Biomedical subjects

C R Triggle

Publications and source records attributed to C R Triggle.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

Synthesis and calcium channel antagonist activity of dialkyl 4- (dihydropyridinyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinecarboxylates.

The sodium borohydride reduction of 3,5-disubstituted 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridinyl)pyridines 2 and 5 in the presence of methyl, phenyl, or tert-butyl chloroformate afforded the respective 4-(dihydropyridinyl)-1,4-dihydropyridines 4 and 6 in good yield. Products 4 comprised a mixture of the 1,2- and 1,6-dihydropyridinyl regioisomers 4a and 4b where 4a was always the predominant regioisomer. Compounds possessing a 4-[dihydro-1-(phenoxycarbonyl)-3-pyridinyl] substituent, such as 26, were also a mixture of two regioisomers 26a and 26b, and each regioisomer existed as a mixture of two rotamers in Me2SO-d6 at 25 degrees C (26a', 26a'', and 26b', 26b'') due to restricted rotation about the nitrogen-to-carbonyl carbamate bond. The calcium antagonist activities for 4 and 6 were determined by using the muscarinic receptor-mediated Ca2+-dependent contraction of guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The relative order of activities for the 4-(dihydropyridinyl) analogues was 4-(dihydro-3-pyridinyl) greater than 4-(dihydro-4-pyridinyl). Increasing the size of the C-3(5) alkyl ester substituents increased activity. Compounds having nonidentical ester substituents were more active than those having identical ester substituents. Replacement of the C-3 and/or C-5 ester substituents by a cyano substituent(s) decreased activity significantly. An approximate 1:1 correlation between the IC50 value for inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding and inhibition of the tonic component of the muscarinic-induced contractile response was observed. The test results suggest that a 4-(dihydropyridinyl) substituent is bioisosteric with a 4-(nitrophenyl) substituent on a 1,4-dihydropyridine ring where m- and p-nitrophenyl are bioisosteric with the 4-[1,2(1,6)-dihydro-3-pyridinyl] 4 and 4-(1,2-dihydro-4-pyridinyl) 6 isomers, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Effects of cold storage on relaxation responses in the rat oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae.

Tetrodotoxin-resistant relaxations produced by electrical field stimulation, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and A23187 (calimycin) were investigated in the rat isolated oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae subjected to cold storage of varied duration. Cold storage for 2 days abolished cholinergic nerve mediated contractions to field stimulation; however, field stimulation evoked relaxations and muscarinic agonist evoked contractions persisted undiminished. After 5 days of cold storage, field-stimulated relaxations, as well as tension generating capacity of the tissue, were significantly reduced. Proximodistal differences were observed in tunica muscularis mucosae sensitivity to the relaxant effects of serotonin and A23187 and these were exaggerated after cold storage. In the distal segment, cold storage for 2 days unmasked ketanserin-sensitive 5-HT receptors mediating contractions. Similarly, A23187 induced contractions rather than relaxation in cold-stored distal tunica muscularis mucosae; however, this effect was resistant to ketanserin. Immunohistochemical staining by means of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique revealed 5-HT-like immunoreactive "mast cells" within the tunica muscularis mucosae. These cells appeared to be associated with the smooth muscle rather than the vasculature. It is concluded that field-stimulated relaxation is not dependent on intramural nerves, and it is unlikely that the release of 5-HT from mast cells or other cells mediates field-stimulated relaxation. However, confirmation awaits the provision of an antagonist against the novel 5-HT receptor that mediates 5-HT-induced relaxations.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Structural and functional consequence of neonatal sympathectomy on the blood vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Neonatal sympathectomy of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) was performed by a combined treatment with antiserum to nerve growth factor and guanethidine during the first 4 weeks after birth. The development of hypertension was completely prevented in the treated SHR: at 28 to 30 weeks of age, systolic blood pressure of treated SHR was 139 +/- 2 mm Hg as compared with 195 +/- 8 mm Hg in untreated SHR. The extent of sympathectomy was verified by histofluorescence. Fluorescence histochemistry for catecholamine-containing nerves showed a complete absence of adrenergic nerves in the mesenteric arteries of treated rats. A supersensitivity to norepinephrine was exhibited by mesenteric arteries, anococcygeus muscle, and tail arteries from the treated SHR and WKY. In the mesenteric vascular bed, maximal response to norepinephrine was significantly reduced by sympathectomy. Sympathectomy also abolished the responses (e.g., generation of excitatory junctional potentials) of tail arteries to electrical stimulation of perivascular nerves. Morphometric measurements of three categories of mesenteric arteries showed that sympathectomy had no effect on the hypertrophic change of smooth muscle cells in the conducting vessels, but it prevented the hyperplastic changes of the muscle cells from reactive, muscular arteries and small resistance vessels. These results suggest that one of the primary roles of the overactive sympathetic nervous system in the development of hypertension in SHR is manifested through its trophic effect on the arteries of SHR. This trophic effect appears to cause a hyperplastic change in the smooth muscle cells in the reactive and resistance vessels, thereby contributing to the development of hypertension in older SHR.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Synthesis and calcium channel antagonist activity of dialkyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridinyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates.

