title: Characterization of potassium currents modulated by BRL 38227 in rat portal vein.
abstract: 1. Smooth muscle cells of the rat portal vein were dispersed by enzymatic treatment and recordings of whole-cell membrane potassium currents were made by the voltage-clamp technique. In isolated cells by use of combined voltage- and current-clamp the effect of BRL 38227 on membrane potential and ionic currents was also studied. 2. BRL 38227 (0.1 to 10 microM) induced a non-inactivating potassium current (IKCO) which developed slowly (900 s to 300 s, respectively) to its full size. These effects of BRL 38227 were reversible. 3. In addition to its K-channel opening properties, BRL 38227 (1 to 10 microM) inhibited the amplitude and changed the activation and inactivation characteristics of a slowly-inactivating, calcium influx-independent, outward potassium current (I(TO)). 4. Application of stationary fluctuation analysis to IKCO, showed a mean single channel current of 0.65 pA at -10 mV under a quasi-physiological potassium gradient. 5. In a combined voltage-clamp/current-clamp configuration, BRL 38227 (1 microM) induced a mean hyperpolarization of 22 mV. 6. The induction of IKCO by BRL 38227 and the associated hyperpolarization were suppressed by glibenclamide (1 to 10 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. Glibenclamide (1 microM) had no effect on the inhibition of I(TO) by BRL 38227 (1 microM).
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Noack
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deitmer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Weston
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019806:Cromakalim; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011758:Pyrroles; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D019806:Cromakalim; D005905:Glyburide