Stretch-dependent modulation of contractility and growth in smooth muscle of rat portal vein
Increased intraluminal pressure of the rat portal vein in vivo causes hypertrophy and altered contractility in 1 to 7 days. We have used organ cultures to investigate mechanisms involved in this adaptation to mechanical load. Strips of rat portal vein were cultured for 3 days, either undistended or loaded by a weight. Length-force relations were shifted toward longer length in stretched cultured v