赛庚啶对离体犬心肌肌质网Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)—ATP酶活性和~(45)Ca~(2+)摄取功能的影响

当赛庚啶浓度在8×10~(-6)mol/L～2×10~(-4)mol/L之间时,该药对正常犬心肌肌质网Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)—ATP酶活性几乎没有影响,仅在10~(-3)mol/L时对该酶活性才有一定的抑制作用(抑制率为39.85%,P<0.01)。正常犬心肌肌质网的~(45)Ca~(2+)摄取过程有明显的时间依赖性,至第30 min,其~(45)Ca~(2+)摄取量可达312.79±22.25 nmol/mg protein.赛庚啶对心肌肌质网的~(45)Ca~(2+)摄取有一定的抑制作用,其IC_(50)为1.94×10~(-4)mol/L。     

四肽FMRFa对大鼠心室肌Na+/Ca2+交换的抑制

目的　研究四肽FMRFa对大鼠单个心室肌细胞Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换的作用。方法　用膜片钳全细胞记录法测定成年大鼠心室肌细胞Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换电流(I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺)和其他离子通道电流。结果　FMRFa对大鼠心室肌细胞I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺呈浓度依赖性抑制,100μmol·L^-1浓度时抑制内向和外向I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺密度分别达60.1%和56.5%,对内向电流及外向电流的IC₅₀分别为20μmol·L^-1和34μmol·L^-1。FMRFa5μmol·L^-1抑制I_Na⁺/Ca²⁺内向和外向电流密度分别为38.7%和34.9%,但FMRFa5μmol·L^-1及20μmol·L^-1对L型钙电流、钠电流、瞬时外向电流和内向整流钾电流均无显著抑制作用。结论　FMRFa对大鼠心室肌细胞是一个特异性Na⁺/Ca²⁺交换抑制剂。     

可乐定镇痛与中枢Ca2+的关系

用大鼠甩尾法和放射配基结合实验,探讨了可乐定镇痛与中枢Ca²⁺的关系。CaCl₂(1μmol/rat,icv)和EGTA(0.2μmol/rat,icv)分别拮抗和增强可乐定(1mg/kg,sc)的镇痛。戊脉安(0.1μmol/rat,icy)对可乐定(1 mg/kg,sc)镇痛无明显影响,但可部分翻转CaCl₂对可乐定镇痛的拮抗。CaCl₂(1×10^-3mol)对[³H]-可乐定结合无明显抑制。结果表明可乐定镇痛与脑室周围组织中Ca²⁺浓度变化密切相关,Ca²⁺至少部分需经对戊脉安敏感的钙通道进入细胞内方可拮抗可乐定镇痛。推沦:可乐定镇痛与神经元内Ca²⁺有关。     

环维黄杨星D对分离大鼠心室肌细胞内Ca2+和L型钙电流的影响

目的研究环维黄杨星D（CD）对大鼠心室肌细胞内Ca²⁺动员和L型钙电流(I_{Ca-L/sub>)的影响。方法采用全细胞膜片钳和激光扫描共聚焦显微术研究CD对心肌细胞ICa-L/sub>以及氯化钾、咖啡因诱发心肌细胞内Ca²⁺动员的影响。结果CD浓度依赖性抑制ICa-L/sub>。指令电压为10 mV时，1和10 μmol·L^-1 CD分别使ICa-L/sub>电流密度从（-9.9±1.8）pA/pF降至（-6.4±1.4）pA/pF和（-4.2±0.6）pA/pF。共聚焦实验显示1和10 μmol·L^-1 CD不影响静息心肌细胞［Ca²⁺］i?/sub>，对氯化钾诱发［Ca²⁺］i?/sub>升高水平无明显抑制作用；咖啡因引起的细胞内Ca²⁺动员可被CD进一步增强。结论CD浓度依赖性抑制大鼠心室肌细胞ICa-L/sub>，并有促进咖啡因诱发心肌细胞内Ca²⁺释放的作用。}     

银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H2O2和谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸引起的大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca2+］i变化的影响

