Abstract
Disturbances in extracellular (systemic) and intracellular calcium metabolism have been demonstrated. Intracellular free calcium in vascular smooth muscle cells is elevated, which is believed to be the final determinant of vascular tone, thus blood pressure. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that calcium channel blocker reduces blood pressure in hypertension by blocking both receptor-operated and potential-operated calcium channel. On the other hand, calcium balance appears to be negative in hypertension and dietary supplement of calcium has been demonstrated to be effective in reduction of blood pressure in both animals and humans with high blood pressure. The latter observation seems to be opposite to the effect of calcium channel blocker, since restored calcium balance may increase intracellular free calcium concentration by supplying higher amount of extracellular (plasma) calcium to the cell membmane, which is leaky in hypertension. The effect of dietary calcium supplement may be explained by changes in calcium regulating hormones but not calciumper se. Recent data on calcium metabolism in the spontaneously hypertensive rats and effect of vitamin D in vascular smooth muncle cells will be discussed in relation to the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure.
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