title: Differences in alpha2-adrenoceptor modulation of calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells of male and female rats.
abstract: Effects of the alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on current through Ca2+ channels was recorded from vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from tail arteries and aortae of male and female rats. The average Ba2+ current in control was not significantly different between males and females; however, clonidine (1 microM) enhanced Ba2+ current through Ca2+ channels in cells from females, but not from males. The greater sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle cells to clonidine may underlie different contractile responses to alpha2-adrenergic agonists between males and females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Wayne State University, 540 East Canfield Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Furspan
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Freedman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D001158:Arteries / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013623:Tail / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D003000:Clonidine