比较不同类型抗抑郁剂对新生大鼠神经细胞内游离Ca2+浓度的影响

The ability of antidepressant drugs to increase the concentration of intracellular Ca²⁺(［Ca²⁺］_i) was examined in dispersed brain cells from neonatal rat cortex and hippocampus using the Ca²⁺ sensitive fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Desipramine (DIM 0.1-1.0 mmol·L^-1) increased ［Ca²⁺］_i in a concentration-dependent manner. DIM (1.0 mmol·L^-1) and fluoxetine (1.0 mmol·L^-1) induced ［Ca²⁺］
_i increases were not altered by the absence of external Ca²⁺ or by the presence of nimodipine (10 μmol·L^-1). Pretreatment with neomycin (10 mmol·L^-1), an inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production, significantly inhibited DIM-induced ［Ca²⁺］_i increase but could not effectively inhibit fluoxetine-induced ［Ca²⁺］_i increase. Pretreatment with dantrolene (0.05 mmol·L^-1), an exhaustor of Ca²⁺ store, inhibited fluoxetineinduced ［Ca²⁺］_i increase, suggesting that DIM and fluoxetine provoke intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization. In addition, fluoxetine-induced ［Ca²⁺］_i increase was about 1.5 times higher than that induced by DIM at the same concentration (0.4 mmol·L^-1). Moclobemide, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, did not affect ［Ca²⁺］_i. It is concluded that DIM and fluoxetine may be Ca²⁺ mobilizing agents.     

全反式维A酸对血管平滑肌细胞增殖，细胞内钙离子和氢离子含量的影响

The effect of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on changes of DNA synthesis, intracellular free calcium content (［Ca²⁺］_i) and intracellular pH (pH_i) of cultured rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by fetal calf serum (FCS) were studied by ［³H］ thymidine incorporation, Fura-2/AM and BCECF/AM fluorescent probe mark and digital image processing techniques. The results showed that (1) ATRA (0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 μmol·L^-１) significantly inhibited 20% FCS-induced VSMC DNA synthesis and its maximal inhibitory rate at 1 μmol·L^-１was 90%; (2) incubated with 20% FCS for 5 min, VSMC ［Ca^２＋］_i increased and VSMC ［H^＋］_i decreased. These effects of FCS were significantly inhibited by ATRA 0.1 μmol·L^-1 preincubated for 10 min. The results indicate that ATRA lowering VSMC ［Ca²⁺］_i and pH_i may be attribute to inhibition of the proliferation of VSMC.     

三七皂甙Rg1对大鼠实验性血栓形成,血小板聚集率及血小板内游离钙水平的影响

三七皂甙Rg₁可明显降低实验性血栓形成, 并且以剂量依赖方式抑制凝血酶诱导的血小板聚集. 此外, Rg₁还可抑制凝血酶诱导的正常血压及肾性高血压大鼠血小板内游离钙(［Ca²⁺］_i)升高. 表明Rg₁的抗血栓形成和抗血小板聚集作用可能与抑制血小板［Ca²⁺］_i升高有关.     

家兔主动脉血管平滑肌细胞内钙动员及小檗胺作用的共聚焦研究

观察小檗胺 (Ber) 对高钾除极,Bay K8644,5-羟色胺 (5-HT) 及咖啡因升高细胞内钙水平 (［Ca²⁺］_i) 的影响。以Fluo-3/AM负载家兔培养的主动脉平滑肌细胞 (VSMC),共聚焦显微术测定［Ca²⁺］_i,结果以荧光强度(FI)表示. 结果：(1) 在细胞外钙为1.3 mmol·L^-1时, VSMC胞浆静息FI明显高于核区, 且不受Ber的影响. (2) Ber 10-100 μmol·L^-1预处理可抑制KCl 60 mmol·L^-1或Bay K8644 100 μmol·L^-1升高的［Ca²⁺］_i,抑制5- HT 1 μmol·L^-1升高［Ca²⁺］_i的持续相,但不影响［Ca²⁺］_i的一过性升高。维拉帕米10 μmol·L^-1具有相似作用. (3) 在无钙Hanks液中,Ber预处理对咖啡因100 mmol·L^-1升高的［Ca²⁺］_i无明显抑制作用。结果表明,Ber可阻断外钙内流,但不抑制内钙释放,这可能与Ber阻断电压依赖性钙通道和受体依赖性钙通道的作用有关.     

