Effects of ryanodine on acetylcholine-induced Ca2+ mobilization in single smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery

To study the essential features of acetylcholine (ACh)-and caffeine-sensitive cellular Ca²⁺ storage sites in single vascular smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery, the effects of ryanodine on both ACh- and caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization were investigated by measuring intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) using Fura 2 in Ca²⁺-containing or Ca²⁺-free solution. The resting [Ca²⁺]_i of the cells was 122 nM in normal physiological solution and no spontaneous activity was observed. In a solution containing 2.6 mM Ca²⁺, 10 M ACh or 128 mM K⁺ produced a phasic, followed by a tonic, increase in [Ca²⁺]_i but 20 mM caffeine produced only a phasic increase. In Ca²⁺-free solution containing 0.5 mM ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA), the resting [Ca²⁺]_i rapidly decreased to 102 nM within 5 min, and 10 M ACh or 20 mM caffeine (but not 128 mM K⁺) transiently increased [Ca²⁺]_i. Ryanodine (50 M) greatly inhibited the phasic increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by 10 M ACh or 5 mM caffeine and increased the time to peak and to the half decay after the peak in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. By contrast, ryanodine (50 M) enhanced the tonic increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by 128 mM K⁺ and also by 10 M ACh in Ca²⁺-containing solution. In Ca²⁺-free solution containing 0.5 mM EGTA, ACh (10 M) failed to increase [Ca²⁺]_i following application of 20 mM caffeine. The level of [Ca²⁺]_i induced by 20 mM caffeine was greatly reduced, but not abolished, following application of 10 M ACh in Ca²⁺-free solution. These results suggest that both ACh and caffeine release Ca²⁺ from the ryanodine-sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery. The finding that ryanodine significantly increased the resting [Ca²⁺]_i and inhibited the rate of decline of [Ca²⁺]_i following wasthout of high K⁺ or ACh in Ca²⁺-containing solution suggests that SR may negatively regulate the resting [Ca²⁺]_i in smooth muscle cells of the porcine coronary artery.     

Caffeine and histamine-induced oscillations of K(Ca) current in single smooth muscle cells of rabbit cerebral artery

In the present experiment, we characterized the intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations induced by caffeine (1 mM) or histamine (1–3 M) in voltage-clamped single smooth muscle cells of rabbit cerebral (basilar) artery. Superfusion of caffeine or histamine induced periodic oscillations of large whole-cell K⁺ current with fairly uniform amplitudes and intervals. The oscillatory K⁺ current was abolished by inclusion of ethylenebis(oxonitrilo)tetraacetate (EGTA, 5 mM) in the pipette solution. Caffeine- and histamine-induced periodic activation of the large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ [K_(Ca)] channel was recorded in the cell-attached patch mode. These results suggest that the oscillations of K⁺ current are carried by the K_(Ca) channel and reflect the oscillations of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i). Ryanodine (1–10 M) abolished both caffeine- and histamine-induced oscillations. Caffeine- induced oscillations were abolished by the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-adenosine 5-triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid (10 M), and a high concentration of caffeine (10 mM). Inclusion of heparin (3 mg/ml) in the pipette solution blocked histamine-induced oscillations, but did not block caffeine-induced oscillations. By the removal of extracellular Ca²⁺, but not by the addition of verapamil and Cd²⁺, the caffeine-induced oscillations were abolished. Increasing Ca²⁺ influx rate increased the frequencies of caffeine-induced oscillations. Spontaneous oscillations were also observed in cells that were not superfused with agonists, and had similar characteristics to the caffeine-induced oscillations. From the above results, it is concluded, that in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit cerebral (basilar) artery, ryanodine-sensitive Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release pools play key roles in the generation of caffeine- and histamine-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ oscillations.     

