ISSN:
1432-1912
Keywords:
Ang II
;
AT1-receptor
;
Calcium ions
;
Calcium antagonists
;
Rat portal vein
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The calcium dependency of AT1-receptor mediated contractions was studied in isolated rat portal vein preparations. The spontaneous phasic contractile force of the rat portal vein was increased (ED50 = 1.76 mmol/l) and the frequency of contractions decreased by raising the extracellular calcium concentration. The Ang 11-induced rise in phasic contractile force (mediated by AT1-receptors, Zhang et al. 1993) proved most pronounced at 0.9 mmol/l of calcium chloride, but it was weaker at either lower or higher calcium concentrations. The maximal increases in the phasic contractile force induced by Ang II were 2.4±0.4, 14.8±0.9 and 5±0.5 mN at calcium concentrations of 0.5, 0.9 and 2.5 mmol/l, respectively. Calcium antagonists reduced at the lower and abolished at the higher concentrations (nifedipine 2×10−8 or 10−7 mol/l; verapamil 10−7 or 5 × 10−7 mol/l; diltiazem 3 × 10−7 or 10–6 mol/l) the spontaneous contractile force. All of these calcium antagonists caused a strong inhibition or suppression of the phasic contractions induced by Ang II.The rank order of potency was nifedipine 〉verapamil 〉 diltiazem. Ang II (10−6 mol/l) elicited a tonic contraction which was abolished by the AT1-receptor antagonist losartan 10-6 mol/l but not by the AT2-receptor antagonist PD 123177 (10–5 mol/l). Very high concentrations of nifedipine (10–6 mol/l), verapamil (5 × 10-6 mol/l) and diltiazem (5 × 10−6 mol/l) almost suppressed the tonic effect evoked by the activation of AT1-receptors. In a nominally Ca2+ “free”, EGTA-containing solution, a single supra-maximal concentration of Ang II (10−6 mol/l) caused a transient contraction, also mediated by AT1-receptors. This finding suggests the existence of Ang II-sensitive intracellular calcium stores in this preparation. The depletion of such stores proved complete after 4–6 min of perfusion in a Ca2+ “free”, EGTA-containing solution. In conclusion, various types of contractions (a transient contraction in a Ca2+-“free” medium, phasic and tonic contractions) induced by Ang II in the rat portal vein proved to be mediated by AT1-receptors. These contractions were clearly modified by changes in the availability of extra- and possibly intracellular calcium ions. The calcium movements elicited by stimulation of AT1-receptors in a calcium containing solution were inhibited by the three calcium antagonists investigated.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00170892
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