ATP released from beta-amyloid-stimulated microglia induces reactive oxygen species production in an autocrine fashion

Present study demonstrated that fibrillar beta-amyloid peptide (fAbeta1-42) induced ATP release, which in turn activated NADPH oxidase via the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in fAbeta1-42- treated microglia appeared to require Ca2+ influx from extracellular sources, because ROS generation was abolished to control levels in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Considering previous observation of superoxide generation by Ca2+ influx through P2X7R in microglia, we hypothesized that ROS production in fAbeta-stimulated microglia might be mediated by ATP released from the microglia. We therefore examined whether fAbeta1-42-induced Ca2+ influx was mediated through P2X7R activation. In serial experiments, we found that microglial pretreatment with the P2X7R antagonists Pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'- disulfonate (100 microM) or oxidized ATP (100 microM) inhibited fAbeta-induced Ca2+ influx and reduced ROS generation to basal levels. Furthermore, ATP efflux from fAbeta1-42- stimulated microglia was observed, and apyrase treatment decreased the generation of ROS. These findings provide conclusive evidence that fAbeta-stimulated ROS generation in microglial cells is regulated by ATP released from the microglia in an autocrine manner.     

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor prevents the production of reactive oxygen species in fibrillar beta amyloid peptide (1-42)-stimulated microglia

Recent studies have reported that the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway regulates peripheral inflammatory responses via alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha7 nAChRs) and that acetylcholine and nicotine regulate the expression of proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha and prostaglandin E2 in microglial cultures. In a previous study we showed that ATP released by beta-amyloid-stimulated microglia induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, in a process involving the P2X(7) receptor (P2X(7)R), in an autocrine fashion. These observations led us to investigate whether stimulation by nicotine could regulate fibrillar beta amyloid peptide (1-42) (fAbeta1-42)-induced ROS production by modulating ATP efflux-mediated Ca(2+) influx through P2X(7)R. Nicotine inhibited ROS generation in fAbeta(1-42)-stimulated microglial cells, and this inhibition was blocked by mecamylamine, a non-selective nAChR antagonist, and a-bungarotoxin, a selective alpha7 nAChR antagonist. Nicotine inhibited NADPH oxidase activation and completely blocked Ca(2+) influx in fAbeta(1-42)-stimulated microglia. Moreover, ATP release from fAbeta(1-42)-stimulated microglia was significantly suppressed by nicotine treatment. In contrast, nicotine did not inhibit 2',3'-O-(4-benzoyl)-benzoyl ATP (BzATP)-induced Ca(2+) influx, but inhibited ROS generation in BzATP-stimulated microglia, indicating an inhibitory effect of nicotine on a signaling process downstream of P2X(7)R. Taken together, these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of nicotine on ROS production in fAbeta1-42-stimulated microglia is mediated by indirect blockage of ATP release and by directly altering the signaling process downstream from P2X(7)R.     

Na~+/Ca~(2+) Exchange-mediated La~(3+) Entry in Human Lymphocytes

With extensive applications the rare earth elements to agriculture, medicine and animal husbandry, whether rare earth ions can cross cell membranes and participate in the metabolism of animals and plants is not clear until now. Otherwise, rare earth ions have different interaction fashions to different kinds of cells, therefore, in this study we determined whether La3+ enter human peripheral blood lymphocytes via Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (measured with fura-2).Relative sensitivity of fura-2 to Ca2+…     

内含式化合物X@Al12P12的结构与稳定性研究

采用B3LYP／6—31G*方法,对内含式化合物X@Al12P12(X=Li^0/ ,Na^0/ ,K^0/2 ,Be^0/2 ,Mg^0/2 ,Ca^0/2 ,H和He)的不同对称性构型进行计算,讨论其最稳定构型的几何参数、布居分析、偶极矩、电离势、包含能、频率、HOMO—LUMO能隙和自旋密度．发现X@Al12P12化合物中,客体X=Na^0/ ,K^0/ ,Mg和He几乎处在笼的中心,Be和Ca^0/2 处在中心附近0．033nm的半径内,Li^0/ ,Be^2 ,Mg^2 和H很大程度上偏离笼的中心位置．大部分金属内含式化合物的C3对称性构型稳定．Li^0/ 。,Be^0/2 ,Mg^2 ,Ca^2 和H与其它离子相比更易嵌入笼内形成稳定的内含式化合物．     

