Effects of dietary calcium on adipocyte lipid metabolism and body weight regulation in energy-restricted aP2-agouti transgenic mice.

We have demonstrated previously a regulatory role for intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in adipocyte lipogenesis and lipolysis and have recently reported that 1,25-(OH)2-D increases adipocyte [Ca2+]i, which causes increased lipogenesis and decreased lipolysis. We have now tested the hypothesis that suppressing 1,25-(OH)2-D by increasing dietary calcium will suppress adipocyte [Ca2+]i, thereby facilitating weight loss by stimulating lipolysis and inhibiting lipogenesis in calorically (Kcal)-restricted (70% of ad lib) aP2-agouti transgenic (aP2-a) mice. Mice (aP2-a) exhibiting a pattern of obesity gene expression similar to humans were fed a low-Ca (0.4%)/high-fat/high-sucrose diet for six weeks, resulting in a 27% and twofold increase in body weight and total fat pad mass, respectively, with a twofold increase in adipocyte [Ca2+]i pad lib or Kcal-restricted (70% of ad lib) on this diet either unsupplemented (basal) or with 25% or 50% of the protein replaced by non-fat dry milk (medium or high) dairy or supplemented with CaCO3 to 1.2% Ca for six weeks. Adipocyte [Ca2+]i was unaffected by Kcal restriction but was reduced markedly by all three high Ca diets (290 vs. 130 nM, p2+]i and thereby reduce energy storage and increase thermogenesis during Kcal restriction.     

Effects of mitochondrial uncoupling on adipocyte intracellular Ca(2+) and lipid metabolism

Previous data from this laboratory demonstrate that increased intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) coordinately regulates human and murine adipocyte lipid metabolism by stimulating lipogenesis and inhibiting lipolysis. However, recent data demonstrate metabolic uncoupling increases [Ca(2+)]i but inhibits lipogenesis by suppressing fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity. Accordingly, we have evaluated the interaction between mitochondrial uncoupling, adipocyte [Ca(2+)]i, and adipocyte lipid metabolism. Pretreatment of 3T3-L1 cells with mitochondrial uncouplers (DNP or FCCP) amplified the [Ca(2+)]i response to depolarization with KCl by 2-4 fold (p <0.001), while this increase was prevented by [Ca(2+)]i channel antagonism with lanthanum. Mitochondrial uncouplers caused rapid (within 4hr) dose-dependent inhibition of FAS activity (p <0.001), while lanthanum caused a further additive inhibition. The suppression of FAS activity induced by uncoupling was reversed by addition of ATP. Mitochondrial uncouplers increased FAS expression significantly while [Ca(2+)]i antagonism with lanthanum decreased FAS expression (P <0.001). In contrast, mitochondrial uncouplers independently inhibited basal and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis (20-40%, p <0.001), while this inhibition was fully reversed by lanthanum. Thus, mitochondrial uncoupling exerted short-term regulatory effects on adipocyte [Ca(2+)]i and lipogenic and lipolytic systems, serving to suppress lipolysis via a Ca(2+) -dependent mechanism and FAS activity via a Ca(2+)-independent mechanism.     

Selective stimulation of in situ intermediary metabolism by free calcium in permeabilized rat adipocytes.

The hypothesis that ionized calcium [Ca2+]i may stimulate in situ rat adipocyte intermediary metabolism distal to glucose transport was tested. A metabolically active porous adipocyte model was employed in which pathway metabolism is exclusively pore-dependent using glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) as substrate. Cellular [Ca2+]i was, furthermore, directly adjusted to between 0-2.5 microM via the membrane pores. Three metabolic fluxes were examined, (1) glycolysis-Krebs ([6-14C]G6P oxidation), (2) glycolysis to lactate ([U-14C]G6P to [14C]lactate) and (3) pentose pathway ([1-14C]G6P oxidation). Glycolysis-Krebs oxidation was was found to be selectively (33% above basal P less than 0.001) stimulated by 0.625 microM free calcium. In contrast, there was no effect of [Ca2+]i on the other, exclusively cytoplasmic, pathways. The stimulation of glycolysis-Krebs by [Ca2+]i was inhibited by a mitochondrial calcium channel blocker (Ruthenium red) and persisted over a range of ATP/ADP ratios. Separate studies demonstrated that 2-[1-14C]ketoglutarate oxidation was also calcium-stimulated in the porous adipocytes (160% over baseline at 1 microM [Ca2+]i). These studies thus demonstrate that physiologically relevant increments in porous adipocyte [Ca2+]i enhance overall in situ glycolytic-Krebs pathway oxidation by a mechanism which entails mitochondrial calcium uptake. Methodologically, this metabolically active porous adipocyte model presents a novel experimental approach to investigations regarding the effects of ionized calcium on intermediary metabolism beyond glucose transport.     

