M. Hirafuji et al., Inhibition by docosahexaenoic acid of receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx in ratvascular smooth muscle cells stimulated with 5-hydroxytryptamine, EUR J PHARM, 427(3), 2001, pp. 195-201
The effect of docosahexaenoic acid treatment on intracellular Ca2+ dynamics
in rat vascular smooth muscle cells stimulated with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5
-HT) has been investigated in order to elucidate one of the mechanisms for
its beneficial effect on cardiovascular disorders. The treatment of cells w
ith 30 muM docosahexaenoic acid for 2 days inhibited an increase in intrace
llular Ca2+ concentration induced by 5-HT (10 muM) and a depolarizing conce
ntration of KCI (80 mM). Docosahexaenoic acid treatment significantly inhib
ited divalent cation influx stimulated by 5-HT and KCI, as measured by Mn2 quenching method, whereas had no effect on 5-HT-induced Ca2+ release from
the internal stores. Docosahexaenoic acid treatment also significantly inhi
bited 5-HT receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx through Ni2+-insensitive channels
that were distinct from store-operated channels. These results suggest that
the specific inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in vascular smooth
muscle cells may contribute to the beneficial properties of docosahexaenoic
acid on cardiovascular disorders. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All right
s reserved.