5-Hydroxytryptamino-induced calcium sparks in cultured rat stomach fundus smooth muscle cells

With the imaging fluorescence probe of Ca2+ (fluo-3) and a laser scanning confocal micro-scope, the spontaneous localized calcium release event was first discovered in resting rat cardiac myocytes by Cheng[1] in 1993. A mathematical simulation is developed with computer in order to reveal the effect, which is immediately suggested that these events are likely to reflect the local-ized release of Ca2+ from a small cluster of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels in sar-coplasmic reticulum …     

A theoretical study on the formation of EX4+ and E2X5+(E = P, As; X = Br, I) from Ag+ and EX3/X2

The mechanism and the thermodynamics of the formation of EX2+, EX4+ and E2X5+ (E = As, P; X = Br, I) was carefully analyzed with MP2/TZVPP calculations and inclusion of entropy and solvation effects (COSMO model approximating CH2Cl2). Thus, as likely intermediates the complexes of Ag+ and one or two EX3 as well as EX3/X2 were optimized. The global minimum isomers of the Ag(EX3)2+ intermediates were found to be P-coordinated Ag(PI3)2+ and (BrPBr2)Ag(PBr3)+ but exclusively halogen coordinated Ag(X2AsX)2+ complexes. Similarly complicated is the situation for the Ag(EX3)(X2)+ intermediates: (I3E)Ag(I2)+, (BrAsBr2)Ag(Br2)+ and (Br3P)(Br-Br)Ag+ complexes were found to be the global minima. Based on all available results likely mechanisms for the formation of the known PX4+, AsBr4+, P2X5+ salts (X = Br, I) from these intermediates were proposed. An explanation for the failure to prepare an AsI4+ salt is also given.     

单一基质白光荧光粉Ca0.955-xAl2Si2O8:0.045Eu2+,xMn2+的晶胞参数变化和光谱特性

利用高温固相反应制备了Ca_(0.955-x)Al_2Si_2O_8∶0.045Eu~(2+),xMn~(2+)(x=0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20,0.25,0.30,0.325,0.35,0.375,0.40,0.425)一系列试样,系统研究了Mn~(2+)取代基质中Ca~(2+)进入晶格中对其晶胞参数和光谱特性影响。Mn~(2+)以类质同相替代Ca~(2+)进入晶体晶格中,形成了连续固溶体,试样均为三斜晶系,P空间群。随着Mn~(2+)掺杂量增加,晶胞参数(a,b,c,γ)和晶胞体积V均呈线性递减,且a轴减幅最大,b轴最小,晶面夹角(α,β)呈线性递增。在357 nm激发下,获得的Ca_(0.955-x)Al_2Si_2O_8∶0.045Eu~(2+),xMn~(2+)发射光谱均有Eu~(2+)的4f→5d跃迁产生的433 nm和Mn~(2+)的~4T_1(~4G)→~6A_1(~6S)跃迁产生的567 nm两个宽带谱组成。在荧光粉Ca_(0.955-x)Al_2Si_2O_8∶0.045Eu~(2+),xMn~(2+)中,Eu~(2+)与Mn~(2+)间存在能量传递,Eu~(2+)→Mn~(2+)间能量传递的临界距离R_(Eu-Mn)=0.947 1 nm,Eu~(2+)→Mn~(2+)能量传递过程为电四极-电四极的多极矩相互作用。通过改变Mn~(2+)掺杂量,在紫外芯片的有效激发下,荧光粉的发射光颜色可从蓝光区(0.158 2,0.086 0)逐渐移至近白光区(0.295 3,0.298 9),可获得一种紫外激发适用于白光LED的单一组分白色荧光粉。     

Speciation of cyclo(Pro-Gly)<Subscript>3</Subscript> and its divalent metal-ion complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was used to study the binding of selected group II and divalent transition-metal ions by cyclo(Pro-Gly)3 (CPG3), a model ion carrier peptide. Metal salts (CatXn) were combined with the peptide (M) at a molar ratio of 1:10 M/Cat in aqueous solvents containing 50% vol/vol acetonitrile or methanol and 1 or 10 mM ammonium acetate (NH4Ac). Species detected include [M+H]+, [M+Cat-H]+, [M2+Cat]2+, [M+Cat+Ac]+, and [M+Cat+X]+. The relative stabilities of complexes formed with different cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) were determined from the abundance of 1:1 and 2:1 M/Cat species relative to that of the unbound peptide. The largest metal ions (Ca2+, Sr2+, and Mn2+) formed the most stable complexes. Reducing the buffer concentration increased the overall extent of metal binding. Results show that the binding specificity of CPG3 depends upon the size of the metal ion and its propensity for electrostatic interaction with oxygen atoms. Product ion tandem mass spectrometry of [M+H]+ and [M+Cu-H]+ confirmed the cyclic structure of the peptide, although the initial site(s) of metal attachment could not be determined.     

Vascular dilatory action of the Chinese crude drug. II. Effects of scoparone on calcium mobilization

Further experiments were conducted to examine the effect of scoparone (6,7-dimethoxycoumarin), a coumarin derivative found in the Chinese crude drug "Capillaris Flos," on calcium mobilization. Scoparone does not affect Ca2+ influx through the voltage-dependent channel due to membrane depolarization. Its inhibitory action may be dependent not only on the inhibition of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum but also on the inhibition of extracellular Ca2+ influx through the receptor-operated channel.     

Phosphorprotein intermediate in the Ca2+-dependent ATPase reaction of macrophage plasma membrane.

ATPase activity and phosphorylation by [gamma-32P] ATP of isolated plasma membrane of alveolar macorphages are stimulated in a parallel fashion by physiologic concentrations of Ca2+, with half-maximal activating effect of this ion at (3--7) X 10(-7) M. For various membrane preparations, a direct proportionality exists between Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity and amount of 32P incorporated. Labeling of membrane attains the steady-state level by 10 sec at 0 degrees C, and is rapidly reversed by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), K+ decreases the amount of membrane-bound 32P, mainly by enhancing the rate of dephosphorylation of the 32P-intermediate. Hydroxylamine causes a release of about 90% of 32P bound to the membrane, thus indicating that the 32P-intermediate contains an acyl-phosphate bond. When the labeled plasma membrane is solubilized and electrophoresed on acrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, the radioactivity appears to be largely associated with a single protein fraction of 132,000 +/- 2,000 aarent molecular weight. These features of the macrophage Ca2+-ATPase suggest that the enzyme activity might be part of a surface-localized Ca1+-extrusion system, participating in the regulation of Ca2+-dependent activities of the macrophage.     

Effect of the ionic strength and prostaglandin E2 on the free Ca2+ concentration and the Ca2+ influx in human red blood cells

Human red blood cells (RBCs) were loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 to investigate the effects of media ionic strength and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). [Ca2+]i of intact RBCs in a Ca(2+)-containing physiological (high) ionic strength (HIS) solution was 75.1 +/- 8.3 nM after 5 min incubation, increasing to 114.9 +/- 9.6 nM after 1 h. In Ca(2+)-containing low ionic strength (LIS) solutions, [Ca2+]i was significantly lower than in the Ca(2+)-containing HIS solution (p = 0.041 or 0.0385 for LIS solutions containing 200 or 250 mM sucrose, respectively), but, as in HIS solution, an increase of [Ca2+]i was seen after 1 h. In Ca(2+)-free (0 Ca2+ plus 15 microM EGTA) media, [Ca2+]i decreased (ranging from 15 to 21 nM), but were not significantly different in HIS or LIS, and did not change following 1 h incubation. The effect of the ionic strength and PGE2 on passive Ca2+ influx was investigated on ATP-depleted RBCs. Ca2+ influx was faster during the initial 10 min in comparison with the subsequent time period (10-45 min), both in HIS and LIS media, decreasing from 20.3 +/- 1.9 to 12.9 +/- 1.3 micromol/(lcells x h) in HIS, and from 36.7 +/- 5.3 to 8.6 +/- 1.2 micromol/(lcells x h) in LIS. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 10(-7)-10(-11) M), dissolved in deionised water or in ethanol, did not affect [Ca2+]i in either normal or in ATP-depleted RBCs suspended in Ca(2+)-containing HIS medium. Finally, the addition of carbachol (100 microM) did not affect [Ca2+]i. The present findings suggest that stimulation of the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel by PGE2, reported in [J. Biol. Chem. 271 (1996) 18651], cannot be mediated via increased [Ca2+]i.     

