Abstract
Summary
The present study describes differences in the effect of the ionophore, A23187, on contraction and relaxation in certain rat arteries and veins. A23187 selectively inhibited maximal contraction to receptor agonists such as serotonin and norepinephrine in veins but not arteries. Furthermore, based on the role of extracellular calcium, the action of A23187 and measurement of total calcium levels, no difference in calcium handling was apparent between the rat jugular and femoral veins. Therefore, relaxation of the rat jugular vein to norepinephrine is probably unrelated to any uniqueness in calcium utilization.
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