Basal Calcium Levels Research Articles

Changes in cytosolic resting ionized calcium level and in calcium transients during in vitro development of normal and Duchenne muscular dystrophy cultured skeletal muscle measured by laser cytofluorimetry using Indo-1

Intracellular calcium activity was recorded during in vitro myogenesis of human normal and DMD muscle, using the calcium probe Indo-1 under laser illumination, at rest and during different kinds of stimulation (acetylcholine, high K +, caffeine). In myoblasts, the resting intracellular calcium level was significantly larger in DMD cells (89 ± 9 nM; n = 40 vs 37 ± 5 nM; n = 22) but there was no significant difference in myotubes, after fusion (44 ± 4 nM; n = 34 vs 36 ± 4 nM; n = 52). A similar evolution was observed in cells cultured from FSH biopsies. The amplitude of ACh- and high K +-induced calcium transients was significantly halved in DMD myotubes as compared to control ones and non-significantly decreased for caffeine responses. Some alterations in the kinetics of responses were observed in DMD muscle: the rising phases of ACh- and high K +-elicited transients and the decaying phase of the ACh-responses were significantly slowed down. It is concluded that: (i) in aneurally cultured human muscle, an increase in the basal level of internal calcium can occur at early stages of myogenesis before the expression of the dystrophin gene; and (ii) the changes in calcium transients induced by depolarization or direct stimulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum are not susceptible of inducing a calcium overload in DMD cells.

Nucleotides mobilize intracellular calcium stores of renal proximal cells in primary culture: Existence of a suramin-sensitive mechanism

Changes of intracellular calcium concentrations [Ca 2+] i were measured in primary cultured rabbit proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). A dual-excitation, digital-imaging inverted microscope was used to monitor the fura-2 fluorescence. The basal calcium level was 106 ± 11 nM (n = 36) . The stimulatory effects of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine were studied. ATP and ADP induced transient increases of [Ca 2+] i ( 1059 ± 115% of the resting level ( n = 29), and 659 ± 134% (n = 10), respectively) by releasing calcium from cytoplasmic stores. Adenosine had less effect ( 279 ± 48% of the resting level, n = 3). In the same conditions the ATP antagonist suramin (100 μM) inhibited the action of ATP and ADP to 231 ± 52% (n = 3), and 308 ± 29% (n = 4) of the resting level, respectively, but did not modify that of adenosine ( 281 ± 72%, n = 3). A pretreatment (500 ng/ml for 2 h at 37°C) of the culture with the toxin of Bordetella pertussis completely blocked the ATP response. Our results are evidence for the presence of a functional suramin-sensitive ATP and ADP puriceptor in cultured renal proximal cells. A pertussis-toxin-sensitive G protein is linked to the transduction mechanism. This receptor is distinct from an adenosine puriceptor also found in the proximal monolayer.

Intracellular calcium levels during the period of delayed excitotoxicity

Intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) among cultured hippocampal neurons were monitored during and in the hours following an excitotoxic glutamate application to determine the time course of changes involved in delayed excitotoxicity. After a 5 min toxic insult, [Ca2+]i increased immediately and remained elevated for an hour. Subsequently, [Ca2+]i declined to normal resting levels and remained so up to 13 hr following insult. Only a few neurons displayed greatly elevated [Ca2+]i at these extended times. Survival experiments in sister cultures indicated that 85% of the neurons died after 24 hr. Therefore, intracellular calcium returned to baseline levels prior to neuronal death. Additionally, during this period when basal calcium levels had recovered, the majority of neurons responded to a second excitatory amino acid application with a second increase in [Ca2+]i.

Parathyroid Hormone Increases Cytosolic Calcium of Thymocytes

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been implicated in the genesis of the abnormalities of the immune system in uremia. This action was attributed to the ability of PTH to augment entry of calcium and hence sustain an elevation of the basal level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the cells of the immune system. However, direct evidence for such an action of the hormone on these cells is lacking. We examined whether PTH affects [Ca2+]i of rat thymocytes and the potential mechanisms of such an effect. 1-84 PTH (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 x 10(-7) M) increased [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner by 31 +/- 2.6, 73 +/- 3.8, and 128 +/- 10.8 nM, respectively. 1-34 PTH had no effect. The various doses of PTH antagonist ([Tyr-34] bPTH (7-34)NH2) blocked the PTH-induced rise in [Ca2+]i by 41-67%. Dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphatase (cAMP), forskolin and phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) also produced a significant rise in [Ca2+]i of thymocytes. Verapamil blocked the PTH action by 44% but had no effect on the dibutyryl-cAMP-, forskolin- or TPA-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. Absence of calcium in the media abolished the PTH-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and significantly reduced that of dibutyryl cAMP. Staurosporine completely prevented the TPA-induced rise in [Ca2+]i but had no effect on that produced by PTH. 1-84 PTH in the presence of calcium in the medium produced a significant rise in thymocyte cAMP but had no effect in the absence of calcium in the media.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential actions of endothelin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in pituitary gonadotrophs.

