模拟失重大鼠肠系膜小动脉平滑肌细胞电压依赖性钙离子通道电流的改变

本工作旨在探讨短、中期模拟失重下人鼠肠系膜小动脉血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)电压依赖性钙离子通道(voltage-dependent calcium channels,VDC)功能的改变。以尾部悬吊大鼠模型模拟失重对不同部位血管的影响。采用全细胞膜片钳实验技术,以Ba^2 作为载流子,测定1周及4周模拟失重人鼠肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的VDC电流密度、稳态激活与失活曲线及有关参数,并与对照组结果进行比较。研究表明,本实验所记录到的内向电流主要为钡离子通过长时程VDC(L-VDC)所形成的电流。与对照组相比,1周模拟失重大鼠肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的L-VDc电流密度仪呈降低趋势;但4周模拟失重人鼠肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的L-VDC电流密度则已显著降低。此外,与对照组相比,1、4周模拟失重大鼠肠系膜小动脉VSMCs的膜电容、翻转电位与L-VDC的一些动力学特征值,如通道的开放与关闭速率,通道电流稳态激活与火活曲线及其特征拟合参数V0.5与K的值,均末见有显著改变。结果提示：模拟失重下后身小动脉VSMCs的VDC功能降低可能是模拟失重引起人鼠后身动脉收缩反应性降低及适应性萎缩变化的电生理机制之一。     

BKCa增龄变化及其与血压的相关性

目的：探讨大电导钙激活钾通道（BKCa,MaxiK）增龄变化及其与血压水平的关系。方法：选取雄性9、15、21、27、33周龄自发高血压大鼠（SHR）及对照组正常血压大鼠（WKY）,每周龄两类大鼠各4只;测定各周龄SHR和WKY的腹主动脉血压;分离肠系膜小动脉及其血管平滑肌细胞;利用膜片钳全细胞模式记录肠系膜小动脉VSMCs钾电流、用四乙胺（TEA）阻断BKCa后的电流、膜电容,以计算BKCa电流值、BKCa电流密度;探讨BKCa电流密度增龄变化与血压的关系。结果：SHR肠系膜小动脉血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）BKCa电流密度随增龄降低,而WKY随增龄的变化无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;SHR肠系膜小动脉VSMCs BKCa电流密度与腹主动脉MABP高度相关（r=-0．7174）,而WKY肠系膜小动脉VSMCs BKCa电流密度与腹主动脉MABP低度相关（r=-0．4832）。结论：BKCa电流和电流密度随增龄衰减,血压水平是衰减程度的重要反应;BKCa电流密度与血压水平高度相关。     

慢性吸烟大鼠气道平滑肌大电导的钙激活钾通道和Kv1.5表达的变化

复制大鼠的慢性吸烟模型,采用气道反应性的测定、HE染色、免疫组织化学染色、原位杂交和免疫印迹实验等方法,观察吸烟对大鼠支气管平滑肌大电导的钙激活的钾通道(BKca)和电压依赖性延迟整流钾通道Kv1．5蛋白和mRNA表达的影响,以阐明吸烟引起的气道高反应性发病机制中钾通道表达变化的作用。结果显示：(1)慢性吸烟可降低大鼠大气道和小气道BKca和Kv1．5蛋白和mRNA表达;(2)大气道BKca的降低程度大于Kv1．5,小气道BKca和Kv1．5的降低程度无明显差异：(3)吸烟对全肺组织BKca和Kv1．5的蛋白表达无明显影响。上述结果提示,慢性吸烟可下调大鼠气道平滑肌钾通道BKca和Kv1．5的表达水平,是导致气道高反应的机制之一。     

