哇巴因对血管内皮细胞ECV304细胞凋亡及胞内游离钙离子和活性氧浓度的影响

目的研究哇巴因(毒毛花苷G)对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞ECV304凋亡的诱导作用,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法哇巴因0.01,0.05,0.1,0.5,1和10μmol·L-1与ECV304细胞作用24,48和72h,MTT法检测细胞存活率,Hoechst33342/碘化丙锭双荧光染色法和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡百分率,激光共聚焦显微镜观察细胞内游离Ca2+浓度([Ca2+]i)和活性氧(ROS)浓度,逆转录PCR和Western印迹法检测胱天蛋白酶3mRNA和蛋白表达。结果哇巴因在0.01～10μmol·L-1浓度范围内与ECV304细胞分别作用24,48和72h,对细胞存活的抑制率明显增加,且呈浓度和时间依赖性,24,48和72h浓度-效应相关系数分别为0.984,0.994和0.997(P<0.05);哇巴因作用24,48和72h的IC50值分别为0.624,0.184和0.041μmol·L-1,时间-效应相关系数为0.974(P<0.05)。哇巴因0.1μmol·L-1与ECV304细胞作用24h,细胞凋亡百分率由正常对照组的(4.2±0.5)%升高到(26.0±3.2)%,作用48h,细胞凋亡率由(4.7±0.5)%升高到(36.5±5.3)%,差异有统计学意义(n=3,P<0.01);同时细胞出现染色质凝集。哇巴因0.01,0.1和0.5μmol·L-1分别与ECV304细胞作用12,24和36h,[Ca2+]i和ROS浓度呈浓度和时间依赖性增加,在哇巴因0.5μmol·L-1时[Ca2+]i和ROS浓度的时间-效应相关系数分别为0.912和0.924,作用36h时[Ca2+]i和ROS浓度的浓度-效应相关系数分别为0.889和0.907(P<0.05)。逆转录PCR和Western印迹法分析显示,哇巴因0.1和0.5μmol·L-1作用ECV304细胞24h后,胱天蛋白酶3mRNA表达增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);哇巴因0.01,0.1和0.5μmol·L-1作用ECV304细胞24h,胱天蛋白酶3蛋白表达明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论哇巴因可诱导人脐静脉血管内皮细胞ECV304凋亡,其机制可能与增加[Ca2+]i和ROS浓度及胱天蛋白酶3表达有关。     

Relationship between intracellular Ca2+ and ROS during fluoride‐induced injury in SH‐SY5Y cells

The mechanisms underlying the neurotoxicology of endemic fluorosis still remain obscure. To explore lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by fluoride, human neuroblastoma (SH‐SY5Y) cells were incubated with sodium fluoride (NaF, 20, 40, 80 mg/L) for 24 h, with 40 mg/L NaF for 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h, and N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine (NAC), ethyleneglycol‐bis‐(β‐aminoethyl ether)‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 1,2‐bis(O‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA‐AM) alone or combined with fluoride (40 mg/L) respectively for 12 h in vitro. The results showed that the LDH levels in the 40 and 80 mg/L fluoride‐treated groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (in the test level of 0.05, the difference were statistical significance). [Ca²⁺]_i and ROS reached a peak at 3 h and 12 h respectively after exposure to 40 mg/L fluoride. Fluoride coincubated with NAC (antioxidant) dramatically decreased ROS and LDH levels compared with the fluoride only group (in the test level of 0.05, the difference were statistical significance). However, fluoride‐induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i was not affected by NAC. BAPTA‐AM (intracellular calcium chelator) markedly lowered fluoride‐induced increase of [Ca²⁺]_i, ROS and LDH levels while EGTA (extracellular calcium chelator) have no effects on them. These results indicate that fluoride‐related Ca²⁺ release from the site of intracellular calcium storage causes the elevation of ROS contributing to the cytotoxicity in SH‐SY5Y cells. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.     

