Sex difference in the inhibitory effect of aspirin on prostacyclin production of rat aortae

The effect of aspirin on the prostacyclin (PGI2) production of rat aorta was investigated, and the influence of sex hormones on the effect of aspirin was studied by the treatments of hormone administration, ovariectomy and castration. There was no significant sex difference in the arterial production of PGI2 between male and female rats. However, the PGI2 production was decreased with aspirin treatment, and the effect of aspirin was more efficient in male rats. The inhibitory effect of aspirin was reduced in the rats treated with estradiol and the castrated male rats, but it was potentiated in the rats treated with testosterone and the ovariectomized female rats. These results suggest that sex hormones may regulate the effect of aspirin on the PGI2 production in the aorta.     

Free Ca2+ requirements of agonist-induced thromboxane A2 synthesis in human platelets

In quin2-loaded human platelets ionomycin raised cytosolic free calcium to greater than 1 microM and generated less than 1 ng thromboxane. Collagen alone or in the presence of EPO92 generated up to 32 and 16 ng thromboxane respectively; in the latter case at calcium levels around 120 nM. Thrombin maximally raised calcium to greater than 1 microM and generated up to 27 ng thromboxane, although in the presence of 1 mM EGTA these calcium and thromboxane levels were reduced to 200 nM and 5 ng respectively.     

Sex difference in the effect of aspirin on rat platelet aggregation and arachidonic acid metabolism

The rat platelet aggregation induced by collagen was stronger in males than in females. The platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) production was more in males than in females, and the platelet cyclooxygenase activity was higher in males than in females. Aspirin at a dose of 10 mg/kg inhibited the collagen-induced aggregation in males, but not in females. Aspirin at a dose of 5 mg/kg blocked the MDA production only in males, but aspirin at a dose of 10 mg/kg inhibited the MDA production in both sexes. The effect of aspirin on the cyclooxygenase activity was only in males, but aspirin at a dose of 10 mg/kg inhibited the MDA production in both sexes. The effect of aspirin on the cyclooxygenase activity was similar to that on the MDA production. In gonadectomized rats, the MDA production and the cyclooxygenase activity were decreased by castration, and they were increased by ovariectomy. Aspirin at a dose of 5 mg/kg failed to inhibit them in castrated rats. Besides, in in vitro experiments, aspirin also inhibited the MDA production and the aggregation. Nevertheless, there was no sex difference in the content of arachidonic acid, a substrate of platelet cyclooxygenase. It is suggested that there is a sex difference in rat platelet cyclooxygenase activity, and it is closely related to the sex difference in the antiplatelet effect of aspirin.     

Influence of cytoplasmic pH on the aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization in rabbit platelets.

The aggregability of rabbit platelets was studied under various cytoplasmic pHs (pHi). Nigericin, a K+/H+ ionophore, which can induce a decrease in pHi, at 2-10 microM in 2 min incubation reduced both platelet aggregation and an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) stimulated with thrombin or U46619. The reduced aggregability recovered 10 min after incubation with nigericin in parallel with an increase in pHi. In contrast, when pHi was increased by simultaneous addition of NH4Cl, methylamine or monensin, aggregation in response to a low concentration of thrombin, U46619, arachidonic acid or A23187 was enhanced significantly. The enhancing effect of NH4Cl was lowered by prolonged incubation with NH4Cl, by which the increased pHi was improved concomitantly. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, failed to inhibit the enhancement of aggregation by NH4Cl under stimulation with U46619. In addition, treatment with NH4Cl enhanced an increase in [Ca2+]i in response to U46619 in a concentration-dependent manner, although the treatment by NH4Cl alone did not affect [Ca2+]i. When pHi was artificially altered during the ranges of 6.6-7.4 by treatment with nigericin in K+-rich medium, aggregation by low concentrations of thrombin was dependent on the pHi. These data indicate that pHi is an important factor for platelet activation including intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and aggregation.     