Endothelin (ET) and GnRH act through specific receptors to promote Ca2+ mobilization and influx pathways in pituitary gonadotrophs. In the present study cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and secretory responses to these two agonists are compared. In single gonadotrophs, low concentrations of both agonists cause oscillatory [Ca2+]i responses after a latent period. Such responses usually consist of discrete transients arising from the normal resting level, but are sometimes super-imposed on an elevated basal calcium level. At high doses, ET-1 and GnRH induce biphasic responses, composed of a spike phase followed by a plateau that often shows high frequency and low amplitude Ca2+ transients. The duration of the latent period and the frequency of the subsequent oscillations are correlated, and both are dependent on agonist concentration. The frequencies and amplitudes of Ca2+ spiking are also interrelated; increases in frequency are followed by more rapid decreases in the amplitude of the Ca2+ transients. After K(+)-induced depolarization, gonadotrophs retain their oscillatory Ca2+ responses to ET-1 and GnRH, with the same frequency as controls. Activation of protein kinase-C by phorbol esters does not alter the frequency of ET-induced Ca2+ transients, but significantly reduces their amplitudes. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar concentrations of thapsigargin converts ET-induced oscillations into a biphasic response, suggesting that Ca(2+)-ATPase in the endoplasmic reticulum participates in the oscillatory mechanism. The two agonists differ in their threshold doses and concentration dependence, ET being significantly less potent than GnRH. Also, gonadotrophs stimulated by ET-1 exhibit different post-treatment responsiveness than those exposed to GnRH. While GnRH-treated cells recover their full [Ca2+]i and secretory responses within 30 min as well as normal [Ca2+]i and secretory responses to ET-1, endothelin-treated cells are refractory to further stimulation with ET and exhibit either attenuated or enhanced Ca2+ and LH responses to GnRH, depending on the duration of exposure to ET-1 and the subsequent recovery period. These data indicate that both receptors use the same mechanism(s) for Ca2+ release, but have different capacities to generate, maintain, and reinitiate the Ca2+ signal.

Chronology of cellular events leading to derangements in function of pancreatic islets in chronic renal failure.

In chronic renal failure (CRF), a multitude of metabolic derangements occur in the pancreatic islets, resulting in impaired glucose-induced insulin secretion. These abnormalities include a rise in the basal level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in the islet, a decrease in their basal and stimulated ATP and ATP/ADP ratio, a reduction in the Vmax of Ca2+ATPase and Na(+)-K+ATPase, and an impaired glucose-induced calcium signal. The sequence of events that lead to these derangements and to the impairment in insulin secretion during the evolution of CRF are not defined. The study presented here examined this issue by measuring the metabolic profile of pancreatic islets weekly during the evolution of CRF over a period of 6 wk. The results show that serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) begin to rise during the first week of CRF. The Vmax of Ca2+ATPase and Na(+)-K+ATPase increased during weeks 1 to 3 of CRF but fell to low levels thereafter. At week 3 of CRF, the basal level of [Ca2+]i began to rise, whereas basal and the stimulated ATP content and ATP/ADP ratio started to fall. Glucose-induced calcium signal, delta[Ca2+]i/basal [Ca2+]i, and insulin secretion became abnormally low between weeks 3 and 6 of CRF. The data allow the following formulation: as serum levels of PTH begins to rise, calcium entry into islets is augmented; this in turn will stimulate the activity of Ca2+ATPase and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger, and hence, calcium extrusion out of the islets is increased. As a result, [Ca2+] remains normal during the first 2 wk of CRF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evolution of metabolic and functional derangements of pancreatic islets in phosphate depletion.