白藜芦醇对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞形态、线粒体膜电位、活性氧及钙离子浓度的影响

目的研究白藜芦醇对人胃癌SGC-7901细胞的影响。方法 SGC-7901细胞体外培养48h,分为白藜芦醇低、中、高剂量组(44、88、176μmol/L),阳性对照组(5-FU153.8μmol/L);阴性对照组(不含药物同体积培养液),荧光显微镜观察不同浓度的白藜芦醇对SGC-7901细胞的形态学影响;流式细胞仪检测白藜芦醇对肿瘤细胞中线粒体膜电位、活性氧的的影响;激光共聚焦显微镜观察白藜芦醇对肿瘤细胞中钙离子浓度的影响。结果显微镜下可见肿瘤细胞染色程度加深,染色质聚集、断裂,产生大小不等的凋亡小体,且随着白藜芦醇浓度加大,现象越来越明显,表明细胞凋亡的比例不断增加;白藜芦醇能够明显降低肿瘤细胞中线粒体膜电位,随着白藜芦醇浓度不断增加,肿瘤细胞中活性氧也不断增加,说明白藜芦醇能够提高肿瘤细胞中的活性氧水平来诱导其凋亡;白藜芦醇对肿瘤细胞中钙离子的浓度有一定的作用,其中高剂量能够显著提高肿瘤细胞中钙离子的浓度,且呈现一定的剂量依赖关系。结论白藜芦醇通过影响SGC-7901肿瘤细胞线粒体膜电位、活性氧及钙离子浓度导致肿瘤细胞凋亡,且与剂量相关。     

辛伐他汀诱导K562细胞凋亡及对细胞内活性氧和Ca2+动态变化的影响

目的研究辛伐他汀诱导人红白血病细胞株K562细胞凋亡及细胞内活性氧与Ca2+水平的变化,以探讨凋亡机制.方法20 μmol·L-1辛伐他汀处理K562细胞,24 h 后光镜观察细胞形态;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率、活性氧和细胞内游离Ca2+水平.结果20 μmol·L-1辛伐他汀作用K562细胞 48 h 后出现核固缩、核碎裂和凋亡小体等形态学改变;AnnexinV-FITC/PI检测细胞早期凋亡率,处理组凋亡率高于对照组,随药物作用时间延长逐渐增大,具有时间依赖性.荧光染料2',7'-二氯荧光乙酰乙酸(2',7'-dichloro fluorescein diacetate, DCFH-DA)检测K562细胞内活性氧,不同时间处理组与对照组比较活性氧均升高,峰值时间为 24 h,与对照组比较发生显著改变.荧光染料Fluo-3AM检测K562细胞内游离Ca2+浓度,不同时间细胞内游离Ca2+浓度均升高,峰值时间为 12 h,与对照组比较发生显著变化.结论辛伐他汀诱导K562细胞凋亡的可能机制是通过提高细胞内活性氧及游离Ca2+水平,从而导致细胞凋亡.     

Chronic nickel-induced DNA damage and cell death: the protection role of ascorbic acid

High consumption of nickel-containing products leads to more exposure of humans to nickel and its by-products. Except the lethal effect of acute nickel poison, chronic nickel exposure is also harmful to humans, but the mechanism of chronic nickel-induced cytotoxicity remains unclear. Here, we found that long-term exposure of Ni(2+) led to significant DNA fragmentation, cell death, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Induction of Ni(2+) on DNA fragmentation and cell death could be prevented by the antioxidants ascorbic acid (ASA) or N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), or enhanced by H(2)O(2), indicating the involvement of ROS generation in the chronic nickel cytotoxicity in cells. Long-term exposure of mice to low Ni(2+) also led to a significant increase in both the ROS generation in the serum and the DNA fragmentation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), while coadministration of ASA with Ni(2+) together significantly decreased both the DNA fragmentation and the ROS generation. Collectively, these results proved that ROS generation is at least one mechanism of the cytotoxicity of chronic nickel exposure, while ASA is probably useful for people to prevent the chronic nickel cytotoxicity, especially for those who work or live near a mining area or a factory related with nickel.     

