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PubMed1993

Sulfonylurea-binding sites and ATP-sensitive K+ channels in alpha-TC glucagonoma and beta-TC insulinoma cells.

alpha-Cells secrete glucagon in a fuel-dependent fashion. We tested the hypothesis that alpha-cells contain sulfonylurea- and ATP-sensitive K+ channels. We studied two clonal lines of alpha-TC cells (simian virus 40 T-antigen induced glucagonoma cells) and for reference purposes, similarly transformed beta-TC insulinoma cells. alpha-TC cells each contained approximately 3000 high-affinity binding sites for the sulfonylurea [3H]glyburide. Whole-cell ATP- and tolbutamide-sensitive K+ currents of alpha-TC and beta-TC cells, relative to cell surface area, were comparable. In cell-attached membrane patches of alpha-TC cells, two types of K+ channels were observed. They had slope conductances of approximately 63 and 33 pS when the electrode contained 151 mM K+. Tolbutamide and diazoxide decreased and enhanced, respectively, the open probability of these channels. The membrane of alpha-TC cells depolarized periodically. This electrical activity was inhibited by diazoxide. A physiological mixture of amino acids enhanced glucagon release, and high glucose partially inhibited this release. Tolbutamide also enhanced glucagon release, whereas diazoxide inhibited it. Thus, alpha-TC glucagonoma cells contain ATP-sensitive K+ channels that regulate glucagon release, yet allow inhibition of hormone release by glucose.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1999

Enhancing effects of long-term elevated glucose and palmitate on stored and secreted proinsulin-to-insulin ratios in human pancreatic islets.

Relative hypersecretion of proinsulin is a feature of type 2 diabetes. We investigated to what extent this feature can be induced in human pancreatic islets by elevated glucose or fatty acids, two major abnormalities of the diabetic state. A 48-h culture period with 27 mmol/l glucose increased the intraislet proinsulin-to-insulin (PI/I) ratio 5.0-fold, owing to preferential decrease of insulin. The PI/I ratio in culture medium was enhanced 1.9-fold versus islets cultured with 5.5 mmol/l glucose. This effect of elevated glucose persisted after normalization of glucose levels: during 60-min postculture incubations at a basal glucose concentration (3.3 mmol/l), the PI/I ratio of secretion increased 4.9-fold. The ratio was also increased (14-fold) after renewed postculture stimulation with 16.7 mmol/l glucose. Diazoxide was added to culture medium to block glucose-induced insulin secretion and thus investigate the importance of overstimulation. In cultures at 27 mmol/l glucose, the presence of diazoxide decreased the PI/I ratio of islet contents by 76%, the accumulated secretion to culture medium by 70%, and the release at 3.3 or 16.7 mmol/l glucose during postculture incubations by 85 and 86%, respectively. None of these PI/I-decreasing effects of diazoxide were reproduced during or after coculture with 5.5 mmol/l glucose. Culture with 0.2 mmol/l palmitate and 5.5 mmol/l glucose decreased islet contents of proinsulin and insulin and increased the secreted products in culture media without affecting PI/I ratios. During postculture conditions, however, prior palmitate culture enhanced the PI/I ratio of release at 3.3 mmol/l glucose (from 2.2 +/- 0.4 to 5.4 +/- 0.9%, P < 0.05). Culture with palmitate together with 27 mmol/l glucose decreased islet contents of proinsulin and insulin and further enhanced intraislet PI/I ratios (from 9.3 +/- 1.1 to 13.4 +/- 2.5%, P < 0.05). However, palmitate failed to affect PI/I ratios in culture medium. In contrast, in postculture incubations at 3.3 mmol/l glucose, prior palmitate culture further elevated the PI/I ratio of secretion (from 10.8 +/- 1.2 after previous 27 mmol/l glucose alone to 13.9 +/- 2.8% after palmitate and glucose, P < 0.05). We conclude that 1) long-term exposure of human islets to elevated glucose leads to preferential secretion of proinsulin, and this effect persists also after glucose normalization; 2) the glucose effect appears secondary to depletion of mature insulin granules; and 3) elevated fatty acids influence PI/I ratios of secretion by mechanisms that are, in part, incongruous with an over-stimulation effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

K(ATP) channel openers protect rat islets against the toxic effect of streptozotocin.

