title: Activation by methylene blue of large Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.
abstract: Using the patch-clamp method, we found that methylene blue (MB), a free radical inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, activated large, Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels (BKCa) in either cell attached or excised, inside-out patches of human mesangial cells in culture. Since BKCa are important feedback regulators of contraction of smooth muscle and mesangial cells, these results indicate that MB may be an important opener of BKCa channels and a regulator of vascular volume and resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Stockand
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Sansom
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000378:metabolism; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D015221:Potassium Channels; D009599:Nitroprusside; C041715:6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D002118:Calcium; D008751:Methylene Blue