Persistence of the electrophysiologic effects of mexiletine in canine Purkinje fibers alters the response to subsequent hypoxia

The persistence of cellular electropharmacologic effects of mexiletine on canine Purkinje fibers was studied utilizing standard microelectrode techniques and two different protocols. In the first, the tissue was exposed to hypoxic perfusion before and 30 min after perfusion with one of the following: mexiletine hydrochloride 6.25 microM solution, mexiletine hydrochloride 12.5 microM solution, or drug-free Tyrode's solution. With the higher concentration of mexiletine, depression of the maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) persisted 30 min after drug washout and subsequent exposure to hypoxia did not result in the anticipated shortening of action potential duration but did prevent the restoration of normal Vmax. After perfusion with the lower concentration of mexiletine, Vmax was not depressed and hypoxic action potential duration shortening was not prevented. In the second protocol, Purkinje fibers were perfused with 12.5 microM mexiletine hydrochloride solution and then exposed to hypoxia after 15, 30, 45, or 60 min of perfusion with drug-free solution. Depression of maximal upstroke velocity and shortening of action potential duration persisted during washout, returning to control values by 45 min, although mexiletine was not detectable in the tissue bath after 10 min of washout. Hypoxia initiated at 15 or 30 min of washout failed to produce the anticipated shortening of action potential duration. At 45 and 60 min, action potential duration was shortened by hypoxia. We concluded that mexiletine depression of Vmax and shortening of action potential duration may persist in the absence of drug. Further shortening of action potential duration in response to hypoxia is prevented during this period. The persistence of Vmax depression is prolonged by hypoxia.     

Studies on electrical and mechanical activity in hypoxic papillary muscles of the guinea-pig.

The hypoxia-induced changes in transmembrane potentials and in force of contraction of isolated papillary muscles of the guinea-pig were studied. With different glucose concentrations in the hypoxic medium both the extent and the time course of the reduction in force of contraction and action potential duration could be modified. A time lag of 10 minutes was observed in the onset of action potential shortening. The membrane potential decreased only at advanced stages of hypoxia. Lack of glucose was tolerated for a considerable longer period of time when the preparations were mainly quiescent during hypoxia, although membrane depolarization could not be prevented. Memembrane depolarization was basent only if the mucles were completely unloaded when exposed to hypoxia. The dissociation of events during hypoxia is interpredted as evidence for compartmentalization of energy supply within the cells.     

肌苷对缺氧心肌跨膜电位和收缩强度的影响

本工作在正常和缺氧情况下,观察肌苷对豚鼠心室乳头肌跨膜电位和收缩强度的影响。结果表明肌苷使正常心肌细胞动作电位时间(APD_(10)、APD_(50)延长。在缺氧心肌,肌苷使细胞静息电位增大,动作电位去极化幅度增高,零期最大去极化速度加快和动作电位时间延长。肌苷增加正常心肌收缩力,使缺氧心肌收缩的衰减显著缓和,亦即使收缩功能改善,且表现剂量-依从性。肌苷对心肌细胞跨膜电位的影响提示它很可能有抗心律失常作用,特别是在缺氧心脏。肌苷对离休乳头肌收缩的影响,证明其对心肌有直接的强心作用。     

Effects of hypoxic and CO hypoxia on isolated hearts.

Isolated perfused dog hearts were made hypoxic by respiring the support dog with low oxygen (hypoxic hypoxia) or with carbon monoxide (CO hypoxia). Each heart was exposed to both types of hypoxia, separately. Effects on coronary flow (Qt), coronary vascular resistance, cardiac oxygen consumption (Vo2), and contractility (%deltadP/dt) were studied. Two series of experiments were done. Series I: At constant perfusion pressure. As oxygen content (Cao2) was lowered from 20 to 5 vol%, Qt doubled with hypoxic hypoxia and almost tripled with CO hypoxia (P less than 0.01). Vo2 and contractility increased with both types of hypoxia. Beta-adrenergic blockade eliminated the increase in VO2 and contractility but not the difference in Qt increase between hypoxic and CO hypoxia. Series II: At constant Qt (with beta-blockade), vascular resistance decreased more with CO than hypoxic hypoxia. Finally, alpha-blockade eliminated the difference in vascular resistance and thus with complete (alpha and beta) blockade, the two types of hypoxia have the same effect and are indistinguishable.     