Inhibition of superoxide generation and of increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration by zinc in rat neutrophils stimulated with zymosan

The effect of Zn2+ on the O2- generation and change in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of rat peritoneal neutrophils was studied. Zymosan (serum-treated zymosan (STZ))-induced O2- generation was inhibited by Zn2+ at concentrations as low as 10 microM. A large amount of the inhibition was observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ but the inhibition could not be restored by increasing the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, indicating that Zn2+ does not necessarily inhibit the O2- generation competitively with extracellular Ca2+. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, Zn2+ inhibited STZ-induced transient increase in [Ca2+]i in the concentration range that evoked a marked inhibition in the O2- generation. On the other hand, Zn2+ did not inhibit significantly STZ-induced uptake of 45Ca2+ from extracellular medium by the cells. From these results, it is suggested that Zn2+ inhibits STZ-induced release of Ca2+ from intracellular storage sites, resulting in the suppression of the activation mechanism of neutrophils.     

Selective 226Ra2+ ionophores provided by self-assembly of guanosine and isoguanosine derivatives

The self-assembled guanosine (G 1)-based hexadecamers and isoguanosine (isoG 2)-based decamers are excellent 226Ra2+ selective ionophores even in the presence of excess alkali (Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+) and alkaline earth (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, and Ba2+) cations over the pH range 3-11. G 1 requires additional picrate anions to provide a neutral assembly, whereas the isoG 2 assembly extracts 226Ra2+ cations without any such additives. Both G 1-picrate and isoG 2 assemblies show 226Ra2+ extraction even at a 0.35 x 10(6) fold excess of Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+, Mg2+, or Ca2+ (10(-2) M) to 226Ra2+ (2.9 x 10(-8) M) and at a 100-fold salt to ionophore excess. In the case of the G 1-picrate assembly, more competition was observed from Sr2+ and Ba2+, as extraction of 226Ra2+ ceased at an M2+/226Ra2+ ratio of 10(6) and 10(4), respectively. With the isoG 2 assembly, 226Ra2+ extraction also occurred at a Sr2+/226Ra2+ ratio of 10(6) but ceased at a 10(6) excess of Ba2+. The results clearly demonstrate the power of molecular self-assembly for the construction of highly selective ionophores.     

Spider venoms: a rich source of acylpolyamines and peptides as new leads for CNS drugs

Advances in NMR and mass spectrometry as well as in peptide biochemistry coupled to modern methods in electrophysiology have permitted the isolation and identification of numerous products from spider venoms, previously explored due to technical limitations. The chemical composition of spider venoms is diverse, ranging from low molecular weight organic compounds such as acylpolyamines to complex peptides. First, acylpolyamines (< 1000 Da) have an aromatic moiety linked to a hydrophilic lateral chain. They were characterized for the first time in spider venoms and are ligand-gated ion channel antagonists, which block mainly postsynaptic glutamate receptors in invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. Acylpolyamines represent the vast majority of organic components from the spider venom. Acylpolyamine analogues have proven to suppress hippocampal epileptic discharges. Moreover, acylpolyamines could suppress excitatory postsynaptic currents inducing Ca+ accumulation in neurons leading to protection against a brain ischemic insult. Second, short spider peptides (< 6000 Da) modulate ionic currents in Ca2+, Na+, or K+ voltage-gated ion channels. Such peptides may contain from three to four disulfide bridges. Some spider peptides act specifically to discriminate among Ca2+, Na+, or K+ ion channel subtypes. Their selective affinities for ion channel subfamilies are functional for mapping excitable cells. Furthermore, several of these peptides have proven to hyperpolarize peripheral neurons, which are associated with supplying sensation to the skin and skeletal muscles. Some spider N-type calcium ion channel blockers may be important for the treatment of chronic pain. A special group of spider peptides are the amphipathic and positively charged peptides. Their secondary structure is alpha-helical and they insert into the lipid cell membrane of eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells leading to the formation of pores and subsequently depolarizing the cell membrane. Acylpolyamines and peptides from spider venoms represent an interesting source of molecules for the design of novel pharmaceutical drugs.     