Regulation of adiposity by dietary calcium.

Recent data from this laboratory demonstrate that increasing adipocyte intracellular Ca(2+) results in a coordinated stimulation of lipogenesis and inhibition of lipolysis. We have also noted that increasing dietary calcium of obese patients for 1 year resulted in a 4.9 kg loss of body fat (P<0.01). Accordingly, we tested the possibility that calcitrophic hormones may act on adipocytes to increase Ca(2+) and lipid metabolism by measuring the effects of 1, 25-(OH)(2)-D in primary cultures of human adipocytes, and found significant, sustained increases in intracellular Ca(2+) and a corresponding marked inhibition of lipolysis (EC(50) approximately 50 pM; P<0.001), suggesting that dietary calcium could reduce adipocyte mass by suppressing 1,25-(OH)(2)-D. To test this hypothesis, we placed transgenic mice expressing the agouti gene specifically in adipocytes on a low (0.4%) Ca/high fat/high sucrose diet either unsupplemented or with 25 or 50% of the protein replaced by non-fat dry milk or supplemented to 1.2% Ca with CaCO(3) for 6 wk. Weight gain and fat pad mass were reduced by 26-39% by the three high calcium diets (P<0.001). The high calcium diets exerted a corresponding 51% inhibition of adipocyte fatty acid synthase expression and activity (P<0.002) and stimulation of lipolysis by 3. 4- to 5.2-fold (P<0.015). This concept of calcium modulation of adiposity was further evaluated epidemiologically in the NHANES III data set. After controlling for energy intake, relative risk of being in the highest quartile of body fat was set to 1.00 for the lowest quartile of Ca intake and was reduced to 0.75, 0.40, and 0.16 for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, of calcium intake for women (n=380;P<0.0009); a similar inverse relationship was also noted in men (n=7114; P<0.0006). Thus, increasing dietary calcium suppresses adipocyte intracellular Ca(2+) and thereby modulates energy metabolism and attenuates obesity risk.     

Restitution of defective glucose-stimulated insulin release of sulfonylurea type 1 receptor knockout mice by acetylcholine

Inhibition of ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels by an increase in the ATP/ADP ratio and the resultant membrane depolarization are considered essential in the process leading to insulin release (IR) from pancreatic beta-cells stimulated by glucose. It is therefore surprising that mice lacking the sulfonylurea type 1 receptor (SUR1-/-) in beta-cells remain euglycemic even though the knockout is expected to cause hypoglycemia. To complicate matters, isolated islets of SUR1-/- mice secrete little insulin in response to high glucose, which extrapolates to hyperglycemia in the intact animal. It remains thus unexplained how euglycemia is maintained. In recognition of the essential role of neural and endocrine regulation of IR, we evaluated the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on IR and free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of freshly isolated or cultured islets of SUR1-/- mice and B6D2F1 controls (SUR1+/+). IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was also used to explore cAMP-dependent signaling in IR. Most striking, and in contrast to controls, SUR1-/-) islets are hypersensitive to ACh and IBMX, as demonstrated by a marked increase of IR even in the absence of glucose. The hypersensitivity to ACh was reproduced in control islets by depolarization with the SUR1 inhibitor glyburide. Pretreatment of perifused SUR1-/- islets with ACh or IBMX restored glucose stimulation of IR, an effect expectedly insensitive to diazoxide. The calcium channel blocker verapamil reduced but did not abolish ACh-stimulated IR, supporting a role for intracellular Ca2+ stores in stimulus-secretion coupling. The effect of ACh on IR was greatly potentiated by GLP-1 (10 nM). ACh caused a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i at 0.1-1 microM or biphasic changes (an initial sharp increase in [Ca2+]i followed by a sustained phase of low [Ca2+]i) at 1-100 microM. The latter effects were observed in substrate-free medium or in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose. We conclude that SUR1 deletion depolarizes the beta-cells and markedly elevates basal [Ca2+]i. Elevated [Ca2+]i in turn sensitizes the beta-cells to the secretory effects of ACh and IBMX. Priming by the combination of high [Ca2+]i, ACh, and GLP-1 restores the defective glucose responsiveness, precluding the development of diabetes but not effectively enough to cause hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.     

