title: Possible mechanisms underlying the midazolam-induced relaxation of the noradrenaline-contraction in rabbit mesenteric resistance artery.
abstract: 1. The mechanisms underlying the midazolam-induced relaxation of the noradrenaline (NA)-contraction were studied by measuring membrane potential, isometric force and intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in endothelium-denuded muscle strips from the rabbit mesenteric resistance artery. The actions of midazolam were compared with those of nicardipine, an L-type Ca2+-channel blocker. 2. Midazolam (30 and 100 microM) did not modify either the resting membrane potential or the membrane depolarization induced by 10 microM NA. 3. NA (10 microM) produced a phasic, followed by a tonic increase in both [Ca2+]i and force. Midazolam (10-100 microM) did not modify the resting [Ca2+]i, but attenuated the NA-induced phasic and tonic increases in [Ca2+]i and force, in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, nicardipine (0.3 microM) attenuated the NA-induced tonic, but not phasic, increases in [Ca2+]i and force. 4. In Ca2+-free solution containing 2 mM EGTA, NA (10 microM) transiently increased [Ca2+]i and force. Midazolam (10-100 microM), but not nicardipine (0.3 microM), attenuated this NA-induced increase in [Ca2+]i and force, in a concentration-dependent manner. However, midazolam (10 and 30 microM), had no effect on the increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by 10 mM caffeine. 5. In ryanodine-treated strips, which have functionally lost the NA-sensitive Ca2+ storage sites, NA slowly increased [Ca2+]i and force. Nicardipine (0.3 microM) did not modify the resting [Ca2+]i but partly attenuated the NA-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and force. In the presence of nicardipine, midazolam (100 microM) lowered the resting [Ca2+]i and further attenuated the remaining NA-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and force. 6. The [Ca2+]i-force relationship was obtained in ryanodine-treated strips by the application of ascending concentrations of Ca2+ (0.16-2.6 mM) in Ca2+-free solution containing 100 mM K+. NA (10 microM) shifted the [Ca2+]i-force relationship to the left and enhanced the maximum Ca2+-induced force. Under these conditions, whether in the presence or absence of 10 microM NA, midazolam (10 and 30 microM) attenuated the increases in [Ca2+]i and force induced by Ca2+ without changing the [Ca2+]i-force relationship. 7. It was concluded that, in smooth muscle of the rabbit mesenteric resistance artery, midazolam inhibits the NA-induced contraction through its inhibitory action on NA-induced Ca2+ mobilization. Midazolam attenuates NA-induced Ca2+ influx via its inhibition of both nicardipine-sensitive and -insensitive pathways. Furthermore, midazolam attenuates the NA-induced release of Ca2+ from the storage sites. This effect contributes to the midazolam-induced inhibition of the NA-induced phasic contraction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Nagoya City University Medical School, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanmura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itoh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D008874:Midazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D014655:Vascular Resistance; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002110:Caffeine; D009529:Nicardipine; D008874:Midazolam; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine