The excitation-contraction coupling on C2C12 skeletal muscle myotubes was modulated by NO-donor ester of gemfibrozil

The excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle is modulated by nitric oxide via redox status modification of ryanodine receptor on sarcoplasmic reticulum during events that lead to muscle contraction. We have synthesized a derivative of antilipidemic drug, gemfibrozil, in which a NO-donor furoxan moiety is joined to the fibrate by an ester linkage. Aim of the present study was to determine if the NO released from the above compound is capable of influencing the NO-sensible E-C coupling steps in skeletal muscle and if this effect could be potentially utilised for physiopathological studies and pharmaceutical applications. To obtain this goal we decided to study some of the excitation-contraction mechanisms in the presence of NO-releasing derivative of gemfibrozil in skeletal muscle C2C12 cell line.