We examined the influence of two K(ATP) channel openers, diazoxide and an analog (NNC 55-0118), on experimental beta-cell damage induced by streptozotocin (STZ; 0.5 mmol/l). Rat pancreatic islets were exposed to diazoxide or NNC 55-0118 for 30 min and were further incubated for 30 min after the addition of STZ. The islets were then washed and cultured for 24 h. Islets exposed to STZ alone showed extensive morphological damage, reduced glucose oxidation, low insulin content, and severely impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and proinsulin biosynthesis. Islets treated with STZ in the presence of the channel openers (0.03-0.30 mmol/l) showed dose-dependent preservation of the morphology and improved glucose oxidation rates, insulin content, and secretion. NNC 55-0118 was capable of fully counteracting the STZ impairment, whereas diazoxide had a less protective effect. NNC 55-0118 did not counteract STZ-induced depression of islet NAD levels when examined 2 h after STZ exposure, which suggests that the mechanism of action by NNC 55-0118 is not through an inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The results illustrate that K(ATP) channel openers can protect insulin-producing cells against toxic damage, an effect that may be of use in subjects with ongoing insulitis.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

K(ATP) channels and pancreatic islet blood flow in anesthetized rats: increased blood flow induced by potassium channel openers.

K(ATP) channels are important for insulin secretion and depolarization of vascular smooth muscle. In view of the importance of drugs affecting K(ATP) channels in the treatment of diabetes, we investigated the effects of these channels on splanchnic blood perfusion in general and pancreatic islet blood flow in particular. We treated anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with the K(ATP) channel openers diazoxide or NNC 55-0118 or the K(ATP) channel closer glipizide. Both diazoxide and NNC 55-0118 dose-dependently increased total pancreatic and islet blood flow in the presence of moderate hyperglycemia, but had no effects on the blood perfusion of other splanchnic organs. Diazoxide markedly lowered the mean arterial blood pressure and thus increased vascular conductance in all organs studied. NNC 55-0118 had much smaller effects on the blood pressure. Glipizide did not affect total pancreatic blood flow, but decreased islet blood flow by 50% in the presence of hypoglycemia. We conclude that K(ATP) channels actively participate in the blood flow regulation of the pancreatic islets and that substances affecting such channels may also influence islet blood flow.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2004

Glucose- and interleukin-1beta-induced beta-cell apoptosis requires Ca2+ influx and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation and is prevented by a sulfonylurea receptor 1/inwardly rectifying K+ channel 6.2 (SUR/Kir6.2) selective potassium channel opener in human islets.

Increasing evidence indicates that a progressive decrease in the functional beta-cell mass is the hallmark of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The underlying causes, beta-cell apoptosis and impaired secretory function, seem to be partly mediated by macrophage production of interleukin (IL)-1beta and/or high-glucose-induced beta-cell production of IL-1beta. Treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients with the potassium channel opener diazoxide partially restores insulin secretion. Therefore, we studied the effect of diazoxide and of the novel potassium channel opener NN414, selective for the beta-cell potassium channel SUR1/Kir6.2, on glucose- and IL-1beta-induced apoptosis and impaired function in human beta-cells. Exposure of human islets for 4 days to 11.1 and 33.3 mmol/l glucose, 2 ng/ml IL-1beta, or 10 and 100 micromol/l of the sulfonylurea tolbutamide induced beta-cell apoptosis and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The deleterious effects of glucose and IL-1beta were blocked by 200 micromol/l diazoxide as well as by 3 and 30 micromol/l NN414. By Western blotting with phosphospecific antibodies, glucose and IL-1beta were shown to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, an effect that was abrogated by 3 micromol/l NN414. Similarly, 1 micromol/l of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1/2 inhibitor PD098059 or 1 micromol/l of the l-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nimodipine prevented glucose- and IL-1beta-induced ERK activation, beta-cell apoptosis, and impaired function. Finally, islet release of IL-1beta in response to high glucose could be abrogated by nimodipine, NN414, or PD098059. Thus, in human islets, glucose- and IL-1beta-induced beta-cell secretory dysfunction and apoptosis are Ca(2+) influx and ERK dependent and can be prevented by the beta-cell selective potassium channel opener NN414.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
PubMed1994

Influence of K+ channel openers on interferon-gamma dependent immune response in experimental allergic neuritis (EAN).

