Role of External and Internal Calcium on Heterocarrier-Mediated Transmitter Release

Abstract: Release-regulating heterocarriers exist on brain nerve endings. We have investigated in this study the mechanisms involved in the neurotransmitter release evoked by GABA heterocarrier activation. GABA increased the basal release of [³H]acetylcholine and [³H]noradrenaline from rat hippocampal synaptosomes and of [³H]dopamine from striatal synaptosomes. These GABA effects, insensitive to GABA receptor antagonists, were prevented by inhibiting GABA uptake but not by blocking noradrenaline, choline, or dopamine transport. Lack of extracellular Ca²⁺ or addition of tetrodotoxin selectively abolished the GABA-evoked release of [³H]noradrenaline, leaving unaffected that of [³H]acetylcholine or [³H]dopamine. 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) or vesamicol attenuated the release of [³H]acetylcholine elicited by GABA. Reserpine, but not BAPTA-AM, prevented the effect of GABA on [³H]dopamine release. Autoreceptor activation inhibited the GABA-evoked release of [³H]noradrenaline but not that of [³H]acetylcholine or [³H]dopamine. It is concluded that (a) the release of [³H]noradrenaline consequent to activation of GABA heterocarriers sited on noradrenergic terminals meets the criteria of a conventional exocytotic process, (b) the extracellular [Ca²⁺]-independent releases of [³H]acetylcholine and [³H]dopamine appear to occur from vesicles possibly through involvement of intraterminal Ca²⁺, and (c) autoreceptor activation only affects heterocarrier-mediated vesicular release linked to entry of extracellular Ca²⁺.     

壳聚糖／海藻酸钠微囊作为口服控释制剂载体的研究

壳聚糖与海藻酸钠通过聚电解质络合反应制备成壳聚糖 /海藻酸钠微囊 ,其粒径为 1mm左右。以干扰素为模型药物 ,其包封率达 90 %以上。同时还研究了在不同 pH条件下 ,干扰素的控制释放情况。结果表明 :微囊在模拟胃液 (pH 1.0 )中 3h的药物释率仅为≤ 5 % ,但在模拟肠液 (pH 7.4 )中 3h ,80 %～ 90 %的药物被释放。     

Cause or Effect of Arteriogenesis: Compositional Alterations of Microparticles from CAD Patients Undergoing External Counterpulsation Therapy

Recently, a clinical study on patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) showed that external counterpulsation therapy (ECP) at high (300 mmHg) but not at low inflation pressure (80 mmHg) promoted coronary collateral growth, most likely due to shear stress-induced arteriogenesis. The exact molecular mechanisms behind shear stress-induced arteriogenesis are still obscure. We therefore characterized plasma levels of circulating microparticles (MPs) from these CAD patients because of their ambivalent nature as a known cardiovascular risk factor and as a promoter of neovascularization in the case of platelet-derived MPs. MPs positive for Annexin V and CD31CD41 were increased, albeit statistically significant (P<0.05, vs. baseline) only in patients receiving high inflation pressure ECP as determined by flow cytometry. MPs positive for CD62E, CD146, and CD14 were unaffected. In high, but not in low, inflation pressure treatment, change of CD31CD41 was inversely correlated to the change in collateral flow index (CFI), a measure for collateral growth. MPs from the high inflation pressure group had a more sustained pro-angiogenic effect than the ones from the low inflation pressure group, with the exception of one patient showing also an increased CFI after treatment. A total of 1005 proteins were identified by a label-free proteomics approach from MPs of three patients of each group applying stringent acceptance criteria. Based on semi-quantitative protein abundance measurements, MPs after ECP therapy contained more cellular proteins and increased CD31, corroborating the increase in MPs. Furthermore, we show that MP-associated factors of the innate immune system were decreased, many membrane-associated signaling proteins, and the known arteriogenesis stimulating protein transforming growth factor beta-1 were increased after ECP therapy. In conclusion, our data show that ECP therapy increases platelet-derived MPs in patients with CAD and that the change in protein cargo of MPs is likely in favor of a pro angiogenic/arteriogenic property.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00414297","term_id":"NCT00414297"}}NCT00414297     

Effect of Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channel Antagonists on the Release of 5-Hydroxytryptamine from Rat Hippocampus In Vivo

