芍药苷对心脏钾通道电生理功能的影响

目的研究芍药苷对内向整流钾电流(IK1)、瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)以及延迟整流钾电流(IKs和IKr)的作用。方法用全细胞膜片钳技术记录大鼠心室肌细胞的Ito和IK1电流。而IKs和IKr电流在转染相应质粒的HEK293细胞上记录。对比芍药苷使用前后的电流图,观察芍药苷对各种离子通道电流的影响。结果在-100mV测试电压下,100μmol/L的芍药苷能使IK1峰值密度从(-25.26±8.21)pA/pF降至(-17.65±6.52)pA/pF,平均抑制率为30.13%(n=6,P<0.05),但对其反转电位以及内向整流特性无影响。此外,100μmol/L芍药苷对Ito、IKs和IKr电流无明显作用。结论芍药苷对IK1电流具有明显的抑制作用,而对Ito、IKs及IKr无明显作用。     

Ang-(1-7)及AngⅡ对犬心房肌细胞外向钾通道电流的作用

目的观察Ang-(1-7)及AngⅡ对犬心房肌细胞外向钾通道电流的作用,揭示其参与房性心律失常的细胞电生理机制。方法急性分离单个犬心房肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳方法记录细胞膜快速延迟整流钾电流(Ikr)、缓慢延迟整流钾电流(Iks)、超快速延迟整流钾电流(Ikur)及短暂外向钾电流(Ito)。结果1μmol/LAng-(1-7)可抑制Ikr、Iks,增加Ito,对Ikur无明显影响;0.5μmol/LAngⅡ可增加Ikr、Iks,抑制Ito,对Ikur无明显影响。结论AngⅡ可能通过对外向钾电流的影响促进心房颤动的心房电重构,Ang-(1-7)作为AngⅡ内源性拮抗剂,可拮抗AngⅡ的电生理作用。     

盐酸关附甲素对豚鼠和大鼠心肌细胞钾通道的阻断作用

目的用膜片钳全细胞记录法观察盐酸关附甲素(GFA)对分离的单个豚鼠心室肌细胞缓慢激活型延迟整流钾电流(IKs),大鼠内向整流钾电流(IK1)、瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)的影响。方法用急性酶解法分离获得单个豚鼠和大鼠心室肌细胞。用标准的全细胞膜片钳技术记录IKs、IK1、Ito离子通道电流,观察不同浓度的GFA对豚鼠心室肌细胞IKs,大鼠心室肌细胞IK1、Ito的影响。结果50,150,500μmol/LGFA使IKs尾电流(IKs,tail)最大峰值电流密度分别降低11.4%±3.32%、23.3%±7.36%、36.7%±4.99%,P<0.05;使IK1稳态电流密度分别降低5.1%±0.6%、7.5%±0.9%、7.2%±0.9%;50,500μmol/LGFA使Ito最大峰值电流密度分别降低6.1%±0.64%、8.6%±1.13%。结论GFA对IKs具有浓度依赖性阻滞作用,这可能是其延长动作电位时程而对静息电位影响不大的电生理基础,是其抗心律失常作用的机制之一。     

丹酚酸B对大鼠心室肌细胞瞬时外向钾电流和L型钙电流的阻滞作用

目的研究从丹参中分离提取的药物单体——丹酚酸B对大鼠心肌细胞上的瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)、内向整流钾电流(IK1)和L型钙电流(ICa,L)的电生理学作用。方法用酶解法分离大鼠心室肌细胞,全细胞膜片钳技术记录Ito、IK1和ICa,L。每个细胞采用加药前后自身对照,用含100μmol/L丹酚酸B的细胞外液灌流心室肌细胞,记录加药前、后的电流,所有数据均在细胞破膜后20min内完成。结果 100μmol/L的丹酚酸B对Ito和ICa,L具有抑制作用,使Ito和ICa,L最大激活峰值电流密度下降,电流密度-电压曲线下移;且丹酚酸B主要抑制Ito的快速电流成分Itof,而对Ito的缓慢电流成分Itos无明显作用。在60mV测试电压下,Itof的最大激活峰值电流密度从23.51±3.29pA/pF降为16.85±2.36pA/pF,抑制率为28.31%±10.6%(n=8,P0.05)。在-10mV测试电压下,100μmol/L丹酚酸B作用后ICa,L的最大激活峰值电流密度从-8.66±-2.40pA/pF降为-5.91±-2.14pA/pF,抑制率为31.84%±10.23%(n=11,P0.05)。丹酚酸B使Ito通道失活后的恢复减慢,但不改变ICa,L的通道动力学。丹酚酸B对IK1无显著作用。结论丹酚酸B对Ito和ICa,L具有阻滞作用,而对IK1无显著作用。     