目的研究银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H₂O₂和L-谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸升高大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的影响。方法钙荧光探针Fluo-3/AM标记胞浆内游离钙离子，激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定［Ca²⁺］_i的变化。结果 在低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸损伤后，外源性谷氨酸（27 μmol·L^-1）均不能引起培养乳大鼠星形胶质细胞正常的［Ca²⁺］_i升高，反而使［Ca²⁺］_i分别降低(3.3±1.6)%，(81±11)%和(81±7)%；损伤前预先给予GbE（10 mg·L^-1）不能明显改善星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，但预先给予GbE（100 mg·L^-1）后，27 μmol·L^-1谷氨酸可使损伤的星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i分别升高(135±98)%，(117±93)%和(89±36)%。结论低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸均能损伤星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，影响神经细胞与胶质细胞的双向交流。GbE能明显逆转不同损伤后谷氨酸诱导星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的异常变化，使星形胶质细胞在不同损伤时能维持正常功能，该作用可能与GbE的脑保护作用有关。     

前胡香豆素对肾型高血压大鼠左室肥厚及心肌胞内钙、Na+,K+-ATP酶和Ca2+,Mg2+-ATP酶活性的影响

目的研究前胡香豆素组分对肾型高血压左室肥厚的预防和逆转作用及机制。方法用两肾一夹肾型高血压左室肥厚大鼠(RHR)模型,测定前胡香豆素组分对其血压、左室湿重、心肌细胞面积、胞内静息钙及胞膜和线粒体ATP酶活性的影响。结果前胡香豆素组分(30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,ig)预防组及逆转组大鼠血压、左室湿重/体重均较肥厚组明显降低;左室心肌细胞面积、胞内静息钙均较肥厚组降低;对KCl致钙浓度升高亦明显低于肥厚组;两组均可增加心肌细胞膜及线粒体Na⁺,K⁺-ATP酶和Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATP酶活性。结论前胡香豆素组分可预防及逆转RHR左室肥厚,减少心肌细胞内钙含量,增加ATP酶活性。     

神经肽DGAVP和Org2766对神经细胞内游离Ca2+的影响

运用Ca²⁺指示剂Fura-2作为细胞内钙离子的荧光探针,利用AR—CM—MIC阳离子测定系统,检测了分离的神经细胞内游离钙及其变化,并观测了DGAVP和Org2766对蛋白质合成抑制剂茴香霉素(ANI)引起细胞内钙离子浓度([Ca²⁺]_i)变化的影响。结果表明茴香霉素可使[Ca²⁺]_i显著升高,且有量效关系;DGAVP本身并不引起[Ca²⁺]_i发生显著变化,但适当剂量的DGAVP可显著对抗一定剂量范围内ANI升高[Ca²⁺]_i的作用,提示DGAVP对抗ANI的蛋白质合成抑制效应可能是通过拮抗ANI升高[Ca²⁺]_i这一途径实现的,另一神经肽Org2766则可能不是通过这一机制发生作用。从细胞内Ca²⁺的角度看,这两种肽的作用机理显然是不同的。     

KB-R7943对豚鼠心室肌细胞Na+-Ca2+交换电流的作用

目的　观察KB-R7943对豚鼠心室肌细胞Na⁺-Ca²⁺交换电流(I_Na-Ca)的内向电流成分和外向电流成分的影响。方法　采用缺血再灌时胞内Na⁺超载的细胞模型,在同时记录内向、外向电流的双向离子条件下,用膜片钳全细胞技术,记录I_Na-Ca的电流-电压关系曲线。结果　10^-6和10^-5mol·L^-1KB-R7943,在+50mV时,对I_Na-Ca的抑制率分别是29.4%和61.7%;在-80mV时抑制率分别是22.1%和56.9%。结论　KB-R7943对豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Na-Ca有抑制作用,但对外向成分和内向成分的抑制不具选择性。     

