不同频率电刺激膈神经导致膈肌肌浆网Ca~(2 )-ATPase和Ca~(2 )释放-摄取动力学改变

研究不同频率慢性电刺激（ＣＥＳ）后兔膈肌肌浆网（ＳＲ）Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性以及ＳＲ Ｃａ２＋摄取－释放动力学对不同频率ＣＥＳ的适应性变化。建立不同频率ＣＥＳ组;用定磷法测定ＳＲ Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性;用Ｆｕｒａ－２荧光法测定ＳＲ　Ｃａ２＋摄取－释放动力学。与对照组比较,慢性低频电刺激１０ Ｈｚ和２０Ｈｚ组的ＳＲ　Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性明显降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,Ｃａ２＋释放－摄取动力学也显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）;慢性高频电刺激５０ Ｈｚ和１００Ｈｚ组的ＳＲ Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性则显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）,Ｃａ２＋释放－摄取动力学亦明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０１）。实验提示,ＣＥＳ后不同频率ＣＥＳ导致膈肌ＳＲＣａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ、Ｃａ２＋摄取－释放动力学产生不同的适应性变化;对不同功能状态的膈肌应用不同频谱的慢性电刺激可能具有重要的临床意义。     

不同频率慢性电刺激膈神经对兔膈肌骨骼肌型二氢吡啶受体α1亚单位、ryanodine受体mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

测定不同频率慢性电刺激(chronic electrical stimulation,CES)膈神经5周后对兔膈肌钙释放单位中骨骼肌型二氢吡啶受体(DHPR)α1亚单位和ryanodine受体(RyRs)的mRNA和蛋白表达水平的影响,探讨CES后兔膈肌钙释放单位结构组成的变化和可能的临床应用价值.封闭群日本大耳白兔30只,随机分为正常对照组、10、20、50和100Hz,每组6只;以10和20 Hz为慢性低频电刺激组,50和100Hz为慢性高频电刺激组.CES参数为波宽0.2 ms 3～6个波/次,45次/min,电压10～20 V.刺激时间2×2 h/日,每周刺激6 d,连续刺激5周.分别采用RT-PCR和免疫组织化学法测定兔膈肌骨骼肌型DHPRα1-亚单位和RyR1、RyR2和RyR3的mRNA和蛋白表达.结果显示与对照组比较,慢性低频电刺激10和20 Hz组骨骼肌型DHPRα1、RyR的mRNA和蛋白表达明显降低(P＜0.01),有低度的RyR,mRNA的表达出现;慢性高频电刺激50和100Hz组骨骼肌型DHPRα1、RyR1的mRNA和蛋白表达明显升高(P＜0.01),未检测到RyR2mRNA的阳性表达.本实验提示慢性低频电刺激膈神经5周后,膈肌质膜上DHPR与RyRs之间的信号转导方式已从变构耦联为主转变为以Ca2+诱导Ca2+释放耦联为主.     

兔膈肌肌纤维亚型和代谢酶活性对不同频率CES的适应性变化

目的:探讨不同频率慢性电刺激对膈肌肌纤维亚型、肌球蛋白重链(MHC)亚型和代谢酶活性的适应性变化的影响.方法:分别用还原型辅酶Ⅰ四唑氮还原法、SDS-PAGE法和酶组织化学染色法观察、测定慢性电刺激后兔膈肌纤维类型、肌球蛋白重链(MHC)和NADHD等九种代谢酶活性变化.结果:①同对照组和慢性高频电刺激50Hz和100 Hz组比较,10 Hz和20 Hz慢性低频电刺激组膈肌Ⅰ型纤维,Ⅰ型MHC显著增加(P＜0.01);ⅡB型纤维和ⅡB型MHC显著减少(P＜0.01);慢性高频电刺激50Hz和100 Hz组则出现完全相反的变化(P＜0.01).②同对照组和慢性高频电刺激50 Hz和100 Hz组比较,慢性低频电刺激10 Hz和20 Hz组LDH和a-GPDHD活性明显降低(P＜0.01),MDH、SDH、GDH、G-6-PD、NADHD和NADPHD活性显著升高(P＜0.01);慢性高频电刺激50Hz和100 Hz组则出现完全相反的变化(P＜0.01).结论:肌纤维与代谢酶模式的适应性变化有明显的频率依赖性.     