维生素K3通过延迟整流钾通道影响豚鼠结肠平滑肌收缩

目的研究维生素K3对豚鼠结肠平滑肌肌条自发性收缩频率和平均张力的影响,和对细胞膜延迟整流钾通道的影响,并初步探讨其治疗肠痉挛的机制。方法将豚鼠处死后取5cm左右长的结肠,用张力换能器测量(40,100,400)μmol/L维生素K3对肌条收缩频率和平均张力的影响,再将肌条消化得到单个豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞,用K(v)电级内液充灌玻璃微电级,分别用台氏液和含40μmol/L,100μmol/L,400μmol/L的维生素K3的台氏液灌流。以-40mV为钳制电压钳制细胞,20mV为阶跃,检测K(v)。每检测1个浓度维生素K3后均用台氏液洗脱1min。结果40μmol/L,100μmol/L,400μmol/L维生素K3可减弱豚鼠结肠平滑肌的收缩频率和平均张力(40,100,400)μmol/L,维生素K3相对正常组的频率分别下降了(21.4±2.16)%,(42.3±3.24)%,(66.5±3.67)%(P<0.05),张力分别减少了(23.6±2.64)%,(46.7±2.96)%,(69.7±3.23)%(P<0.05)。40μmol/L,100μmol/L,400μmol/L维生素K3作用下延迟整流钾电流的峰值相对正常组分别增加了(44.04±4.36)%,(92.05±6.34)%,(115.89±6.41)%,(P<0.05)。结论维生素K3能浓度依赖性的减弱平滑肌条的收缩频率和平均张力,并增强延迟整流钾通道的开放,这可能是其治疗胃肠痉挛的机制之一。     

小檗碱对大鼠心室肌细胞短暂外向钾电流的影响

目的研究小檗碱对大鼠心室肌细胞膜短暂外向钾电流(Ito)的影响,探讨小檗碱在离子通道水平的药理作用机制。方法用急性酶解法分离大鼠心室肌细胞,应用膜片钳全细胞记录技术,观察不同浓度的小檗碱对Ito的影响。结果小檗碱(1,3,10,30,100,300μmol/L)可浓度依赖性地降低Ito,半数抑制浓度(IC50)为40.21μmol/L,30μmol/L小檗碱可使Ito电流-电压曲线下移,但不改变曲线形状。小檗碱使Ito失活曲线向负电位方向变化,半数失活电压减小;对激活曲线无明显影响,未改变Ito激活特性。结论小檗碱可浓度依赖性地阻滞大鼠心室肌细胞的Ito。     

小鼠心室肌细胞分离方法的改良及钾电流的记录

目的报道一种改良的小鼠心室肌细胞分离方法,并观察小鼠心室肌细胞动作电位以及钾电流的电生理特性。方法采用双酶消化法分离单个心室肌细胞,应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录动作电位和钾电流。先记录外向钾电流(Ipeak),用低浓度4-氨基吡啶(100μmol/L)使延迟整流钾电流(IKur)失活后记录瞬时外向钾电流(Ito),用Ipeak减去Ito即可得到IKur,在完全失活IKur及Ito后可记录到稳态钾电流(Iss)。结果本法分离所得心室肌细胞横纹清晰,具有正常电生理活性,细胞池中加入层粘连蛋白后有助于细胞贴壁,从而易于形成高阻封接,并记录出小鼠心室肌细胞特征性的动作电位和钾电流。结论本实验所采用的分离方法简便,获得的小鼠心室肌细胞易于封接,且具有正常的电生理活性。     

