L-Tryptophan ethyl ester dilates small mesenteric arteries by inhibition of voltage-operated calcium channels in smooth muscle

, i.v.) on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The effects of L-W and L-Wee on basal tone and of phenylephrine- or KCl-induced contractions of aortic and MA rings were assessed. Effects of L-Wee and L-W on voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCC) of VSMC of MA were also examined in patch-clamp studies. KEY RESULTS Administration of L-Wee, but not L-W, evoked a rapid and transient dose-dependent decrease in MAP and HR. While both agents failed to affect basal tone, L-Wee decreased, concentration-dependently, (Imax > 98%) tension responses to phenylephrine and KCl in an endothelium-independent manner in aorta (IC50 2 mM) and MA (IC50 17 mM). L-Wee evoked concentration-dependent inhibition of VOCC currents (IC50 12 mM; Imax 90%) in VSMC of MA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Esterified L-W (L-Wee), but not L-W, preferentially relaxed resistance vessels rather than conduit vessels. These effects were associated with blockade of VOCC by L-Wee. Our findings suggest that the falls in MAP and HR induced by L-Wee were due to blockade of VOCC by L-Wee.