961 resultados para Ca2 Channels


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Perturbations of the trans-sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic Ca2+ transport contribute to the abnormal myocardial activity provoked by anoxia and reoxygenation. Whether Ca2+ pools of the extracellular compartment and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are involved to the same extent in the dysfunction of the anoxic-reoxygenated immature heart has not been investigated. Spontaneously contracting hearts isolated from 4-day-old chick embryos were submitted to repeated anoxia (1 min) followed by reoxygenation (5 min). Heart rate, atrioventricular propagation velocity, ventricular shortening, velocities of contraction and relaxation, and incidence of arrhythmias were studied, recorded continuously. Addition of verapamil (10 nM), which blocks selectively sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels, was expected to protect against excessive entry of extracellular Ca2+, whereas addition of ryanodine (10 nM), which opens the SR Ca2+ release channel, was expected to increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Verapamil (a) had no dromotropic effect by contrast to adult heart, (b) attenuated ventricular contracture induced by repeated anoxia, (c) shortened cardioplegia induced by reoxygenation, and (d) had remarkable antiarrhythmic properties during reoxygenation specially. On the other hand, ryanodine potentiated markedly arrhythmias both during anoxia and at reoxygenation. Thus despite its immaturity, the SR seems to be functional early in the developing chick heart and involved in the reversible dysfunction induced by anoxia-reoxygenation. Moreover, Ca2+ entry through L-type channels appears to worsen arrhythmias especially during reoxygenation. These findings show that the Ca2+-handling systems involved in irregular activity in immature heart, such as the embryonic chick heart, may differ from those in the adult.

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In most of cells bradykinin (BK) induces intracellular calcium mobilization. In pancreatic beta cells intracellular calcium is a major signal for insulin secretion. In these cells, glucose metabolism yields intracellular ATP which blocks membrane potassium channels. The membrane depolarizes, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are activated and the intracellular calcium load allows insulin secretion. Repolarization occurs due to activation of the Ca2+-dependent K+ channel. The insulin secretion depends on the integrity of this oscillatory process (bursts). Therefore, we decided to determine whether BK (100 nM) induces bursts in the presence of a non-stimulatory glucose concentration (5.6 mM). During continuous membrane voltage recording, our results showed that bursts were obtained with 11 mM glucose, blocked with 5.6 mM glucose and recovered with 5.6 mM glucose plus 100 nM BK. Thus, the stimulatory process obtained in the presence of BK and of a non-stimulatory concentration of glucose in the present study suggests that BK may facilitate the action of glucose on beta cell secretion.

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β-Citronellol is an alcoholic monoterpene found in essential oils such Cymbopogon citratus (a plant with antihypertensive properties). β-Citronellol can act against pathogenic microorganisms that affect airways and, in virtue of the popular use of β-citronellol-enriched essential oils in aromatherapy, we assessed its pharmacologic effects on the contractility of rat trachea. Contractions of isolated tracheal rings were recorded isometrically through a force transducer connected to a data-acquisition device. β-Citronellol relaxed sustained contractions induced by acetylcholine or high extracellular potassium, but half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) for K+-elicited stimuli were smaller than those for cholinergic contractions. It also inhibited contractions induced by electrical field stimulation or sodium orthovanadate with pharmacologic potency equivalent to that seen against acetylcholine-induced contractions. When contractions were evoked by selective recruitment of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium, β-citronellol preferentially inhibited contractions that involved voltage-operated (but not receptor-operated) pathways. β-Citronellol (but not verapamil) inhibited contractions induced by restoration of external Ca2+ levels after depleting internal Ca2+ stores with the concomitant presence of thapsigargin and recurrent challenge with acetylcholine. Treatment of tracheal rings with L-NAME, indomethacin or tetraethylammonium did not change the relaxing effects of β-citronellol. Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) or transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptors with selective antagonists caused no change in the effects of β-citronellol. In conclusion, β-citronellol exerted inhibitory effects on rat tracheal rings, with predominant effects on contractions that recruit Ca2+ inflow towards the cytosol by voltage-gated pathways, whereas it appears less active against contractions elicited by receptor-operated Ca2+ channels.