The effect of calcium channel antagonists on the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the hippocampus of the chloral hydrate-anaesthetised rat was studied using the technique of intracerebral microdialysis. As the basal concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine was close to the limit of detection of the HPLC method (8 fmol), the 5-hydroxytryptamine reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine (10 microM), was included in the perfusion fluid. The L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonists, PN200-110, diltiazem, and verapamil, all passed through the dialysis membrane, giving a recovery of 20-30%. The N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel antagonist, omega-conotoxin, penetrated less readily (12% recovery). The dihydropyridine, PN200-110, adhered to the probe, resulting in an effective concentration at the membrane 30% of that in the perfusion fluid. The concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the dialysate samples was reduced by 60% in the absence of calcium. The L channel antagonists had little effect on the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine, which was inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, to a maximum of 40% by omega-conotoxin. It is concluded that, under physiological conditions, the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from the rat hippocampus is dependent on the entry of calcium through N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels, although another calcium channel may also be involved.     

The Effect of Sodium Alginate on the Absorption of Strontium and Calcium in Human Subjects

The effect of sodium alginate on the gastrointestinal absorption of the tracers strontium-85 and calcium-47 was investigated in 19 human subjects. The tracers were administered orally with 100 mg. of a calcium carrier—calcium chloride. At the same time, sodium alginate was given in a commercial jelly. The sevenday per cent retentions of tracers were measured with a whole-body counter. After one month, the experiments were repeated without alginate so that each subject acted as his own control. Fifteen volunteers were given 1.5 g. of alginate, two were given 3.0 g. and two 0.3 g. 1.5 g. of alginate reduced the absorption of strontium by a factor of two with no significant effect on calcium absorption. The smaller dose of alginate (0.3 g.) appeared to have no effect on strontium or calcium absorption and the larger dose (3.0 g.) had no greater effect than the 1.5 g. dose.     

The Release of Alginate Lyase from Growing Pseudomonas syringae pathovar phaseolicola

Pseudomonas syringae pathovar phaseolicola, which produces alginate during stationary growth phase, displayed elevated extracellular alginate lyase activity during both mid-exponential and late-stationary growth phases of batch growth. Intracellular activity remained below 22% of the total activity during exponential growth, suggesting that alginate lyase has an extracellular function for this organism. Extracellular enzyme activity in continuous cultures, grown in either nutrient broth or glucose–simple salts medium, peaked at 60% of the washout rate, although nutrient broth-grown cultures displayed more than twice the activity per gram of cell mass. These results imply that growth rate, nutritional composition, or both initiate a release of alginate lyase from viable P. syringae pv. phaseolicola, which could modify its entrapping biofilm. Received: 14 April 2000 / Accepted: 11 August 2000     

壳聚糖涂膜对杨梅品质的影响（简报）

1％壳聚糖涂膜可降低杨梅果实呼吸速率,保持果肉硬度,延缓总酸和总糖含量的下降以及还原糖的上长,贮藏16d仍然具有较高的商品价值。     

The Bactericidal Effect of Dendritic Copper Microparticles,Contained in an Alginate Matrix,on Escherichia coli

Although the bactericidal effect of copper has been known for centuries, there is a current resurgence of interest in the use of this element as an antimicrobial agent. During this study the use of dendritic copper microparticles embedded in an alginate matrix as a rapid method for the deactivation of Escherichia coli ATCC 11775 was investigated. The copper/alginate produced a decrease in the minimum inhibitory concentration from free copper powder dispersed in the media from 0.25 to 0.065 mg/ml. Beads loaded with 4% Cu deactivated 99.97% of bacteria after 90 minutes, compared to a 44.2% reduction in viability in the equivalent free copper powder treatment. There was no observed loss in the efficacy of this method with increasing bacterial loading up to 10⁶ cells/ml, however only 88.2% of E. coli were deactivated after 90 minutes at a loading of 10⁸ cells/ml. The efficacy of this method was highly dependent on the oxygen content of the media, with a 4.01% increase in viable bacteria observed under anoxic conditions compared to a >99% reduction in bacterial viability in oxygen tensions above 50% of saturation. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the beads indicated that the dendritic copper particles sit as discrete clusters within a layered alginate matrix, and that the external surface of the beads has a scale-like appearance with dendritic copper particles extruding. E. coli cells visualised using SEM indicated a loss of cellular integrity upon Cu bead treatment with obvious visible blebbing. This study indicates the use of microscale dendritic particles of Cu embedded in an alginate matrix to effectively deactivate E. coli cells and opens the possibility of their application within effective water treatment processes, especially in high particulate waste streams where conventional methods, such as UV treatment or chlorination, are ineffective or inappropriate.     

