Mmol Ca Research Articles

Optimum Electrolyte Composition of a Dialysis Solution

In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) for end-stage renal failure, the optimum electrolyte composition of a dialysis solution is that which best serves the homeostatic needs of the body. Comparing the transperitoneal removal of electrolytes by conventional PD solutions (CPDSs) with that by normal kidneys, it is evident that peritoneal removal is in the lower range of what can be considered "normal." Given the electrolyte composition of CPDSs and a total dwell volume of 4 exchanges of 2 L each, approximately 90 mmol NaCl, 40 mmol K(+), 10 - 15 mmol HPO(4)(-) and 1 - 2 mmol Ca(2+) can be removed daily [plus 1 L ultrafiltration (UF)]. Na(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+) are supplied in CPDSs in concentrations close to their plasma concentrations, which makes their removal almost entirely dependent on UF. In UF failure (UFF), plasma levels of the foregoing ions will tend to rise, producing a higher diffusion gradient to compensate for their defective UF removal. Peritoneal removal of HCO(3)(-), HPO(4)(-), and K(+) are usually quite efficient because of the zero CPDS concentrations of these ions. Approximately 150 mmol HCO(3)(-) is lost daily with CPDSs, compensated for by the addition of 30 - 40 mmol/L lactate, or, with the use of multi-compartment bags, bicarbonate instead. However, a mixture of bicarbonate and lactate should be preferred as a buffer, to avoid intracellular acidosis from high levels of pCO(2) in the dialysis fluid. For patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) without UFF and with some residual renal function, PD fluid concentrations of Na(+) 130 - 133 mmol/L, Ca(2+) 1.25 - 1.35 mmol/L, and Mg(2+) 0.25 - 0.3 mmol/L seem appropriate. With reduced UF after a few years of PD, the removal of fluid and electrolytes often becomes deficient. Dietary salt restriction can be prescribed, but it is hard to implement. The use of low-Na(+) solution (LNa) is a potential alternative. The reduction in osmolality resulting from Na(+) removal in LNa should preferably be compensated by the addition of glucose (G). In a recent study, a regimen including 1 LNa exchange daily (Na(+) 115 mmol/L) in a G-compensated solution showed very promising effects on blood pressure and fluid status. However, large-scale randomized controlled studies have to be performed to definitively settle the role of LNa in volume-overloaded patients.

Microbial photosynthesis in coral reef sediments (Heron Reef, Australia)

We investigated microphytobenthic photosynthesis at four stations in the coral reef sediments at Heron Reef, Australia. The microphytobenthos was dominated by diatoms, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria, as indicated by biomarker pigment analysis. Conspicuous algae firmly attached to the sand grains (ca. 100 μm in diameter, surrounded by a hard transparent wall) were rich in peridinin, a marker pigment for dinoflagellates, but also showed a high diversity based on cyanobacterial 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Specimens of these algae that were buried below the photic zone exhibited an unexpected stimulation of respiration by light, resulting in an increase of local oxygen concentrations upon darkening. Net photosynthesis of the sediments varied between 1.9 and 8.5 mmol O 2 m −2 h −1 and was strongly correlated with Chl a content, which lay between 31 and 84 mg m −2. An estimate based on our spatially limited dataset indicates that the microphytobenthic production for the entire reef is in the order of magnitude of the production estimated for corals. Photosynthesis stimulated calcification at all investigated sites (0.2–1.0 mmol Ca 2+ m −2 h −1). The sediments of at least three stations were net calcifying. Sedimentary N 2-fixation rates (measured by acetylene reduction assays at two sites) ranged between 0.9 to 3.9 mmol N 2 m −2 h −1 and were highest in the light, indicating the importance of heterocystous cyanobacteria. In coral fingers no N 2-fixation was measurable, which stresses the importance of the sediment compartment for reef nitrogen cycling.

