title: Tri-n-butyltin increases intracellular Ca2+ in mouse thymocytes: a flow-cytometric study using fluorescent dyes for membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+.
abstract: Effects of tri-n-butyltin (TBT) on mouse thymocytes were examined using a flow-cytometer and fluorescent dyes for membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). TBT at concentrations from 1 x 10(-7) M to 3 x 10(-7) M caused hyperpolarization in thymocytes during 30 min. after drug application in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Further increase in TBT concentration (to 1 x 10(-6) M) made hyperpolarization of thymocytes more profound within 5 min. after application, thereafter gradually depolarized them during the next 25 min. TBT at 3 x 10(-8) M or more (up to 1 x 10(-6) M) increased the [Ca2+]i of thymocytes. After reaching maximum [Ca2+]i at the various TBT concentrations used within 5 min. after drug application, the [Ca2+]i slightly decreased in a time-dependent manner. Effects of TBT on membrane potential and the [Ca2+]i were greatly reduced under nominal external Ca(2+)-free condition. Results suggest that TBT can promote Ca(2+)-influx to thymocytes, resulting in hyperpolarization by activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current. The increase in [Ca2+]i by TBT may be related to its cytotoxic action on thymocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, University of Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chikahisa
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; C011559:tributyltin; D002118:Calcium