丙泊酚抑制去甲肾上腺素诱导大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度升高作用的机理

用荧光分光光度法及同位素放射免疫分析法检测丙泊酚(30-300 μmol·L^-1)影响大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(PASMC)内游离钙离子浓度(［Ca²⁺］_i)与肌醇-1,4,5-三磷酸(IP₃)合成作用,以探讨丙泊酚舒张肺动脉平滑肌的作用机理.结果表明,与丙泊酚共同培养72 h,对PASMC ［Ca²⁺］_i 基础水平无明显影响,但可浓度依赖性抑制去甲肾上腺素(NE 3 μmol·L^-1)引起的［Ca²⁺］_i升高作用;当细胞外液无钙或存在钙通道阻滞剂维拉帕米(30 μmol·L^-1)时,丙泊酚抑制NE升高［Ca²⁺］_i作用被增强;丙泊酚还可浓度依赖性抑制NE促进 IP₃合成作用. 结果提示丙泊酚舒张血管平滑肌作用与抑制IP₃介导的细胞内钙释放密切相关.     

牛磺酸对培养乳鼠心肌细胞胞浆游离钙浓度的影响

在培养的单个SD乳鼠心肌细胞,观察了牛磺酸对KCl, 去甲肾上腺素(NE)和毒毛花苷G引起的胞浆游离Ca^２＋浓度(［Ca^２＋］_i)变化的影响. 当细胞外CaCl₂浓度为1.3 mmol·L^-１时, 牛磺酸10, 20 mmol·L^-１不影响心肌细胞静息［Ca^２＋］_i; 但能浓度依赖性地抑制35 mmol·L^-１ KCl和1 μmol·L^-１毒毛花苷G升高［Ca^２＋］_i的作用.10 μmol·L^-１ NE在含Ca^２＋的缓冲液中能引起双相的［Ca^２＋］_i变化, 即快速升高相和持续升高相.牛磺酸20 mmol·L^-１能抑制NE引起的［Ca^２＋］_i持续升高, 而对快速升高相无显著影响. 在无 Ca^２＋ 的缓冲液中, 牛磺酸不影响NE升高［Ca^２＋］_i的作用. 结果提示牛磺酸可能通过减少心肌细胞电压依赖性Ca^２＋内流和Na⁺/Ca^２＋交换而抑制KCl, NE和毒毛花苷G引起的［Ca^２＋］_i升高.     

Bcl-2蛋白对环匹阿尼酸诱导CHO细胞凋亡的保护作用

Hoechst 33258染色和DNA电泳分析揭示了内质网钙泵抑制剂环匹阿尼酸(CPA)呈浓度依赖性地诱导CHO细胞凋亡, 表现出染色体固缩和DNA片断形成的典型特征. Bcl-2的过度表达对CPA诱导的CHO细胞凋亡具有保护作用. 采用Fura-2技术测定细胞内游离钙浓度(［Ca²⁺］_i)变化，观察到Bcl-2对CPA触发的细胞Ca²⁺库Ca²⁺释放无任何影响. 结果表明Bcl-2蛋白对CPA诱导的CHO细胞凋亡的保护作用不是通过抑制CPA诱导的Ca²⁺释放，而是作用于［Ca²⁺］_i升高的下游途径.     

丙泊酚对大鼠脑突触体Na+, K+-ATP酶和Ca2+-ATP酶活性的影响

Effect of propofol on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities of cerebral synaptosomes was investigated in rats. It was found that propfol 50 mg·kg^-1 ip significantly inhibited Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity of hippocampal and brain stem′s synaptosomes (P<0.01). Propofol 100 mg·kg^-1 ip significantly reduced Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of cerebrocortical, brain stem′s and hippocampal synaptosomes (P<0.01). It is suggested that the central inhibitory effect of propofol may be related to the inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity of cerebral synaptosomes.     

孕三烯酮与兔子宫雌激素和孕激素受体的亲和力测定

Radioligand receptor binding assay (RRBA) was used to determine the characteristics of gestrinone binding to estrogen and progestin receptors of the uterine cytosol in rabbits. The results showed that the binding of ［³H］ progesterone and ［³H］ estradiol to uterine cytosols was in a concentration-dependent saturation manner, the dissociation constants (K_d) were 0.82 and 0.18 nmol·L^-1 by the Scatchard analysis. If the affinities of progesterone and estradiol binding to progestin and estrogen receptors were taken to be 100%, the relative binding affinities of gestrinone were 54.87%, 0.74%, respectively. The results indicated that gestrinone showed a considerably high affinity with progestin receptor, but had only a very poor affinity with estrogen receptor.     