Estimation of tree biomass of Norway spruce forest in the Plešné Lake catchment, the Bohemian Forest

This paper evaluates the total biomass and pools of major nutrients and ecologically important metals of the tree layer in the catchment of Plesne jezero (PL) in the Bohemian Forest (Sumava, Czech Republic), and compares them to analogous data on understory vegetation and soils. The results are based on field measurements and semi-automatic image analyses of aerial orthophotographs. The tree layer was relatively sparse with open canopy in some parts of the catchment. Stand density varied between 44 and 328 individuals per hectare. The catchment weighted mean total biomass of trees was 134 t ha−1 dry weight, of which needles, branches, roots, and stems represented 5%, 10%, 14%, and 71%, respectively. The stem wood and bark represented 67% and 4%, respectively, of the total tree biomass. The catchment weighted mean element pools were 568 and 3.0 mol m−2 (i.e., 68 and 0.42 t ha−1) for C and N, respectively. The other pools were 76 mmol P m−2, 602 mmol Ca m−2, 133 mmol Mg m−2, 39 mmol Na m−2, 347 mmol K m−2, 19 mmol Al m−2, 6.2 mmol Fe m−2, and 35 mmol Mn m−2. The element pools accumulated in the tree biomass represented from < 1% (Al, Fe) to 37% (C) of their total pools (soil + tree layer + understory vegetation) in the catchment. Pools of Ca and Mg in the tree biomass were similar to their exchangeable pools in the catchment soils, while those of K were 3 times higher. Nutrient (N, P, Ca, Mg, and K) and C pools in the tree biomass were 2–11 times higher than those in the understory vegetation, with the minimum for P and maximum for C.

Enhanced trabecular-bone calcium deposition in female rats with a high physiological dose of prolactin diminishes after ovariectomy

Although an increase in trabecular-bone calcium deposition has been shown to be regulated by prolactin during lactation, the physiological significance of prolactin in bone calcium metabolism in nonlactating rats remains unclear. This investigation sought to demonstrate the effects of endogenous prolactin and a high physiological dose of exogenous prolactin on bone turnover and bone calcium deposition in normal female rats, using the 45Ca-labeling technique. Our results showed that suppression of endogenous prolactin with 6 mg/kg bromocriptine for 15 days significantly enhanced bone formation, but not bone resorption, in primarily trabecular sites, resulting in a significant increase in calcium deposition in the sternum and vertebrae, from -0.20+/-0.07 to 0.40+/-0.09 (p<0.05) and -0.07+/-0.11 to 0.34+/-0.06 (p<0.05) mmol Ca.(g dry mass)-1, respectively. Similarly, 2.5 mg/kg prolactin, a high physiological dose, increased sternal and vertebral calcium deposition, from -0.20+/-0.07 to 0.24+/-0.09 (p<0.05) and -0.07+/-0.11 to 0.25+/-0.18 (p<0.05) mmol Ca.(g dry mass)-1, respectively, by increasing bone formation more than bone resorption. However, as expected, prolactin had no effect on the tibia or femur, which are primarily cortical sites. Because several actions of prolactin have been known to be estradiol-dependent, we further investigated the dependence of prolactin action on 17beta-estradiol. We found that 2.5 mg/kg prolactin did not increase sternal calcium deposition in ovariectomized rats. However, 10 microg/kg 17beta-estradiol supplementation restored the action of prolactin. Ovariectomized rats given 17beta-estradiol plus prolactin also manifested slightly but significantly higher sternal total calcium content than sham-operated rats, (4.58+/-0.12 vs. 4.36+/-0.11 mmol Ca.(g dry mass)-1 (p<0.05)). We concluded that a high physiological dose of prolactin promoted calcium deposition in primarily trabecular sites of nonlactating rats. This effect was diminished after ovariectomy. In addition, we showed that basal endogenous prolactin played a role in the maintenance of normal trabecular-bone turnover.

Improved Calcium Sequestering Carbohydrate Based Agents

AbstractThe improved tandem oxidation sequence of starch with the aim of developing, e.g. degradable co‐builders suitable for laundry formulations as an alternative to the currently used polyacrylates is described. The tandem oxidation of starch starts with sodium periodate treatment of granular starch followed by oxidation of the dialdehyde product with sodium chlorite to dicarboxy starch. It turns out that improving the periodate oxidation resulting in a more complete transformation of the glucose moiety into the dialdehyde product yields, after sodium chlorite oxidation, a dicarboxy starch with a calcium sequestering capacity of 3.3 mmol Ca2+ per gram of dicarboxy product. This is an improvement of about 25% compared with current literature data.

