The endothelium modulates the contribution of chloride currents to norepinephrine-induced vascular contraction

The influence of the vascular endothelium over the contribution of chloride ions in vascular smooth muscle cell contraction induced by norepinephrine is investigated using endothelium-denuded and -intact rat aortic ring preparations and inhibition studies. Results reveal that the vascular endothelium modulates the vascular smooth muscle sensitivity to norepinephrine through the regulation of the voltage-dependent component of contraction by reduced nitric oxide.