糖尿病大鼠膀胱功能及平滑肌细胞内钙离子变化及意义

目的观察糖尿病神经源性膀胱尿动力学及逼尿肌细胞内钙离子变化,探讨其发病机制。方法建立糖尿病大鼠模型,正常大鼠作对照,测定不同糖尿病病程膀胱湿重、最大膀胱容量、膀胱顺应性及单个膀胱平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度。结果糖尿病组大鼠膀胱湿重增加、最大膀胱容量、膀胱顺应性及平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度较对照组高。结论糖尿病神经源性膀胱舒缩功能受损,为高顺应性膀胱,且随病程延长损害程度逐渐加重。平滑肌细胞内钙超载可能参与糖尿病后期逼尿肌的病理改变过程。     

活性氧与内质网应激

内质网(endoplasmic reticulum,ER)是细胞加工蛋白质和贮存Ca2+的主要场所,对应激极为敏感,其功能紊乱时出现错误折叠与未折叠蛋白在腔内聚集以及Ca2+平衡紊乱的状态,称为内质网应激(endoplasmic reticulum stress,ERS)。活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)作为第二信使,在细胞生物学功能的调节中起着重要作用。细胞内氧化还原状态的改变促进了ROS的产生和凋亡诱导因子的激活,致使细胞凋亡的同时又加剧了细胞内氧化还原状态的改变。研究发现细胞内氧化还原水平的改变在ERS介导的细胞凋亡过程中承担重要的角色,推测ROS可能是ERS介导的凋亡通路的上游信号分子,该文就ROS与ERS之间的关系作一综述。     

Evaluation of the molecular mechanisms associated with cytotoxicity and inflammation after pulmonary exposure to different metal-rich welding particles

Welding generates a complex aerosol of incidental nanoparticles and cytotoxic metals, such as chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe). The goal was to use both in vivo and in vitro methodologies to determine the mechanisms by which different welding fumes may damage the lungs. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation (ITI) with 2.0?mg of gas metal arc-mild steel (GMA-MS) or manual metal arc-stainless steel (MMA-SS) fumes or saline (vehicle control). At 1, 3, and 10 days, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to measure lung toxicity. To assess molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity, RAW264.7 cells were exposed to both welding fumes for 24?h (0–100?μg/ml). Fume composition was different: MMA-SS (41% Fe, 29% Cr, 17% Mn, 3% Ni) versus GMA-MS (85% Fe, 14% Mn). BAL indicators of lung injury and inflammation were increased by MMA-SS at all time points and by GMA-MS at 3 and 10 days after exposure. RAW264.7 cells exposed to MMA-SS had elevated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein-HNE (P-HNE) adduct formation, activation of ERK1/2, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) compared to GMA-MS and control. Increased generation of ROS due to MMA-SS exposure was confirmed by increased expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Results of in vitro studies provide evidence that stainless steel welding fume mediate inflammatory responses via activation of ROS/P-HNE/ERK1/2/Nrf2 signaling pathways. These findings were corroborated by elevated expression of COX-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 in homogenized lung tissue collected 1?day after in vivo exposure.     

Cross-talk between calcium and reactive oxygen species signaling

Calcium [Ca2+] and reactive oxygen species (ROS) constitute the most important intracellular signaling molecules participating in the regulation and integration of diverse cellular functions. Here we briefly review cross-talk between the two prominent signaling systems that finely tune the homeostasis and integrate functionality of Ca2+ and ROS in different types of cells. Ca2+ modulates ROS homeostasis by regulating ROS generation and annihilation mechanisms in both the mitochondria and the cytosol. Reciprocal redox regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis occurs in different physiological and pathological processes, by modulating components of the Ca2+ signaling toolkit and altering characteristics of local and global Ca2+ signals. Functionally, interactions between Ca2+ and ROS signaling systems can be both stimulatory and inhibitory, depending on the type of target proteins, the ROS species, the dose, duration of exposure, and the cell contexts. Such extensive and complex cross-talk might enhance signaling coordination and integration, whereas abnormalities in either system might propagate into the other system and undermine the stability of both systems.     

