Chronic salt-loading downregulates large-conductance Ca^(2+)-activated potassium channel in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells from SD rats

Objective Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium(BKCa)channel modulates vascular smooth muscle tone.In the present study,we tested the hypothesis that salt,one of the factors which significantly influence blood pressure(BP),can regulate BKCa activity and then elevate blood pressure.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6 weeks were randomized into high salt diet group(HS)and control group,fed with high salt diet(containing 5% NaCl)and standard rat chow(containing 0.4% NaCl)respectively for 16 weeks.Tail systolic blood pressure(SBP),body weight(BW)and 24-hour urinary output were tested every 4 weeks.Content of urinary Na+ was detected using flame spectrophotometrical method.At the end of 16 weeks,all the rats were killed,the mesenteric arteries were obtained,and single mesenteric smooth muscle cells were isolated at once.The resting membrane potential(Em),the total potassium currents and the currents after perfusion with TEA solution of the cells were all recorded by whole cell patch clamp.The transcriptions of BKCa channel α and β1 subunits in mesenteric arterial vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC)of each group were calculated by real-time RT-PCR.Results There was no difference in SBP and BW at each stage between control group and HS group;the urinary Na+ level in HS animals was elevated significantly after 4 weeks.The negative values of Em in HS group VSMCs were reduced compared with those in the control group.Transcriptions of β1 subunit of BKCa channels were decreased in HS group,but α subunit transcriptions did not differ between the two groups.Whole cell potassium currents did not differ between HS and control groups,but BKCa currents of HS group VSMCs were lower than those of control group ones.Conclusion Even without elevating SBP,salt-loading can still modulate the expression and activity of BKCa channel in the mesenteric arterial VSMC and elevate vascular tone.

Effects of unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current in gastric myocytes of guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current [IK(Ca)] in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs. METHODS: Gastric myocytes were isolated by collagenase from the antral circular layer of guinea pig stomach. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record /K(Ca) in the isolated single smooth muscle cells with or without different concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and oleic acid (OA). RESULTS: AA at concentrations of 2,5 and 10 μmol/L markedly increased IK(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. LA at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L also enhanced /K(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. The increasing potency of AA, LA, and oleic acid (OA) on /K(Ca)at the same concentration (10μmol/L) was in the order of AA>LA>OA. AA (10 μmol/L)-induced increase of Ik(ca) was not blocked by H-7 (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), or indomethacin (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and 17-octadecynoic acid (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 pathway, but weakened by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10μmol/L), an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase pathway. CONCLUSION: Unsaturated fatty acids markedly increase Ik(Ca), and the enhancing potencies are related to the number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain. The lipoxygenase pathway of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism is involved in the unsaturated fatty acid-induced increase of IK(Ca) in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba extracts with mirodenafil on the relaxation of corpus cavernosal smooth muscle and the potassium channel activity of corporal smooth muscle cells

In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of Ginkgo biloba extracts （GBE） and phosphodiesterase type 5 （PDE-5） inhibitors on the muscular tone of the corpus cavernosum and potassium channel activity of corporal smooth muscle cells. Strips of corpus cavernosum from male New Zealand white rabbits were mounted in organ baths for isometric tension studies. After contraction with 1 × 10^-5 mol I^-1 norepinephrine, GBE （0.01-1 mg ml^-1） and mirodenafil （0.01-100 nmol I^-1） were added together into the organ bath. In electrophysiological studies, whole-cell currents were recorded by the conventional patch-clamp technique in cultured smooth muscle cells of the human corpus cavernosum. The corpus cavemosum was relaxed in response to GBE in a dose-dependent manner （from 0.64%±8.35% at 0.01 mg ml^-1 to 52.28%±11.42% at 1 mg ml^-1）. After pre-treatment with 0.03 mg ml^-1 of GBE, the relaxant effects of mirodenafil were increased at all concentrations, After tetraethylammonium （TEA） （1 mmol I^-1） administration, the increased effects were inhibited （P〈0.01）. Extracellular administration of GBE increased the whole-cell K^＋ outward currents in a dose-dependent fashion. The increase of the outward current was inhibited by I mmol 1-1 TEA. These results suggest that GBE could increase the relaxant potency of mirodenafil even at a minimally effective dose. The K＋ flow through potassium channels might be one of the mechanisms involved in this synergistic relaxation.

Effect of nitric oxide-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of calcium-activated potassium channel α subunit on vascular hyporesponsiveness in rats

Objective: To study the effect of nitric oxide-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK Ca) channel α subunit on vascular hyporesponsiveness in rats. Methods: A total of 46 Wistar rats of either sex, weighing 250 g±20 g, were used in this study. Models of vascular hyporesponsiveness induced by hemorrhagic shock (30 mm Hg for 2 hours) in vivo and by L-arginine in vitro were established respectively. The vascular responsiveness of isolated superior mesenteric arteries to norepinephrine was observed. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BK Ca α subunit was evaluated with methods of immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Results: In the smooth muscle cells of the superior mesenteric arteries, the expression of BK Ca α subunit tyrosine phosphorylation increased following hemorrhagic shock, and L-arginine could induce BK Ca channel α subunit tyrosine phosphorylation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. L-NAME (Nω-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester), a nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor, could partly restore the decreased vasoresponsiveness of the superior mesenteric arteries after hemorrhagic shock in rats. Down-regulating the protein tyrosine phosphorylation with genistein, a widely-used special protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, could partly improve the decreased vasoresponsiveness of the superior mesenteric arteries induced by L-arginine in vitro, while up-regulating the protein tyrosine phosphorylation with Na3VO4, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, could further decrease the nitric oxide-induced vascular hyporesponsiveness, which could be partly ameliorated by 0.1 mmol/L tetrabutylammonium chloride (TEA), a selective BK Ca inhibitor at this concentration. Conclusions: Nitric oxide can induce the tyrosine phosphorylation of BK Ca α subunit, which influences the vascular hyporesponsiveness in hemorrhagic shock rats or induced by L-arginine in vitro.

Endothelium-derived Relaxing Factor Activates Calcium-activated Potassium Channels of Resistance Vessel Smooth Muscle Cells

Direct observation was made by using the patch-clamp technique with a specially designed microperfusion system to investigate the effect of acetylcholine (Ach 10^(-6) mol/L) elicited endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) on the calcium-activated potassium channel (IK(Ca))in the smooth muscle cells of mesenteric resistance vessels in Wistar rats. Activation of IK(Ca) was firstly observed by inducing the elicited EDRF or sodium nitroprusside (SNP 10^(-8) mol/L) under various clamping voltages in cell-attached configuration. While the pipette solution contained KCl 126 mmol/L and the bath solution contained KCl 5.9 mmol/L, two types of conductances of calcium-activated potassium current being 76.4±2.3 pS(mean±S.E. n = 7) and 160.3±7.5 pS (mean±S.E. n= 7) were recorded during the EDRF activation, one type of conductance being 100.5±2.8 pS (mean±S.E. n = 6) was activated by nitric oxide (NO) which is an effective component from SNP. Differences in kinetic characteristics of these channels between EDRF and NO activation were found, particularly the probability of the channel being open in EDRF activation was obviously greater than that in NO stimulation. It has been shown that the potassium channel mechanisms involved in the EDRF and NO actions might be different.

Mechanisms underlying low [Ca^(2+)]_o-induced increased excitability of hippocampal neurons

Objective Concentration of extracellular calcium （[Ca2＋]o） in the central nervous system decreases substantially in different conditions. It results in facilitating neuronal excitability. The goal of this study is to examine the mechanisms of enhanced neuronal excitation in low [Ca2＋]o in order to provide new clues to treat the hyperexcitability diseases in clinic. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp technique and neuron culture were used in the study. Results The firing threshold of cultured hippocampal neurons decreased markedly in low [Ca2＋]o saline. Unexpectedly, apamine and isoprenaline, antagonists of medium afterhyperpolarization （mAHP） and slow AHP （sAHP） respectively, had no statistic significant effect on excitability of neurons. TTX at a low concentration was sufficient to inhibit/Nap, which blocked the increase of firing frequency in low [Ca2＋]o. It also reduced the number of spikes in normal [Ca2＋]o. Conclusion These results suggest that in cultured hippocampal neurons, modulation of spiking threshold but not AHP may cause the increased excitability in low [Ca2＋]o.

Modulation of the activity of dopaminergic neurons by SK channels:a potential target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

SK channels are small conductance calcium-activated potassium channels that are widely expressed in different neurons with distinct subtypes.They play an important role in modulating synaptic plasticity,dopaminergic neurotransmission, and learning and memory.The present review was mainly focused on the recent findings on the contradictory roles of SK channels in modulating dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and in the pathogenesis of Parkinson＇s disease （PD） . Besides,whether modulation of SK channels could be a potential target for PD treatment was also discussed.

Forensic Significance of Messenger RNA and Protein Expression of Genes Downstream of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 2 in Myocardial Tissue for Death Discrimination

Background: As a heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha subunit (HIF2A), is an important member of the HIF family. It plays a significant role in the hypoxia adaptation process by regulating the different types of downstream transcription factors and auxiliary regulatory factors. HIF2A-related factors are believed to participate in the progression of myocardial injury or myocardial ischemia, support the protection of ischemic myocardium, and provide guiding significance for the diagnosis and discrimination of sudden cardiac death in forensic pathology. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to explore the discriminability and applicability of HIF2A-related factors in myocardial infarction cases compared with other causes of death, provide further insights for the forensic diagnosis of heart failure (HF) cases with myocardial infarction, and support the clinical treatment of patients with HF after myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods: The relative expression levels of HIF2A, amphiregulin (AREG), potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel subfamily M β1 (KCNMB1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and VEGFR2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in myocardial tissue samples were performed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A partial least squares-discriminant analysis model was constructed to select the indicators with better identification effects for myocardial infarction cases. The protein levels of HIF2A, AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA were further detected by immunohistochemistry. The forensic autopsy cases (27 cases in total, postmortem interval <72 h) included seven cases of acute myocardial infarction and ten cases of myocardial ischemia. There were ten cases in the control group, including four cases of traffic injury, one case of injury by fall from height, and five cases of blunt force injury. Results: Characteristic results were observed in the myocardial ischemia/infarction samples. Compared with the control group, the relative mRNA expression levels of AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA were significantly increased during the progression of myocardial ischemia, but this was not observed for HIF2A, VEGF, or VEGFR2 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry assays further verified the expression levels of the related factors at the protein level, and H and E staining showed signs of angiogenesis and inflammation in the ischemia/infarction group. Conclusions: By controlling the expression of downstream target genes (AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA) during myocardial cell hypoxia adaptation, HIF2A has a potential significance in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction in forensic medicine. We believe that HIF2A, AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA can be used as molecular pathological biomarkers for the discrimination of causes of death in myocardial infarction cases.

The Involvement of Ca^2＋ Signal Pathways in Distal Colonic Myocytes in a Rat Model of Dextran Sulfate Sodium-induced Colitis

Background： Disrupted Ca2＋ homeostasis contributes to the development of colonic dysmotility in ulcerative colitis （UC）, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to examine the alteration of colonic smooth muscle （SM） Ca2＋ signaling and Ca2＋ handling proteins in a rat model of dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）-induced UC. Methods： Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control （n = 18） and DSS （n = 17） groups. Acute colitis was induced by 5% DSS in the drinking water for 7 days. Contractility of colonic SM strips （controls, n = 8 and DSS, n = 7） was measured in an organ bath. Cytosolic resting Ca2＋ levels （n = 3 in each group） and Ca2＋ transients （n = 3 in each group） were measured in single colonic SM cells. Ca2＋ handling protein expression was determined by Western blotting （n = 4 in each group）. Differences between control and DSS groups were analyzed by a two-sample independent t-test. Results： Average tension and amplitude of spontaneous contractions of colonic muscle strips were significantly enhanced in DSS-treated rats compared with controls （1.25 ± 0.08 g vs. 0.96 - 0.05 g, P = 0.007; and 2.67 - 0.62 g vs. 0.52 ±0.10 g, P= 0.013）. Average tensions of carbachol-evoked contractions were much weaker in the DSS group （1.08 ±0.10 g vs. 1.80 ±0.19 g, P = 0.006）. Spontaneous Ca2＋ transients were observed in more SM cells from DSS-treated rats （15/30 cells） than from controls （5/36 cells）. Peak caffeine-induced intracellular Ca2＋ release was lower in SM cells of DSS-treated rats than controls （0.413 ±0.046 vs. 0.548 ±0.041, P = 0.033）. Finally, several Ca2＋ handling proteins in colonic SM were altered by DSS treatment, including sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-transporting ATPase 2a downregulation and phospholamban and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 upregulation. Conclusions： Impaired intracellular Ca2＋ signaling of colonic SM, caused by alteration of Ca2＋ handing proteins, contribute to colonic dysmotility in DSS-induced UC.