[Role of calcium in the mechanism of the change in vascular reactivity under the action of reserpine].

Reserpine induces an appreciable reduction of the calcium content in the segments of the distal aorta and rabbit femoral arteries incubated in a saline. These changes develop simultaneously to those in the reaction pattern of the vascular segment to direct electric stimulation (decline of constrictor responses and their subsequent replacement by relaxation). It is postulated that the decreased calcium content in the vascular wall may be one of the causes of altered vascular reactivity.