COMPARATIVE-STUDIES ON THE INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF CALCIUM-ANTAGONISTS ON CYTOSOLIC CA2+ LEVELS INCREASED BY HIGH-POTASSIUM OR GLUTAMATE IN CULTURED RAT CEREBELLAR GRANULE CELLS

The inhibitory effects of calcium antagonists on high-potassium or glutamate (Glu) enhanced intracellular calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) levels were studied in cultured cerebellar granule cells. Dosages between 0.5 and 10 muM of flunarizine, nicardipine, SM6586 and SM12565 reduced the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by 50 mM KCl in a dose-dependent manner, although diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine showed less effects on such [Ca2+]i increases. SM6586, SM12565 and flunarizine at dosages below 10 muM each reduced the magnitude of the [Ca2+]i increase induced by 25 muM Glu, but the other examined calcium antagonists were less effective. These results suggest the dissimilar efficacy of calcium antagonists on the inhibition of [Ca2+]i levels increased by high-potassium and Glu.