Phosphate depletion (PD) causes a rise in basal level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) of pancreatic islets, a decrease in their basal and stimulated ATP content, a reduction in the maximum velocity (Vmax) of Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na(+)-K+ ATPase, impaired glucose-induced calcium signal and decreased glucose-induced insulin secretion. The sequence of events that lead to these derangements during the evolution of PD are not defined. The present study examined this issue by measuring the metabolic and functional profile of pancreatic islets weekly during the evolution of PD over a period of 6 weeks, and whether phosphate repletion reverses these abnormalities. The results show that initial abnormalities are a rise in Vmax of Ca2+ ATPase and modest rise in basal [Ca2+]i. This was followed by a fall in basal and stimulated ATP content. With the fall in ATP content, the Vmax of Ca2+ ATPase and Na(+)-K+ ATPase decreases and the rise in [Ca2+]i becomes more pronounced. A decrease in glucose-induced insulin secretion becomes evident with the fall in ATP, the decrease in glucose-induced calcium signal, and/or delta[Ca2+]i/basal[Ca2+]i. All functional and metabolic derangements of the pancreatic islets returned to normal after phosphate repletion. Taken together, our data are consistent with the notion that PD is associated with an initial increase in calcium influx into the islets. This is followed by modest but significant rise in [Ca2+]i which, in turn, would inhibit mitochondrial oxidation and ATP generation leading to a decrease in ATP content. The latter compromises the activity of Ca2+ ATPase and Na(+)-K+ ATPase which are involved, directly or indirectly, in calcium extrusion out of the islets. The increased influx of calcium combined with decreased calcium extrusion is followed by a further rise in basal levels of [Ca2+]i. This sequence of events continues until a steady state is reached and is characterized by reduced basal and stimulated ATP content, reduced Vmax of Ca2+ ATPase and Na(+)-K+ ATPase and elevated basal level of [Ca2+]i. Phosphate repletion reverses all these abnormalities.

Induction of protein kinase C down-regulation by the phorbol ester TPA in a calpain/protein kinase C complex.

Using a calpain/protein kinase C (PKC) complex, we were able to reproduce, in vitro, the induction of PKC down-regulation by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) which had been previously observed in cells. We show that TPA initiates this phenomenon by promoting a calpain-dependent conversion of PKC to the Ca2+ phospholipid-independent protein kinase M (PKM), at physiological calcium concentrations. This effect of TPA was dependent upon the presence of phosphatidylserine and was observed only when PKC was the substrate for the protease, inactivation of calpain by autolysis not being modified by the presence of TPA. Moreover, PKM generated from the calpain-PKC complex was resistant to calpain, even after addition of TPA. These results suggest that TPA induces a conformational change in PKC, increasing the affinity of the kinase for calpain and consequently permitting its proteolysis for the basal level of calcium in cells.

Humoral factor, intraplatelet calcium, and hypertension.

Plasma humoral factors which modulate the transmembrane distribution of sodium and calcium have been identified in hypertensive patients and have been hypothesized to be involved in the etiology of essential hypertension. In cross-incubation experiments, we have found that plasma of hypertensive subjects elevated basal and stimulated intraplatelet calcium levels, while plasma of normal subjects has an opposite effect on platelets from hypertensives. Basal intraplatelet calcium in normal platelets was 108 +/- 5 nmol/L and rose to 142 +/- 3 nmol/L (P less than .001) after incubation in plasma from hypertensive patients. Platelets from hypertensive patients had basal calcium levels of 182 +/- 11 nmol/L which fell to 127 +/- 11 nmol/L (P less than .01) after incubation in normal plasma. Hypertensive plasma potentiated the rise in intraplatelet calcium in response to ADP and PAF. Hypertensive patients treated experimentally with plasmapheresis exhibited a disappearance of the plasma factor responsible for elevating intraplatelet calcium. These results indicate the presence of a plasma humoral factor in hypertensives which elevates intraplatelet calcium and sensitizes platelets to agonist stimuli.

Oxytocin at physiological concentrations evokes adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release from corticotrophs by increasing intracellular free calcium mobilized mainly from intracellular stores. Oxytocin displays synergistic or additive effects on ACTH-releasing factor or arginine vasopressin-induced ACTH secretion, respectively.

The potency of oxytocin (OT) in evoking ACTH secretion by isolated, superfused rat adenohypophyseal corticotrophs and its enhancement by CRF and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were analyzed. Each secretagogue effectively released ACTH from adenohypophyseal cells when added separately in pulsatile fashion in physiological concentrations based on hypophyseal portal blood (OT, 10 nM; AVP, 0.5 nM; CRF, 0.1 nM). OT released ACTH at concentrations as low as 1 nM. Moreover, a dose-response relationship up to 10 microM was revealed. Combinations of a constant amount of CRF (0.1 nM) with increasing concentrations of OT exerted a synergistic effect on ACTH release. In contrast, OT given in various concentrations in combination with AVP (0.5 nM) produced an additive effect on ACTH release. To study the mechanism of action of OT on ACTH secretion, cytosolic free calcium levels in single pituitary cells exposed to OT or AVP were measured using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Corticotrophs among mixed adenohypophyseal cell types in the primary cultures were identified by immunocytochemistry. More than 500 cells were individually stimulated with OT or AVP. Basal cytosolic free calcium levels ranged between 80-130 nM free calcium. The addition of 100 nM OT or 1 microM AVP increased the cytosolic free calcium concentration within 3 sec to values ranging from 500-800 nM. An increase in intracellular calcium ranging from 200-500 nM due to OT could still be observed after extracellular calcium depletion. Taken together, our data demonstrate that physiological concentrations of OT stimulate ACTH secretion, independent of the other ACTH secretagogues, by mobilizing calcium mainly from intracellular stores.

Concentration of plasma calcium in response to human calcitonin in female rats during aging.

The effects of aging and estradiol on the concentration of plasma calcium in response to human calcitonin (hCT) were investigated in rats. Old (20 months) and young (2 months) female rats were catheterized via the right jugular vein and the left femoral vein before an infusion of 1 nM hCT (0.1 ml/min) into the left femoral vein. Young ovariectomized (Ovx) rats were injected subcutaneously with estradiol benzoate (EB, 25 micrograms/kg) or oil once daily for 3 days before hCT challenge. Blood samples were collected from the jugular catheter before and after the hCT infusion. The basal level of plasma calcium was not affected by age. The infusion of 1 nM hCT decreased the plasma calcium concentration by 18% in old and by 29% in young female rats. The post-infusion levels of plasma calcium were comparatively higher in old rats than in young rats (p less than .05 at 30 min and p less than .02 at 90 min). In young rats, the responses of plasma calcium to hCT infusion were reduced after ovariectomy. Short-term estrogen injection, however, did not restore the sensitivity of young Ovx rats to the CT infusion. These findings suggest that the plasma calcium level in response to calcitonin is decreased in rats during aging. The reduction of the hypocalcemic effect of calcitonin in old female rats at least was estradiol-independent.

Circadian rhythm of red blood parameters in rats after carotid glomectomy

It is shown that nitroglycerin has a calcium-blocking property in human platelets both at basal and ADP-induced calcium level, determined by fluorescence techniques (Fura-2). The study demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of nitroglycerin on calcium rise, induced by ADP. 30-min preincubation with 60 microM nitroglycerin increased IC50 from 44 (without preincubation) to 320 microM, indicating the development of nitrate tolerance. It was suggested, that human platelet may be used as an experimental model of nitrate tolerance.

Flow cytometric analysis of opposite effects of a monokine on proliferation and differentiation of murine B lymphocytes

A 35,000 mw factor able to replace macrophages (FRM) in the induction of the in vitro antibody response to sheep erythrocytes has been isolated from the supernatant of murine resident peritoneal macrophage cultures. Purified FRM, when added at the outset of cultures, induced B cells to generate an antigen-specific antibody response. The signals provided by FRM in the process of B cell activation were analyzed using a polyclonal model. Cell cycle analysis by multiparameter flow cytometry after acridine orange staining showed that FRM, on its own, did not trigger the transition of B cells from the G0 to the G1 stage of the cell cycle. In addition, FRM affected neither the basal intracellular free calcium level ([Ca2+]i) nor the rapid increase in [Ca2+]i induced by crosslinking of membrane immunoglobulin (mIgM) with anti-mu antibodies. In parallel with its positive effect on B cell differentiation, FRM markedly reduced both proliferation and cell cycle progression of B cells stimulated with anti-mu plus interleukin 4 (IL-4). Indeed, the addition of FRM to such cultures led to a preferential accumulation of cells in the early G1 compartment of the cell cycle and to a decreased frequency of cells in all other phases including G1B, S and G2/M.

Intracellular signalling in the ovine pars tuberalis: an investigation using aluminium fluoride and melatonin.

The effect of aluminium fluoride (AlF4-) has been studied on inositol phosphate accumulation, calcium mobilization, cyclic AMP production and [2-125I]iodomelatonin binding in ovine pars tuberalis cells. These cells have high-affinity receptors for, and respond to, melatonin through inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase. In the presence of 10 mM LiCl, AlF4- stimulated the net accumulation of inositol monophosphate and inositol bisphosphate. Consistent with these findings, AlF4- increased intracellular calcium; although this response was attenuated in calcium-depleted medium, indicating that the calcium response comprises both intracellular and extracellular components. Melatonin was ineffective on either basal or AlF4(-)-stimulated turnover of inositol phosphates. In concordance with the inositol phosphate response, melatonin had no effect on either the AlF4(-)-stimulated or the basal calcium levels. AlF4- blocked the increase in cyclic AMP stimulation by 1 microM forskolin, being as effective as melatonin, achieving approximately 90% inhibition. AlF4- also attenuated the binding of [2-125I]iodomelatonin to ovine pars tuberalis membranes by 15%. At the concentration used, these results are consistent with the interpretation that AlF4- activates many G protein-mediated responses, and thus imply that the inhibitory pathway for cyclic AMP predominates over the stimulatory arm, whereas there can only be a stimulatory pathway linked to phosphoinositide metabolism in ovine pars tuberalis cells.

Verapamil Prevents the Metabolic and Functional Derangements in Pancreatic Islets of Chronic Renal Failure Rats*

Glucose-induced insulin secretion is impaired in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF), and this defect is due to PTH-induced derangement in the metabolism of pancreatic islets, including an elevated basal level of intracellular calcium, low basal ATP content, low glucose-stimulated ATP and ATP/ADP ratio, and decreased maximum velocity of Ca(2+)-ATPase. Chronic treatment of CRF rats with verapamil prevented the impairment of insulin secretion. The present study examined the mechanism through which verapamil exerts this action. CRF rats treated with verapamil had high levels of serum PTH, but normal basal ATP content, a greater rise in ATP and ATP/ADP ratio after exposure to glucose, normal intracellular calcium and higher maximum velocity of Ca(2+)-ATPase. The results demonstrate that treatment of CRF rats with verapamil was associated with marked improvement or normalization of the CRF-induced metabolic derangements in pancreatic islets despite no effect on the serum level of PTH. The data are consistent with the notion that verapamil prevents the derangements in insulin secretion in CRF rats by blocking the action of PTH on the islets.

Nicorandil reduces the basal level of cytosolic free calcium in single guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Using fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2 and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques, we examined the effect of 2-nicotinamidoethyl nitrate (nicorandil) on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and electrical properties in single guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Nicorandil (10 nM approximately 1 mM) reduced the resting level [Ca2+]i monitored as fura-2 fluorescence ratio in a concentration-dependent manner. Dibutyryl guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP), a membrane permeable cyclic GMP analogue, mimicked the nicorandil action. Neither application of caffeine (10 mM) nor deprivation of extracellular Na+ ions could prevent the nicorandil action on [Ca2+]i. In contrast, the nicorandil effect was virtually blocked by sodium orthovanadate (40 microM), a Ca2+ pumping ATPase inhibitor. During electrophysiological experiments, nicorandil shortened action potential durations (205 +/- 80 ms to 153 +/- 76 ms) by increasing a glibenclamide-sensitive outward K+ conductance. However, the drug produced little hyperpolarization (approximately 2 mV) because the resting potential of ventricular myocytes was close to the K+ equilibrium potential. The involvement of voltage-dependent Ca-channel current and Na-Ca exchanger was considered to be minimal under physiological conditions. It is thus concluded that nicorandil decreases basal [Ca2+]i via cyclic GMP-mediated activation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.

Impaired glucose-induced calcium signal in pancreatic islets in chronic renal failure.

Basal level of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) is elevated in islets of rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). The high [Ca2+]i level was implicated in the impaired insulin secretion of CRF, and its effect is due, in part, to a reduction in ATP content and impaired glucose metabolism by the islets. However, elevated [Ca2+]i may interfere with insulin secretion via another pathway. Exposure of the islets to glucose causes an acute rise in [Ca2+]i which generates events leading to insulin secretion. It is possible that a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i interferes with the magnitude of glucose-induced calcium signal and the ratio between this signal and basal [Ca2+]i. We examined this question in normal, CRF, normocalcemic CRF-PTX rats and in CRF rats treated with verapamil (CRF-V). Basal [Ca2+]i was higher (p less than 0.01) in CRF (130 +/- 7.0 nM) than in normal (82 +/- 5.5 nM), CRF-PTX (75 +/- 3.6 nM) and CRF-V rats (84 +/- 3.8 nM). Glucose-induced calcium signal (95 +/- 10.4 nM) and the ratio between this signal and basal [Ca2+]i (0.73 +/- 0.07) in CRF rats were lower (p less than 0.01) than in normal (153 +/- 14.4 nM; 1.90 +/- 0.24), CRF-PTX (130 +/- 16.7 nM; 1.75 +/- 0.25) and CRF-V (124 +/- 5.8 nM; 1.90 +/- 0.12) rats despite high PTH in the latter. The data indicate that a sustained rise in [Ca2+]i of islets interferes with the glucose-induced calcium signal which in turn plays a role in impaired insulin secretion.