Fertilization and embryonic development of whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus lavaretus) in acidic low-ionic-strength water with aluminum

The fertilization rate and extent of the cortical reaction of anadromous whitefish decreased with increasing acidity (0.034 mmol Ca 2+ L −1); at pH 4.5 the fertilization rate was 46% of that at pH 6.5. Aluminum (250 μg L −1) decreased the percentage fertilization independently of pH and reduced the cortical reaction magnitude at all pH levels. In eggs at pH 5.0, especially at pH 4.5, and in solutions with Al, the growth of embryos was impaired by a perivitelline space that was too narrow. The proportion of embryos with a curved tail tip and those with blood circulation failure increased with decreasing pH. No fry hatched at pH 4.5 and those few that hatched at pH 5.0 did not survive. No fry survived Al-containing water at pH 5.5 and survival was decreased at pH 6.5 with Al. It is concluded that for successful recruitment of anadromous whitefish, pH should preferably remain >5.5 in dilute soft water when toxic concentrations of Al are present.

A family-based study of metabolic phenotypes in calcium urolithiasis

A family history increases the risk of kidney stone passage independent of dietary risk factors. However, the metabolic basis for familial aggregation of urolithiasis is unknown. We evaluated metabolic risk factors in families with at least two sibs with a history of calcium stones. Sibs underwent outpatient evaluations simultaneously, including 24-hour urine collection and oral calcium loading. Phenotypes were compared between affected and unaffected sibs from the same sibship. Eighty-three sibships comprising 388 sibs (212 affected sibs, 114 males and 98 females, and 176 unaffected sibs, 68 males and 108 females) from 71 families were analyzed. Daily urine calcium excretion was higher in affected compared with unaffected sibs (0.64 +/- 0.33 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.22 mmol Ca(2+)/mmol creatinine, respectively, P < 10(-5)). This corresponded to absolute values of 7.4 +/- 3.9 and 5.1 +/- 2.3 mmol Ca(2+)/day, respectively, for affected and unaffected males, and 5.4 +/- 2.6 and 4.2 +/- 1.9 mmol Ca(2+)/day, respectively, for affected and unaffected female sibs. When analyzed by tertile of onset age of stone passage, the differences in urine calcium were only significant in the first two tertiles (with onset age of stone passage <35 years). The fasting urine Ca(2+)/creatinine ratio was significantly higher in stone formers compared with control sibs (0.46 +/- 0.27 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.27, P = 0.04), as was the postcalcium load Ca(2+)/creatinine ratio (0.57 +/- 0.46 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.41, respectively, P = 0.02). Body mass index was marginally significantly higher in stone forming sibs (P = 0.04). Other urine phenotypes, including oxalate, phosphate, magnesium, citrate, urate, sodium, ammonium, and volume, were not associated with stone passage. Increased urine calcium excretion is the only phenotype associated with a kidney stone formation in these French-Canadian families.

Effect of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation on Leukopenia, Complement Activation, and Expression of Leukocyte Surface Molecules during Hemodialysis with Unmodified Cellulose Membranes

Background: Dialysis with complement-activating membranes is associated with leukopenia, which is related to an increased expression of adhesion molecules on leukocytes. Citrate chelates calcium and has been claimed to attenuate leukopenia. Methods: In this study, the effects of citrate anticoagulation on leukocyte and granulocyte counts, complement activation, and the expression of CD11b, CD11c, and CD45 on the surface of granulocytes were evaluated during hemodialysis with unmodified cellulose membranes. Standard heparin was compared to citrate in three different schedules: citrate was infused to obtain a concentration of either 7 or 10 mmol/l blood. CaCl₂ was administered into the dialyzer outlet at 8.25 mmol Ca²⁺/h (citrate 10 mmol/l) or at 11 mmol Ca²⁺/h (citrate 7 and 10 mmol/l) to restitute the calcium levels in the blood returning to the patient. Results: The use of citrate at a high concentration (10 mmol/l) was associated with a blunted upregulation of CD11b, both at the inlet and at the outlet bloodline; for CD11c a reduced upregulation was observed on granulocytes harvested from the inlet bloodline. No effects of citrate were observed on leukopenia, granulocytopenia, or complement activation. A positive correlation between the decrease in systemic ionized Ca²⁺ concentration and the increase in CD11b and CD11c expression was found. Conclusion: Citrate/CaCl₂ administration affects leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in a dose-dependent way; however, no significant effect could be demonstrated on leukopenia and complement activation.

Calcium-binding properties of the mitochondrial channel-forming hydrophobic component.

A hydrophobic, low-molecular weight component extracted from mitochondria forms a Ca2+-activated ion channel in black-lipid membranes (Mironova et al., 1997). At pH 8.3-8.5, the component has a high-affinity binding site for Ca2+ with a Kd of 8 x 10(-6) M, while at pH 7.5 this Kd was decreased to 9 x 10(-5) M. Bmax for the Ca2+-binding site did not change significantly with pH. In the range studied, 0.2 +/- 0.06 mmol Ca2+/g component were bound or one calcium ion to eight molecules of the component. The Ca2+ binding was strongly decreased by 50-100 mM Na+, but not by K+. Treatment of mitochondria with CaCl2 prior to ethanolic extraction resulted in a high level of Ca2+-binding capacity of the partially purified component. Cyclosporin A, a specific inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition, when added to the mitochondrial suspension, decreased the Ca2+-binding activity of the purified extract severalfold. The calcium-binding capability of the partially purified component correlates with its calcium-channel activity. This indicates that the channel-forming component might be involved in the permeability transition that stimulates its formation.

Combined effects of dissolved organic material and water hardness on toxicity of cadmium to Daphnia magna

AbstractThe interaction between dissolved organic material (DOM) and water hardness and their effects on the acute toxicity of cadmium (Cd) to Daphnia magna was studied. At an original hardness (0.1 mmol Ca + Mg per liter) of humic lake water (DOC 19.6 mg/L), Cd was significantly less toxic in the humic than in the reference (DOC &lt; 0.2 mg/L) water. Furthermore, after dilution down to 10% (dissolved organic carbon [DOC] 2.0 mg/L), the humic water still decreased the lethality significantly. The results suggest that the reduced toxicity of Cd in the lake water is due to complexation with DOC. An increase in water hardness (from 0.1 to 0.5 or 2.5 mmol Ca + Mg per liter) decreased the measured binding coefficient of Cd to DOM. In addition, the acute toxicity of Cd decreased, and the difference between the reference and humic water disappeared. As a conclusion, DOM in the soft lake water had a protective effect against Cd toxicity. In hard water, obviously, the added hardness cations, especially Ca2+, effectively competed with Cd2+ for available binding sites in DOM. Simultaneously, Ca2+ ions interfered also with the uptake of Cd2+ either by competing in transport through cell membranes or by reducing membrane permeability.

Composition and quality of tomato fruit cultivated in nutrient solutions containing different calcium concentrations

The effect of different calcium (Ca) doses in the nutrient solution used to cultivate tomato plants on the nutrient and carotene levels of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Cv. Jumbo) fruit was studied. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse hydroponically using a modified Hoagland solution containing different Ca concentrations (0.2, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, and 20.0 mmol L‐1). The experiment was conducted in a fully randomized design with three replications. The fruits of the second and third clusters were picked after full ripening and analyzed for their Ca, magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), lycopene, and total carotene levels. Calcium levels in the fruit increased with increasing Ca concentrations in the nutrient solution, reaching a maximum value of 0.17 dag kg‐1 at a Ca nutrient solution concentration of 19.79 mmol L‐1. In the 0.2 mmol Ca L‐1 treatment, the plants died without reaching fructification. The fruits of the plants treated with 2.5 mmol L‐1 Ca showed blossom‐end rot although this symptom did not occur in the first or second cluster. At this Ca dose, the seeds were small, malformed, and black in color. Magnesium and K levels, however, decreased with increasing Ca concentrations in the nutrient solution, demonstrating the competitive effect of this ion for the sites of absorption and transport in the plant. The total lycopene and carotene levels decreased with increasing Ca concentration in the nutrient solution, possibly due to the reduction in K absorption with minimum levels of 21.50 μg g‐1 at the Ca concentration of 13.66 mmol L‐1 in the nutrient solution.

Changes in calcium uptake rate by rat cardiac mitochondria during postnatal development.

Ca2+ uptake, transmembrane electrical potential (Deltapsim) and oxygen consumption were measured in isolated ventricular mitochondria of rats from 3 days to 5 months of age. Estimated values of ruthenium red-sensitive, succinate-supported maximal rate of Ca2+ uptake (Vmax, expressed as nmol Ca2+/min/mg protein) were higher in neonates and gradually fell during postnatal development (from 435+/-24 at 3-6 days, to 156+/-10 in adults,P<0.001), whereas K0.5 values (approximately 10 microM were not significantly affected by age. Under similar conditions, mitochondria from adults (5 months old) and neonates (4-6 days old) showed comparable state 4 (succinate and alpha-ketoglutarate as substrates) and state 3ADP (alpha-ketoglutarate-supported) respiration rates, as well as Deltapsim values (approximately-150 mV). Respiration-independent Deltapsim and Ca2+ uptake, supported by valinomycin-induced K+ efflux were also investigated at these ages. A transient Deltapsim (approximately -30 mV) was evoked by valinomycin in both neonatal and adult mitochondria. Respiration-independent Ca2+ uptake was also transient, but its initial rate was significantly higher in neonates than in adults (49. 4+/-10.0v 28.0+/-5.7 mmol Ca2+/min/mg protein,P<0.01). These results indicate that Ca2+ uptake capacity of rat cardiac mitochondria is remarkably high just after birth and declines over the first weeks of postnatal life, without change in apparent affinity of the transporter. Increased mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake rate in neonates appears to be related to the uniporter itself, rather than to modification of the driving force of the transport.

Calcium-Deprived Rats Avoid Sweet Compounds

To characterize the link between calcium status and sweet solution intake, rats fed a diet containing 25 mmol Ca2+/kg (Ca-25, low calcium) or 150 mmol Ca2+/kg (Ca-150, control) were given 48-h two-bottle tests with a choice between water and various concentrations of a nutrient (sucrose, Polycose, ethanol and/or corn oil). Rats fed the Ca-25 diet had significantly lower sucrose intakes and preferences over the entire range tested (10–320 g/L) even though the same (Experiment 1), or identically treated (Experiment 2a) rats had normal Polycose and ethanol intakes and normal (Experiment 1, 2b) or significantly greater (Experiment 2a) corn oil intakes. In additional tests, rats fed the Ca-25 diet had significantly lower intakes relative to rats fed the Ca-150 diet of other sweeteners (30 mmol/L D-phenylalanine, 1 mmol/L saccharin and 0.3 mmol/L aspartame), significantly higher intakes of 0.5 mg/L capsaicin and 300 mmol/L monosodium glutamate, and normal intakes of 10 g/L or 80 g/L safflower oil and 10 g/L peanut oil. In a three-cup macronutrient selection experiment (Experiment 3), calcium-deprived rats ate significantly less of a high sucrose carbohydrate source and significantly more of a protein source than did controls. These results suggest that calcium deficiency reduces the rat’s liking for sweetness, irrespective of the type or form of sweetener, and that this is not due to a general reduction in energy intake.

Dependence of Cardiac Cell Ca2+Permeability on Sialic Acid-containing Sarcolemmal Gangliosides

The specific removal of negatively-charged sialic acid by neuraminidase produces a large increase in cardiac myocyte Ca uptake (17.3±1.1 mmol Ca/kg dry weight) and marked cell contracture. Importantly, the insertion of the negatively-charged amphiphile dodecyl sulfate in the sarcolemma eliminates the increased calcium uptake and preserves contractile function. In the present study, we further examine the role of sialic acid–Ca interaction and, specifically, the role of gangliosides (sialic acid-containing glycolipids) in cardiac cells» Ca permeability. Neonatal cell culture and adult ventricular myocytes were used. The major findings of this study are: (1) while dodecyl sulfate inhibits cellular calcium uptake and contracture development induced by sialic acid removal, cationic and neutral amphiphiles are without effect. (2) Ca channel blockers (nifedipine and protamine) and the Na/Ca exchange inhibitor Ni do not modify the effect of sialic acid removal. (3) A non-classical-channel related whole-cell current appears and increases after 21±2.2 min treatment with 0.02 U/ml neuraminidase (n=4). Incubation with neuraminidase in the presence of dodecyl sulfate greatly delays the appearance of these currents to 44.4±6.1 min (n=4). (4) The use of a specific probe for GM1 ganglioside, the cholera toxin B subunit (3μg/ml), induces a moderate but clear increase in cellular Ca (1.63±0.3 mmol Ca kg dry weight;n=8). However, this increase was not modified by treatment with dodecyl sulfate. (5) Finally, 50 mU/ml endoglycoceramidase, an enzyme which specifically cleaves the link between the sialic acid-containing oligosaccharide and ceramide of gangliosides, induced a significant increase in Ca uptake (4.4±0.9 mmol Ca kg dry weight,n=4). These results indicate the importance of negatively charged sialic acid-containing gangliosides in the maintenance of cardiac cell physiological Ca permeability. The increase in Ca uptake induced by the removal of sialic acid seems to be mediated by development of a Ca “leak” via other than classical cation channels.

