Vascular smooth muscle contraction initiated by postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation is induced by an influx of extracellular calcium.

Vasoconstriction in pithed, normotensive rats elicited via stimulation of postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors by B-HT 920 was antagonized by EDTA and the calcium antagonists nifedipine, D 600 and verapamil, whereas pressor responses to the alpha 1-agonist methoxamine were unaffected. This indicates that vasoconstriction in vivo initiated via postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors requires an influx of extracellular calcium. Thus, the antihypertensive effect of calcium antagonists may be based upon a diminution of vascular tone maintained by postsynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors.