myocytes

Anion conductance is known to be activated by mechanical stimulation, such as osmotic cell swelling or cell inflation via the patch pipette, of canine or rabbit cardiac myocytes. The effects of mechanical stimulation on time-dependent currents, however, remain unsettled. Using the whole-cell voltage-clamp method, we have found that mechanical stimuli enhance the L-type Ca 2+ current (I Ca,L ) in rabbit cardiac myocytes. At every membrane...