Enhanced vascular reactivity to various vasoconstrictor agents following pinealectomy in the rat: role of melatonin

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Cunnane ◽  
Mehar S. Manku ◽  
Masatsugu Oka ◽  
David F. Horrobin
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Heart Weight ◽  
Vasoconstrictor Agents ◽  
Vascular Responsiveness ◽  
Male Wistar Rats

The mesenteric vascular bed preparation of control and pinealectomized (PX) male Wistar rats was used to examine vascular reactivity to two concentrations each of norepinephrine, serotonin, angiotensin, and potassium. Vasoconstrictor responses to 50- and 100-ng injections of norepinephrine and 0.5- and 1.0-μg injections of serotonin were 30–40% higher in preparations from PX rats. Responses to 100 ng but not to 50 ng of angiotensin were also significantly higher in preparations from PX rats. Responses to 1.5- and to 3.0-mg injections of potassium did not differ significantly in either case. In vivo injection of 20 μg of melatonin 3 h prior to dissection of the preparation, or in vitro perfusion of 20 ng melatonin per millilitre of buffer completely reversed the increased vascular response to all vasoconstrictor agents tested in the PX preparations, but had little effect in control preparations. Also observed in PX rats was a significant increase in blood pressure, serum sodium, and increased body and heart weight. Arterial wall sodium was also elevated in PX rats. These changes may be relevant to the increased vascular reactivity of PX rats. The increased vascular responsiveness of PX rats may be specific for agents that stimulate calcium release from intracellular stores (norepinephrine, angiotensin) rather than those that stimulate calcium influx from extracellular fluid (potassium). Melatonin lack may be the cause of the vascular changes in the PX rats as both in vivo and in vitro it lowered the vasoconstrictor effects of the agents tested, but only in PX rats; it had no significant effect in the control rats.

In vivo and in vitro effects of lead on vascular reactivity in rats

1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (2) ◽  
pp. H211-H216 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Webb ◽  
R. J. Winquist ◽  
W. Victery ◽  
A. J. Vander
Keyword(s):  
Lead Acetate ◽  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Calcium Entry Blocker ◽  
Adult Rats ◽  
Vascular Responsiveness ◽  
In Vitro Effects

The effects of lead on vascular responsiveness were examined in rats. Adult rats, which had received levels of lead acetate in their drinking water to produce blood levels similar to those seen in some urban human populations, consistently had higher systolic blood pressures compared to age-matched controls. Helical strips of tail arteries from the lead-treated rats displayed a greater force-generating ability in response to the cumulative addition of methoxamine to the muscle bath. There were no differences in ED50 between the two groups. Similar results were obtained when norepinephrine was used. The calcium-entry blocker, D 600, was less effective in reducing in reducing contractions induced by methoxamine in lead-treated rats than in controls. There were no differences between the two groups in responses to KCl or electrical stimulation of nerve endings. Contractile responses to norepinephrine, methoxamine, KCl, and nerve stimulation in arteries from untreated rats were unaltered by addition of lead acetate to the muscle bath. These results demonstrate that hypertension induced by moderate levels of lead intake is associated with an increased vascular responsiveness to alpha-adrenergic agonists.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Dendritic Calcium Signaling in Fly Neurons

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 439-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Oertner ◽  
Tilmann M. Brotz ◽  
Alexander Borst
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Calcium Signal ◽  
Lobula Plate ◽  
Calcium Accumulation

We examined the mechanisms underlying dendritic calcium accumulation in lobula plate tangential cells of the fly visual system using an in vitro preparation of the fly brain. Local visual stimulation evokes a localized calcium signal in the dendrites of these cells in vivo. Here we show that a similar localized calcium accumulation can be elicited in vitro by focal iontophoretic application of the cholinergic agonist carbachol. The calcium signal had at least two sources: first, voltage-dependent calcium channels contributed to the carbachol-induced signal and were concentrated on the dendrite, the soma, and the terminal ramification of the axon. However, the dendritic calcium signal induced by carbachol stimulation was only weakly dependent on membrane depolarization. The most likely explanation for the second, voltage-independent part of the dendritic calcium signal is calcium entry through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. We found no indication of second-messenger or calcium-mediated calcium release from intracellular stores. In summary, the characteristic spatiotemporal calcium signals in the dendrites of lobula plate tangential cells can be reproduced in vitro, and result from a combination of voltage- and ligand-gated calcium influx.

scholarly journals Ginkgolide B Maintains Calcium Homeostasis in Hypoxic Hippocampal Neurons by Inhibiting Calcium Influx and Intracellular Calcium Release

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Quan Lei ◽  
Shuai Zhao ◽  
WenJuan Xu ◽  
Wei Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Spontaneous Discharge ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Ginkgolide B ◽  
Pre Treatment

Ginkgolide B (GB), a terpene lactone and active ingredient of Ginkgo biloba, shows protective effects in neuronal cells subjected to hypoxia. We investigated whether GB might protect neurons from hypoxic injury through regulation of neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis. Primary hippocampal neurons subjected to chemical hypoxia (0.7 mM CoCl2) in vitro exhibited an increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ (measured from the fluorescence of fluo-4), but this effect was significantly diminished by pre-treatment with 0.4 mM GB. Electrophysiological recordings from the brain slices of rats exposed to hypoxia in vivo revealed increases in spontaneous discharge frequency, action potential frequency and calcium current magnitude, and all these effects of hypoxia were suppressed by pre-treatment with 12 mg/kg GB. Western blot analysis demonstrated that hypoxia was associated with enhanced mRNA and protein expressions of Cav1.2 (a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel), STIM1 (a regulator of store-operated Ca2+ entry) and RyR2 (isoforms of Ryanodine Receptor which mediates sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release), and these actions of hypoxia were suppressed by GB. Taken together, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that GB might protect neurons from hypoxia, in part, by regulating Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis.

scholarly journals A sand fly salivary protein acts as a neutrophil chemoattractant

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson B. Guimaraes-Costa ◽  
John P. Shannon ◽  
Ingrid Waclawiak ◽  
Jullyanna Oliveira ◽  
Claudio Meneses ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Salivary Protein ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Human Neutrophils ◽  
Chemotactic Protein ◽  
The Impact

AbstractApart from bacterial formyl peptides or viral chemokine mimicry, a non-vertebrate or insect protein that directly attracts mammalian innate cells such as neutrophils has not been molecularly characterized. Here, we show that members of sand fly yellow salivary proteins induce in vitro chemotaxis of mouse, canine and human neutrophils in transwell migration or EZ-TAXIScan assays. We demonstrate murine neutrophil recruitment in vivo using flow cytometry and two-photon intravital microscopy in Lysozyme-M-eGFP transgenic mice. We establish that the structure of this ~ 45 kDa neutrophil chemotactic protein does not resemble that of known chemokines. This chemoattractant acts through a G-protein-coupled receptor and is dependent on calcium influx. Of significance, this chemoattractant protein enhances lesion pathology (P < 0.0001) and increases parasite burden (P < 0.001) in mice upon co-injection with Leishmania parasites, underlining the impact of the sand fly salivary yellow proteins on disease outcome. These findings show that some arthropod vector-derived factors, such as this chemotactic salivary protein, activate rather than inhibit the host innate immune response, and that pathogens take advantage of these inflammatory responses to establish in the host.

scholarly journals Contractile and Endothelium-Dependent Dilatory Responses of Cerebral Arteries at Various Extracellular Magnesium Concentrations

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mária Faragó ◽  
Csaba Szabó ◽  
Eörs Dóra ◽  
Ildikó Horváth ◽  
Arisztid G. B. Kovách
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Reactivity ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Contractile Responses ◽  
Middle Cerebral Arteries ◽  
The Right ◽  
Endothelial Receptor

To clarify the effect of extracellular magnesium (Mg2+) on the vascular reactivity of feline isolated middle cerebral arteries, the effects of slight alterations in the Mg2+ concentration on the contractile and endothelium-dependent dilatory responses were investigated in vitro. The contractions, induced by 10−8-10−5 M norepinephrine, were significantly potentiated at low Mg2+ (0.8 m M v. the normal, 1.2 m M). High (1.6 and 2.0 m M) Mg2+ exhibited an inhibitory effect on the contractile responses. No significant changes, however, in the EC50 values for norepinephrine were found. The endothelium-dependent relaxations induced by 108–10−5 M acetylcholine were inhibited by high (1.6 and 2.0 m M) Mg2+. Lowering of the Mg2+ concentration to 0.8 m M or total withdrawal of this ion from the medium failed to alter the dilatory potency of acetylcholine. The changes in the dilatory responses also shifted the EC50 values for acetylcholine to the right. The present results show that the contractile responses of the cerebral arteries are extremely susceptible to the changes of Mg2+ concentrations. In response to contractile and endothelium-dependent dilatory agonists, Mg2+ probably affects both the calcium influx into the endothelial and smooth muscle cells as well as the binding of acetylcholine to its endothelial receptor. Since Mg2+ deficiency might facilitate the contractile but not the endothelium-dependent relaxant responses, the present study supports a role for Mg2+ deficiency in the development of the cerebral vasospasm.

