Biomedical subjects

X Fang

Publications and source records attributed to X Fang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

[Study on fermentation of 1,13-tridecanedioic acid by Candida tropicalis].

A mutant of Candida tropicalis SP-1, SP-UV-56, which can produce 1,13-tridecanedioic acid or 1,11-dicarboxylic acid (DCA13) 1.25 times as much as its parental strain SP-1, but hardly assimilates nalkane as carbon source for its growth, was obtained by ultraviolet treatments. A fermentation technology with a supplement of acetate at the latter middle of logarithmic growth was developed. Using sucrose as carbon source for its growth and supplying acetate the yield of DCA13 reached 153 g/L for 144 h incubation in a 13.7 L auto-controlled stirred tank, about 29.7% higher than that obtained in the broth without acetate. An effective technique that can maintain higher yield was provided by enhancing mixing of broth and controlling low DO level. With these techniques the DCA13 yield reached 172 g/L in a 20 m3 stirred tank, and produced 2.25 tons DCA13 in 15.0 m3 broth.

Alkanes↗

PubMed2000

[Correlation of Helicobacter pylori infection with symptoms and gastric electrical activity in functional dyspepsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlation of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection with symptoms and gastric electrical activity in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: Sixty patients with FD confirmed by gastroscopy and pathology were enrolled in this study. Of them, 30 Hp positive (Hp+) and 30 Hp negative (Hp-). Ten dyspeptic symptoms were scored according to severity (0-3) and frequency (0-3), including abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, heartburn, and so on. Digitrapper EGG was used for recording 30 min during fasting and 60 min after a test meal (1890 kJ, C:F:P = 3.9:3.4:1). RESULTS: (1) The total symptom score (TSS) was 26.57 +/- 9.16 and 24.37 +/- 6.86 in Hp+ and Hp- groups respectively (NS). There was no significance of each symptom score between both groups, except the score of heartburn in Hp+ were higher than in Hp- group (2.30 +/- 2.04 vs 1.13 +/- 1.78, P < 0.05). (2) The percentage of normal EGG rhythm (2.4-3.7 cpm) was (64.80 +/- 4.74)% in fasting and (55.84 +/- 4.71)% in postprandial stage in Hp+ group and (64.89 +/- 5.04)%, (62.72 +/- 4.57)% in Hp- group. There was no significance of the percentage of normal EGG rhythm, power ratio(PR), and dominant frequency(DF) between HP+ and HP- groups. (3) However, there was close negative correlation of TSS with normal rhythm in postprandial stage in Hp+ group (r = 0.41, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There may be different pathophysiologic basis in FD with or without Hp infection. Hp infection may influence postprandial gastric electrical activity. Further study needs to be investigated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

A thermodynamic framework and cooperativity in the tertiary folding of a Mg2+-dependent ribozyme.

The folding thermodynamics of the catalytic domain from the Bacillus subtilis RNase P RNA is analyzed using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopies, hydroxyl radical protection, and catalytic activity. Folding of this 255-nucleotide ribozyme can be described with three populated species: unfolded (U), intermediate (I), and native (N) states. The U-to-I transition primarily involves secondary structure formation, whereas the I-to-N transition is dominated by tertiary structure formation. The I-to-N transition is highly cooperative as indicated by the coincidence of the four probes applied here. Two isothermal methods are used to determine the stability of the N state relative to the I state at 10 and 37 degrees C. The first method measures the extent of Mg(2+)-induced folding without urea or at constant urea concentrations. The second method measures the extent of urea-induced unfolding at constant Mg(2+) concentrations. Via application of a cooperative binding analysis, the Mg(2+) transition midpoint (K(Mg)), the Hill constant (n), and the urea-dependent surface burial parameter (m value) determined by both methods are identical, indicating that they report the same, reversible folding event. Three conclusions can be drawn from these results. (i) The folding free energy of a Mg(2+)-dependent tertiary RNA structure can be described by the K(Mg) and n parameters according to a cooperative Mg(2+) binding model. (ii) The Hill constant for this tertiary RNA structure probably represents the differential number of Mg(2+) ions bound in the I-to-N transition. (iii) Under physiological conditions, the stability of this large ribozyme is similar to that of small globular proteins.

Bacillus subtilis↗

PubMed1999

The PTEN/MMAC1/TEP tumor suppressor gene decreases cell growth and induces apoptosis and anoikis in breast cancer cells.

The PTEN/MMAC1/TEP (PTEN) tumor suppressor gene at 10q23.3 is mutated in multiple types of sporadic tumors including breast cancers and also in the germline of patients with the Cowden's breast cancer predisposition syndrome. The PTEN gene encodes a multifunctional phosphatase capable of dephosphorylating the same sites in membrane phosphatidylinositols phosphorylated by phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K). We demonstrate herein that loss of PTEN function in breast cancer cells results in an increase in basal levels of phosphorylation of multiple components of the P13K signaling cascade as well as an increase in duration of ligand-induced signaling through the P13K cascade. These alterations are reversed by wild-type but not phosphatase inactive PTEN. In the presence of high concentrations of serum, enforced expression of PTEN induces a predominant G1 arrest consistent with the capacity of PTEN to evoke increases in the expression of the p27Kip1 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor. In the presence of low concentrations of serum, enforced PTEN expression results in a marked increase in cellular apoptosis, a finding which is consistent with the capacity of PTEN to alter the phosphorylation, and presumably function, of the AKT, BAD, p70S6 kinase and GSK3 alpha apoptosis regulators. Under anchorage-independent conditions, PTEN also induces anoikis, a form of apoptosis that occurs when cells are dissociated from the extracellular matrix, which is enhanced in conjunction with low serum culture conditions. Together, these data suggest that PTEN effects on the PI3K signaling cascade are influenced by the cell stimulatory context, and that depending on the exposure to growth factors and other exogenous stimuli such as integrin ligation, PTEN can induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis or anoikis in breast cancer cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed1999

Regulation of BAD phosphorylation at serine 112 by the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

The function of the pro-apoptotic molecule BAD is regulated by phosphorylation of two sites, serine-112 (Ser-112) and serine-136 (Ser-136). Phosphorylation at either site results in loss of the ability of BAD to heterodimerize with the survival proteins BCL-XL or BCL-2. Phosphorylated BAD binds to 14-3-3 and is sequestered in the cytoplasm. It has been shown that phosphorylation of BAD at Ser-136 is mediated by the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt-1/PKB which is downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). The signaling process leading to phophorylation of BAD at Ser-112 has not been identified. In this study, we show that phosphorylation of the two serine residues of BAD is differentially regulated. While Ser-136 phosphorylation is concordant with activation of Akt, Ser-112 phosphorylation does not correlate with Akt activation. Instead, we demonstrate that activated Ras and Raf, which are upstream of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), stimulate selective phosphorylation of BAD at Ser-112. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Ser-112, but not Ser-136 requires activation of the MAPK pathway as the MEK inhibitor, PD 98059, blocks EGF-, as well as activated Ras- or Raf-mediated phosphorylation of BAD at Ser-112. Therefore, the PI3K-Akt and Ras-MAPK pathways converge at BAD by mediating phosphorylation of distinct serine residues.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed1999