Opposite change with ischaemia in the antifibrillatory effects of class I and class IV antiarrhythmic drugs resulting from the alteration in ion transmembrane exchanges related to depolarization

It is known that class I antiarrhythmic drugs lose their antifibrillatory activity with severe ischaemia, whereas class IV antiarrhythmic drugs acquire such activity. Tachycardia, which is also a depolarizing factor, has recently been shown to give rise to an alteration of ion transmembrane exchanges which is particularly marked in the case of calcium. This leads one to wonder if the change in antifibrillatory activity of antiarrhythmic drugs caused by ischaemia depends on the same process. The change in antifibrillatory activity was studied in normal conditions ranging to those of severe ischaemia with a class I antiarrhythmic drug, flecainide (1.00 mg x kg(-1) plus 0.04 mg x kg(-1)x min(-1), a sodium channel blocker, and a class IV antiarrhythmic drug, verapamil (50 microg x kg(-1) plus 2 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)), a calcium channel blocker. The experiments were performed in anaesthetized, open-chest pigs. The resulting blockade of each of these channels was assessed at the end of ischaemic periods of increasing duration (30, 60, 120, 180, 300, and 420 s) by determining the ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT). VFT was determined by means of trains of diastolic stimuli of 100 ms duration delivered by a subepicardial electrode introduced into the myocardium (heart rate 180 beats per min). Ischaemia was induced by completely occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery. The monophasic action potential was recorded concurrently for the measurement of ventricular conduction time (VCT). The monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) varied with membrane polarization of the fibres. The blockade of sodium channels by flecainide, which normally raises VFT (7.0 +/- 0.4 to 13.8 +/- 0.8 mA, p < 0.001) and lengthens VCT (28 +/- 3 to 44 +/- 5 ms, p < 0.001), lost its effects in the course of ischaemia. This resulted in decreased counteraction of the ischaemia-induced fall of VFT and decreased aggravation of the ischaemia-induced lengthening of VCT. The blockade of calcium channels, which normally does not alter VFT (between 7.2 +/- 0.6 and 8.4 +/- 0.7 mA, n.s.) or VCT (between 30 +/- 2 and 34 +/- 3 ms, n.s.), slowed the ischaemia-induced fall of VFT. VFT required more time to reach 0 mA, thus delaying the onset of fibrillation. Membrane depolarization itself was opposed as the shortening of MAPD and the lengthening of VCT were also delayed. Consequently there is a progressive decrease in the role played by sodium channels during ischaemia in the rhythmic systolic depolarization of the ventricular fibres. This reduces or suppresses the ability of sodium channel blockers to act on excitability or conduction, and increases the role of calcium channel blockers in attenuating ischaemia-induced disorders.     

Mechanism of hypoxic preconditionin in guinea pig papillary muscles

Brief ischemia or hypoxia has been found to protect the heart against susbsequent long-lasting ischemia and to improve contractile dysfunction as well to reduce cell necrosis and the incidence of lethal arrhythmias. This phenomenon, termed preconditioning (PC) has been demonstrated in different species. However, little is known about PC in guinea pigs. Moreover, electrophysiological changes underlying protection have not been studied so far in conjuntion with force recovery in a setting of PC. The aim of the study was to study PC in a guinea pig papillary muscle, using recovery of contractility after long hypoxic challenge as the main end-point of protection, and to investigate concominant electrophysiological alterations. In guinea pig papillary muscle preparations contracting isometrically (paced at 2 Hz), transmembrane action potentials (AP) and developed force (DF) were recorded by conventional microelectrode technique and a force tranducer. In addition, effective refractory periods (ERP) were determined. Hypoxia was induced by superfusion with 100% N₂ (pO₂ < 5 kPa) and pacing at 3,3 Hz. In the control group, long hypoxia lasted for 45 min and was followed by 30 min reoxygenation. In the PC group, muscles were subjected to 5 min hypoxia followed by 10 min recovery prior to sustained hypoxia/reoxygenation. Results: Long hypoxia induced a similar depression of DF in both, PC and control groups. However, a loss of contractile activity occured earlier in the PC group. AP duration and ERP decreased faster and were significantly shorter after PC. Upon reoxygenation, preconditioned muscles showed significantly better recovery of function (DF 86% of prehypoxic value vs. 36% in controls; p < 0,05). AP and ERP were completely restored in both, PC and control groups. Guinea pig papillary muscle can be preconditioned with a brief hypoxic challenge against contractile dysfunction upon long-lasting hypoxia/reoxygenation. Shortening of AP and loss of contractility occured more quickly during hypoxia and may participate in the protective effect of preconditioning. Possible mechanisms might involve facilitated opening of K_ATP-dependent channels.     

