Localisation of calcium-activated adenosine-triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) in intracerebral arterioles in acute hypertension.

The plasma membrane calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) is known to regulate intracellular calcium levels. This enzyme was localised in intracerebral cortical vessels of normotensive and acutely hypertensive rats. Of interest was whether the arterioles that develop increased permeability to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in acute hypertension demonstrate any alteration in localisation of Ca2+-ATPase as compared to normotensive controls. Rats were injected with HRP intravenously and acute hypertension was induced by a 2-min infusion of angiotensin amide. Following perfusion of fixative, brains were sliced and reacted for demonstration of HRP reaction product and Ca2+-ATPase. Normotensive rats showed discontinuous distribution of Ca2+-ATPase on the outer plasma membranes of endothelial, smooth muscle and adventitial cells of arterioles. The localisation of Ca2+-ATPase in pinocytotic vesicles present in endothelial and smooth muscle cells was quite striking. Focal cortical areas of hypertensive rats showed increased arteriolar permeability to HRP. Permeable arterioles showed marked reduction of Ca2+-ATPase on the outer plasma membranes of endothelium and smooth muscle cells as compared to nonpermeable arterioles of the same animals and arterioles of normotensive controls. The latter finding suggests that calcium may be involved in increased cerebrovascular permeability mechanisms in acute hypertension.