Aim: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of acetaldehyde on the contractile force and membrane potentials and currents in the bullfrog heart. Methods: Contractile force was recorded using right atrial tissues, and membrane potentials and currents were measured by using whole cell patch clamp methods in right atrial myocytes. Results: Acetaldehyde at 500 µmol/l and 1 mmol/l increased the contractile force significantly. Acetaldehyde at 300 and 500 µmol/l increased the overshoot and the plateau of electrically induced action potentials in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner, while the resting membrane potential did not change. The duration of the action potential (APD₉₀) measured at the 90% repolarization level was shortened. The L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca) increased significantly when 300 and 500 µmol/l were applied. The fast transient inward current, the inward rectifying potassium current and the outward delayed-rectifier potassium current were not changed following acetaldehyde application (500 µmol/l or 1 mmol/l). Conclusion: These results suggest that acetaldehyde increased the I_Ca, thereby increased the contractile force, the overshoot and the plateau of action potentials. The shortening of APD₉₀ may be due to the acceleration of the current decay during the I_Ca inactivation phase.

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