Figure 5

Intracellular Ca ²⁺ concentration ([Ca ²⁺ ] _i ) in rat ASMC of each group. Representative images of intracellular Ca²⁺ fluorescence in ASMC of each group. ASMC were incubated with Fluo-3/AM, so the green fluorescences were observed in the cells. The fluorescence intensity in asthmatic ASMC was increased compared with the control group, and SMI could diminish the fluorescence intensity. Bar =10 μm (A). Summarized data showed that TRPV1 selective agonist capsaicin increased [Ca²⁺]_i and inhibitor capsazepine decreased [Ca²⁺]_i. [Ca²⁺]_i of asthmatic ASMC were significantly increased and [Ca²⁺]i was reduced down to the normal level in SMI group (n = 20). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. the blank group . ^{# #}P < 0.01 vs. the blank control group (B).