Reversible Oxidation of Myometrial Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels with Hydrogen Peroxide

The uteri, spontaneously active or Ca2+ (6 mM) induced, were allowed to equilibrate, and to inhibit voltage-gated potassium () channels 1 mM 4-amino pyridine (4-AP) was applied for 15 min before adding H2O2 .  H2O2 was added cumulatively: 2 μM, 20 μM, 200 μM, 400 μM, and 3 mM. Average time for H2O2...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Isabella Appiah, Aleksandra Nikolic-Kokic, Zorana Orescanin-Dusic, Ratko Radojicic, Slobodan Milovanovic, Mihajlo Spasic, Dusko Blagojevic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/105820
Description
Summary:The uteri, spontaneously active or Ca2+ (6 mM) induced, were allowed to equilibrate, and to inhibit voltage-gated potassium () channels 1 mM 4-amino pyridine (4-AP) was applied for 15 min before adding H2O2 .  H2O2 was added cumulatively: 2 μM, 20 μM, 200 μM, 400 μM, and 3 mM. Average time for H2O2 concentrations (2, 20, 200, and 400) μM to reach its full effect was 15 min. H2O2 3 mM had a prolonged effect and therefore was left to act for 30 min. Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences in time dependency between spontaneous and Ca2+-induced rat uteri after applying 3 mM H2O2 (type of contraction, ), but not 400 μM H2O2 (). Our results indicate that H2O2 oxidises channel intracellular thiol groups and activates the channel, inducing relaxation. Cell antioxidative defence system quickly activates glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) defence mechanism but not catalase (CAT) defence mechanism. Intracellular redox mechanisms repair the oxidised sites and again establish deactivation of channels, recuperating contractility. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that channels can be altered in a time-dependent manner by reversible redox-dependent intracellular alterations.
ISSN:1942-0900
1942-0994