Ionic dependence of electrical activity in small mesenteric arteries of guinea-pigs

The regulation of blood vessel diameter is under the control of the autonomic nervous system (as well as hormones and metabolites), sympathetic nerve stimulation evoking depolarizing post-synaptic potentials. Excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) were recorded from vascular smooth muscle cells of guinea-pig small mesenteric arteries (pressurized) following nerve stimulation. Repetitive stimulation (greater than 5Hz) led to summation of EJPs, which evoked spikes and vasoconstriction. Replacing extracellular Na+ with choline (plus atropine) resulted in a decrease in EJP amplitude, but spike amplitude and maximum rate of rise (+Vmax) were unaffected. Decreasing the Ca2+ concentration produced decreases in EJP amplitude and spike +Vmax. Verapamil and bepridil, agents that depress Ca2+ influx in vascular and visceral smooth muscle, depolarized the membrane and depressed EJPs and spikes at higher concentrations (10(-5) M and 5 X 10(-6) M, respectively). The data indicate that EJPs are dependent on external Na+ and Ca2+ ions, and that spikes are dependent on Ca2+. Thus, neuromuscular transmission in this muscle is similar to that in non-vascular smooth muscles, such as intestinal muscles and vas deferens.