The effect of the phorbol esters phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) on changes in free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single rat hepatocytes, microinjected with the photoprotein aequorin, were investigated. [Arg8]vasopressin and phenylephrine induced a series of repetitive [Ca2+]i transients. Phorbol esters inhibited the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-induced response; sub-nanomolar concentrations decreased the transient frequency, and higher concentrations abolished the transients. The inhibitory effect of PDB was readily reversible. Phorbol esters were less effective in decreasing the frequency of [Arg8]-vasopressin-induced transients, and the inhibition could be overcome by high [Arg8]vasopressin concentrations.
