Calcium Exchange in Vascular Smooth Muscle, Action of Noradrenaline and Lanthanum

1. The Na, K, Ca and Mg content and the 45Ca uptake and loss were determined in rat aortae incubated in physiological solution or in solution containing LaCl3 instead of CaCl2. 2. Aortae washed in La-solution contained less Ca and Na than controls in physiological solution, the K content was not modified and the Mg content was slightly decreased. 3. In 50 mM-La solution the 45Ca diffusion space was intermediate between the values found for the [14C]sorbitol space and the [14C]inulin space, indicating that there was no Ca entry within the cell nor Ca binding at superficial sites. 45Ca loss from the tissue was directly related to the La concentration. 4. Noradrenaline increased the rate of uptake of 45Ca into the Ca fraction resistant to displacement by La. This increase was dose dependent, a response of 50% of the maximum being produced by 2 x 10(-8) noradrenaline as for the contraction. In the presence of phentolamine, the dose-effect curves for the action of noradrenaline on 45Ca uptake were displaced in a manner characteristic of competitive antagonism. The rhoA2 for phentolamine was 7-8. 5. In physiological solution, the rate of loss of 45Ca, from the Ca fraction resistant to displacement by La, was increased by noradrenaline the ED50 was 2 x 10(-8) M, and the effect was abolished by phentolamine. 6. In view of the similarity of phentolamine rhoA2 estimated by measuring noradrenaline sensitive 45Ca uptake or noradrenaline evoked contraction, it is likely that the activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors is responsible for both effects.