间断性人工重力对模拟失重大鼠颈总动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡的影响

目的:研究3周模拟失重大鼠颈总动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡的变化及间断性人工重力对其的影响。方法:以尾部悬吊大鼠(SUS)模拟失重,同期每天悬吊23h、站立1h(STD)模拟间断性人工重力的对抗效果,用M30染色及Tunel染色方法观察3周SUS组、同步对照(CON)组及STD组颈总动脉平滑肌细胞早期和中晚期的凋亡情况,并用免疫组织化学方法及Western blot印迹方法观察各组大鼠颈总动脉组织Caspase-3的蛋白表达变化。结果:与CON组比较,SUS组大鼠颈总动脉平滑肌细胞M30染色阳性细胞明显减少,STD组M30染色阳性细胞较CON组及SUS组显著增加;SUS组Tunel染色阳性细胞较CON组及STD组显著减少,STD组Tunel染色阳性细胞较CON组及SUS组显著增加;SUS组Caspase-3的表达较CON组显著降低(P<0.05),STD组Caspase-3的表达较CON组及SUS组显著增高(P<0.01)。结论:模拟失重可引起大鼠颈总动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡减少,每日1 h的-Gx对抗使颈总动脉的凋亡增加。Caspase-3可能在调控模拟失重所致血管组织平滑肌细胞的凋亡中发挥作用。     

钾通道在大鼠支气管平滑肌张力调控中作用的研究

目的：探讨延迟整流钾通道（Kv),高电导钙激活钾通道（BKCa)和ATP敏感钾通道（KATP)在大鼠支气管平滑肌张力调控中的作用。方法：以特异性钾通道阻断剂为工具,采用体外等长张力测定观察钾通道对静息和收缩状态下支气管张力的影响。结果：（1）KV阻断剂4－aminopyridine(4-AP)诱发大鼠支气管平滑肌产生浓度依赖性收缩反应,而BKCa阻断剂tetraethylammonium(TEA)和KATP阻断剂glibenclamide(Glib)对其无影响。（2）去除上皮对4－AP诱发大鼠支气管平滑肌收缩反应无影响,而钙通道阻断剂nifedipine对其有显著抑制效应。（3）在0.1mmol/L组胺或50mmol/L KCl诱发支气管平滑肌收缩之前或之后,加入TEA（1,5mmol/L)或0.1mmol/L 4-AP均显著增强二者诱发的收缩反应;而Glib(10μmol/L）对其无明显影响。结论：Kv参与大鼠支气管平滑肌静息张力的调控,而BKCa和KATP对其无影响。Kv和BKCa的关闭增强组胺及高浓度钾离子诱发大鼠离体支气管产生的收缩张力。     

失血性休克引起大鼠肠系膜动脉平滑肌依钙K^＋通道活动改变

在由股动脉放血制备的失血性休克大鼠模型急性分离的肠系膜动脉平滑肌细胞上,利用膜片箝单通道记录技术观察了血管平滑肌依钙K^ 通道（BKca)的活动,发现在对去甲肾上腺素（NE）反应性增高的休克代偿期,BKca的开放概率（P0)和单位电导都显著较正常动物的低,P0的改变主要是由通道的慢关闭时间常数（τcs)增大引起关闭时间延长所致;而处于对NE反应性降低的休克失代偿期,BKca的P0和单位电导都高于正常动物,P0的变化也主要是τcs减小所致。     

模拟失重增强大鼠脑动脉血管平滑肌细胞大电导钙激活钾通道功能

本工作旨在探讨短期模拟失重大鼠脑动脉血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs）大电导钙激活钾通道（large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels,BKCa channels）功能的改变。以尾部悬吊大鼠模型模拟失重对脑血管的影响。应用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定VSMCs胞内游离钙浓度（[Ca^2＋]i）;采用细胞贴附模式,记录BKCa通道的单通道活动。结果表明,模拟失重1周后,大鼠脑动脉VSMCs的[Ca^2＋]i比对照组显著升高（P〈0．05）：BKCa通道的开放概率（Po）与平均开放时间（To）显著增加（P〈0．05）,而单通道电导与平均关闭时间（Tc）则无显著变化。总之,1周模拟失重可引起脑动脉VSMCs的BKCa通道功能显著增强,且与细胞[Ca^2＋]i的升高同步出现。结果提示,脑动脉VSMCs的离子通道机制可能参与介导模拟失重引起的脑血管适应性变化。     

