title: Voltage dependence of Ca2+ sparks in intact cerebral arteries.
abstract: Ca2+ sparks have been previously described in isolated smooth muscle cells. Here we present the first measurements of local Ca2+ transients ("Ca2+ sparks") in an intact smooth muscle preparation. Ca2+ sparks appear to result from the opening of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release (RyR) channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in intact cerebral arteries (40-150 micron in diameter) from rats, using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo 3 and a laser scanning confocal microscope. Membrane potential depolarization by elevation of external K+ from 6 to 30 mM increased Ca2+ spark frequency (4. 3-fold) and amplitude (approximately 2-fold) as well as global arterial wall [Ca2+]i (approximately 1.7-fold). The half time of decay ( approximately 50 ms) was not affected by membrane potential depolarization. Ryanodine (10 microM), which inhibits RyR channels and Ca2+ sparks in isolated cells, and thapsigargin (100 nM), which indirectly inhibits RyR channels by blocking the SR Ca2+-ATPase, completely inhibited Ca2+ sparks in intact cerebral arteries. Diltiazem, an inhibitor of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, lowered global [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ spark frequency and amplitude in intact cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. The frequency of Ca2+ sparks (<1 s-1 . cell-1), even under conditions of steady depolarization, was too low to contribute significant amounts of Ca2+ to global Ca2+ in intact arteries. These results provide direct evidence that Ca2+ sparks exist in quiescent smooth muscle cells in intact arteries and that changes of membrane potential that would simulate physiological changes modulate both Ca2+ spark frequency and amplitude in arterial smooth muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jaggar
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012433:Ryanodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000502:physiology; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D019284:Thapsigargin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; D012433:Ryanodine; D019284:Thapsigargin; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium