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G Dupont

Publications and source records attributed to G Dupont.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Signal-induced Ca2+ oscillations: properties of a model based on Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release.

We consider a simple, minimal model for signal-induced Ca2+ oscillations based on Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release. The model takes into account the existence of two pools of intracellular Ca2+, namely, one sensitive to inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (InsP3) whose synthesis is elicited by the stimulus, and one insensitive to InsP3. The discharge of the latter pool into the cytosol is activated by cytosolic Ca2+. Oscillations in cytosolic Ca2+ arise in this model either spontaneously or in an appropriate range of external stimulation; these oscillations do not require the concomitant, periodic variation of InsP3. The following properties of the model are reviewed and compared with experimental observations: (a) Control of the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations by the external stimulus or extracellular Ca2+; (b) correlation of latency with period of Ca2+ oscillations obtained at different levels of stimulation; (c) effect of a transient increase in InsP3; (d) phase shift and transient suppression of Ca2+ oscillations by Ca2+ pulses, and (e) propagation of Ca2+ waves. It is shown that on all these counts the model provides a simple, unified explanation for a number of experimental observations in a variety of cell types. The model based on Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release can be extended to incorporate variations in the level of InsP3 as well as desensitization of the InsP3 receptor; besides accounting for the phenomena described by the minimal model, the extended model might also account for the occurrence of complex Ca2+ oscillations.

Animals↗

[Effects of oral contraceptive preparations and smoking on lipoprotein repartition].

We studied the effect of oral contraceptives and smoking on the lipid profile of 251 women and 72 men, 20-29-year-old. In women, taking estroprogestatives, cholesterol, triglycerides, apoproteins AI and B were higher than in controls; HDL-cholesterol was not modified. Lipoprotein analyses in polyacrylamide gradient gel exhibited an increase of the HDL3 fraction at the expense of the HDL2 fraction, with a reduced LDL size. Smoking in addition to estroprogestative absorption accentuated these modifications and led to a decreased HDL-cholesterol (HDL2 fraction essentially), with an increased LDL-cholesterol. In men, smoking resulted in higher levels of total cholesterol, apoprotein B and LDL-cholesterol, without any significant change in LDL size, higher levels of triglycerides and lower level of the HDL2 fraction without any change in HDL-cholesterol. In women, smoking led only to an increase in triglycerides. In summary, analysis of the distribution of HDL subclasses and of LDL size showed an evolution towards a supposed more atherogenic lipid profile in women taking oral contraceptives associated or not with smoking, and in male smokers.

Adult↗