Abstract
Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance. The L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) (Ca(v)1.2) channel in small arteries and arterioles plays an essential role in regulating Ca(2+) influx, vascular resistance, and blood pressure. Hypertension and preeclampsia are characterized by high blood pressure. In addition, diabetes has a high prevalence of hypertension. The etiology of these disorders remains elusive, involving the complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Common to these disorders are oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NADPH oxidases (NOXs) and mitochondria are primary sources of vascular oxidative stress, whereas dysfunction of the Ca(v)1.2 channel confers increased vascular resistance in hypertension. This review will discuss the importance of ROS derived from NOXs and mitochondria in regulating vascular Ca(v)1.2 and potential roles of ROS-mediated Ca(v)1.2 dysfunction in aberrant vascular function in hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia.