title: Reduced expression of SKCa and IKCa channel proteins in rat small mesenteric arteries during angiotensin II-induced hypertension.
abstract: Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (K(Ca)), in particular, the small and intermediate K(Ca) (SK(Ca) and IK(Ca), respectively) channels, are key players in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-mediated relaxation in small arteries. Hypertension is characterized by an endothelial dysfunction, possibly via reduced EDHF release and/or function. We hypothesize that during angiotensin II (14 days)-induced hypertension (ANG II-14d), the contribution of SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) channels in ACh-induced relaxations is reduced due to decreased expression of SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) channel proteins in rat small mesenteric arteries (MAs). Nitric oxide- and prostacyclin-independent vasorelaxation to ACh was similar in small MAs of sham-operated and ANG II-14d rats. Catalase had no inhibitory effects on these relaxations. The highly selective SK(Ca) channel blocker UCL-1684 almost completely blocked these responses in MAs of sham-operated rats but partially in MAs of ANG II-14d rats. These changes were pressure dependent since UCL-1684 caused a greater inhibition in MAs of 1-day ANG II-treated normotensive rats compared with ANG II-14d rats. Expression levels of both mRNA and protein SK3 were significantly reduced in MAs of ANG II-14d rats. The IK(Ca) channel blocker 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole (TRAM-34) resulted in comparable reductions in the relaxation responses to ACh in MAs of sham-operated and ANG II-14d rats. Relative mRNA expression levels of IK1 were significantly reduced in MAs of ANG II-14d rats, whereas protein levels of IK1 were not but tended to be lower in MAs of ANG II-14d rats. The findings demonstrate that EDHF-like responses are not compromised in a situation of reduced functional activity and expression of SK3 channels in small MAs of ANG II-induced hypertensive rats. The role of IK1 channels is less clear but might compensate for reduced SK3 activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta,. GA, USA. rhilgers@farmaco.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Rob H P
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hilgers
authors.forename: R Clinton
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D000804:Angiotensin II