Proposal
Calcium plays an important role in regulating the contraction of smooth muscles. Membrane potential of the smooth muscles regulates the smooth muscle contractility through variation in Ca2+ influx with the assistance of the voltage-operated Ca2+ channel. Using the porcine pulmonary arteries (PPA) as the model system, the effect of the antioxidant quercetin on the regulation of pulmonary arteries was investigated in the presence and absence of calcium. It was hypothesized that quercetin reduces the contractile force in PPA by limiting Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) without imposing any effect on the voltage-operated channel (VOC). However, the biochemical pathway of quercetin is still unknown. In this study, it is shown that PPA contracts both in the presence and absence of Ca2+. Further investigations are required to study the exact effects of KCl in 0 Ca2+ to completely break down the biochemical pathway of quercetin and reassure its effect on the SR. Since quercetin demonstrates reduction in contractile force, it has high potential to provide a solution for the side effects of hypertension, which is a complex heterogeneous disorder that can coexist with other cardiovascular abnormalities.
Recommended Citation
Banerjee, Puja
(2015)
"Reducing Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring the Effects of Quercetin on the Contractile Force of Vascular Smooth Muscle,"
The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research:
Vol. 5, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5703/jpur.05.1.01
