The use of the divalent calcium-ionophore A23187 as a biochemical tool in pharmacological and in vitro toxicological studies.

The use of A23187 as a biochemical tool is described. A23187 was used to elucidate the mechanisms of intracellular transport and secretion of N-hydroxylated aniline metabolites in rat hepatocyte primary culture. Results indicate a membrane-bound intracellular transport. Also, A23187 induced macrophages in their anti-tumour cytostatic activity using P815 tumour cells in in vitro co-cultures of macrophages and tumour cells. Results indicate the activating role of A23187 in macrophage leukotriene C4 release and enhanced macrophage anti-tumour activity. In conclusion, A23187 proved to be a useful tool in studying calcium dependent metabolic processes.