We examined the influence of the K+ channel opening drugs BRL 38227, pinacidil and diazoxide on cellular immune response and clinical course of experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) actively induced in Lewis rats by bovine peripheral myelin (BPM). T cell functions of EAN lymph node cells were assessed by measurement of proliferation and by counting of interferon-gamma secreting cells (IFN-gamma sc) in response to the specific antigen BPM and the T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). BRL 38227 and diazoxide at concentrations of 10(-5)M-10(-6)M and pinacidil at concentrations of 10(-5)M-10(-7)M enhanced the proliferative response to both BPM and PHA. The number of IFN-gamma sc was suppressed by the K+ channel openers in the same concentration range. There was a tendency of stronger suppression of cultures with high numbers of BPM-reactive IFN-gamma sc than of cultures with low numbers of BPM-reactive IFN-gamma sc. The applied K+ channel openers are primarily acting on ATP-sensitive K+ channels, which have not been found in T cells so far. The drugs may, therefore, exert non-selective effects on conventional voltage- and/or Ca(++)-dependent channels of T cells. A first trial with in vivo administration of 2.5 mg/kg x day of the drugs resulted in more severe neurological deficits in the early phase of EAN with BRL 38227, whereas pinacidil and diazoxide had no significant effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Identification and characterization of glucoresponsive neurons in the enteric nervous system.

We tested the hypothesis that a subset of enteric neurons is glucoresponsive and expresses ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels. The immunoreactivities of the inwardly rectifying K(+) channel 6.2 (Kir6.2) and the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), now renamed SUR1, subunits of pancreatic beta-cell K(ATP) channels, were detected on cholinergic neurons in the guinea pig ileum, many of which were identified as sensory by their costorage of substance P and/or calbindin. Glucoresponsive neurons were distinguished in the myenteric plexus because of the hyperpolarization and decrease in membrane input resistance that were observed in response to removal of extracellular glucose. The effects of no-glucose were reversed on the reintroduction of glucose or by the K(ATP) channel inhibitor tolbutamide. No reversal of the hyperpolarization was observed when D- mannoheptulose, a hexokinase inhibitor, was present on the reintroduction of glucose. Application of the K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide or the ob gene product leptin mimicked the effect of glucose removal in a reversible manner; moreover, hyperpolarizations evoked by either agent were inhibited by tolbutamide. Glucoresponsive neurons displayed leptin receptor immunoreactivity, which was widespread in both enteric plexuses. Superfusion of diazoxide inhibited fast synaptic activity in myenteric neurons, via activation of presynaptic K(ATP) channels. Diazoxide also produced a decrease in colonic motility. These experiments demonstrate for the first time the presence of glucoresponsive neurons in the gut. We propose that the glucose-induced excitation of these neurons be mediated by inhibition of K(ATP) channels. The results support the idea that enteric K(ATP) channels play a role in glucose-evoked reflexes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1975

[The acute crisis of blood pressure and its treatment in childhood (authors transl)].

Hypertension emergencies in childhood occur mainly in end-stage renal disease. In the management the intravenous administration of diazoxide (3--5 mg/kg) is of special importance. Diazoxide results in an immediate and prolonged effect in lowering the blood pressure in 15 children. Serious side effects were not observed. The experiences with the use of diazoxide in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies is discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels delays ischemia-induced cellular uncoupling in rat heart.

AIM: To test the hypothesis that cellular uncoupling induced by myocardial ischemia is mediated by activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mitoKATP). METHODS: Rat hearts were perfused on a Langendorff apparatus and subjected to 40-min ischemia followed by 30-min reperfusion (I/R). Changes in cellular coupling were monitored by measuring whole-tissue resistance. RESULTS: (1) In hearts subjected to I/R, the onset of uncoupling started at (13.3+/-1.0) min of ischemia; (2) Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) delayed the onset of uncoupling until (22.7+/-1.3) min. Blocking mitoKATP channels with 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) before the IPC abolished the uncoupling delay [(12.6+/-1.6) min]; (3) Calcium preconditioning (CPC) had the same effect as IPC. And this effect was reversed by blocking the mitoKATP channel again. In the CPC group the onset of uncoupling occurred after (20.6+/-1.3) min, and this was canceled by 5-HD [(13.6+/-0.8) min]; (4) In hearts pretreated with the specific mitoKATP channel opener diazoxide before sustained ischemia, the onset was delayed to (18.4+/-1.4) min; (5) 5-HD canceled the protective effects of diazoxide (12.6+/-1.0) min; and both the L-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor verapamil and the free radical scavenger N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine, reduced the extended onset time induced by diazoxide [to (13.3+/-1.8) min and (13.4+/-2.1) min, respectively]. CONCLUSION: IPC and CPC delay the onset of cellular uncoupling induced by acute ischemia in rat heart, and the underlying mechanism involves activation of the mitoKATP channels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2005

[Effects of iptakalim on intracellular calcium concentrations, PKA and PKC activities in rat tail artery smooth muscle cells].