Intracellular calcium in mammalian brain cells: fluorescence measurements with quin2

Summary Dispersed brain cells from 12–14 day old mouse embryos were loaded with the Ca²⁺-sensitive fluorescent probe, quin2 and shown to have a resting intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) of 158 nM (SE ± 5) in the presence of 1 mM [Ca²⁺]_o. When external [Ca²⁺] was raised from 0 to 1 mM there was an increase of [Ca²⁺]_i of 70 nM; with further additions of Ca to >10 mM [Ca²⁺]_o the level of [Ca²⁺]_i increased by <25 nM. Releasable intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, estimated from the increase in [Ca²⁺] produced by 4Br A23187 in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, were 24 fmol/10⁶ cells. A small increase in [Ca²⁺]_i could be produced by the mitochondrial inhibitor, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). When extracellular K⁺ was raised by 10–20 mM, intracellular Ca²⁺ levels increased from 152 (SE ± 7) to 204 nM (SE ± 10). These K⁺-induced increases in [Ca²⁺]_i were blocked by verapamil, did not occur in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, and presumably reflect the activation of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) evoked an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, while the kainate-like lathyrus sativus neurotoxin, L-3-oxalyl-amino-2aminopropionic acid (L-3,2-OAP) did not; this is consistent with previous observations of different and respectively Ca²⁺-dependent and -independent mechanisms of action of these excitatory amino acids.     

The effects of calcium and calcium channel blockers on sodium pump

The effects of 10 mM Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ channel blockers verapamil, diltiazem and flunarizine on the ouabain-sensitive electrogenic Na⁺, K⁺ pump activity of mouse diaphragm muscle fibres enriched with Na⁺ were compared with the changes in cytosolic [Ca²⁺]. The electrogenic Na⁺ pump activity produced by adding K⁺ to muscles previously bathed for 4 h in a K⁺-free, 2-mM [Ca²⁺] solution increased the resting membrane potential by about 18 mV. This hyperpolarization was completely inhibited after 10 min incubation in 10 mM Ca²⁺. Verapamil 10^–5M, 10^–5M diltiazem and 10^–7 M flunarizine effectively prevented the effect of elevated [Ca²⁺]. At these concentrations, these drugs did not affect the K⁺-induced hyperpolarization. In mouse diaphragm, the basal cytosolic [Ca²⁺] measured by the fluorescent indicator 1-[2-(5-carboxyoxazol-2-yl)-6-aminobenzofuran-5-oxy]2-(2-amino 5-methylphenoxy) ethane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (fura-2/AM) was 261±6 nM. After 4 h in a Liley K⁺-free, 2 mM [Ca²⁺] solution, the cytosolic [Ca²⁺] increased to 314±28 nM. Increase in [Ca²⁺] from 2 to 10 mM caused a twofold increase of cytosolic [Ca²⁺] to 637±26 nM. This rise was, like the Ca²⁺-induced inhibition of electrogenic pump, prevented by 10^–5 M verapamil, 10^–5M diltiazem and 10^–7 M flunarizine. The results suggest that substances which block Ca²⁺ entry into the cell prevent the Ca²⁺ induced inhibition of the Na⁺ pump.     

Intracellular Ca2+ signalling is modulated by K+ channel blockers in colonie epithelial cells (HT-29/B6)

We investigated the inhibitory action of K⁺ channel blockers on carbachol-stimulated Ca²⁺ entry into human Cl^–-secretory colonic epithelial cells (HT-29/B6). Digital imaging of the fluorescent calcium indicator dye fura-2 was performed to monitor effects of K⁺ channel blockers on cytosolic calcium in resting and carbachol-stimulated HT-29/B6 cells. Stimulation with the muscarinic agonist carbachol (100 M) caused a clearly biphasic intracellular calcium (Ca_i response: Ca_i was stimulated from resting levels (85±3 nM, n=100) to a sudden transient peak (821±44 nM) followed by a sustained plateau (317±12 nM). The maintained elevation was dependent on external Ca²⁺ and represented a new steady state between Ca²⁺ entry and exit across the plasma membrane. A monophasic Ca²⁺ response was induced in the absence of external Ca²⁺ and after the initial peak Ca_i returned to baseline. The Ca_i plateau was reduced to resting levels by either the muscarinic antagonist atropine (1 M) or the inorganic Ca²⁺ channel blocker lanthanum (effective concentration for 50% inhibition of Ca₁ plateau EC₅₀=68±18 nM), but it was unaffected by the organic Ca²⁺ channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine. Barium, lidocaine and 4-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate (NPPB), well-known blockers of basolateral K⁺ channels of HT-29/B6 cells, rapidly and reversibly reduced carbachol-stimulated Ca²⁺ entry. The Ca_i plateau was calculated to be 50% inhibited by barium (96±2 M), lidocaine (74±3 M) and NPPB (27±10 M). The Ca_i plateau was transiently increased by 1 M and 10 M NPPB to 50% and 34%, respectively, probably via hyperpolarization of the membrane potential by blockade of Cl^– channels (so that the membrane potential approached V _K). The resting Ca_i was transiently increased by 50 M and 300 M NPPB to 308±13 nM and 447±153 nM, respectively, suggesting that NPPB induced a Ca²⁺ release from internal Ca stores. We conclude that carbachol-stimulated Ca²⁺ entry into HT-29/B6 cells (a) requires muscarinic receptor occupation, (b) is highly sensitive to lanthanum and (c) is dependent on membrane potential and therefore inhibited by channel blockers that depolarize the cell potential. Also, the sensitivity of Ca_i levels to K⁺ channel blockers indicates that there are feedback relationships among rates of Ca²⁺ entry, activity of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ and Cl^– channels and membrane potential.     

