Abstract
Membrane potential (Em) and contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) were measured to determine whether electromechanical coupling is important in the rabbit ear artery. NE contraction and depolarization of the vascular muscle cells were both dose dependent, with a positive correlation between depolarization and tension generated by the vessel. These studies suggest that NE regulates vascular muscle contraction through an Em signal in the rabbit ear artery.