壳聚糖辐照降解产物涂膜保鲜草莓研究

壳聚糖具有抑菌性与成膜性。将壳聚糖辐照降解得到的一系列不同粘均分子量产物进行涂膜草莓保鲜,研究涂膜液中壳聚糖粘均分子量、浓度、pH值、有机酸、明胶含量对草莓保鲜效果的影响;并设计四因素三水平正交试验。实验结果表明：1％（w／v）7．0×10^4Da壳聚糖、1％（v／v）醋酸、pH5、添加明胶0．5％的涂膜配方具有最好的保鲜效果;在常温（20℃、湿度80％～90％）下可以延长贮藏期2d;低温（3℃-4℃、湿度80％-90％）下可以延长贮藏期3d。     

Effect of Organic and Inorganic Calcium Channel Blockers on γ-Amino-n-Butyiic Acid Release Induced by Monensin and Veratrine in the Absence of External Calcium

The effects of two organic Ca2+ antagonists (verapamil and nitrendipine) and of two inorganic Ca2+ channel blockers (Co2+ and ruthenium red) on the Na+-dependent release of gamma-amino-n-butyric acid (GABA) triggered by veratrine and monensin in the absence of external Ca2+ were studied in mouse brain synaptosomes. Ca2+-independent release of GABA stimulated by the Na+ channel activator veratrine was inhibited with micromolar concentrations of verapamil and nitrendipine. In contrast, GABA release induced by the Na+ ionophore monensin was insensitive to the organic Ca2+ antagonists. Verapamil also failed to modify A23187-stimulated release of GABA in the presence of Ca2+ but inhibited high K+-induced release of the transmitter. Co2+ partially diminished veratrine-induced release but did not change monensin-induced release. Releasing responses to monensin and veratrine were insensitive to ruthenium red, which inhibited the Ca2+-dependent component of GABA release evoked by high K+ depolarization. These data demonstrate that the mechanism of inducing GABA release is different for veratrine and monensin, as evidenced by their differing sensitivities to inhibition by Ca2+ channel antagonists and organic Ca2+ blockers. It is concluded that voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels of the presynaptic membrane are not involved in the inhibitory action of Ca2+ antagonists on the Na+-dependent, Ca2+-independent mechanism of GABA release.     

Calcium Release From the Internal Stores as a Possible Target for Antinociceptive Treatment in Rats with Experimentally-Induced Diabetes

Distal neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, and it is highly important to reveal the cellular mechanisms leading to its development. In our experiments, neurons of control and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats were examined. Changes in the intracellular free calcium concentrations ([Ca²⁺] _i ) were fluorometrically measured in primary and secondary nociceptive (dorsal root ganglion, DRG, and dorsal horn, DH, respectively) neurons. The [Ca²⁺] _i elevation was induced by different agents, which can release calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores. The amplitudes of calcium elevation induced by application of caffeine and ionomicine in DRG and DH neurons of diabetic rats were significantly lower, as compared with the control. Application of ATP and glutamate to a Ca-free extracellular solution induced calcium release from the IP₃-sensitive store in DH neurons. Release of calcium from the IP₃-sensitive ER calcium stores became significantly smaller in neurons from diabetic rats. Taken together, these data indicate that significant changes in the calcium regulating mechanisms of the ER develop under diabetes conditions.     