兔膈肌力学模式对慢性电刺激的适应性改变和细胞外Ca2+变化的影响研究

目的 :研究兔膈肌肌条力学对不同频率慢性电刺激 (CES)的适应性变化特征和细胞外Ca2 变化对其力学特征的影响。方法 :测定正常对照组和CES组的颤搐收缩张力 (Pt)、峰值张力时间 (TPT)、1/ 2松驰时间 (1/ 2RT)、强直颤搐收缩张力 (Po)、疲劳指数 (FI)和疲劳恢复指数 (FRI) ;观察在无Ca2 Hank’s液和标准Hank’s液时肌条收缩张力消失和恢复的时间差异。结果 :①同对照组作比较 ,10Hz和 2 0Hz组的Pt、Po、Pt/Po明显降低 (P <0 .0 1) ,TPT和 1/ 2Rt明显延长 (P <0 .0 1) ,FI和FRI明显下降 (P <0 .0 1)。 5 0Hz和 10 0Hz组出现完全相反的效应 (P<0 .0 1)。②细胞外Ca2 变化对CES各组肌条收缩张力的降低和恢复均有明显的影响 ,但以 10Hz和 2 0Hz组尤为显著 ,其收缩张力在较短的时间内明显降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :①膈肌肌条力学模式在不同频率CES后呈现出明显的频率依赖性 ;②细胞外Ca2 变化对慢性低频电刺激后的膈肌肌条力学的影响明显增加     

β—淀粉样蛋白31—35片段对海马神经元分离膜片Ca^2＋激活大电导钾通道的抑制

为了确定β－淀粉样蛋白（AβP）在影响神经元电生理特性并导致神经毒作用时的最短活性序列,实验采用片钳技术,在急性分离的大鼠海马CA1区锥体细胞的“内面向外”式膜片上,观察了AβP的31－35和25－35片段对C^2 a激活大电导钾（BK）通道活动的影响,结果显示,浴液中给预5umol/L的AβP31－35后,BK通道的平均开放概率（P0）和开放频率在1－3min内分别减少了85．8％（P＜0．01）和72．1％（P＜0．01）,平均开放时间减少了41．1％（P＜0．01）,平均电流幅度则无明显改变（P＞0．05）,给予同样摩尔浓度的AβP25－35后,BK通道平均P0减少了85．5％（P＜0．01）,平均开放时间减少51．4％,（P＜0．05）,结果提示：两种AβP片段对海马神经元BK通道具有抑制作用,。这可能与AβP的神经性作用有关,AβP－31－35片段可能是AβP分子中影响细胞电生理特性的最小活性序列。     

Ca^2＋预处理对热胁迫下辣椒叶肉细胞中Ca^2＋—ATP酶活性的影响

在常温下生长的辣椒（Capsicum annuum L.）叶肉细胞中Ca^2 －ATP酶主要分布于质膜、液泡膜上,叶绿体的基质和基粒片层上也有少量分布;在40℃下热胁迫不同的时间,酶活性逐渐下降,直到叶绿体超微结构解体。同样条件下,经过Ca^2 预处理后,分布在上述细胞器膜或片层上的酶活性大大提高,表明Ca^2 预处理对该活性具有激活作用;Ca^2 预处理对热胁迫下的超微结构的完整性具有一定的保护作用,并且能使Ca^2 －ATP酶在热胁迫下维持较高活性。结果表明,Ca^2 预处理增强辣椒幼苗的抗热性,可能与其稳定细胞膜、从而使Ca^2 －ATP酶在热迫下保护较高活性有一定关系。     

