Doxorubicin-induced vasomotion and [Ca(2+)](i) elevation in vascular smooth muscle cells from C57BL/6 mice.

Aim: To explore the action of doxorubicin on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Methods: Isometric tension of denuded or intact thoracic aortic vessels was recorded and [Ca(2+)](i) in isolated aortic smooth muscle cells was measured by using Fluo-3.

Results: Doxorubicin induced phasic and tonic contractions in denuded vessels and increased levels of [Ca(2+)](i) in single muscle cells.

[Environmental effects of mercury around a large scale MSW incineration plant].

Samples of soil, vegetables, crops and air collected from Yuqiao Incineration Paint, Pudong Shanghai, were analyzed with an AMA-254 liquid/solid mercury analyzer. It is shown that background levels(BLs,2001) of mercury in surface soil is a little higher, mercury content in soils one year after operation(2002) and two year(2003) were both higher than BLs. The levels of mercury in vegetables is higher than Standard levels (GB 2762-94), the content of mercury in Soya and broomcorn sampled in 2003 was 2.

An increase in opening of BK(Ca) channels in smooth muscle cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Aim: To investigate the changes of function of large conductance of calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels) in thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells in early stage of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice.

Methods: Vascular muscle tension in the isolated thoracic aortic rings of mice was compared, and the role of BK(Ca) channels in relaxation of isolated mice thoracic aortic rings induced by acetylcholine (ACh) was determined. Meanwhile, single vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were isolated by collagenase, and BK(Ca) currents were recorded by patch-clamp single channel recording technique in symmetric high potassium solution.