Activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels prevents neuronal cell death after ischemia in neonatal rats.
Activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mK(ATP)) has been shown to protect against cell death following ischemia/reperfusion in the heart but not in brain. We examined whether mK(ATP) activation with diazoxide (DIZ) prevents neuronal cell death following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in 7-day-old rat pups. Rat pups were subjected to HI (left carotid ligation; 8% O(2); 2.5 h), following administration of vehicle, 1.9 mg/kg DIZ, 3.8 mg/kg DIZ or DIZ plus 10 mg/kg 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (mK(ATP) antagonist). Total infarct volume was reduced from 99.8+/-2.7% in vehicle animals to 80.6+/-4.2% in 3.8 mg/kg DIZ treated animals (n=85, P<0.05). Western blotting showed K(ATP) subunits concentrated in mitochondria. Fluorescent studies indicated DIZ directly depolarized the mitochondria. In conclusion, selective opening of mK(ATP) prior to HI results in neuroprotection in immature rats.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. crajapak@wfubmc.edu
Nishadi
N
Rajapakse
Katsuyoshi
K
Shimizu
Béla
B
Kis
James
J
Snipes
Zsombor
Z
Lacza
David
D
Busija
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003981:Diazoxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000378:metabolism*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D015221:Potassium Channels; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D003981:Diazoxide