Enhancement of norepinephrine-induced transient contraction in aortic smooth muscle of diabetic mice

Changes in norepinephrine-induced transient contractions in Ca2+-deficient solution were investigated in the aortic smooth muscles of diabetic ALS (alloxan-induced diabetes susceptible) mice. The transient contractions in diabetic mice were significantly larger than those in normal mice. The longer incubation of the muscle preparations in Ca2+-deficient solution made the transient contractions smaller, probably due to the leakage and decrease in norepinephrine-releasable stored Ca2+. The rate of this reduction in contraction was slower in diabetic mice. These results suggest that the leakage of intracellular stored Ca2+ caused by extracellular Ca2+ deficiency is attenuated in diabetic mice, contributing to enhanced norepinephrine-induced transient contractions.