用Fura-2测定突触体内游离Ca2+浓度及Ca2+通道激动剂和阻断剂的影响

用Fura-2测定大鼠突触体内游离Ca²⁺浓度,探讨Ca²⁺通道激动剂和阻断剂对突触体内钙浓度的影响。测得突触体内Ca²⁺浓度为200～400 nmol/L。观察了不同浓度KCl,CaCl₂,NMDA和谷氨酸对突触体内Ca²⁺增加的影响以及维拉帕米及MgCl₂对KCl和NMDA引起钙内流的阻断作用。本实验提供一个研究突触体内Ca²⁺变化的准确而稳定的方法,并对测定中几个影响因素加以讨论。     

一种新的钠-钙交换电流记录方法及阿米洛利的作用

目的：研究胞外不同Ca²⁺浓度对豚鼠心室肌细胞钠-钙交换电流(Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange current, INa-Ca)的影响和阿米洛利(amiloride)对该电流的作用。方法：建立缺血再灌时胞内Na⁺超载的细胞模型,用膜片钳全细胞技术,记录I_Na-Ca的电流-电压关系曲线。结果：阿米洛利10^-5,3×10^-5和10^-4 mol.L^-1,在+50 mV时,对I_Na-Ca的抑制率分别是15.4%,22.6%和40.9%;在-80 mV时抑制率分别是5.6%,14.6%和23.2%。结论：胞内Na⁺超载确可引起Na⁺-Ca²⁺交换系统激活;阿米洛利对豚鼠心室肌细胞I_Na-Ca有抑制作用,且对I_Na-Ca外向成分的抑制作用大于对内向成分的抑制作用。     

小檗碱对培养大鼠神经细胞内游离Ca2+的影响

以Fura-2/AM为细胞内钙离子的荧光指示剂,用AR-CM-MIC阳离子测定系统,直接测定了体外培养的新生大鼠神经细胞内游离钙([Ca²⁺]i)值,并观察了小檗碱(Ber)的影响。结果表明,Ber对神经细胞静息[Ca²⁺]i无明显影响,Ber1～100μmol·L^-1能剂量依赖地抑制去甲肾上腺素和H₂O₂引起的[Ca²⁺]i升高,其IC₅₀分别为39.9和17.9μmol·L^-1。高剂量Ber(10～100μmol·L^-1)能抑制高K+引起的[Ca²⁺]i升高。姐果提示,Ber对去甲肾上腺素,高K⁺及H₂O₂引起的[Ca²⁺]i升高的抑制作用可能是其抗脑缺血作用机制之一。     

ROLE OF EXTRACELLULAR Na+, Ca2+-ACTIVATED Cl- CHANNELS AND BK CHANNELS IN THE CONTRACTION OF Ca2+ STORE-DEPLETED TRACHEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE

• 1 In the present study, we investigated the series of events involved in the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle induced by the re‐addition of Ca²⁺ in an in vitro experimental model in which Ca²⁺ stores had been depleted and their refilling had been blocked by thapsigargin.
• 2 Mean (±SEM) contraction was diminished by: (i) inhibitors of store‐operated calcium channels (SOCC), namely 100  µ mol/L SKF‐96365 and 100  µ mol/L 1‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl) imidazole (to 66.3 ± 4.4 and 41.3 ± 5.2% of control, respectively); (ii) inhibitors of voltage‐gated Ca²⁺ channels Ca_V1.2 channels, namely 1  µ mol/L nifedipine and 10  µ mol/L verapamil (to 86.2 ± 3.4 and 76.9 ± 5.9% of control, respectively); and (iii) 20  µ mol/L niflumic acid, a non‐selective inhibitor of Ca²⁺‐dependent Cl^? channels (to 41.1 ± 9.8% of control). In contrast, contraction was increased 2.3‐fold by 100 nmol/L iberiotoxin, a blocker of the large‐conductance Ca²⁺‐activated K⁺ (BK) channels.
• 3 Furthermore, contraction was significantly inhibited when Na⁺ in the bathing solution was replaced by N‐methyl–d ‐glucamine (NMDG⁺) to 39.9 ± 7.2% of control, but not when it was replaced by Li⁺ (114.5 ± 24.4% of control). In addition, when Na⁺ had been replaced by NMDG⁺, contractions were further inhibited by both nifedipine and niflumic acid (to 3.0 ± 1.8 and 24.4 ± 8.1% of control, respectively). Nifedipine also reduced contractions when Na⁺ had been replaced by Li⁺ (to 10.7 ± 3.4% to control), the niflumic acid had no effect (116.0 ± 4.5% of control).
• 4 In conclusion, the data of the present study demonstrate the roles of SOCC, BK channels and Ca_V1.2 channels in the contractions induced by the re‐addition of Ca²⁺ to the solution bathing guinea‐pig tracheal rings under conditions of Ca²⁺‐depleted sacroplasmic reticulum and inhibition of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase. The contractions were highly dependent on extracellular Na⁺, suggesting a role for SOCC in mediating the Na⁺ influx.

