Ligustrazine suppresses platelet aggregation through inhibiting the activities of calcium sensors

Abstract Ligustrazine is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medication. It has been reported that Ligustrazine decreases the concentration of intracellular calcium ions (Ca2+); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In the present study, the effect of Ligustrazine on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated using a turbidimetric approach. The changes in concentration of intracellular Ca2+ stimulated by ADP was measured using fluo-4, a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator dye. The mRNA expression of stromal interaction molecule l (STIM1) and Orai1, calcium sensor, was determined using real-time PCR. In addition, the protein expression of STIM1, Orai1, and serum/glucocorticoid-regulated protein kinase 1 (SGK1) was determined using Western blot analysis. The data demonstrated that Ligustrazine significantly suppressed platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ triggered by ADP. Our data showed that Ligustrazine treatment inhibited the expression of STIM1 and Orai1 induced by ADP at both mRNA and protein levels, and suppressed the protein expression of SGK1. Taken together, our data indicated that Ligustrazine suppressed platelet aggregation by partly inhibiting the activities of calcium sensors, thereby suggesting that Ligustrazine may be a promising candidate for the treatment of platelet aggregation.

Mepivacaine-induced intracellular calcium increase appears to be mediated primarily by calcium influx in rat aorta without endothelium / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Mepivacaine induces contraction or decreased blood flow both in vivo and in vitro. Vasoconstriction is associated with an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). However, the mechanism responsible for the mepivacaine-evoked [Ca2+]i increase remains to be determined. Therefore, the objective of this in vitro study was to examine the mechanism responsible for the mepivacaine-evoked [Ca2+]i increment in isolated rat aorta. METHODS: Isometric tension was measured in isolated rat aorta without endothelium. In addition, fura-2 loaded aortic muscle strips were illuminated alternately (48 Hz) at two excitation wavelengths (340 and 380 nm). The ratio of F340 to F380 (F340/F380) was regarded as an amount of [Ca2+]i. We investigated the effects of nifedipine, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB), gadolinium chloride hexahydrate (Gd3+), low calcium level and Krebs solution without calcium on the mepivacaine-evoked contraction in isolated rat aorta and on the mepivacaine-evoked [Ca2+]i increment in fura-2 loaded aortic strips. We assessed the effect of verapamil on the mepivacaine-evoked [Ca2+]i increment. RESULTS: Mepivacaine produced vasoconstriction and increased [Ca2+]i. Nifedipine, 2-APB and low calcium attenuated vasoconstriction and the [Ca2+]i increase evoked by mepivacaine. Verapamil attenuated the mepivacaine-induced [Ca2+]i increment. Calcium-free solution almost abolished mepivacaine-induced contraction and strongly attenuated the mepivacaineinduced [Ca2+]i increase. Gd3+ had no effect on either vasoconstriction or the [Ca2+]i increment evoked by mepivacaine. CONCLUSIONS: The mepivacaine-evoked [Ca2+]i increment, which contributes to mepivacaine-evoked contraction, appears to be mediated mainly by calcium influx and partially by calcium released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The effects of calmodulin kinase Ⅱ inhibitor on hypertrophic cardiac myocytes / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the calmodulin kinase Ⅱ Inhibitor KN-93 on L-typecalcium current(ICa,L)and intracellular calcium concentration([Ca2+]i)in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.Methods Forty-eight female New Zealand white rabbits were randomized(random number)into four groups(12 animals in each group):the sham operation group(sham group),the left ventricular hypertrophy group(LVH group),the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-93 group(KN-93 group),and the myocardial hypertrophy + KN-92 group(KN-92 group).Myocardial hypertrophy in the rabbits was established by coarctation of the abdominal aorta.In the sham group,the abdominal aorta was dissociated without coarctation.Eight weeks after coarctation,single ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzymaticdissociation,and ICa,L was recorded using perforated-patch recording(PPR)techniques.[Ca2+]i was measured using single-cell calcium imaging with the fluorescence calcium indicator dye fura-2/AM.Results Cardiac hypertrophy was successfully established after 8 weeks of coarctation of the abdominal aorta.The peak ICa,L in the LVH group and the sham group was(1.38 ± 0.3)nA and(0.87 ± 0.1)nA at 0 mV,respectively(P ＜0.01,n =12).There was no significant difference in Ica,L density between the LVH group and the sham group[(6.7 ±1.0)pA/pF vs.(6.3±0.7)pA/pF; P≥0.05,n=12].The addition of either KN-92(0.5 μmol/L)or KN-93(0.5 μmol/L)to the perfusing solution caused a modest steady-state inhibition of peak ICaL(9.4％ ±2.8％,KN-92; 10.5％ ±3％,KN-93)(P≥0.05,n =12)at 0 mV.However,at a higher concentration(1 μmol/L),KN-93 more potently inhibited peak ICa,L(40％±4.9％)compared to KN-92(13.4％ ± 3.7％ ; P ＜ 0.01,n =12).Resting[Ca2+]i levels in fura-2-loaded myocytes isolated from the sham,LVH,KN-92,and KN-93 groups were(98 ± 12.3)nmol/L,(154 ± 26.2)nmol/L,(147 ± 29.6)nmol/L,and(108 ± 21.2)nmol/L,respectively.Conclusions The CaMK Ⅱ specific inhibitor,KN-93,can effectively block ICa,L and reduce intracellular calcium overload in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes.This action may account for the antiarrhythmic effect of KN-93 in hypertrophic ventricular myocardium.

