Hesperetin Relaxes Depolarizing Contraction in Human Umbilical Vein by Inhibiting L-Type Ca Channel.

Objective: To study hesperetin-induced vasorelaxation after depolarizing contraction in human umbilical veins (HUVs) to elucidate the role of L-type Ca channel (LTCC) and related signaling pathway.

Methods: Isometric tension recording was performed in HUV rings pre-contracted with K. Hesperetin relaxing mechanism was investigated using a LTCC opener (BayK8644) and blockers of cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases (PDEs).

Ferulic acid enhances insulin secretion by potentiating L-type Ca channel activation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of ferulic acid, a natural compound, on pancreatic beta cell viability, Ca channels, and insulin secretion.

Methods: We studied the effects of ferulic acid on rat insulinoma cell line viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were also used to examine the action of ferulic acid on Ca channels and insulin secretion, respectively.

Germinated Brown Rice Attenuates Cell Death in Vascular Cognitive Impaired Mice and Glutamate-Induced Toxicity In HT22 Cells.

Germinated brown rice (GBR) with unpolishing, soaking, and germinating processes can improve the texture, flavor, and nutritional value, including GABA and phenolic contents. The effect of GBR was first investigated in vascular cognitive impaired mice and glutamate-induced toxicity in HT22 cells with respect to standard pure GABA. Feeding mice with GBR for 5 weeks showed neuroprotection.

Loss-of-function mutations of SCN10A encoding Na1.8 α subunit of voltage-gated sodium channel in patients with human kidney stone disease.

Human kidney stone disease (KSD) causes significant morbidity and public health burden worldwide. The etiology of KSD is heterogeneous, ranging from monogenic defects to complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. However, the genetic defects causing KSD in the majority of affected families are still unknown.

Testosterone rapidly increases Ca-activated K currents causing hyperpolarization in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Testosterone has endothelium-dependent vasodilatory effects on the coronary artery, with some reports suggesting endothelial ion channel involvement. This study employed the whole-cell patch clamp technique to investigate the effect of testosterone on ion channels in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) and the mechanisms involved. We found that 0.

Ginsenoside Re enhances small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

Aims: Ginsenosides, active components in ginseng, have been shown to increase nitric oxide (NO) production in aortic endothelial cells. This effect was reversed by tetraethylammonium (TEA) inhibition of endothelial Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (KCa) channels. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to test 1) whether vasorelaxing ginsenoside Re could affect KCa current, an important regulator of NO production, in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs); and 2) whether small-conductance KCa (SKCa) channel was the channel subtype involved.