白细胞介素-2对大鼠心肌Ca2+ATPase和Na+ /K+ATPase的影响

为了探讨IL－2对心肌细胞内钙影响的可能机制,用光学法检测心肌肌浆网Ca^2 ATPase的活性,以及细胞膜Ca^2 ATPase和Na^ /K^ ATPase的活性。结果：（1）用IL－2（10、40、200、800U/ml）灌流心脏后,其肌浆网Ca^2 ATPase的活性随IL－2浓度的升高而增强;（2）在ATP浓度为0.1-4mmol/L时,Ca^2 ATPase的活性随ATP浓度的升庙则增强,由IL－2（200U／ml）灌流后的心脏获得肌浆网（SR）,其Ca^2 ATPase的活性对ATP的反应强于对照组;（3）在[Ca^2 ]为1－40μmol/L时,心脏SR Ca^2 ATPase的活性随[Ca^2 ]增加而增强,而IL－2灌流心脏后分离的SR,其Ca^2 ATPase活性在[Ca^2 ]升高时没有明显改变;（4）用nor-BNI(10nmol/L）预处理5min后,IL－2（200U／ml）灌流后不再使SR Ca^2 ATPase的活性增强;（5）用PTX（5mg/L）预处理后,IL－2对SR Ca^2 ATPase的影响减弱;（6）用磷脂酶C（PLC）抑制剂U73122（5μmol/L）处理后,IL－2不再使SR Ca^2 ATPase活性增高;（7）用IL－2直接处理从正常大鼠分离的SR后,对SR Ca^2 ATPase活性无明显影响;（8）IL－2灌流后,对心肌细胞膜Ca^2 ATPase和Na^ /K^ ATPase活性没有显著。上述结果表明,IL－2灌流心脏后使心肌肌浆网Ca^2 ATPase的活性增加,心肌细胞膜上的κ－阿片受体及其下游的G蛋白和PLC介导了IL－2的作用。尽管IL－2提高SR Ca^2 ATPase对ATP的反应性,但却抑制SR Ca^2 ATPase对钙离子的敏感性。IL－2对心肌细胞膜Ca^2 ATPase和Na^ /K^ ATPase的活性无明显影响。     

青藤碱对培养VSMC MAPK、PKC活性和细胞[Ca^2＋]i的影响

目的：观察青藤碱对血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）丝裂素活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）、蛋白激酶C（PKC）活性和胞内游离钙浓度（[Ca^2＋i]）的影响。方法：将VSMC正常培养液、ox-LDL诱导血管内皮细胞（VEC）损伤的条件培养基、青藤碱加ox-LDL诱导VEC损伤的条件培养基等分别作用于VSMC,采用β-放射活性法等测定MAPK及PKC活性,荧光光度法检测VSMC[Ca^2＋]i。结果：VEC损伤条件培养基作用于VSMC后,与正常培养VSMC相比,细胞MAPK、PKC活性明显增加（P〈0．01）,细胞[Ca^2＋]i增加;青藤碱作用于VEC损伤条件培养基培养的VSMC后,与模型组相比,MAPK及PKC活性明显减少（P〈0．01）、细胞[Ca^2＋]i降低。结论：青藤碱抑制VSMC增殖的作用可能与拮抗MAPK、PKC活性和细胞[Ca^2＋]i的增加有关。     

齿状回在慢性电刺激诱发大鼠颞叶癫痫中的可能作用

本文探讨了齿状回（DG）及海马（HPC）在颞叶癫痫发生中的可能作用,分别强直电刺激（60Hz,0.4-0.6mA,2s)大鼠右背侧海马（DHPC）和DG制作慢性癫痫模型,观察大鼠行为,深部电图及脑区T2加权核磁共振成像（T2－WI)的改变,发现DG刺激组大鼠的原发性湿狗样抖频率明显低于HPC刺激组（P＜0．05）,其深部电图脑波的平均最高振幅也明显低于HPC刺激组大鼠（P＜0．05）,而PC电图的电振荡发生率增加,另外,HPC刺激组大鼠呈现T2－WI高信号强度,而DG刺激组大鼠T2－WI信号强度无明显改变（P＜0．05）,结果表明,DG在内嗅皮质（EC）－HPC环路中可能起着某种“过滤器”的作用,限制来自于大脑皮层通过EC到达HPC的神经信息,一旦丧失该作用可以导致HPC的损害并发生颞叶癫痫。     

弱磁场对骨骼肌肌质网钙调控作用的研究

目的：探讨弱磁场对提取的骨骼肌肌质网系（SR）Ca（2＋）转运、钙泵（Ca（2＋）-Mg（2＋）-ATPase）及钙释放通道（RyR）活性的影响,从分子水平和细胞信号系统的角度来解释生物电磁效应。方法：利用动态光谱法检测0.4 mT弱磁场辐照过的SR Ca（2＋）转运、Ca（2＋）-ATPase活性,还原型辅酶（NADH）的氧化初速率和超氧（O_2-）产率,以及用同位素标记方法检测[3H]-Ryanodine与RyR的平衡结合度。结果：弱磁场辐照引起SR的Ca（2＋）摄取功能和Ca（2＋）-ATPase的活性明显下降,Ca（2＋）释放和[3H]-Ryanodine平衡结合度上升,同时上调了NADH的氧化初速率和O_2-的产率。结论：提示0.4 mT弱磁场辐照30 min对SR Ca（2＋）-ATPase活性有明显抑制,对RyR有一定的激活效果。     

Separation of active and inactive (nonphosphorylating) Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum subfractions from low-frequency-stimulated rabbit muscle.

