The effects of the sodium channel toxins saxitoxin, veratridine, deltamethrin and Anemonia sulcata toxin II on the spontaneous contractile activity of cultured rat skeletal muscle cells, were investigated. In addition, the influence of the external concentrations of K+ and Ca2+ ions was studied. The results indicate that the spontaneous contractility of cultured muscle cells is a suitable endpoint for assessing subtle alterations in the electrical properties of excitable membranes, and for quantifying in vitro the potency of neurotoxicants acting on the excitable membranes of nerve and muscle cells.
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