溶血性磷脂酰胆碱诱导血小板活化及蛋白质酪氨酸激酶和蛋白激酶C的作用

应用双道血小板聚集仪和荧光分光光度计分别测定溶血性磷脂酰胆碱(LysoPC)诱导的兔洗涤血小板聚集,细胞内钙离子浓度(［Ca²⁺］_i),细胞内pH值(pH_i)的变化及5-羟色胺(5-HT)的释放,并观察蛋白质酪氨酸激酶(PTK)抑制剂金雀异黄素(Gen)和蛋白激酶C(PKC)抑制剂星形孢菌素(Sta)对其作用的影响. 结果表明：LysoPC(30-300 μmol·L^-1)诱导血小板聚集,5- HT释放和［Ca²⁺］_i 升高,均呈现良好的浓度依赖性,100 μmol·L^-1以上时伴有pH_i的增加;Gen使LysoPC 诱导的聚集浓度效应曲线右移,半效聚集浓度值从(100±23) μmol·L^-1增加到(200±42) μmol·L^-1,明显抑制 ［Ca²⁺］_i 升高和胞浆碱化,对5-HT释放无明显影响;Sta对较低浓度LysoPC 诱导的血小板聚集,5-HT释放, ［Ca²⁺］_i 和pH_i的增加均有明显抑制作用,但对高浓度LysoPC 诱导的血小板活化无明显影响. 提示：LysoPC通过内Ca²⁺调节和Na^＋/H^＋交换介导血小板聚集和致密颗粒释放;PTK的激活参与了LysoPC诱导的血小板聚集,内Ca²⁺调节和Na^＋/H^＋交换,而在5-HT释放的机理中意义不大;PKC的激活在较低浓度LysoPC 诱导的血小板活化中起重要作用,高浓度LysoPC通过不依赖于PKC的途径激活血小板.     

强啡肽对培养脊髓神经元高钾刺激性胞内钙增高的双向作用

为探讨强啡肽(Dyn)镇痛与致瘫的细胞机理，采用Fura-2显微荧光光度技术观测了不同浓度的Dyn A(1-17)对原代培养脊髓神经元单个细胞内游离钙离子浓度(［Ca²⁺］_i)的影响. Dyn A 0.1-100 μmol·L^-1对基础［Ca²⁺］_i均无影响. Dyn A 0.1和1 μmol·L^-1使高钾(50 mmol·L^-１)刺激的Ca²⁺内流峰值反应分别下降94%(n=6)和83%(n=4, P<0.05); Dyn A 10和100 μmol·L^-1对高钾刺激反应峰值无明显影响，但所有测试细胞均呈现持续性［Ca²⁺］_i升高；预先给予低浓度的Dyn A (0.1和1 μmol·L^-1), 则高浓度Dyn A (10 和100 μmol·L^-1)的促进作用明显 减弱甚至消失. 结果表明低浓度和高浓度Dyn A(1-17)对培养脊髓神经元的基础［Ca²⁺］_i无影响，但可分别抑制和促进去极化性钙离子内流，低浓度Dyn A 可对抗高浓度Dyn A 的促进作用.     

胞内钙离子浓度与咖啡因保护小脑颗粒神经元作用的关系

用凝胶电泳和fura-2荧光技术测定［Ca²⁺］_i方法研究咖啡因对低钾诱导的大鼠小脑颗粒神经元凋亡的保护作用与［Ca²⁺］_i升高之间的关系. 将体外培养的小脑颗粒神经元从高钾（25 mmol·L^-1 KCl）培养基中转移到低钾（5 mmol·L^-1 KCl）培养基中,神经元发生凋亡. 但低钾引起的神经元死亡可被咖啡因（5-20 mmol·L^-1）浓度依赖性地保护,且咖啡因的这种作用不受蓝尼定(ryanodine) 敏感钙释放阻断剂蓝尼定和丹曲林(dantrolene)的影响;也不被Ｌ-型钙通道阻断剂硝苯地平, 尼莫地平, 维拉帕米和NMDA受体阻断剂地佐环平抑制. 结果说明［Ca²⁺］_i的升高并不是咖啡因对小脑颗粒神经元的保护作用所必需的.     

