Modulation of myometrial spontaneity by lead acetate trihydrate (Pb) and its regulatory pathways were studied in estrogenized rats. Isometric tension in myometrial strips under a resting tension of 1 g was measured using data acquisition system-based physiograph and Lab Chart Pro v7.3.7 software. Lead produced a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on rat myometrium with a major effect on phasic contractions compared to tonic contractions along with a reduction in both amplitude and frequency of contraction. Lead (3 μM) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced CaCl2, and 80 mM KDS induced contractile response while potentiated the relaxant effect of phenylephrine. Based on our findings, it may be inferred that lead blocks calcium entry through VDCC and/or stimulates β-adrenoceptors adenylyl cyclase-C-AMP pathway to produce inhibitory effect on rat myometrium.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0813-1 | DOI Listing |
Viruses
January 2025
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Lassa fever (LF), a viral hemorrhagic fever disease with a case fatality rate that can be over 20% among hospitalized LF patients, is endemic to many West African countries. Currently, no vaccines or therapies are specifically licensed to prevent or treat LF, hence the significance of developing therapeutics against the mammarenavirus Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of LF. We used in silico docking approaches to investigate the binding affinities of 2015 existing drugs to LASV proteins known to play critical roles in the formation and activity of the virus ribonucleoprotein complex (vRNP) responsible for directing replication and transcription of the viral genome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMembranes (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Intracellular organelles are common to eukaryotic cells and provide physical support for the assembly of specialized compartments. In skeletal muscle fibers, the largest intracellular organelle is the sarcoplasmic reticulum, a specialized form of the endoplasmic reticulum primarily devoted to Ca storage and release for muscle contraction. Occupying about 10% of the total cell volume, the sarcoplasmic reticulum forms multiple membrane contact sites, some of which are unique to skeletal muscle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMalar J
January 2025
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background: Emodepside is an anthelmintic used in veterinary medicine that is currently under investigation in human clinical trials for the treatment of soil-transmitted helminths and possibly Onchocerca volvulus. Emodepside targets the calcium-activated voltage-gated potassium slowpoke 1 (SLO-1) channels of presynaptic nerves of pharynx and body wall muscle cells of nematodes leading to paralysis, reduced locomotion and egg laying, starvation, and death. Emodepside also has activity against Drosophila melanogaster SLO-1 channels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhysiol Rev
January 2025
Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Davis CA, 95616, USA.
Biology uses many signaling mechanisms. Among them, calcium and membrane potential are two prominent mediators for cellular signaling. TRPM4 and TRPM5, two calcium-activated monovalent cation-conducting ion channels, offer a direct linkage between these two signals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Sci
January 2025
Department of Physiology, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, USA.
The experience of pregnancy affects uterine function well beyond delivery. We previously demonstrated that the response to oxytocin is more robust in the uteri of proven breeder rats. This study investigates the contribution of T-type calcium channels (TTCCs) and L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) to the distinct response of virgin (V) and proven breeder (PB) rat uteri to oxytocin.
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