title: Protection of atrial function in hypoxia by high potassium concentration.
abstract: 1. The effects of high extracellular potassium on hypoxia-induced atrial activity and metabolic charge were studied in isolated rat atria. 2. After hypoxia (30 min), contractile tension strongly decreased and diastolic tension increased, while frequency did not change. Adenine nucleotides and creatine phosphate levels did not change, although a significant increase in lactic acid content was observed. 3. High [K+] mostly countered the hypoxia-induced increase in diastolic tension. Moreover, in the presence of high [K+], the hypoxia-induced increase in lactic acid was not significantly different from normoxic controls. 4. Glibenclamide (0.1 microM), a selective K+ATP channel blocker, did not improve the hypoxia-induced depression of atrial function. 5. The physiopathological role of extracellular potassium during cardiac hypoxia is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Froldi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pandolfo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chinellato
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ragazzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Caparrotta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fassina
mesh_terms: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D007773:Lactates; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011188:Potassium; D005905:Glyburide