The effects of extracellular pH on intracellular pH, Ca2+ and tension of canine tracheal smooth muscle strips.

The effects of changes in extracellular pH (pHo) on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) or intracellular pH (pHi) were measured simultaneously with muscle tension in canine tracheal smooth muscle strips. [Ca2+]i and pHi were measured using the fluorescent dyes fura-2 and BCECF, respectively. During high K(+)-induced contractions (24.2, 36.4 or 72.7 mM) at pH 7.4, pHo was changed to 7.8 or 7.0 with NaOH or HCl, respectively. Induced changes in pHi were equal to approximately 50% of the changes in pHo. Alkalinization significantly increased [Ca2+]i and enhanced muscle contraction at all concentrations of K+ but did not alter the relationship between muscle tension and [Ca2+]i. Acidification significantly decreased [Ca2+]i without changing muscle tone; hence, the muscle tension-[Ca2+]i relationship was shifted to the left. These results suggest that changes in pHo can alter airway smooth muscle tone by changing [Ca2+]i and pHi.