Altered ATP-sensitive potassium channels may underscore obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether ATP-sensitive potassium channels are altered in VSMC from arotas and mesenteric arteries of obese rat, and their association with obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure.


METHODS
Obesity was induced by 24 weeks of high-fat diet feeding in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Control rats were fed with standard laboratory rat chow. Blood pressure and body weight of these rats were measured every 4 weeks. At the end of 24 weeks, K(ATP) channelmediated relaxation responses in the aortas and mesenteric arteries, K(ATP) channel current, and gene expression were examined, respectively.


RESULTS
Blood pressure and body weight were increased in rats fed with high-fat diet. K(ATP) channelmediated relaxation responses, currents, and K(ATP) expression in VSMC of both aortas and mesenteric arteries were inhibited in these rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Altered ATP-sensitive potassium channels in obese rats may underscore obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure.
Fan
Li-hong
LH
Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi-an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xi-an 710061, China.
Tian
Hong-yan
HY
Ma
Ai-qun
AQ
Hu
Zhi
Z
Huo
Jian-hua
JH
Cao
Yong-xiao
YX
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004594:Electrophysiology; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D020110:Pinacidil / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D054086:KATP Channels; D020110:Pinacidil