Activation of hepatic microsomal Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase by calcium-binding protein regucalcin

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytosol, on Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in hepatic microsomes was investigated. Mg2+-ATPase activity was clearly increased by the presence of 50 microM Ca2+. Regucalcin (1.0-4.0 microM) caused a remarkable elevation (about 3-fold) of Ca2+-ATPase activity. Also, Mg2+-ATPase activity was increased (about 1.6-fold) by the presence of regucalcin (2.0 and 4.0 microM). Guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPrs; 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidized form (NADP+; 10(-5) to 10(-3) M) or reduced form (NADPH; 10(-4) and 10(-3) M) significantly increased Ca2+-ATPase activity. These increases were not enhanced by the presence of regucalcin (2.0 microM). Of various metal ions, a comparatively low concentration of V5+ (10(-5) M) or Cd2+ (10(-6) M) significantly increased Ca2+-ATPase activity, while Hg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+ did not have such an effect. Regucalcin (2.0 microM) did not enhance the effect of V5+ and Cd2+ on Ca2+-ATPase activity. The present finding, that regucalcin activates hepatic microsomal Ca2+-ATPase, suggests a cell physiological role of regucalcin as an activator in the microsomal Ca2+-pump activity. This action of regucalcin may not be influenced by other regulators.     

Photosensitization reaction-induced acute electrophysiological cell response of rat myocardial cells in short loading periods of talaporfin sodium or porfimer sodium

Electrophysiological responses of rat myocardial cells to exogenous photosensitization reactions for a short period of incubation with two photosensitizers, talaporfin sodium or porfimer sodium, were measured in a subsecond time scale. The loading period of the photosensitizer when the photosensitizer might not be taken up by the cells was selected as 15min, which was determined by the fluorescence microscopic observation. We measured the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ](in) ) by using a fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator, Fluo-4 AM, under a high-speed confocal laser microscope to evaluate the acute electrophysiological cell response to the photosensitization reaction. The measured temporal change in Fluo-4 fluorescence intensity indicated that the response to the photosensitization reaction might be divided into two phases in both photosensitizers. The first phase is acute response: disappearance of Ca(2+) oscillation when irradiation starts, which might be caused by ion channel dysfunction. The second phase is slow response: [Ca(2+) ](in) elevation indicating influx of Ca(2+) due to the concentration gradient. The continuous Ca(2+) influx followed by changes in cell morphology suggested micropore formation on the surface of the cell membrane, resulting in necrotic cell death.     

Preparation of alkaline earth phosphates with sol containing sodium alginate and sodium diphosphate

Magnesium hydrogen phosphate, calcium hydroxyapatite, and strontium hydroxyapatite were successfully prepared from sol consisting of sodium alginate and Na4P2O7 with Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ in the corresponding nitrates, respectively. It is revealed that the order of the addition of those substrates and the role of sodium alginate are important factors for the preparation of desired phosphate compounds. According to the previous paper on the preparation of calcium hydroxyapatite, sodium alginate was mixed with aqueous Na4P2O7, followed by the addition of the aqueous divalent cations, resulting in the poor formation of the target phosphates. However, as a revised sol-gel technique, sodium alginate was added to the mixture of Na4P2O7 and aqueous Mg2+ and Sr2+, resulting in a rather favorable formation of MgHPO4 and strontium hydroxyapatite, respectively, while the sol thus obtained was stable within a few days. However for aqueous Ca2+, calcium hydroxyapatite could not be obtained through the revised sol-gel technique. In the preparation of magnesium hydrogen phosphate, sodium alginate contributes mainly to the sol formation of the precursor. The ion exchange between Na+ in sodium alginate and aqueous Ca2+ was important for the preparation of calcium hydroxyapatite. In contrast, the reaction of sodium alginate with the mixture of Na4P2O7 and aqueous Sr2+ afforded strontium hydroxyapatite at the specific ratio of those three substrates. The structure of calcium and strontium phosphates prepared from the revised sol-gel process evidently depended on the amount of sodium alginate introduced into the mixture of Na4P2O7 and the corresponding divalent cations.     

