THE ROLE OF VASCULAR STEROID-RECEPTORS IN THE CONTROL OF VASCULAR CONTRACTILITY AND PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-RESISTANCE

Evidence is presented that glucocorticoids (GC) and mineralocorticoids (MC) control contractility of vascular smooth muscle (VSM). This cont rol is effected through the in situ mechanism for the action of these steroids in the arterial and arteriolar wall. This action is mediated through GC and MC receptors in the VSM cell. Acting through these rece ptors, MC and GC increase transport capacities of different transmembr ane transport systems for Na+ and/or Ca2+ through induction of synthes is of proteins constituting the transport systems. Colocalization of e nzymes deactivating cortisol in VSM, with VSM receptors for GC and MC further strengthens the concept that the arterial network houses an in situ molecular mechanism for the control of VSM contractility, thus p eripheral vascular resistance.