AIM: To investigate the effects of iptakalim, a new structural potassium channel opener (KCO), on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), protein kinase C (PKC), and cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA) activities in rat tail artery smooth muscle cells (RTA-SMC), and to analyze mechanisms involved in iptakalim reversing hypertensive vascular remodeling. METHODS: RTA-SMC was cultured and passages 3-4 were used for experiment. [Ca2+] i was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope after loaded with fluorescent indicator fluo-3-acetoxymethylester, and activities of PKA and PKC were detected by commercial assay kits (the nonradioactive PepTag system) following instructions. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, [Ca2+] i reduced significantly after iptakalim- or pinacidil-treatment at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 micromol x L(-1), while diazoxide caused significant decrease at concentration of 1 and 10 micromol x L(-1). After preincubation with 1 micromol x L(-1) glibenclamide, [Ca2+] i was not significantly changed when iptakalim, pinacidil or diazoxide were added at concentration of 0.1 and 1 micromol x L(-1). Activities of PKA and PKC increased significantly by 1 micromol x L(-1) iptakalim- or pinacidil-treatment, while 1 micromol x L(-1) diazoxide induced significant change in activity of PKC but not in that of PKA. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of iptakalim on [Ca2+] i, PKA and PKC are more or less similar to those of pinacidil. Iptakalim decreased [Ca2+] i while increased PKA and PKC activities of RTA-SMCs, which may contribute to its ability to reverse antihypertensive vascular remodeling.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Vasodilator effect of benzothiadiazine derivative, LN 5330, on rat pancreatic vessels].

The effect of a benzothiadiazine derivative LN 5330, structurally related to diazoxide, was investigated on the vascular flow rate of the isolated perfused rat pancreas. LN 5330 induced a progressive increase of the vascular flow rate, which lasted throughout the infusion. This effect was dose-dependent between 10(-5) and 10(-4) M. LN 5330 was seven times less potent than diazoxide at increasing the flow rate. These results show that LN 5330 has a vasodilator effect on pancreatic vascular bed, and is less potent than its structural analogue diazoxide.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in infancy and childhood: a practical approach to diagnosis and medical treatment based on experience of 18 cases.

Clinical and biochemical data are presented on 18 children with severe hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia born to non-diabetic mothers. Thirteen presented within three days of birth, three by 20 months and two aged nine years. Diagnosis of hyperinsulinism (HI) was made in a single blood sample by showing inappropriate plasma insulin levels (23 +/- 3 mU/l) for glycaemia (1.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/l), with low blood ketone body, lactate, alanine and glycerol levels. All children showed increased glucose disappearance rates (KG 7.6% +/- 0.06) and glucose requirement (range, 9-25 mg/kg/min) and an exaggerated glycaemic response to glucagon when hypoglycaemic. Confirmatory tests included measurement of plasma insulin levels during leucine and arginine tolerance tests, during hypercalcaemia and after fish insulin. Coeliac angiograms were performed in three cases. Clinical progress could be divided into five categories. Four cases recovered normal insulin control spontaneously (transient neonatal HI); two children responded and remain on diazoxide therapy, two responded to diazoxide after partial pancreatectomy (diazoxide responsive HI); in three cases resolution of hypoglycaemia resulted from resection of isolated adenoma (insulinoma); total pancreatectomy was needed in five cases (nesidioblastosis) and two children were victims of drug administration (drug induced HI). This analysis allows the definition of a practical approach to diagnosis and management of this major clinical problem.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1981

[Prolonged hypotension after the first dose of atenolol (author's transl)].

