Citrus bergamia Risso Elevates Intracellular Ca<superscript>2+</superscript> in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells due to Release of Ca<superscript>2+</superscript> from Primary Intracellular Stores.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso (bergamot, BEO) on intracellular Ca2+ in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Fura-2 fluorescence was used to examine changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i . In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, BEO increased [Ca2+]i , which was partially inhibited by a nonselective Ca2+ channel blocker La3+. In Ca2+-free extracellular solutions, BEO increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that BEO mobilizes intracellular Ca2+. BEO-induced [Ca2+]i increase was partially inhibited by a Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release inhibitor dantrolene, a phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, and an inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3)-gated Ca2+ channel blocker, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borane (2-APB). BEO also increased [Ca2+]i in the presence of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. In addition, store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOC) was potentiated by BEO. These results suggest that BEO mobilizes Ca2+ from primary intracellular stores via Ca2+-induced and IP3-mediated Ca2+ release and affect promotion of Ca2+ influx, likely via an SOC mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]