ATP敏感钾通道参与大鼠前脂肪细胞增殖和分化

为了探讨ATP敏感钾通道在前脂肪细胞增殖分化中作用,本实验用逆转录实时定量PCR方法检测大鼠前脂肪细胞和诱导5d获得的脂肪细胞中该通道磺脲类受体2（sulphonylurea receptor2,SUR2）mRNA表达,探讨该通道阻滞剂格列本脲和激动剂二氮嗪对前脂肪细胞中SUR2mRNA表达的影响;MTT检测前脂肪细胞增殖;流式细胞仪检测细胞周期;油红O染色法检测细胞内脂质含量;Image-Pro Plus5．0软件测量细胞直径;逆转录PCR检测过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体-γ（peroxisome proliferator-activatedreceptor-γ PPAR-γ）mRNA表达。结果显示：前脂肪细胞及诱导5d获得的脂肪细胞均有SUR2mRNA表达,且后者明显高于前者;格列本脲抑制前脂肪细胞SUR2mRNA表达,剂量依赖性地促进前脂肪细胞增殖,增加G2／M＋S期细胞百分比,增加细胞脂质含量,使脂肪细胞直径增大,增加PPAR-γ mRNA的表达;二氮嗪在这些方面的作用与格列本脲相反。以上结果提示,ATP敏感钾通道在前脂肪细胞增殖和分化中可能起调节作用,PPAR-γ可能参与这些作用。     

Cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations by gastrin releasing peptide in single HIT-T15 cells.

In single, superfused, FURA-2AM loaded insulin producing HIT-T15 cells, gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) induced a peak in cytoplasmnic Cu2+ ([Ca2+]i) followed by a sustained (high GRP concentrations) or oscillatory (low GRP concentrations) [Ca2+]i pattern. The GRP (25-50 microM)-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations ceased upon removal of glucose or addition of thapsigargin (1 microM), EGTA (2 mM), or diazoxide (200 microM), whereas nifedipine (10 microM) reduced their amplitude (by 35%). Both protein kinase C (PKC)-activation or PKC-inhibition disrupted GRP induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. GRP induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in insulin producing cells therefore rely on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, voltage-dependent and voltage-independent Ca2+ entry mechanisms and the integrity of protein kinase C.     

Evidence for a sodium/calcium exchanger and voltage-dependent calcium channels in adipocytes

The objective of these studies is to identify and characterize Ca2+-transport systems that may be of potential importance in the action of Ca2+-mobilizing hormones in the adipocyte. Using the Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein, aequorin, [Ca2+]i was estimated to be 0.15 microM, assuming an intracellular [Mg2+] of 1 mM. Substitution of Na+ with choline+ caused a transient increase in [Ca2+]i which was inversely related to extracellular [Na+], consistent with operation of a mediated Na+-Ca2+ exchange system. The stoichiometry was 3Na+:Ca2+. Elevation of extracellular K+ caused an increase in [Ca2+]i that was blocked by the Ca2+ channel antagonist, diltiazem, by omitting extracellular Ca2+, or by substituting Sr2+ for Ca2+. These findings indicate the presence of an Na+-Ca2+ exchanger and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in adipocytes.     

