Effects of strophanthidin on intracellular calcium concentration in ventricular myocytes of guinea pig.

Effect of strophanthidin (Str) on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was investigated on isolated ventricular myocytes of guinea pig. Single ventricular myocytes were obtained by enzymatic dissociation technique. Fluorescent signal of [Ca2+]i was detected with confocal microscopy after incubation of cardiomycytes in Tyrode' s solution with Fluo3-AM.

Involvement of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc) in calcineurin-mediated ischemic brain damage in vivo.

Aim: To study the involvements of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc) and NF-kappaB in calcineurin-mediated ischemic brain damage in vivo.

Methods: The rat transient forebrain ischemia conducted through 15 min ischemia followed by 8, 24, and 72 h reperfusion was induced using the four-vessel method. The rats were divided randomly into five groups; sham control group, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group, CsA treated groups (for 8, 24, and 72 h reperfusion).

[Synergistic role between rhIL-2 and adriamycin long circulating temperature-sensitive liposome in targeting therapy on tumor].

Aim: To observe the synergistic role between rhIL-2 and adriamycin long circulating temperature-sensitive liposome (ALTSL) in targeting therapy of H22 tumor-bearing mice and explore their anti-tumor mechanism.

Methods: The antitumor activity was evaluated by using the tumor's weight as an index. The prolongation rate of mouse life was calculated according to the survival time of the tumor-bearing mice.

Relationship between cardiotonic effects and inhibition on cardiac sarcolemmal Na+,K+-ATPase of strophan-thidin at low concentrations.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of strophanthidin (Str) on cardiac contractile function and sarcolemmal Na+, K+-ATPase activities in isolated guinea-pig hearts.

Methods: Isolated guinea-pig hearts were perfused through aorta in a Langendorff mode. Heart rate (HR), left ventricular pressure (LVP), and first derivatives (+/-dp/dt(max)) of LVP were recorded by eight-channel physiological instrument.