Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
10:53
Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
Published on: July 3, 2013
Summary
Maintaining extracellular calcium above a threshold concentration during isolation is key for producing calcium-tolerant ventricular myocytes and may prevent heart damage. Future research on isolated cells could clarify mechanisms for both phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The calcium paradox is a phenomenon of heart damage occurring after ischemia and reperfusion.
- Ventricular myocytes (heart muscle cells) can be damaged by rapid changes in calcium levels.
- Producing calcium-tolerant myocytes is crucial for understanding and preventing heart injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey methods for producing calcium-tolerant ventricular myocytes.
- To explore factors protecting the heart from the calcium paradox.
- To assess the relevance of isolated cell measurements to myocyte calcium tolerance and the calcium paradox.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on producing calcium-tolerant myocytes.
- Analysis of factors influencing myocyte calcium tolerance during isolation.
- Examination of data on enzyme release and ionic homeostasis in isolated myocytes.
Main Results:
- Maintaining extracellular calcium above a threshold concentration during cell isolation is a major factor in producing calcium-tolerant myocytes.
- This approach may also prevent the calcium paradox in whole organs.
- Measurements of enzyme release and myocyte ionic homeostasis are relevant to both calcium tolerance and the calcium paradox.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular calcium levels during isolation are critical for myocyte calcium tolerance.
- Isolated ventricular myocytes, while not yet a perfect model for the paradox, provide valuable insights.
- Further research on isolated cells can elucidate mechanisms underlying calcium tolerance and the calcium paradox.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration
Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
Various transmembrane receptors, such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), elicit a response to extracellular signals by increasing cytosolic calcium. Activated GPCRs...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:21Skeleton 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.
01:29Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
00:59The Parathyroid Glands
The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...
01:18Antihypertensive 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,...