Biomaterial Database

Na(+)-Ca++ exchange mechanism in smooth muscle of the ureter. 1994

K V Kazarian, and H S Hovhannissian, and R R Hakobian

L. A. Orbeli Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of Armenia, Yerevan.

The participation of Na+ in regulation of intracellular Ca++ content and in formation of spontaneous action potentials of guinea-pig ureter was studied. It was shown that the fast decrease of intracellular Ca++ in the Ca(++)-loaded muscles was accompanied by enhancement of Na+ content in the cells. The concentration gradient of Na+ was found to define the effectiveness of Ca(++)-extrusion from Ca(++)-loaded cells. The decrease of intracellular Ca++ showed a sigmoidal dependence on Na+ content in the medium. A correlation was established between the concentration gradient of Na+ and the formation of action potential plateau of ureter smooth muscle cells. The duration of action potential plateau decreased in accordance with Ca++ efflux and Na+ influx. The results confirmed the participation of Na(+)-Ca++ exchange mechanism in support of Ca++ cellular homeostasis as well as in the generation of action potentials of guinea-pig ureter.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007424	Intracellular Fluid	The fluid inside CELLS.	Fluid, Intracellular,Fluids, Intracellular,Intracellular Fluids
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D006706	Homeostasis	The processes whereby the internal environment of an organism tends to remain balanced and stable.	Autoregulation
D000200	Action Potentials	Abrupt changes in the membrane potential that sweep along the CELL MEMBRANE of excitable cells in response to excitation stimuli.	Spike Potentials,Nerve Impulses,Action Potential,Impulse, Nerve,Impulses, Nerve,Nerve Impulse,Potential, Action,Potential, Spike,Potentials, Action,Potentials, Spike,Spike Potential
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23
D014513	Ureter	One of a pair of thick-walled tubes that transports urine from the KIDNEY PELVIS to the URINARY BLADDER.	Ureters