Effects of NaOCl on the Intracellular Calcium Concentration in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Recent studies have implicated reactive oxygen species (ROS) as determinants of the pathological pain caused by the activation of peripheral neurons. It has not been elucidated, however, how ROS activate the primary sensory neurons in the pain pathway. In this study, calcium imaging was performed to investigate the effects of NaOCl, a ROS donor, on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in acutely dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. DRG was sequentially treated with 0.2 mg/ml of both protease and thermolysin, and single neurons were then obtained by mechanical dissociation. The administration of NaOCl then caused a reversible increase in the [Ca2+]i, which was inhibited by pretreatment with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN) and isoascorbate, both ROS scavengers. The NaOCl-induced [Ca2+]i increase was suppressed both in a calcium free solution and after depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ pool by thapsigargin. Additionally, this increase was predominantly blocked by pretreatment with the transient receptor potential (TRP) antagonists, ruthenium red (50 microM) and capsazepine (10 microM). Collectively, these results suggest that an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration is produced from both extracellular fluid and the intracellular calcium store, and that TRP might be involved in the sensation of pain induced by ROS.

Selective Cytotoxic Mechanism of Homocysteine to Motor Neuronal Cells Expressing the Mutant Cu,Zn-superoxide Dismutase

BACKGROUND: Mutations in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause about 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) cases. The mechanism of late-onset disease manifestation despite the innate mutation has no clear explanation. The relationship between homocysteine (HC) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has not been investigated fully, in spite of the similarity in their pathogenesis. METHODS: We investigated the effect of HC on the motor neuronal cell-line (VSC4.1) transfected with SOD1 of either wild-type or mutant forms (G93A and A4V) using various methods including the MTT assay for the cytotoxic assay, the immunocytochemical staining using anti-SOD1 for the aggregation of SOD1, the western blotting using anti-nitrotyrosine and anti-DNPH for the oxidative protein damage, and the measurement of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration using Fura2-AM. RESULTS: In the MTT assay, the HC induced significant cytotoxicity in the mutants, as compared with wild-type. This HC-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited by the trolox and the bathocuproinedisulfonate (BC). HC increased the carbonylation and nitrosylation of the mutant proteins. HC also increased significant SOD1-aggregation in mutants. This HC-induced SOD1-aggregation in mutants was inhibited by trolox, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, BC, and z-VAD-FMK. HC did not change the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in the mutants compared with the wild-type. CONCLUSIONS: The authors showed that the vulnerability of the SOD1 mutant motor neuronal cells to HC involves the copper-mediated oxygen radical toxicity, and that HC may be a lifelong precipitating factor in some forms of FALS, suggesting a possible treatment modality with vitamin supplements.

D-glucosamine hydrochloride(GAH) induce lymphocyte proliferation through Ca~(2+) signal pathway / 中国海洋药物

Objective To study the effect of GAH on lymphocytes proliferation and its mechanism. Methods MTT, fluorescence probe and immunofluorescent methods were used to investigate the effects of GAH on the lymphocytes proliferation, intracelluar Ca2+ concentration and expression of calcineurin(CaN). Results GHA induced lymphocyte proliferation, raised the intracelluar Ca2+ concentration and calcineurin expression. Conclusions GAH is a new kind of activator, which can induce lymphocyte proliferation through Ca2+ signal pathway.

THE EFFECTS OF LASER IRRADIATION ON INTRACELLULAR ROS,CALCIUM CONCENTRATION AND CELL MEMBRANE INTEGRITY / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effects of laser irradiation on intracellular ROS(reactive oxidant species),intracellular calcium concentration(_i,and cell membrane integrity in the process of live cell imaging with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Methods The effects of a given laser irradiation on ROS,intracellular calcium concentration(_i and cell viability were revealed respectively by stained ECV-304 with H_2DCFDA,Fluo-4AM and calcein-AM/PI,and visualized and analyzed using ultra view LCI(live cell image)confocal microscopy. Results The irradiation of 488nm laser induced fluorescent intensity of DCF to increase abruptly and attain the climax in about 80 seconds,afterwards the fluorescent intensity fell and returned to the baseline.In the 70 minutes of the irradiation,the fluorescent intensity of intracellular Fluo-4 kept a slightly ascending tendency.The fluorescent intensity of calcein decreased 15minutes after the irradiation,and serval cells were PI positively stained.Conclusion 488nm laser irradiation induces intracellular reactive oxidant species(ROS) and calcium concentration to increase,but there is no significant influence on cell membrane integrity.