Effects of acidosis on ventricular myocyte shortening and intracellular Ca2+ in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We have investigated the effects of acute acidosis on ventricular myocyte shortening and intracellular Ca²⁺ in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Shortening and intracellular Ca²⁺ were measured in electrically stimulated myocytes superfused with either normal Tyrode solution pH adjusted to either 7.4 (control solution) or 6.4 (acid solution). Experiments were performed at 35–36°C. At 8–12 weeks after treatment, the rats that received STZ had lower body and heart weights compared to controls, and blood glucose was characteristically increased. Contractile defects in myocytes from diabetic rat were characterized by prolonged time to peak shortening. Superfusion of myocytes from control and diabetic rats with acid solution caused a significant reduction in the amplitude of shortening; however, the magnitude of the response was not altered by STZ treatment. Acid solution also caused significant and quantitatively similar reductions in the amplitude of Ca²⁺ transients in myocytes from control and diabetic rats. Effects of acute acidosis on amplitude of myocyte contraction and Ca²⁺ transient were not significantly altered by STZ treatment. Altered myofilament sensitivity to Ca²⁺ and altered mechanisms of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ transport might partly underlie the acidosis-evoked reduction in amplitude of shortening in myocytes from control and STZ-induced diabetic rat. (Mol Cell Biochem 261: 227–233, 2004)     

Genistein对豚鼠右心室肌收缩功能的影响

目的:观察genistein(GEN)对离体豚鼠右心室肌收缩功能的影响,并探讨其作用机理。方法:将离体豚鼠右心室肌置于装有K-H液的灌流肌槽中,待平衡后,加入各种药物观察心室肌收缩活动的变化。结果:GEN和异丙肾上腺素相似,可增强右心室肌的收缩活动,GEN(1～100μmol·L-1)的作用还具有明显的剂量依赖性。心得安(1μmol·L-1)和异搏定(0.5μmol·L-1)虽可明显阻断异丙肾上腺素(1μmol·L-1)的正性肌力作用,但对GEN(50μmol·L-1)的心肌收缩增强效应无明显改变;同时发现GEN(1,10μmol·L-1)温育后,对细胞外液Ca2 浓度升高而诱发的心肌收缩力增强也无明显影响。另外,它莫西芬(1μmol·L-1)及SQ22536(1μmol·L-1)可减弱GEN的正性肌力作用,bpV(1μmol·L-1)也可部分阻断GEN的这种作用。结论:GEN可增强右心室肌的收缩活动,其作用与心肌细胞膜上的β肾上腺素能受体、钙通道的激活无关,可能与cAMP的胞内信号转导以及酪氨酸激酶途径有一定关系。     

Halothane alters contractility and Ca2+ transport in ventricular myocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

General anaesthetics have previously been shown to have profound effects on myocardial function. Moreover, many patients suffering from diabetes mellitus are anaesthetised during surgery. This study investigated compromised functioning of cardiac myocytes from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the additive effects of halothane on these dysfunctions. Ventricular myocytes were isolated from 8 to 12 weeks STZ-treated rats. Contraction and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺] _i ) were measured in electrically field-stimulated (1 Hz) fura-2-AM-loaded cells using a video-edge detection system and a fluorescence photometry system, respectively. L-type Ca²⁺ current was measured in whole cell, voltage-clamp mode. Halothane significantly (p < 0.01) depressed the amplitude and the time course of the Ca²⁺ transients in a similar manner in myocytes from control and STZ-treated rats. However, the effect of halothane on the amplitude of shortening and L-type Ca²⁺ current was more pronounced in myocytes from STZ-treated animals compared to age-matched controls. Myofilament sensitivity to Ca²⁺ was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to control. However, in the presence of halothane the myofilament sensitivity to Ca²⁺ was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced to a greater extent in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to controls. In conclusion, these results show that contractility, Ca²⁺ transport and myofilament sensitivity were all altered in myocytes from STZ-treated rats and these processes were further altered in the presence of halothane suggesting that hearts from STZ-induced diabetic rats are sensitive to halothane. (Mol Cell Biochem 261: 251–261, 2004)     

Effect of cobalt on the oxidative status in heart and aorta of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Effects of cobalt on the antioxidant status of control and streptozotocin diabetic rat heart and aorta were examined at the second, fourth and sixth week of treatment. Rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic, control treated with cobalt chloride and diabetic treated with cobalt chloride. Diabetes was induced by tail vein injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Cobalt treatment groups were given 0.5 mM of CoCl(2) in drinking water. The rats in both groups were further subdivided into three groups of six rats each. Rats in these subgroups were studied at 2-week intervals up to 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all animals were sacrificed by decapitation, heart and aorta samples were removed for determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. It was found that lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were increased in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at all times studied. Cobalt treatment of diabetic rats (0.5 mM in drinking water) resulted in attenuation of the increased levels of TBARS and antioxidant enzyme activities in heart and aorta. Thus, the effect of oral administration of cobalt at this dose during the early stage of experimental diabetes can be considered as a consequence of altered endogenous defence mechanisms in heart and aorta.     

Oxidoreductase, morphogenesis, extracellular matrix, and calcium ion-binding gene expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat heart

Diabetes has far-ranging effects on cardiac structure and function. Previous gene expression studies of the heart in animal models of type 1 diabetes concur that there is altered expression of genes involved in lipid and protein metabolism, but they diverge with regard to expression changes involving many other functional groups of genes of mechanistic importance in diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction. To obtain additional information about these controversial areas, genome-wide expression was assessed using microarrays in left ventricle from streptozotocin-diabetic and normal rats. There were 261 genes with statistically significant altered expression of at least +/-1.5-fold, of which 124 were increased and 137 reduced by diabetes. Gene ontology assignment testing identified several statistical significantly overrepresented groups among genes with altered expression, which differed for increased compared with reduced expression. Relevant gene groups with increased expression by diabetes included lipid metabolism (P < 0.001, n = 13 genes, fold change 1.5 to 14.6) and oxidoreductase activity (P < 0.001, n = 17, fold change 1.5 to 4.6). Groups with reduced expression by diabetes included morphogenesis (P < 0.00001, n = 28, fold change -1.5 to -5.1), extracellular matrix (P < 0.02, n = 9, fold change -1.5 to -3.9), cell adhesion (P < 0.05, n = 10, fold change -1.5 to -2.7), and calcium ion binding (P < 0.01, n = 13, fold change -1.5 to -3.0). Array findings were verified by quantitative PCR for 36 genes. These data combined with previous findings strengthen the evidence for diabetes-induced cardiac gene expression changes involved in cell growth and development, oxidoreductase activity, and the extracellular matrix and also point out other gene groups not previously identified as being affected, such as those involved in calcium ion homeostasis.     

Effects of vitamin E on microsomal Ca(2+) -ATPase activity and calcium levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat kidney

Vitamin E treatment has been found to be beneficial in preventing or reducing diabetic nephropathy. Increased tissue calcium and abnormal microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity have been suggested as contributing factors in the development of diabetic nephropathy. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that vitamin E reduces lipid peroxidation and can prevent the abnormalities in microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and calcium levels in kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male rats were rendered diabetic by a single STZ injection (55 mg x kg(-1) i.p.). After diabetes was verified, diabetic and age-matched control rats were untreated or treated with vitamin E (400-500 IU kg(-1) x day(-1), orally) for 10 weeks. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were determined spectrophotometrically. Blood glucose levels increased approximately five-fold (> 500 mg x dl(-1)) in untreated-diabetic rats but decreased to 340+/-27 mg x dl(-1) in the vitamin E treated-diabetic group. Kidney MDA levels did not significantly change in the diabetic state. However, vitamin E treatment markedly inhibited MDA levels in both control and diabetic animals. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was 0.483+/-0.008 U l(-1) in the control group and significantly increased to 0.754+/-0.010 U l(-1) in the STZ-diabetic group (p < 0.001). Vitamin E treatment completely prevented the diabetes-induced increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (0.307+/-0.025 U l(-1), p < 0.001) and also reduced the enzyme activity in normal control rats. STZ-diabetes resulted in approximately two-fold increase in total calcium content of kidney. Vitamin E treatment led to a significant reduction in kidney calcium levels of both control and diabetic animals (p < 0.001). Thus, vitamin E treatment can lower blood glucose and lipid peroxidation, which in turn prevents the abnormalities in kidney calcium metabolism of diabetic rats. This study describes a potential biochemical mechanism by which vitamin E supplementation may delay or inhibit the development of cellular damage and nephropathy in diabetes.     

