Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) and forskolin were used to investigate vasodilating mechanism of cAMP in rabbit aorta. Db-cAMP and forskolin inhibited the development of contractile tension induced by norepinephrine (NE) concentration-dependently. Howe...
Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) and forskolin were used to investigate vasodilating mechanism of cAMP in rabbit aorta. Db-cAMP and forskolin inhibited the development of contractile tension induced by norepinephrine (NE) concentration-dependently. However, high $K{^+}-induced$ contractile tension was inhibited less effectively by db-cAMP and forskolin. Db-cAMP and forskolin inhibited $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake increased by NE. Forskolin seemed to inhibit $^{45}Ca^{2+}$ uptake increased by high $K{^+}$, but this inhibition was not significant statistically. Db-cAMP inhibited $Ca^{2+}-transient$ contraction by NE in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution. In conclusion, it seems that cAMP blocks $Ca^{2+}$ influx through receptor operated $Ca^{2+}$ channels (ROCs), but that the effect of cAMP on $Ca^{2+}$ influx through voltage gated $Ca^{2+}$ channels (VGCs) is not clear in this experiment. Furthermore, cAMP is likely to inhibit calcium release from the intracellular stores.