短期模拟失重可增强大鼠脑动脉平滑肌细胞L-型Ca~(2+)通道对血管紧张素Ⅱ的反应性

已有研究表明模拟失重可引起大鼠脑动脉发生区域特异性变化,其中Ca2+通道和肾素-血管紧张素系统(renin-angio-tensin system,RAS)可能发挥着重要的作用。本研究旨在探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ(angiotensin Ⅱ,Ang Ⅱ)对短期模拟失重大鼠脑基底动脉血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)L-型Ca2+通道(L-type calcium channel,CaL)功能的影响。模拟失重(尾部悬吊)3d后,用木瓜蛋白酶法分离大鼠脑基底动脉VSMCs。采用全细胞膜片钳技术,以Ba2+作为载流子,测定CaL电流密度,然后观察Ang Ⅱ对该电流的影响。结果显示,模拟失重3d对大鼠脑基底动脉VSMCs的膜电容和接入电阻无明显影响,但可致VSMCs的CaL电流密度显著增加。不过,模拟失重对CaL的电压激活特性和稳态激活曲线亦无明显影响。对照组和模拟失重组大鼠脑基底动脉VSMCs的CaL电流密度在给予Ang Ⅱ处理后均显著增加,且模拟失重组的增加幅度显著大于对照组。以上结果提示,3d短期模拟失重即可引起大鼠脑动脉VSMCs的CaL发生适应性改变,且可导致其对...     

尾部悬吊对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响

目的:观察模拟失重对大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平的影响,探讨其可能机制。方法:采用3周尾部悬吊大鼠模型模拟失重状态,通过DHE荧光探针技术观察大鼠动脉血管超氧阴离子水平变化,通过比色法测定大鼠动脉血管丙二醛(MDA)含量,通过蛋白印记技术观察悬吊(SUS)大鼠和正常对照(CON)大鼠动脉血管NOX4、p22phox的表达变化。结果:尾部悬吊3周后,SUS组大鼠胸主动脉超氧阴离子水平较CON组明显增高,SUS组(0.849±0.023 nmol/mg protein)大鼠MDA含量较CON组(0.575±0.054nmol/mg protein)明显增加;SUS组大鼠胸主动脉的p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达均较CON组明显增强。结论:模拟失重3周可使大鼠胸主动脉氧化应激水平明显增高,p22phox及NOX4蛋白表达明显增多,结果提示,尾部悬吊模拟失重状态下氧化应激水平增高可能与NADPH氧化酶表达增高有关。     

延迟整流钾通道对哮喘患者血清被动致敏的人支气管平滑肌的张力调控

目的：探讨延迟整流钾通道（Kv）在哮喘患者血清被动致敏的人支气管平滑肌（HBSM）张力调控中的作用。方法：采用等长张力测定法,观察Kv通道阻断剂对正常与哮喘患者血清被动致敏的HBSM静息和收缩张力的影响。结果：①哮喘患者血清被动致敏的HBSM对组胺诱发的收缩反应明显强于对照组。②Kv阻断剂4-氨基吡啶（4-AP）可引起静息状态下两组HBSM产生浓度依赖性收缩反应,且致敏组对4-AP所致收缩的敏感性强于对照组。即量效曲线中被动致敏组达到最大效应的一半时所需浓度的负对数值（PD2）明显升高;但两组的最大收缩强度（Emax）无明显差异;KCa阻断剂四乙基铵（TEA）和KATP阻断剂格列苯脲（Glib）对HBSM静息张力无明显影响。③4～AP预处理标本后,可明显增加对照组支气管环对组胺的收缩反应,即处理后Emax明显高于处理前;但不影响致敏组对组胺的收缩反应,即致敏组4-AP处理前后Emax无明显差异。结论：①Kv参与HBSM静息张力的调控。而KCa、KATP对其无明显影响。②哮喘患者血清被动致敏的HBSM的Kv活性下降,此变化可能是哮喘形成和发病的机制之一。     

Short-term simulated weightlessness enhances response of L-type calcium channel to angiotensin II in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells in rats