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Les canaux calciques dpendants du voltage CaV font partie de la famille structurale des canaux ioniques 6 segments transmembranaires. Tout comme les canaux potassiques Kv, les canaux CaV possdent une srie de rsidus chargs dans lhlice S4 de chaque domaine ou sous-unit qui confrerait la protine une sensibilit aux changements de voltage. De plus les hlices S6 tapissent la paroi du pore et forment la porte dactivation de la protine. Comment le mouvement des hlices S4 se traduit par louverture de la porte dactivation des hlices S6 demeure une question encore non rsolue. Suite la publication de la structure cristalline du canal Kv1.2 en 2005, le groupe de MacKinnon a propos que le mouvement des hlices S4 est mcaniquement coupl la porte dactivation S6 travers le glissement de lhlice amphiphile S4-S5 selon un mcanisme nomm couplage lectromcanique (Long et al. 2005b). Dans le but de dterminer si la rgion S4-S5 joue un rle dans lactivation du canal calcique CaV2.3, nous avons tudi, par la mthode danalyse cyclique de mutations doubles ( Double Mutant Cycle Analysis , (Horovitz 1996)), le couplage entre la boucle S4-S5 et lhlice S6 du domaine II de ce canal. Les mesures dnergies dactivation, Gact, obtenues en prsence des sous-units auxiliaires CaV2 et CaV3 ont affich un couplage significatif pour lactivation entre les paires de rsidus V593G/L699G, V593G/A700G, V593G/A702G, S595G/V703G L596G/L699G, L596G/A700G, L596G/I701G, L596G/A702G, L596G/V703G, L596G/D704G, M597G/I701G, et S602G/I701G. Aucune de ces paires de rsidus na affich de couplage lors de linactivation, suggrant que les effets observs sont spcifiques au mcanisme dactivation. Mis ensemble, ces rsultats suggrent que la boucle IIS4-S5 et lhlice IIS6 interagissent et jouent un rle dterminant dans lactivation de CaV2.3.

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Les canaux Ca2+ activs par le voltage (CaV) sont des protines membranaires qui gnrent des courants Ca2+ dans les cellules excitables suite une dpolarisation membranaire. Ces complexes oligomriques sont classifis selon les proprits structurelles de la sous-unit principale qui forme le pore du canal, soit la sous-unit CaV1. La sous-unit auxiliaire CaV module lexpression membranaire et la dpendance au voltage du gating de la sous-unit CaV1 des canaux HVA ( high-voltage-activated ) CaV1 et CaV2. La sous-unit CaV est forme par un domaine SH3 ( Src homology-3 ) connect un domaine GK ( guanylate kinase-like ) par le biais dun domaine variable HOOK. Dans le but didentifier les rsidus dans la CaV3 qui sont responsables de la densit membranaire du CaV2.3, nous avons produit des mutants de la sous-unit auxiliaire le long de ses domaines fonctionnels. Cela dit, la dltion complte du domaine SH3 ainsi que la dltion du domaine HOOK nont pas modifi la densit membranaire de CaV2.3 ni ses proprits dactivation. Cependant, la dltion de cinq rsidus dans le domaine GK interrompt lexpression membranaire et lexpression fonctionnelle de CaV2.3. La mutation de rsidus identifis prcdemment comme soutenant une affinit de liaison de lordre du nanomolaire dans le domaine GK de CaV na pas modifi de manire significative ladressage membranaire de CaV2.3. Toutefois, les mutations de quatre rsidus leucine dans les rgions 3, 6, 10 et 9 du domaine GK ont grandement rduit ladressage membranaire du canal CaV2.3. Nos rsultats confirment que le domaine GK contient les dterminants molculaires responsables de la fonction chaperone de CaV. Cela dit, ladressage membranaire induit par CaV semble tre dtermin par des lments structuraux qui ne sont pas strictement dpendants dune liaison haute affinit de CaV sur CaV1.

