Ca2+ metabolism in arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats: assessment by proton-induced X-ray emission.

Changes of intracellular Ca2+-metabolism have been considered to be of importance for the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. In the present study particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) was used to get information on the spatial distribution of Ca2+ in aortas and renal arteries of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats. Our findings demonstrate a significant Ca2+ elevation in the aorta and renal artery of SHR versus normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats (3317 +/- 734 micrograms Ca2+/g tissue versus 1623 +/- 569 micrograms Ca2+/g tissue and 3432 +/- 1867 micrograms Ca2+/g tissue versus 1050 +/- 554 micrograms Ca2+/g tissue).