Effects of K+ channel blockers on vascular tone in the perfused rat lung.
To learn more of the role of K+ channel activity in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone, we compared the pressor effects of the differential blockers of numerous K+ channels, tetraethylammonium chloride and 4-aminopyridine, and the inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels glibenclamide in meclofenamate-treated salt solution-perfused rat lungs. Tetraethylammonium (1 to 20 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 to 10 mM), but not glibenclamide (1 to 20 microM) caused vasoconstriction in the normoxic lung. The Ca++ channel blocker nifedipine (0.1 microM) and the alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (10 microM) inhibited the 4-aminopyridine response by about 50% and reduced slightly the smaller tetraethylammonium response. 4-Aminopyridine and, to a lesser extent, tetraethylammonium, but not glibenclamide, also potentiated peak vasoconstriction to angiotensin II and airway hypoxia. Nifedipine, but not phentolamine, inhibited hypoxic vasoconstriction and prevented the potentiation by 4-aminopyridine. These results suggest that Ca(++)- and/or voltage-activated (not ATP-sensitive) K+ channels may be important in maintaining low pulmonary vascular tone.
Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
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Hasunuma
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Rodman
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McMurtry
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
D015221:Potassium Channels; D000804:Angiotensin II