title: Modulation of membrane currents and mechanical activity by niflumic acid in rat vascular smooth muscle.
abstract: The effects of niflumic acid on whole-cell membrane currents and mechanical activity were examined in the rat portal vein. In freshly dispersed portal vein cells clamped at -60 mV in caesium (Cs+)-containing solutions, niflumic acid (1-100 microM) inhibited calcium (Ca2+)-activated chloride currents (IC1(Ca)) induced by caffeine (10 mM) and by noradrenaline (10 microM). In a potassium (K+)-containing solution and at a holding potential of - 10 mV, niflumic acid (10-100 microM) induced an outward K+ current (IK(ATP)) which was sensitive to glibenclamide (10-30 microM). At concentrations < 30 microM and at a holding potential of -2 mV, niflumic acid had no effect on the magnitude of the caffeine- or noradrenaline-stimulated current (IBK(Ca)) carried by the large conductance, Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channel (BKCa). However, at a concentration of 100 microM, niflumic acid significantly inhibited IBK(Ca)) evoked by caffeine (10 mM) but not by NS1619 (1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-2(3 H) benzimidazolone; 20 microM). In Cs(+)-containing solutions, niflumic acid (10-100 microM) did not inhibit voltage-sensitive Ca2+ currents. In intact portal veins, niflumic acid (1-300 microM) inhibited spontaneous mechanical activity, an action which was partially antagonised by glibenclamide (1-10 microM), and contractions produced by noradrenaline (10 microM), an effect which was glibenclamide-insensitive. It is concluded that inhibition of ICl(Ca) and stimulation of IK(ATP) both contribute to the mechano-inhibitory actions of niflumic acid in the rat portal vein.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirkup
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Weston
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004594:Electrophysiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009544:Niflumic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018118:Chloride Channels; D007473:Ion Channels; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D002110:Caffeine; D009544:Niflumic Acid; D009638:Norepinephrine