Regulation of Intracellular pH and the Na+/H+ Antiporter in Vascular Smooth Muscle

Abstract

The hydrogen ion concentration, usually expressed as pH, is highly regulated in both the intracellular and extracellular environments(1 2). Although the body has developed multiple systems to maintain pH homeostasis, changes in the pH of the extracellular and intracellular environments can occur under pathophysiological conditions. It has also become apparent in recent years that transient changes in intracellular pH (pHi) are part of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) response to physiologic stimuli.