Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
1977-6-30
pubmed:abstractText
An attempt is made to elucidate the cellular mechanisms which may account for the well-documented correlation between sodium metabolism and peripheral vascular resistance. As a starting point, the evidence that the Na electrochemical gradient across the vascular smooth muscle cell plasma membrane (sarcolemma) plays an important role in cell calcium regulation is reviewed. Because there is significant resting tension ("tone") in most resistance vessels, the ionized Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]1) in the smooth muscle fibers in these vessels must be maintained above the contraction threshold. Consequently, the Ca transport system in the sarcolemma, presumably an Na-Ca exchange mechanism, must be set so as to hold [Ca2+]1 at this suprathreshold level. Any change in the Na gradient will then be reflected as a change in [Ca2+]1 and, therefore, in steady vessel wall tension and peripheral resistance. The correlation between Na metabolism and hypertension could then be accounted for if a circulating agent, perhaps the "natriuretic hormone," affects the Na gradient (across the sarcolemma) and, therefore, [Ca2+]1 and tension.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0002-9513
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
232
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
C165-73
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1977
pubmed:articleTitle
Sodium ions, calcium ions, blood pressure regulation, and hypertension: a reassessment and a hypothesis.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review