Overexpression of human catalase inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The role of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide anions (O(2). (-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), in modulating vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and viability is controversial. To investigate the role of endogenously produced H(2)O(2), rat aortic smooth muscle cells were infected with adenoviral vectors containing cDNA for human catalase (AdCat) or a control gene, beta-galactosidase (AdLacZ). Infection with AdCat resulted in dose-dependent increases in intracellular catalase protein, which was predominantly localized to peroxisomes. After infection with 100 multiplicity of infection (MOI) of AdCat, cellular catalase activity was increased by 50- to 100-fold, and intracellular H(2)O(2) concentration was reduced, as compared with control. Infection with AdCat reduced [(3)H]thymidine uptake, an index of DNA synthesis, in cells maintained in medium supplemented with 2% serum (0.37+/-0.09 disintegrations per minute per cell [AdLacZ] versus 0.22+/-0.08 disintegrations per minute per cell [AdCat], P<0.05). Five days after infection with 100 MOI of AdCat, cell numbers were reduced as compared with noninfected or AdLacZ-infected cells (157 780+/-8413 [AdCat], P<0.05 versus 233 700+/-3032 [noninfected] or 222 410+/-5332 [AdLacZ]). Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells was increased 5-fold after infection with 100 MOI of AdCat as compared with control. Infection with AdCat resulted in induction of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and treatment with a COX-2 inhibitor overcame the AdCat-induced reduction in cell numbers. These findings indicate that overexpression of catalase inhibited smooth muscle proliferation while increasing the rate of apoptosis, possibly through a COX-2-dependent mechanism. Our results suggest that endogenously produced H(2)O(2) importantly modulates survival and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Postexposure immunoprophylaxis of primary isolates by an antibody to HIV receptor complex.

mAb B4 is a monoclonal antibody directed against HIV receptor complex. The antibody had broad neutralizing activity against HIV and provided postexposure prophylaxis to hu-peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL)-severe combined immunodeficient mice and chimpanzees. B4 recognized a complex receptor site for HIV on the T cell surface that includes CD4 and also may be influenced by interaction with HIV coreceptors. mAb B4 preferentially neutralized primary HIV-1 isolates compared with T cell line-adapted strains, including syncytium-inducing and non-syncytium-inducing phenotypes, representatives from HIV-1 subtypes A-G, as well as HIV-2, simian immunodeficiency virus, and chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Neutralization was demonstrated in both pre- and postinfection models. The administration of mAb B4 after infectious challenge totally interrupted the infection of hu-PBL-severe combined immunodeficient mice by PBL-grown HIV-1 and the infection of chimpanzees by chimp-adapted HIV-1. This mode of protection suggested that the anti-HIV receptor antibody is efficacious for prophylaxis after exposure to HIV and for prevention of maternal transmission and may be an effective antiretroviral agent for treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

An Experimental Study on the Relationship between the Physical Properties of CTAB/Hexanol/Water Reverse Micelles and ZrO2-Y2O3 Nanoparticles Prepared.

Based on the studies of their physical properties such as aqueous solution uptake, electric conductivity, and microstructure, CTAB/hexanol/water reverse micelles (CTAB, cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) were used to prepare ZrO2-Y2O3 nanoparticles. The relationship between the micelle microstructure and size, morphology, and aggregate properties of particles prepared was also investigated. It has been found that with high CTAB concentration ([CTAB] > 0.8 mol/l), the reverse micelles can solubilize a sufficient amount of aqueous solution with high metallic ion concentration ( approximately 1.0 mol/L), while the microstructure of the reverse micelles keeps unchanged. The most important factor affecting the size and shape of reverse micelles was found to be the water content w0 (w0, molar ratio of water to surfactant used). When both the CTAB concentration and the w0 values are low, the diameters of reverse micelles are below 20 nm, and the ZrO2-Y2O3 particles prepared are also very small. However, the powders obtained were found to form a lot of aggregates after drying and calcination. High CTAB concentration, high w0 value, and high metallic ion concentration in the aqueous phase for high powder productivity were found to be the suitable compositions of reverse micelles for preparing high-quality ZrO2-Y2O3 nanoparticles. Under these conditions, the reverse micelles are still spherical in shape even the reverse micellar system is nearly saturated with aqueous solutions. These reverse micelles were found to have a diameter of between 60 and 150 nm and the ZrO2-Y2O3 particles prepared therefrom range from 30 to 70 nm with spherical shape and not easy to form aggregates. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Misexpression of the catenin p120(ctn)1A perturbs Xenopus gastrulation but does not elicit Wnt-directed axis specification.

