title: Elevated cytosolic calcium levels in human lymphocytes during surface virus infections.
abstract: Generalised metabolic and electrolyte disturbances are known to accompany both plasma and surface virus infections. We have investigated whether these infections could impair the transport of Ca2+ from cells under conditions of controlled concentrations of the energy substrate glucose. Thus, cytosolic calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) were measured in single isolated lymphocytes obtained from healthy volunteers or those suffering from coryza. Before making measurements using a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent dye indo 1, we incubated lymphocytes in buffers containing 0 mM-, 5.6 mM- or 11.2 mM-[glucose]. We found that [Ca2+]i of lymphocytes obtained from the sick were significantly higher than those from healthy controls both at 0 mM and 5.6 mM-[glucose], and that [Ca2+]i was inversely related to the media glucose concentration for both groups. These results suggest a diminished capacity of cation pumping in viral infections, such as coryza, in relationship to the available glucose as energy substrate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Aiyathurai
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Makinde
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Moonga
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D003139:Common Cold / Q000097:blood*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose; D002118:Calcium