Effect of azelastine on the intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages

Azelastine, an orally effective anti-allergic agent, has been demonstrated to inhibit the release of histamine and leukotrienes. This suggests that azelastine might alter the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. We have examined the effect of azelastine on the change in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+])i) in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages induced by platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) or N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura2. PAF-acether raised [Ca2+]i from 89 +/- 4 to 243 +/- 26 nM (n = 15) within 20 s after addition of PAF-acether in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. This indicates that the stimulation of macrophages by PAF-acether induced intracellular mobilization of Ca2+, and pretreatment with azelastine reduced the PAF-acether-induced increase in [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 16 microM). Azelastine also inhibited the FMLP-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, PAF-acether and FMLP both caused the release of prostaglandin E2 from macrophages, and pretreatment with azelastine reduced the PGE2 release dose dependently (IC50 = 10 microM). These results suggest that azelastine inhibits the release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites induced by PAF-acether or FMLP, and that this effect possibly causes reduction in the release of PGE2 from the cells.     

布比卡因对大鼠心室肌细胞内钙的影响

目的：运用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察不同浓度的布比卡因对KCI诱导的大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙离子浓度（[Ca^2＋]。）的影响，进而探讨布比卡因心肌抑制作用的可能机制。方法：培养新生SD大鼠心室肌细胞，将培养的心室肌细胞随机分为4组．分别为对照组（C组）、10μmol／L布比卡因组（B2组）、50μmol／L布比卡因组（岛组）、100μmol／L布比卡因组（取组）。各组细胞均用钙荧光指示剂Fluo-3／AM染色，运用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜动态观察单个心室肌细胞内钙荧光强度（fluorescent intensity．FI）的变化。结果：与对照组比较10μmol／L的布比卡因对KCl诱导的大鼠心室肌细胞内钙FI变化无明显影响（P〉0.05），50μmol／L和100μmol／L的布比卡因则明显抑制KCl诱导的钙离子跨膜内流（P〈0．05）；抑制程度B2组〉B2组（P〈0．05）。结论：低浓度的布比卡因对KCl诱导的大鼠心室肌细胞内[Ca^2＋]i的变化无明显影响，高浓度则明显抑制钙离子跨膜内流。布比卡因呈浓度依赖性抑制兴奋收缩耦联时心室肌细胞内游离钙离子内流，可能是其心肌抑制作用的原因之一。     

Efficient Ca2+ mobilization induced by neurokinin A in rat vas deferens.

Although both neurokinin A (NKA) and norepinephrine (NE) induced similar maximal contractions in the epididymal and the prostatic site of vas deferens, NKA affected sensitivity more potently than did NE in both sites. The NKA-induced contractions were more strongly inhibited by nicardipine, a dihydropyridine Ca2+ entry blocker, or by elimination of extracellular Ca2+ (Cao2+) in both sites. However, ryanodine, which interferes with the release of intracellular Ca2+ (Cai2+), abolished the contractions caused by NKA in the prostatic site whereas it had no effect in the epididymal site. These results suggest that NKA-induced contraction utilizes both Cai2+ and Cao2+ in the prostatic site but mobilizes only Cao2+ in the epididymal site. Cai2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) was measured directly with a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye, fura-2. In the epididymal site NKA induced contractions with smaller increase in [Ca2+]i compared to that necessary for NE-induced contractions. These results suggest that NKA utilizes Ca2+ more efficiently than does NE and plays a role as a neuromodulator in rat vas deferens.     

The effect of acteoside on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and phospholipase C activity in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated by melittin

This study was performed to investigate the effects of acteoside on various cellular functions such as, intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, phospholipase C activity, and exocytosis induced by melittin. Melittin (0.1–1 μM) dose-dependently increased intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺, but was not affected by 1 μM U73122, a specific PLC inhibitor. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, melittin (1 μM) did not induce a change in intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, which suggests that melittin-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization may be dependent on the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺ rather than on the release of intracellular Ca²⁺ storage. Acteoside (10 μM) significantly inhibited 1 μM melittin-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization by 33 %. In [³H]inositol-labeled cells, 1 μM melittin did not increase inositol phosphate formation, but more than 5 μM melittin significantly increased inositol phosphate formation, which was significantly inhibited by acteoside. Melittin (1 μM) significantly increased histamine release from RBL 2H3 cells in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Acteoside significantly inhibited 1-μM-melittin-induced histamine release by 74 % in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺ and by 71 % in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of acteoside on 1 μM-melittin-induced histamine release may be related to blockage of the calcium-independent pathway. Taken together, these data suggest that melittin has an influence on cellular functions such as intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, the PLC pathway, and exocytosis via various independent signalling pathways in RBL-2H3 cells, and was significantly inhibited by acteoside.     

