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R Civitelli

Publications and source records attributed to R Civitelli.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Membrane potential and cation content of osteoblast-like cells (UMR 106) assessed by fluorescent dyes.

A number of cellular functions have recently been associated with alterations of the membrane potential in non-excitable cells. To assess the electrophysiologic regulation of osteoblast function, a method for measuring the membrane potential (Em) of a rat osteogenic sarcoma cell line (UMR 106) by the voltage-sensitive oxonol dye di-BA-C4(3) was developed. The fluorescent signal of di-BA-C4(3) was calibrated through a null point method using the protonophore FCCP. At null point, Em is equivalent to H+ equilibrium potential, and may be calculated by the Nernst equation. Intracellular pH (pHi) changes induced by the protonophore were monitored using BCECF, a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe. In the presence of FCCP, intracellular pH was found to be linearly correlated to extracellular pH (pHo). Therefore, the value of pHi at null point was extrapolated as well. With this technique, we estimated the plasma membrane potential of the "putative" rat osteoblasts (UMR 106) as -28.3 +/- 4.0 mV (n = 10). This method corrected the 16% overestimation of Em derived from the assumption that pHi does not change during the calibration procedure, as described in previous studies employing pH null point techniques. With null point methods, using BCECF and the carboxylic ionophores nigericin and monensin, intracellular concentrations of potassium and sodium were also measured and found to be 125 +/- 0.7 mM (n = 3) and 24 +/- 5.3 mM (n = 3), respectively. Although the Em of UMR 106 cells was dependent on extracellular potassium concentration, these cells did not behave as a potassium electrode. The sodium/potassium permeability ratio, calculated by the Goldman equation, was estimated at 0.317. This high membrane permeability to sodium may contribute to the genesis of the low plasma membrane potential of UMR 106 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Cytoplasmic pH regulation in canine renal proximal tubule cells.

The precise mechanisms by which the mammalian kidney proximal tubule transports H+ and HCO3- and regulates cytosolic pH (pHi) remain in doubt, though both a H+-ATPase pump and Na+/H+ exchange at the luminal membrane are known to function in the export of protons. The mechanisms of HCO3- transport are less clear though recent reports suggest an important role for an electrogenic Na+/HCO3- symport in the basolateral membrane. The importance of chloride-dependent bicarbonate transport is unknown. In the present studies, the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye, bis-(carboxyethyl)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) has been used to study pHi changes in suspensions of canine proximal tubule cells following acidification or alkalinization of the cytosol. Cells were acid-loaded to pH 6.5 by exposure to the H+/K+ ionophore, nigericin. Following removal of nigericin, pHi returned to basal levels (pHi = 7.1) when the cells were resuspended in a buffer containing 100 mM Na+. This recovery was blocked by removal of Na+ or addition of 0.2 mM amiloride to the cell suspension. In the presence of 0.2 mM amiloride and Na+, partial excretion of the acid load occurred if the buffer also contained HCO3-/CO2, but this effect was blocked by the removal of Na+ or the addition of 1 mM 4-acetomido-4'-isothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (SITS). When cell membrane potential was monitored in these experiments using the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye, bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbiturate) trimethine oxonol, the increase in pHi seen in the presence of Na+ was found to be electroneutral, whereas when that occurred in the presence of Na+, amiloride and HCO3-/CO2 was associated with membrane hyperpolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Parathyroid hormone acutely elevates intracellular calcium in osteoblastlike cells.

Changes in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) activate numerous cellular processes thus mediating the effects of a number of hormones, but whether this mechanism is involved in the activation of osteoblasts by parathyroid hormone (PTH) remains uncertain. To examine this question, [Ca2+]i has been measured in suspensions of UMR 106 cells, a rodent osteosarcoma cell line with an osteoblastic phenotype. Basal [Ca2+]i was 137 +/- 3.7 nM (n = 60) and after the addition of rat PTH-(1-34) [rPTH-(1-34)] there was a rapid, dose-related increase with return to base line within 1 min. Half-maximal stimulation was produced by 5 X 10(-8) M rPTH-(1-34). Complexing of intracellular calcium by EGTA addition immediately before that of rPTH did not affect the calcium transient; neither did MnCl2 (10(-4) M) nor diltiazem (10(-4) M). Verapamil (10(-5) M) reduced the [Ca2+]i peak height after rPTH to 0.48 +/- 0.14 of control (n = 7). 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid and dantrolene both reduced the [Ca2+]i response to rPTH (0.65 +/- 0.08 and 0.29 +/- 0.13 of control, respectively). Forskolin (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) produced a slight [Ca2+]i transient smaller in amplitude than seen with PTH. It is concluded that PTH mobilizes an intracellular calcium pool in these osteoblastlike cells, and the predominant mechanism for this is independent of cAMP.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Stimulation of inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol production in renal tubular cells by parathyroid hormone.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) produced a dose-dependent immediate stimulation of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol production in the opossum kidney cell line, primary culture proximal tubular cells, and basolateral membranes from canine proximal tubular segments. The increase in inositol triphosphate production was accompanied by a minor increase in inositol phosphate and no significant increase in inositol bisphosphate production. Associated with the changes in inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, there was an immediate hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4'5-bisphosphate. The effect on phospholipid hydrolysis was followed by stimulation of phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 4' monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol. PTH produced a sudden increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ in opossum kidney cells that persisted for approximately 1 min. Inositol triphosphate transiently increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ in saponin-treated opossum kidney and primary culture proximal tubule cells. The effects of PTH were not mimicked by cyclic nucleotides. In fact, cyclic AMP appeared to diminish inositol triphosphate production. These results demonstrate that PTH may activate renal tubular epithelial cells by the production of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Calcitonin, parathyroid hormones, calcium ion, cyclic 3,5-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and erythrocyte deformability].

Calcium ion is one of the factors which modulate erythrocyte deformability. It is known that calciotropic hormones such as calcitonin (CT) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) exert hypocalcemizing and hypercalcemizing effects, respectively. Their action is mediated, at the level of their target cells, through adenylcyclase activation with the production of cyclic 3,5-adenosinmonophosphate (cAMP). Modifications of transmembrane calcium fluxes have been described and were attributed to these hormones. Erythrocyte deformability has been evaluated by Dormandy method of red blood cell filtration in hypocalcemic patients affected by hypoparathyroidism, in patients with hypercalcemia due to malignancy or primary hyperparathyroidism and in normal age- and sex-matched subjects. Erythrocyte filtration values resulted to be significantly increased with respect to normal values in hypercalcemic patients and at the lower limits of normality in hypocalcemic subjects. Subsequently, acute studies were performed in normal volunteers in whom venous infusions of synthetic salmon calcitonin determined a significant reduction of erythrocyte filtration values, whereas venous infusions of the 1-34 synthetic human PTH fragment induced a significant increase in filtration values of red blood cells. An infusion of a cAMP analogue, dibutyryl-cAMP, determined a slight reduction of erythrocyte filtration values. The calciotropic hormones influence erythrocyte deformability through mechanisms that are yet to be clarified.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases].

Physical semeiotics, the laboratory, radiology and histology represent the diagnostic tools for metabolic bone diseases. Past medical history and a full objective examination form the basis for every type of diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Familial patterns, the range of drugs used by the patient, the concomitance of diseases affecting mineral metabolism, and the presence of deformities or typical characteristics of some clinical conditions allow the clinician to orientate his diagnosis. Some laboratory tests (serum calcium and phosphate, calciuria) are useful for screening, whereas others (parathyroid hormone and other calciotrophic hormones, biochemical parameters of bone remodeling) must be carried out only for precise diagnostic purposes. In addition to highlighting and characterizing fractures, plane radiology is indicated for the differential diagnosis of focal bone diseases. In the latter diagnosis is facilitated by bone scintigraphy which reveals areas of accelerated bone remodelling. The quantitative evaluation of bone mass using non-invasive methods is of fundamental importance in osteopenic syndromes. Of all the techniques evolved in the past, only quantitative computerized tomography and X-ray computerized mineralometry are used today in the diagnosis and management of osteoporotic patients. The choice of one or other technique should be based on the clinical necessity and on their respective accuracy and reproducibility. Histomorphometric bone biopsy is indicated only in cases of rapid bone loss with uncertain biochemical conditions and for the diagnosis of mineralization disorders.

Biomarkers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dietary L-lysine and calcium metabolism in humans.

Calcium deficiency contributes to age-related bone loss; consequently, any preventive approach to osteoporosis should include dietary Ca adjustment or supplementation. The ideal Ca supplement would yield the greatest bioavailability. Studies in animals have shown that dietary supplements with certain amino acids, particularly L-lysine, can increase Ca absorption. Therefore, we examined the potential effect of this essential amino acid on Ca metabolism in humans. In one study, the acute effects of an oral Ca load (3 g as CaCl2) administered with or without 400 mg of L-lysine were compared in 15 healthy and 15 osteoporotic women. In all cases, the oral Ca load determined a progressive increase in serum total Ca and Ca2+ and a concomitant decrease in neophrogenous cAMP. As expected, a progressive increase in urinary Ca excretion was also observed, except in the L-lysine-treated healthy subjects, who exhibited a blunted calciuric response to the Ca load. In a second study, the effects of a short-term dietary supplementation with either L-lysine, L-valine, or L-tryptophan (800 mg/day) on 47Ca fraction absorption were compared in 45 osteoporotic patients. L-Lysine but not L-valine or L-tryptophan significantly increased the intestinal absorption of the mineral. Our results suggest that L-lysine can both enhance intestinal Ca absorption and improve the renal conservation of the absorbed Ca. The combined effects may contribute to a positive Ca balance, thus suggesting a potential usefulness of L-lysine supplements for both preventive and therapeutic interventions in osteoporosis.

Adult↗