scholarly journals Genetic deletion of trkB.T1 increases neuromuscular function

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (1) ◽  
pp. C141-C153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Dorsey ◽  
Richard M. Lovering ◽  
Cynthia L. Renn ◽  
Carmen C. Leitch ◽  
Xinyue Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Release ◽  
Contractile Activity ◽  
Muscle Tension ◽  
Neuromuscular Synapse ◽  
Neuromuscular Function ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase Receptor ◽  
Akt Activation

Neurotrophin-dependent activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor trkB.FL modulates neuromuscular synapse maintenance and function; however, it is unclear what role the alternative splice variant, truncated trkB ( trkB.T1), may have in the peripheral neuromuscular axis. We examined this question in trkB.T1 null mice and demonstrate that in vivo neuromuscular performance and nerve-evoked muscle tension are significantly increased. In vitro assays indicated that the gain-in-function in trkB.T1 −/− animals resulted specifically from an increased muscle contractility, and increased electrically evoked calcium release. In the trkB.T1 null muscle, we identified an increase in Akt activation in resting muscle as well as a significant increase in trkB.FL and Akt activation in response to contractile activity. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the trkB signaling pathway might represent a novel target for intervention across diseases characterized by deficits in neuromuscular function.

scholarly journals Calcium channel ITPR2 and mitochondria–ER contacts promote cellular senescence and aging

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorian V. Ziegler ◽  
David Vindrieux ◽  
Delphine Goehrig ◽  
Sara Jaber ◽  
Guillaume Collin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Senescence ◽  
Calcium Release ◽  
Liver Steatosis ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Calcium Release Channel ◽  
Release Channel ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Trisphosphate Receptor

AbstractCellular senescence is induced by stresses and results in a stable proliferation arrest accompanied by a pro-inflammatory secretome. Senescent cells accumulate during aging, promoting various age-related pathologies and limiting lifespan. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, type 2 (ITPR2) calcium-release channel and calcium fluxes from the ER to the mitochondria are drivers of senescence in human cells. Here we show that Itpr2 knockout (KO) mice display improved aging such as increased lifespan, a better response to metabolic stress, less immunosenescence, as well as less liver steatosis and fibrosis. Cellular senescence, which is known to promote these alterations, is decreased in Itpr2 KO mice and Itpr2 KO embryo-derived cells. Interestingly, ablation of ITPR2 in vivo and in vitro decreases the number of contacts between the mitochondria and the ER and their forced contacts induce premature senescence. These findings shed light on the role of contacts and facilitated exchanges between the ER and the mitochondria through ITPR2 in regulating senescence and aging.

Activity-Related Calcium Dynamics in Motoneurons of the Nucleus Hypoglossus From Mouse

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. 2936-2946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario B. Lips ◽  
Bernhard U. Keller
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Action Potential ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Calcium Influx ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Calcium Transients ◽  
Calcium Dynamics ◽  
The Brain

A quantitative analysis of activity-related calcium dynamics was performed in motoneurons of the nucleus hypoglossus in the brain stem slice preparation from mouse by simultaneous patch-clamp and microfluorometric calcium measurements. Motoneurons were analyzed under in vitro conditions that kept them in a functionally intact state represented by rhythmic, inspiratory-related bursts of excitatory postsynaptic currents and associated action potential discharges. Bursts of electrical activity were paralleled by somatic calcium transients resulting from calcium influx through voltage-activated calcium channels, where each action potential accounted for a calcium-mediated charge influx around 2 pC into the somatic compartment. Under in vivo conditions, rhythmic-respiratory activity in young mice occurred at frequencies up to 5 Hz, demonstrating the necessity for rapid calcium elevation and recovery in respiratory-related neurons. The quantitative analysis of hypoglossal calcium homeostasis identified an average extrusion rate, but an exceptionally low endogenous calcium binding capacity as cellular parameters accounting for rapid calcium signaling. Our results suggest that dynamics of somatic calcium transients 1) define an upper limit for the maximum frequency of respiratory-related burst discharges and 2) represent a potentially dangerous determinant of intracellular calcium profiles during pathophysiological and/or excitotoxic conditions.

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