Caffeine enhancement of electrical activity through direct blockade of inward rectifying K+ currents in GH3 rat anterior pituitary cells

Treatment of rat anterior pituitary GH₃ cells with caffeine causes a reversible enhancement of electrical activity superimposed over a depolarization of the plasma membrane potential. Similar results are obtained with theophylline, but not with isobutylmethylxanthine or forskolin. The effects of caffeine are not related to Ca²⁺ liberation from intracellular stores since they are not affected by incubation of the cells with ryanodine or thapsigargin. Furthermore, caffeine-induced hyperpolarization of the membrane is not detectable even in cells in which Ca²⁺ liberation from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive compartments produces a prominent transient hyperpolarization in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Reductions of Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ currents caused by partial block of L-type Ca²⁺ channels by caffeine are not sufficient to explain the effects of the xanthine, since the results obtained with caffeine are not mimicked by direct blockade of Ca²⁺ channels with nisoldipine. GH₃ cell inwardly rectifying K⁺ currents are inhibited by caffeine. Studies on the voltage dependence of the caffeine-induced effects indicate a close correlation between alterations of electrical parameters and reported values of steady-state voltage dependence of inactivation of these currents. We conclude that, as previously shown for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, modulation of inwardly rectifying K⁺ currents plays a major role determining the firing rate of GH₃ cells and its enhancement by caffeine.     

Caffeine-induced depolarization in amphibian skeletal muscle fibres: role of Na+/Ca2+ exchange and K+ release

Caffeine (4 mM ) produces a depolarization of about 10 mV in frog muscle fibres (Leptodactylus ocellatus). The aim of this work was to study the mechanisms of this effect. An approximately threefold rise in membrane resistance [Cl⁻-free (SO₄^2–) medium] substantially increased, and both Na⁺-free medium and Ni²⁺ (5 mM ) reduced, the caffeine-induced depolarization. In voltage-clamped (–60 mV) short fibres from lumbricalis muscle of the toad (Buffo arenarum), caffeine generated an inward current of 4.13 ± 0.48 μA cm^–2. This caffeine-induced current was reduced by 60% in Na⁺-free medium, 44% in the presence of 5 mM amiloride and 48% by 5 mM Ni²⁺, suggesting that the activation of the Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger in its forward mode may play a role in the observed electrical effects of the drug. Caffeine also produced a marked release of K⁺. Net K⁺ efflux increased from 3.5 ± 0.2 (control) to 22.1 ± 2.3 pmol s^–1 cm^–2 (caffeine). It is shown that in the presence of the drug, [K⁺] in the lumen of the T tubules may well increase to levels which could produce, in part, both the observed depolarization and the caffeine-induced current under voltage clamp conditions. The caffeine-induced K⁺ efflux was not reduced by 5 mM Ni²⁺. At a holding potential of 30 mV the caffeine-induced current was reversed (outward) and roughly halved by 5 mM Ni²⁺. The Ni²⁺-sensitive fraction of the caffeine-induced current, assumed to represent the Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger current, had an estimated reversal potential close to 12 mV ([Na⁺]_o=115 mM ; [Ca²⁺]_o=1 mM ). In conclusion, the depolarizing effect of caffeine described here would be produced by two mechanisms: (a) an inward current generated by the activation of the Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger in its forward mode, and (b) the rise of the external [K⁺] in restricted spaces like the T tubules.     