     

INVOLVEMENT OF PROTEIN KINASE C IN THE REGULATION OF Na+/Ca2+ EXCHANGER IN BOVINE ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN CELLS

• 1 The Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) exchanges Na+ and Ca²⁺ bidirectionally through the forward mode (Ca²⁺ extrusion) or the reverse mode (Ca²⁺ influx). The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of NCX in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. The Na⁺‐loaded cells were prepared by treatment with 100 µmol/L ouabain and 50 µmol/L veratridine. Incubation of Na⁺‐loaded cells with Na⁺‐free solution in the presence of the Ca²⁺ channel blockers nicardipine (3 µmol/L) and ω‐conotoxin MVIIC (0.3 µmol/L) caused Ca²⁺ uptake and catecholamine release.
• 2 The Na⁺‐dependent Ca²⁺ uptake and catecholamine release were inhibited by 2‐[4‐[(2,5‐difluorophenyl)methoxy]phenoxy]‐5‐ethoxyaniline (SEA0400; 1 µmol/L) and 2‐[2‐[4‐(4‐nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]isothiourea (KB‐R7943; 10 µmol/L), both NCX inhibitors. These results indicate that the Na⁺‐dependent responses are mostly due to activation of the NCX working in the reverse mode.
• 3 In addition, we examined the effects of PKC inhibitors and an activator on the NCX‐mediated Ca²⁺ uptake and catecholamine release. Bisindolylmaleimide I (0.3–10 µmol/L) and chelerythrine (3–100 µmol/L), both PKC inhibitors, inhibited NCX‐mediated responses. In contrast, phorbol 12,13‐dibutyrate (0.1–10 µmol/L), a PKC activator, enhanced the responses. Bisindolylmaleimide I and chelerythrine, at effective concentrations for inhibition of Na⁺‐dependent catecholamine release, had a little or no effect on high K⁺‐induced catecholamine release in intact cells or on Ca²⁺‐induced catecholamine release in β‐escin‐permeabilized cells.
• 4 These results suggest that PKC is involved in the activation of NCX in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

     

吡喹酮对日本血吸虫雄虫的Ca2+,Mg2+,K+与Na+的含量及45Ca2+在虫体内分布的影响

日本血吸虫雄虫在4℃或37℃的HBS及无⁴⁵Ca²⁺的HBS中经吡喹酮1或30μg/ml作用0.5～2h后,未见虫的Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺含量有明显变化,但除4℃的HBS组外,余2组虫的K⁺含量明显减少,而虫的Na⁺含量的增加则不明显。在含30 mM Mg²⁺的HBS中,雄虫经吡喹酮作用1h后,虫的Mg²⁺含量明显增加。在37℃的HBS中,血吸虫雄虫经吡喹酮1μg/ml作用5～60min后,虫的皮层胞质中的⁴⁵²⁺含量的百分比较各相应对照组的明显减少,而虫体肌肉的则相反。在4℃的HBS或无⁴⁵Ca²⁺的HBS中,吡喹酮对⁴⁵²⁺在虫体内的分布无明显影响。     

EFFECTS OF 5HT2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS ON RESPONSES TO POTASSIUM DEPOLARIZATION IN RAT ISOLATED AORTA