The Hantzsch condensation of alkyl acetoacetates 3 with methyl 3-aminocrotonate (4) and pyridinecarboxaldehydes 5 afforded the unsymmetrical alkyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridinyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates 6, whereas condensation of 3 with 5 and ammonium hydroxide gave the symmetrical dialkyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridinyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates 7. The calcium channel antagonist activities of disubstituted 1,4-dihydro-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates 6,7, and 9 were determined with use of the muscarinic-receptor-mediated Ca2+-dependent contraction of guinea pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle. The relative potency order for isomeric pyridinyl analogues 6 and 7 was 2-pyridinyl greater than 3-pyridinyl greater than 4-pyridinyl. Increasing the size of the alkyl ester substituents enhanced activity. Compounds having nonidentical ester substituents were more potent than those having identical ester substituents. Replacement of the C-3 and/or C-5 ester substituent(s) by a cyano substituent(s) decreased activity significantly. An approximate 1:1 correlation between the IC50 value for inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding and inhibition of the tonic component of the muscarinic-induced contractile response was observed. The test results suggest that a 4-(pyridinyl) substituent is bioisosteric with a 4-(nitrophenyl) substituent on a 1,4-dihydropyridine ring system where o-, m-, and p-nitrophenyl are bioisosteric with 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, and 4-pyridinyl, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Subcellular membrane properties in vascular and non-vascular smooth muscles of Dahl hypertensive rats.

Subcellular membrane fractions were isolated from mesenteric arteries and vas deferens of salt-resistant and salt-sensitive Dahl rats on low-salt (0.4% NaCl) high-salt (8.0% NaCl) diets. Only the salt-sensitive Dahl rats on the high-salt diet developed sustained high blood pressure (BP) after 5 weeks of the high-salt diet. Protein contents, membrane associated enzyme activities, calcium ion (Ca2+) binding and ATP-dependent CA2+ transport were compared in fractions isolated from all four groups. No obvious changes were observed, except for minor enhancement in magnesium ion (Mg2+)- and CA2+ ATPase activities of mesenteric arterial membranes isolated from salt-sensitive Dahl rats on high-salt diet compared to those from other groups of rats. The membrane fractions from vas deferens of salt-sensitive Dahl rats on the high-salt diet, on the other hand, showed decreased ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport compared to those from salt-sensitive Dahl rats on the low-salt diet. No difference was observed in membrane fractions isolated from salt-resistant Dahl rats on high-salt diet compared to those on low-salt diet. The significance of these observations are discussed in relation to the findings previously obtained from corresponding smooth muscle tissues of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1986

Tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -insensitive relaxations in the rat oesophageal tunica muscularis mucosae.