Effects of estradiol on phenylephrine contractility associated with intracellular calcium release in rat aorta

The ability of estradiol to affect phenylephrine-induced contraction and the subsequent increase in resting tone, associated with capacitative Ca²⁺ entry across the plasma membrane, was evaluated in rat aortic rings incubated in Ca²⁺-free solution. The incubation with estradiol (1–100 nM, 5 min) inhibited both the phenylephrine-induced contraction and the IRT. Neither cycloheximide (1 µM; inhibitor of protein synthesis) nor tamoxifen (1 µM; blocker of estrogenic receptors) modified the effects of estradiol. Estradiol (100 µM) also blocked the contractile response to serotonin (10 µM) but not to caffeine (10 mM). In addition, estradiol (100 µM) inhibited the contractile responses to cyclopiazonic acid (1 µM; selective Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor) associated with capacitative Ca²⁺ influx through non-L-type Ca²⁺ channels. Finally, estradiol inhibited the Ca²⁺-induced increases in intracellular free Ca²⁺ (after pretreatment with phenylephrine) in cultured rat aorta smooth muscle cells incubated in Ca²⁺-free solution. In conclusion, estradiol interfered in a concentration-dependent manner with Ca²⁺-dependent contractile effects mediated by the stimuli of ₁-adrenergic and serotonergic receptors and inhibited the capacitative Ca²⁺ influx through both L-type and non-L-type Ca²⁺ channels. Such effects are in essence nongenomic and not mediated by the intracellular estrogenic receptor. estrogen; ₁-adrenergic agonists     

Effect of melatonin on phagocytic activity and intracellular free calcium concentration in testicular macrophages from normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study examined the effect of melatonin (MLT) on in vitro phagocytosis of testicular macrophages taken from control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the possible mechanism of its action. The phagocytic activity was measured as a number of latex beads ingested by 100 macrophages (PI, phagocytic index) in consecutive time points of the incubation. Changes in intracellular free calcium level [Ca²⁺]_i in isolated macrophages in vitro were measured with the use of ratio-image fluorescence microscopy (fluorescent dye: Fura2/AM). Phagocytic index in macrophages isolated from healthy rats was 20% higher than in those from diabetic animals. Melatonin in physiological concentration (10⁻⁷ M) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the PI in testicular macrophages from control animals (PI = 68 ± 5 with MLT compared to PI = 46 ± 7 without MLT) while no such effect was observed in the cells from diabetic rats (PI = 36 ± 23 with MLT compared to PI = 31 ± 11 without MLT). Basal [Ca²⁺]_i was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in macrophages from diabetic rats compared to control. Stimulation of both control and diabetic testicular macrophages with 10⁻⁷ M MLT resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in cells incubated in 2.5 mM calcium solution while no such response was observed in calcium-free Tyrode solution. However, MLT evoked [Ca²⁺]_i response in macrophages isolated from diabetic animals was much lower than in macrophages isolated from age-matched controls and the time needed for maximal response was much longer. Lack of response in calcium-free solution suggests that extracellular calcium may be necessary to trigger MLT response and in its progression.     

The control of calcium influx by cytoplasmic calcium in mammalian heart muscle

The role of Ca²⁺ in the initiation and maintenance of contraction has been extensively studies. Many of these studies have focused on how Ca²⁺ influx and efflux affect cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ (Ca_i) and, therefore, contraction in cardiac muscle. However, it has recently become apparent that Ca_i itself may play a major role in the control of Ca²⁺ influx and efflux from cardiac muscle. Here we review current ideas on the mechanisms underlying Ca²⁺ homeostasis in cardiac muscle, with specific attention to how Ca_i may control Ca²⁺ influx, both under normal and pathological conditions.     

