Pressure-dependent myogenic constriction of cerebral arteries occurs independently of voltage-dependent activation

Pressure-induced decreases in arterial diameter are accompanied by membrane depolarization and Ca2+ entry via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Recent evidence also suggests the involvement of Ca2+ sensitization of the contractile proteins. Both PKC and Rho kinase are candidate second messengers for the mediation of the sensitization process. We investigated the signaling pathways of pressure-induced decreases in rat cerebral artery diameter in vessels that were depolarized with a 60 mM potassium-physiological salt solution (KPSS). Arteries were mounted on a pressure myograph, and pressure-induced constrictions were recorded. In some experiments simultaneous changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were recorded by using fura 2 fluorescence photometry. Pressure increases induced constriction with significant changes in [Ca2+]i at high pressures (60–100 mmHg). The ratio of the change in diameter to change in [Ca2+]i was greater for pressure-induced constriction compared with constriction produced b...