Ionomycin calcium (SQ23377 calcium) is an effective and selective calcium ionophore, demonstrating high specificity for divalent cations (Ca>Mg>Sr=Ba).

METHODS: N1E-115 cells were treated with Ionomycin calcium (0.2-10 µM) for 3-24 h. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion assay.
RESULTS: Ionomycin calcium induced cell death in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. [1]
METHODS: Fura-2-loaded mouse cerebellar astrocytes were treated with Ionomycin calcium (0.1-10 µM) for 35 min, and cell membrane Ca(2+) concentration was monitored by changes in the Fura-2 340/380 ratio.
RESULTS: With Ionomycin calcium concentrations <1 µM, Ca(2+) declined slowly after an initial peak and reached a significantly lower level after 35 min. The peak Ca(2+) was maintained at a plateau stage with 2 µM Ionomycin calcium. Ionomycin calcium Ca(2+) at concentrations >2 µM was significantly higher than the initial peak after 35 min. [2]

METHODS: To investigate the mechanism of demyelination induced in vivo, Ionomycin calcium (2-50 µM, 0.5 µL) was dorsal column injected into SD rats.
RESULTS: Ionomycin calcium-injected rats showed varying degrees of lesions observed on days 1-21, including areas of localized edema, a few scattered demyelinated axons, and larger lesions containing up to 200 demyelinated or degenerated axons. [3]