Comparative study of calcium ion dynamics and contractile response in rat middle cerebral and basilar arteries

The objective of this study was to compare intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and contractile responses in isolated rat middle cerebral artery (MCA) with those in basilar artery (BA) employing real-time confocal laser microscopy. KCl elicited transient [Ca(2+)](i) elevation and sustained contraction in both arteries; moreover, nearly equal responses were evident in both arteries. Application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasopressin (VP), and alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha,beta-me ATP) also induced elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) and contraction in both arteries. The maximum response of 5-HT and VP necessary to increase [Ca(2+)](i) and to constrict the MCA was less in comparison to the BA; however, a linear relationship emerged between the maximum response of [Ca(2+)](i) and that of contraction. Additionally, the slope of the correlation regression line of MCA was nearly identical to that of BA. On the other hand, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-induced Ca(2+) release from store sites following contraction of MCA was distinct from that of BA. In MCA, velocity of [Ca(2+)](i) elevation in smooth muscle cells and Ca(2+)-wave propagation along smooth muscle cells induced by 5-HT were slower than those in BA. These observations revealed that different regions of arteries along the same cerebral tissue may display distinct [Ca(2+)](i) response; moreover, this difference may be one reason for the distinct contractile response.