Silver nanoparticle induced toxicity to human sperm by increasing ROS(reactive oxygen species) production and DNA damage

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in medical products and industrial coatings, due to their antimicrobial properties. Excessive use of AgNPs can have adverse effects on the human body, however, their toxicity characteristics to human sperm and the potential mechanisms are not entirely clear. In this study, we exposed human sperm to different doses of AgNPs (0, 50 μg ml⁻¹, 100 μg ml⁻¹, 200 μg ml⁻¹ or 400 μg ml⁻¹) for various times (15 min, 30 min, or 60 min), followed by analyses of the sperm viability, motility and the ratio of abnormal to normal sperm.Then, transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to explore the sperm ultrastructural characteristics. Reactive oxygen species production and DNA fragmentation were tested using standard kits and the sperm chromatin dispersion method, respectively. The results showed a dose- and time-dependent decline in sperm viability and motility and an increased ratio of abnormal to normal sperm after 30 min and 60 min of exposure to AgNPs at 200 μg ml⁻¹ and 400 μg ml⁻¹. The most common abnormalities were sperm heads with disrupted chromatin or absent acrosomes, bent tails, and curved mid-pieces. The ultrastructural characteristics of AgNP-treated sperm included disrupted, swollen, granular and vacuolar defects of the chromatin. In addition, ROS(reactive oxygen species)production and DNA fragmentation were markedly increased after 60 min of exposure to AgNPs at 200 μg ml⁻¹ and 400 μg ml⁻¹. Our results indicated that AgNPs caused detrimental changes in human sperm characteristics, and the excessive use of AgNPs should be carried out with caution.     

In vitro toxicity of tetrabromobisphenol-A on cerebellar granule cells: cell death, free radical formation, calcium influx and extracellular glutamate.

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) is one of the worlds most widely used brominated flame retardant. The present study reports effects of TBBPA on primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells (CGC). Using the trypan blue exclusion assay, we show that TBBPA induces death of CGC at low micro molar concentrations. Cell death was reduced by the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (3 microM), the antioxidant vitamin E (50 microM), and in calcium-free buffer. We further demonstrate that TBBPA's toxicity was accompanied by apoptosis-like nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Other hallmarks of apoptosis such as caspase activity were, however, absent, indicating an atypical form of apoptosis. TBBPA increased intracellular free calcium in a concentration-dependent manner. TBBPA also induced an increase in extracellular glutamate in a time-dependent manner. TBBPA gave a concentration-dependent increase information reactive oxygen species (ROS) of measured with 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The ROS formation was inhibited by the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor U0126 (10 microM), the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin-A (25 microM), eliminating calcium from the buffer and by the superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithio-carbamic acid (DDC, 100 microM). Further analysis with Western blot confirmed phosphorylation of ERK1/2 after exposure to TBBPA. We found that TBBPA induces ROS formation, increases intracellular calcium, extracellular glutamate, and death of CGC in vitro at concentrations comparable to those of polychlorinated biphenyl. These findings implicate TBBPA as a predicted environmental toxin and bring out the importance of awareness of its hazardous effects.     

Cytotoxicity and ROS production of manufactured silver nanoparticles of different sizes in hepatoma and leukemia cells

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which have well‐known antimicrobial properties, are extensively used in various medical and general applications. In spite of the widespread use of AgNPs, relatively few studies have been undertaken to determine the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs. The aim of this study was investigate how AgNPs of different sizes (4.7 and 42 nm) interact with two different tumoral human cell lines (hepatoma [HepG2] and leukemia [HL‐60]). In addition, glutathione depletion, inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were used to evaluate feasible mechanisms by which AgNPs exerted its toxicity. AgNPs of 4.7 nm and 42 nm exhibited a dramatic difference in cytotoxicity. Small AgNPs were much more cytotoxic than large AgNPs. A difference in the cellular response to AgNPs was found. HepG2 cells showed a higher sensitivity to the AgNPs than HL‐60. However, the cytotoxicity induced by AgNPs was efficiently prevented by NAC treatment, which suggests that oxidative stress is primarily responsible for the cytotoxicity of AgNPs. Furthermore, cellular antioxidant status was disturbed: AgNPs exposure caused ROS production, glutathione depletion and slight, but not statistically significant inactivation of SOD. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of methylmercury exposure on behavior and cerebellar granule cell physiology in aged mice

Epidemiology studies have clearly documented that the central nervous system is highly susceptible to methylmercury toxicity, and exposure to this neurotoxicant in humans primarily results from consumption of contaminated fish. While the effects of methylmercury exposure have been studied in great detail, comparatively little is known about the effects of moderate to low dose methylmercury toxicity in the aging central nervous system. We examined the toxic effects of a moderate dose of methylmercury on the aging mouse cerebellum. Male and female C57BL/6 mice at 16–20 months of age were exposed to methylmercury by feeding a total dose of 5.0 mg kg^?1 body weight and assessed using four behavioral tests. Methylmercury‐treated aged mice performed significantly worse in open field, footprint analysis and the vertical pole test compared with age‐matched control mice. Isolated cerebellar granule cells from methylmercury‐treated aged mice exhibited higher levels of reactive oxygen species and reduced mitochondrial membrane potentials, but no differences in basal intracellular calcium ion levels compared with age‐matched control mice. When aged mice were exposed to a moderate dose of methylmercury, they exhibited a similar degree of impairment when compared with young adult mice exposed to the same moderate dose of methylmercury, as reported in earlier studies from this laboratory. Thus, at least in mice, exposure of the aged brain to moderate concentrations methylmercury does not pose greater risk compared with the young adult brain exposed to similar concentrations of methylmercury. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic effects induced by unmodified and organically modified nanoclays in the human hepatic HepG2 cell line

The term ‘nanoclay’ generically refers to the natural clay mineral, montmorillonite, with silica and alumina as the dominant constituents. The incorporation of nanoclays into polymeric systems dramatically enhances their barrier properties as well as their thermal and mechanical resistance. Consequently, nanoclays are employed in a wide range of industrial applications with recent studies reporting potential use in the modulation of drug release. With the increase in manufacturing of nanoclay‐containing products, information on the toxicological and health effects of nanoclay exposure is warranted. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of two different nanoclays: the unmodified nanoclay, Cloisite Na⁺®, and the organically modified nanoclay, Cloisite 93A®, in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Following 24 h exposure the nanoclays significantly decreased cell viability. Cloisite Na⁺ induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation which coincided with increased cell membrane damage, whilst ROS generation did not play a role in Cloisite 93A‐induced cell death. Neither of the nanoclays induced caspase‐3/7 activation. Moreover, in the cell culture medium the nanoclays aggregated differently and this appeared to have an effect on their mechanisms of toxicity. Taken together, our data demonstrate that nanoclays are highly cytotoxic and as a result pose a possible risk to human health. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lactacystin requires reactive oxygen species and Bax redistribution to induce mitochondria-mediated cell death

Background and purpose:

The proteasome inhibitor model of Parkinson''s disease (PD) appears to reproduce many of the important behavioural, imaging, pathological and biochemical features of the human disease. However, the mechanisms involved in the lactacystin-induced, mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway remain poorly defined.

Experimental approach:

We have used lactacystin as a specific inhibitor of the 20S proteasome in the dopaminergic neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. We over-expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)–Bax fusion protein in these cells to study localization of Bax. Free radical scavengers were used to assess the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these pathways.

Key results:

Lactacystin triggered a concentration-dependent increase in cell death mediated by the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and induced a change in mitochondrial membrane permeability accompanied by cytochrome c release. The participation of Bax protein was more critical than the formation of the permeability transition pore in mitochondria. GFP–Bax over-expression demonstrated Bax redistribution from the cytosol to mitochondria after the addition of lactacystin. ROS, but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, participated in lactacystin-induced mitochondrial Bax translocation. Lactacystin disrupted the intracellular redox state by increasing ROS production and depleting endogenous antioxidant systems such as glutathione (GSH). Pharmacological depletion of GSH, using l-buthionine sulphoxide, potentiated lactacystin-induced cell death. Lactacystin sensitized neuroblastoma cells to oxidative damage, induced by subtoxic concentrations of 6-hydroxydopamine.

