Dantrolene is an inhibitor of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (IC
50 = 0.3 μM).
1 It binds to sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from normal and malignant hyperthermia-susceptible (MHS) pigs with K
d values of 0.3 and 0.09 μM, respectively. Dantrolene reduces spontaneous calcium wave frequency and amplitude in the presence of calmodulin in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes with IC
50 values of 0.42 and 0.19 μM, respectively.
2 It reduces the magnitude of electrically stimulated twitch tensions in isolated rat extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles (IC
50 = 3 μg/ml) and MHS pigs (ED
50 = 0.85 mg/kg).
3,4 Formulations containing dantrolene have been used in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia.