Gating modifier peptides as probes of pancreatic beta-cell physiology.

Pancreatic beta-cells depolarize in response to glucose and fire calcium-dependent actions potentials that trigger insulin secretion. The major current responsible for action potential repolarization in these cells is a delayed rectifier and Kv2.1 subunits are thought be a major contributor of the delayed rectifier channels. Hence, blockers of Kv2.1 channels might prolong action potentials and enhance calcium influx and insulin secretion. However, the lack of specific small molecule Kv2.1 inhibitors has hindered the testing of this mechanism. Importantly, several gating modifier peptides inhibit Kv2.1 channels in a relatively specific fashion. Hanatoxin (HaTX) and guangxitoxin-1 (GxTX-1) are examples that have been used to probe the role of Kv2.1 channels in beta-cell physiology. Both HaTX and GxTX-1 strongly inhibit the Kv current of beta-cells from various species, arguing that Kv2.1 subunits contribute significantly to the beta-cell delayed rectifier. GxTX-1 prolongs glucose-triggered action potentials, enhances glucose-dependent intracellular calcium elevations and augments glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Taken together, these data suggest that blockers of Kv2.1 channels may be a useful approach to the design of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These studies highlight the utility of gating modifier peptides in the study of physiological systems.     

推按运经仪为主治疗结石300例

采用推按运经仪加中药、耳穴贴压等综合治疗结石３００例，６０例肝胆结石中，治愈２８例，显效２０例，无效１２例，有效率８０％；２４０例泌尿系结石中，治愈１３６例，显效８８例，无效１６例，有效率９３．３％。     

玉郎伞提取物对大鼠自发性高血压的影响

目的：研究玉郎伞提取物(YLS)对自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)及正常大鼠血压(BP)的影响。方法：应用颈动脉插管测压法，连接MS2000多媒体生物信号记录系统测定静注YLS前及药后20s、30s、lmin、2min、5min时的收缩压(SP)、舒张压(DP)、平均动脉压(MP)。结果：YLS使SHR及正常大鼠血压明显降低(P＜0．01)，降压作用维持时间较短，给药后5min血压基本恢复正常；YLS对去甲肾上腺素(NA)和异丙肾上腺素（ISO)的作用无明显影响。结论：YLS对正常大鼠及SHR血压有明显的降低作用。     

hCG/ATP-induced Leydig cell calcium channel reaction at different extracellular calcium ion concentration

Objective: To study the calcium channel reaction of human Leydig cells induced by hCG/ATP at different extracellular calcium ion concentrations. Methods: The Leydig cell calcium ion concentration was examined with laser confocal microscope, when the cells were stimulated with hCG/ATP at different extracellular calcium contrations. Results: With calcium-containing extracellular fluid, the Leydig cells were sensitive to hCG stimulation and when the extracellular fluid was calcium-free, the Leydig cells did not respond to the stimulation. However, the Leydig cells did respond to ATP stimulation no matter the extracellular fluid contained calcium or not. Conclusion: In human Leydig cells, there are calcium channels sensitive to hCG and ATP. The extracellular calcium ion concentration plays an important role in the regulation of Leydig cell metabolism by hCG/ATP.     

Modulation of vertebrate neuronal calcium channels by transmitters

A large number of neurotransmitters have now been shown to reduce the amplitude and slow the activation kinetics of whole cell HVA I_Ca in a great diversity of neurons. These transmitters include l-glutamate (AMPA/kainate, metabotropic and NMDA receptors), G AB A (via GABA_B receptors, NA (via α₂ receptors), 5-HT, N A (via α₂ receptors), DA and several peptides. Both whole-cell and single-channel studies have demonstrated that the N-channel is the most common channel type to be blocked by transmitters, although an inhibition of the L-type channel has also occasionally been reported. The suppression of the N-type Ca current was commonly shown to be voltage-dependent, with a relief at large positive voltages. Strong evidence has been put forward showing that the transmitter action is mediated by a G-protein, with GDP-β-S blocking transmitter action, and GTP-γ-S directly inhibiting the Ca channel. Moreover, pertussis toxin blocked the transmitter action in most neurons, and following such block, injection of the G-protein G₀ restored transmitter action. A direct link between the G-protein and the Ca channel has been widely theorized to mediate the action of transmitters on certain neurons. There is also some evidence that certain transmitters in specific neurons mediate calcium channel inhibition through a 2nd messenger, perhaps protein kinase C.Transmitters have also been found, although uncommonly, to inhibit HVA L-type and LVA T-type channels. In addition, an enhancement of both HVA and LVA, Ca currents by transmitters has been demonstrated, and substantial evidence exists for mediation of this action by cAMP.     

Cobalt-dependent potentiation of net inward current density in Helix aspersa neurons.