Effects of diltiazem and tetrodotoxin on the development of hypoxic contracture of the guinea pig myocardium

In the isolated electrically stimulated right ventricular papillary muscles the onset of hypoxic contracture occurred 7 +/- 1.2 min and reached maximum 29.2 +/- 4.6 min after the onset of hypoxia. Switching off of the stimulation and diltiazem (10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (3 X 10(-6) M) administration delayed the development of the hypoxic contracture and decreased its maximum level. The protective action of diltiazem was noted only in the presence of rhythmical stimulation. It was concluded that, in addition to the influx of Ca ions through calcium channels, the influx of Na ions through sodium channels was important in the development of hypoxic contracture.     

Dependency of hypoxic chemotransduction in cat carotid body on voltage-gated calcium channels.

The hypothesis that the entry of extracellular calcium ions into some compartment, quite possibly the type I cells, through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction in the cat carotid body was tested using an in situ perfusion technique. The neural output of the carotid body of anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated cats in response to perfusions with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (KRB), calcium-free KRB, KRB containing calcium channel blockers, or KRB containing BAY K 8644 was recorded. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic calcium-free KRB significantly decreased carotid chemoreceptor activity, suggesting that extracellular calcium is essential for hypoxic chemotransduction. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with hypoxic KRB containing verapamil (10-100 microM), diltiazem (10-100 microM), or nifedipine (10-100 microM) dose dependently attenuated the increase in chemoreceptor activity produced by hypoxia, suggesting that VGCC need to be activated for hypoxic chemotransduction. The carotid body response to hyperoxic KRB containing the calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 (10 microM) was 267 +/- 87% of hyperoxic control KRB, suggesting that an enhanced influx of calcium ions through VGCC stimulates carotid chemoreceptor activity. Selective perfusion of the carotid body with severely hypoxic KRB containing BAY K 8644 did not increase chemoreceptor activity above that produced by severe hypoxia alone. This suggests that severe hypoxia increases intracellular calcium in some compartment of the carotid body to achieve stimulatory maximum response and that further increase in intracellular calcium does not produce further elevation of neural activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The diffusion and electrogenic components of the membrane potential of hypoxic myocardium

The diffusion and electrogenic components of the resting potential of hypoxic ventricular muscle were separated by inhibition of the sodium pump with 10(-4) M ouabain. The response to varying external K concentrations (Ko) was studied. Arterially perfused rabbit hearts were submitted to 60 min hypoxia in Krebs solution containing 5 mM K throughout or to different external K concentrations during the last 20 min of hypoxia. For K concentrations between 1.5 and 10 mM, hypoxia did not change the resting potential except for a slight hyperpolarization in 7.5 mM K. The diffusion component of the resting potential did not differ from the resting potential at Ko less than 5 mM. An electrogenic potential of -3 to -6 mV was detectable at Ko values between 5 and 10 mM. The internal K concentration, Ki, was estimated from extrapolations to zero potential of the relation resting potential vs. Ko in normoxic and hypoxic hearts. These experiments revealed a decline of Ki of 16 mM with hypoxia. The variation of the diffusion potential with external K was fitted by a PNa:PK ratio five times lower than in normoxia. It has been concluded that an increase in K permeability and the persistence of electrogenic Na extrusion during hypoxia of rather short duration prevent membrane depolarization despite the myocardial K loss.     

慢性低氧对豚鼠右室心肌细胞钙、钾电流的影响

采用全细胞膜片箝技术,分别记录并比较正常对照组与慢性低氧组豚鼠单个右室心肌细胞的膜电容、L型钙电流和延迟整流钾电流峰值和电流-电压关系曲线,以探讨慢性低氧对豚鼠右室心肌细胞L型钙电流和延迟整流钾电流的影响。结果表明,上述两组细胞膜电容分别为（155±13．2）pF、（179±14,8）pF,低氧组显著大于正常对照组（P＜0．01）;L型钙电流峰值分别为（1．07±0．21）nA和（0．99±0．17）nA,两组之间无显著差异;在-20mV至＋20mV,慢性低氧组L型钙电流密度较正常对照组显著下降（P＜0．05）。在＋月mV至＋60mV之间,慢性低氧组豚鼠右室心肌细胞延迟整流钾电流幅度均小于正常对照组;在-20mV至＋60mV之间,慢性低氧组豚鼠右室心肌细胞延迟整流钾电流密度明显低于正常对照组。可见慢性低氧能使豚鼠右室心肌细胞膜电容增加,L型钙电流幅度不变,但L型钙电流密度下降;同时慢性低氧降低豚鼠右室心肌细胞延迟整流钾电流幅度和密度。     

Depression of presynaptic excitation by the activation of vanilloid receptor 1 in the rat spinal dorsal horn revealed by optical imaging

Hypoxia alters neuronal function and can lead to neuronal injury or death especially in the central nervous system. But little is known about the effects of hypoxia in neurones of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which survive longer hypoxic periods. Additionally, people have experienced unpleasant sensations during ischemia which are dedicated to changes in conduction properties or changes in excitability in the PNS. However, the underlying ionic conductances in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones have not been investigated in detail. Therefore we investigated the influence of moderate hypoxia (27.0 ± 1.5 mmHg) on action potentials, excitability and ionic conductances of small neurones in a slice preparation of DRGs of young rats. The neurones responded within a few minutes non-uniformly to moderate hypoxia: changes of excitability could be assigned to decreased outward currents in most of the neurones (77%) whereas a smaller group (23%) displayed increased outward currents in Ringer solution. We were able to attribute most of the reduction in outward-current to a voltage-gated K⁺ current which activated at potentials positive to -50 mV and was sensitive to 50 nM α-dendrotoxin (DTX). Other toxins that inhibit subtypes of voltage gated K⁺ channels, such as margatoxin (MgTX), dendrotoxin-K (DTX-K), r-tityustoxin Kα (TsTX-K) and r-agitoxin (AgTX-2) failed to prevent the hypoxia induced reduction. Therefore we could not assign the hypoxia sensitive K⁺ current to one homomeric K_V channel type in sensory neurones. Functionally this K⁺ current blockade might underlie the increased action potential (AP) duration in these neurones. Altogether these results, might explain the functional impairment of peripheral neurones under moderate hypoxia.     

Effect of TaiCatoxin (TCX) on the electrophysiological,mechanical and biochemical characteristics of spontaneously beating ventricular cardiomyocytes

TaiCatoxin (TCX), a complex toxin isolated from Taipan snake venom, is believed to have a specific blocking activity on voltage-dependent cardiac calcium channels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TCX on a broad range of heart muscle cell functions, i.e. electrophysiology, contractility, automaticity and the related biochemical modifications. Myocyte-enriched cultures were prepared from newborn rat heart ventricles. The transmembrane potentials were recorded with glass microelectrodes. The contractions were monitored photometrically. TCX decreased the action potential amplitudes, mainly by lowering the plateau. The action potential duration and the contraction parameters were decreased. Although TCX has a minor overall negative chronotropic effect, it evoked transient but severe arrhythmias and prolonged changes in the intercellular electrical coupling. Moreover, the action of TCX appeared to be dose-dependent. These effects are consistent with a specific blockade of the L-type, voltage-dependent calcium channels, but effects of other components of the toxin complex cannot be excluded. TCX also exhibits phospholipase A₂ activity leading to the release of lysophospholipids and FFA (acyl CoA and acyl carnitine), which have detrimental effects on cellular integrity and function.     

