Biomaterial Database

Calcium and alpha-adrenoceptors in activation of vascular smooth muscle. 1982

P M Vanhoutte, and T J Rimele

Calcium entry blockers have differing effects on various vascular smooth muscle preparations during alpha-adrenoceptor activation. One possible explanation for these differences is that norepinephrine activates different subtypes of postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors, which are linked preferentially to either the entry of extracellular or the mobilization of intracellular calcium. Therefore, differences in the sensitivity to calcium entry blockers during vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous or circulating catecholamines or to sympathetic nerve stimulation may reflect the heterogeneous pharmacological properties of the postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors involved. However, depending on the blood vessel or the species studied, equally convincing evidence favoring the interpretation that either alpha 1- or alpha 2-adrenoceptors modulate the entry of extracellular calcium in vascular smooth muscle can be obtained. Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude that the varying degrees of dependency of alpha-adrenoceptor activation on calcium entry are determined by the functional differentiation of the vascular smooth muscle cells rather than by the apparent pharmacological characteristics of their alpha-adrenoceptors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009131	Muscle, Smooth, Vascular	The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels.	Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D010656	Phenylephrine	An alpha-1 adrenergic agonist used as a mydriatic, nasal decongestant, and cardiotonic agent.	(R)-3-Hydroxy-alpha-((methylamino)methyl)benzenemethanol,Metaoxedrin,Metasympatol,Mezaton,Neo-Synephrine,Neosynephrine,Phenylephrine Hydrochloride,Phenylephrine Tannate,Neo Synephrine,Tannate, Phenylephrine
D011941	Receptors, Adrenergic	Cell-surface proteins that bind epinephrine and/or norepinephrine with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes. The two major classes of adrenergic receptors, alpha and beta, were originally discriminated based on their cellular actions but now are distinguished by their relative affinity for characteristic synthetic ligands. Adrenergic receptors may also be classified according to the subtypes of G-proteins with which they bind; this scheme does not respect the alpha-beta distinction.	Adrenergic Receptors,Adrenoceptor,Adrenoceptors,Norepinephrine Receptor,Receptors, Epinephrine,Receptors, Norepinephrine,Adrenergic Receptor,Epinephrine Receptors,Norepinephrine Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic,Receptor, Norepinephrine
D011942	Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha	One of the two major pharmacological subdivisions of adrenergic receptors that were originally defined by the relative potencies of various adrenergic compounds. The alpha receptors were initially described as excitatory receptors that post-junctionally stimulate SMOOTH MUSCLE contraction. However, further analysis has revealed a more complex picture involving several alpha receptor subtypes and their involvement in feedback regulation.	Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Adrenergic alpha-Receptors,Receptors, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,alpha-Adrenergic Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic, alpha,Adrenergic alpha Receptor,Adrenergic alpha Receptors,Receptor, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptors, alpha Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Receptor,alpha Adrenergic Receptors,alpha-Receptor, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptors, Adrenergic
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004110	Diltiazem	A benzothiazepine derivative with vasodilating action due to its antagonism of the actions of CALCIUM ion on membrane functions.	Aldizem,CRD-401,Cardil,Cardizem,Dilacor,Dilacor XR,Dilren,Diltiazem Hydrochloride,Diltiazem Malate,Dilzem,Tiazac,CRD 401,CRD401
D005711	Gallopamil	Coronary vasodilator that is an analog of iproveratril (VERAPAMIL) with one more methoxy group on the benzene ring.	Methoxyverapamil,D-600,D600,Elgiprona,Gallobeta,Gallopamil Hydrochloride,Prebet,Procorum,gallopamil von ct,D 600,Hydrochloride, Gallopamil
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia