[Effects of methylmercury on intracellular free calcium content in cerebral cortical neurons].
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to explore effects and potential mechanism of methylmercury on concentration of intracellular free calcium (Ca(2+)) in the acutely isolated cerebral cortical neurons.


METHODS
Calcium ion indicator Fura-2 two wave-length fluorophotometry was used to measure concentration of Ca(2+).


RESULTS
(0.10 - 5.00) x 10(-6) mol/L of methylmercury could increase level of free intracellular Ca(2+) in cerebral cortical neurons significantly (P < 0.01), in a dose-response manner. Increase in intracellular free Ca(2+) of neurons caused by methylmercury associated with large influx of Ca(2+) outside cells and release of stored Ca(2+) inside cells, especially by influx of Ca(2+) outside cells. Influx of Ca(2+) outside cells associated with Ca(2+) channels regulated by receptor gate and potential gate, but not associated with sodium-dependent channel.


CONCLUSIONS
Methylmercury lead to abnormal increase of intracellular free Ca(2+) in neurons, which is closely related to Ca(2+) channel.
Zhu
W
W
Department of Environmental Health, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan 430030, China.
Chen
X
X
Zhuang
Z
Z
Tang
P
P
Xie
H
H
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D015220:Calcium Channels; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D002118:Calcium