title: Minor role for direct adrenoceptor-mediated calcium entry in rat mesenteric small arteries.
abstract: The role of membrane potential-dependent and independent regulation of the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was assessed in the mesenteric small arteries of Wistar rats. [Ca2+]i was determined by Fura-2 fluorescence. Membrane potential measurements were made using intracellular microelectrodes. Depolarization with a high-potassium solution (K-PSS) elevated [Ca2+]i and induced contraction. Further addition of 10 microM noradrenaline (NA) did not elevate [Ca2+]i further but enhanced tone. Addition of calcium channel inhibitors (felodipine or D-600) inhibited the maintained rise in [Ca2+]i with K-PSS, but NA still elevated [Ca2+]i and force to about half the previous level. Further addition of either ryanodine or thapsigargin eliminated the rise in [Ca2+]i with NA, although 10-20% of the contraction remained. Simultaneous measurements of membrane potential, [Ca2+]i, and force during cumulative additions of NA or K-PSS in the absence of inhibitors showed similar relations between membrane potential and [Ca2+]i for each means of activation. The results indicate that membrane potential and [Ca2+]i are strongly correlated in mesenteric small arteries. A small part of the [Ca2+]i increase to NA can be attributed to release from intracellular stores. Membrane potential-independent calcium channels that are directly operated by adrenoceptors appear to play a minor role in the regulation of [Ca2+]i in these vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mulvany
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016257:Fura-2; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2; D009638:Norepinephrine