Afterhyperpolarization induced by the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in pelvic ganglion neurons of male rats

The electrophysiological mechanism underlying afterhyperpolarization induced by the activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in male rat major pelvic ganglion neurons (MPG) was investigated using a gramicidin-perforated patch clamp and microscopic fluorescence measurement system. Acetylcholine (ACh) induced fast depolarization through the activation of nAChR, followed by a sustained hyperpolarization after the removal of ACh in a dose-dependent manner (10 μM to 1 mM). ACh increased both intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) and Na⁺ concentrations ([Na⁺]_i) in MPG neurons. The recovery of [Na⁺]_i after the removal of ACh was markedly delayed by ouabain (100 μM), an inhibitor of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase. Pretreatment with ouabain blocked ACh-induced hyperpolarization by 67.2 ± 5.4% (n = 7). ACh-induced hyperpolarization was partially attenuated by either the chelation of [Ca²⁺]_i with BAPTA/AM (20 μM) or the blockade of small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels by apamin (500 nM). Taken together, the activation of nAChR increases [Na⁺]_i and [Ca²⁺]_i, which activates Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, respectively. Consequently, hyperpolarization occurs after the activation of nAChR in the autonomic pelvic ganglia.     

Mild stress of caffeine increased mtDNA content in skeletal muscle cells: the interplay between Ca2+ transients and nitric oxide

Caffeine increases mitochondrial biogenesis in myotubes by evoking Ca²⁺ transients. Nitric oxide (NO) also induces mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cells via upregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and PGC-1??. However, the interplay and timing sequence between Ca²⁺ transients and NO releases remain unclear. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that caffeine-evoked Ca²⁺ transients triggered NO production to increase mtDNA in skeletal muscle cells. Ca²⁺ transients were recorded with Fura-2 AM and confocal microscopy; mtDNA staining, mitochondrial membrane potential and NO level were determined using fluorescent probes PicoGreen, tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and DAF-FM, respectively. In primary cultured myotubes, a subtle and moderate stress of caffeine increased mtDNA exclusively. Mitochondrial membrane potential and mtDNA were increased by 1?mM as well as 5?mM caffeine, whereas 10?mM caffeine did not change the fluorescence intensity of PicoGreen and TMRM. NO level in myocytes increased gradually following the first jump of Ca²⁺ transients evoked by caffeine (5?mM) till the end of recording, when Fura-2 indicated that Ca²⁺ transients recovered partly and even disappeared. Importantly, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (l-NAME) suppressed caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis, whereas NO donor (DETA-NO) increased mtDNA content. These data strongly suggest that caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis is dose-sensitive and dependent on a certain level of stress. Further, an increasing level of NO following Ca²⁺ transients is required for caffeine-induced mtDNA biogenesis. Additionally, Ca²⁺ transients, a usual and first response to caffeine, was either suppressed or attenuated by l-NAME, DETA-NO, AICAR and U0126, suggesting an inability to control [Ca²⁺]_i in these treated cells. There may be an important interplay between NO and Ca²⁺ transients in intracellular signaling system involving NOS, AMPK and MEK.     

Characterization of Ca2+-activated K+ channels in excised patches of human T lymphocytes

Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ [K(Ca)] channels were studied in excised patches of resting and activated human peripheral blood T lymphocytes. The K(Ca) channel had a single-channel conductance of 50±6 pS in symmetrical high-K⁺ solutions in the potential range of –100 to –10 mV and was inwardly rectifying at more depolarized potentials. The channel was sensitive to block by charybdotoxin (10 nM) and insensitive to apamin (3 nM). Half-maximum activation occurred at an internal free Ca²⁺ concentration of 360±110 nM. The concentration-effect curve had a slope factor of 0.83±0.12, suggesting a 11 interaction of Ca²⁺ ions with the channel. Ca²⁺ affects the open time probability of the K(Ca) channels, mainly by modulating the frequency of channel opening. The open probability did not show voltage dependence. The kinetics of the channel could be described assuming one open state and two closed states. The time constant of the exponential describing the open time distribution amounted to 2.8±1.2 ms, whereas the closed time distribution could be described with two exponentials with time constants of 0.2±0.05 ms and 8.0±2.1 ms, respectively. Resting T lymphocytes expressed a low number of channels but the density of channels increased dramatically during chronic phytohaemagglutinin stimulation.     