Voltage-dependence of contraction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic myocytes

Cardiac contractile dysfunction is frequently reported in human patients and experimental animals with type-1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the voltage-dependence of contraction in ventricular myocytes from the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. STZ-induced diabetes was characterised by hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinaemia. Other characteristics included reduced body and heart weight and raised blood osmolarity. Isolated ventricular myocytes were patched in whole cell, voltage-clamp mode after correcting for membrane capacitance and series resistance. From a holding membrane potential of –40 mV, test pulses were applied at potentials between –30 and +50 mV in 10 mV increments. L-type Ca²⁺ current (I _Ca,L) density and contraction were measured simultaneously using a video-edge detection system. Membrane capacitance was not significantly altered between control and STZ-induced diabetic myocytes. The I _Ca,L density was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced throughout voltage ranges (–10 mV to +10 mV) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to age-matched controls. Moreover, the amplitude of contraction was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in myocytes from STZ-treated rats at all test potentials between –20 mV and +30 mV. However, in electrically field-stimulated (1 Hz) myocytes, the amplitude of contraction was not altered by STZ-treatment. It is suggested that in field-stimulated myocytes taken from STZ-induced diabetic hearts, prolonged action potential duration may promote increased Ca²⁺ influx via the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX), which may compensate for a reduction in Ca²⁺ trigger through L-type-Ca²⁺-channels and lead to normalised contraction. (Mol Cell Biochem 261: 235–243, 2004)     

Effects of halothane,isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane on contraction of ventricular myocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Various clinically used volatile general anaesthetics (e.g. sevoflurane, halothane, isoflurane and desflurane) have been shown to have significant negative inotropic effects on normal ventricular muscle. However, little is known about their effects in ventricular tissue from diabetic animals. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is known to induce changes in the amplitude and time course of shortening and one report suggests that the inotropic effects of anaesthetics are ameliorated in papillary muscles from diabetic animals. The aim of these studies was to investigate this further in electrically stimulated (1 Hz) ventricular myocytes. Cells were superfused with either normal Tyrode (NT) solution or NT containing anaesthetic (1 mM) for a period of 2 min (at 30–32°C). Myocytes from STZ rats were shown to have a significantly longer time to peak shortening (p > 0.001, n= 50) and the amplitude of shortening tended to be greater but this was not significant (p= 0.13, n= 50). Halothane, isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the magnitude of shortening of control cells by 72.5 ± 3.2%, 46.5 ± 9.7%, 28.9 ± 4.3% and 22.8 ± 5.6%, respectively (n > 11 per group) but their steady-state negative inotropic effect was found to be no different in cells from STZ-treated rats (73.0 ± 4.8%, 40.7 ± 4.7%, 25.0 ± 5.2% and 19.8 ± 5.2%, respectively, n > 10 per group). Therefore, we conclude that the inotropic effects of volatile anaesthetics were not altered by STZ treatment. (Mol Cell Biochem 261: 209–215, 2004)     

Altered expression of gap junction connexin proteins may partly underlie heart rhythm disturbances in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat heart

The present work involves the assessment of level of genetic relatedness or divergence amongst the six North-Indian species of Lepidoptera belonging to family Pieridae and sub family Pierinae on the basis of sequence variation of 16S ribosomal RNA. The PCR amplified products of these species were directly sequenced using ABI Prism BigDye Terminator Sequencing Kits (Applied Biosystems). The multiple nucleotide sequence alignment analysis has revealed several differences across these species. Significantly high percentage of A + T base composition content ranging between 73.13% (Ixias pyrene ) and 79.20 % (Pieris brassica) was observed in studied species. The percentage divergence in the investigated species of Pieridae family varied from 5.5% to 21.7%. The two species of Catopsilia revealed minimum sequence divergence of only 5.5%, whereas the other two groups of Ixias and Pieris revealed 15.5% and 8.6% sequence divergence, respectively. Pieris canidia and Ixias pyrene are genetically most divergent (21.7%) amongst the studied lepidopteran species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence revealed grouping of six species of Lepidoptera in the form of two different clusters, each cluster being represented by two species from the same genera. The separate taxonomic grouping of these Indian species has been observed when compared with several species of Piernae and Coliadinae subfamilies from other country isolates.     