噻氯匹定对血小板血栓烷B_2生成的影响

口服噻氯匹定(ticlopidine)能抑制胶原诱导的血小板血栓烷B_2(TXB_2)生成。大剂量(500mg/d)可使TXB_2生成很快降低,停药1wk后恢复正常。给小剂量(250mg/d)时TXB_2的减少出现较晚,恢复亦快。噻氯匹定对ADP诱导的血小板TXB_2生成也有显著抑制作用。噻氯匹定的抗血小板作用至少有部分与抑制花生四烯酸的代谢有关。     

In vitro inhibition by endothelins of thrombin-induced aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets.

1. The in vitro effects of endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) on human platelets were investigated by measurement of the aggregatory responses of washed platelets to thrombin and by the determination of cytosolic pH (pHi) and free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) determined with the fluorescent indicators, BCECF and Fura-2. 2. ET-1 and ET-3 at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 5 x 10(-7) M, did not promote platelet aggregation but inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the aggregation induced by 0.05 u ml-1 thrombin (P less than 0.002 and less than 0.001, respectively) with maximal effects reached at 10(-8) M (17 +/- 3 and 15 +/- 2%, n = 11, P = 0.002 for each). 3. Even at 5 x 10(-7) M, ET-1 and ET-3 did not cause a measurable change in basal [Ca2+]i and pHi. When tested in combination with thrombin, 5 x 10(-7) M ET-1 and ET-3 decreased the transient peak of [Ca2+]i by 17 +/- 7 and 28 +/- 7% (n = 7 and 11, P = 0.03 and P = 0.002). No effect on pHi variations was detected. In the virtual absence of external Ca2+, 5 x 10(-7) M ET-3 inhibited the peak of [Ca2+]i by 18 +/- 6% (n = 6, P = 0.02). 4. The anti-aggregating agents, prostacyclin (PGI2, 10(-8)-10(-7) M) and nitroprusside (NP, 10 ng-50 micrograms l-1) also induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i peak (P = 0.001 for each).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A novel effect of bifemelane, a nootropic drug, on intracellular Ca2+ levels in rat cerebral astrocytes

We investigated the effects of bifemelane, a nootropic drug, on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat cerebral astrocytes using a Ca2+ imaging device. At concentrations of 10 - 30 microM, bifemelane induced a slow onset and small increase in the [Ca2+]i, while at higher concentrations (100 - 300 microM), it induced a rapid transient increase in the [Ca2+]i during administration and a second large increase was seen during drug washout. The first peak was observed in Ca2+-free medium, but its onset was significantly delayed, and no second peak was seen. Neither of these effects was seen in cells treated with thapsigargin, a specific inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, in Ca2+-free medium. When thapsigargin-treated astrocytes were returned to normal medium containing Ca2+ (1.8 mM), the [Ca2+]i increased significantly, and this effect was reversely inhibited by bifemelane. We conclude that bifemelane causes the first peak by stimulating release from intracellular Ca2+ stores and the second by capacitive entry through store-operated Ca2+ channels. Although the detail mechanisms of action of the drug are still unknown, bifemelane will be provided as a pharmacological tool for basic studies on astrocytes.     

Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors and intracellular Ca2+ determine motoneuron vulnerability in rat spinal cord in vivo

Excitotoxicity mediated by overactivation of glutamate receptors, particularly the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) type, has been implicated in motoneuron degeneration. AMPA receptors lacking the GluR2 subunit are permeable to Ca(2+) and the entrance of this cation might be responsible for the selective vulnerability of spinal motoneurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To evaluate this hypothesis in vivo, we have used a model of motoneuron death in which AMPA, perfused by microdialysis in the rat lumbar spinal cord, produces ipsilateral paralysis and a remarkable loss of spinal motoneurons. Perfusion of 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine, a selective blocker of the Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors, and of the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), prevented the AMPA-induced paralysis and reduced by about 50% the loss of motoneurons. In addition, perfusion of pyruvate, an energy metabolic substrate, similarly prevented the paralysis and the motoneuron death. These results suggest that functional AMPA receptors lacking the GluR2 subunit are present in the rat spinal cord, and that motoneuron death is triggered by an increase of intracellular Ca(2+) via such Ca(2+)-permeable AMPA receptors. Our finding that pyruvate also protected against the excitotoxic effects of AMPA suggests that the increased intracellular Ca(2+) probably interferes with the mitochondrial energetic metabolism.     