A low concentration of transition metal ions Co2+ and Ni2+ increases the inward current density in neurons from the land snail Helix aspersa. The currents were measured using a single electrode voltage-clamp/internal perfusion method under conditions in which the external Na+ was replaced by Tris+, the predominant external current carrying cation was Ca2+, and the internal perfusate contained 120 mM Cs+/0 K+; 30 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) was added externally to block K+ current. In the presence of Co2+ (3 mM) or Ni2+ (0.5 mM) inward Ca2+ currents were stimulated normally by voltage-dependent activation of Ca2+ channels. There was a 5-10% decrease in the rate of rise of the inward current. The principal effect of Co2+ and Ni2+ in increasing the current density seems to be a decrease in the rate at which the inward currents decline during a depolarizing voltage pulse. The results may be due to a decrease in a voltage-dependent or Ca(2+)-dependent outward current and/or an inhibition of Ca2+ channel inactivation. Outward current under these conditions (zero internal K+) was significant and most likely due to Cs+ efflux through the voltage-activated or Ca(2+)-activated nonspecific cation channels. Co2+ is an extremely effective blocker of this outward current. These results are not an artifact of internal perfusion or the special ionic conditions. Intracellular recording of unperfused neurons in normal Helix Ringer's solution showed that the Ca(2+)-dependent action potential duration was increased significantly by low concentrations of Co2+. This result is consistant with the Co(2+)-dependent increase in inward (depolarizing) current seen in voltage-clamp experiments.     

Inward rectifying potassium channels in human malignant glioma cells

Human glioma cells obtained from established cell lines (Tp-276MG, Tp-301MG, Tp-378MG, Tp-483MG and U-251MG) were analyzed for the presence of ion channels with the tight-seal voltage clamp technique. The current-voltage relation revealed a marked inward rectification at hyperpolarizing voltages, due to the presence of inward rectifying K-channels in cells from all studied cell lines. These channels were conducting when the membrane potential was more negative than the K-equilibrium potential. The slope conductance for the inward K-currents (g_Ki) was affected both by [K⁺]_i and [K⁺]₀. g_Ki was proportional to [K⁺]₀ raised to 0.35 or 0.50, of which the larger value was measured in the presence of low [K⁺]_i (25mM). The rectification was not significantly different in cells perfused with Mg-free EDTA-buffered internal solution. Tl⁺ was 3.5 times more permaant than K⁺. g_ki was blocked by Cs⁺ (1 mM) in a voltage-dependent way (more effective in the hyperpolarized membrane), and by Na⁺ (154 mM) depending on voltage and time. From measurements of unitary current events in membrane patches (outside out or cell attached) the conductance of the single inward rectifying channel was estimated to be 27 ± 7 pS. This type of ion channel may be important for K-uptake by glial cells and hence for the K-homeostasis in the brain.     

大豆总皂甙对培养心肌细胞自发性搏动与动作电位的影响

培养Wistar大鼠乳鼠的心室肌细胞,向培养基中分别加入浓度为1.56μg/ml至50μg/ml的大豆皂甙,可使心肌细胞群落的自发性搏动呈剂量依赖性抑制。洗脱大豆皂甙或向培养基中再加入10μg/ml肾上腺素均能使自发性搏动恢复。向培养基中加入大豆皂甙5μg/ml使心肌细胞动作电位的波幅、波宽、超射、最大舒张电位、阈电位、最大除极速度等各电参数立即减小。Ca~(2+)80μg/ml能使动作电位的抑制逆转。上述结果表明大豆皂甙对培养的鼠心肌细胞具有钙通道阻滞用。     

Inhibition of rat hippocampal excitability by the plant alkaloid 3-acetylaconitine mediated by interaction with voltage-dependent sodium channels

The effects of the Aconitum alkaloid 3-acetylaconitine on neuronal activity were investigated in the slice preparation and on cultivated neurons of rat hippocampus by extracellular and patch-clamp recordings, respectively. 3-Acetylaconitine (0.01–1 μM) diminished the orthodromic and antidromic population spike in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory action of the drug was preceded by a transiently enhanced excitability. The latency of onset of the inhibition was accelerated by increased stimulation frequency, whereas recovery during washout of the alkaloid was accelerated by decreased stimulation frequency. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of 3-acetylaconitine was evaluated in two different models of epileptiform activity induced either by blockade of GABA receptors by bicuculline (10 μM) or by a nominal Mg²⁺-free bathing medium. In accordance with the activity-dependent mode of action, this compound abolished the synaptically evoked population spikes in the presence of bicuculline or nominal Mg²⁺-free bathing medium, respectively. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed an interaction of 3-acetylaconitine with the voltage-dependent sodium channel. At a concentration of 1 μM, 3-acetylaconitine did not affect the peak amplitude of the sodium current, but shifted the current-voltage relationship in the hyperpolarized direction such that sodium currents were already activated at the resting potential. Received: 22 July 1996 / Accepted: 14 October 1996     

吡那地尔对体外培养大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞缺氧缺糖损伤的保护作用

目的 :探讨ATP敏感性K+ 通道 (KATP)开放剂吡那地尔 (pinacidil,Pin)对缺氧缺糖再复氧损伤大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞的保护作用。方法 :体外培养大鼠大脑皮层神经细胞 ,细胞培养至 10d ,建立神经细胞缺氧缺糖损伤模型 ,观察Pin及KATP阻断剂格列苯脲对缺氧缺糖不同时间 ,再复氧 2 4h后细胞死亡率、丙二醛 (MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)活力的影响。结果 :缺氧缺糖、再复氧后大鼠的神经细胞死亡率均显著升高、MDA生成增多、SOD的活力下降 ,Pin干预后 ,细胞死亡率下降、MDA生成减少、SOD的活力升高 ;格列苯脲能拮抗Pin这种保护作用。结论 :Pin对缺氧缺糖损伤神经细胞具有保护作用 ,并与拮抗氧自由基有关