Direct measurements of increased free cytoplasmic Ca2+ in mouse pancreatic beta-cells following stimulation by hypoglycemic sulfonylureas

The effects of the hypoglycemic sulfonylureas tolbutamide and glibenclamide on free cytoplasmic Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, were compared with that of a depolarizing concentration of K+ in dispersed and cultured pancreatic beta-cells from ob/ob mice. [Ca2+]i was measured with the fluorescent Ca2+-indicator quin2. The basal level corresponded to 150 nM and increased to 600 nM after exposure to 30.9 mM K+. The corresponding levels after stimulation with 1 microM glibenclamide and 100 microM tolbutamide were 390 and 270 nM respectively. K+ depolarization increased [Ca2+]i more rapidly than either of the sulfonylureas. It is suggested that the increased [Ca2+]i obtained after stimulation by sulfonylureas is due to depolarization of the beta-cells with subsequent entry of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent channels.     

High external Ca2+ levels trigger membrane potential oscillations in mouse pancreatic beta-cells during blockade of K(ATP) channels.

Glucose depolarizes the pancreatic beta-cell and induces membrane potential oscillations, but the nature of the underlying oscillatory conductance remains unknown. We have now investigated the effects of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin and high external Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) on glucose-induced electrical activity and whole islet intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), under conditions where the K(ATP) channel was blocked (100 microM tolbutamide or 4 microM glibenclamide). Raising [Ca2+]o to 10.2 or 12.8 mM, but not to 5.1 or 7.7 mM, turned continuous electrical activity into bursting activity. High [Ca2+]o (12.8 mM) regenerated a pattern of fast [Ca2+]i oscillations overshooting the levels recorded in tolbutamide. Ionomycin (10 microM) raised the [Ca2+]i and synergized with 5.1 mM Ca2+ to hyperpolarize the beta-cell membrane. The data indicate that a [Ca2+]i-sensitive and sulphonylurea-insensitive oscillatory conductance underlies the beta-cell bursting activity.     

ATP-dependent activation of K(Ca) and ROMK-type K(ATP) channels in human submandibular gland ductal cells.

[Ca(2+)](i) and membrane current were measured in human submandibular gland ductal (HSG) cells to determine the regulation of salivary cell function by ATP. 1-10 microM ATP activated internal Ca(2+) release, outward Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channel (K(Ca)), and inward store-operated Ca(2+) current (I(SOC)). The subsequent addition of 100 microM ATP activated an inwardly rectifying K(+) current, without increasing [Ca(2+)](i). The K(+) current was also stimulated by ATP in cells treated with thapsigargin in a Ca(2+)-free medium and was blocked by glibenclamide and tolbutamide, but not by charybdotoxin. This suggests the involvement of a Ca(2+)-independent, sulfonylurea-sensitive K(+) channel (K(ATP)). UTP mimicked the low [ATP] effects, while benzoyl-ATP activated internal Ca(2+) release, a Ca(2+) influx pathway, and K(Ca). Thus, ATP acts via P(2U) (P2Y(2)) and P(2Z) (P2X(7)) receptors to increase [Ca(2+)](i) and activate K(Ca), but not K(ATP). Importantly, (i) ROMK1 and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein (but not SUR1, SUR2A, or SUR2B) and (ii) cAMP-stimulated Cl(-) and K(+) currents were detected in HSG cells. These data demonstrate for the first time that a ROMK-type K(ATP) channel is present in salivary gland duct cells that is regulated by extracellular ATP and possibly by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator. This reveals a potentially novel mechanism for K(+) secretion in these cells.     

