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Cardiac Adaptation To Chronic Blockade Of Voltage-Gated, L-Type Calcium Channels In The Sarcolemma, Ji Zhou Dec 2010

Cardiac Adaptation To Chronic Blockade Of Voltage-Gated, L-Type Calcium Channels In The Sarcolemma, Ji Zhou

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

L-type Ca2+ channels (dihydropyridine receptors, DHPRs) in the sarcolemma are essential to cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Thus, Ca2+ influx through DHPRs upon cardiomyocyte excitation triggers Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) to initiate myofilament activation and muscle contraction. Muscle relaxation occurs upon sequestration of Ca2+ back into the SR lumen by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase (SERCA) in the SR. As a treatment option for hypertension, long-term use of DHPR blockers is associated with increased risk of heart failure; underlying mechanisms are unknown. This research used male Wistar rats treated with verapamil (subcutaneously, …


The Roles Of Nitric Oxide Synthases (Nos) In Endochondral Bone Formation, Qian Yan Sep 2010

The Roles Of Nitric Oxide Synthases (Nos) In Endochondral Bone Formation, Qian Yan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Longitudinal growth of endochondral bones is controlled by the cartilage growth plate. Chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy, vascular invasion, formation of ossification centers and cartilage replacement by bone tissue are all important processes required for normal growth. These biological processes have to be tightly regulated or disturbances will lead to skeletal diseases. A large number of genes, growth factors and hormones have been implicated in the regulation of growth plate biology, however, less is known about the intracellular signaling pathways involved. Nitric oxide (NO) has been identified as a regulator of cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival and metabolism in multiple cell …