Inhibitory effects of 8-(N, N-diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) on intracellular Ca2+ elevated by neurotransmitters in brain cells

AIM: To study the effects of TMB-8 on [Ca2+](i) elevation induced by neurot ransmitters in dissociated brain cells. METHODS: The brain cell suspension was made using a gentle trituration for 1 min with a polished pipette. The changes of [Ca2+](i) were detected by the fluorescent indicator, Fura 2-AM. RESULTS: In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ 1.3 mmol.L-1, sodium glutam ate (Glu), histamine (His), and serotonin (5-HT) markedly increased the [Ca 2+](i) which were reduced by TMB-8 30 mu mol.L-1. TMB-8 3 mu mol.L-1 produc ed inhibitory effects on the increase of [Ca2+](i) by His and 5-HT in a Ca2 +-free Hanks' solution. The increase of [Ca2+](i) by His and 5-HT was reduc ed to control level by TMB-8 10 mu mol. L-1. CONCLUSION: TMB-8 inhibited th e [Ca2+](i) elevation induced by Glu, 5-HT, and His in brain cells.