We determined and characterized the Mg2+-dependent, Ca2+-stimulated ATPase (Ca-ATPase) activity in cell plasma membranes from the myometrium of pregnant women, and compared these characteristics to those of the active Ca2+-transport already demonstrated in this tissue. Similarly to the Ca2+-transport system, the Ca2+-ATPase is Mg2+-dependent, stimulated by calmodulin, and inhibited by vanadate. The Km for Ca2+ activation is 0.40 m M, very similar to that found for active calcium transport, i.e. 0.25 m M. Consequently, this Ca2+-ATPase can be responsible for the active calcium transport across the plasma membranes of smooth muscle cells., F. Carrera, T. Proverbio, R. Marín, F. Proverbio., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Intracellular free Ca2+ is one of important biological signals regulating a number of cell functions. It has been discussed widely and extensively in several cell types during the past two decades. Attention has been paid to the Ca2+ transportation in mesenchymal stem cells in recent years as mesenchymal stem cells have gained considerable interest due to their potential for cell replacement therapy and tissue engineering. In this paper, roles of intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and its transporters in mesenchymal stem cells have been reviewed., B. Ye., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
The present study was devised to assess the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) administration on certain andrological, endocrinological and biochemical alterations in adult male rabbits (n=24). The animals were assigned to control (n=8) and experimental (n=16) group. Experimental group was orally administered with 1.5 mg/kg body weight of CdCl2. The trials were carried out for a total of 5 weeks and blood sampling was carried out on weekly basis. A gradual decrease was noticed for body weight in the experimental group from week 1 to 5, being significantly lower in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). A similar decremented trend was noticed for serum testosterone level being significantly lower in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.001). Significantly lower values were noticed for prolactin in experimental group in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05), than in the control. On the contrary, serum cortisol level showed a gradual increase in experimental group, from week 1 to 5, being significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.05). Regarding the biochemical attributes, all the parameters under study revealed a gradually ascending trend. Statistical significance was, however, achieved in varying weeks and at varying levels. The total protein and albumin were significantly higher in week 4 and 5 (P<0.01); alanine aminotransferase in week 2 (P<0.01), 3 (P<0.001), 4 (P<0.01) and 5 (P<0.001); aspartate aminotransferase in week 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.01); and alkaline phosphatase in week 1, 2 (P<0.01), 3, 4 and 5 (P<0.0001), respectively. Overall mortality rate in experimental group was 68.75 (11/16). In a nutshell, Cd exposure results in adverse effects on all physiological parameters of body and may lead to lethal consequences., S. Sajjad, H. Malik, U. Farooq, F. Rashid, H. Nasim, S. Tariq, S. Rehman., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We studied cadmium toxicity in murine hepatocytes in vitro. Cadmium effects on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were assayed, using a laser scanning confocal microscope with a fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM. The results showed that administration of cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 5, 10, 25 μM) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease of hepatocyte viability and an elevated aspartate aminotransfe rase (AST) activity in the culture medium (p<0.05 for 25 μM CdCl2 vs. control). Significant increases of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in 10 and 25 μM CdCl2-exposed groups were observed (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). A greatly decreased albumin content and a more malondialdehyde (MDA) formation also occurred after CdCl2 treatment. The Ca2+ concentrations in the culture medium of CdCl2-exposed hepatocytes were significantly decreased, while [Ca2+]i appeared to be significantly elevated (p<0.05 or p<0.01 vs. control). We found that in Ca2+-containing hydroxyethyl piperazine ethanesulfonic acid-buffered salt solution (HBSS) only, CdCl2 elicited [Ca2+]i increases, which comprised an initially slow ascent and a strong elevated phase. However, in Ca2+-containing HBSS with addition of 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borane (2-APB), CdCl2 caused a mild [Ca 2+] i elevation in the absence of an initial rise phase. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ showed that CdCl2 induced an initially slow [Ca2+]i rise alone without being followed by a markedly elevated phase, but in a Ca2+-free HBSS with addition of 2-APB, CdCl2 failed to elicit the [Ca2+]i elevation. These results suggest that abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis due to cadmium may be an important mechanism of the development of the toxic effect in murine hepatocytes. [Ca2+]i elevation in acutely cadmium-exposed hepatocytes is closely related to the extracellular Ca2+ entry and an excessive release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores., S. S. Wang, L. Chen, S. K. Xia., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
In order to understand better Cd resistance in soybean, Dongying wild soybean treated with different Cd concentrations were evaluated. The biomass, chlorophyll (Chl) content, leaf color, Chl a fluorescence parameters, photosynthesis parameters, and Cd contents were determined. Our results showed that when Cd concentration was ≤ 2 kg m-3, no significant decrease in biomass, photosynthetic parameters, and maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII was observed. This indicated that Dongying wild soybean resisted Cd toxic effects under such conditions. In addition, atomic absorption experiment results demonstrated that when Cd concentration was ≤ 0.5 kg m-3, the accumulation of Cd in wild soybean was lower in roots than that in shoots, while the accumulation of Cd was higher in roots than that in shoots when Cd concentration was ≥ 1 kg m-3. Therefore, Dongying wild soybean showed a certain resistance to Cd and could serve as a valuable germplasm resource for improving the breeding of
Cd-resistant soybean., L. Liu, Y. K. Shang, L. Li, Y. H. Chen, Z. Z. Qin, L. J. Zhou, M. Yuan, C. B. Ding, J. Liu, Y. Huang, R. W. Yang, Y. H. Zhou, J. Q. Liao., and Obsahuje bibliografii