[Effects of Tremella polysaccharide on cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in murine splenocytes]

Effects of Tremella polysaccharides (TP) isolated from Tremella fuciformis Berk. on the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in murine splenocytes were observed using Fura-2, a fluorescence indicator, technique. TP increased the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration of Fura-2-loaded murine splenocytes in a concentration-dependent manner and showed synergetic effect with Con A. No effect was found in the release of intracellular calcium without extracellular calcium. Verapamil (10 micrograms.ml-1), a calcium channel blocker, was shown to inhibit the effect of TP on cytoplasmic free calcium, indicating that TP can affect the influx of extracellular calcium.