Chronic low-frequency stimulation elicits in rabbit fast-twitch muscle a partial inactivation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-uptake activities. Inactive Ca(2+)-ATPase was enriched in a light microsomal fraction by sucrose density gradient centrifugation after calcium oxalate loading in the presence of ATP. This fraction showed a reduced specific activity and phosphoprotein formation of the Ca(2+)-transport ATPase. These results suggest that the inactivation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase as induced by increased contractile activity, is confined to a specific SR vesicle population.     

Inhibitory antibodies to plasmalemmal Ca2+-transporting ATPases. Their use in subcellular localization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase activity in smooth muscle.

Antibodies directed against the purified calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase [(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase] from pig erythrocytes and from smooth muscle of pig stomach (antral part) were raised in rabbits. Both the IgGs against the erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and against the smooth-muscle (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase inhibited the activity of the purified calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from smooth muscle. Up to 85% of the total (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in a preparation of KCl-extracted smooth-muscle membranes was inhibited by these antibodies. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity and the Ca2+ uptake in a plasma-membrane-enriched fraction from this smooth muscle were inhibited to the same extent, whereas in an endoplasmic-reticulum-enriched membrane fraction the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was inhibited by only 25% and no effect was observed on the oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ uptake. This supports the hypothesis that, in pig stomach smooth muscle, two separate types of Ca2+-transport ATPase exist: a calmodulin-binding ATPase located in the plasma membrane and a calmodulin-independent one present in the endoplasmic reticulum. The antibodies did not affect the stimulation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity by calmodulin.     

NAADP controls cross-talk between distinct Ca2+ stores in the heart

In cardiac muscle the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) plays a key role in the control of contraction, releasing Ca(2+) in response to Ca(2+) influx across the sarcolemma via voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels. Here we report evidence for an additional distinct Ca(2+) store and for actions of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) to mobilize Ca(2+) from this store, leading in turn to enhanced Ca(2+) loading of the SR. Photoreleased NAADP increased Ca(2+) transients accompanying stimulated action potentials in ventricular myocytes. The effects were prevented by bafilomycin A (an H(+)-ATPase inhibitor acting on acidic Ca(2+) stores), by desensitizing concentrations of NAADP, and by ryanodine and thapsigargin to suppress SR function. Bafilomycin A also suppressed staining of acidic stores with Lysotracker Red without affecting SR integrity. Cytosolic application of NAADP by means of its membrane permeant acetoxymethyl ester increased myocyte contraction and the frequency and amplitude of Ca(2+) sparks, and these effects were inhibited by bafilomycin A. Effects of NAADP were associated with an increase in SR Ca(2+) load and appeared to be regulated by beta-adrenoreceptor stimulation. The observations are consistent with a novel role for NAADP in cardiac muscle mediated by Ca(2+) release from bafilomycin-sensitive acidic stores, which in turn enhances SR Ca(2+) release by increasing SR Ca(2+) load.     

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase, uncoupled from phospholamban, stimulates Ca2+-pumping in native cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Recent studies have demonstrated phosphorylation of the cardiac and slow-twitch muscle isoform (SERCA2a) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (at Ser38) by a membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase). Analysis of the functional consequence of Ca2+-ATPase phosphorylation in the native SR membranes, however, is complicated by the concurrent phosphorylation of the SR proteins phospholamban (PLN) which stimulates Ca2+ sequestration by the Ca2+-ATPase, and the ryanodine receptor-Ca2+ release channel (RYR-CRC) which likely augments Ca2+ release from the SR. In the present study, we achieved selective phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase by endogenous CaM kinase in isolated rabbit cardiac SR vesicles utilizing a PLN monoclonal antibody (PLN AB) which inhibits PLN phosphorylation, and the RYR-CRC blocking drug, ruthenium red, which inhibits phosphorylation of RYR-CRC. Analysis of the Ca2+ concentration-dependence of ATP-energized Ca2+ uptake by SR showed that endogenous CaM kinase mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase, in the absence of PLN and/or RYR-CRC phosphorylation, results in a significant increase (approximately 50-70%) in the Vmax of Ca2+ sequestration without any change in the k0.5 for Ca2+ activation of the Ca2+ transport rate. On the other hand, treatment of SR with PLN AB (which mimics the effect of PLN phosphorylation by uncoupling Ca2+-ATPase from PLN) resulted in approximately 2-fold decrease in k0.5 for Ca2+ without any change in Vmax of Ca2+ sequestration. These findings suggest that, besides PLN phosphorylation, direct phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase by SR-associated CaM kinase serves to enhance the speed of cardiac muscle relaxation.     

