Roles of ATP sensitive potassium channel in modulating gastric tone and accommodation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The ATP sensitive potassium (KATP) channel plays an important role in the regulation of resting membrane potential and membrane excitability. The role of the KATP channel in modulating gastric motility is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of the KATP channel in modulating gastric tone and accommodation in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric volume under a constant pressure reflecting gastric tone was measured using a barostat device in dogs equipped with a gastric cannula. Gastric accommodation was evaluated by the difference in gastric volume before and after a liquid meal. The roles of cholinergic and nitrergic pathways in the inhibitory effect of pinacidil (a KATP opener) were assessed. RESULTS: 1) Pinacidil dose-dependently decreased gastric tone at a dosage of 30 (p = 0.628), 100 (p = 0.013) and 300 µg kg-1 (p < 0.001). 2) Glibenclamide, a KATP blocker, completely blocked the inhibitory effect of pinacidil on gastric tone. 3) Atropine did not block the inhibitory effect of pinacidil on gastric tone but Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester markedly attenuated the inhibitory effect of pinacidil (p = 0.004). 4) Glibenclamide significantly reduced gastric accommodation (p < 0.001) while pinacidil had no effects on gastric accommodation. 5) Glibenclamide significantly reduced nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside-induced gastric relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the KATP channel plays an important role in modulating gastric tone and accommodation in dogs. The inhibitory effect of pinacidil on gastric tone was through the nitrergic pathway as well as acting directly on smooth muscle cells.

ATP-sensitive potassium channels alleviate postoperative pain through JNK-dependent MCP-1 expression in spinal cord.

Although adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels have been proven to be involved in regulating postoperative pain, the underlying mechanism remains to be investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of spinal KATP channels in the control of mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat pain model, in which rats were subjected to skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) surgery, as well as in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. The results showed that KATP channel subunits Kir6.1, SUR1 and SUR2 were normally expressed in the spinal cord and significantly downregulated after SMIR. SMIR caused a marked increase in monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression and in the protein level of p-JNK in the spinal cord. Intrathecal administration of a KATP channel opener pinacidil (Pina) suppressed mechanical allodynia after SMIR and significantly downregulated the MCP-1 mRNA expression and the protein level of p-JNK induced by SMIR. Inverted fluorescence microscopy showed that Kir6.1 was co-localized with astrocytes only and SUR2 was co-localized primarily with neurons, in a small amount with astrocytes. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that following incubation with LPS, the astrocytic MCP-1 mRNA expression and p-JNK content were markedly increased, whereas the mRNA levels of Kir6.1 and SUR2 were significantly downregulated in astrocytes. KATP channel opener pinacidil inhibited the LPS-triggered MCP-1 and p-JNK elevation in rat primary astrocytes. The results suggested that KATP channel opener treatment is an effective therapy for postoperative pain in animals, through the activation of the JNK/MCP-1 pathway in astrocytes.

Effects of pinacidil on changes to the microenvironment around the incision site, of a skin/muscle incision and retraction, in a rat model of postoperative pain.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the microenvironment around an incision site, on peripheral and central sensitization. The effects of pinacidil activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels prior to skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR) surgery were assessed. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, sham (incision operation), SMIR (incision plus retraction 1 h after the skin/muscle incision) and pinacidil (SMIR plus pinacidil). The rats in the pinacidil group were intraperitoneally injected with pinacidil prior to the SMIR procedure. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) was determined at each time point. The microvessel density (MVD) value was determined by immunohistochemistry, and western blotting was performed to analyze the relative protein expression levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), glucose transporter protein-1 (GLUT1) and C-jun N-terminal kinases. There was a significant reduction in the levels of MVD, GLUT1 and MWT following SMIR surgery as compared with the incision alone, and a significant increase in the NGF protein expression levels. In the SMIR group, the MVD value was significantly increased seven days after surgery, as compared with three days after surgery. Additionally, intraperitoneal administration of pinacidil prior to the SMIR surgery inhibited the SMIR­induced reduction in MWT and MVD and attenuated the SMIR­induced GLUT1 reduction. The results of the present study suggest that the microenvironment around an incision site may affect the development of peripheral and central sensitization. In addition, pinacidil had an inhibitory effect on the formation of the inflammatory microenvironment around the incision site through activation of KATP channels, thereby inhibiting peripheral and central sensitization.