胺碘酮对模拟缺氧状态下大鼠心室肌细胞瞬时外向和内向整流钾电流的影响

目的通过观察胺碘酮对模拟缺氧状态下急性分离的大鼠心室肌单细胞复极相中瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)和内向整流钾电流(IK1)通道的影响,探讨其在该条件下抗心律失常的作用机制。方法使用酶解法分离获取大鼠单个心室肌细胞,通过持续通以模拟缺氧细胞外液建立体外模拟缺氧模型,采用全细胞膜片钳实验技术研究胺碘酮对该条件下Ito和IK1的作用。结果胺碘酮呈剂量依赖性降低Ito和IK1电流幅值,对Ito抑制效应的起始浓度为1μmol/L,100μmol/L时抑制作用达最大,最大抑制幅度为56.78%±4.27%(23.98±2.18pA/pFvs10.38±4.27pA/pF;测试电压为+70mV;P<0.01;n=5),IC50(半数抑制浓度)为74.35μmol/L,但Ito的I-V曲线趋势并没有发生变化,稳态激活和失活曲线几乎不发生移动。胺碘酮对IK1内向电流部分抑制起始浓度为1μmol/L,外向电流部分抑制效应的起始浓度为2μmol/L,其最大抑制幅度分别为58.77%±10.76%(56.32±7.24pA/pFvs23.22±7.30pA/pF;测试电压为-150mV;P<0.01)和33.29%±2.15%(6.70±0.89pA/pFvs4.46±0.93pA/pF;测试电压为+40mV;P<0.01;n=5)。对内向电流成分的IC50为63.75μmol/L,IK1通道的稳态激活曲线无明显改变。结论在大鼠离体心室肌单细胞模拟缺氧条件下,胺碘酮对Ito和IK1电流幅度呈剂量依赖性抑制,有对抗缺氧本身造成的动作电位时程缩短效应;对I内向电流成分的敏感性高于外向成分。     

卡托普利对豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位及外向延迟整流钾电流的作用

目的 探讨卡托普利对豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位及外向延迟整流钾电流的作用。方法 采用内充3M KCL的标准微电极记录心肌动作电位。采用膜片钳全细胞技术，钳制电位-50mV，持续时间100ms，指令电位 40mV，记录外向延迟整流钾电流(Ik)最大峰电流。结果 与缺血组比较，卡托普利组APD30、APD50及ERP显著延长，APD50无显著变化。缺血组Ik幅度显著增高，而卡托普利组及卡托普利 缺血组显著降低。各组电流—电压关系曲线形态虽无显著变化，但缺血组显著上移，而卡托普利组、卡托普利 缺血组比缺血组下移。结论卡托普利降低外向钾电流及延长APD30、APD50和ERP。     

新型ATP敏感性钾通道开放剂Iptakalim对慢性缺氧大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流的影响

目的探讨慢性缺氧对大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞外向性钾电流的影响,及新型ATP敏感性钾(KATP)通道开放剂Iptakalim对此时钾电流的作用。方法SD雄性大鼠28只随机分成正常组、缺氧组[O2(10±0.5)%]、低剂量治疗组(每日缺氧前30min Iptakalim0.75mg·kg-1灌胃)、高剂量治疗组(每日缺氧前30min Iptakalim1.5mg·kg-1灌胃),将缺氧组和已灌胃的大鼠放入常压缺氧舱制作动物模型。4周后,急性分离大鼠动脉平滑肌细胞,用膜片钳全细胞记录技术记录细胞外向性钾电流;通过浴槽内给药,观察Iptakalim对钾电流的影响。结果Iptakalim0.1,1,10,100μmol/L呈浓度依赖性增加正常大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌外向钾电流,格列本脲30μmol/L可拮抗Iptakalim10μmol/L对钾电流的增强作用;与对照组大鼠相比,慢性缺氧大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流下降,电流密度减小(690±450)pA/pFvs(420±250)pA/pF(P<0.01),膜电容增大到(4.29±1.78)pF(P<0.01),电流-电压(I-V)曲线下移;与缺血氧组相比,每日缺氧前口服Iptakalim,细胞膜电容减小为(3.09±1.71)(P<0.01),电流密度增大到(610±320)pA/pF(P<0.01)。结论慢性缺氧抑制大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道,灌服Iptakalim可拮抗慢性缺氧对KATP通道的抑制作用。     

