Functional changes of aorta with massive accumulation of calcium

The present study was undertaken to elucidate pathophysiological changes and functional alterations of the calcified artery. For this purpose, rats were treated with 500,000 units/kg vitamin D3, and tension development of isolated rat aortae was examined. Treatment of rats with vitamin D3 resulted in an increase (approx. 64-fold) in the tissue calcium. Light microscopic examination of the aorta after staining with hematoxylin-eosin and von Kossa indicated numerous plaques in the aortic media. The results indicate a massive accumulation of calcium in the aortic media. Responsiveness of the calcified tissue to norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, prostaglandin F2 alpha was found to be 11-66% when compared to that of the control. Furthermore, the calcified tissue responded minimally to isoproterenol and acetylcholine, which elicited a relaxation in control aortae. Isoproterenol-induced relaxation of the calcified aorta after 100 mM KCl contracture was also diminished. In the present study we have demonstrated poor responsiveness of the calcified aorta to physiological and pharmacological substances relative to normal tissue, which implies a functional damage of the artery upon massive calcium accumulation.