Relation of effects of matrine on rat vasa deferens to activation of calcium channels

Effective mechanisms of matrine (Mat) in contraction were observed in isolated rat vasa deferens. Mat caused a strong concentration-dependent contraction of vasa deferens, and this contraction was competitively inhibited by prazosin (Pra, 10 mumol.L-1) and nifedipine (Nif, 50 nmol.L-1), with depression of maximal responses. Their pA2 value was 5.1 and 9.29, respectively. The contraction was also inhibited by verapamil (Ver, 1 mumol.L-1) with depression of maximal responses; but this antagonism was noncompetitive. Its pD2 value was 6.07. Mat promoted CaCl2-induced contraction of vas deferens. The effect of Mat was enhanced in proportion to increase in concentrations of CaCl2. Mat markedly strengthened KCl-induced contraction of vas deferens. The results suggest that one of the mechanisms of the contractive effects of Mat within a certain range of concentrations was related to the activation of the calcium channel.