马来酸曲美布汀对结肠平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道的影响

目的研究马来酸曲美布汀对豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞膜钙激活钾通道的影响。方法酶解法急性分离单个豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞,利用膜片钳技术在全细胞模式下记录钙激活钾电流[IK（ca）],用含有IK（ca）特异激动剂NS1619的生理盐水灌流细胞,使结肠平滑肌细胞处于超极化状态,检测给马来酸曲美布汀浓度分别为1．19μmol／L、5．95μmol／L、11．91μmol／L后的结肠平滑肌细胞膜IK（ca）。结果浓度为1．19μmol／L、5．95μmol／L、11．91μmol／L的马来酸曲美布汀可抑制豚鼠单个结肠平滑肌细胞膜IK（ca）（P均〈0．01）,当阶跃刺激为＋80mv时,其分别为超极化状态组的（65．87±4．80）％、（48．02±2．39）％、（18．88±2．29）％（P均〈0．01）。结论马来酸曲美布汀能抑制豚鼠结肠平滑肌细胞钙激活钾通道的开放,使细胞兴奋性升高,且呈浓度依赖性,这可能是马来酸曲美布汀治疗肠易激综合征便秘症状的机制之一。     

小檗碱对大鼠结肠上皮细胞钙依赖钾通道的影响

目的研究小檗碱对结肠上皮隐窝细胞基底膜钙依赖钾通道(IK(Ca))的影响,以探讨其治疗分泌性腹泻的机制。方法用EDTA溶液分离结肠上皮隐窝细胞,运用EPC10膜片钳放大器测量全细胞模式下50、100、500μmol/L的小檗碱对结肠上皮细胞基底膜IK(Ca)的影响。结果50、100、500μmol/L的小檗碱均可抑制大鼠结肠上皮隐窝细胞基底膜IK(Ca)(P<0.05),当阶跃刺激为+80 mV时,其IK(Ca)分别为生理盐水(PSS)对照组的(71.43±3.61)%、(54.56±5.13)%、(38.66±3.85)%(n=8,P<0.05)。结论小檗碱能抑制大鼠结肠上皮细胞基底膜钙依赖钾通道的开放,这可能是其治疗分泌性腹泻的机制之一。     

Progesterone inhibits L-type calcium currents in gallbladder smooth muscle cells

Background and Aim: The incidence of gallbladder stones is higher in women during pregnancy than in men. Progesterone can inhibit gallbladder motility and facilitate gallstone formation. However, the ionic mechanisms have not been fully illuminated. This study sought to investigate the effects of progesterone on L‐type calcium currents and voltage‐dependent potassium currents in gallbladder smooth muscle cells. Methods: Gallbladder smooth muscle cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion from adult guinea pigs. Ionic currents were recorded by the whole‐cell patch clamp method. Results: Progesterone inhibited L‐type calcium currents in a concentration‐dependent manner. The characteristic of current‐voltage curve was not significantly altered. The amplitude of calcium currents was gradually suppressed, reached a steady‐state level within 4–6 min, and restored partly after washout. In the presence of protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, Rp‐cAMP, the inhibitory effect induced by progesterone was apparently attenuated, whereas forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, could suppress L‐type calcium channel. However, progesterone did not significantly affect voltage‐dependent potassium currents. Conclusions: Progesterone inhibits L‐type calcium channel by cAMP/PKA pathway in gallbladder smooth muscle cells. This may be an important mechanism for the gallbladder hypomotility induced by progesterone.     

门冬氨酸钾对肝细胞内钾离子浓度及细胞膜Na+·K+-ATP酶活性的影响

目的 了解门冬氨酸钾对肝细胞内钾离子浓度及细胞膜Na+·K+-ATP酶活性的影响.方法 人和大鼠肝细胞株培养传代,通过CCK-8测细胞活力确定门冬氨酸钾和氯化钾分别作用于两株肝细胞的合适浓度,利用该浓度处理细胞,培养0、24和48 h后破碎细胞取上清液测定两株肝细胞内钾离子浓度,提取细胞膜定磷法测定细胞膜Na+· K+-ATP酶活性.统计学处理采用t检验,方差分析及LSD法.结果 与空白组和氯化钾组相比,门冬氨酸钾组K+进入细胞内的量明显增多(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),在24 h、48 h两个时间点,L02细胞内K+浓度比KCl组分别升高了31％和38％,比空白组分别升高了62％和73％;BRL细胞内K+浓度比KCI组分别升高了21％和40％,空白组分别升高了52％和68％.且其细胞膜Na+· K+ -ATP酶活性升高(P＜0.01),但两株细胞间均无明显差异.结论 门冬氨酸钾能促进K+进入细胞内,并提高了肝细胞膜Na+· K+-ATP酶的活性.     

高糖对大鼠结肠平滑肌细胞表达内源性胰岛素样生长因子1的影响

目的:探讨高糖对大鼠结肠平滑肌细胞(SMCs)表达内源性胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)的影响.方法:酶解法分离培养SD大鼠结肠SMCs,α-actin免疫荧光鉴定,然后将大鼠结肠SMCs随机给予葡萄糖不同浓度(5.5mmol/L和25mmol/L)组及甘露醇对照组(5.5mmol/L葡萄糖+19.5mmol/L甘露醇)刺激,CCK8实验检测SMCs增殖情况;流式细胞术检测SMCs细胞周期;ELISA检测培养液上清中IGF-1的含量;Western blot、Real-time PCR法检测SMCs合成内源性IGF-1的表达变化.结果:高糖(25mmol/L)抑制大鼠结肠SMCs的增殖,在24h与正常糖浓度间差异最大(0.494±0.003vs0.597±0.044,P<0.05);高糖使约90%的结肠SMCs停滞在G1期(90.850%±0.706%vs55.202%±3.807%,P<0.05),进入S期的SMCs明显减少(3.622%±0.156%vs30.780%±3.808%,P<0.05);高糖环境中,结肠SMCs合成分泌的IGF-1减少(208.000ng/L±31.443ng/Lvs265.750ng/L±26.538ng/L,P<0.05),SMCs表达内源性的IGF-1 mRNA和蛋白也均减少(2.037±0.196vs2.257±0.273;0.247±0.045vs0.906±0.103,P<0.05).结论:高糖抑制大鼠结肠SMCs增殖,使SMCs内源性IGF-1表达减少.     

Specific Preinduction of 60-kDa Heat Shock Protein (Chaperonin Homolog) by TRH Does Not Protect Colonic Mucosa Against Acetic Acid-Induced Lesion in Rats

In order to study the cytoprotective function of colonic heat shock proteins (HSPs) in vivo, the effect of specific preinduction of HSP60 by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) administration on the development of acetic acid-induced colonic mucosal lesion was investigated. Expression of 60-kDa, 72-kDa, and 90-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP72, and HSP90, respectively) in rat colonic mucosa was investigated by western blot and immunohistochemical analyses before and after TRH administration. Following pretreatment with or without TRH administration, the rats received intrarectal infusion of 5% acetic acid. The colonic mucosal damage was macroscopically evaluated 24 hr after the intrarectal infusion of acetic acid. Expression of HSP60 was significantly increased by TRH administration in the colonic mucosa, whereas HSP72 and HSP90 did not increase. Immunohistochemical study also showed a significant increase in HSP60 in colonic mucosal cells, especially at the surface of the colonic mucosa after TRH administration. No histopathologic alteration was observed in the colonic mucosa after TRH administration. The colonic mucosal damage caused by intrarectal infusion of 5% acetic acid was not prevented by preinduction of HSP60. We demonstrated that specific preinduction of HSP60 by TRH administration did not show cytoprotective function in the colonic mucosa, although this protein plays a crucial role for cytoprotection in the pancreatic acinar cells. Our results indicate that the role of HSP60 may be different in each organ with respect to cytoprotection.     

Effect of genistein on voltage-gated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells

AIM:To investigate the action of genistein(GST),abroad spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor,on voltage-gated potassium channels in guinea pig proximal colonsmooth muscle cells.METHODS:Smooth muscle cells in guinea pig proximalcolon were enzymatically isolated.Nystatin-perforatedwhole cell patch clamp technique was used to recordpotassium currents including fast transient outwardcurrent(I_(Kto))and delayed rectifier current(I_(Kdr)),two ofwhich were isolated pharmacologically with 10 mmol/Ltetraethylammonium or 5 mmol/L 4-aminopyridine.Contamination of calcium-dependent potassium currentswas minimized with no calcium and 0.2 mmol/L CdCl_2 inan external solution.RESULTS:GST(10-100μmol/L)reversibly and dose-dependently reduced the peak amplitude of I_(Kto)with anICso value of 22.0 6.9μmol/L.To a lesser extent,I_(Kdr)wasalso inhibited in both peak current and sustained current.GST could not totally block the outward potassiumcurrent as a fraction of the outWard potassium current,which was insensitive to GST.GST had no effect on thesteady-state activation(n=6)and inactivation kinetics(n=6)of I_(Kto).Sodium orthovanadate(1 mmol/L),apotent inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatase,significantlyinhibited GST-induced inhibition(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:GST can dose-dependently andreversibly block voltage-gated potassium channels inguinea pig proximal colon smooth muscle cells.     