NaCl ingestion ameliorates plasma indexes of calcium deficiency.

Rats deprived of dietary calcium ingest large volumes of concentrated NaCl solutions. To examine why, some physiological consequences of ingesting NaCl solution were measured. Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed diet containing 150 or 25 mmol Ca2+/kg were killed at 20, 40, 80, or 160 min after they started to drink solutions of 0.125% saccharin+3% glucose (S+G), 50 mM CaCl2, or 300 mM NaCl. Relative to rats fed the 25 mmol Ca2+/kg diet given nothing to drink, those fed the same diet that drank NaCl or CaCl2 but not S+G had elevated plasma ionized calcium concentrations and reduced plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Rats fed the 150 mmol Ca2+/kg diet did not show these changes. In a follow-up experiment, rats fed the 25 mmol Ca2+/kg diet that drank NaCl had elevated plasma ionized calcium and reduced PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations over the following 4-6 h. An in vitro study found that plasma ionized calcium concentrations were modulated by NaCl concentration directly. These findings indicate that NaCl ingestion can temporarily enhance the calcium status of calcium-deprived rats.

Compensatory mechanisms associated with the hyperdynamic function of phospholamban-deficient mouse hearts.

Phospholamban ablation is associated with significant increases in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and the basal cardiac contractile parameters. To determine whether the observed phenotype is due to loss of phospholamban alone or to accompanying compensatory mechanisms, hearts from phospholamban-deficient and age-matched wild-type mice were characterized in parallel. There were no morphological alterations detected at the light microscope level. Assessment of the protein levels of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, calsequestrin, myosin, actin, troponin I, and troponin T revealed no significant differences between phospholamban-deficient and wild-type hearts. However, the ryanodine receptor protein levels were significantly decreased (25%) upon ablation of phospholamban, probably in an attempt to regulate the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which had a significantly higher diastolic Ca2+ content in phospholamban-deficient compared with wild-type hearts (16.0 +/- 2.2 versus 8.6 +/- 1.0 mmol Ca2+/kg dry wt, respectively). The increases in Ca2+ content were specific to junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum stores, as there were no alterations in the Ca2+ content of the mitochondria or A band. Assessment of ATP levels revealed no alterations, although oxygen consumption increased (1.6-fold) to meet the increased ATP utilization in the hyperdynamic phospholamban-deficient hearts. The increases in oxygen consumption were associated with increases (2.2-fold) in the active fraction of the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase, suggesting increased tricarboxylic acid cycle turnover and ATP synthesis. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies demonstrated decreases in phosphocreatine levels and increases in ADP and AMP levels in phospholamban-deficient compared with wild-type hearts. However, the creatine kinase activity and the creatine kinase reaction velocity were not different between phospholamban-deficient and wild-type hearts. These findings indicate that ablation of phospholamban is associated with downregulation of the ryanodine receptor to compensate for the increased Ca2+ content in the sarcoplasmic reticulum store and metabolic adaptations to establish a new energetic steady state to meet the increased ATP demand in the hyperdynamic phospholamban-deficient hearts.

Cadmium influx across isolated Carcinus gill epithelium interaction of lanthanum and calcium with cadmium influxes

The effects of Ca and La on Cd transport across apical and basolateral gill surfaces were examined in isolated perfused Carcinus gills. In the gills exposed to diluted sea water enriched with calcium by addition of CaCl2 to 11.9 and 15.9 mmol·l-1 the Cd influxes decreased by 55% and 85%, respectively, compared to those observed in diluted sea water (6.9 mmol Ca·l-1). When Ca was added to the perfusate to increase its concentration at the basolaterally oriented gill surfaces, Cd influx inhibition was less pronounced than when Ca was added apically. The effect of Ca on 109Cd influxes appears, therefore, to be exerted at the apical gill surface. Additionally, the effects of various concentrations of the non-specific Ca channel blocker La (added to diluted sea water) on 109Cd influxes in isolated perfused Carcinus gills were studied. 109Cd influxes are shown to be lanthanum concentration dependent. The half-maximum inhibition of cadmium influxes by La occurred at 1.4·10-6 mol·l-1. Cadmium transport is discussed in terms of non-specific influx utilizing Ca channels.