1. Relaxation responses were produced by vagal and field stimulation, respectively, of the whole oesophagus preparation from the rat and of the isolated tunica muscularis mucosae (t.m.m.) preparation from the rat. These relaxation responses persisted in the presence of antagonists of histamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and acetylcholine. 2. Unlike vagally evoked relaxation, that evoked by low-frequency field stimulation, i.e. field-stimulated relaxation (f.s.r.) was generally resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX). 3. Both types of relaxations exhibited remarkable temperature sensitivity and were abolished by lowering the bath temperature from 37 to 28 degrees C. 4. TTX-resistant relaxations were also produced by scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus) venom, the calcium ionophore, A23187 (calimycin) and by increasing the extracellular potassium by 2 mM. The failure of these agents to inhibit f.s.r. is inconsistent with a releasing and/or depleting action on any endogenous mediator. 5. Relaxations produced by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) could be blocked by alpha-chymotrypsin which, however, failed to abolish f.s.r., suggesting that VIP is not the mediator of f.s.r. 6. F.s.r. was completely blocked by the calcium channel antagonists, verapamil (10(-6) M), nifedipine (10(-7) M), and by magnesium (20 mM). 7. Our results indicate that TTX-insensitive relaxations in the isolated t.m.m. are dependent upon extracellular calcium, are due to activation of potential-operated calcium channels and are not mediated by VIP.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Effects of noradrenaline, serotonin, and selected antagonists on the vascular smooth muscle of normal and dystrophic chickens.

The pathogenesis of the human muscular dystrophies is unknown, and several competing hypotheses have been proposed. The vascular hypothesis states that muscle fibre necrosis occurs in dystrophy as a result of transient muscle ischemia. Although abnormalities of the vascular system may be demonstrated in dystrophy, their role in pathogenesis remains obscure. The responses to serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) were examined in isolated ischiatic artery preparations from normal and genetically dystrophic chickens. The tension generated in response to 5-HT was greater in arteries from normal chickens than in arteries from dystrophic chickens, whereas responses to NA were similar. Analysis of the concentration-response relationships demonstrated that the dystrophic ischiatic artery was less sensitive to 5-HT than was the normal artery, although the sensitivity to NA was similar in both vessels. The results of this study are not consistent with the view that muscle fibre necrosis in avian dystrophy is a consequence of muscle anoxia. These data do demonstrate pharmacological differences between dystrophic avian arteries and arteries from normal chickens, but their presence may represent merely the expression of dystrophy in vascular smooth muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Chloride removal and excitation-contraction coupling in guinea pig ileal smooth muscle.

The effect of extracellular Cl (Cl-o) removal on contractions evoked by a selective muscarinic agonist, cis-2-methyl-4-dimethylaminomethyl 1,3-dioxolane methiodide (CD), and high K+ depolarizations in the isolated guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle was studied. The replacement of Cl-o with impermeant anions, such as isethionate (Ise-), was found to selectively inhibit a portion of the initial phasic response to K+ and CD, leaving the secondary and sustained tonic responses unchanged. In Ca2+-free solutions, the loss of contractile responses to high K+ was faster and more pronounced in Cl--free compared with Cl--containing solutions. Furthermore, the uptake of Ca2+, as represented by 45Ca2+, from the saline solution was delayed and reduced in Ise--containing Cl-o-free solutions. Replacement of Cl-o with other impermeant anions, such as gluconate and methylsulphate, had a similar action on contractile activity as for Ise-replacement. Cl-o replacement with permeant anions, such as nitrate, however, did not significantly inhibit the phasic response and sometimes increased the tonic response to K+. These results indicate that there is a Cl-o-dependent Ca2+ pool in the guinea pig ileal longitudinal muscle and we speculate that this Cl-o-dependent Ca2+ pool is associated with membrane structures, such as calveolae, which would thus offer a degree of protection to depletion by removal of extracellular Ca2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Morphometric study of mesenteric arteries from genetically hypertensive Dahl strain rats.

