Veratridine-induced oscillations in membrane potential of cultured rat skeletal muscle: Role of the Na-K pump

1. The acute effects of veratridine on membrane potential (Em) and Na-K pump activity in cultured skeletal muscle were examined. 2. At a concentration of 10(-4) M, veratridine caused depolarization of Em and a decrease in Na-K pump activity. At concentrations of 10(-5) and 10(-6) M, veratridine caused oscillations of Em and an increase in Na-K pump activity compared to untreated, control cells. The oscillations consisted of depolarization to about -40 mV followed by hyperpolarization to about -90 mV; the level of hyperpolarization was higher at 37 than at 23 degrees C. 3. Veratridine-induced oscillations could be prevented by pretreatment with tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) and blocked or prevented by ouabain, which depolarizes Em of cultured myotubes. In contrast, depolarization of Em to -60 mV by excess K+ did not alter the amplitude or frequency of the oscillations. 4. The results demonstrate that veratridine-induced increase in Na influx both depolarizes cultured myotubes and increases the activity of the Na-K pump, which repolarizes Em to levels higher than control. This sequence accounts for veratridine-induced oscillations in Em. High concentrations of veratridine cause only depolarization of Em and inhibition of Na-K pump activity.