The effect of increasing extracellular potassium concentration on the resting heat rate of the isolated rat papillary muscle

The effect of elevating extracellular K⁺ concentration on the basal metabolism of the isolated rat left ventricular papillary muscle has been investigated. The preparation was mounted on a thermopile and connected to a force transducer, to allow simultaneous measurement of muscle heat production and force. The resting heat rate (RHR) of the quiescent preparation was measured as an index of basal metabolism. Throughout all of the experiments, the muscles were maintained under a resting force of 10 mN and all measurements of RHR were made at times when there was no active force present above this passive level. Elevating the extracellular K⁺ concentration from 5.9 to 20, 40, then 80 mM produced graded increases in the RHR. The increase in RHR produced by 40 mM K⁺ was observed to be time-dependent, its effect being significantly greater at 5–7 h than at 2–4 h after cardiectomy. Averaged over all times, the percentage increases in RHR produced by 20, 40, and 80 mM K⁺ in the presence of 2 mM Ca²⁺ were 6.4±2.0%, 28.7±2.3%, and 51.3±8.9% (mean±SEM) respectively. The high K⁺-induced increase in basal metabolism was also shown to be Ca²⁺-dependent, the increase in RHR produced by 40 mM K⁺ being greater the higher the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration (0.5–8.0 mM). The addition of verapamil was found to partially inhibit the K⁺-induced increase in resting metabolism. These results show that elevation of the extracellular K⁺ concentration produces a graded increase in the RHR that is Ca²⁺-dependent. It is suggested that the increases in RHR observed in this investigation are in part associated with elevated levels of myoplasmic free Ca²⁺ which stimulate the internal Ca²⁺ pumps.     

Adaptive control of intracellular Ca2+ release in C2C12 mouse myotubes

Laser scanning confocal imaging was used to monitor release of Ca²⁺ from localized regions in a skeletal muscle cell line with sparsely distributed Ca²⁺ release sites. The goal was to distinguish between two schemes proposed to explain the phenomenon of “quantal” Ca²⁺ release from caffeine-sensitive Ca²⁺ stores in muscle and other tissues: (1) all-or-none (true quantal) Ca²⁺ release from functionally discrete stores that have different sensitivities to caffeine; or (2) adaptive behavior of individual release sites, each responding transiently and repeatedly to incremental caffeine doses. Our results showed that Ca²⁺ release induced by K⁺ or caffeine occurs in discrete loci within the cell. The image areas and fluorescence intensities of some of these evoked local signals were similar to those of Ca²⁺ sparks that were observed under resting conditions and which are believed to be due to spontaneous activation of single release units. In contrast to the expectations imposed by quantal models, incremental doses of caffeine activated the same sets of release sites throughout the cell. Ca²⁺ release, at a given site, triggered by a submaximal dose of caffeine was transient and could be reactivated by addition of a higher caffeine dose, showing the same type of adaptive behavior as measured globally from larger areas of the cell. These results suggest that incremental Ca²⁺ release is accounted for by adaptive behavior of individual Ca²⁺ release sites. Received: 9 August 1995/Received in revised form and accepted: 13 October 1995     

Na+-Ca2+ exchange in the isolated cochlear outer hair cells of the guinea-pig studied by fluorescence image microscopy