Calcium absorption from apple and orange juice fortified with calcium citrate malate (CCM).

Determine calcium (Ca) absorption from Ca fortified orange and apple juice. Absorbability was assessed by measuring 45Ca absorption in healthy women (mean age 57 years, n = 57/group) and whole body 47Ca retention in adult female beagle dogs (n = 6/group) and young adult male rats (n = 6/group). Women received 6.24 mmol (250 mg) Ca as calcium citrate malate fortified orange juice (CCM-OJ) or apple juice (CCM-AJ). Dogs received 3.12 mmol (125 mg) Ca as CCM-OJ or CCM-AJ. Rats were administered 0.15 mmol (6 mg) Ca as either milk, CCM-OJ, or CCM-AJ. Additional 47Ca whole body retention experiments in rats measured the effects of differences in the carbohydrate and organic acid contents of the juices on Ca absorption. Mean +/- SEM percent Ca fractional absorption was greater (p < 0.003) in women who consumed CCM-AJ (42 +/- 2%) than those who consumed CCM-OJ (36 +/- 1%). Ca retention in dogs was 15 +/- 1% for CCM-OJ and 29 +/- 2% for CCM-AJ (p < 0.001). Ca retention was significantly different (p < 0.05) in rats administered milk (42 +/- 2%), CCM-OJ (52 +/- 2%), or CCM-AJ (61 +/- 2%). By manipulating the carbohydrate and organic acid concentrations of test solutions to mimic the composition of Ca fortified juices, we found that the greater fructose and lower organic acid content of apple juice accounted for its greater Ca absorbability. CCM fortified versions of orange and apple juice have high Ca absorbability and are potentially important vehicles for increasing dietary Ca intake. The greater Ca absorption from CCM-AJ compared with CCM-OJ is accounted for by differences in the carbohydrate and organic acid content of the juices. These data suggest that by modifying common beverage ingredients, products with even greater Ca absorbability could be formulated.

Daily rhythm of NaCl intake in rats fed low-Ca2+ diet: relation to plasma and urinary minerals and hormones.

To assess daily rhythms of salt appetite, we measured spontaneous 300 mM NaCl intake of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a diet containing 150 or 25 mmol Ca2+/kg. Both groups drank most NaCl at night, but, as the dark period progressed, intakes of controls remained constant or diminished, whereas intakes of rats fed low-Ca2+ diet increased. During the late dark period, when the difference in NaCl intake between the two dietary groups was greatest, rats fed a low-Ca2+ diet lost more corticosterone and sodium in urine, had lower plasma osmolarity, and had higher plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone concentrations than did controls. Over the 24-h cycle, rats fed the low-Ca2+ diet excreted less Ca2+ and more corticosterone in urine than did controls. They also had consistently lower plasma concentrations of Ca2+ and renin activity and consistently higher plasma phosphorus, arginine vasopressin, parathyroid hormone, thyroxine, calcitonin, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. These findings support the hypothesis that salt appetite induced by dietary Ca2+ deficiency involves a subtle dysfunction of the ACTH-corticosterone axis, but they also raise several other possibilities.

Adrenalectomy decreases NaCl intake of rats fed low-calcium diets.

Five studies were conducted to characterize the effects on NaCl intake of the interaction between adrenalectomy (ADX) and dietary calcium. Intact rats fed low-calcium diets (0 or 25 mmol Ca2+/kg diet) approximately quadrupled intake of 300 or 500 mM NaCl solution relative to intact rats fed diets with moderate or high calcium content (125, 150, or 500 mmol Ca2+/kg diet) ADX approximately doubled NaCl intake of rats fed moderate or high-calcium diets but decreased NaCl intake of rats fed low-calcium diets to levels similar to those of ADX rats fed moderate of high-calcium diets. Aldosterone replacement (2.4 micrograms/day sc) reduced NaCl intake of ADX rats fed control diets to below levels of intact controls, but the same treatment to ADX rats fed low-calcium diet had no effect on NaCl intake. The reduction in NaCl intake produced by ADX in rats fed low-calcium diet could not be attributed to general debilitation, damage to the adrenal medulla, or altered metabolism of sodium or calcium (i.e., plasma concentration, bone content, or balance). It is proposed that an adrenocortical hormone other than aldosterone mediates the high salt intake of the calcium-deprived rat, and thus the adrenal has both inhibitory and excitatory actions on NaCl intake.