Effect of Formulation and Process Parameters on Chitosan Microparticles Prepared by an Emulsion Crosslinking Technique

There are many studies about the synthesis of chitosan microparticles; however, most of them have very low production rate, have wide size distribution, are difficult to reproduce, and use harsh crosslinking agents. Uniform microparticles are necessary to obtain repeatable drug release behavior. The main focus of this investigation was to study the effect of the process and formulation parameters during the preparation of chitosan microparticles in order to produce particles with narrow size distribution. The technique evaluated during this study was emulsion crosslinking technique. Chitosan is a biocompatible and biodegradable material but lacks good mechanical properties; for that reason, chitosan was ionically crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) at three different ratios (32, 64, and 100%). The model drug used was acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). During the preparation of the microparticles, chitosan was first mixed with ASA and then dispersed in oil containing an emulsifier. The evaporation of the solvents hardened the hydrophilic droplets forming microparticles with spherical shape. The process and formulation parameters were varied, and the microparticles were characterized by their morphology, particle size, drug loading efficiency, and drug release behavior. The higher drug loading efficiency was achieved by using 32% mass ratio of TPP to chitosan. The average microparticle size was 18.7 μm. The optimum formulation conditions to prepare uniform spherical microparticles were determined and represented by a region in a triangular phase diagram. The drug release analyses were evaluated in phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 and were mainly completed at 24 h.     

Effect of External pH on the Internal pH of Chlorella saccharophila

The overall internal pH of the acid-tolerant green alga, Chlorella saccharophila, was determined in the light and in the dark by the distribution of 5,5-dimethyl-2-[¹⁴C]oxazolidine-2,4-dione ([¹⁴C]DMO) or [¹⁴C]benzoic acid ([¹⁴C]BA) between the cells and the surrounding medium. [¹⁴C]DMO was used at external pH of 5.0 to 7.5 while [¹⁴C]BA was used in the range pH 3.0 to pH 5.5. Neither compound was metabolized by the algal cells and intracellular binding was minimal. The internal pH of the algae obtained with the two compounds at external pH values of 5.0 and 5.5 were in good agreement. The internal pH of C. saccharophila remained relatively constant at pH 7.3 over the external pH range of pH 5.0 to 7.5. Below pH 5.0, however, there was a gradual decrease in the internal pH to 6.4 at an external pH of 3.0. The maintenance of a constant internal pH requires energy and the downward drift of internal pH with a drop in external pH may be a mechanism to conserve energy and allow growth at acid pH.     

Controlled Release of 5-Fluorouracil from Alginate Beads Encapsulated in 3D Printed pH-Responsive Solid Dosage Forms

Three-dimensional printing is being steadily deployed as manufacturing technology for the development of personalized pharmaceutical dosage forms. In the present study, we developed a hollow pH-responsive 3D printed tablet encapsulating drug loaded non-coated and chitosan-coated alginate beads for the targeted colonic delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). A mixture of Eudragit® L100-55 and Eudragit® S100 was fabricated by means of hot-melt extrusion (HME) and the produced filaments were printed utilizing a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer to form the pH-responsive layer of the tablet with the rest comprising of a water-insoluble poly-lactic acid (PLA) layer. The filaments and alginate particles were characterized for their physicochemical properties (thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction), their surface topography was visualized by scanning electron microscopy and the filaments’ mechanical properties were assessed by instrumented indentation testing and tensile testing. The optimized filament formulation was 3D printed and the structural integrity of the hollow tablet in increasing pH media (pH 1.2 to pH 7.4) was assessed by means of time-lapsed microfocus computed tomography (μCT). In vitro release studies demonstrated controlled release of 5-FU from the alginate beads encapsulated within the hollow pH-sensitive tablet matrix at pH values corresponding to the colonic environment (pH 7.4). The present study highlights the potential of additive manufacturing in fabricating controlled-release dosage forms rendering them pertinent formulations for further in vivo evaluation.     

壳聚糖被膜对鲜切荸荠褐变的抑制

壳聚糖被膜抑制鲜切荸荠切片的苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶的活性 ,延缓切片的褐变 ,保持荸荠的食用品质 ,减少腐烂。在 0 .5 %～ 2 %范围内 ,壳聚糖被膜对荸荠褐变的抑制效应随使用浓度的增加而增强。     

几种生长调节物质对北美红杉组织培养的影响

本文探讨几种生长调节物质对北美红杉组织培养的影响。实验以北美红杉 (Ｓｅｑｕｏｉａｓｅｍｐｅｒ ｖｉｒｅｎｓ)组培芽为材料 ,以改良的ＭＳ(大量元素减半 )为基本培养基 ,附加不同浓度的 6 ＢＡ、ＫＴ、ＩＢＡ、Ｔｈｉｏｌｉａｚｕｒｏｎ (ＴＤＺ)等 ,各种培养基均加 4ｍｇ·Ｌ- 1　 琼脂 ,3%蔗糖 ,ｐＨ为 5 .8～ 6.0。在自然散射光照和 2 5～ 30℃温度条件下培养 ,培养 35ｄ后调查各处理的芽增殖及长势情况。获得如下结果 :单用 6 ＢＡ处理时北美红杉的芽增殖倍数偏低 ;6 ＢＡ浓度达到 1 .5ｍｇ·Ｌ- 1 时 ,芽的增殖倍数下降 ,说明 1 .…     

Studies on the Inhibition of Intestinal Absorption of Radioactive Strontium: V. The Effect of Administration of Calcium Alginate

A method of selective suppression of absorption of radioactive strontium from ingested food material is described which allows calcium to be available to the body. In the present study the effects of administering calcium alginate were determined. Studies on the relative binding of Ca and Sr by calcium alginate in vivo are also important to the investigation of calcium-strontium exchange.Samples of calcium alginate were obtained commercially or prepared from sodium salts and the binding properties with Ca⁴⁵ and Sr⁸⁹ were tested in vivo. There was a free exchange of radioactive calcium as well as of strontium with bound inactive calcium. The amount of Ca⁴⁵ retained in the gut by calcium alginate is proportionally less than Sr⁸⁹, so that the ratio Sr⁸⁹/Ca⁴⁵ in the bone is consistently and significantly lower in treated rats. Calcium alginate acts differently from other calcium salts, although in a manner similar to sodium alginate.     

Effect of Drug Loading Method on Drug Content and Drug Release from Calcium Pectinate Gel Beads

Drug-loaded calcium pectinate gel (CaPG) beads were prepared by either mixing, absorption, or swelling method. The effects of drug loading method as well as the drug loading factors (i.e., drug concentration, soaking time in drug solution, type of solvent) on drug content and drug release were investigated. The amount of drug uptake (i.e., drug content) into CaPG beads increased as the initial drug concentration increased and varied depending on the loading method. The in vitro release studies in 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pH 6.8 buffer indicated that the drug loading method affected drug release and release parameter, time for 50% of drug release (T ₅₀). The mixing method provided a faster drug release and lower T ₅₀ than the absorption method and swelling method, respectively. This is probably due to higher drug content in CaPG beads. The increased concentration of drug in soaking solution and soaking time resulted in higher drug content and thus faster drug release (lower in T ₅₀ values). When using 0.1 N HCl as solvent for soaking instead of water, the drug release was slower owing to the increase in molecular tortuosity of CaPG beads. The drug release was also affected by pH of the release medium in which drug release in 0.1 N HCl was faster than in pH 6.8 buffer.     

The Effect of Therapeutic Ultrasound on the Formation of Ice Microparticles

Biophysics - The formation of ice microparticles during freezing of aqueous cryoprotective solutions has been studied. The shapes and sizes of particles depend on the composition of the solution....     

Release of Calcium from Suspension-Cultured Glycine max Cells by Chitosan, Other Polycations, and Polyamines in Relation to Effects on Membrane Permeability

Treatment with chitosan of suspension-cultured Glycine max cells labeled with ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ caused a rapid release of calcium, which was complete much earlier than the chitosan-induced leakage of intracellular electrolytes and probably reflects calcium loss primarily from the cell wall and/or plasma membrane. A linear correlation was found between calcium release from chitosan-treated whole cells or isolated cell walls and the amount of chitosan bound. Other polycations (poly-l-lysine, histone, DEAE-dextran, and protamine sulfate), low molecular weight polyamines (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine) and polyanions (polygalacturonate and poly-l-aspartate, which act as chelating agents) also released calcium from whole cells and isolated cell walls; however, only the polycations increased membrane permeability. Poly-l-lysines of differing molecular weight showed a similar ability to release calcium, but their effect on membrane permeability increased with increasing molecular weight. The results suggest that the effect of polycations on permeability is not the direct result of calcium displacement from the cell surface but is probably due to cross-linking of surface components. The order of effectiveness of inorganic cations in displacing calcium from whole cells and isolated cell walls was Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺, Na⁺.