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Mechanism and effect of shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) on serum calcium in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Chao Chen1, Changlin Zhao, Xuejun Wang
1Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Insights
Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) may help lower blood pressure by influencing calcium channels and calcium-ATPase, although its effects on serum calcium and mRNA expression were not statistically significant in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension is a significant global health concern.
- Calcium channel blockers are a common treatment for hypertension.
- Investigating natural compounds for antihypertensive properties is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) on blood pressure and related molecular targets in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
- To explore the potential mechanisms of Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) in regulating calcium homeostasis and vascular function.
Main Methods:
- Spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis), nifedipine, or distilled water for four weeks.
- Blood pressure and serum calcium levels were monitored.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess mRNA expression of L-type calcium channel alpha1 C subunit (CaL-alpha1C) and plasma membrane calcium-ATPase (PMCA1).
- Patch clamp electrophysiology examined calcium channel activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Main Results:
- Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) showed a trend towards lowering blood pressure, but not significantly. Nifedipine significantly reduced blood pressure.
- Serum calcium levels decreased in the Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) and distilled water groups.
- Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) significantly decreased vascular smooth muscle cell I(Ca)-L flow, indicating an effect on calcium channel activity.
Conclusions:
- Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) may influence blood pressure regulation through effects on calcium channels.
- The compound demonstrated a significant impact on L-type calcium channel current in vascular smooth muscle cells.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical efficacy of Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) in managing hypertension.
Objective:
To observe the impact of Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) on spontaneously hypertensive rats via blood pressure, serum calcium, vascular smooth muscle membrane L-type calcium channel alpha1 C subunit (CaL-alpha1C), plasma membrane calcium-ATPase (PMCA) mRNA expression, and the L-type calcium channel in vascular smooth muscle cells.
Methods:
Twelve-week-old male rats with spontaneous hypertension were divided into three groups: a Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) group (group 1), a nifedipine group (group 2), and a distilled water group (group 3). All were given a four-week treatment. Blood pressure and dissociative serum calcium were examined before treatment. Blood pressure was taken every week during treatment. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to examine dissociative serum calcium. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression of CaL-alpha1C and PMCA1 mRNA. The patch clamp technique was used to examine the electrophysiological characteristics of the vascular smooth muscle cell calcium channels.
Results:
After treatment, blood pressure of the Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) group lowered but not significantly (P > 0.05). Blood pressure of the nifedipine group lowered significantly (P < 0.05). Blood pressure of the distilled water group remained high. The concentration of serum calcium in the Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) and the distilled water groups lowered (P < 0.05). Expression of CaL-alpha1C mRNA in the nifedipine group decreased compared with the distilled water group (P < 0.01). There was the decreasing trend in the Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) group, but it was not statistically significant. Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) also had effects on the expression of PMCA1 mRNA but without statistical significance. However, there was a significant decreasing effect on vascular smooth muscle cell I(Ca)-L flow.
Conclusion:
This study indicated that Shijueming (Concha Haliotidis) could increase serum calcium and decrease blood pressure. It may work by influencing calcium channels, expression of PMCA1 mRNA, and regulating ion calcium channels and calcium-ATPase.
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