Morphometric measurements on different arteries at the light-microscopic level and ultrastructural studies of the mesenteric arteries were carried out in salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) Dahl rats given a high-salt (8%) or low-salt (0.4%) diet for 6-7 weeks. Hypertension was produced in DS rats given high-salt diet (DS-H), while only moderate hypertension was produced in DS rats given low-salt diet (DS-L). Blood pressure in DR rats given high salt (DR-H) and low salt (DR-L), however, was normal. Cross-sectional area of the media was increased significantly in the superior mesenteric artery (an elastic artery), large mesenteric arteries (muscular arteries) and small mesenteric arteries (small muscular arteries or arterioles) from DS-H rats. In all the vessel types, this increase was positively correlated with the increase in blood pressure. In the superior mesenteric artery, medial wall increase was probably due to an increase in intercellular space, and/or hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells. Similarly, increase in the media of small mesenteric arteries was probably due to hypertrophy of the smooth muscle cells. In contrast, increase in the media of large mesenteric arteries was related to hyperplasia of the smooth muscle cells. Damage to endothelial cells was noted in the 3 vessel types from DS-H. Intimal lesions composed of myointimal cells were found in the superior mesenteric arteries of all the rat groups. Our results showed that the incidence of these lesion formations was higher in the following order: DS-H greater than DS-L greater than DR-H greater than DR-L, suggesting that the degree of hypertension (DS vs. DR rats) and the amount of salt in the diet (DR-H vs. DR-L) may be some of the factors contributing to the development of these lesions. We conclude that hyperreactivity of the arteries due to increase in medial smooth muscle mass (e.g. muscular arteries), and/or probably impaired relaxation capability of the arteries in the DS-H rats due to endothelial cell damage, may contribute to the elevation of BP in the Dahl model of genetic hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Characterization of a specific, high affinity [3H]arginine8 vasopressin-binding site on liver microsomes from different strains of rat and the role of magnesium.

A single class of high affinity, low capacity, specific binding sites for [3H]arginine8 vasopressin (AVP) has been characterized in a plasma membrane-enriched microsomal fraction of the rat liver. Specific binding was saturable, linear with protein concentration, reversible, and 40-65% of the total binding. Binding at 25 C achieved a plateau after 30 min of incubation, whereas at 4 C, equilibrium was reached more slowly, and the level of binding was reduced. The presence of magnesium (Mg2+) in the assay medium enhanced the affinity of specific binding, while calcium and higher levels of sodium and potassium decreased binding. Scatchard analysis of binding in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM) revealed an apparent mean +/- SE equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.29 +/- 0.08 nM, with a maximal site density (Bmax) of 150.4 +/- 25.0 fmol/mg; in contrast, the Kd was 1.93 +/- 0.33 nM and the Bmax was 113.4 +/- 40.0 fmol/mg in the absence of Mg2+. No significant differences in Kd and Bmax were observed among membrane fractions derived from spontaneously hypertensive rats, Wistar-Kyoto rats, Long-Evans rats, and Brattleboro rats. Plasma levels of AVP were similar in spontaneously hypertensive, Wistar-Kyoto, and Long-Evans rats, but AVP was not detectable in the plasma from DI rats. Competitive inhibition of specific [3H]AVP binding by unlabeled AVP and related peptides showed the following Ki values: AVP, 0.19 nM; LVP, 1.7 nM; oxytocin, 41.4 nM; desamino AVP, 0.38 nM; [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid) 4-Val,8-D-Arg] VP2-(O-methyl)tyrosine]AVP, 1.8 nM; desglycinamide AVP, 2.2 microM. The neuropeptide metabolite of AVP [[pGlu4,Cyt6] AVP-(4-9)], angiotensin II, and other unrelated peptides did not displace [3H]AVP, demonstrating the specificity of AVP and its related biologically active peptides for this binding site. Moreover, the rank order of potency for displacement of [3H]AVP binding by these various peptides parallels their reported glycogenolytic activity in liver and/or their agonistic or antagonistic potency in vascular smooth muscle. Finally, the Mg2+-induced increase in the affinity of [3H]AVP for this liver binding site is similar to the reported effect of Mg2+ on the contractile responses of vascular smooth muscle to AVP (i.e. increased affinity). The results are consistent with the interpretation that the high affinity receptor site characterized in rat liver microsomes is of the V1 type.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The effect of the calcium channel agonist, Bay K-8644 on human vascular smooth muscle.