A 30 year-old male patient with accelerated arterial hypertension relatively resistent to diazoxide received a single oral dose of 100 mg of atenolol, following which hypotension of more than 24 hours duration and acute renal failure ensued. These alterations were reversible and did not recur with subsequent doses of atenolol. Prior therapy with diazoxide might have potentiated the hypotensive action of atenolol. The abnormality could be due to a phenomenon of hyperreactivity to the first dose of atenolol, similar to what has been described following first doses of prazosin or labetalol. This observation suggests that atenolol therapy must be started with caution, especially in patients previously treated with diazoxide.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1994

[The effect of Proglicem in patients with an organic hyperinsulinism syndrome].

BACKGROUND: Organic hyperinsulinism is treated as a rule conservatively with diazoxide (Proglicem) which has a hyperglycaemic effect. In some patients, however, treatment fails and severe hypoglycaemia persists. The objective of the present investigation was to find simple criteria for evaluation of the aptness (effectiveness) of this treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 11 patients with a confirmed insulinoma Proglicem was administered for five days (3 mg/kg body weight) and serum insulin and the blood sugar level as well as their ratio (IRI:G) were followed-up. In eight patients the IRI/G coefficient declined from 10.5 +/- 7.7 to 5.8 +/- 2.9 (p < 0.001); only in three patients the coefficient increased from 4.6 +/- 2.9 to 14.9 +/- 12.3 (p < 0.001). Coefficient "k" from the modified Bergman model for the intravenous glucose tolerance test had identical results; there was statistically significant agreement between the two examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To assess the effectiveness of diazoxide treatment (Proglicem) on hypoglycaemia in nesidiomas it is sufficient to evaluate the IRI/G coefficient (on fasting) before and during diazoxide treatment (Proglicem, Schering Corp.).

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Oral hypoglycemic sulfonylurea glimepiride preserves the myoprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether the sulfonylurea glimepiride affects the myoprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), isolated rabbit hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution. METHODS: Eight hearts underwent IPC consisting of two cycles of 5 min global ischemia and reperfusion. Six hearts received a 5-min infusion of 10 microM glimepiride, six hearts received a 5-min infusion of 50 microM glimepiride, and seven hearts received a 5-min infusion of 10 microM glibenclamide before IPC. Seven hearts received a 5-min infusion of the selective mitochondrial K(ATP) channel opener diazoxide (50 microM). Other hearts received a 5-min infusion of 10 microM glimepiride (n = 6), 50 microM glimepiride (n = 6), or 10 microM glibenclamide (n = 7) before diazoxide. Seven hearts served as a control. All groups then were subjected to 1 h of regional ischemia, followed by 1 h of reperfusion. LV pressures, monophasic action potential duration (APD(50)), and infarct size were measured. RESULTS: Both IPC and diazoxide significantly prolonged APD(50) and preserved diastolic function at 60 min of reperfusion compared to control. In addition, both groups reduced infarct size compared to control. Glibenclamide, but not glimepiride reversed these effects. CONCLUSION: Glimepiride offers less cardiovascular effects than glibenclamide, possibly due to its lower affinity for the mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2003

The cardioprotective effects of Na+/H+ exchange inhibition and mitochondrial KATP channel activation are additive in the isolated rat heart.

The mechanisms of recovery of the isolated rat heart were studied after 30 min of global ischemia. Functional recovery was assessed by the percentage recovery of developed pressure after 30 min reperfusion and by the magnitude of the contracture on reperfusion. After a control ischemia, developed pressure recovered to only 12+/-2% of pre-ischemic control and the reperfusion contracture was very large (81+/-6 mmHg). Activation of the mitochondrial KATP channel with 100 microM diazoxide present throughout ischemia and reperfusion improved recovery of developed pressure to 36+/-3% and reduced the reperfusion contracture (53+/-4 mmHg). Inhibition of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger with 10 microM cariporide caused a larger recovery of developed pressure to 72+/-4% and further reduced the reperfusion contracture (11+/-3 mmHg). The combination of both drugs increased recovery of developed pressure to 96+/-4% and the reperfusion contracture remained small (11+/-5 mmHg). The effectiveness of the timing of exposure to these drugs was explored. When both diazoxide and cariporide were applied 2 min before the end of ischaemia and remained present during reperfusion the recovery of developed pressure was 81+/-4% and the reperfusion contracture was small (12+/-3 mmHg); neither was significantly different to the recovery when both drugs were present throughout ischemia and reperfusion. We conclude that mitochondrial damage, blocked by diazoxide, and the coupled exchanger pathway, blocked by cariporide, are two of the principal damage pathways and functional recovery appears to be complete when both are blocked. The combination of these drugs is also highly effective when given 2 min before the end of ischemia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Cardiovascular and biological effects of K+ channel openers, a class of drugs with vasorelaxant and cardioprotective properties.