Some studies suggest that the calcium channels and rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) play pivotal roles in the region-specific vascular adaptation due to simulated weightlessness. This study was designed to clarify if angiotensin II (Ang II) was involved in the adaptational change of the L-type calcium channel (Ca(L)) in the cerebral arterial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under simulated weightlessness. Tail suspension (SUS) for 3 d was used to simulate immediate early cardiovascular changes to weightlessness. Then VSMCs in cerebral basilar artery were enzymatically isolated using papain, and Ca(L) current (barium instead of calcium as current carrier) in VSMCs was measured by whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. The results showed that 3-day simulated weightlessness significantly increased current density of Ca(L). However, I-V relationships of normalized peak current densities and steady-state activation curves of Ca(L) were not affected by simulated weightlessness. Although Ang II significantly increased current densities of Ca(L) in both SUS and control rats, the increase of Ca(L) current density in SUS rats was much more than that in control rats. These results suggest that 3-day simulated weightlessness induces the adaptational change of Ca(L) in cerebral VSMCs including increased response to Ang II, indicating that Ang II may play an important role in the adaptational change of cerebral arteries under microgravity.     

Mechanical properties and composition of mesenteric small arteries of simulated microgravity rats with and without daily -G(x) gravitation

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the active and passive mechanical properties and wall collagen and elastin contents of mesenteric small arteries (MSAs) isolated from rats of 28-day simulated microgravity (SUS), countermeasure [S + D: SUS plus 1 h/d -G(x) to simulate intermittent artificial gravity (IAG)] and control (CON) groups. Three mechanical parameters were calculated: the overall stiffness (β), circumferential stress (σ(θ))-strain (ε(θ)) relationship and pressure-dependent incremental elastic modulus (E(inc,p)). Vessel wall collagen and elastin percentage were quantified by electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that the active mechanical behavior of MSAs differs noticeably among the three groups: the active stress-strain curve of SUS vessels is very close to the passive curve, whereas the active σ(θ)-ε(θ) curves of CON and S + D vessels are shifted leftward and display a parabolic shape, indicating that for MSAs isolated from S + D, but not those from SUS rats, the pressure-induced myogenic constriction can effectively stiffen the vessel wall as the CON vessels. The passive mechanical behavior of MSAs does not show significant differences among the three groups. However, the percentage of collagen is decreased in the wall of SUS and S + D compared with CON vessels in the following order: SUS < S + D < CON. Thus, the relationship between passive mechanical behavior and compositional changes may be complex and yet depends on factors other than the quantity of collagen and elastin. These findings have provided biomechanical data for the understanding of the mechanism of postflight orthostatic intolerance and its gravity-based countermeasure.     

Differential activation of potassium channels in cerebral and hindquarter arteries of rats during simulated microgravity

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that differential autoregulation of cerebral and hindquarter arteries during simulated microgravity is mediated or modulated by differential activation of K(+) channels in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of arteries in different anatomic regions. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 1- and 4-wk tail suspension to simulate the cardiovascular deconditioning effect due to short- and medium-term microgravity. K(+) channel function of VSMCs was studied by pharmacological methods and patch-clamp techniques. Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) and voltage-gated K(+) (K(v)) currents were determined by subtracting the current recorded after applications of 1 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 1 mM TEA + 3 mM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), respectively, from that of before. For cerebral vessels, the normalized contractility of basilar arterial rings to TEA, a BK(Ca) blocker, and 4-AP, a K(v) blocker, was significantly decreased after 1- and 4-wk simulated microgravity, respectively. VSMCs isolated from the middle cerebral artery branches of suspended rats had a more depolarized membrane potential (E(m)) and a smaller K(+) current density compared with those of control rats. Furthermore, the reduced total current density was due to smaller BK(Ca) and smaller K(v) current density in cerebral VSMCs after 1- and 4-wk tail suspension, respectively. For hindquarter vessels, VSMCs isolated from second- to sixth-order small mesenteric arteries of both 1- and 4-wk suspended rats had a more negative E(m) and larger K(+) current densities for total, BK(Ca), and K(v) currents. These results indicate that differential activation of K(+) channels occur in cerebral and hindquarter VSMCs during short- and medium-term simulated microgravity. It is further suggested that different profiles of channel remodeling might occur in VSMCs as one of the important underlying cellular mechanisms to mediate and modulate differential vascular adaptation during microgravity.     