Conclusions and implications:

The lactacystin-induced, mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway involved interactions between ROS, GSH and Bax. Lactacystin could constitute a potential factor in the development of sporadic PD.     

Muscle damage in mdx (dystrophic) mice: role of calcium and reactive oxygen species

1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal, degenerative muscle disease caused by a genetic mutation that leads to the complete absence of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin in muscle fibres. 2. The present review provides an overview of some of the physiological pathways that may contribute to muscle damage and degeneration in DMD, based primarily on experimental findings in the mdx mouse, an animal model of this disease. 3. A rise in intracellular calcium is widely thought to be an important initiating event in the dystrophic pathogenesis. The pathway(s) leading to increased intracellular calcium in dystrophin deficient muscle is uncertain, but recent work from our laboratory provides evidence that stretch-activated channels are an important source of the calcium influx. Other possible routes of calcium entry are also discussed. 4. The consequences of elevated cytosolic calcium may include activation of proteases, such as calpain, and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause protein and membrane damage. 5. Another possible cause of damage in dystrophic muscle involves inflammatory pathways, such as those mediated by neutrophils, macrophages and associated cytokines. There is recent evidence that increased ROS may be important in both the activation of and the damage caused by this inflammatory pathway in mdx muscle.     

Thymosin alpha‐1; a natural peptide inhibits cellular proliferation,cell migration,the level of reactive oxygen species and promotes the activity of antioxidant enzymes in human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line (A549)

This research was conducted to investigate the biochemical effects of thymosin alpha‐1 using human lung cancer cells (A549). The A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of Thα1 for 24 h and the growth, inhibition of cells was determined. Thα1 revealed anti‐proliferative effect at 24 and 48 μg/ml after 24 h. Furthermore, it indicated antioxidant properties by significantly enhancing the activity of catalase (12 μg/ml), superoxide dismutase (6 and 12 μg/ml), and glutathione peroxidase (3, 6 and 12 μg/ml) and reducing the production of cellular ROS. Our results showed that Thα1 inhibits the migration of A549 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner after 24 and 48 h. Moreover, the effect of Thα1 on apoptosis was investigated by Hoechst 33342 staining and cell cycle analysis. Results demonstrated no significant effect on the induction of apoptosis in A549 cells. In conclusion, our results showed the antioxidant properties of Thα1 on A549 cancer cells.     

The melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole induces the activation of cellular stress responses and decreases viability of rat pancreatic stellate cells

In this study, we have examined the effects of luzindole, a melatonin receptor-antagonist, on cultured pancreatic stellate cells. Intracellular free-Ca²⁺ concentration, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell viability were analyzed. Stimulation of cells with the luzindole (1, 5, 10 and 50 μm ) evoked a slow and progressive increase in intracellular free Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) towards a plateau. The effect of the compound on Ca²⁺ mobilization depended on the concentration used. Incubation of cells with the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (1 μm ), in the absence of Ca²⁺ in the extracellular medium, induced a transient increase in [Ca²⁺]_i. In the presence of thapsigargin, the addition of luzindole to the cells failed to induce further mobilization of Ca²⁺. Luzindole induced a concentration-dependent increase in ROS generation, both in the cytosol and in the mitochondria. This effect was smaller in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. In the presence of luzindole the phosphorylation of p44/42 and p38 MAPKs was increased, whereas no changes in the phosphorylation of JNK could be noted. Moreover, the detection of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-sensor BiP was increased in the presence of luzindole. Finally, viability was decreased in cells treated with luzindole. Because cellular membrane receptors for melatonin have not been detected in pancreatic stellate cells, we conclude that luzindole could exert direct effects that are not mediated through its action on melatonin membrane receptors.