Fig. 6

Effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on contraction tension induced with 5 μM adrenaline in Ca²⁺-containing Hanks balanced salt solution (Hanks) after depletion of the intracellular Ca²⁺ stores and extracellular Ca²⁺. Representative traces show the effects of Dex on contraction tension in endothelium-denuded pulmonary artery (a, b) induced with 5 μM adrenaline. c Analyzed data. After the Ca²⁺ reservoir was depleted, a Ca²⁺-containing Hanks solution containing 5 μM adrenaline or Ca²⁺-containing Hanks solution containing 5 μM adrenaline supplemented with 5 μM Dex was administered for approximately 15 min, as indicated by the thick black bars below the contraction traces. Changes in contraction tension were normalized to 60 mM KCl in each set and expressed as a relative value (in percents). The tensions were measured relative to the KCl baseline. Each bar and accompanying line indicate the mean and SE of a group. Six samples were included in each group. Statistical analysis was performed with Student’s t test. *P < 0.05, compared with adrenaline. C, control; Adr, adrenaline; D, dexmedetomidine; Caff, caffeine