Effect of low-concentration ozone on calcium channels in fetal rat spinal cord neurons in vitro

Abstract

Objective To investigete the effect of low-concentration ozone （O3） on voltage-gated calcium channels in fetal rat spinal cord neurons in vitro. Methods The spinal cord neurons were cultured in vitro and identified by immunohistochemistry staining. Then the cells were seeded into the culture dish and randomly divided into 3 groups： control group （group C, n = 5）, O3 15 μg/ml （group O3-15, n = 4） and O3 20 μg/ml group （group O3-20, n = 8）. The cells were exposed to O3 15 and 20 μg/ml in group O3-15 and O3-20 respectively, while the cells were exposed to air in group C. After 20 min incubation, the electrophysiological activity of calcium channels in neurons was recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Results Peak calcium current density was significantly increased in group O3-15 and O3-20 compared with group C （ P 〈 0.05）. Half-activation voltage was significantly lower in group O3-15 and O3-20 than in group C （ P 〈 0.05）. Peak calcium current density was significantly higher in group O3 -20 than in group O3-15 （ P 〈 0.05） . There was no significant difference in half-inactivation voltage among the three groups （ P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion Low concentration of O3 can make the activation of the calcium ion channel easy in fetal rat spinal cord neurons in vitro. Key words: Ozone; Calcium channels; Spinal cord; Neurons