Characteristics of the contractile response of rabbit aorta produced by cromakalim in calcium-free solution

Contractile responses of the human umbilical artery to KCl and serotonin in Ca-free medium and the effects of levcromakalim

It is known that K(ATP) channel openers inhibit the release and refilling of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. The present study was designed to test the effects of levcromakalim in human umbilical artery (HUA) rings stimulated by serotonin (5-HT) and KCl in Ca-free medium. Umbilical cords were obtained at vaginal or cesarean deliveries from healthy, term pregnancies. After the isolation, HUA rings were placed in organ baths in solution with indomethacin (10(-5) M) and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10(-3) M) at 37 degrees C and aerated with 95% O(2) and 5% CO(2) for the measurement of isometric force. In Ca-free solution with Ethylene glycol-bis (ss-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) (2 mM) the contractions produced by 5-HT (10(-6) M) and KCl (40 mM) decreased significantly. Afterwards, HUA rings were treated with 5-HT and KCl in repeated manner in Ca-free medium. In contrast to KCl, 5-HT induced contractions reduced in each application, progressively. Levcromakalim (10(-4) M) abolished the contractions elicited by 5-HT. On the other hand, levcromakalim had a little but significant inhibitory effect on KCl induced contraction in Ca-free medium. These results suggest that Ca(2+) is not the only transduction pathway in KCl produced contractions of HUA smooth muscle cells.

Potassium channel activation: a potential therapeutic approach?

The physiological role of K+ channel opening by endogenous substances (e.g., neurotransmitters and hormones) is a recognised inhibitory mechanism. Thus, the identification of novel synthetic molecules that 'directly' open K+ channels has led to a new direction in the pharmacology of ion channels. The existence of many different subtypes of K+ channels has been an impetus in the search for new molecules demonstrating channel and, thus, tissue selectivity. This review focuses on the different classes of openers of K+ channels, the intracellular mechanisms involved in the execution of their effects, and potential therapeutic targets.

Potassium channel openers and other regulators of KATP channels

1. Interest in ATP-sensitive K (KATP) channels first arose when it was shown that hypoglycaemic sulphonylureas, such as glibenclamide, closed these channels in pancreatic beta-cells to cause insulin release. The demonstration that certain smooth muscle relaxants (K channel openers) may exert their actions through opening a similar channel in vascular smooth muscle fueled further investigation of these channels and their physiological role in a variety of tissue types, including various types of smooth muscle, cardiac and skeletal muscle and neural and endocrine organ function. 2. The K channel openers have a variety of potential therapeutic applications, including disorders of smooth muscle hyperreactivity, such as hypertension, and a great deal of research has focused on this field. More recently, attention has turned to the cardiac actions of these compounds and this area is discussed in detail. One of the current problems is the lack of selectivity of KATP channel regulators. However, there have been a number of recent encouraging reports suggesting that, under certain pathophysiological conditions, the action of the K channel openers may be enhanced, conferring upon them some degree of selectivity. 3. A number of endogenous regulators of these channels have been identified, particularly in the category of endogenous openers of these channels. At present though, the physiological role of these channels and the endogenous regulators identified, is unclear. 4. It is evident that, although advances have been made, much work is still required to increase our understanding and ultimately to allow selective pharmacological manipulation of these channels to become a therapeutic reality.

The effects of racemic cromakalim, BRL 38226 and levcromakalim on the membrane potential of the rat aorta and of BRL 38226 on the contractile activity of the rat aorta and portal vein

The effects of racemic cromakalim and the (+)-3R,4S and (-)-3S,4R isomers, BRL 38226 and levcromakalim respectively, on the membrane potential of the rat aorta have been determined. In addition, preliminary studies of the effects of BRL 38226 on the contractility of the rat aorta and portal vein have been made. The rat aorta is hyperpolarized by racemic cromakalim at 10 microM and by levcromakalim at 1 microM, but is depolarized by BRL 38226 at 1 microM. In the presence of depolarization with 20 microM KCl, racemic cromakalim and levcromakalim, but not BRL 38226, reversed the depolarization of the rat aorta. In the presence of hyperpolarization with isoprenaline at 1 microM or in a CaCl2-free Krebs solution, racemic cromakalim and BRL 38226, but not levcromakalim reversed the hyperpolarization. Glibenclamide at 0.3 and 1 microM depolarized the rat aorta. Pretreatment with glibenclamide at 1 microM prevented the hyperpolarizing action of racemic cromakalim but did not alter the depolarizing action of BRL 38226. Pretreatment with BRL 38226 at 10 microM also prevented the hyperpolarizing action of racemic cromakalim. Contractility studies demonstrated that BRL 38226 and glibenclamide have no effect on the resting tone of the rat aorta in normal Krebs solution. However in a CaCl2-free Krebs solution, BRL 38226 and glibenclamide, 0.1-100 microM, caused small contractions. BRL 38226 and glibenclamide increased the spontaneous contractile activity of the rat portal vein in normal Krebs solution. The present study illustrates that levcromakalim opens the ATP-dependent potassium channels of the rat aorta to cause hyperpolarization. BRL 38226 and glibenclamide produce depolarization and contraction of the rat aorta and increase the contractile activity of the rat portal vein, possibly by blocking the ATP-dependent potassium channels.