Diffusion of water in cat ventricular myocardium

The rates of diffusion of tritiated water (THO) and [14C]sucrose across cat right ventricular myocardium were studied at 23 degrees C in an Ussing-type diffusion cell, recording the time-course of increase in concentration of tracer in one chamber over 4--6 h after adding tracers to the other. Sucrose data were fitted with a model for a homogeneous sheet of uneven thickness in which the tissue is considered to be an array of parallel independent pathways (parallel pathway model) of varying length. The volume of the sucrose diffusion space, presumably a wholly extracellular pathway, was 23% of the tissue or 27.4 +/-1.7% (mean +/- SEM; n=11) of the tissue water. The effective intramyocardial sucrose diffusion coefficient, D8, was 1.51 +/- 0.19 X 10(-6)cm2.s-1 (n=11). Combining these data with earlier data, D8 was 22.6 +/- 1.1% (n=95) of the free diffusion coefficient in aqueous solution D degrees 8. The parallel pathway model and a dead-end pore model, which might have accounted for intracellular sequestration of water, gave estimates of DW/D degrees W (observed/free) of 15%. Because hindrance to water diffusion must be less than for sucrose (where D8/D degrees 8=22.6%), this showed the inadequacy of these models to account simultaneously for the diffusional resistance and the tissue water content. The third or cell-matrix model, a heterogeneous system of permeable cells arrayed in the extracellular matrix, allowed logical and geometrically reasonable interpretations of the steady-state data and implied estimates of DW in the cellular and extracellular fluid of approximately 25% of the aqueous diffusion coefficient.     

A single-pool model for intracellular calcium oscillations and waves in the Xenopus laevis oocyte.

We construct a minimal model of cytosolic free Ca2+ oscillations based on Ca2+ release via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor/Ca2+ channel (IP3R) of a single intracellular Ca2+ pool. The model relies on experimental evidence that the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) modulates the IP3R in a biphasic manner, with Ca2+ release inhibited by low and high [Ca2+]c and facilitated by intermediate [Ca2+]c, and that channel inactivation occurs on a slower time scale than activation. The model produces [Ca2+]c oscillations at constant [IP3] and reproduces a number of crucial experiments. The two-dimensional spatial model with IP3 dynamics, cytosolic diffusion of IP3 (Dp = 300 microns 2 s-1), and cytosolic diffusion of Ca2+ (Dc = 20 microns 2 s-1) produces circular, planar, and spiral waves of Ca2+ with speeds of 7-15 microns.s-1, which annihilate upon collision. Increasing extracellular [Ca2+] influx increases wave speed and baseline [Ca2+]c. A [Ca2+]c-dependent Ca2+ diffusion coefficient does not alter the qualitative behavior of the model. An important model prediction is that channel inactivation must occur on a slower time scale than activation in order for waves to propagate. The model serves to capture the essential macroscopic mechanisms that are involved in the production of intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and traveling waves in the Xenopus laevis oocyte.     

Calcium influx in internally dialyzed squid giant axons

A method has been developed to measure Ca influx in internally dialyzed squid axons. This was achieved by controlling the dialyzed segment of the axon exposed to the external radioactive medium. The capacity of EGTA to buffer all the Ca entering the fiber was explored by changing the free EGTA at constant [Ca++]i. At a free [EGTA]i greater than 200 microM, the measured resting Ca influx and the expected increment in Ca entry during electrical stimulation were independent of the axoplasmic free [EGTA]. To avoid Ca uptake by the mitochondrial system, cyanide, oligomycin, and FCCP were included in the perfusate. Axons dialyzed with a standard medium containing: [ATP] = 2 mM, [Ca++]i = 0.06 microM, [Ca++]o = 10 mM, [Na+]i = 70 mM, and [Na+]o = 465 mM, gave a mean Ca influx of 0.14 +/- 0.012 pmol.cm-2.s-1 (n = 12. Removal of ATP drops the Ca influx to 0.085 +/- 0.007 pmol.cm-2.s-1 (n = 12). Ca influx increased to 0.35 pmol.cm-2,s-1 when Nao was removed. The increment was completely abolished by removing Nai+ and (or) ATP from the dialysis medium. At nominal zero [Ca++]i, no Nai-dependent Ca influx was observed. In the presence of ATP and Nai [Ca++]i activates the Ca influx along a sigmoid curve without saturation up to 1 microM [Ca++]i. Removal of Nai+ always reduced the Ca influx to a value similar to that observed in the absence of [Ca++]i (0.087 +/- 0.008 pmol.cm-2.s-1; n = 11). Under the above standard conditions, 50-60% of the total Ca influx was found to be insensitive to Nai+, Cai++, and ATP, sensitive to membrane potential, and partially inhibited by external Co++.     

Evidence for localized calcium mobilization and influx in single rat gonadotropes.

Dynamic video-imaging microscopy was used to investigate the spatial and temporal nature of Ca2+ mobilization and Ca2+ influx in acutely dissociated, fura-2-loaded, rat gonadotropes. Addition of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) to an isolated gonadotrope stimulated a wave of Ca2+ originating from a specific locus of the cell. This probably reflects Ca2+ mobilization from an intracellular store, since this response was unaffected by the removal of extracellular Ca2+. Application of the dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644 (Bay K) stimulated a rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in the rat gonadotrope. This response was blocked by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and probably reflects the influx of Ca2+ across the cell membrane. High speed (30 frames.s-1) imaging of the Bay K-induced Ca2+ influx revealed a wave of Ca2+ originating from a localized part of the cell membrane, which, in general, was spatially distinct from the LHRH-induced Ca2+ wave produced in the same cell. This suggests that Ca2+ channels in the cell membrane may be clustered in a specific area of the cell membrane. The velocity of the LHRH-induced Ca2+ mobilization wave was faster (mean = 79 +/- 5 microns.s-1, n = 9) than the Bay K-induced Ca2+ influx wave (39 +/- 7 microns.s-1, n = 9) (p less than or equal to 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test) measured in the same cells. Thus, both Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx through the cell membrane appear to be spatially localized in the rat gonadotrope. These findings may have important implications in the intracellular regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent cell functions such as hormone biosynthesis and secretion.     

Effective diffusion coefficient of sucrose in calcium alginate gel.

The effective diffusion coefficient of sucrose in 5% calcium alginate gel containing 41.6 g.d.c. l-1. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Both free and immobilized S. cerevisiae in 0.175 cm and 0.3 cm diameter particles were used and the reactions were achieved in a medium containing 100 g l-1 sucrose and 0.05 M CaCl2. With the assumption that the microorganisms did not grow or die in this medium, the results were analyzed according to Michaelis-Menten kinetics and the values of the parameters were determined as: Vm = 0.256 g ml-1 gel h-1, Km0 = 0.097 g ml-1, Km1 = 0.125 g ml-1, and Km2 = 0.165 g ml-1. Using these values, effectiveness factors were calculated as eta 1 = 0.89 and eta 2 = 0.76, and effective diffusion coefficients for sucrose in calcium alginate gel were determined as De1 = 4.1 X 10(-6) cm2 s-1 and De2 = 4.0 X 10(-6) cm2 s-1, for the particle size involved.     

Intracellular diffusion, binding, and compartmentalization of the fluorescent calcium indicators indo-1 and fura-2.

We studied intracellular binding and possible compartmentalization of the fluorescent Ca2+ indicators, indo-1 and fura-2, in single mammalian cardiac ventricular cells that had been loaded with indo-1 and fura-2 by exposure to the acetoxymethylester form of the indicators (indo-1/AM and fura-2/AM). Techniques similar to those used in experiments on fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) were used. It was assumed that reversible binding in myoplasm would be evident as slowed recovery of fluorescence after photobleaching, and that irreversible binding of the indicators to immobile myoplasmic sites (or "compartmentalization" in organelles) would be evident as incomplete recovery. Through the use of a mask, one half of a cell was exposed to high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light to bleach the indo-1 or fura-2 in only that part of the cell. Upon removal of the mask and termination of the high-intensity UV illumination, fluorescence recovered in the bleached half of the cell, indicating diffusion of indo-1 and fura-2. Mathematical modeling of the diffusional redistribution of the indicators indicated that in these cells the apparent diffusion coefficient for indo-1 is 1.57 x 10(-7) cm2 s-1 (SD 0.48 x 10(-7) cm2 s-1; n = 5 cells, 21 degrees C), and for fura-2 is 3.19 x 10(-7) cm2 s-1 (SD 1.85 x 10(-7) cm2 s-1; n = 6 cells, 21 degrees C). These values are approximately 6 and 3, respectively, times smaller than those expected for free diffusion in the myoplasm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Free diffusion coefficient of ionic calcium in cytoplasm

The free diffusion coefficient of ionic Ca was measured in isolated samples of Myxicola axoplasm by following the migration of 45Ca. When precautions were taken to minimize the sequestration and chelation of 45Ca (i.e., using inhibitors, energy deprivation, and saturation of Ca chelation sites), a diffusion coefficient of 5.3 x 10(-6) cm2 s-1 was measured. The diffusion coefficient was not appreciably changed by lowering free calcium from 100 microM to approximately 10 microM or by increasing the diffusion time from ten to twenty minutes. In untreated cytoplasm taken directly from the giant axon of Myxicola, the migration of Ca was more complex and could not be described by a single diffusion coefficient. This result is interpreted to suggest that bulk movement of Ca-buffers may occur in untreated Myxicola axoplasm, a system that contains few microtubules.     

Rate of phosphate release after photoliberation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in slow and fast skeletal muscle fibers.

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) release was determined by means of a fluorescent Pi-probe in single permeabilized rabbit soleus and psoas muscle fibers. Measurements of Pi release followed photoliberation of approximately 1.5 mM ATP by flash photolysis of NPE-caged ATP in the absence and presence of Ca2+ at 15 degrees C. In the absence of Ca2+, Pi release occurred with a slow rate of 11 +/- 3 microM . s-1 (n = 3) in soleus fibers and 23 +/- 1 microM . s-1 (n = 10) in psoas fibers. At saturating Ca2+ concentrations (pCa 4.5), photoliberation of ATP was followed by rapid force development. The initial rate of Pi release was 0.57 +/- 0.05 mM . s-1 in soleus (n = 13) and 4.7 +/- 0.2 mM . s-1 in psoas (n = 23), corresponding to a rate of Pi release per myosin head of 3.8 s-1 in soleus and 31.5 s-1 in psoas. Pi release declined at a rate of 0.48 s-1 in soleus and of 5.2 s-1 in psoas. Pi release in soleus was slightly faster in the presence of an ATP regenerating system but slower when 0.5 mM ADP was added. The reduction in the rate of Pi release results from an initial redistribution of cross-bridges over different states and a subsequent ADP-sensitive slowing of cross-bridge detachment.     

Uptake and release of calcium by canine gastric corpus smooth muscle plasma membrane enriched fraction

Calcium movements across plasma membrane enriched vesicles isolated from canine gastric corpus smooth muscle were investigated. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake increased with time up to 10 min. The uptake for the initial 2-min period was approximately linear with time. The apparent initial velocity of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake increased monotonically with free Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 to 2 microM, and further increases in free Ca2+ concentration did not increase the Ca2+ uptake. The free Ca2+ dependence curve could be described with a Hill coefficient of approximately 1.0 and Km of 0.85 +/- 0.01 microM for free Ca2+ concentration. Passive Ca2+ uptake (reaction time = 1 h) also increased with increasing free Ca2+ concentrations from 0.02 to 4.0 mM. Dilution of loaded vesicles in isotonic media containing EGTA led to initial rapid loss (less than 1 min) followed by a slower release which showed simple exponential decay. The t 1/2 values of the slower Ca2+ loss from these vesicles were 16.1 +/- 0.9 min (actively loaded n = 5) and 18.4 +/- 0.9 min (passively loaded n = 3), respectively. Dilution in isotonic medium containing both EGTA and A23187 released all the sequestered Ca2+ from these loaded vesicles.     

Transcapillary exchange of strontium and sucrose in canine tibia.

The walls of haversian capillaries have been proposed as a physiologic membrane controlling flux of solute between blood and bone. In this study, capillary permeability to 85Sr and [14C]sucrose was estimated in the dog tibia by using indicator dilution techniques. Sucrose was chosen as a tracer because it is inert and has no known transport system. The mean (+/-SD) observed ratio of permeabilities of 85Sr and sucrose was 2.36 +/- 0.46 (N = 14) which is not substantially different from the ratio of their free diffusion coefficients, 2.55. This ratio was not influenced when the dogs were made hyperparathyroid by injection of parathyroid hormone (2.16 +/- 0.55; N = 11). This suggests that free diffusion is the principal mechanism for moving 85Sr across the bone capillary wall.     

Two-step internalization of Ca2+ from a single E approximately P.Ca2 species by the Ca2+-ATPase

Phosphorylation by ATP of E.*Ca2 (sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles (SRV) with bound 45Ca2+) during 5-10 ms leads to the occlusion of 2 *Ca2+/EPtot [quench by ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) alone] in both "empty" (10 microM free Ca2+in) or "loaded" SRV (20-40 mM free Ca2+in). The rate of Ca2+ "internalization" from the occluded E approximately P.*Ca2 was measured by using an ADP + EGTA quench; a *Ca2+ ion that is not removed by this quench is defined as internalized. In the presence of 20-40 mM unlabeled Ca2+ inside SRV, 1 *Ca2+/EPtot is internalized from 45Ca-labeled E approximately P.*Ca2 with a first-order rate constant of kl = 34 s-1. Empty SRV take up 2 *Ca2+/EPtot with the same initial rate, but the overall rate constant is kobsd = 17 s-1. The apparent rate constant (kb = 17 s-1) for internalization of the second *Ca2+ is inhibited by [Ca]in, with K0.5 approximately 1.3 mM and a Hill coefficient of n = 1.1. These data show that the two Ca2+ ions are internalized sequentially, presumably from separate sequential sites in the channel. [32P]EP.Ca2 obtained by rapid mixing of E.Ca2 with [gamma-32P]ATP and EGTA disappears in a biphasic time course with a lag corresponding to approximately 34 s-1, followed by EP* decay with a rate constant of approximately 17 s-1. This shows that both Ca2+ ions must be internalized before the enzyme changes its specificity for catalysis of phosphoryl transfer to water instead of to ADP. Increasing the concentration of ATP from 0.25 to 3 mM accelerates the rate of 45Ca2+ internalization from 34 to 69 s-1 for the first Ca2+ and from 17 to 34 s-1 for the second Ca2+. High [ATP] also accelerates both phases of [32P]EP.Ca2 disappearance by the same factor. The data are consistent with a single form of ADP-sensitive E approximately P.Ca2 that sequentially internalizes two ions. The intravesicular volume was estimated to be 2.0 microL/mg, so that one turnover of the enzyme gives 4 mM internal [Ca2+].     

Asymmetric [14C]albumin transport across bullfrog alveolar epithelium

Bullfrog lungs were prepared as planar sheets and bathed with Ringer solution in Ussing chambers. In the presence of a constant electrical gradient (20, 0, or -20 mV) across the tissue, 14C-labeled bovine serum albumin or inulin was instilled into the upstream reservoir and the rate of appearance of the tracer in the downstream reservoir was monitored. Two lungs from the same animal were used to determine any directional difference in tracer fluxes. An apparent permeability coefficient was estimated from a relationship between normalized downstream radioactivities and time. Results showed that the apparent permeability of albumin in the alveolar to pleural direction across the alveolar epithelial barrier is 2.3 X 10(-7) cm/s, significantly greater (P less than 0.0005) than that in the pleural to alveolar direction (5.3 X 10(-8) cm/s) when the tissue was short circuited. Permeability of inulin, on the other hand, did not show any directional dependence and averaged 3.1 X 10(-8) cm/s in both directions. There was no effect on radiotracer fluxes permeabilities of different electrical gradients across the tissue. Gel electrophoretograms and corresponding radiochromatograms suggest that the large and asymmetric isotope fluxes are not primarily due to digestion or degradation of labeled molecules. Inulin appears to traverse the alveolar epithelial barrier by simple diffusion through hydrated paracellular pathways. On the other hand, [14C]albumin crosses the alveolar epithelium more rapidly than would be expected by simple diffusion. These asymmetric and large tracer fluxes suggest that a specialized mechanism is present in alveolar epithelium that may be capable of helping to remove albumin from the alveolar space.     

Measurement of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content in intact amphibian skeletal muscle fibres with 4-chloro-m-cresol.

Single skeletal muscle fibres were isolated from the toad (Bufo marinus) and isometric force and myoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were measured. Brief applications of 4-chloro- m-cresol (4-CmC, 0.2-5 mM) elevated [Ca2+]i reversibly in a dose-dependent manner. The lowest concentration of 4-CmC which reliably gave maximal [Ca2+]i was 2 mM and it was, therefore, used for measurement of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content. Tetanic stimulations (100 Hz) increased [Ca2+]i from a resting level of 105 +/- 47 nM (n = 10) to 1370 +/- 220 nM (n = 6). Application of 2 mM 4-CmC produced a contracture that was 54 +/- 16% (n = 6) of the tetanic force and elevated [Ca2+]i to a peak of 3520 +/- 540 nM (n = 8). Both force and [Ca2+]i levels (resting and tetanic) were restored after 10 min of washout of 4-CmC. In skinned muscle fibres, the myofibrillar Ca(2+)-sensitivity was not changed by 4-CmC, but maximal force was reduced to 74 +/- 10% (n = 4). The magnitude of the peak of the 4-CmC-induced Ca2+ transient was not significantly changed by removal of extracellular Ca2+ nor by inhibiting the SR Ca2+ pump with 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone. Treatment of intact fibres with 30 mM caffeine produced a peak Ca2+ level that was indistinguishable from 2 mM 4-CmC. These results indicate that it is possible to measure the SR Ca2+ content in the same fibre with 4-CmC without loss of normal muscle function.     

The reversible Ca2+-induced permeabilization of rat liver mitochondria.

Rat liver mitochondria became permeabilized to sucrose according to an apparent first-order process after accumulating 35 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein in the presence of 2.5 mM-Pi, but not in its absence. A fraction (24-32%) of the internal space remains sucrose-inaccessible. The rate constant for permeabilization to sucrose decreases slightly when the pH is decreased from 7.5 to 6.5, whereas the rate of inner-membrane potential (delta psi) dissipation is markedly increased, which indicates that H+ permeation precedes sucrose permeation. Permeabilization does not release mitochondrial proteins. [14C]Sucrose appears to enter permeabilized mitochondria instantaneously. Chelation of Ca2+ with EGTA restores delta psi and entraps sucrose in the matrix space. With 20 mM-sucrose at the instant of resealing, about 21 nmol of sucrose/mg of protein becomes entrapped. The amount of sucrose entrapped is proportional to the degree of permeabilization. Entrapped sucrose is not removed by dilution of the mitochondrial suspension. Resealed mitochondria washed three times retain about 74% of the entrapped sucrose. In the presence of Ruthenium Red and Ca2+ buffers permeabilized mitochondria reseal only partially with free [Ca2+] greater than 3 microM. [14C]Sucrose enters partially resealed mitochondria continuously with time, despite maintenance of delta psi, in accordance with continued interconversion of permeable and impermeable forms. Kinetic analyses of [14C]sucrose entry indicate two Ca2+-sensitive reactions in permeabilization. This conclusion is supported by the biphasic time courses of resealing and repolarization of permeabilized mitochondria and the acute dependence of the rapid repolarization on the free [Ca2+]. A hypothetical model of permeabilization and resealing is suggested and the potential of the procedure for matrix entrapment of substances is discussed.     

MR imaging measurement of compartmental water diffusion in perfused heart slices

Myocardial tissue slices were isolated from the left ventricular free wall (7 slices) and left ventricular papillary muscle (3 slices) of New Zealand White male rabbits (n = 4) and were subsequently superfused with a modified St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution at 19 degrees C. The diffusion-weighted images were obtained with a 600-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer using diffusion gradient b-values that ranged from 166 to 6,408 s/mm(2); the apparent diffusion coefficient of water in the tissues were subsequently calculated. All of the tissue samples that were studied exhibited nonmonoexponential diffusion. Data from seven slices were mathematically fitted by a biexponential expression with a fast diffusion component of 0.72 +/- 0.07 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, and a slow diffusion component of 0.060 +/- 0.033 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s. The fast component dominated the calculated apparent diffusion coefficient of the tissue, composed of 82 +/- 3% of the overall diffusion-dependent signal decay. Thus myocardial tissue exhibits characteristics consistent with multiple compartments of diffusion. This work has important implications for myocardial diffusion tensor imaging, as well as the changes in diffusion that have been reported following myocardial ischemia.     

Macromolecular diffusion of biological polymers measured by confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.

Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching with an unmodified confocal laser scanning microscope (confocal FRAP) was used to determine the diffusion properties of network forming biological macromolecules such as aggrecan. The technique was validated using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextrans and proteins (molecular mass 4-2000 kDa) at 25 degrees C and with fluorescent microspheres (207 nm diameter) over a temperature range of 5-50 degrees C. Lateral diffusion coefficients (D) were independent of the focus position, and the degree and extent of bleach. The free diffusion coefficient (Do) of FITC-aggrecan determined by confocal FRAP was 4.25 +/- 0.6 x 10(-8) cm2 s-1, which is compatible with dynamic laser light scattering measurements. It appeared to be independent of concentration below 2.0 mg/ml, but at higher concentrations (2-20 mg/ml) the self-diffusion coefficient followed the function D = Do(e)(-Bc). The concentration at which the self-diffusion coefficient began to fall corresponded to the concentration predicted for domain overlap. Multimolecular aggregates of aggrecan ( approximately 30 monomers) had a much lower free diffusion coefficient (Do = 6.6 +/- 1.0 x 10(-9) cm2 s-1) but showed a decrease in mobility with concentration of a form similar to that of the monomer. The method provides a technique for investigating the macromolecular organization in glycan-rich networks at concentrations close to those found physiologically.     

Calcium diffusion in the brain cell microenvironment

A review of some of the literature on Ca2+ diffusion in free media and a variety of nervous tissues is presented. In the majority of tissue studies the apparent diffusion coefficient of Ca2+ is three to nine times smaller than that in a free aqueous medium. The methodology of using pressure microejection and Ca2+ ion-selective microelectrodes to measure Ca2+ diffusion is discussed. Our ongoing studies of Ca2+ diffusion in the cerebral cortex of the rat, using these methods, also confirm that Ca2+ diffusion is mainly influenced by the tortuosity of the tissue rather than other factors such as binding to extracellular charge sites or uptake.     

Characterization of the calcium-activated chloride channel in isolated guinea-pig hepatocytes

Macroscopic and unitary currents through Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels were examined in enzymatically isolated guinea-pig hepatocytes using whole-cell, excised outside-out and inside-out configurations of the patch-clamp technique. When K+ conductances were blocked and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was set at 1 microM (pCa = 6), membrane currents were observed under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. The reversal potential of the current shifted by approximately 60 mV per 10-fold change in the external Cl- concentration. In addition, the current did not appear when Cl- was omitted from the internal and external solutions, indicating that the current was Cl- selective. The current was activated by increasing [Ca2+]i and was inactivated in Ca(2+)-free, 5 mM EGTA internal solution (pCa > 9). The current was inhibited by bath application of 9- anthracenecarboxylic acid (9-AC) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'- disulfonic acid (DIDS) in a voltage-dependent manner. In single channel recordings from outside-out patches, unitary current activity was observed, whose averaged slope conductance was 7.4 +/- 0.5 pS (n = 18). The single channel activity responded to extracellular Cl- changes as expected for a Cl- channel current. The open time distribution was best described by a single exponential function with mean open lifetime of 97.6 +/- 10.4 ms (n = 11), while at least two exponentials were required to fit the closed time distributions with a time constant for the fast component of 21.5 +/- 2.8 ms (n = 11) and that for the slow component of 411.9 +/- 52.0 ms (n = 11). In excised inside-out patch recordings, channel open probability was sensitive to [Ca2+]i. The relationship between [Ca2+]i and channel activity was fitted by the Hill equation with a Hill coefficient of 3.4 and the half-maximal activation was 0.48 microM. These results suggest that guinea-pig hepatocytes possess Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels.     

NMR measurement of cytosolic free calcium, free magnesium, and intracellular sodium in the aorta of the normal and spontaneously hypertensive rat

We have utilized multinuclear NMR spectroscopy to examine the relationship between cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]in), free Mg2+ ([Mg2+]in) and intracellular Na+ ([Na+]in) levels of the intact thoracic aorta and primary hypertension using the Wistar-Kyoto and Sprague-Dawley rats as controls and the spontaneously hypertensive rat as a model for genetic hypertension. Cytosolic free [Ca2+] was measured using 19F NMR of the intracellular Ca2+ indicator 5,5'-difluoro-1,2-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, free [Mg2+] using the 31P resonances of intracellular ATP, and intracellular [Na+] by 23Na NMR in combination with the extracellular shift reagent dysprosium tripolyphosphate. We have found that both the [Na+]in and [Ca2+]in levels were significantly increased in the hypertensive animals relative to normotensive controls (p less than 0.01). Mean systolic blood pressures (using tail cuff method) of control and hypertensive rats were 123 +/- 8 mm Hg (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 7) and 159 +/- 6 mm Hg (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 7), respectively. [Na+]in and [Ca2+]in were 21.9 +/- 6.4 mM (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 7) and 277 +/- 28 nM (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 5) for the spontaneously hypertensive rats versus 10.1 +/- 1.8 mM (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 7) and 151 +/- 26 nM (mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 5) for control rats, respectively. A slight difference observed between intracellular free Mg2+ levels in hypertensives (180 +/- 38 microM, mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 4) and controls (246 +/- 76 microM, mean +/- 2 S.E., n = 4) was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.1). These data indicate alterations in the cell membrane ion transport function of the aortic smooth muscle in primary hypertension.     

Diffusion profiles of Na+-fluorescein in frog ventricular muscle.

Frog ventricular muscle strips were placed in a single sucrose-gap chamber to measure the interdiffusion of solutes across the sucrose-Ringer's solution partition. Steady-state diffusion profiles of fluorescein sodium developed along the axis of the muscle in the physiological node by continuously perfusing the sucrose pool with 210-mM sucrose plus fluorescein (5-10 mM). Fluorescein was found to diffuse freely through the extracellular space of the ventricular muscle without binding to the tissue. The fluorescence of Na+-fluorescein in the muscle (measured at 530 +/- 30 nm) varied linearly with the dye concentration in the sucrose perfusate. The diffusion profiles of dye in the test node depended on the tightness or snaring of the muscle strip by the latex diaphragms, the diameter of the muscle strip, and changes in hydrostatic pressure between the sucrose and Ringer's solution pools. Fluorescein concentration in the cross section of test node closest to the latex partition (sucrose-Ringer's solution interface) ranged between 4-13% of the dye concentration in the sucrose pool. These values are more than five times smaller than those estimated theoretically, assuming free diffusion. The experimental findings indicate that the presence of a physical barrier, such as a rubber diaphragm, limits free interdiffusion of solutes across the sucrose gap. The presence of such a barrier thus prevents large concentration gradients from occurring in the extracellular spaces along the physiological node.