Responses to ions and vasoconstrictor agents and changes of potassium fluxes in vascular smooth muscle during hypoxia
An inhibitory effect of hypoxia (Po2 less than 5 mmHg) on electrical and mechanical activity of the smooth muscle of the rat portal vein has been described by Hellstrand, Johansson & Norberg (1977). The present study using the sucrose gap method confirmed their finding that spontaneous activity was completely (or almost completely) abolished by the low Po2. Increased [K+]0 from 6 to 24 mM or d
