ABSTRACT
Cellular abnormalities associated with elevated Ca2+ concentrations have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of blood pressure changes on cytosolic Ca2+ levels in erythrocytes. Cadmium, which has been implicated in the etiology of hypertension was used as the hypertensive agent and the classical blocker of voltage-operated calcium channels nifedipine was used to treat hypertension. 10 weeks old male rats were divided into four groups; control, CdCl2, CdCl2 and nifedipine, nifedipine groups. CdCl2 caused elevations in blood pressure and in the cytosolic erythrocyte Ca2+ levels both of which were reduced after nifedipine administration. After nifedipine alone, cytosolic Ca2+ levels were increased. These findings suggest that cytosolic Ca2+ content decreasing action of nifedipine in the CdCl2 and nifedipine applied group could be secondary to the antihypertensive action.
