TY - JOUR T1 - Effects of lipid A on calcium homeostasis in renal proximal tubules. JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 555 LP - 560 VL - 276 IS - 2 AU - J W Proksch AU - L A Traylor AU - P R Mayeux Y1 - 1996/02/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/276/2/555.abstract N2 - It is clear that lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are responsible for the multiorgan failure often associated with endotoxemia. However, little is known of the direct effects of LPS on kidney cells. We examined the effects of lipid A, the biologically active component of LPS, on rat proximal tubule Ca++ homeostasis. Lipid A produced a rapid, transient, concentration-dependent rise in intracellular Ca++ concentration, [Ca++]i, as monitored by fura-2. At 50 micrograms/ml [Ca++]i rose to 138 +/- 12 nM (n = 4) above basal [Ca++]i levels. The response to lipid A was not significantly inhibited by chelating extracellular Ca++ with EGTA (5 mM). However, the rise in [Ca++]i was significantly inhibited by 8-(N,N-dimethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride) and thapsigargin (17 +/- 7 nM and 13 +/- 9 nM rise, respectively; P < .05). These data indicate that the rise in [Ca++]i induced by lipid A is due to release of intracellular stores, and not extracellular influx. We also examined the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the lipid A response. Lipid A caused a time-dependent increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate that paralleled the rise in [Ca++]i, suggesting the release in [Ca++]i is through an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated release of intracellular stores. The ability of lipid A to alter Ca++ homeostasis suggests a potential for LPS to directly alter proximal tubule physiology and renal function in vivo. ER -