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Acidosis impairs rabbit trabecular smooth muscle contractility
I Saenz de Tejada1, N N Kim, J T Daley
1Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts, USA.
The Journal of Urology
|February 1, 1997
Summary
Acidosis impairs trabecular smooth muscle contractility by affecting calcium regulation. This reduced contractility may worsen ischemic conditions, such as in priapism.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Trabecular smooth muscle plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow.
- Acidosis, a common complication in ischemic conditions, can impact cellular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acidosis on the contractility of trabecular smooth muscle.
- To understand the underlying mechanisms of acidosis-induced changes in smooth muscle function.
Main Methods:
- Isometric tension measurements in rabbit corpus cavernosal strips.
- Simultaneous measurement of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension using FURA-2.
Main Results:
- Acidosis (pH 6.9) significantly depressed norepinephrine- and transmural electrical stimulation-induced contractions.
- Acidosis inhibited K+-induced contractions at 20 mM but not at higher concentrations (40-120 mM).
- Acidosis reduced basal tone and intracellular Ca2+ levels, and impaired Ca2+ handling during stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Acidosis impairs trabecular smooth muscle contractility, likely by interfering with intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.
- Reduced contractility in acidosis may contribute to the perpetuation of ischemic states, such as priapism.