The relationship between calcium and increased sensitivity of rabbit aortae four hours after reserpine

1 Four hours after reserpine, rabbit aortic strips were supersensitive to acetylcholine, isoprenaline and noradrenaline. The threshold concentration of the drugs necessary to induce a response was less and the maximum tension developed by the tissues was greater than in control strips. 2 Reserpine-treatment potentiated the contractile responses to CaCl2. 3 Reserpine-treatment resulted in an increase in calcium uptake and an increase in the slow component of 45Ca2+ efflux. 4 After resperine-treatment, the rate of relaxation from a potassium-induced contraction was decreased. 5 It is concluded that reserpine-induced supersensitivity is related to an enhanced ability of the tissue to retain and utilize calcium.