Ca2+ mobilization in adult rat cardiomyocytes by angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptors

The role of angiotensin II (AngII) in the regulation of heart function under normal and pathological conditions has been well documented. Although two types of AngII receptors (AT1 and AT2 receptors) are found in equal proportions in the rat heart, most studies have focused primarily on AT1 receptor-coupled events. In this study, the contribution of both types of AngII receptors to cardiac function was evaluated by measuring intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels at ambient temperature in freshly isolated adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. Exposure of cardiomyocytes to AngII (0.01 to 10 microM) resulted in an immediate and sustained increase in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The increase in [Ca2+]i in cardiomyocytes by AngII was blocked by either losartan or compound PD123319 (1-[[4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid), non-peptide antagonists of the AT1 and AT2 receptors, respectively. The specificity of the action of these antagonists was verified by their inability to alter the basal levels of [Ca2+]i as well as KCl- or ATP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. AngII was also observed to initiate spontaneous beating activity in cardiomyocytes, which was prevented by both losartan and compound PD123319 in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01 to 10 microM). These data indicate that the activation of both AT1 and AT2 receptors may stimulate a signalling pathway that influences [Ca2+]i and spontaneous beating activity in cardiomyocytes.     

Ca2+ entry activated by emptying of intracellular Ca2+ stores in ileal smooth muscle of the rat.

1. The effects of depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores on muscle tension and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+])i were studied in fura-2 loaded longitudinal smooth muscle cells of the rat ileum. 2. After exposure to a Ca(2+)-free solution, application of Ca2+ caused a small contraction and a rise in [Ca2+]i, both of which were potentiated when the muscle was challenged with carbachol or caffeine before the addition of Ca2+. 3. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a specific inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, dose-dependently decreased tension development and the rises in [Ca2+]i induced by carbachol and caffeine in the Ca(2+)-free solution, but conversely increased the Ca(2+)-induced responses even in the presence of the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blockers, methoxyverapamil and nifedipine. 4. The contraction and rise in [Ca2+]i evoked by Ca2+ gradually declined with time after removal of CPA, while the reverse was the case for the responses to carbachol and caffeine. 5. The Ca(2+)-induced contraction and rise in [Ca2+]i in the presence of CPA were inhibited by the replacement of Na+ with K+ or Cs+, and by the addition of Cd2+, Ba2+, Ni2+ or La3+. 6. The influx of Mn2+ was much greater in extent in the presence of CPA than in its absence. 7. These results suggest that the emptying of intracellular Ca2+ stores may activate Ca2+ influx not associated with voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the rat ileal smooth muscle.     

Effect of 2-acetylaminofluorene on intracellular free Ca2+ in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The effect of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) on the intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and viability of isolated rat hepatocytes has been investigated using the fluorescent probes quin 2 and propidium iodide respectively. At the highest concentration tested (224 microM), 2-AAF produces an elevation of [Ca2+]i which shows a biphasic profile. A small initial increase is observed during the first 5 min; this is followed by a considerable rise which reaches up to 2.5 times the control value at 15 min. These changes in intracellular calcium are not accompanied by detectable alterations in cell viability. In order to determine the mechanisms by which this effect of 2-AAF takes place, three calcium antagonists, namely verapamil, TMB-8 (8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate) and ruthenium red (RuR), have been used. The results suggest that the first phase is dependent upon internal Ca2+ store mobilization, while the second phase seems to be related to Ca2+ entry from the extracellular space. The data obtained with RuR further indicate that mitochondria may be involved in the perturbation of calcium homeostasis caused by 2-AAF. In addition, in the experiments involving antagonists, no consistent pattern emerges that suggests a close relationship between intracellular Ca2+ levels and cell viability. The present study provides further information on the mechanisms by which these well-known hepatotoxin 2-AAF may interact with liver cells. It also shows that when these cells are exposed to a toxin, short-term changes in [Ca2+]i may not be accompanied by loss of cell viability, and conversely, that changes in cell viability may occur without alterations in [Ca2+]i.     