Ca2+ -induced Ca2+ release through localized Ca2+ uncaging in smooth muscle

Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) occurs in smooth muscle as spontaneous SR Ca(2+) release or Ca(2+) sparks and, in some spiking tissues, as Ca(2+) release that is triggered by the activation of sarcolemmal Ca(2+) channels. Both processes display spatial localization in that release occurs at a higher frequency at specific subcellular regions. We have used two-photon flash photolysis (TPFP) of caged Ca(2+) (DMNP-EDTA) in Fluo-4-loaded urinary bladder smooth muscle cells to determine the extent to which spatially localized increases in Ca(2+) activate SR release and to further understand the molecular and biophysical processes underlying CICR. TPFP resulted in localized Ca(2+) release in the form of Ca(2+) sparks and Ca(2+) waves that were distinguishable from increases in Ca(2+) associated with Ca(2+) uncaging, unequivocally demonstrating that Ca(2+) release occurs subsequent to a localized rise in [Ca(2+)](i). TPFP-triggered Ca(2+) release was not constrained to a few discharge regions but could be activated at all areas of the cell, with release usually occurring at or within several microns of the site of photolysis. As expected, the process of CICR was dominated by ryanodine receptor (RYR) activity, as ryanodine abolished individual Ca(2+) sparks and evoked release with different threshold and kinetics in FKBP12.6-null cells. However, TPFP CICR was not completely inhibited by ryanodine; Ca(2+) release with distinct kinetic features occurred with a higher TPFP threshold in the presence of ryanodine. This high threshold release was blocked by xestospongin C, and the pharmacological sensitivity and kinetics were consistent with CICR release at high local [Ca(2+)](i) through inositol trisphosphate (InsP(3)) receptors (InsP(3)Rs). We conclude that CICR activated by localized Ca(2+) release bears essential similarities to those observed by the activation of I(Ca) (i.e., major dependence on the type 2 RYR), that the release is not spatially constrained to a few specific subcellular regions, and that Ca(2+) release through InsP(3)R can occur at high local [Ca(2+)](i).     

Comparison of Ca2+ release and uptake characteristics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in isolated horse and rabbit cardiomyocytes

Both the cardiac action potential duration (APD) (0.6-1 s) and resting heart rate (30-40 beats/min) in the horse are significantly different from humans and smaller mammals, including the rabbit. This would be anticipated to have consequences for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling and require adaptation of the individual processes involved. The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is one of the main components involved in EC coupling. This study examines and compares the activity of this organelle in the horse with that of the rabbit. In particular, the study focuses on SR Ca2+ release via the Ca2+ release channel/ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and Ca2+ uptake via the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pump. Isolated cardiomyocytes from both horse and rabbit hearts were permeabilized, bathed in a mock intracellular solution, and exposed to a specified [Ca2+]. Rabbit cardiomyocytes exposed to 260 nM [Ca2+] produced spontaneous Ca2+ release and propagated Ca2+ waves. Horse cells failed to produce Ca2+ waves; instead, only local release in the form of Ca2+ sparks was evident. However, at 550 nM [Ca2+], Ca2+ waves were produced in both species. Ca2+ waves were four times less frequent yet approximately 1.5 times greater in amplitude in the horse compared with the rabbit. Ca2+ wave velocity was comparable between the species. The reason for this disparity in Ca2+ wave characteristics is unknown. Separate measurements of oxalate-supported Ca2+ uptake into the SR suggest that both horse and rabbit cardiomyocytes have comparable levels SERCA activity. The possible reasons for the observed differences in SR Ca2+ release between the horse and rabbit are discussed.     