血管紧张素-(1-7)拮抗血管紧张素Ⅱ对钾通道的作用

应用膜片钳全细胞记录技术研究血管紧张素 (1 7) [Ang (1 7) ]和血管紧张素 Ⅱ (AngⅡ )对豚鼠心室肌细胞钾离子通道作用的异同 ,并探讨Ang (1 7)发挥作用的机制。结果 :2 μmol/LAng (1 7)可使延迟整流性钾离子流 (Ik)从 13.5 3± 0 .92 pA/ pF增至 17.5 8± 2 .73pA/ pF(P <0 .0 5 ) ,应用选择性AT1受体拮抗剂缬沙坦 (Val)后 ,Ang (1 7)增加IK 的作用依然存在 ,而应用非选择性血管紧张素 (AT)受体拮抗剂Sarthran (Sar)后 ,Ang (1 7)对IK 的作用被消除。同样浓度的Ang (1 7)对内向整流性钾离子流 (IK1)无影响 (P >0 .0 5 )。 2 μmol/LAngⅡ可使Ik从13.94± 1.4 9pA/pF降至 8.98± 2 .4 6 pA/ pF(P <0 .0 1)、IK1的内向电流从 38.6 7± 8.2 4 pA/pF增至 5 3.4 7±7.4 8pA/pF(P <0 .0 1)。应用Val和Sar后 ,AngⅡ抑制IK 的作用被消除 ,而只有Sar可以消除AngⅡ增加IK1的作用。结论 :Ang (1 7)通过非AT1受体增加IK,对IK1无影响 ;AngⅡ通过AT1受体抑制IK,通过非AT1受体增加IK1,二者对钾离子流的作用不同。     

Signal pathways involved in emodin-induced contraction of smooth muscle cells from rat colon

AIM: To investigate the effects induced by emodin on single smooth muscle cells from rat colon in vitro, and to determine the signal pathways involved.METHODS: Cells were isolated from the muscle layers of Wistar rat colon by enzymatic digestion. Cell length was measured by computerized image micrometry. Intracellular Ca^2+ ([Ca^2+]i) signals were studied using the fluorescent Ca^2+ indicator fluo-3 and confocal microscopy. PKCα distribution at rest state or after stimulation was measured with immunofluorescence confocal microscopy.RESULTS: (1) Emodin dose-dependently caused colonic smooth muscle cells contraction, (2) emodin induced an increase in intracellular Ca^2+ concentration; (3) the contractile responses induced by emodin were respectively inhibited by preincubation of the cells with ML-7 (an inhibitor of MLCK) and calphostin C (an inhibitor of PKC), (4) Incubation of cells with emodin caused translocation of PKCα from cytosolic area to the membrane.CONCLUSION: Emodin has a direct contractile effect on colonic smooth muscle cell. This signal cascade induced by emodin is initiated by increased [Ca^2+]i and PKCα translocation,which in turn lead to the activation of MLCK and the suppression of MLCP. Both of them contribute to the emodininduced contraction.     

Free radicals mediate actions of oxyhemoglobin on cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells

Single smooth muscle cells were isolated from the basilar artery of the rat by enzymatic dispersion. The membrane properties of the cells were assessed using the patch-electrode voltage-clamp technique, and cell viability was monitored using fluorescein diacetate uptake. Exposure of the cells to oxyhemoglobin (5 microM) resulted in 1) contraction, 2) the appearance of membrane blebs, 3) an increase in the outward potassium currents, 4) a decrease in the membrane resistance, and 5) cell death. In contrast, no effect of oxyhemoglobin on cultured murine neuroblastoma cells was observed. Methemoglobin (100 microM) had no effects on the smooth muscle cells. Catalase (300 units/ml) or dimethyl sulfoxide (0.5%) protected against the effects of oxyhemoglobin; superoxide dismutase (100-1,000 units/ml) provided only partial protection. Exposure of the cells to superoxide anions generated by xanthine (1 mM) plus xanthine oxidase (10 units/l) or to hydrogen peroxide (500 microM) caused an increase in the outward potassium currents without affecting membrane resistance. Generation of hydroxyl radicals by metal ions plus hydrogen peroxide caused the same effects as oxyhemoglobin, that is, an increase in the potassium currents, followed by a decrease in the membrane resistance and cell death. In conclusion, it appears that oxyhemoglobin exerts its effects on vascular smooth muscle cells by the generation of free radicals, chiefly hydroxyl radicals.