[Effect of aconitine on asymmetric displacement currents in the membrane of a node of Ranvier]

Abstract

The effect of aconitine on the asymmetrical displacement currents in Ranvier node membrane was studied. Aconitine evokes a shift of the charge displacement and time constant (tauon) membrane potential plots for the displacement currents in the direction of hyperpolarization by 50 mV. Maximum value of tauon in aconitine is twice as high as in norm and the reversal potentials for the displacement currents was estimated to be about--90 mV. The obtained results permit suggesting that the asymmetrical displacement current in its greater part is due to the operation of the gating mechanism of the sodium channel.