Differential regulation of L-type Ca2+ channels in cerebral and mesenteric arteries after simulated microgravity in rats and its intervention by standing

This study was designed to clarify whether simulated microgravity can induce differential changes in the current and protein expression of the L-type Ca(2+) channel (Ca(L)) in cerebral and mesenteric arteries and whether these changes can be prevented by daily short-duration -G(x) exposure. Tail suspension [hindlimb unloading (HU)] for 3 and 28 days was used to simulate short- and medium-term microgravity-induced deconditioning effects. Standing (STD) for 1 h/day was used to provide -G(x) as a countermeasure. Whole cell patch-clamp experiments revealed an increase in current density of Ca(L) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from cerebral arteries of rats subjected to HU and a decrease in VSMCs from mesenteric arteries. Western blot analysis revealed a significant increase and decrease of Ca(L) channel protein expression in cerebral and small mesenteric arterial VSMCs, respectively, only after 28 days of HU. STD for 1 h/day did not prevent the increase of Ca(L) current density in cerebral arterial VSMCs, but it prevented completely (within 3 days) and partially (28 days) the decrease of Ca(L) current density in small mesenteric arterial VSMCs. Consistent with the changes in Ca(L) current, STD for 1 h/day did not prevent the increase of Ca(L) expression in cerebrovascular myocytes but did prevent the reduction of Ca(L) expression in mesenteric arterial VSMCs subjected to 28 days of HU. These data indicate that simulated microgravity up- and downregulates the current and expression of Ca(L) in cerebral and hindquarter VSMCs, respectively. STD for 1 h/day differentially counteracted the changes of Ca(L) function and expression in cerebral and hindquarter arterial VSMCs of HU rats, suggesting the complexity of the underlying mechanisms in the effectiveness of intermittent artificial gravity for prevention of postflight cardiovascular deconditioning, which needs further clarification.     

A Comparison of Responses to Raised Extracellular Potassium and Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor (EDHF) in Rat Pressurised Mesenteric Arteries

The present study examined the hypothesis that potassium ions act as an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) released in response to ACh in small mesenteric arteries displaying myogenic tone. Small mesenteric arteries isolated from rats were set up in a pressure myograph at either 60 or 90 mmHg. After developing myogenic tone, responses to raising extracellular potassium were compared to those obtained with ACh (in the presence of nitric oxide synthase and cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors). The effects of barium and oubain, or capsaicin, on responses to raised extracellular potassium or ACh were also determined. The effects of raised extracellular potassium levels and ACh on membrane potential, were measured using sharp microelectrodes in pressurised arteries. Rat small mesenteric arteries developed myogenic tone when pressurised. On the background of vascular tone set by a physiological stimulus (i.e pressure), ACh fully dilated the small arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. This response was relatively insensitive to the combination of barium and ouabain, and insensitive to capsaicin. Raising extracellular potassium produced a more inconsistent and modest vasodilator response in pressurised small mesenteric arteries. Responses to raising extracellular potassium were sensitive to capsaicin, and the combination of barium and ouabain. ACh caused a substantial hyperpolarisation in pressurized arteries, while raising extracellular potassium did not. These data indicate that K⁺ is not the EDHF released in response to ACh in myogenically active rat mesenteric small arteries. Since the hyperpolarization produced by ACh was sensitive to carbenoxolone, gap junctions are the likely mediator of EDH responses under physiological conditions.     

Dietary salt enhances benzamil-sensitive component of myogenic constriction in mesenteric arteries

Recent work from our laboratory indicates that epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) function plays an important role in modulating myogenic vascular reactivity. Increases in dietary sodium are known to affect vascular reactivity. Although previous studies have demonstrated that dietary salt intake regulates ENaC expression and activity in epithelial tissue, the importance of dietary salt on ENaC expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and its role in myogenic constriction is unknown. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to determine whether dietary salt modulates ENaC expression and function in myogenic vasoconstriction. To accomplish this goal, we examined ENaC expression in freshly dispersed VSMCs and pressure-induced vasoconstrictor responses in isolated mesenteric resistance arteries from normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats fed a normal-salt (NS; 0.4% NaCl) or high-salt (HS; 8% NaCl for 2 wk) diet. VSMCs from the mesenteric arteries of NS-fed animals express alpha-, beta-, and gamma-ENaC. The HS diet reduced whole cell alpha- and gamma-ENaC and induced a pronounced translocation of beta-ENaC from intracellular regions toward the VSMC membrane (approximately 336 nm). Associated with this change in expression was a change in the importance of ENaC in pressure-induced constriction. Pressure-induced constriction in NS-fed animals was insensitive to ENaC inhibition with 1 microM benzamil, suggesting that ENaC proteins do not contribute to myogenic constriction in mesenteric arteries under NS intake. In contrast, ENaC inhibition blocked pressure-induced constriction in HS-fed animals. These data suggest that dietary sodium regulates ENaC expression and the quantitative importance of the vascular ENaC signaling pathway contributing to myogenic constriction.     