Cytoplasmic Ca2+, K+, Cl-, and NO3- Activities in the Liverwort Conocephalum conicum L. at Rest and during Action Potentials

Intracellular Ca2+, K+, Cl-, and NO3- activities were measured with ion-selective microelectrodes in the liverwort Conocephalum conicum L. at rest, during dark/light changes, and in the course of action potentials triggered by light or electrical stimuli. The average free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was 231 [plus or minus] 65 nM. We did not observe any light-dependent changes of the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration as long as no action potential was triggered. During action potentials, on average a 2-fold increase of the free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration was recorded. Intracellular K+ activity was 76 [plus or minus] 10 mM. It did not depend on K+ concentration changes in the bath solution between 0.1 and 10 mM. The average equilibrium potential for K+ in the standard medium containing 1 mM K+ was -110 mV, which differed significantly from the resting potential of -151 [plus or minus] 2 mV. During action potentials, either a slight decrease or no changes in intracellular K+ activity were recorded. The average Cl- activity was 7.4 [plus or minus] 0.2 mM in the cytoplasm and 43.5 [plus or minus] 7 mM in the vacuole. The activities of NO3- were 0.63 [plus or minus] 0.05 mM in the cytoplasm and 3.0 [plus or minus] 0.3 mM in the vacuole. For both anions the vacuolar activity was 5 to 6 times higher than the cytoplasmic activity. After the light was switched off both the Cl- and the NO3- activity showed either no change or a slight increase. Illumination caused a gradual return to previous values or no change. During action potentials a slight decrease of intracellular Cl- activity was recorded. It was concluded that in Conocephalum, as in characean cells, chloride channels are involved in the depolarization phase of the action potentials. We discuss a model for the ion fluxes during an action potential in Conocephalum.     

Effects of temperature and calcium availability on ventricular myocardium from rainbow trout

We studied the mechanical and electrophysiological properties of ventricular myocardium from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in vitro at 4, 10, and 18 degrees C from fish acclimated at 10 degrees C. Temperature alone did not significantly alter the contractile force of the myocardium, but the time to peak tension and time to 80% relaxation were prolonged at 4 degrees C and shortened at 18 degrees C. The duration of the action potential was also prolonged at 4 degrees C and progressively shortened at higher temperatures. An alteration of the stimulation frequency did not affect contraction amplitude at any temperature. Calcium influx via L-type calcium channels was increased by raising extracellular calcium concentration (?Ca(2+)(o)) or including Bay K 8644 (Bay K) and isoproterenol in the bathing medium. These treatments significantly enhanced the contractile force at all temperatures. Calcium channel blockers had a reverse-negative inotropic effect. Unexpectedly, the duration of the action potential at 10 degrees C was shortened as ?Ca(2+)(o) increased. However, Bay K prolonged the plateau phase at 4 degrees C. Caffeine, which promotes the release of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium, increased contractile force eightfold at all three temperatures, but the SR blocker ryanodine was only inhibitory at 4 degrees C. Our results suggest that contractile force in ventricular myocardium from Oncorhynchus mykiss is primarily regulated by sarcolemmal calcium influx and that ventricular contractility is maintained during exposure to a wide range of temperatures.     

Involvement of Na+ and Ca2+ channel activation and resultant nitric oxide synthesis in glutamate-mediated hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices

The role of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in glutamate-mediated hypoxic injury was investigated in slices of the rat cerebral cortex. Hypoxic injury was determined by mitochondrial reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide after exposure of brain slices to 30-min of hypoxia/glucose deprivation followed by 3-h of reoxygenation. Endogenous glutamate release was markedly elevated during hypoxia/glucose deprivation, but it returned almost to basal level during reoxygenation. Hypoxic injury was prevented by MK-801 or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione. Combined treatment with omega-conotoxin GVIA, omega-agatoxin IVA, and tetrodotoxin reversed the hypoxic injury, although none of these agents alone or nifedipine was effective. Moreover, a novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride] significantly inhibited the hypoxic injury. Several inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase also blocked the hypoxic injury. Consistently, nitric oxide synthesis, as estimated from cyclic GMP formation in the extracellular fluids, was enhanced during hypoxia/glucose deprivation. NS-7 and other Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers suppressed the enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis, although these compounds alone, or in combination, did not reduce hypoxic glutamate release. These findings suggest that hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices is triggered by glutamate and subsequent enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis through activation of both Na+ and Ca2+ channels. Thus, the simultaneous blockade of both Na+ channel as well as N-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels is required to sufficiently reverse the hypoxic injury.     