Bay K-8644, a calcium channel activator, caused a dose-dependent (ED50 = 12.8 nM) elevation of tone in the human umbilical artery. The response to Bay K-8644 was dependent upon extracellular calcium (Ca2+), competitively antagonized by the channel antagonist, nifedipine, and, in addition, the sensitivity to Bay K-8644 was increased by, but not dependent upon, elevating extracellular potassium. Bay K-8644 competitively displaced, IC50 = 1.8 nM, specific [3H]nitrendipine binding to a microsome fraction derived from the umbilical artery, suggesting that the Ca2+ channel activator and the structurally related dihydropyridine antagonists bind to a single site to affect Ca2+ channel function in human vascular smooth muscle.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

PubMed1985

A review of changes in vascular smooth muscle functions in hypertension: isolated tissue versus in vivo studies.

The role of altered vascular smooth muscle function in the etiology of essential hypertension has been extensively studied by a number of investigators. The results obtained from in vivo studies do not always correlate with results from in vitro studies and it is not always apparent whether the results reflect differences related to hypertension or to the genetic background of the animal model. In vitro and perfused vascular bed studies in our laboratory have utilized the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), the normotensive Wistar Kyoto rat (WKY), genetically related crossbred rats (F1, F2, and BC1), and also Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and salt-resistant (DR) rats. The role of altered smooth muscle function in relation to the development of the elevated blood pressure (BP) of the SHR or DS rat was studied and emphasis was placed on determining the role of altered neuronal uptake1 (U1) in hypertensives in masking elevated postsynaptic sensitivity to noradrenaline. In addition, the relationship between postsynaptic sensitivity to cations and BP was assessed. Such studies have indicated that alterations in postsynaptic sensitivity, U1 activity, and sensitivity to cations are not entirely consistent with the etiology of hypertension in the SHR and DS rat but may simply reflect genetic strain differences between the hypertensive and normotensive animals.

Aging↗

PubMed1985

Modulation of right and left ventricular wall thicknesses in experimental hypertension.

Enalapril maleate and hydrochlorothiazide were administered over an 8-week period to groups of Dahl salt-sensitive and Dahl salt-resistant rats receiving either a high (8%) or low (0.4%) salt diet. Regional differences of interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular free wall thickness, right ventricular free wall thickness, right ventricular weight/body weight ratio, left ventricular weight/body ratio, and heart weights were determined. For salt-sensitive rats of both diet groups, lowering of blood pressure induced by either drug was associated with a reduction in cardiac weight which was localized to the left ventricle. For salt-resistant rats, irrespective of diet, the associated reduction of cardiac mass induced by enalapril maleate was largely confined to the right ventricle. Regional changes in tissue thickness were, however, not always associated with corresponding changes in tissue mass or blood pressure. These regional modulations appeared to be quite dependent on salt intake and the nature of the antihypertensive drug, for a given animal type, suggesting that pressure afterload is not the only factor in the pathogenesis of left and right ventricular hypertrophy. The responses of the right ventricle were not necessarily the same as those of the left ventricle to identical dietary and drug regimens. In all animal groups, ventricular mass and tissue thickness did not always change in the same sense, suggesting that alterations in the nature and packaging of the cellular constituents may be induced by the combined actions of the dietary salt and antihypertensive medications.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Hypertensive mechanisms: the role of altered smooth muscle and membrane function in the etiology of hypertension.

The etiology of essential hypertension has been under intensive investigation for a number of years, and the availability of a number of rat models of this disease has aided our understanding of the relationship between abnormalities in cardiovascular regulatory function and hypertension. It is accepted that abnormalities at a number of levels of these regulatory processes could be the basis of the pathological process; however, the cause-effect relationship has not always been clearly established. This introduction addresses the potential relationship between a number of parameters and the control of blood pressure, and the Symposium attempts to relate altered smooth muscle and membrane function to hypertension.