Quantitative study on La~(3+) influx mediated by sodium-calcium exchanger in human lymphocytes

Whether La3+ can enter human peripheral blood lymphocytes by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or not and the effect of La3+on the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger activity are examined by fura-2 technique. And that whether La3+ is sequestered by intracellular organelles (mainly endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria) is studied by this method. La3+uptake is obviously stimulated by pre-treating the cells with ouabain and by removing extracellular Na+, and intracellular La3+concentration ([La3+]i) is directly proportional to its extracellular concentration ([La3+]o). But when [La3+]o exceeds 0.4 mmol/L, the 340/380 nm ratio of fluorescence is no longer varied and the maximum [La3+], is 1.5×10-12 mol · L-1. The higher concentration of La3+ (0.1 mmol/L) increases Na+/Ca2+ exchange-mediated calcium influx, but lower concentration (10 μmol/L) appears to block calcium influx. The results also suggest that cytosolic La3+ is transported by the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump. Intracellular Ca2+ stores are depleted by ionomycin, and then ion     

Effects of Ca2+ and V5+ on glucose-6-phosphatase activity in rat liver microsomes: the Ca2+ effect is reversed by regucalcin

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytosol, on glucose-6-phosphatase in the microsomes of rat liver was investigated. Addition of Ca2+ up to 2.5 microM to the enzyme reaction mixture caused a significant increase of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in hepatic microsomes, while Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ (20 microM) did not have an appreciable effect. Vanadate (V5+) markedly inhibited the enzyme activity; a significant inhibitory effect was seen at 10 microM V5+. The Ca2+-induced increase of glucose-6-phosphatase activity was reversed by the presence of regucalcin; the effect was complete at 1.0 microM of the protein. Regucalcium had no effect on the basal activity of the enzyme. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of V5+ (10-100 microM) on glucose-6-phosphatase was not appreciably blocked by the presence of regucalcin (up to 2.0 microM). The present data suggest that hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphatase is uniquely regulated by Ca2+ and V5+, of various metals, and that the Ca2+ effect is reversed by regucalcin. The present study supports the view that regucalcin plays an important role as a regulatory protein in liver cell function related to Ca2+.     

Doxorubicin-induced reactive oxygen species generation and intracellular Ca2+ increase are reciprocally modulated in rat cardiomyocytes

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most potent anticancer drugs and induces acute cardiac arrhythmias and chronic cumulative cardiomyopathy. Though DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is known to be caused mainly by ROS generation, a disturbance of Ca2+ homeostasis is also implicated one of the cardiotoxic mechanisms. In this study, a molecular basis of DOX-induced modulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was investigated. Treatment of adult rat cardiomyocytes with DOX increased [Ca2+]i irrespectively of extracellular Ca2+, indicating DOX-mediated Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. The DOX-induced Ca2+ increase was slowly processed and sustained. The Ca2+ increase was inhibited by pretreatment with a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ channel blocker, ryanodine or dantrolene, and an antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid or alpha-tocopherol. DOX-induced ROS generation was observed immediately after DOX treatment and increased in a time-dependent manner. The ROS production was significantly reduced by the pretreatment of the SR Ca2+ channel blockers and the antioxidants. Moreover, DOX-mediated activation of caspase-3 was significantly inhibited by the Ca2+ channel blockers and a-lipoic acid but not a-tocopherol. In addition, cotreatment of ryanodine with alpha-lipoic acid resulted in further inhibition of the casapse-3 activity. These results demonstrate that DOX-mediated ROS opens ryanodine receptor, resulting in an increase in [Ca2+]i and that the increased [Ca2+]i induces ROS production. These observations also suggest that DOX/ROS-induced increase of [Ca2+]i plays a critical role in damage of cardiomyocytes.