Multiple effects of 1-[β-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole hydrochloride (SKF 96365) on Ca2+ signaling in MDCK cells: depletion of thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ store followed by capacitative Ca2+ entry, activation of a direct Ca2+ entry, and inhibition of thapsigargin-induced capacitative Ca2+ entry

The effect of 1-[β-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)pro- poxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole hydrochloride (SKF 96365) on Ca²⁺ signaling in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was examined. SKF 96365 at 25–100 μM evoked a robust [Ca²⁺]_i transient in a dose-dependent manner, measured by fura-2 fluorimetry. A concentration of 10 μM SKF 96365 did not have an effect. The transient consisted of a slow rise, a gradual decay, and a sustained plateau in physiological Ca²⁺ medium. Removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ reduced the Ca²⁺ signals evoked by 50–100 μM SKF 96365 by nearly half in the area under the curve, suggesting that SKF 96365 induced intracellular Ca²⁺ release and also extracellular Ca²⁺ influx. A concentration of 100 μM SKF 96365 caused significant Mn²⁺ quench of fura-2 fluorescence, which was partly inhibited by La³⁺ (1 mM) or Gd³⁺ (0.1 mM), indicating that the SKF 96365-induced Ca²⁺ influx had two components: one is sensitive to La³⁺ (1 mM) or Gd³⁺ (0.1 mM), the other is not. The internal Ca²⁺ source for the SKF 96365-induced [Ca²⁺]_i transient was the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ store because, pretreatment with thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, two inhibitors of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump nearly abolished the SKF 96365-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase in Ca²⁺-free medium. In contrast, pretreatment with 100 μM SKF 96365 only partly depleted the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca²⁺ store. Addition of 10 mM Ca²⁺ induced a significant [Ca²⁺]_i increase after prior incubation with 100 μM SKF 96365 in Ca²⁺-free medium, demonstrating that SKF 96365 induced capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. This capacitative Ca²⁺ entry was about 40% of that induced by 1 μM thapsigargin. Additional to inducing its own capacitative Ca²⁺ entry, 100 μM SKF 96365 partly inhibited thapsigargin- or uridine trisphos-phate (UTP)-induced capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. We also investigated the mechanisms underlying the decay of the SKF 96365-induced [Ca²⁺]_i transient. Inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump with La³⁺ or Gd³⁺, or lowering extracellular Na⁺ level to 0.35 mM, significantly increased the SKF 96365-induced [Ca²⁺]_i transient. In contrast, the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone had little effect. In Ca²⁺-free medium, the thapsigargin-induced [Ca²⁺]_i increase was greatly reduced by pretreatment with SKF 96365. Collectively, we have found that besides its well-known inhibitory action on capacitative Ca²⁺ entry in many cell types, in MDCK cells SKF 96365 exerted multiple and complex effects on Ca²⁺ signaling. It induced a considerable increase in [Ca²⁺]_i by releasing Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum store followed by capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. It also caused a direct Ca²⁺ entry. The decay of the SKF 96365 response was significantly governed by efflux via the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ pump or Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. Sequestration by mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum played a minor role. We caution use of SKF 96365 as an inhibitor of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. Received: 21 September 1998 / Accepted: 2 December 1998     

阿克他利对佐剂性关节炎大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞分泌IL-1和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

Effects of actarit on production of interleukin-1（IL-1）by peritoneal macrophages from adjuvant arthritis(AA) rats ex vivo and the ratio of subpopulation of T lymphocytes in AA rats ex vivo and the production of hydrogen peroxide （H₂O₂）by peritoneal macrophages of mice in vitro were studied. The results showed that IL-1 synthesis from the adherent peritoneal macrophages induced with lipopolysaccharide (8 mg·L^-1) in AA rats in vivo were inhibited by actarit; the ratio of L₃T₄⁺/Lyt-2⁺ was lowered after administrating actarit; and H₂O₂ release of the peritoneal macrophages of mice was reduced in dose-dependent manner. The data suggest that the therapeutic effects of actarit on AA rats be related to inhibition of production of IL-1 and reduction of H₂O₂ release and lowered rat io of L₃T₄⁺/Lyt-2⁺ T-lymophocyte.     

