The cellular mechanisms underlying the agonist-induced sustained contraction of the vascular smooth muscle are reviewed in the light of the use of Ca2+ and the change of Ca2+ sensitivity of the contractile apparatus. It is generally accepted that the main trigger for contraction of vascular smooth muscle is the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration. However, the measurement of intracell...

objective(s) the aim of this study was to investigate the overall effect of cardiac vasoactive factors during coronary occlusion and reperfusion on peripheral vascular tone, using a sequential isolated rabbit heart-ear perfusion model. materials and methods isolated ears were perfused with the effluent of isolated hearts subjected to ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (180 min, n=6). the compara...

Oxidative stress mediated by pro-oxidants has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders. However, the effect of pro-oxidants on myogenic regulation of vascular function and the differential influence of gender is not known. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), an intracellular enzyme restricts excess pro-oxidant levels and may limit vascular dysfunction. We therefore tested the effects o...