Rat hepatocytes respond to glycogenolytic stimuli acting via phosphoinositide breakdown (e.g. alpha 1-adrenergic agonists, vasopressin) by oscillations of the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). We have investigated the action of metformin and phenformin, two anti-diabetic drugs of the biguanide type, on phenylephrine-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations. Metformin and phenformin lowered the frequency of the [Ca2+]i oscillations in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 0.1 mM and 1 microM, respectively. Simultaneous addition of the biguanides and insulin resulted in a further reduction of the frequency. By contrast, agents which increase the cellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration (glucagon, forskolin, N,2′-O-dibutyryl-cAMP) reversed this inhibition. Furthermore, we investigated whether biguanides influenced the agonist-induced Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. When hepatocytes were loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester of fura-2 (fura-2/AM), addition of Mn2+ led to a quench of cellular fura-2, measured at the isosbestic excitation wavelength of 360 nm, until a new steady state was reached. Surprisingly, however, this addition of Mn2+ caused a marked increase of the fluorescence ratio simultaneously measured at 340 and 380 nm during the approach of the 360 nm signal to a new steady state. This observation can be understood on the basis of a compartmentalization of fura-2/AM into intracellular stores sensing the [Ca2+] therein. Subsequent application of phenylephrine resulted in a further decline of the fura-2 signal at 360 nm and a concomitant decrease of the fluorescence ratio. This second phase of the Mn2+ quench and the decrease of the fluorescence ratio could be diminished by addition of either 3 mM metformin or 30 microM phenformin. By contrast, when hepatocytes were loaded with fura-2/pentapotassium salt via a patch pipette, only the initial Mn(2+)-induced quench, measured at 360 nm, but no change of the fluorescence ratio, could be observed. The subsequent addition of phenylephrine and biguanides during the on-going quench caused no further changes, except for a fading oscillatory response. After loading hepatocytes with fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester, the cells were permeabilized with 5 microM digitonin. Addition of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) caused a rapid decrease of the remaining cellular fluorescence which could be effectively inhibited by 20 micrograms/ml heparin, indicating a release of Ca2+ from intracellular compartments mediated by IP3. This IP3-induced release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores could be diminished by prior addition of metformin and phenformin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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December 1994
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Research Article|
December 01 1994
Anti-diabetic biguanides inhibit hormone-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration oscillations in rat hepatocytes
J J Ubl;
J J Ubl
1Pharmakologisches Institut der Universität Bern, FriedbuhIstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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S Chen;
S Chen
1Pharmakologisches Institut der Universität Bern, FriedbuhIstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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J W Stucki
J W Stucki
1Pharmakologisches Institut der Universität Bern, FriedbuhIstrasse 49, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1470-8728
Print ISSN: 0264-6021
© 1994 The Biochemical Society, London
1994
Biochem J (1994) 304 (2): 561–567.
Citation
J J Ubl, S Chen, J W Stucki; Anti-diabetic biguanides inhibit hormone-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration oscillations in rat hepatocytes. Biochem J 1 December 1994; 304 (2): 561–567. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj3040561
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