MEASUREMENT OF CA2-MEDIATED EFFLUX IN HYPERTENSION( PUMP)

Ca2+ homeostasis has been a prominent research area in the study of hy pertension. There is convincing evidence that hypertension in spontane ously hypertensive rats is characterized by enhanced Ca2+ influx in va rious cell types. It is, however, still unclear whether hypertension i s associated with reduced or enhanced Ca2+ efflux. Reduced Ca2+ efflux would augment the effects of enhanced Ca2+ influx. However, enhanced Ca2+ extrusion may occur as an adaptive process to minimize the effect s of Ca2+ overload. This question remains unanswered because of incons istent results obtained using a variety of experimental techniques. In this article we have reviewed the research findings and discuss exist ing and possible new techniques to assess Ca2+ efflux in hypertension, with particular attention to vascular smooth muscle. We have focused mainly on studies using the spontaneously hypertensive rat and discuss its appropriateness as a model for essential hypertension.