Effects of nitroglycerin, dipyridamole, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem on canine coronary arterial rings contracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine and anoxia.

Anoxia has been shown to potentiate the constrictor effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) in isolated vascular tissue. In the present study, canine coronary arterial rings were incubated with various treatments and exposed to 5HT (4 X 10(-7) M) and anoxia (95% N2 and 5% CO2). Developed tension was increased by 250 +/- 40 mg by 5HT alone and 2,000 +/- 90 mg by 5HT and anoxia. Calcium (5 mM) potentiated, while inorganic (lanthanum, 10(-2) M) and organic calcium antagonists (nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem; IC50 = 7 X 10(-9), 7.3 X 10(-8) and 2.4 X 10(-7) M, respectively) blocked the anoxic potentiation. Anoxia alone decreased resting tension (RT). Methysergide 3 X 10(-5) M inhibited both the 5HT- and anoxia-potentiated responses. Nitroglycerin decreased RT and inhibited the anoxic response (IC50 = 7.6 X 10(-6) M), while dipyridamole decreased RT and did not affect the anoxic response. These data suggest that the potentiation of 5HT contraction by anoxia is dependent upon extracellular calcium influx and is linked to a 5HT receptor. In addition, inhibition of the anoxic response can be achieved at other sites and is not a property common to all coronary vasodilators.