Modulators of cadherin function are of great interest given that the cadherin complex actively contributes to the morphogenesis of virtually all tissues. The catenin p120(ctn) (formerly p120cas) was first identified as a src- and receptor-protein tyrosine kinase substrate and later shown to interact directly with cadherins. In common with beta-catenin and plakoglobin (gamma-catenin), p120(ctn) contains a central Armadillo repeat region by which it binds cadherin cytoplasmic domains. However, little is known about the function of p120(ctn) within the cadherin complex. We examined the role of p120(ctn)1A in early vertebrate development via its exogenous expression in Xenopus. Ventral overexpression of p120(ctn)1A, in contrast to beta-catenin, did not induce the formation of duplicate axial structures resulting from the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, nor did p120(ctn) affect mesoderm induction. Rather, dorsal misexpression of p120(ctn) specifically perturbed gastrulation. Lineage tracing of cells expressing exogenous p120(ctn) indicated that cell movements were disrupted, while in vitro studies suggested that this may have been a consequence of reduced adhesion between blastomeres. Thus, while cadherin-binding proteins beta-catenin, plakoglobin, and p120(ctn) are members of the Armadillo protein family, it is clear that these proteins have distinct biological functions in early vertebrate development. This work indicates that p120(ctn) has a role in cadherin function and that heightened expression of p120(ctn) interferes with appropriate cell-cell interactions necessary for morphogenesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Pathway modulation, circular permutation and rapid RNA folding under kinetic control.

The thermodynamics and folding kinetics of a circularly permuted construct of the ribozyme from Bacillus subtilis RNase P are analyzed and compared with the folding properties of the wild-type ribozyme using optical spectroscopy and catalytic activity. The folding of the wild-type ribozyme is slow due to the rearrangement of kinetically trapped species containing misfolded structures. To test whether any misfolded structure arises from interactions between the two independently folding domains of the RNase P RNA, a circular permuted form was created where one of the two phosphodiester bonds connecting these domains is broken. This construct folds approximately 15-fold faster (t1/2 approximately nine seconds) than the wild-type ribozyme at 37 degreesC. While the complete folding of both domains is kinetically indistinguishable in the wild-type ribozyme, one domain folds much faster than the other domain in the circularly permuted construct. Hence, the major kinetic trap in the folding of the wild-type RNase P RNA involves interdomain interactions. This kinetic trap is avoidable at 37 degreesC in the circularly permuted RNA. However, at temperatures below 30 degreesC or when refolding begins from an equilibrium intermediate stabilized by submillimolar concentrations of Mg2+, a subpopulation containing an interdomain misfold still forms. These results indicate that the folding pathway of this large RNA is highly malleable and can be under kinetic control.

Bacillus subtilis↗

PubMed1999

NOEY2 (ARHI), an imprinted putative tumor suppressor gene in ovarian and breast carcinomas.

Using differential display PCR, we have identified a gene [NOEY2, ARHI (designation by the Human Gene Nomenclature Committee)] with high homology to ras and rap that is expressed consistently in normal ovarian and breast epithelial cells but not in ovarian and breast cancers. Reexpression of NOEY2 through transfection suppresses clonogenic growth of breast and ovarian cancer cells. Growth suppression was associated with down-regulation of the cyclin D1 promoter activity and induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1). In an effort to identify mechanisms leading to NOEY2 silencing in cancer, we found that the gene is expressed monoallelically and is imprinted maternally. Loss of heterozygosity of the gene was detected in 41% of ovarian and breast cancers. In most of cancer samples with loss of heterozygosity, the nonimprinted functional allele was deleted. Thus, NOEY2 appears to be a putative imprinted tumor suppressor gene whose function is abrogated in ovarian and breast cancers.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Uniform molecular analysis using femtosecond laser mass spectrometry

The potential of femtosecond laser time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FLMS) for uniform quantitative analysis of molecules has been investigated. Various samples of molecular gases and vapours have been studied, using ultra-fast ( approximately 50 fs) laser pulses with very high intensity (up to 1.6 x 10(16) Wcm(-2)) for non-resonant multiphoton ionisation/tunnel ionisation. Some of these molecules have high ionisation potentials, requiring up to ten photons for non-resonant ionisation. The relative sensitivity factors (RSF) have been determined as a function of the laser intensity and it has been demonstrated that for molecules with very different masses and ionisation potentials, uniform ionisation has been achieved at the highest laser intensities. Quantitative laser mass spectrometry of molecules is therefore a distinct possibility. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Cigarette smoking among schoolboys in Beijing, China.

The current study was designed to assess the recent rate of cigarette smoking and to examine the association of cigarette smoking with individual factors and problem behaviors using data collected in December 1997 from 323 middle school students (43% females) in Beijing, China. About 15% of the study sample (23% males and 5% females) reported having ever smoked. The data in the current study confirmed findings from our earlier study (Li et al., 1996, Substance Use and Misuse, 31, 545-563) that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Chinese adolescents was higher among males, increased with advancing age and was associated with participation in other problem behaviors and with poorer self-perceived academic performance. The data underscore the need for smoking-prevention programs targeting Chinese children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Common resistance mechanisms to deoxynucleoside analogues in variants of the human erythroleukaemic line K562.

Resistant variants of the human leukaemic line K562 were developed using selection with the deoxynucleoside analogues cytosine arabinoside, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, fludarabine and gemcitabine. The resistant lines displayed a high degree of cross resistance to all deoxynucleoside analogues, with little or no cross resistance to other agents. There was a profound accumulation defect of all nucleoside analogues in the resistant variants but no significant defect in nucleoside transport in any of the variants. 5' nucleotidase activity was strongly increased and deoxycytidine kinase activity was moderately reduced in all of the resistant variants, resulting in reduced accumulation of triphosphate analogues. In addition a deletion in one of the alleles of the deoxycytidine kinase was detected in the fludarabine-resistant line. Ribonucleotide reductase activity was found to be strongly increased in the gemcitabine-selected line and purine nucleoside phosphorylase was increased in the 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine-selected line. Free nucleotide pools were increased in the 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine-selected line. There was no expression of the mdr1 gene by the resistant lines. Karyotypic analysis and FISH experiments using a 6q21 specific probe showed alterations in the 6(q16-q22) region which contains the 5'-nucleotidase gene. Early events in the activation and degradation of deoxynucleoside analogues appear to constitute common mechanisms of resistance to these compounds.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1999

Cytoskeletal reorganization induced by engagement of the NG2 proteoglycan leads to cell spreading and migration.

Cells expressing the NG2 proteoglycan can attach, spread, and migrate on surfaces coated with NG2 mAbs, demonstrating that engagement of NG2 can trigger the cytoskeletal rearrangements necessary for changes in cell morphology and motility. Engagement of different epitopes of the proteoglycan results in distinct forms of actin reorganization. On mAb D120, the cells contain radial actin spikes characteristic of filopodial extension, whereas on mAb N143, the cells contain cortical actin bundles characteristic of lamellipodia. Cells that express NG2 variants lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains are unable to spread or migrate on NG2 mAb-coated surfaces, indicating that these portions of the molecule are essential for NG2-mediated signal transduction. Cells expressing an NG2 variant lacking the C-terminal half of the cytoplasmic domain can still spread normally on mAbs D120 and N143, suggesting that the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic segment is responsible for this process. In contrast, this variant migrates poorly on mAb D120 and exhibits abnormal arrays of radial actin filaments decorated with fascin during spreading on this mAb. The C-terminal portion of the NG2 cytoplasmic domain, therefore, may be involved in regulating molecular events that are crucial for cell motility.

Actins↗

PubMed1999

Fine needle aspiration cytology of basal cell carcinoma of the skin: a clinical and cytopathological appraisal.