The outer hair cell isolated from the guinea-pig was superfused in vitro and the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and sodium concentration ([Na⁺]_i) were measured using fluorescence indicators. Under the resting condition, [Ca²⁺]_i and [Na⁺]_i were 91±9 nM (n = 51) and 110±5 mM (n = 12), respectively. Removal of external Na⁺ by replacing with N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG⁺) increased [Ca²⁺]_i by 270±79% (n = 27) and decreased [Na⁺]_i by 23±4 mM (n = 6). Both changes in [Ca²⁺]_i and [Na⁺]_i were totally reversible on returning external Na⁺ to the initial value and were inhibited by addition of 0.1 mM La³⁺ or 100 M amiloride 5-(N,N-dimethyl) hydrochloride. Elevation of external Ca²⁺ ions to 20 mM reversibly decreased [Na⁺]_i by 8±6 mM (n = 5). Moreover, the chelation of the intracellular Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) exerted an inhibitory action on the NMDG⁺-induced reduction in [Na⁺]_i. Exposure to 5 mM NaCN for 2 min significantly and reversibly increased [Ca²⁺]_i by 290±37% (n = 5), but did not affect the [Ca²⁺]_i elevation induced by the NMDG⁺ solution. The rise in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by the NMDG⁺ solution was not enhanced by ouabain pretreatment. Addition of ouabain did not alter the [Na⁺]_i. The present results are best explained by the presence of an Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger in cell membrane and indicate that the activity of Na⁺/K⁺ pump is poor in outer hair cells.     

Effects of cyclopiazonic acid on Ca2+ regulation by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in saponin-permeabilized skeletal muscle fibres

 The effects of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) were studied in saponin-permeabilized frog skeletal muscle fibres. Release of Ca²⁺ from the SR was triggered by brief (2 s) applications of 40 mM caffeine at 2-min intervals. Changes in [Ca²⁺] within the fibre were monitored continuously using Fura-2 fluorescence. At a bathing [Ca²⁺] of 100 nM, introduction of 20 μM CPA induced a slow release of Ca²⁺ from the SR. The following one to two caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ transients were markedly increased in amplitude and duration. Thereafter, the caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ transients decreased progressively and were barely detectable 6–7 min after introduction of CPA. However, increasing the bathing [Ca²⁺] or increasing the Ca²⁺ loading period resulted in a partial recovery of the caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ transients, suggesting that pump inhibition is incomplete, even in the presence of 100 μM CPA. The slow Ca²⁺ efflux induced by CPA was insensitive to ryanodine, but absent following abolition of SR Ca²⁺ pump activity by ATP withdrawal. These results suggest that the caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ transient reflects a balance between efflux via the SR Ca²⁺ channel and reuptake by the Ca pump. Ca²⁺ release upon addition of CPA may result from inhibition of SR Ca²⁺ uptake, which reveals a tonic Ca²⁺ efflux that is independent of the Ca²⁺ release channels. Received: 26 November 1997 / Received after revision: 12 January 1998 / Accepted: 13 January 1998     

Effect of caffeine on K+ efflux in frog skeletal muscle

 The exposure of frog skeletal muscle to caffeine (3–4 mM) generates an increase of the K⁺ (⁴²K⁺) efflux rate coefficient (k _K,o) which exhibits the following characteristics. First it is promoted by the rise in cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i), because the effect is mimicked by ionomycin (1.25 μM), a Ca²⁺ ionophore. Second, the inhibition of caffeine-induced Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by 40 μM tetracaine significantly reduced the increase in k _K,o (Δk _K,o). Third, charybdotoxin (23 nM), a blocker of the large-conductance Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels (BK_Ca channels) reduced Δk _K,o by 22%. Fourth, apamin (10 nM), a blocker of the small-conductance Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels (SK_Ca channels), did not affect Δk _K,o. Fifth, tolbutamide (800 μM), an inhibitor of K_ATP channels, reduced Δk _K,o by about 23%. Sixth, Ba²⁺, a blocker of most K⁺ channels, did not preclude the caffeine-induced Δk _K,o. Seventh, omitting Na⁺ from the external medium reduced Δk _K,o by about 40%. Eight, amiloride (5 mM) decreased Δk _K,o by 65%. It is concluded that the caffeine-induced rise of [Ca²⁺]_i increases K⁺ efflux, through the activation of: (1) two channels (BK_Ca and K_ATP) and (2) an external Na⁺-dependent amiloride-sensitive process. Received: 13 March 1998 / Received after revision: 17 June 1998 / Accepted: 14 September 1998     

Intracellular Ca2+ concentrations are not elevated in resting cultured muscle from Duchenne (DMD) patients and in MDX mouse muscle fibres

