Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in resistance arteries from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Alterations in voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the arterial smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated using the whole-cell voltage clamp and compared with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Single cells were freshly isolated from resistance mesenteric arteries from 4-to 5-week-old (young) and 16- to 18-week-old (adult) SHR. Elevated blood pressure was only evident in adult SHR, not in young SHR. In young rats, the Ca2+ channel current density (current amplitude normalized by cell capacitance) was significantly higher (P