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Prostacyclin-enhanced calcium sequestration by microsomes isolated from rat left ventricle
M G Nasser1, R A Makarim, C F Nassar
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Pharmacological Research Communications
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Prostacyclin significantly enhances calcium binding and uptake in rat heart microsomes, speeding up the process. This finding suggests prostacyclin
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Microsomal vesicles from the rat left ventricle are crucial for calcium regulation.
- Prostacyclin's role in cardiac calcium handling requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the direct impact of prostacyclin on calcium binding and uptake.
- To quantify changes in calcium kinetics within rat cardiac microsomes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of microsomal vesicles from rat left ventricular tissue.
- Measurement of steady-state calcium binding and uptake kinetics.
- Treatment with varying concentrations of prostacyclin.
Main Results:
- Prostacyclin accelerated steady-state calcium binding and uptake.
- Calcium binding increased from 52.48 to 109.31 nmol/mg protein (p < 0.05).
- Calcium uptake increased from 238.07 to 314.85 nmol/mg protein (p < 0.05).
- Higher prostacyclin concentrations did not yield further significant increases.
Conclusions:
- Prostacyclin directly and significantly enhances calcium binding and uptake in cardiac microsomes.
- The observed effects are concentration-dependent up to a certain threshold.
- Findings provide insight into prostacyclin's influence on cardiac calcium homeostasis.