Effects of abamectin on intracellular potassium ion activity and membrane potential in dipteran skeletal muscle

Abstract

The effects of abamectin (AVMB1) on intracellular potassium ion activity (aKi) and resting membrane potential (Em) of the skeletal muscle cells of final instar larvae of Phormia terraenovae (Diptera) were investigated using K+‐selective micro‐electrodes. Bathing the preparation in 10− M AVMB1(+ 1 ml litre−1 dimethylsulfoxide) for 60 min caused a significant (31%) decrease in aKi, whilst Em depolarized on average by 19 mV (nearly 50% of the original control value). The difference EK‐Em increased by 9 mV, although EK (potassium equilibrium potential) remained more negative than Em. These results could be due to a cationic effect of AVMB1 possibly involving an increase in K+ and Na+ conductances of the muscle plasma membrane.