Mechanics and Composition of Middle Cerebral Arteries from Simulated Microgravity Rats with and without 1-h/d –Gx Gravitation

Background

To elucidate further from the biomechanical aspect whether microgravity-induced cerebral vascular mal-adaptation might be a contributing factor to postflight orthostatic intolerance and the underlying mechanism accounting for the potential effectiveness of intermittent artificial gravity (IAG) in preventing this adverse effect.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were isolated from 28-day SUS (tail-suspended, head-down tilt rats to simulate microgravity effect), S+D (SUS plus 1-h/d −G_x gravitation by normal standing to simulate IAG), and CON (control) rats. Vascular myogenic reactivity and circumferential stress-strain and axial force-pressure relationships and overall stiffness were examined using pressure arteriography and calculated. Acellular matrix components were quantified by electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that myogenic reactivity is susceptible to previous pressure-induced, serial constrictions. During the first-run of pressure increments, active MCAs from SUS rats can strongly stiffen their wall and maintain the vessels at very low strains, which can be prevented by the simulated IAG countermeasure. The strains are 0.03 and 0.14 respectively for SUS and S+D, while circumferential stress being kept at 0.5 (10⁶ dyn/cm²). During the second-run pressure steps, both the myogenic reactivity and active stiffness of the three groups declined. The distensibility of passive MCAs from S+D is significantly higher than CON and SUS, which may help to attenuate the vasodilatation impairment at low levels of pressure. Collagen and elastin percentages were increased and decreased, respectively, in MCAs from SUS and S+D as compared with CON; however, elastin was higher in S+D than SUS rats.

Conclusions

Susceptibility to previous myogenic constrictions seems to be a self-limiting protective mechanism in cerebral small resistance arteries to prevent undue cerebral vasoconstriction during orthostasis at 1-G environment. Alleviating of active stiffening and increasing of distensibility of cerebral resistance arteries may underlie the countermeasure effectiveness of IAG.     

Intracellular renin increases the inward calcium current in smooth muscle cells of mesenteric artery of SHR. Implications for hypertension and vascular remodeling

The influence of intracellular renin on the inward calcium current in isolated smooth muscle cells from SHR mesenteric arteries was investigated. Measurements of calcium current were performed using the whole cell configuration of pCLAMP. The results indicated that: 1) renin (100 nM) dialyzed into smooth muscle cells, increased the inward calcium current; 2) verapamil (10–9 M) administered to the bath inhibited the effect of renin on the inward calcium current; 3) concurrently with the increase of calcium current a depolarization of 6.8 +/− 2.1 mV (n = 16)(P < 0.05) was found in cells dialyzed with renin; 4) intracellular dialysis of renin (100 nM) into smooth muscle cells isolated from mesenteric arteries of normal Wystar Kyoto rats showed no significant change on calcium current; 5) aliskiren (10–9 M) dialyzed into the cell together with renin (100 nM) abolished the effect of the enzyme on the calcium current in SHR; 6) Ang II (100 nM) dialyzed into the smooth muscle cell from mesenteric artery of SHR in absence of renin, decreased the calcium current-an effect greatly reduced by valsartan (10–9 M) added to the cytosol; 7) administration of renin (100 nM) plus angiotensinogen (100 nM) into the cytosol of muscles cells from SHR rats reduced the inward calcium current; 8) extracellular administration of Ang II (100 nM) increased the inward calcium current in mesenteric arteries of SHR. Conclusions: intracellular renin in vascular resistance vessels from SHR due to internalization or expression, contributes to the regulation of vascular tone and control of peripheral resistance-an effect independently of Ang II. Implications for hypertension and vascular remodeling are discussed.