Contribution of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake and L-type calcium channels to altered vascular responsiveness in the aorta of renal hypertensive rats

This study examined whether alterations in intracellular or extracellular C a2+ mobilization were related to differences in caffeine and phenylephrine (PHE)-induced contractions between two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive (2K-1C ) and normotensive (2K) rat aortas. After depletion and reloading of intrac ellular Ca2+ stores, caffeine and PHE-induced contractions in Ca2+-free sol ution were increased in 2K-1C. Thapsigargin reduced the contraction to caff eine in 2K-1C and 2K with similar sensitivity. PHE-induced contraction in 1 .6-mM Ca2+ solution was decreased in 2K-1C, and nifedipine was less effecti ve in lowering this response. The responsiveness to extracellular Ca2+ was decreased in 2K-1C hypertensive rat aortas. Our results indicate an increas ed intracellular Ca2+ stores that are not related to alteration in Ca2+-ATP ase function and a lower contribution of L-type channels to the contraction of 2K-1C aortas. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.