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Le remodelage cardiaque est le processus par lequel la structure ou la fonction cardiaque change en rponse un dsquilibre pathophysiologique tel qu'une maladie cardiaque, un contexte d'arythmie prolonge ou une modification de l'quilibre hormonal. Le systme rnine-angiotensine (SRA) est un systme hormonal largement tudi et il est impliqu dans de nombreuses activits associes au remodelage cardiovasculaire. Lexistence d'un systme circulatoire coupl un systme de tissus locaux est une reprsentation classique, cependant de nouvelles donnes suggrent un SRA indpendant et fonctionnellement actif l'chelle cellulaire. La comprhension de l'activit intracellulaire du SRA pourrait mener de nouvelles pistes thrapeutiques qui pourraient prvenir un remodelage cardiovasculaire dfavorable. L'objectif de cette thse tait d'lucider le rle du SRA intracellulaire dans les cellules cardiaques. Rcemment, les rcepteurs coupls aux protines G (RCPG), les protines G et leurs effecteurs ont t dtects sur des membranes intracellulaires, y compris sur la membrane nuclaire, et les concepts de RCPG intracellulaires fonctionnels sont en voie d'tre accepts comme une ralit. Nous avons ds lors fait l'hypothse que la signalisation du SRA dlimitant le noyau tait implique dans le contrle de l'expression des gnes cardiaques. Nous avons dmontr la prsence de rcepteurs d'angiotensine de type-1 (AT1R) et de type-2 (AT2R) nuclaires dans les cardiomyocytes ventriculaires adultes et dans une fraction nuclaire purifie de tissu cardiaque. Des quantits d'Ang II ont t dtectes dans du lysat de cardiomyocytes et des microinjections d'Ang-II-FITC ont donn lieu des liaisons prfrentielles aux sites nuclaires. L'analyse transcriptionnelle prouve que la synthse d'ARN de novo dans des noyaux isols stimuls l'Ang-II, et l'expression des ARNm de NF-B taient beaucoup plus importants lorsque les noyaux taient exposs de l'Ang II par rapport aux cardiomyocytes intacts. La stimulation des AT1R nuclaires a engendr une mobilisation de Ca2+ via les rcepteurs de l'inositol trisphosphate (IP3R), et le blocage des IP3R a diminu la rponse transcriptionnelle. Les mthodes disponibles actuellement pour l'tude de la signalisation intracrine sont limites aux mthodes indirectes. L'un des objectifs de cette thse tait de synthtiser et caractriser des analogues d'Ang-II cellule-permants afin dtudier spcifiquement dans les cellules intactes l'activit intracellulaire du SRA. Nous avons synthtis et caractris pharmacologiquement des analogues photosensibles Ang-II encapsule en incorporant un groupement 4,5-dimthoxy-2-nitrobenzyl (DMNB) photoclivable sur les sites actifs identifis du peptide. Chacun des trois analogues d'Ang II encapsule synthtiss et purifis: [Tyr(DMNB)4]Ang-II, Ang-II-ODMNB et [Tyr(DMNB)4]Ang-II-ODMNB a montr une rduction par un facteur deux ou trois de l'affinit de liaison envers AT1R et AT2R dans les dosages par liaison comptitive et une activit rduite dans la contraction de l'aorte thoracique. La photostimulation de [Tyr(DMNB)4]Ang-II dans des cellules HEK a augment la phosphorylation d'ERK1/2 (via AT1R) et la production de cGMP (via AT2R) alors que dans les cardiomyocytes isols elle gnrait une augmentation de Ca2+ nucloplasmique et initiait la synthse d'ARNr 18S et d'ARNm du NF-B. Les fibroblastes sont les principaux gnrateurs de remodelage cardiaque structurel, et les fibroblastes auriculaires sont plus ractifs aux stimuli profibrotiques que les fibroblastes ventriculaires. Nous avons mis l'hypothse que lAng-II intracellulaire et l'activation des AT1R et AT2R nuclaires associs contrlaient les profils d'expression des gnes des fibroblastes via des systmes de signalisation distincts et de ce fait jouaient un rle majeur dans le dveloppement de la fibrose cardiaque. Nous avons remarqu que les fibroblastes auriculaires expriment lAT1R et lAT2R nuclaire et l'Ang-II au niveau intracellulaire. Lexpression d'AT1R nuclaire a t rguls positivement dans les cas dinsuffisance cardiaque (IC), tandis que l'AT2R nuclaire a t glycosyl post-traductionnellement. La machinerie protique des protines G, y compris Gq/11, Gi/3, et G, a t observe dans des noyaux isols de fibroblastes. AT1R et AT2R rgulent l'initiation de la transcription du fibroblaste via les voies de transduction de signal d'IP3R et du NO. La photostimulation de [Tyr(DMNB)4]Ang-II dans une culture de fibroblastes auriculaire dclenche la libration de Ca2+ nucloplasmique, la prolifration, et la synthse et scrtion de collagne qui ne sont pas inhibes par les bloqueurs d'AT1R et/ou AT2R extracellulaires.