Effects of glyburide (glibenclamide) on myocardial function in Langendorff perfused rabbit heart and on myocardial contractility and slow calcium current in guinea-pig single myocytes

Glyburide, also known as glibenclamide, was shown to have positive inotropic effect in human and animal hearts. The objectives of the present study was to investigate the effects of glyburide on developed left ventricular pressure (DLVP), coronary flow (CF), and heart rate (HR), in isolated rabbit heart as well as its effects on myocardial contractility and L-type calcium current, i_Ca, in guinea pig myocytes. Rabbit hearts were mounted on Langendorff apparatus and perfused with an oxygenated Krebs for 30 min until reaching steady state to be followed by 20 min of experimental perfusion divided into 5 min of control perfusion and 15 min of perfusion with Glyburide (10 M). Ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dispersion technique and superfused in an oxygenated Tyrode solution. Cells were voltage-clamped at holding potential –40 mV to inactivate Na⁺ current and a step depolarizations, 200 msec duration, to 0 mV was applied to elicit i_Ca. The contractions of the myocytes were measured by optical methods. Glyburide significantly increased DLVP by 30% and CF by 36% but had no effect on HR. Glyburide increased cell contractility by 7 ± 6, 18 ± 7, 28 ± 9 and 54 ± 15% for 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 M respectively, p < 0.001. Meanwhile it depressed i_Ca by 9 ± 6 and 19 ± 8% for 1 and 10 M respectively. In conclusion, glyburide increased contractility of guinea pig single myocytes and of isolated rabbit heart, as indicated by increased developed left ventricular pressure while it depressed i_Ca. It is hypothesized that an elevation in intracellular calcium, which caused increased myocardial contractility, could be attributed to an increase in intracellular Na⁺ that could increase intracellular calcium via Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange.     

Distribution of atrial natriuretic peptide and its effects on contraction and intracellular calcium in ventricular myocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

The distribution of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in blood plasma and cardiac muscle and its effects on ventricular myocyte contraction and intracellular free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat have been investigated. Blood plasma concentration and heart atrial and ventricular contents of ANP were significantly increased in STZ-treated rats compared to age-matched controls. STZ treatment increased the number of ventricular myocytes immunolabeled with antibodies against ANP. In control myocytes the percentage of cells that labeled positively and negatively were 17% versus 83%, respectively. However, in myocytes from STZ-treated rat the percentages were 52% versus 53%. Time to peak (TPK) shortening was significantly and characteristically prolonged in myocytes from STZ-treated rats (360+/-5 ms) compared to controls (305+/-5 ms). Amplitude of the Ca2+ transient was significantly increased in myocytes from STZ-treated rats compared to controls (0.39+/-0.02 versus 0.29+/-0.02 fura-2 RU in controls) and treatment with ANP reduced the amplitude of the Ca2+ transient to control levels. ANP may have a protective role in STZ-induced diabetic rat heart.     

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the handling of phosphate by the rat small intestine.

The effect of chemically-induced diabetes on the handling of phosphate (Pi) by rat jejunal enterocytes has been investigated in the presence of a Na- or a choline-gradient. Pi uptake was significantly increased in both gradients. The Pi efflux rate constants for enterocytes from diabetic rats were similar to those of control rats. The effect of diabetes on both the protein and alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes of the rat small intestinal brush-border membranes was examined using SDS-PAGE. The patterns given by membranes from rats 14 days after the induction of diabetes were no different from those of controls.     

内源性儿茶酚胺参与白细胞介素-2对大鼠离体心脏的作用

目的: 研究内源性儿茶酚胺是否参与白细胞介素-2(IL-2)的心脏作用.方法: 采用Langendorff离体心脏灌流模型,观察室性早搏次数、左室发展压(LVDP)、左室舒张末压(LVEDP)、心率(HR)和冠脉流量(CF)的变化.结果: ①50 U/ml IL-2增加离体心脏的室性早搏次数,增加LVDP、LVEDP、HR和CF.②利舍平(reserpine)或普萘洛尔(propranolol)预处理后,50 U/ml IL-2对离体心脏的作用消失;phentolamine预处理后,不改变50U/ml IL-2的离体心脏作用.③200 U/ml IL-2增加离体心脏的室性早搏次数,对LVDP、LVEDP、HR和CF无显著增加作用.④reserpine或propranolol预处理后,200 U/ml IL-2增加离体心脏的室性早搏次数作用不明显,LVDP、HR和CF降低、LVEDP增高.结论: 内源性儿茶酚胺介导了IL-2的致离体心脏心律失常、正性变时和变力作用,较高浓度的IL-2抑制离体心脏的功能.     