Norepinephrine acts on the KATP channel and produces different effects on [Ca2+]i in oscillating and non-oscillating HIT-T15 cells

Norepinephrine (NE) is an inhibitor of insulin secretion that acts, in part, by decreasing intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). We examined the effects of NE on [Ca2+]i in individual HIT-T15 cells loaded with indo 1. Cells were categorized as oscillators or non-oscillators on the basis of the pattern of the calcium response to glucose and the effect of NE on [Ca2+]i was subsequently measured in each cell. NE caused a simple decrease in [Ca2+]i in nonoscillators. In oscillators, NE decreased the amplitude and frequency of the oscillations. Furthermore, the duration of the NE effect in oscillators was longer than in non-oscillators. NE did not affect the rise in [Ca2+]i elicited by depolarizing concentrations of 20 mM or 35 mM KCl alone, or in the presence of 20 mM KCl, 100 microM diazoxide, and 10 mM glucose. In other experiments, NE had no effect on [Ca2+]i when the KATP channels were fully clamped with diazoxide or tolbutamide. We conclude that the action of NE to decrease [Ca2+]i in both oscillators and non-oscillators is mediated via activation of the KATP channel. Despite this common mechanism, NE exerts different effects on oscillating and non-oscillating cells.     

Hexosamine Biosynthesis Is a Possible Mechanism Underlying Hypoxia’s Effects on Lipid Metabolism in Human Adipocytes

Introduction

Hypoxia regulates adipocyte metabolism. Hexosamine biosynthesis is implicated in murine 3T3L1 adipocyte differentiation and is a possible underlying mechanism for hypoxia’s effects on adipocyte metabolism.

Methods

Lipid metabolism was studied in human visceral and subcutaneous adipocytes in in vitro hypoxic culture with adipophilic staining, glycerol release, and palmitate oxidation assays. Gene expression and hexosamine biosynthesis activation was studied with QRTPCR, immunofluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting.

Results

Hypoxia inhibits lipogenesis and induces basal lipolysis in visceral and subcutaneous human adipocytes. Hypoxia induces fatty acid oxidation in visceral adipocytes but had no effect on fatty acid oxidation in subcutaneous adipocytes. Hypoxia inhibits hexosamine biosynthesis in adipocytes. Inhibition of hexosamine biosynthesis with azaserine attenuates lipogenesis and induces lipolysis in adipocytes in normoxic conditions, while promotion of hexosamine biosynthesis with glucosamine in hypoxic conditions slightly increases lipogenesis.

Conclusions

Hypoxia’s net effect on human adipocyte lipid metabolism would be expected to impair adipocyte buffering capacity and contribute to systemic lipotoxicity. Our data suggest that hypoxia may mediate its effects on lipogenesis and lipolysis through inhibition of hexosamine biosynthesis. Hexosamine biosynthesis represents a target for manipulation of adipocyte metabolism.     

In vitro effects of leptin on human adipocyte metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Leptin receptors are expressed in adipocytes, suggesting potential autocrine/paracrine effects. Studies on the direct effects of leptin on adipose tissue metabolism in different species have yielded controversial data. To assess the in vitro effects of leptin on human adipocyte metabolism: lipolysis, the insulin-induced inhibition of lipolysis and lipogenesis were studied in adipocytes obtained from infants and adults. METHODS: Lipolysis was studied by incubating adipocytes with increasing concentrations of leptin or isoprenaline. Glycerol in the incubation medium was measured as an indicator of lipolysis. For the lipogenesis and insulin-induced inhibition of lipolysis experiments, the cells were preincubated with 0, 25, or 250 ng/ml of leptin for 2 h. RESULTS: Leptin did not stimulate lipolysis in human adipocytes, either in children or adults. Preincubation with leptin did not affect the insulin-induced inhibition of lipolysis, but decreased the insulin-induced lipogenesis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that leptin has no direct lipolytic effect in human adipocytes. The lack of effect on the insulin-induced inhibition of lipolysis and the negative effect on lipogenesis indicates that the effect of leptin is not at the proximal insulin-signalling pathway but further downstream.     

