Ion-trapping theory predicts that alkalinization of tumor extracellular pH will enhance the anti-tumor activity of weak-base chemotherapeutics. We have previously demonstrated that chronic and acute treatment of tumor-bearing mice with sodium bicarbonate results in tumor-specific alkalinization of extracellular pH. Furthermore, bicarbonate pretreatment enhances the anti-tumor activity of doxoru...

AIMS Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a frequent complication of many radiological procedures involving the application of contrast media. It represents a significant health problem that causes the increase in mortality, morbidity, and medical costs. For the prevention of CIN, a number of methods have been proposed to be effective. Among them, alkalinization of urine takes an important pla...

Bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) can provide a sustainable route to capture the oceanic-dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) using an electrochemical pH-swing concept. Previous works demonstrated how gaseous CO2 (through acidification) be obtained from ocean water, and carbonate minerals provided via ex situ alkalinization. In this work, we present, for first time, in mineralization alkalin...

Cancer stem cells reside in a distinct region within the tumor microenvironment that it is believed to play a fundamental role in regulating stemness, proliferation, survival, and metabolism of cancer cells. This study aimed to analyze the effect of extracellular alkalinization on metabolism and survival of human CD24-/CD44+ breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were cultured in alkalinized D...

Upon absorption of phosphate, cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don caused a rapid alkalinization of the medium in which they were suspended. The alkalinization continued until the added phosphate was completely exhausted from the medium, at which time the pH of the medium started to drop sharply toward the original pH value. Phosphate exposure caused the pH of the medium to increas...

Lysosomal enzymes function optimally at low pH; as accumulation of waste material contributes to cell aging and disease, dysregulation of lysosomal pH may represent an early step in several pathologies. Here, we demonstrate that stimulation of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) for ATP alkalinizes lysosomes in cultured human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells and impairs lysosomal function. P2X7R ...

Here we critically review two recent hypotheses about the mechanism of strong alkalinization by the anterior midgut of mosquito larvae and our tests of these hypotheses. We present experimental evidence against the major components of transport models proposed in these hypotheses. Measurements of the transapical and transbasal proton electrochemical gradients provide an indication of driving fo...

Systemin is an important mediator of wound-induced defense gene activation in tomato plants, and it elicits a rapid alkalinization of the growth medium of cultured Lycopersicon peruvianum cells. A possible mechanistic link between proton fluxes across the plasma membrane and the induction of defense genes was investigated by modulating plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. Inhibitors of H+-ATPase...

Neuronal metabolic and electrical activity is associated with shifts in intracellular pH (pH(i)) proton activity and state-dependent changes in activation of signaling pathways in the plasma membrane, cytosol, and intracellular compartments. We investigated interactions between two intracellular messenger ions, protons and calcium (Ca²(+)), in salamander photoreceptor inner segments loaded with...