Single-channel and Fura-2 analysis of internal Ca2+ oscillations in HeLa cells: contribution of the receptor-evoked Ca2+ influx and effect of internal pH

Patch-clamp and Fura-2 experiments were performed in order to investigate the calcium oscillations due to H1 receptor stimulation in HeLa cells. The cytosolic calcium fluctuations occurring directly at the plasma membrane inner face were detected by measuring the activity of calcium-dependent potassium channels. This method also allowed measurement of changes in intracellular potential using as indicator the amplitude of the channel current jump. The average internal calcium concentration was obtained from Fura-2 experiments carried out at either the single-cell level or from a small population of cells in monolayer. The results indicate that the internal calcium oscillations in HeLa cells arise from a biphasic process with an initial phase independent of the presence of external calcium. External calcium was found, however, to become essential once the regular oscillatory process has been established. Removing external calcium after this initial phase produced a rapid decay in the burst frequency and eventually a complete abolition of the oscillations. In addition, the calcium oscillations occurring during the external-calcium-dependent phase could be blocked by calcium entry blockers such as Co2+ or La3+, or abolished by perfusing the external medium with a high-K+ solution. Experiments were also performed in which the cell internal pH (pHi) was changed by removing the external bicarbonate or by adding NH4Cl to the bathing solution. The results obtained under these conditions indicate that an increase in internal pH abolishes selectively the appearance of calcium spikes without increasing the basal calcium level, while a cellular acidification maintains or stimulates the calcium oscillatory process. It was also observed that the inhibitory effect of alkaline pH was independent of external calcium, and that calcium oscillations could always be seen at alkaline pH during the initial phase of histamine stimulation. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the internal calcium oscillations in HeLa cells depend on the release of calcium from internal pools, which are reloaded via a pH-dependent mechanism. Part of the calcium sequestration occurring during the oscillatory process would be carried out, however, by pH-insensitive calcium compartments.

Calcitonin inhibition of growth hormone-releasing hormone-induced GH secretion in normal men

Calcitonin has been shown to modulate pituitary hormone secretion in a variety of ways. In this study we examined the effects of a salmon calcitonin infusion on GHRH-induced GH secretion in 5 normal men. In addition, in vitro experiments were performed using primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells in order to examine whether there is a direct pituitary effect of CT. Infusion of CT significantly blunted the GH response to GHRH in all subjects without affecting basal GH secretion or plasma calcium levels. Infusion of CT was accompanied by significant increases in ACTH, beta-endorphin, cortisol and free fatty acid levels, and by a significant decrease in serum insulin levels. The addition of CT to primary cultures of rat pituitary cells did not alter basal or stimulated secretion of GH or ACTH. These results indicate that: 1) CT blunts the GH response to GHRH; 2) CT infusion results in the stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and 3) this effect is probably exerted at the hypothalamic level, since no direct activity of CT was documented in vitro on either GH or ACTH secretion.

Platelet intracellular free calcium concentration in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies in the human.

1. Basal and stimulated platelet intracellular free calcium concentrations were measured in non-pregnant women and in third trimester patients who were either normotensive or who had pregnancy-induced hypertension or pre-eclampsia. There were 15 subjects in each group. 2. A trend for a reduction of the maximal response of platelet calcium levels to stimulation by 5-hydroxytryptamine was seen in pregnant groups compared with nonpregnant subjects, but this was significant only in pre-eclampsia. 3. No significant differences in basal or adenosine 5'-pyrophosphate-stimulated levels of platelet intracellular free calcium concentration were observed between the four groups. 4. These results illustrate that basal platelet calcium levels are unchanged in hypertension of pregnancy. Alterations in basal platelet calcium levels may not be involved in the platelet activation that is a feature of pre-eclampsia.