Calcium influx mediated by nicotinic receptors and voltage sensitive calcium channels in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

When SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to nicotine (NIC) or KCl they showed a dose-dependent transient increase (2- to 4-fold) in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+])i as detected by quin-2 fluorescence, with half maximal effects (EC50) observed at 13 microM and 26 mM, respectively. Tubocurarine and 1-isodihydrohistrionicotoxin potently blocked the NIC-evoked (IC50 congruent to 1 microM and 0.3 microM, respectively), but not the high [K+]o-evoked [Ca2+]i accumulation. The KCl-induced response was inhibited by verapamil and diltiazem (IC50 = 1.4 and 10.9 microM, respectively). Tetrodotoxin (3 microM) and tetraethylammonium (10 microM) had no effect on [Ca2+]i accumulation induced by either agent. Increases in [Ca2+]i could be evoked sequentially by NIC and KCl in the same cells suggesting independent mechanisms of Ca2+ entry. In a Ca2+-free medium, no response to either KCl or NIC was observed. However, when Ca2+ ions were restored, [Ca2+]i accumulation was enhanced to the same extent as cells suspended in a Ca2+-containing buffer. Long-term (18 hr) pretreatment of SK-N-SH cells with pertussis (100 ng/ml) or cholera toxins (10 nM) had no effect on NIC or KCl-induced [Ca2+]i accumulation. Together, these data demonstrate the presence of NIC receptors and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels on SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells, through which [Ca2+]i may be modulated.     

Thimerosal increases the responsiveness of the calcium receptor in human parathyroid and rMTC6-23 cells

Parathyroid cells express a plasma membrane calcium receptor (CaR), which is stimulated by a rise in extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]ext). A decreased sensitivity to [Ca2+]ext occurs in adenomatous parathyroid cells in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, but the underlying functional mechanism is not yet fully understood. This study explored whether CaR responsiveness is influenced by increasing the affinity of IP3 receptors--a major signalling component of other G-protein-coupled receptors. The sulphydryl reagent thimerosal was used to increase the responsiveness of IP3-receptors. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy in Fura-2-loaded cells was used to investigate the effects of thimerosal on the cytoplasmic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in human parathyroid cells and to compare its effects in a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line (rMTC6-23) also expressing CaR. During incubation in Ca(2+)-free medium, thimerosal 5 microM induced a rapid sustained rise in [Ca2+]i in human parathyroid cells and no further [Ca2+]i increase appeared in response to the CaR agonist Gd3+ (100 microM). Thimerosal 1 microM induced only slow and minimal changes of basal [Ca2+]i and allowed a rapid response to Gd3+ 20 nM (a concentration without effect in control cells). The slope of the thimerosal-induced [Ca2+]i responses was steeper following exposure to CaR agonists. In the presence of 1 mM [Ca2+]ext, thimerosal (0.5 microM) induced a sharp increase in [Ca2+]i to a peak (within 60 s), followed either by return to basal [Ca2+]i or by a plateau of slightly higher amplitude. Similar results were obtained using rMTC6-23 cells. Thimerosal increases the responsiveness to CaR agonists through modulation of the sensitivity of the IP3 receptor in both parathyroid and rMTC6-23 cells.     

Vasopressin directly closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels evoking membrane depolarization and an increase in the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration in insulin-secreting cells.

The effects of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) (0.01-1 microM) on membrane potential, [Ca2+]i and ATP-sensitive potassium channels have been studied in the insulin-secreting cell line RINm5F. In whole cells, with an average spontaneous cellular transmembrane potential of -64 +/- 3 mV (n = 33) and an average basal [Ca2+]i of 102 +/- 6 nM (n = 40), AVP evoked: (i) membrane depolarization, (ii) voltage-dependent Ca2+ spike-potentials and (iii) a sharp rise in [Ca2+]i. Single-channel current events recorded from excised outside-out membrane patches show that AVP closes potassium channels that are also closed by tolbutamide (100 microM) and opened by diazoxide (100 microM). AVP acts on KATP channels specifically from the outside of the membrane and a soluble cytosolic messenger appears not to be involved, since there is no channel activation in cell-attached membrane patches when the peptide is added to the bath solution.     

