Nonylphenol, an environmental estrogen, affects voltage-gated K+ currents and L-type Ca2+ currents in a non-monotonic manner in GH3 pituitary cells

We have investigated the characteristics of voltage-gated K+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels in GH3 rat pituitary cells and the effects of the xenoestrogen (XEs) nonylphenol (NP) on these ion channel currents. Our results have shown that the lower concentrations (10−15–10−14 M) of NP decreased the amplitudes of voltage-gated K+ currents (IKv) and activated L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa-L) by reducing half-activation membrane potentials of activation kinetics curves. However, the higher concentrations (10−10–10−9 M) of NP increased the amplitudes of IKv and inhibited ICa-L by reducing the peak values of ICa-L. Thus, NP affects IKv and ICa-L in an opposite and non-monotonic manner.

► The effect of nonylphenol (NP) was studied in GH3 cells with patch-clamp technique. ► Electrophysiological effects of NP on IKv and ICa-L were obtained for the first time. ► NP could affect on IKv and ICa-L at very low concentrations (10−15–10−9 M). ► The dose-dependent effect of NP on IKv and ICa-L is in a nonmonotonic manner.