Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 2, 2026

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

21.2K

Therapeutic Applications of Calcium Metabolism Modulation in Heart Disease

Andreas Synetos1, Konstantinos Stathogiannis, Aggelos Papanikolaou

  • 11st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens Medical School, Vas. Sofias Str. 114, 11527, Athens, Greece. synetos@yahoo.com.

Medicinal Chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))
|September 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Calcium plays a critical role in cardiovascular health and disease. This review explores novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for modulating calcium metabolism to combat cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global cause of mortality, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies.
  • Calcium ions are fundamental to cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, mediating processes like cardiac muscle contraction.
  • Existing treatments for CVD require augmentation with novel approaches targeting underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key calcium metabolism modulators in the cardiovascular system.
  • To discuss their roles in cardiovascular disease pathophysiology.
  • To explore potential therapeutic implications and novel biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on calcium metabolism modulators.
  • Analysis of the roles of SERCA2a, RyR2, S100A1, phospholamban, and calcineurin.
  • Examination of bisphosphonates and microRNAs in arterial calcification and heart disease.

Main Results:

  • Specific proteins like SERCA2a, RyR2, S100A1, phospholamban, and calcineurin are crucial in regulating intracellular calcium handling.
  • Dysregulation of these proteins contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease development.
  • Bisphosphonates may aid in regressing arterial calcification, while microRNAs show promise as biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting calcium metabolism offers promising avenues for novel cardiovascular disease therapies.
  • Understanding the intricate roles of calcium-handling proteins is vital for developing effective treatments.
  • Emerging biomarkers like microRNAs could enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for heart disease.

More Related Videos

Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes11:00

Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Published on: September 18, 2017

10.7K
Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry10:24

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Published on: October 28, 2014

15.9K

Related Concept Videos

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
1.8K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers01:18

Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium ions are essential to contract smooth muscle cells in blood vessels. They enter these cells through voltage-dependent calcium channels, specifically L-type calcium channels in the cell membrane. These L-type calcium channels are integral to the excitation-contraction coupling process in smooth muscle. When a stimulus is received by smooth muscle cells, their membrane depolarizes. This alteration in membrane potential instigates the opening of L-type calcium channels. As a result,...
2.2K
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
8.5K
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
2.7K
Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin00:51

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...
5.4K
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
1.9K