Histamine-Induced increases in intracellular free Ca2+ levels in hepatoma cells

The effect of histamine on intracellular free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in HA22/VGH human hepatoma cells were evaluated using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ dye. Histamine (0.2-5 microM) increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of about 1 microM. The [Ca2+]i response comprised an initial rise, a slow decay, and a sustained phase. Extracellular Ca2+ removal inhibited 50% of the [Ca2+]i signal. In Ca2+-free medium, after cells were treated with 1 microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor), 5 microM histamine failed to increase [Ca2+]i. After pretreatment with 5 microM histamine in Ca2+-free medium for 4 min, addition of 3 mM Ca2+ induced a [Ca2+]i increase of a magnitude 7-fold greater than control. Histamine (5 microM)-induced intracellular Ca2+ release was abolished by inhibiting phospholipase C with 2 microM 1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122), and by 5 microM pyrilamine but was not altered by 50 microM cimetidine. Together, this study shows that histamine induced [Ca2+]i increases in human hepatoma cells by stimulating H1, but not H2, histamine receptors. The [Ca2+]i signal was caused by Ca2+ release from thapsigargin-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum in an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent manner, accompanied by Ca2+ entry.     

Effect of the organotin compound triethyltin on Ca2+ handling in human prostate cancer cells

The effects of triethyltin on Ca2+ mobilization in human PC3 prostate cancer cells have been explored. Triethyltin increased [Ca2+]i at concentrations larger than 3 microM with an EC50 of 30 microM. Within 5 min, the [Ca2+]i signal was composed of a gradual rise and a sustained phase. The [Ca2+]i signal was reduced by half by removing extracellular Ca2+. The triethyltin-induced [Ca2+]i increases were inhibited by 40% by 10 microM nifedipine, nimodipine and nicardipine, but were not affected by 10 microM of verapamil or diltiazem. In Ca2+-free medium, pretreatment with thapsigargin (1 microM), an endoplasmic reticulum Ca+ pump inhibitor, reduced 200 microM triethyltin-induced Ca+ increases by 50%. Pretreatment with U73122 (2 microM) to inhibit phospholipase C did not alter 200 microM triethyltin-induced [Ca2+]i increases. Incubation with triethyltin at a concentration that did not increase [Ca2+]i (1 microM) in Ca2+-containing medium for 3 min potentiated ATP (10 microM)- or bradykinin (1 microLM)-induced [Ca2+]i increases by 41 +/- 3% and 51 +/- 2%, respectively. Collectively, this study shows that the environmental toxicant triethyltin altered Ca2+ handling in PC3 prostate cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner: at higher concentrations it increased basal [Ca2+]i; and at lower concentrations it potentiated agonists-induced [Ca2+]i increases.     

Interactions between inositol phosphates and cytosolic free calcium following bradykinin stimulation in cultured human skin fibroblasts

The inositol triphosphate (IP3) that results from hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is generally accepted to be responsible for the mobilization of intracellular calcium. However, some studies suggest that low concentrations of agonists elevate cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) without IP3 formation. Thus, in the present studies, a comparison of the temporal response of inositol phosphates (IP3, IP2 and IP) and [Ca2+]i to a wide range of bradykinin concentrations was used to examine the relation of these two signal transduction events in cultured human skin fibroblasts (GM3652). In addition, the effects of alterations in internal or external calcium on the response of these second messengers to bradykinin were determined. Bradykinin stimulated accumulation of inositol phosphates and a rise of [Ca2+]i in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Decreasing the bradykinin concentration from 1 microM to 0.1 microM increased the time until the IP3 peak, and when the bradykinin concentration was reduced to 0.01 microM IP3 was not detected. [Ca2+]i was examined under parallel conditions. As the bradykinin concentration was reduced from 1 microM to 0.01 microM, the time to reach the peak of [Ca2+]i increased progressively, but the magnitude of the peak was unaltered. These two second messengers were variably dependent on external calcium. Although the bradykinin-stimulated initial spike of [Ca2+]i did not depend on extracellular calcium, the subsequent sustained levels of [Ca2+]i were abolished in calcium free medium. The bradykinin-stimulated inositol phosphate formation was not dependent on the extracellular calcium nor on the elevation of [Ca2+]i that was produced with Br-A23187. These results demonstrate that bradykinin-induced IP3 formation can be independent of [Ca2+]i and of external calcium, whereas changes in [Ca2+]i are partially dependent on external calcium.