Modification of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole

The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase (Ca2+-transporting), EC 3.6.1.38) protein of rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rapidly incorporated 2 mol of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) per 10(5) g of protein with little change in the Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity. When 2 additional mol of the reagent were bound the Ca2+-ATPase, activity was inhibited. The same pattern was found for modified intact SR and the Ca2+ uptake ability was inhibited. MgATP, CaATP and MgADP protected the Ca2+-ATPase activity concurrent with a decrease of about 1 mol of the NBD group per 10(5) g protein, but the Ca2+ uptake ability was not protected. Calcium alone had no effect on the modification. The modified ATPase protein or SR formed non-serial oligomers or aggregates, but the ATPase protein remained the predominant species present. In the presence of MgATP, oligomer formation was reduced partially but the major changes in the Ca2+-ATPase activity were due to the modification of the ATPase monomer. Thiolysis of the NBD-ATPase protein with dithiothreitol did not restore the Ca2+-ATPase activity, although more than 1 mol of the NBD group was removed from cysteine residues. Cysteine residues were modified in the NBD-ATPase protein or SR when the enzyme activity was inhibited. Trypsin digestion of NBD-SR or its ATPase protein released the A, B, A1, and A2 fragments. The A fragment and its subfragment A2 contained most of the label. Substrate MgATP protection studies showed that the A1 and A2 fragments were involved in maintaining the Ca2+-ATPase activity. Reagent-induced conformational changes of these fragments rather than direct active site group labeling accounted for the loss of ATPase activity.     

Effects of fatigue and training on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) regulation in human skeletal muscle.

Little is known about fatigue and training effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function in human muscle, and we therefore investigated this in eight untrained controls (UT), eight endurance-trained (ET), and eight resistance-trained athletes (RT). Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) taken at rest and after 50 maximal quadriceps contractions (180 degrees/s, 0.5 Hz) were analyzed for fiber composition, metabolites and maximal SR Ca(2+) release, Ca(2+) uptake, and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Fatigue reduced (P < 0.05) Ca(2+) release (42.1 +/- 3.8%, 43.4 +/- 3.9%, 31.3 +/- 6.1%), Ca(2+) uptake (43.0 +/- 5.2%, 34.1 +/- 4.6%, 28.4 +/- 2.8%), and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (38.6 +/- 4.2%, 48.5 +/- 5.7%, 29.6 +/- 5.0%), in UT, RT, and ET, respectively. These decreases were correlated with fatigability and with type II fiber proportion (P < 0.05). Resting SR measures were correlated with type II proportion (r > or = 0.51, P < 0.05). ET had lower resting Ca(2+) release, Ca(2+) uptake, and Ca(2+)-ATPase (P < 0.05) than UT and RT (P < 0.05), probably because of their lower type II proportion; only minor effects were found in RT. Thus SR function is markedly depressed with fatigue in controls and in athletes, is dependent on fiber type, and appears to be minimally affected by chronic training status.     

Thapsigargin inhibits contraction and Ca2+ transient in cardiac cells by specific inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump.

Regulation of the level of ionized calcium, [Ca2+]i, is critical for its use as an important intracellular signal. In cardiac and skeletal muscle the control of fluctuations of [Ca2+]i depend on sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum ion channels and transporters. We have investigated the sesquiterpine lactone, thapsigargin (TG), because of its reported action to alter cellular calcium regulation in diverse cell types, including striated muscle cells. We have combined biochemical and physiological methods at the cellular level to determine the site of action of this agent, its specificity, and its cellular effects. Using a patch-clamp method in whole cell configuration while measuring [Ca2+]i with Indo-1 salt, we find that TG (100 nM) largely blocks the contraction and the [Ca2+]i transient in rat ventricular myocytes. Analysis of these data indicate that no sarcolemmal current or transport system is directly altered by TG, although indirect [Ca2+]i-dependent processes are affected. In permeabilized myocytes, TG blocked oxalate-stimulated calcium uptake (half-maximal effect at 10 nM) into the SR. However, TG (100 microM) had no effect on Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release in purified muscle (ryanodine-receptor enriched) vesicles while clearly blocking Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in purified (longitudinal SR) vesicles. We conclude that in striated muscle TG markedly alters calcium metabolism and thus alters contractile function only by its direct action on the Ca(2+)-ATPase.