Biomaterial Database

[Direct cardiac mechanism of action of digitalis glycosides]. 1983

P Lechat, and Y Grosgogeat

The direct cardiac mechanism of action of digitalis remains obscure. The inhibition of membrane ATP-ase seems to correlate with the increase in free intracellular calcium at the contractile sites during membrane depolarization. Two mechanisms may explain this phenomenon: increase in the sodium-calcium exchange or labilisation of the calcium pool bound to the internal wall of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Digitalis toxicity occurs when the sodium pump is inhibited to such an extent that cellular homeostasis cannot be maintained. The intracellular calcium overload is responsible for the increased automaticity of the automatic fibres by oscillations of the membrane potential, added to the spontaneous slope of diastolic depolarisation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009200	Myocardial Contraction	Contractile activity of the MYOCARDIUM.	Heart Contractility,Inotropism, Cardiac,Cardiac Inotropism,Cardiac Inotropisms,Contractilities, Heart,Contractility, Heart,Contraction, Myocardial,Contractions, Myocardial,Heart Contractilities,Inotropisms, Cardiac,Myocardial Contractions
D009206	Myocardium	The muscle tissue of the HEART. It is composed of striated, involuntary muscle cells (MYOCYTES, CARDIAC) connected to form the contractile pump to generate blood flow.	Muscle, Cardiac,Muscle, Heart,Cardiac Muscle,Myocardia,Cardiac Muscles,Heart Muscle,Heart Muscles,Muscles, Cardiac,Muscles, Heart
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D002462	Cell Membrane	The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.	Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D004071	Digitalis Glycosides	Glycosides from plants of the genus DIGITALIS. Some of these are useful as cardiotonic and anti-arrhythmia agents. Included also are semi-synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring glycosides. The term has sometimes been used more broadly to include all CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES, but here is restricted to those related to Digitalis.	Glycosides, Digitalis
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000254	Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase	An enzyme that catalyzes the active transport system of sodium and potassium ions across the cell wall. Sodium and potassium ions are closely coupled with membrane ATPase which undergoes phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, thereby providing energy for transport of these ions against concentration gradients.	ATPase, Sodium, Potassium,Adenosinetriphosphatase, Sodium, Potassium,Na(+)-K(+)-Exchanging ATPase,Na(+)-K(+)-Transporting ATPase,Potassium Pump,Sodium Pump,Sodium, Potassium ATPase,Sodium, Potassium Adenosinetriphosphatase,Sodium-Potassium Pump,Adenosine Triphosphatase, Sodium, Potassium,Na(+) K(+)-Transporting ATPase,Sodium, Potassium Adenosine Triphosphatase,ATPase Sodium, Potassium,ATPase, Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging,Adenosinetriphosphatase Sodium, Potassium,Pump, Potassium,Pump, Sodium,Pump, Sodium-Potassium,Sodium Potassium Exchanging ATPase,Sodium Potassium Pump
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23