1. In order to determine whether 5HT₂ receptor antagonists can modify Ca²⁺ uptake via voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channel (VOC) in arterial smooth muscle, a comparative study of the effects of selected Ca²⁺ uptake blockers and 5HT₂ receptor antagonists on K⁺-induced contractions of rat aortic strip was undertaken. 2. The antagonist drugs studied included the Ca²⁺ uptake blockers verapamil, nifedipine, felodipine, diltiazem and cin-narizine, the 5HT₂ receptor antagonists cyproheptadine, ritanserin, mianserin, and ketanserin and the α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. 3. With the notable exception of prazosin, each of these compounds diminished K⁺-induced aortic responses. 4. The following order of potencies (mean IC₅₀ values in mol/L) was established: felodipine (7.0 × 10^-11) >nifedipine (4.8 × 10^-9) >verapamil (5.5 × 10^-8) >cyproheptadine (6.2 × 10^-8) > diltiazem (4.1 × 10^-7) >cinnarizine (1.3 × 10^-6) >ritanserin (1.8 × 10^-6) >ketanserin (9.0 × 10^-6) > mianserin (2.0 × 10^-5). 5. The results suggest that antagonists of 5HT₂ receptors can modulate Ca²⁺ uptake via VOC in rat aorta.     

Veratridine-induced intoxication in the isolated left atrium of the rat: Effects of some anti-ischemic compounds

Summary Veratridine-induced Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake was used as a simulation of ischemia-induced Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake. Therefore, electrically driven (1 Hz) isolated left atria of the rat were intoxicated with veratridine and the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake was determined. Veratridine (10^–4 mol/l) increased the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake from 575±13 to 2320±86 dpm/mg ww (n=20). The total tissue content of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was elevated from 4328±132 to 5136 ±303 dpm/mg ww (n = 13). The veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake was completely suppressed by tetrodotoxin (10^–7 and 10^–6 mol/l), whereas amiloride (6·10^–6 mol/1) and phentolamine (10^–6 and 10^–5 mol/l) exhibited no effect on the veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake. Nifedipine (10^–7 and 10^–6 mol/l) was ineffective on veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake. Verapamil (10^–5 mol/l) suppressed the veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake, but the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake in the absence of veratridine was also suppressed by verapamil (10^–6 and 10^–5 mol/l). The novel anti-ischemic compounds R 56865 (10^–8–10^–5 mol/l) and R 59494 (10^–8 -10-5 mol/l) totally abolished veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake.It is speculated that Ca²⁺ enters the cell via a Na⁺ channel which changes its selectivity upon veratridine treatment. Consequently, R 56865 and R 59494 could display their protective effect by either inhibiting the modified Na⁺ channel or preventing the transition of the normal Na⁺ channel to its altered state. As ischemia- and veratridine-induced Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ uptake share some similarities, it is proposed that veratridine-induced ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake of the isolated left atrium of the rat could be used to study the mechanism of action of novel antiischemic drugs. Send offprint requests to D. Wermelskirchen at the above address     

Functional comparison of the reverse mode of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 expressed in CHO cells

Aim:

To investigate the reverse mode function of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 expressed in CHO cells as well as their modulations by PKC and PKA.

Methods:

CHO-K1 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1 (+) plasmid carrying cDNA of rat cardiac NCX1.1 and brain NCX1.5. The expression of NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 was examined using Western blot analysis. The intracellular Ca²⁺ level ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured using Ca²⁺ imaging. Whole-cell NCX currents were recorded using patch-clamp technique. Reverse mode NCX activity was elicited by perfusion with Na⁺-free medium. Ca²⁺ paradox was induced by Ca²⁺-free EBSS medium, followed by Ca²⁺-containing solution (1.8 or 3.8 mmol/L CaCl₂).

