Melatonin potentiates NE-induced vasoconstriction without augmenting cytosolic calcium concentration

Because little is known of the intracellular mechanisms involved in the vasoconstrictor effect of melatonin (Mel), we examined the in vitro effects of Mel by using perfused cylindrical segments of the rat tail artery loaded with the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration (Ca(2+)](i))-sensitive fluorescent dye, fura 2. Mel (10(-14) to 10(-4) M) had no effect on baseline perfusion pressure or Ca(2+)](i) but increased, at submicromolar concentrations, the vasoconstrictor effect of norepinephrine (NE) (P = 0.0029). Mel did not modify NE-induced Ca(2+)](i) mobilization, and thus the Ca(2+)](i) sensitivity of NE-induced contraction increased in the presence of Mel. Mel consistently increased KCl-induced vasoconstriction and Ca(2+)](i) sensitivity of contraction, but differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, Mel increases the Ca(2+)](i) sensitivity of vasoconstriction evoked by NE suggesting that Mel may amplify endogenous vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic outflow.