Relaxation induced by calcium ionophore is impaired in carotid arteries from 2K-1C rats due to failed effect of nitric oxide on the smooth muscle cells.

Vascular endothelium generates nitric oxide (NO) in large vessels and induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of NO produced in the endothelial cells (EC) to the relaxation induced by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and whether this relaxation is impaired in renal hypertensive (2K-1C) rat arteries. Concentration-effect curves for A23187 were constructed in intact endothelium isolated carotid rings from 2K-1C and normotensive (2K) in the absence or in the presence of the extracellular NO scavenger haemoglobin or inhibitors of NO-synthase (NOS, L-NOARG), guanylyl-cyclase (GC, ODQ). In carotid rings loaded with Fluo-3AM, both EC and VSMC were simultaneously imaged by a confocal microscope and [Ca2+]c was derived from fluorescence intensities (IF). The maximal relaxation (ME) induced by A23187 was lower in 2K-1C than in 2K arteries. A23187-induced relaxation was abolished by haemoglobin and L-NOARG in both groups. ODQ reduced the ME to A23187 in 2K and abolished its relaxation in 2K-1C. A23187 increased [Ca2+]c in a similar way in 2K and 2K-1C EC, and decreased [Ca2+]c in VSMC, which effect was higher in 2K than in 2K-1C arteries. L-NOARG inhibited the effect of A23187 in VSMC from 2K and abolished it in 2K-1C rats. On the other hand, L-NOARG did not modify the effect of A23187 in EC from 2K and 2K-1C rats. The basal content of cGMP was higher in 2K than in 2K-1C arterial rings that was similarly increased by A23187. In conclusion, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 increases Ca2+, activates NOS and NO production in the EC activating GC in VSMC and [Ca2+]c decrease. All these effects are higher in 2K, which contribute to the impaired relaxation to A23187 in 2K-1C rat arteries.