Rutin improves the antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat tissues

Rutin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, was investigated for its antioxidant potential in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin were estimated. Lipid peroxidative products and antioxidants were estimated in liver, kidney and brain. Histopathological studies were carried out in these tissues. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of fasting plasma glucose, lipid peroxidative products (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and lipid hydroperoxides [HP]) and a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma insulin, enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and glutathione reductase [GRx]) and nonenzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione [GSH], vitamin C and E) in diabetic liver, kidney and brain were observed. Oral administration of rutin (100 mg/kg) for a period of 45 days significantly (p < 0.05) decreased fasting plasma glucose, increased insulin levels and improved the antioxidant status of diabetic rats by decreasing lipid peroxidative products and increasing enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants. Normal rats treated with rutin (100 mg/kg) showed no significant (p < 0.05) effect on any of the parameters studied. Histopathological studies of the liver, kidney and brain showed the protective role of rutin. Thus, our study clearly shows that rutin has antioxidant effect in STZ-induced experimental diabetes.     

Sodium-hydrogen exchange and its role in controlling contractility during acidosis in cardiac muscle

Intracellular pH (pH_i) and Na (a_na ⁱ) were recorded in isolated sheep cardiac Purkinje fibres using ion-selective microelectrodes while simultaneously recording twitch tension. A fall of (pH_i) stimulated acid-extrusion via sarcolemmal Na-H exchange but the extrusion was inhibited by reducing extracellular pH (pH_o), indicating an inhibitory effect of external H ions upon the exchanger. Intracellular acidosis can reduce contraction by directly reducing myofibrillar Ca^2– sensitivity. The activation of Na-H exchange at low (pH_i) can offset this direct inhibitory effect of H^– ions since exchange-activation elevates a_na ⁱ which then indirectly elevates Ca_i ²⁺ (via Na-Ca exchange) thus tending to restore tension. This protection of contraction during intracellular acidosis can be removed if extracellular (pH_i) is also allowed to fall since, under these conditions, Na-H exchange is inhibited.     

普罗托品对大鼠胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度和蛋白激酶C活性的影响

本实验室先前的研究已证实,普罗托品(protopine,Pro)舒张家兔主动脉的作用,可能与其增加血管平滑肌细胞内cAMP和cGMP水平有关.为了深入探讨Pro的扩血管作用机制,实验采用等张收缩记录大鼠离体血管条张力,利用Fura-2/AM负载的大鼠胸主动脉培养细胞直接测定细胞内游离Ca2+浓度([Ca2+]i),并应用同位素γ-32p-ATP催化活性法测定蛋白激酶C(PKC)活性等方法,分别观察了Pro的相关效应.结果表明,Pro(30和100 μmol/L)明显降低去甲肾上腺素(NA)和高钾所致的动脉条收缩幅度,使二者的量效曲线呈非平行右移,最大反应压低;pD2'值分别为3.7±0.25和3.97±0.15;Pro(50和100μmol/L)对静息状态下[Ca2+]i没有任何影响,但对NA和高钾引起的[Ca2+]i升高均有明显抑制作用;Pro(30和100 μmol/L)对未经NA处理血管条的胞浆和胞膜PKC活性均无明显影响;但在NA预处理的血管条,Pro使NA所升高的胞浆内PKC的活性趋于降低,而明显升高胞膜PKC的活性,对PKC的总活性无明显影响.结果提示,在有NA存在的情况下,Pro似能促使PKC从胞浆向细胞膜转移,其扩血管效应似为其降Ca2+作用、升高cAMP和cGMP的作用及其对PKC影响等几方面的综合结果.