Cell Membrane↗

PubMed1984

The effect of indomethacin on the duration of the hypotensive action of bradykinin in Dahl salt-resistant rats: role of cyclooxygenase inhibition.

The Dahl salt resistant (DR) rat maintained on a low, 0.4%, or a high 8.0% salt-diet remained normotensive. The bradykinin (BK) induced falls in the systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) were unaffected (P greater than 0.05) by the presence of indomethacin (5 mg/kg). Indomethacin, however, caused a substantial (P less than 0.001) reduction in the duration of the hypotensive action of bradykinin. It is speculated that the indomethacin effects result from an inhibition of the cyclooxygenase system in DR rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Membrane fractionation of canine aortic smooth muscle: subcellular distribution of calcium transport activity.

Various subcellular membrane fractions were isolated from dog aortic smooth muscle by conventional differential centrifugation followed by isopycnic centrifugation on a sucrose density gradient. These subcellular fractions were characterized by membrane marker enzyme activities, morphological features and the electrophoretic patterns on a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. Our results showed that the microsomal membrane fraction isolated by differential centrifugation was very heterogeneous and contained substantial amount of plasma membranes which could be further enriched as a light density fraction on the sucrose density gradient. The subcellular distribution of Ca2+ binding in the absence of ATP and Ca2+ transport in the presence of ATP closely paralleled the distribution of plasma membrane markers. The ATP-supported Ca2+ transport was inhibited by several Ca2+ ionophores, enhanced by inorganic phosphate and oxalate ions and cosedimented toward higher density in a continuous source density gradient with plasma membrane marker enzyme activity in the presence of digitonin. Our present work strongly suggests that plasma membrane is the predominant component of microsomal fraction and responsible for most, if not all, of the azide-insensitive ATP-supported Ca2+ accumulation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1984

Pharmacological studies of smooth muscle from Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats.

The pharmacological properties of various isolated smooth muscle preparations from the Dahl strain of hypertensive rats were studied. The Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rat was allowed to develop hypertension by increasing the dietary sodium from 0.4 to 4.0 or 8.0%. The Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rat remained normotensive on the same diet. The preparations studied were the thoracic aorta, tail artery, portal vein, anococcygeus, and the perfused mesenteric bed. The noradrenaline mean effective doses (ED50) either in the absence or presence of cocaine, were similar for tissues obtained from hypertensive DS or normotensive DR. The reactivities of the isolated perfused mesenteric preparation to noradrenaline, serotonin, and phenylephrine were similar in DS and DR. The ED50 for the relaxing effects of papaverine in noradrenaline-precontracted aorta was similar for tissues from DS and DR and the profile for the washout of noradrenaline-precontracted aorta with Krebs (with or without papaverine) was also similar in DS and DR. The results of this study were compared with similar studies performed using other models of hypertension. It is concluded that vascular changes are unlikely to play a major role in the etiology of hypertension in the Dahl rat model of essential hypertension.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Differential sensitivity of Dahl salt-sensitive and Dahl salt-resistant rats to the hypotensive action of acute nifedipine administration.

The calcium antagonist, nifedipine, was intravenously administered in a cumulative fashion, from 0.5 to 12 mg/kg, to Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats which had been maintained on a high (8.0%) or low (0.4%) salt (NaCl) diet. We observed, compared with the DR rats, dose-related and significant (P less than 0.001) falls in the systolic (SBP) (72 +/- 3 and 60 +/- 9%, respectively) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (67 +/- 2 and 62 +/- 6%) o the DS rats maintained either on the low (0.4%) or high (8.0%) salt diets. In contrast, nifedipine therapy comparatively produced only moderate changes in the SBP and DBP of the DR rats (36 +/- 12, 27 +/- 9, 31 +/- 10, and 30 +/- 11%, respectively). We hypothesize that this differential sensitivity of the DS and DR rats to the hypotensive action of nifedipine may reflect a significantly more important role for a high resting Ca2+ influx, through nifedipine sensitive channels, in the maintenance of the blood pressure of the DS rat.

Animals↗