Results:

The protein levels of NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 expressed in CHO cells had no significant difference. The reverse modes of NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 in CHO cells exhibited a transient increase of [Ca²⁺]_i, which was followed by a Ca²⁺ level plateau at higher external Ca²⁺ concentrations. In contrast, the wild type CHO cells showed a steady increase of [Ca²⁺]_i at higher external Ca²⁺ concentrations. The PKC activator PMA (0.3-10 μmol/L) and PKA activator 8-Br-cAMP (10-100 μmol/L) significantly enhanced the reverse mode activity of NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 in CHO cells. NCX1.1 was 2.4-fold more sensitive to PKC activation than NCX1.5, whereas the sensitivity of the two NCX isoforms to PKA activation had no difference. Both PKC- and PKA-enhanced NCX reverse mode activities in CHO cells were suppressed by NCX inhibitor KB-R7943 (30 μmol/L).

Conclusion:

Both NCX1.1 and NCX1.5 are functional in regulating and maintaining stable [Ca²⁺]_i in CHO cells and differentially regulated by PKA and PKC. The two NCX isoforms might be useful drug targets for heart and brain protection.     

Methanol-Induced Contraction of Canine Cerebral Artery and Its Possible Mechanism of Action

In the present report, we investigated the effects of methanol on canine basilar cerebral arterial rings. Our data indicate that acute methanol exposure (5–675 mM) induces potent contractile responses of cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. Pharmacological antagonists, such as propranolol, phentolamine, haloperidol, methysergide, naloxone, diphenhydramine, and cimetidine, did not exert any effects on these methanol-induced contractions. Likewise, a potent antagonist of cyclo-oxygenase, and subsequent synthesis of prostanoids (i.e., indomethacin), failed to exert any effect on methanol-induced contractions. No differences in responsiveness to methanol in canine cerebral arteries were found in vessel segments with or without endothelial cells. Removal of extracellular Ca²⁺([Ca²⁺]_o) partially attenuated methanol-induced contractions, while withdrawal of extracellular Mg²⁺([Mg²⁺]_o) potentiated the contractions. In the complete absence of [Ca²⁺]_o, 10 mM caffeine and 400 mM methanol induced similar, transient contractions followed by relaxation in K⁺-depolarized cerebral vascular tissues. Methanol-induced contractions were, however, completely abolished by pretreatment of tissue with 10 mM caffeine. Our results indicate that (1) methanol causes contractile responses of cerebral arterial smooth muscle (independent of amine, prostanoid, or opioid mediation; (2) in addition to a need for [Ca²⁺]_o, an intracellular release of Ca²⁺is required for methanol-induced contractions; and (3) Mg deficiency potentiates the contractile responses of methanol on these brain vessels. The data presented in the study suggest that methanol-induced contractions occur via an sarcoplasmic reticulum-releasable store of [Ca²⁺]_i; via mediation of either ryanodine–caffeine type receptors or a caffeine-releasable intracellular store of Ca²⁺.     

Heparin specifically inhibits the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release from skinned rat aortic smooth muscle cells in primary culture

Summary By measuring the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ movement in saponin-skinned primary cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, we examined the specificity of the inhibitory effect of heparin on the IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release. IP₃ (100 mol/l) markedly (98%) decreased the MgATP-dependent ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ content in the non-mitochondrial Ca²⁺ stores in the presence of 1 mol/l free Ca²⁺. Heparin (1–100 g/ml) dose-dependently inhibited this Ca²⁺ release by IP₃. In Ca²⁺-free solution, heparin (100 g/ml) inhibited the increases in ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux rate evoked by 10 mol/l IP₃. De-N-sulfated heparin did not inhibit the IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release. Hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate B, chondroitin sulfate C and 2,6-disulfated d-glucosamine had no inhibitory effects on the IP₃-induced Ca²⁺ release. High concentrations (over 1 mg/ml) of heparin inhibited the ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ influx and decreased the Ca²⁺ content in skinned cells. These results suggest that heparin (1–100 g/ml) specifically inhibits the IP₃-induced increase in Ca²⁺ permeability of Ca²⁺ stores and that three sulfate groups at different locations on the molecule of heparin, two at the d-glucosamine and one at the iduronic acid, may be important for this action, in skinned vascular smooth muscle cells, in culture. Send offprint requests to H. Kanaide at the above address