CALCIUM ACTIVATION OF HYPERPOLARIZATION RESPONSE TO ACETYLCHOLINE IN CORONARY ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Hyperpolarization response to acetylcholine (ACh) in endothelial cells was studied by intracellular recording of an intact endothelium preparation of guinea pig coronary artery. The hyperpolarization requires the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and the response was progressively blocked by MnCl2 or by removal of extracellular Ca2+. The intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)octyl ester hydrochloride (TMB-8, 10 muM), was also effective in abolishing the hyperpolarization. Cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump, potentiated the hyperpolarization to ACh but inhibited caffeine-induced hyperpolarization. These findings suggest that ACh-induced hyperpolarization is mediated by an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ due to influx of extracellular Ca2+ and release of Ca2+ from an internal IP3-sensitive store. The rise in cytosolic Ca2+ level was modulated by a caffeine-sensitive pool that is inhibited by cyclopiazonic acid.