title: Potassium channel openers: therapeutic potential in cardiology and medicine.
abstract: Potassium (K(+)) channel openers (KCOs) define a class of chemically diverse agents that share a common molecular target, the metabolism-regulated ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel. In view of the unique function that K(ATP) channels play in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, this novel class of ion channel modulators adds to existent pharmacotherapy with potential in promoting cellular protection under conditions of metabolic stress. Indeed, experimental studies have demonstrated broad therapeutic potential for KCOs, including roles as cardioprotective agents, vasodilators, bronchodilators, bladder relaxants, anti-epileptics, insulin secretagogues and promoters of hair growth. However, clinical experience with these drugs is limited and their place in patient management needs to be fully established.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. jahangir.arshad@mayo.edu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jahangir
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Terzic
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000819:agonists*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels