Search results for "Calcium channels"
showing 7 items of 67 documents
Adrenoceptor-mediated effects on calcium channel currents are antagonized by 5?-(N-ethyl)-carboxamido-adenosine in guinea-pig atrial cells
1992
In guinea-pig atrial myocytes, the effects of the adenosine analogue 5′-(N-ethyl)-carboxamido-adenosine (NECA) in the presence of isoprenaline (ISO) on Ca2+ channel activity were analyzed. Single Ca2+ channel currents were recorded from cell-attached patches by application of several hundred 100 ms depolarizing steps. Under control conditions, burstlike activity of channel openings during some depolarizing steps were followed by variably long periods of quiescence (blank sweeps). During superfusion with ISO (100 nmol/l), ensemble-averaged (mean) current was increased by about 150%. The underlying mechanism was found to be a significant increase in the channel availability, defined as the ra…
Inhibition of ovarian steroidogenesis by cyclic-GMP in a fly
2003
1479-6805 0022-0795; Previous investigations in the female blowfly Phormia regina have shown that 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a broad spectrum inhibitor of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), fails to mimic the steroidogenic effects of cAMP on ovaries, although it efficiently increases the concentrations of this second messenger. In this study, experiments carried out to clear up this contradiction demonstrated that IBMX, besides its effect on cAMP, also increased cGMP concentrations in blowfly ovary and that these two cyclic nucleotides controlled ovarian steroidogenesis antagonistically. In particular, a selective inhibitor of cGMP-specific PDEs, unlike IBMX, had a very strong negative eff…
The phototransduction cascade in the isolated chick pineal gland revisited.
2003
It is well established that the isolated chick pineal gland is directly light sensitive and that melatonin synthesis of the gland can be inhibited by exposing the gland to light during scotophase. Since not all the steps of the phototransduction cascade have been clarified to the same extent as in the retina, we have treated isolated chick pineal glands with 90 min of light during scotophase and with drugs that affect key-components of vertebrate phototransduction, i.e., cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6), cGMP levels and cGMP-gated calcium channels. The endpoint measured was the activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine N-acet…
Intervention of two voltage-dependent calcium-entry pathways in the contractile response to acetylcholine and KCl in rat uterus.
1994
The contractile response of rat uterine smooth muscle was investigated. Verapamil and diltiazem concentration-dependently relax the sustained contractions induced by KCl (56 mmol/l) or acetylcholine (10(-4) mol/l). This inhibitory effect was not not freely reversed by washing the tissue and subsequently no contractile response was obtained in depolarized tissue, but a lower biphasic response (phasic and tonic) to acetylcholine was observed. Addition of cumulative concentrations of CaCl2 (1.2-19.2 mmol/l) induced a partial recovery of the contractile response to acetylcholine or KCl, but addition of MgCl2 (1.2-19.2 mmol/l did not. When the channel was reactivated by a third addition of KCl o…
Differential blockade by nifedipine and ω-conotoxin GVIA of α1- and β1-adrenoceptor-controlled calcium channels on motor nerve terminals of the rat
1990
Electrically evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) from the rat phrenic nerve and its facilitation by stimulation of presynaptic alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenoceptors were investigated in the absence and presence of nifedipine and omega-conotoxin GVIA. Both calcium channel antagonists did not modify electrically evoked [3H]ACh release, but selectively blocked the effect triggered by both facilitatory adrenergic receptors. The increase in [3H]ACh release mediated via beta 1-adrenoceptor activation was abolished by low concentrations (1 nM) of omega-conotoxin GVIA, whereas nifedipine (100 nM) abolished the facilitatory effect mediated via alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation. Therefore, the b…
Stimulation of calcium uptake by norepinephrine or high external potassium in human calyces and renal pelvis.
1989
The effects of stimulation with either 10 mumol/l norepinephrine or 85 mmol/l extracellular potassium concentration on calcium uptake were studied in muscle strips from human renal calyces and from the renal pelvis. The apparent uptake of calcium under control conditions was essentially complete after 30 min. Stimulation of the muscle strips with norepinephrine or high external potassium significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the calcium uptake over the control values at 30 and 100 min, whereas 45Ca efflux was virtually not affected. It is concluded that the mechanical responses of the muscle strips to norepinephrine or high external potassium correspond with an increased uptake of calc…
The Role of the Amygdala in the Extinction of Conditioned Fear
2006
The amygdala has long been known to play a central role in the acquisition and expression of fear. More recently, convergent evidence has implicated the amygdala in the extinction of fear as well. In rodents, some of this evidence comes from the infusion of drugs directly into the amygdala and, in particular, into the basolateral complex of the amygdala, during or after extinction learning. In vivo electrophysiology has identified cellular correlates of extinction learning and memory in the lateral nucleus of that structure. Human imaging experiments also indicate that amygdaloid activity correlates with extinction training. In addition, some studies have directly identified changes in mole…