Caffeine-induced contraction of rat portal vein and effects of K-depolarization, Na-removal and low temperature.

Contribution of Ca influx from extracellular pool and Ca-release from store sites in caffeine-induced contraction of rat portal vein longitudinal muscle were examined. At 37 degrees C caffeine induced a phasic contraction and the contraction was inhibited by verapamil or in the absence of Ca. Under low temperature, it was not decreased remarkably by verapamil or by the removal of extracellular Ca. Na-removal potentiated caffeine-induced contraction in the absence of Ca. Caffeine-induced contraction was also potentiated by high-K-depolarization. These contractions were at both temperature inhibited greatly by ryanodine. Caffeine induced the burst of the action potential at 37 degrees C but it was not remarkable at 17 degrees C. These results indicate that both extracellular Ca influx and release of stored Ca are involved in the caffeine-induced contraction. However, dependence of the contraction on Ca sources are influenced by temperature, extracellular Na and membrane potential.