title: Modulation of neuronal [Ca2+]i by caffeine is altered with aging.
abstract: Voltage-dependent calcium channels play an important role in controlling many neuronal processes such as neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Any slight alteration in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) can have a considerable impact on various neuronal functions. The effects of caffeine on [Ca2+]i were studied in CA1 hippocampal neurons of young (2 months) and old (24 months) C57BL mice. Fura 2-AM fluorescence photometry was used to measure [Ca2+]i in the presence and absence of caffeine (100 microM) in response to KCl (26 mM) application. Caffeine enhanced the peak [Ca2+]i as compared to control solution in young mice (control: 325+/-8 nM, caffeine: 402+/-10 nM), but had no effect on the peak [Ca2+]i in old mice (control: 222+/-6 nM, caffeine: 223+/-7 nM). These results indicate that caffeine can impact neuronal functions through the modification of [Ca2+]i. The lack of caffeine-induced modulation of [Ca2+]i in old mice suggests that this role of caffeine has been compromised with aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 24923, Safat 13110, Kuwait. waleeds@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Waleed B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Alshuaib
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cherian
authors.forename: Mohamed Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fahim
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D002118:Calcium