Potassium-induced vascular relaxation in two kidney-one clip, renal hypertensive rats

R. Clinton Webb, David M. Cohen, David F. Bohr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study was designed to characterize potassium-induced relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in two kidneyone clip (2K-1C), renal hypertensive rats. Potassium-induced relaxation was evaluated in the isolated tail artery and in the isolated pump perfused renal vasculature. Both preparations relaxed in response to potassium after contraction induced by norepinephrine in potassium-free solution. Arterial preparations from hypertensive rats showed greater relaxation than did those from normotensive rats. Potassium-induced relaxation in tail arteries from hypertensive rats was more sensitive to ouabain inhibition than those from normotensive rats; the renal vasculature of hypertensive rats did not differ from controls with respect to ouabain sensitivity. Relaxation in response to potassium in isolated tail artery segments varied with the: 1. length of incubation in potassium-free solution; 2. concentration of added potassium; and 3. concentration of norepinephrine added during the potassium-free interval. The amplitude of potassium relaxation is believed to be a functional measure of the electrogenic sodium pump. These experiments support the hypothesis that vascular smooth muscle from 2K-1C renal hypertensive rats has increased electrogenic sodium pump activity, in vitro.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)72-78
Number of pages7
JournalPflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology
Volume396
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1983
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Electrogenic pump
  • Ouabain
  • Renal vasculature
  • Sodium
  • Tail artery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Physiology (medical)

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