Several new chemical entities (RP 52891, cromakalim and its derivatives) are potent and specific openers of vascular K+ channels. This mechanism is also shared, at least partially, by drugs such as minoxidil, diazoxide, pinacidil and nicorandil. The opening of plasmalemma K+ channels produces loss of cytosolic K+. This effect results in cellular hyperpolarization and functional vasorelaxation. In normotensive or hypertensive rats, K+ channel activators decrease aortic blood pressure (by producing a directly mediated fall in systemic vascular resistance) and reflexly increase heart rate. The former effect is not modified by specific blockers of classical vascular receptors but it is completely antagonized by the hypoglycemic sulphonylurea, glibenclamide, an established blocker of ATP-regulated K+ channels. K+ channel openers produce selective coronary vasodilatation and afford functional and biochemical protection to the ischemic myocardium. This salutary effect is mediated via cardiac K+ channel modulation and may result from an improved myocardial oxygen balance in the ischemic region. K+ channel openers increase plasma renin activity in animals as well as in man. However, only diazoxide, but not cromakalim or RP 52891, lowers plasma insulin concentration. The dose of glibenclamide entirely blocking the latter effect is over 50-fold smaller than that antagonizing the hypotensive and hyper-reninemic responses to diazoxide. In conclusion, K+ channel activators are potent vasorelaxant and cardioprotective agents possessing an original mechanism of action which is the opening of plasmalemma ATP-regulated K+ channels. Their clinical use as antihypertensive agents may be accompanied by undesirable effects (characteristic of peripheral vasodilators) which are likely to be attenuated or avoided by controlled release formulations. However, inasmuch as low doses of K+ channel openers may be sufficient to produce selective coronary artery dilatation and cardioprotection, these compounds could be of particular value in treating patients with coronary artery disease efficaciously and possibly without adverse cardiovascular effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

A sensitive in vitro functional assay to detect K(+)-channel-dependent vasodilators.

This study describes a sensitive in vitro relaxation assay using isolated rabbit mesenteric artery to detect the activity of a vasodilator as a K(+)-channel activator. Thus, comparison of several known K(+)-channel activators was made with other vasodilators known to work via various cellular mechanisms. The vasodilators used were minoxidil sulfate (MNXS; 5 microM), BRL-34915 (cromakalim, 0.1 microM), nicorandil (10 microM), pinacidil (1 microM), diazoxide (100 microM), sodium nitroprusside (10 microM), forskolin (1 microM), D600 (0.5 and 10 microM), hydralazine (10 microM), and viprostal (PGE1 analog, 5 microM). The concentrations chosen were equipotent to produce greater than 80% relaxation of the maximal norepinephrine (NE) (5 microM) contraction. At these concentrations, MNXS, cromakalim, pinacidil, nicorandil, and diazoxide were found to be ineffective in producing relaxation of 80 mM K(+)-contractions. Subsequently, pretreatment of tissues with 20 mM K+ before NE contraction was found to attenuate relaxation significantly by these agents, but had not effect on the relaxations by forskolin or D600. These initial criteria helped to establish cromakalim, pinacidil, nicorandil, and diazoxide as compounds acting similarly to MNXS as K(+)-channel-dependent. In another set of experiments, the effects of tetraethylammonium (TEA) (10 mM), Ba2+ (0.5 mM), and glyburide (1 microM) as K(+)-channel blockers were examined. Again it was found that these blockers had the most inhibitory effect on the class of compounds identified as K(+)-channel activators. Additionally, it was found that these K(+)-channel activators were without any significant effect on the NE-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ release as studied by contraction in a Ca2(+)-free solution. Thus, this series of functional criteria clearly show that the profile of these K(+)-channel activators is distinctly different from the vasodilators working via other mechanisms such as cyclic AMP (cAMP) (forskolin), cyclic GMP (cGMP) (nitroprusside), and Ca2+ antagonists (D600). It is suggested that appropriately defined, systematic functional studies, such as the one described here, can provide a sensitive and reproducible vascular model to discover and delineate the role of pharmacologically relevant mechanisms for vasodilation.

Animals↗