title: [Fluorescence quantification of intracellular calcium of rat smooth muscle cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the kinetic changes of calcium in rat smooth muscle cells and establish a method for quantification of intracellular calcium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat mesenteric arteriolar smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were isolated and the kinetic changes of calcium were measured using highly sensitive Ca2+ fluorescent probe indo-1 with laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The dissociation constant values (Kd) of the fluorescent probe indo-1 was measured at 37 degrees Celsius, and according to the conversion formula from fluorescence intensity to concentration, the concentration of Ca2+ was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the fluorescent images using LSCM showed that [Ca2+]i in the ASMCs were significantly elevated in response to stimulation with dexamethasone, and spontaneous calcium waves as well as intracellular calcium overloading were observed occasionally.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluorescence quantification with LSCM is applicable for detecting the kinetic changes of intracellular [Ca2+]i.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, China.
authors.forename: Shui-yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: He-xin
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Chang-dong
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Cheng-wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D002118:Calcium