ABSTRACT
[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To establish a perforated whole-cell patch-clamp technique withβ-escin to record L-type cal-cium current (ICa,L) in osteoblasts.METHODS:ROS 17/2.8 is a rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line.β-escin was applied to the pipette solution to permeabilize the cell membrane and the perforated patch recording mode was obtained. RESULTS:β-escin at concentration of 50μmol/L easily permeabilized the cell membrane and obtained a perforated patch recording mode in 2~7 min.This technique prevented ICa,L rundown and preserved cytoplasmic signaling pathways.CON-CLUSION:β-escin may be used as an alternative ionophore for perforated patch-clamp studies in osteoblasts and results in minimal rundown that could facilitate recordings of ICa,L in osteoblasts.