Tetrandrine inhibits inward rectifying potassium current in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of tetrandrine (Tet) on inward rectifying potassium current in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.


METHODS
Inward rectifying potassium current (IRK) was observed by the whole cell patch-clamp technique.


RESULTS
IRK was inhibited by Tet in a concentration-dependent manner and recovered to normal after wash with drug-free external solution. IRK was reduced from (582 +/- 48) pA to (221 +/- 40) pA at a holding potential of -70 mV by Tet 30 mumol/L. IC50 was 2.8 mumol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Tet inhibited inward rectifying potassium current in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.
Liu
W B
WB
Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
Liu
G Q
GQ
Xiao
H
H
Mao
X
X
Shi
Y
Y
Wu
J P
JP
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*
D000470:Alkaloids; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; C009438:tetrandrine