We used electrophysiological and binding techniques to determine the effects of oxygen free radicals (OFRs) generated by dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF, 5 mM) on calcium current and dihydropyridine binding sites in guinea‐pig isolated ventricular myocytes.

Binding of [³H]‐PN200‐110 to isolated ventricular myocytes revealed one population of binding sites with a K_D of 0.11 ± 0.01 nM and B_max of 139.1 ± 6.9 fmol mg⁻¹ protein (n = 24). After 15 min of exposure to DHF, the density, but not the affinity of [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites was significantly (P < 0.01) reduced to 35% of the control value (B_max = 49.4 ± 3.7 fmol mg⁻¹ protein, K_D = 0.11 ± 0.01 nM, n = 15). In the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) the reduction in [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites was almost completely prevented (B_max = 120.5 ± 7.4 in control, n = 4 and 98.8 ± 7.4 fmol mg⁻¹ protein in DHF plus SOD and CAT, n = 4). K_D values were not modified (0.08 ± 0.01 in control and 0.09 ± 0.01 nM in DHF plus SOD and CAT).

The time‐course of the reduction of [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites by OFRs was paralleled by the decrease in L‐type calcium current (I_{Ca, L}) measured in patch‐clamped guinea‐pig ventricular myocytes either in the absence or in the presence of EGTA in the patch pipette. In the former conditions OFRs induced the appearance of calcium‐dependent alterations, i.e. the transient inward current, within 10 min. After 30 min of incubation with DHF, [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites were reduced to 25% of the control value.

In myocytes incubated with the antilipoperoxidant agent, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, 50 μm), the decrease in [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites caused by DHF was partially prevented (B_max values after 30 min exposure to DHF were 55.5 ± 1.9 and 23.7 ± 5.9 fmol mg⁻¹ protein in the presence and in the absence of BHT respectively, P < 0.05). BHT did not affect the decrease in [³H]‐PN200‐110 binding sites during the first 15 min of exposure to DHF, but was able to prevent completely the further decrease occurring during the following 15 min of incubation with OFRs.

Our results demonstrate that the OFR‐induced decrease in calcium current is associated with a reduction in DHP binding sites. The decrease in calcium current and in calcium channels may be implicated in the mechanical dysfunction associated with oxidative stress.