Calcium pools for noradrenaline and potassium-induced contractions of rat portal vein.

The contractile responses of isolated normal and Ca-depleted rat portal veins to varying concentrations of noradrenaline (NA) and K+ have been studied with a view to further clarifying the sources of Ca for contraction using both agents. The comparably rapid times-to-peak of NA and K+ contractions of normal (Ca-containing) strips suggest mobilization of a common Ca pool, perhaps superficial: whereas, following Ca-depletion. NA appears to mobilize a superficial pool more readily than K+. Following K+ depolarization in Ca-free medium, NA produced a contraction sensitive to ryanodine, suggesting Ca release from an intracellular pool.