This report describes the fine needle aspiration cytologic findings of 22 cases of basal cell carcinoma of the skin. The series consisted of 17 men and 5 women with a mean age of 60.7 years (range, 35-80). All the patients were from south of Xinjiang and were outdoor workers with histories of prolonged exposure to strong sunlight. Histopathologic study was performed in all cases. Using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in evaluating basal cell carcinoma, there were no false-positive cases, but one false-negative one giving a diagnostic accuracy of 95.65%. Cytologic features suggestive of basal cell carcinoma included increased numbers of small, uniform hyperchromatic, relatively little cytoplasmic cell clusters. The peripheral cells appeared in monolayer form as a papillated outline with very strong cellular cohesion. Scattered tumor cells were seldom seen. The differential diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in FNAC includes poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, eccrine gland carcinoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. FNAC diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is essential in order to ensure proper treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Epoxide hydrolases regulate epoxyeicosatrienoic acid incorporation into coronary endothelial phospholipids.

Cytochrome P-450-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are avidly incorporated into and released from endothelial phospholipids, a process that results in potentiation of endothelium-dependent relaxation. EETs are also rapidly converted by epoxide hydrolases to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHETs), which are incorporated into phospholipids to a lesser extent than EETs. We hypothesized that epoxide hydrolases functionally regulate EET incorporation into endothelial phospholipids. Porcine coronary artery endothelial cells were treated with an epoxide hydrolase inhibitor, 4-phenylchalcone oxide (4-PCO, 20 micromol/l), before being incubated with (3)H-labeled 14,15-EET (14,15-[(3)H]EET). 4-PCO blocked conversion of 14,15-[(3)H]EET to 14,15-[(3)H]DHET and doubled the amount of radiolabeled products incorporated into cell lipids, with >80% contained in phospholipids. Moreover, pretreatment with 4-PCO before incubation with 14,15-[(3)H]EET enhanced A-23187-induced release of radiolabeled products into the medium. In contrast, 4-PCO did not alter uptake, distribution, or release of [(3)H]arachidonic acid. In porcine coronary arteries, 4-PCO augmented 14,15-EET-induced potentiation of endothelium-dependent relaxation to bradykinin. These data suggest that epoxide hydrolases may play a role in regulating EET incorporation into phospholipids, thereby modulating endothelial function in the coronary vasculature.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗

PubMed1999

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids increase intracellular calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cytochrome P450-derived metabolites of arachidonic acid. They are potent endogenous vasodilator compounds produced by vascular cells, and EET-induced vasodilation has been attributed to activation of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) K(+) channels. However, in some cells, EETs activate Ca(2+) channels, resulting in Ca(2+) influx and increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). We investigated whether EETs also can activate Ca(2+) channels in vascular SMC and whether the resultant Ca(2+) influx can influence vascular tone. The 4 EET regioisomers (1 micromol/L) increased porcine aortic SMC [Ca(2+)](i) by 52% to 81%, whereas arachidonic acid, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (1 micromol/L) produced little effect. The increases in [Ca(2+)](i) produced by 14,15-EET were abolished by removal of extracellular Ca(2+) and by pretreatment with verapamil (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of voltage-dependent (L-type) Ca(2+) channels. 14,15-EET did not alter Ca(2+) signaling induced by norepinephrine and thapsigargin. When administered to porcine coronary artery rings precontracted with a thromboxane mimetic, 14,15-EET produced relaxation. However, when administered to rings precontracted with acetylcholine or KCl, 14,15-EET produced additional contractions. In rings exposed to 10 mmol/L KCl, a concentration that did not affect resting ring tension, 14,15-EET produced small contractions that were abolished by EGTA (3 mmol/L) or verapamil (10 micromol/L). These observations indicate that 14,15-EET enhances [Ca(2+)](i) influx in vascular SMC through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels. This 14,15-EET-induced increase in [Ca(i)(2+)] can produce vasoconstriction and therefore may act to modulate EET-induced vasorelaxation.

8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid↗