The free intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca²⁺]_i, was studied in single myotubes using the fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator fura-2. Myotubes cultured from satellite cells of small muscle specimens from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients were compared with human control myotubes and with myotubes cultured from MDX and control mouse muscle satellite cells. The resting [Ca²⁺]_i levels in DMD and control myotubes were not significantly different, i. e. 104 ±26 nM (mean ± SD, n=190 cells from eight DMD patients) compared with 97±25 nM (175/seven controls) and were not significantly lower than the corresponding murine values (154±33 nM, n=135 MDX myotubes; 159±34 nM, n=135 controls). All myotubes reacted to 10 M acetylcholine or 40 mM KCl with fast transient increases of [Ca²⁺]_i. After application of a hyposmotic (130 mOsm) solution, [Ca²⁺]_i was increased 1.5- to 3-fold within 2–3 min, the DMD myotubes tending to stronger reactions (significantly higher [Ca²⁺]_i in 2 out of 6 cases). The response was usually transient, [Ca²⁺]_i decreasing to the initial level within 10 min. Gadolinium (50 M) reduced the response by 50%–70%, indicating that the osmotic shock increased Ca²⁺ influx. During exposure to high (15 mM) [Ca²⁺]e, [Ca²⁺]_i of DMD and control cells was 1.5- to 2-fold higher. Adult muscle fibres from MDX mice and controls showed identical Ca²⁺ resting levels (n=45 fibres from three mice in each case), but did not respond to decreased external osmolarity with a change in [Ca²⁺]_i. The results indicate that lack of dystrophin in muscle fibres does not necessarily lead to increased [Ca²⁺]_i. It is suggested that increased [Ca²⁺]_i is probably a secondary consequence of fibre damage.     

Changes in intracellular Ca2+ distribution of rat peritoneal mast cells before and after histamine release

Rat peritoneal mast cells were stained with quin 2, a fluorescent Ca²⁺ chelator. By means of a fluorescence microscope and real time image processer, it was revealed that the fluorescence derived from the Ca-quin 2 complex was weak in the area occupied by the nucleus and distributed unevenly in the cytoplasm of the resting cells so as to encompass the individual granules. When compound 48/80 or substance P was added in a Ca-free medium, the fluorescence intensity of quin 2 increased markedly all over the cell, suggesting that a large amount of Ca²⁺ was released from intracellular Ca stores. The increase in the fluorescence intensity produced by compound 48/80 or substance P in a Ca-free medium was inhibited by pretreatment with certain drugs eliciting an increase of c-AMP levels, such as dibutyryl c-AMP and theophylline, or by some anti-allergic drugs providing a membrane stabilizing action.     

Influence of caffeine,Ca2+, and Mg2+ on ryanodine depression of the tension transient in skinned myocardial fibers of the rabbit

Ryanodine, a blocker for Ca²⁺-release channels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR Ca²⁺-release channels), induces depression of myocardial contraction in isolated intact muscle, which is consistent with depression of the caffeine-induced tension transient in skinned muscle fibers. In isolated SR, ryanodine binds to a specific receptor with high affinity, and this binding is enhanced by caffeine and increasing Ca²⁺ and decreased by increasing Mg²⁺. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that depression of myocardial contraction is mediated by changes in ryanodine-receptor binding properties. Accordingly, factors (caffeine, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) affecting ryanodine-receptor binding properties in the isolated SR membrane were studied in skinned myocardial fibers from adult rabbits. The depression of the caffeine-induced tension transient by ryanodine (ryanodine depression) influenced by these three factors was measured. In a dose-dependent manner, increasing caffeine or Ca²⁺ concentrations enhanced the ryanodine depression. The concentrations for 50% ryanodine depression (IC₅₀) approximated 7mM for caffeine, and pCa 5.25 for Ca²⁺. When 1 M ryanodine and 25 mM caffeine were combined, ryanodine depression was independent of Ca²⁺ at low Ca²⁺ concentrations (20%–30% at pCa>8 and 7.5) and was a direct function of Ca²⁺ at higher concentrations (pCa 7.5–6.0 with IC₅₀ approx. pCa 6.75). In contrast, increasing Mg²⁺ reduced the ryanodine depression with IC₅₀ approximately equal to pMg 3.3. In conclusion, the caffeineor Ca²⁺-enhanced, and Mg²⁺-reduced ryanodine depression observed in this study is consistent with known ryanodinereceptor binding properties.     

