Effect of fibroblast growth factors on calcium currents in acutely isolated neuronal cells from rat ventromedial hypothalamus.

Three types of voltage-gated calcium currents (VGCCs) were recorded using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in acutely isolated neurons from rat ventromedial hypothalamus. They consist of a transient low-threshold current, a nicardipine-sensitive L-type current and an omega-CgTX sensitive N-type current. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) at a concentration of 10-100 ng/ml augmented the L-type current immediately after the addition to the bath. However, the effect was observed only in 29% of the cells tested. Acidic fibroblast growth factor did not affect the VGCCs in the cells. It is suggested that part of the neurotrophic effects of bFGF are attributable to the increase in the L-type calcium current.