ISSN:
1573-4919
Keywords:
taurine
;
heart cells
;
calcium
;
sodium
;
confocal microscopy
;
nucleus
;
fluo-3
;
sodium green
;
Ca2+ overload
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effect of taurine on the different types of ionic currents appears to depend on [Ca]o and [Ca]i and may also vary accordingly to tissue or cell type studied. Using microfluorometry and Ca2+ imaging techniques, short-term exposure (5–10 min) of single heart cells to taurine was found to increase total intracellular free Ca2+ in a concentration-dependent manner. However, long-term exposure of heart myocytes to taurine was found to decrease both nuclear and cytosolic Ca2+ without significantly changing either nuclear or cytosolic Na+ levels, as measured by 3-dimensional Ca2+ and Na+ confocal imaging techniques. Long- term exposure to taurine was found to prevent cytosolic and nuclear increases of Ca2+ induced by permanent depolarization of heart cells with high [K]o. This preventive effect of taurine on nuclear Ca2+ overload was associated with an increase of both cytosolic and nuclear free Na+. Thus, the effect of long-term exposure to taurine on intranuclear Ca2+ overload in heart cells seems to be mediated via stimulation of sarcolemmal and nuclear Ca2+ outflow through the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006879918371
