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[Cellular calcium, vasoconstriction, hypertension]

G Bruschi1, G Regolisti, A Borghetti

  • 1Istituto di Clinica Medica e Nefrologia, Università degli Studi di Parma.

Annali Italiani Di Medicina Interna : Organo Ufficiale Della Societa Italiana Di Medicina Interna
|July 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension involves altered calcium handling in vascular cells, impacting blood pressure regulation. Understanding these calcium changes is key for developing new antihypertensive therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Context:

  • Vasomotion control is crucial for blood pressure regulation and a target for antihypertensive treatments.
  • Calcium ions (Ca++) act as the final messenger in muscle contraction.
  • Both calcium influx and calcium sensitization mechanisms are vital in regulating vascular tone.

Purpose:

  • To explore the role of intracellular calcium (Ca++) in the pathophysiology of hypertension.
  • To review recent findings on calcium handling in vascular and cardiac myocytes.
  • To highlight alterations in cell calcium control associated with different forms of hypertension.

Summary:

  • Vasoconstrictors increase Ca++ entry and sensitize the contractile apparatus, while vasodilators have opposing effects.
  • Studies show increased vascular myoplasmic Ca++ and enhanced calcium influx via dihydropiridine-sensitive channels in animal models of hypertension.
  • Elevated cytoplasmic Ca++ in platelets has been observed in hypertensive patients.

Impact:

  • Altered cell calcium control mechanisms may significantly contribute to the development and progression of hypertension.
  • Findings emphasize the importance of calcium signaling pathways in cardiovascular homeostasis.
  • This research provides a basis for exploring novel therapeutic strategies targeting calcium dysregulation in hypertension.

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