Contributory mechanism underlying the anti-contractile effect of adipose tissue.

What is it about?

In health, the adipose tissue which surrounds blood vessels releases messengers which cause the blood vessel walls to relax and thus lowers blood pressure. We conclude that the factor is likely to be adiponectin which acts in part by opening ion channels in the smooth muscle cell walls allowing potassium ions to move out of the cell (which as a consequence reduces calcium movement into the myocytes and thus reduces their contractility)

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Why is it important?

This is important because it highlights the potential role of adipose tissue in the control of blood pressure and impairment of this mechanism in obesity may be a contributory factor in the frequently-associated hypertension.