三氟拉嗪对大鼠脑突触体内Ca2+水平和Ca2+, Mg2+-ATP酶活性的作用

用Quin 2法测得大鼠脑突触体内静息游离Ca²⁺浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)为85±13 μmol·g^-1 protein. 三氟拉嗪(TFP) 1, 5和10 μmol·L^-1对静息突触体[Ca²⁺]_i无明显影响, 但能以剂量依赖方式增高65 mmol·L^-1 KCl所致突触体[Ca²⁺]_i升高, 从192±58 μmol·g^-1 protein分别达到233±63, 431±99和661±173 μmol·g^-1 protein. TFP 5,10和50 μmol·L^-1分别使突触体Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性降低31％, 41％和45％; 使Mg²⁺-ATP#FK酶活性降低30％, 36％和39％, 提示TFP可能是通过抑制钙调素, 进而抑制Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性, 使突触体[Ca²⁺]_i升高, 促进神经末梢释放递质.     

Heterogeneous characteristics of imidazoline-induced insulin secretion

Imidazolines are regarded as a pharmacological group of insulin secretagogues with one uniform mechanism of action, namely closure of ATP-dependent K⁺ channels (K_ATP channels) and, in consequence, depolarization of the plasma membrane, Ca²⁺ influx and stimulation of secretion. This assumption was investigated by measuring insulin secretion from perifused pancreatic islets in response to three imidazoline compounds and comparing the characteristics of secretion with changes in membrane potential and cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration [Ca²⁺]_i of single β-cells. Phentolamine (32 μM) stimulated insulin secretion from perifused mouse islets in the presence of stimulatory (10 mM and 30 mM) and substimulatory (5 mM) glucose concentrations and even in the absence of glucose. Idazoxan in concentrations up to 500 μM was virtually ineffective in the presence of 5 mM glucose. At 10 mM glucose, there was a moderate but significant increase of secretion by idazoxan, 20 μM being nearly as effective as 100 μM. The effect of phentolamine was of slow onset and irreversible in the time frame of the experiments, while the effect of idazoxan was of fast onset and reversible. Alinidine also stimulated secretion in the presence of 10 mM glucose with fast and reversible kinetics, but in contrast to idazoxan, 100 μM was clearly more effective than 20 μM. These heterogeneous characteristics of secretion were reflected by changes of [Ca²⁺]_i: the increase of [Ca²⁺]_i by phentolamine was slow and only partially reversible, whereas idazoxan led to a smaller, but faster and reversible response. The increase of [Ca²⁺]_i by phentolamine and idazoxan was abolished by the Ca²⁺ channel blocker D 600. Surprisingly, all three compounds depolarized the β-cell plasma membrane from a resting potential of –71 mV to about –36 mV. Again, the effect of phentolamine was slow and that of idazoxan and alinidine fast. Thus, the characteristics of phentolamine-induced secretion appear to be attributable to the consequences of K_ATP channel closure. It is unclear, however, why all three test compounds achieved the same degree of depolarization in spite of their known different efficiency to close K_ATP channels. Apparently, there are additional mechanisms involved in the action of idazoxan and alinidine, which may contribute to the obvious differences in the characteristics of secretion. Received: 2 October 1998 / Accepted: 21 December 1998     

α-甲基-4-(3-氧-2H-1,2-苯并异硒唑-2-基)苯乙酸的体外抗氧活性

A synthetic seleno-organic compound, α-methyl-4-(3-oxo-2H-1,2-benzoisoselenazol-2-yl) benzeneacetic acid (MBBA) inhibited the lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsome induced by cysteine/Fe²⁺ and NADPH/Fe²⁺, the IC₅₀ (95% confidence limits) values were 12.2(3.8-39.6) and 7.1(2.5-20.3) μmol·L^-１ respectively. Furthermore, it showed a glutathione peroxidase like activity in vitro. However MBBA (2-100 μmol·L^-１) had no direct inhibition on the production of superoxide anions (O^-₂) and hydroxy radical. Our data suggest that MBBA is a novel inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. Its antioxidant effect may be attributed to glutathione peroxidase like activity. The direct free radical quenching activity of MBBA is ruled out.     

2,6-二甲基-4-(2-氯苯基)-1,4-二氢-3,5-吡啶二羧酸二甲酯的抗5-羟色胺作用在防治野百合碱性大鼠肺动脉高压中的意义

采用免疫组化,图像分析,细胞培养和细胞内游离钙离子浓度(［Ca²⁺］_i)测定等方法研究2,6- 二甲基-4-(2-氯苯基)-1,4-二氢-3,5-吡啶二羧酸二甲酯（DCDDP）防治野百合碱（MCT）所致肺动脉高压的作用机理. 结果发现每天ip DCDDP 5-500 μg ·kg^-1 1次, 连续28 d, 能够明显地减少MCT(60 mg·kg^-1 sc)引起的大鼠肺组织中5-HT相对含量及其受体阳性细胞数目增多,对5-HT引起的肺动脉平滑肌细胞增生,收缩及其［Ca²⁺］_i增高都有显著的抑制作用. 结果提示,抑制肺组织中5-HT含量及其受体数目的增加, 对抗5-HT引起的血管平滑肌细胞增生及收缩, 可能是DCDDP防治MCT性肺动脉高压的重要机理之一.     

A novel Na+/Ca2+ channel blocker, NS-7, suppresses hypoxic injury in rat cerebrocortical slices

The substance 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride (NS-7) has been developed recently as a cerebroprotective compound with Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channel blocking action. In the present study, the effect of NS-7 in an in vitro model of hypoxic injury was examined and the possible involvement of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels in the hypoxic injury subsequently determined. When slices of rat cerebral cortex were exposed to hypoxia/glucose deprivation followed by reoxygenation and restoration of the glucose supply, marked leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) occurred 3–6 h after reoxygenation. This hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury was blocked almost completely by the removal of extracellular Ca²⁺ or by chelating intracellular Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester (BAPTA/AM). In addition, combined treatment with the N-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker ω-conotoxin GVIA and the P/Q-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker ω-agatoxin IVA significantly reduced LDH leakage, although neither of these Ca²⁺ channel blockers alone, nor nimodipine, an L-type Ca²⁺ channel blocker, was effective. On the other hand, several Na⁺ channel blockers, including tetrodotoxin, local anaesthetics and antiepileptics, significantly reduced the hypoxic injury. NS-7 (3–30 μM) concentration-dependently inhibited LDH leakage caused by hypoxia/reoxygenation, but had no influence on the reduction of tissue ATP content and energy charge during hypoxia and glucose deprivation. It is suggested that blockade of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels is implicated in the cerebroprotective action of NS-7. Received: 10 March 1998 / Accepted: 19 April 1998     

Endothelin receptors and calcium translocation pathways in human airways

Tension and phosphatidyl inositol (PI) turnover experiments were conducted to investigate the receptors and signal transduction pathways responsible for contractions elicited by endothelin (ET) ligands in human bronchus. Nicardipine (1 μM), the L-type calcium channel inhibitor, or incubation in Ca²⁺-free medium, produced marked inhibition of contractions to the ET_B receptor-selective agonist, sarafotoxin S6c, and especially those induced by KCl. In contrast, Ca²⁺-free medium was without appreciable effect against contraction produced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), the non-selective ET_A and ET_B receptor agonist. In Ca²⁺-free medium, ryanodine (10 μM), which inhibits intracellular calcium mobilization, reduced sarafotoxin S6c- and ET-1-induced responses, but was without effect on responses to KCl. Similarly, nickel chloride (Ni²⁺; 1 mM) caused marked inhibition of contractions induced by sarafotoxin S6c or ET-1, but had no significant effect on KCl concentration-response curves. The mixed ET_A/ET_B receptor antagonist SB 209670 (3 μM) inhibited responses to sarafotoxin S6c and ET-1 such that concentration-response curves were shifted rightward, at the 30% maximum response level, by 10.0- and 3.8-fold, respectively, whereas BQ-123 (3 μM), the ET_A receptor antagonist, was without effect on responses induced by either agonist. ET-1 (1 nM–0.3 μM) caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of PI turnover, whereas sarafotoxin S6c (0.3 nM–0.1 μM) induced only small and variable increases, except at the highest concentration. The increase in PI turnover evoked by ET-1 was inhibited by SB 209670 (3 μM), and also by BQ-123 (3 μM). This is consistent with linkage of ET_A receptors to activation of inositol phosphate generation in human bronchial smooth muscle cells. Collectively, the data suggest that differences exist in the relative contributions of intracellular and extracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization mechanisms elicited by ET_A and ET_B receptor activation. Thus, sarafotoxin S6c-induced, ET_B receptor-mediated contraction in human bronchial smooth muscle appears to be dependent, in part, upon extracellular Ca²⁺, although a significant component of the response was also mediated by intracellular Ca²⁺ release, including from ryanodine-sensitive stores. ET_A receptor-mediated contraction of human airway smooth muscle was activated largely via the release of intracellular Ca²⁺. Received: 21 July 1998 / Accepted: 26 January 1999