We investigated the effects of MCI-154, a new inotropic agent, on tension development in saponin-skinned human trabeculae carneae. The skinned fibers were activated by buffer solutions containing varying concentrations of Ca2+ (10(-8)-10(-4) M). In the sigmoidal tension vs. pCa (-log[Ca2+]M) relationship, the Ca2+ concentration required for half-maximal activation was shifted leftward in the presence of MCI-154. Furthermore, maximal Ca2+-activated tension development was increased in a concentration-dependent manner by MCI-154. Our results suggest that the inotropic effect of MCI-154 may be due, in part, to an increased sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ and enhancement of maximal Ca2+-activated tension development.