Dependence of force, velocity, and O2 consumption on [Ca2+]o in porcine carotid artery.

The relationship between extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]o), isometric force (Fo), unloaded shortening velocity (Vus), and the rate of ATP utilization (JATP) were studied in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) during the steady state of an isometric contraction at 37 degrees C. Experiments were conducted on porcine carotid artery media strip and ring preparations that were stimulated with 109 mM KCl substituted for NaCl. Unloaded shortening velocity was estimated by the "slack" test method. Both Fo and Vus were dependent on [Ca2+]o. Vus at 7.5 mM [Ca2+]o was 1.7 times greater than Vus at 1.6 mM [Ca2+]o. The difference in force at these two Ca2+ concentrations was more variable than Vus, but in general was less than the change in Vus. The rate of ATP utilization was assessed from steady-state measurements of tissue O2 consumption. Increasing [Ca2+]o in the range of 0.15-7.5 mM resulted in an increase in both JATP and Fo. The relation between JATP and Fo was nonlinear with JATP increasing proportionately more than Fo between 1.6 and 7.5 mM Ca2+. The calcium-dependent increase in JATP appears to be primarily related to contractile protein interaction, since the effect of [Ca2+]o on JATP was substantially reduced during stimulation at short muscle lengths (Lmin), where tension development is absent. The economy of tension maintenance was 3.3. times greater when measured in the [Ca2+]o range of 0.15 and 1.6 mM than when measured at 1.6 to 7.5 mM [Ca2+]o. These data indicate that [Ca2+]o may regulate both the number and the rate of cycling of cross bridges in porcine carotid artery.