内钙动员调控凝血酶诱导的血小板Na^＋／H^＋交换

目的：研究凝血酶诱导的血小板活化中细胞内钙动员和Ｎａ＾＋／Ｈ＾＋交换的关系。方法Ｆｕｒａ－２负载测［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ和ＢＣＥＣＦ负载测ｐＨｉ。结果：凝血酶０．１ＩＵ·Ｌ＾－１引起［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ和ｐＨｉ，［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ增加先于ｐＨｉ增加。在无钠溶液中，Ｎａ＾＋／Ｈ＾＋交换被抑制而［Ｃａ＾２］ｉ增加不受影响；用尼日利亚菌素（１ｍｇ·Ｌ＾－１）使胞内酸化可抑制［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ增加，用依他酸（ＢＧＴＡ）阻断     

Influence of oligopeptide aldehydes on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in rat pituitary cells

We investigated the effects of some synthetic tripeptide aldehydes, earlier shown to influence pituitary hormone secretion and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake, on the intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) of rat anterior pituitary cells in suspension. Boc-D-Phen- Leu-Phenylalaninal or Boc-D-Phe-Leu-Prolinal in the tested range of 1–100 or 200 μM, respectively, were ineffective in influencing basal [Ca²⁺]_i but caused a concentration-dependent inhibition in K⁺ (25 mM)-induced [Ca²⁺]_i elevation. The IC₅₀ of both effects was about 50 μM. In contrast, they did not interfere with the stimulation caused by the calcium channel agonist BAY K 8644 and were also ineffective in influencing the receptor-mediated stimulus of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on [Ca²⁺]_i. On the basis of the present and foregoing results the possible involvement of calcium channels is discussed, but different mechanisms mediating the tripeptide aldehyde inhibition are also considered. A third tripeptide aldehyde. Boc-Gln-Leu-Lysinal (Boc-GLL), showed ionophore-like properties. This nontoxic substance caused a dose-dependent rise up to 400% (at 100 μM) in [Ca²⁺]_i. Its effect is not mediated by voltage-dependent calcium channels, as it cannot be inhibited either by the classicalp calcium channel antagonists verapamil and nifedipine, or by the above-mentioned inhibitory tripeptide aldehydes. When we decreased the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration by the addition of 4 mM EGTA, the effect was inverted and Boc-GLL caused a large fall in [Ca²⁺]_i. We suggest that Boc-GLL may open cell membrane pores through which Ca²⁺ moves along the concentration gradient. The calcium flux can be inhibited by 20 mM Mg²⁺ and 100 μM Co²⁺ but not by 500 μM La³⁺. Thus, tripeptide aldehydes. depending on their structure, may decrease or increase [Ca²⁺]_i via uncoventional mechanisms and may serve as tools for dissecting details of cell calcium homeostasis.     

Characterization of rat glomerular thromboxane A2 receptors: comparison to rat platelets.

This study was designed to characterize rat glomerular thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptors and compare them to rat platelet TxA2 receptors. The radioligand binding characteristics of the receptors were characterized using [125I][1S-(1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 alpha-(1E,3R*),4 alpha]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4'-iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-oxabicyclo- [2.2.1]heptan-2yl]-5-heptenoic acid ([125I]BOP), a TxA2 agonist. Equilibrium binding with [125I]BOP, as well as competitive binding assays between [125I]BOP and 13-azapinane TxA2 receptors antagonists, were performed in rat glomerular membranes (RGM) and washed rat platelets (WRP). [125I]BOP identified a single class of TxA2 receptor sites in glomerular membranes with a Kd of 318 +/- 55 pM and a Bmax of 260 +/- 62 fmol/mg protein (n = 14). [125I]BOP was displaced by the TxA2 agonist 15S-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha(epoxymethano)-prosta-5Z,13E-dienoic acid (U-46,619) (IC50 = 22 +/- 6 nM, n = 3), the antagonist SQ-29,548 (IC50 = 41 +/- 7 nM, n = 4), and stereoselectively by the antagonists (-)-9-chlorobenzyl-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazol-1-yl acetic acid (L-657,925) (IC50 = 0.27 +/- 0.04 nM, n = 3) and (+)-9-chlorobenzyl-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazol-1-yl acetic acid (L-657,926) (IC50 = 124 +/- 0 nM, n = 2). The ability of six 13-azapinane TxA2 antagonists to compete with [125I]BOP was evaluated. The rank orders for the 13-azapinanes showed no significant correlation between RGM and WRP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)