Effect of past stress on the resistance of the myocardium to hypoxia

The effect of emotional painful stress on myocardial contractility and resistance to hypoxia was studied on the rat isolated atrium. It was established that in stress-exposed rats, myocardial resistance to hypoxia was reduced and contractility was depressed. It was manifested in accelerated development and greater degree of hypoxic contracture, as well as in a slower recovery of myocardial contractility under reoxygenation. The decreased myocardial resistance to hypoxia under stress is suggested to be related to the stress-induced alterations in glycolysis and calcium transport in cardiomyocytes.     

Dependence of Ca outflow and depression of frog myocardium contraction on ryodipine concentration

The effect of ryodipine on calcium outflow from tissues, on contraction force, the duration of action potentials and the relaxation phase time-constant in the contraction cycles of myocardial strips was studied using frog heart preparations. It was found that calcium outflow (delta Ca) as a function on ryodipine concentration can be represented as: (formula; see text) A linear correlation exists between Ca2+, contraction blocking and the shortening of the action potential in the presence of various ryodipine concentrations. Ryodipine (10(-5) mol/l) decreased the relaxation time-constant by about 20% as compared to controls. It was concluded that calcium outflow from myocardial tissues in response to ryodipine is due to blockade of calcium entry into the cells and their output through the Na+--Ca2+ exchange system. Frog heart myocardial contractions are essentially under the control of calcium entry through sarcolemmal calcium channels.     

Subsynaptosomal Calcium Distribution During Hypoxia and 3,4-Diaminopyridine Treatment

Previous results demonstrate that hypoxia (low oxygen) diminishes calcium uptake by synaptosomes. The present studies examined the effects of low oxygen on calcium homeostasis in the digitonin-resistant (mitochondrial) and the digitonin-labile (nonmitochondrial) compartments of intact synaptosomes and their relation to altered membrane potentials. A 10-min hypoxic incubation in low-potassium media reduced total (-38.3%), mitochondrial (-43.3%), and nonmitochondrial (-27.8%) calcium uptake. In high-potassium media, low oxygen reduced mitochondrial (-41.2%) and total (-34.4%) uptake whereas nonmitochondrial (+ 6%) calcium uptake was essentially unaffected. A temporal analysis of nonmitochondrial calcium uptake revealed an initial depression (0-5 min) followed by a stimulation (5-10 min). Hypoxic-induced alterations in the subsynaptosomal distribution of calcium resembled those produced by uncouplers [FCCP (carbonylcyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone) or rotenone plus oligomycin]. 3,4-Diaminopyridine partially ameliorated the hypoxic- and FCCP-induced decreases in synaptosomal calcium uptake. Low oxygen reduced the total synaptosomal membrane potential (i.e., plasma plus mitochondrial membrane potential) as measured by an increased efflux of tetraphenylphosphonium ion. This hypoxic-induced efflux of tetraphenylphosphonium was slowed by pretreatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine. Thus, both drug and membrane potential studies suggest that hypoxic-induced alterations in the subcellular distribution of calcium may be due to an uncoupling mechanism and a collapse of the synaptosomal mitochondrial membrane potential.     

Intracellular mechanisms of hypoxia-induced calcium increase in rat sensory neurons

Elevation of cytosolic level of Ca(2+) was measured by spatial screening of freshly isolated dorsal root ganglion neurons loaded with Fura-2AM after subjecting them to a moderate hypoxic solution (pO(2)=10-40 mmHg). Short exposure of neurons to hypoxia resulted in a reversible elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) to about 120% in the cell center and to 80% in the cell periphery. Such elevation could be almost completely eliminated by removal of Ca(2+) or Na(+) from external medium or application of nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker. Remarkable antihypoxic efficiency (58%) was achieved by preapplication of mitochondrial protonophore CCCP. A conclusion is made that in sensory neurons the hypoxia-induced elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) is induced by combined changes of function in three cell substructures: voltage-operated L-type Ca(2+) and Na(+) channels and Ca(2+) accumulation by mitochondria. Mitochondria are important for spatial difference in the hypoxia-induced Ca(2+) elevation due to their specific location in these neurons.