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Les canaux calciques de type L CaV1.2 sont principalement responsables de lentree des ions calcium pendant la phase plateau du potentiel daction des cardiomyocytes ventriculaires. Cet influx calcique est requis pour initier la contraction du muscle cardiaque. Le canal CaV1.2 est un complexe oligomerique qui est compose de la sous-unite principale CaV1 et des sous-unites auxiliaires CaV et CaV21. CaV joue un role determinant dans ladressage membranaire de la sous-unite CaV1. CaV21 stabilise letat ouvert du canal mais le mecanisme moleculaire responsable de cette modulation na pas ete encore identifie. Nous avons recemment montre que cette modulation requiert une expression membranaire significative de CaV21 (Bourdin et al. 2015). CaV21 est une glycoproteine qui possede 16 sites potentiels de glycosylation de type N. Nous avons donc evalue le role de la glycosylation de type-N dans ladressage membranaire et la stabilite de CaV21. Nous avons dabord confirme que la proteine CaV21 recombinante, telle la proteine endogene, est significativement glycosylee puisque le traitement a la PNGase F se traduit par une diminution de 50 kDa de sa masse moleculaire, ce qui est compatible avec la presence de 16 sites Asn. Il sest avere par ailleurs que la mutation simultanee de 6/16 sites (6xNQ) est suffisante pour 1) reduire significativement la densite de surface de! CaV21 telle que mesuree par cytometrie en flux et par imagerie confocale 2) accelerer les cinetiques de degradation telle questimee apres arret de la synthese proteique et 3) diminuer la modulation fonctionnelle des courants generes par CaV1.2 telle quevaluee par la methode du patch-clamp . Les effets les plus importants ont toutefois ete obtenus avec les mutants N663Q, et les doubles mutants N348Q/N468Q, N348Q/N812Q, N468Q/N812Q. Ensemble, ces resultats montrent que Asn663 et a un moindre degre Asn348, Asn468 et Asn812 contribuent a la biogenese et la stabilite de CaV21 et confirment que la glycosylation de type N de CaV21 est necessaire a la fonction du canal calcique cardiaque de type L.

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Pyroglutamyl proline-rich oligopeptides, present in the venom of the pit viper Bothrops jararaca (Bj-PROs), are the first described naturally occurring inhibitors of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). The inhibition of ACE by the decapeptide Bj-PRO-10c (<ENWPHPQIPP) and other Bj-PROs was classically used to explain the pharmacological effects of these venom peptides in mammals resulting in a decrease of blood pressure. Recent studies, however, suggest that ACE inhibition alone is not sufficient for explaining the antihypertensive actions exerted by these peptides. In this study, we show that intracerebroventricular injection of Bj-PRO-10c induced a significant reduction of mean arterial pressure (MAP) together with a decrease of heart rate (HR) in spontaneously hypertensive rats, indicating that Bj-PRO-10c may act on the central nervous system. In agreement with its supposed neuronal action, this peptide dose-dependently evoked elevations of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in primary culture from postnatal rat brain. The N-terminal sequence of the peptide was not essential for induction of calcium fluxes, while any changes of C-terminal Pro or Ile residues affected Bj-PRO-10c`s activity. Using calcium imaging by confocal microscopy and fluorescence imaging plate reader analysis, we have characterized Bj-PRO-10c-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transients in rat brain cells as being independent from bradykinin-mediated effects and ACE inhibition. Bj-PRO-10c induced pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i/o)-protein activity mediated through a yet unknown receptor, influx and liberation of calcium from intracellular stores, as well as reduction of intracellular cAMP levels. Bj-PRO-10c promoted glutamate and GABA release that may be responsible for its antihypertensive activity and its effect on HR. (C) 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry

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Gomesin is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from hemocytes of a common Brazilian tarantula spider named Acanthoscurriagomesiana. This peptide exerts antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo by an unknown mechanism. In this study, the cytotoxic mechanism of gomesin in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was investigated. Gomesin induced necrotic cell death and was cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. The peptide evoked a rapid and transient elevation of intracellular calcium levels in Fluo-4-AM loaded PC12 cells, which was inhibited by nimodipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker. Preincubation with nimodipine also inhibited cell death induced by gomesin in SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells. Gomesin-induced cell death was prevented by the pretreatment with MAPK/ERK, PKC or PI3K inhibitors, but not with PKA inhibitor. In addition, gomesin generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y cells, which were blocked with nimodipine and MAPK/ERK, PKC or PI3K inhibitors. Taken together, these results suggest that gomesin could be a useful anticancer agent, which mechanism of cytotoxicity implicates calcium entry through L-type calcium channels, activation of MAPK/ERK, PKC and PI3K signaling as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Ion channels have been assigned a pivotal importance in various sperm functions and are therefore promising targets for contraceptive development. The lack of data on channel functionality and pharmacology has hampered this goal. This is a consequence of technical problems of applying electrophysiological techniques to spermatozoa due to their small size and form. By using a laminin coating to increase adherence of spermatozoa and nystatin in the patch pipette for pore formation, we have adapted the whole-cell recording technique to study currents in mature uncapacitated bovine spermatozoa. Employing these conditions, in the head region, patched spermatozoa could be transferred into the whole-cell configuration. For the first time we document an outward rectifying current in mature bovine spermatozoa was blocked by tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) chloride. The observation of a shift in the reversal potential as a response to changes in the extracellular concentration of K+ ions allowed us to identify this current as K+ selective. This result shows that K+ channels in the head region of mature uncapacitated bovine spermatozoa can be suitably investigated using the whole-cell recording patch-clamp technique.

