Iodoacetic acid-induced rigor in ileal longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea-pig

1. Ileal tensions to iodoacetic acid (IAA) develop when tissue ATP concentration falls below approximately 60-55% of the control. 2. As the IAA concentration is increased (0.1-10 mM), the ATP concentrations decrease rapidly, and both the time of the onset and the duration of the contraction shorten. 3. In the presence of lactate, IAA failed to decrease the tissue ATP concentration and did not develop tension. 4. The contraction to IAA developed in the presence of Ca2+ antagonist, D-600 or in Ca2(+)-free solution, however, onset time was prolonged. 5. These results suggest that the contraction to IAA is referred to as 'rigor' because it increases with decreasing tissue ATP concentration in ileum.