Calcium fluxes in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells. Evidence for a functional Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism

Törnquist , K. 1992. Calcium fluxes in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells. Evidence for a functional Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism. Acta Physzol Scand 144 , 341–348. Received 28 April 1 991 , accepted 30 October 1991. ISSN 0001–6772. Endocrine Research Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland. The effect of extracellular Na⁺ on cytosolic free Ca²⁺ and on influx and efflux of Ca²⁺ was investigated in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Stimulating the cells with the purinergic agonist ATP induced a rapid efflux of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from cells loaded with ^4aCa²⁺. Replacement of extracellular Na⁺ with choline⁺, significantly decreased the adenosine triphosphate-induced efflux of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate-induced uptake of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was increased when extracellular Na⁺ was replaced with choline⁺, compared with the uptake seen in Na⁺ buffer. Replacing extracellular Na⁺ with choline⁺, increased resting levels of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ from 50 ± 2 nM (mean ± SE) to 81 ± 3 nM (P < 0.05) in Fura 2 loaded cells. In cells preincubated with 1 mM ouabain for 30 min, resting cytosolic free Ca²⁺ increased to 73 ± 3 nM (P < 0.05). In a Na⁺ buffer, the adenosine triphosphate-induced transient increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ was 872 ± 59 nM, compared with 1070 ±63 nM in choline' buffer (P < 0.05). The plateau level of cytosolic free Ca²⁺ in response to adenosine triphosphate was 130±16 nM in Na⁺ buffer, compared with 209±9 nM in choline⁺ buffer (P < 0.05). Readdition of Na⁺ to the plateau phase decreased cytosolic free Ca⁺² to 152 ± 5 nM. Stimulating the cells with 10 μM of the Na^+-selective monovalent ionophore monensin increased cytosolic free Ca²⁺ from 53 ± 9 nM to 12416 nM (P < 0.05). This increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ was dependent on both extracellular Na⁺ and extracellular Ca²⁺ If cells were first stimulated with monensin, and then with adenosine triphosphate, the transient increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ was 1027 ± 24 nM (P < 0. 05 , compared with control cells). The results thus indicate, that FRTL-5 cells have a functional Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism and that this mechanism is of importance in restoring adenosine triphosphate-induced transient increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ to resting cytosolic free Ca²⁺ levels.     

Caffeine induces periodic oscillations of Ca2+-activated K+ current in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

The periodic oscillations of outward currents were studied in smooth muscle cells of the rabbit pulmonary artery. The combined stimuli of superfusion with 1 mM caffeine and depolarization of the membrane potential to 0 mV evoked periodic oscillations of outward currents with fairly uniform amplitudes and intervals. The oscillating outward currents induced by caffeine were dependent on intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and had a reversal potential near to the equilibrium potential for K⁺. So the oscillating outward currents are carried by K⁺ through Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺ channels (I _K(Ca)), and may reflect the oscillations of [Ca²⁺]_i. The oscillating outward currents were abolished, or their frequency reduced, by lowering external [Ca²⁺], Ca²⁺ channel blockers, or by 1 M ryanodine, indicating that: (1) there is a continuous influx of Ca²⁺ through the plasma membrane at a holding potential of 0 mV; (2) the periodic transient increases of [Ca²⁺]_i are ascribed to the rhythmic release of Ca²⁺ from ryanodinesensitive intracellular store by the mechanism of Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR). On the basis of the above results, we simulated the oscillation of [Ca²⁺]_i induced by caffeine, which is known to lower the threshold of CICR. The patterns of peak amplitude histograms of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOC) in the oscillating cells were different from those in non-oscillating cells. The amplitudes of STOC in the latter were more variable than those in the former. The oscillating outward currents were modulated by 1 M forskolin and 1 M sodium nitroprusside, but STOC were little affected. The above differences between STOC and oscillating outward currents suggest that the two currents are activated by the Ca²⁺ originating from different intracellular Ca²⁺ stores which are functionally heterogeneous.