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Obesity has been shown to impair myocardial performance. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the participation of calcium (Ca2+) handling on cardiac dysfunction in obesity models remain unknown. L-type Ca2+ channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a), may contribute to the cardiac dysfunction induced by obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether myocardial dysfunction in obese rats is related to decreased activity and/or expression of L-type Ca2+ channels and SERCA2a. Male 30-day-old Wistar rats were fed standard (C) and alternately four palatable high-fat diets (Ob) for 15 weeks. Obesity was determined by adiposity index and comorbidities were evaluated. Myocardial function was evaluated in isolated left ventricle papillary muscles under basal conditions and after inotropic and lusitropic maneuvers. L-type Ca2+ channels and SERCA2a activity were determined using specific blockers, while changes in the amount of channels were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Phospholamban (PLB) protein expression and the SERCA2a/PLB ratio were also determined. Compared with C rats, the Ob rats had increased body fat, adiposity index and several comorbidities. The Ob muscles developed similar baseline data, but myocardial responsiveness to post-rest contraction stimulus and increased extracellular Ca2+ was compromised. The diltiazem promoted higher inhibition on developed tension in obese rats. In addition, there were no changes in the L-type Ca2+ channel protein content and SERCA2a behavior (activity and expression). In conclusion, the myocardial dysfunction caused by obesity is related to L-type Ca2+ channel activity impairment without significant changes in SERCA2a expression and function as well as L-type Ca2+ protein levels. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2934-2942, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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FUNDAMENTO: Vrios autores mostraram que a deteriorao da funo cardaca associa-se com o grau e a durao da obesidade. Os padres de expresso gnica aps longos perodos de obesidade precisam ser estabelecidos. OBJETIVO: Este estudo testou a hiptese de que a exposio prolongada obesidade leva reduo nos nveis de RNAm de protenas envolvidas na homeostase do Ca2+ miocrdico. Alm disso, este estudo avaliou se uma diminuio no hormnio tireoidiano causava reduo na expresso de RNAm. MTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos de 30 dias de idade foram distribudos em dois grupos: controle (C) e obeso (Ob). O grupo C recebeu uma dieta padro e o grupo Ob recebeu dietas hiperlipdicas por 15, 30 e 45 semanas. A obesidade foi definida pelo ndice de adiposidade. A expresso gnica foi avaliada por PCR em tempo real quantitativa. RESULTADOS: O ndice de adiposidade foi maior no grupo Ob do que no C em todas as etapas. Enquanto a obesidade nas semanas 15 e 45 determinou uma reduo no RNAm de Ca2+-ATPase do retculo sarcoplasmtico (SERCA2a), trocador Na+/Ca2+ (NCX) e calsequestrina (CSQ), observou-se aumento da expresso do RNAm de canal de Ca2+ do tipo L, receptor de rianodina, SERCA2a, fosfolamban (PLB), NCX e CSQ aps a semana 30, em comparao ao grupo C. No houve associao significativa entre os nveis de T3 e a expresso de RNAm. CONCLUSES: Nossos dados indicam que a obesidade por curtos ou longos perodos de tempo pode promover alterao na expresso gnica de protenas reguladoras da homeostase do Ca2+ sem influncia do hormnio tireoidiano

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Coordenao de Aperfeioamento de Pessoal de Nvel Superior (CAPES)

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfico e Tecnolgico (CNPq)

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Uric acid is a major inducer of inflammation in renal interstitium and may play a role in the progression of renal damage in hyperuricemic subjects with primary nephropathies, renal vascular disease, and essential hypertension. At the same time, UA also acts as a water-soluble scavenger of reactive oxygen species. We evaluated the cellular effects of UA on cultured HMC as a potential interstitial target for abnormally elevated levels in acute and chronic renal disease. Intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was monitored by microfluorometry of fura 2-loaded cells, while oxidation of intracellularly trapped non-fluorescent 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFHDA, 20 uM) was employed to assess the generation of reactive oxygen species during 12-hr incubations with various concentrations of UA or monosodium urate. Fluorescent metabolites of DCFH-DA in the culture media of HMC were detected at 485/530 nm excitation/emission wavelengths, respectively. UA dose-dependently lowered resting [Ca2+]i (from 1029 nM to 953, 572, 486 nM at 1-100 uM UA, respectively, p <0.05), leaving responses to vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II unaffected. The effect was not due to Ca2+/H+ exchange upon acidification of the bathing media, as acetate, glutamate, lactate and other organic acids rather increased [Ca2+]i (to max. levels of 49742 nM with 0.1 mM acetate). The decrease of [Ca2+]i was abolished by raising extracellular Ca2+ and not due to effects on Ca2+ channels or activation of Ca2+-ATPases, since unaffected by thapsigargin. The process rather appeared sensitive to removal of extracellular Na+ in combination with blockers of Na+/Ca2+ exchange, such as 2,4-dichlorobenzamil, pointing to a countertransport mechanism. UA dose-dependently prompted the extracellular release of oxidised DCFH (control 372 relative fluorescence units (RFU)/ml, 0.1uM 472, 1 uM 482, 10 uM 514, 0.1 mM 534; positive control, 10 uM sodium nitroprusside 925 RFU/ml, p<0.01). In summary, UA interferes with Ca2+ transport in cultured HMC, triggering oxidative stress which may initiate a sequence of events leading to interstitial injury and possibly amplifying renal vascular damage and/or the progression of chronic disease.