Effect of pinacidil on rat ventricular myocytes during transient hypoxia and reperfusion.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of pinacidil postconditioning on rat hearts with transient hypoxia and reperfusion. An acute myocardial anoxia-reperfusion rat model was created by ligating coronary arteries for 10 min and subsequent reperfusion for 60 min. Twenty-four rats in 4 groups received different treatments: normal hearts as control (N = 6), anoxia-reperfusion (A/R) only (N = 6), pinacidil postconditioning (N = 6), and pinacidil plus adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel inhibitors (glibenclamide) (N = 6). The kinetic parameters and electrophysiological properties, including early apoptosis protein expression changes of Bax, Bcl-2, and FN were examined using the isolated perfusion and patch-clamp technique and immunohistochemistry. The left ventricular systolic pressure and maximum -dp/dt in A/R groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The left ventricular developing pressure, maximum +dp/dt, and heart rate in the A/R group were slightly decreased. The pinacidil-postconditioned group has better cardiac function recovery after ischemia/reperfusion than the A/R group (P < 0.01). In addition, using the patch-clamp technique, the mean open time and conductance values are significantly higher in the pinacidil postconditioning group, compared with those in the A/R group. The expression of apoptosis proteins (Bax, FN) increased during A/R, while Bcl-2 protein expression decreased. A significant difference was found in the pinacidil treatment group relative to the A/R group. Pinacidil postconditioning can exert cardioprotective effects on A/R-injured rat hearts, which may indicate a potential application of pinacidil postconditioning to protect A/R-injured hearts.

[The functional state of the kidneys after adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels activation in experimental acute hypoxia].

In the experiments on non-linear white rats with the model of acute hypoxia we have studied the changes of the functional state of kidneys after a single intraventricular administration of the original fluorine-containing KATP-sensitive potassium channels activator flocalin at the dose of 5 mg/kg on the background of induced water load. It has been shown that under the influence of prohypoxic factors: sodium nitrite (50 mg/kg, subcutaneously) and dinitrophenol (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) flocalin activates volume-regulating, ion-regulating and excretory functions of kidneys. Renal effects after activation of KATP-sensitive potassium channels in the rats with histohemic hypoxia were induced by the changes of tubular and predominantly glomerular processes. The increase of glomerular filtration rate, restoration of volatile distal reabsorption of potassium channels, decrease of sodium loss with urine, decrease ofproteinuria after a single administration of flocalin under conditions of acute hypoxia complement the range of protective effects of KATP-sensitive potassium channels activator flocalin.

Functional role for mouse cerebellar NO/cGMP/KATP pathway in ethanol-induced ataxia.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that brain adenosine A1 receptors and nitric oxide (NO) play an important role in ethanol (EtOH)-induced cerebellar ataxia (EICA) through glutamate/NO/cGMP pathway. I now report possible modulation of EICA by the cerebellar NO/cGMP/K(ATP) pathway. METHODS: EICA was evaluated by Rotorod in CD-1 male mice. All drugs (K(ATP) activators pinacidil, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 nmol; minoxidil, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 pmol; antagonists glipizide/glibenclamide, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 nmol; NO donor l-arginine, 20 nmol; NOS inhibitors [iNOS] inhibitor L-NAME, 50 nmol; glutamate, 1.5 nmol; adenosine A1 receptor agonist N(6) -cyclohexyladenosine [CHA], 6, 12 pmol; antagonist DPCPX, 0.1 or 0.4 nmol) were given by direct intracerebellar microinfusion via stereotaxically implanted guide cannulas, except EtOH (2 g/kg, i.p.). RESULTS: Pinacidil and minoxidil dose-dependently accentuated, whereas glipizide and glibenclamide markedly attenuated EICA, indicating tonic participation of K(ATP) channels. Glipizide abolished the pinacidil potentiation of EICA, which confirmed both drugs acted via K(ATP) channels. A possible link between K(ATP) channels and glutamate/NO pathway was suggested when (i) CHA (12 pmol) totally abolished l-arginine-induced attenuation of EICA; (ii) L-NAME abolished l-arginine-induced attenuation of EICA associated with further increase in EICA; and (iii) the combined l-arginine and glutamate infusion virtually abolished EICA. Also, whereas CHA abolished glibenclamide-induced attenuation and potentiated pinacidil/minoxidil-induced accentuation of EICA, the effects of DPCPX were just the opposite to those of CHA. CONCLUSIONS: The results with CHA therefore suggest a functional link between K(ATP) and A1 receptors and between K(ATP) and glutamate/NO and as an extension may involve participation of NO/cGMP/K(ATP) pathway in EICA.

The effect of pinacidil on postshock activation and ventricular defibrillation threshold in canine hearts.

AIM: To determine the postshock activation patterns with both successful and failed shocks in a canine model of ventricular fibrillation, and whether piniacidil, an early after-depolarization (EAD) inhibitor, altered the defibrillation threshold (DFT) and postshock activation patterns. METHODS: In 6 beagles, a basket catheter with 64 unipolar electrodes was placed in the LV for global endocardial mapping, a monophasic action potential catheter was inserted into the LV apex, and a catheter with the negative electrode in the right ventricle and the positive electrode in the superior vena cava was inserted for defibrillation. The DFT, 90% action potential duration (APD(90)) and activation recovery interval (ARI) were evaluated before and after pinacidil administration (loading dosage 0.5 mg/kg and maintenance dosage 0.5 mg·kg(-1)·h(-1), iv). Electrical heterogeneities were defined with the dispersion of ARI. After successful and failed shocks with near-DFT strength, the earliest postshock activation patterns (focal or nonfocal endocardial activation), interval and location were detected. RESULTS: Pinacidil significantly decreased APD(90) (from 178±16 ms to 168±18 ms) and ARI from (152±10 ms to 143±10 ms) at pacing cycle length of 300 ms. The drug significantly increased VF activation rate (from 10.0±1.9 Hz to 10.8±2.0 Hz). The drug did not affect the dispersion of ARI, neither it changed DFT (baseline: 480±110 V; pinacidil: 425±55 V, P>0.05). The earliest postshock activation arose locally on the LV apical endocardium before and after the drug treatment. Pinacidil significantly prolonged the postshock cycle length of cycles 2 to 5 for the successful episodes but not for the failed episodes. CONCLUSION: Pinacidil increases the postshock cycle length suggesting that EAD may play a role in postshock activation, while it fails to alter DFT suggesting that EAD produced by shock does not determine a defibrillation success or failure.

Effects of fluorine-containing opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, pinacidil-derivative flocalin, on cardiac voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels.

Fluorine-containing pinacidil-derivative flocalin is an effective adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (K(ATP))-channel opener with pronounced vasodilatory, cardioprotective effects and low general toxicity. By activating cardiac K(ATP) channels, flocalin hyperpolarizes cardiac myocytes, decreases their excitability, reduces Ca(2+) entry, and inhibits Ca(2+)-dependent signalling processes. Since our previous studies indicated that the drug also influences the rate of rise and amplitude of the cardiomyocyte's action potential, here we have investigated its possible actions on depolarizing inward currents through voltage-gated sodium (VGSC) and L-type calcium (VGCC) channels. Experiments were conducted on cultured cardiac myocytes prepared from the whole hearts of neonatal rats and maintained in culture for 1-3 days using whole-cell patch-clamp technique with no distinction of myocyte's type. Flocalin concentration dependently inhibited the Na(+) inward current through VGSCs with IC(50) = 17.4 µM and a maximal extent of 0.54, slowed down its inactivation kinetics, and hyperpolarized steady-state inactivation by 5.6 mV. The drug also inhibited calcium current through L-type VGCCs with IC(50) = 24.1 µM and a maximal block of 0.38, without affecting its inactivation but producing 5.3-mV hyperpolarization shifting of steady-state activation. Inhibition of both depolarizing currents by flocalin in addition to its ability to open K(ATP) channels enhances the suppressive action of the drug on cardiac excitability and broadens its pharmacological effects. Since, according to our previous data, cardiac K(ATP)-channel opening by flocalin occurs with ЕC(50) = 8 µM, the possibility of partial blockade of VGSC and L-type VGCCs should be considered when determining the therapeutic concentrations of the compound during its use as a cardioprotector.

[The changes of metabolism in myocardium at ischemia-reperfusion and activating of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels].

In experiments on the anaesthetized dogs with modeling of experimental ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (180 min) it was investigated the changes of biochemical processes in the different areas of heart (intact, risk and necrotic zone) during intragastric introduction of medicinal form (tablets) of flocalin (the fluorine-containing opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels) in a dose 2,2 mg/kg. The data analysis allowed to define a few possible cardioprotective mechanisms of flocalin action at ischemia-reperfusion conditions: the preservation of sufficient levels of de novo (by cNOS) NO synthesis, an inhibition of de novo (by iNOS) and salvage (by NADH-dependent nitratreductase) NO synthesis, an inhibition of L-arginine degradation by arginase, an inhibition of oxidizing metabolism due to limitation of ROS and RNS generation, inhibition of free arachidonic acid and eicosanoids synthesis, inhibition of ATP and GTP degradations and, possibly, stimulation of protective haem degradation. These changes may prevent formation of toxic peroxynitrite and suggest the possibility of participating in flocalin-mediated cardioprotective effects of warning a mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening and inhibition of apoptosis and/or necrosis of cardiomyocytes induced by it.

[Effect of medical form of flocalin on the course of myocardial reperfusion injury].

In experiments on anaesthetized dogs with modeling of experimental ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (180 min), the cardioprotective influence of the pharmacological preconditioning caused by intragastric (with a help of catheter) introduction of medicinal form (tablets) of new fluorine-containing opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels flocalin was shown. Flocalin was introduced in a dose 2.2 mg/kg, which in the conditions of physiological norm has a minimum influence on the parameters of cardiohemodynamic. The conducted research allowed to define the changes of these parameters during development of antiischemic protective effect of pharmacological preconditioning, caused by the medicinal form of flocalin, and describes basic cardioprotective mechanisms, related to the changes of cardiohemodynamic in the dynamics of ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium. In our opinion, to positive influences of flocalin, which are possibly related to cardioprotective action, it is possible to add the prevention of an increase of general peripheral resistance, resistance of coronal vessels of heart, and relative preservation of myocardium contractility in the period of reperfusion. Also these positive effects can be explained by moderate decrease of blood pressure that decreases the loading on the damaged heart and allows to preserve cardiac emission in the first period of ischemia. One of the major indexes of development of protective mechanism of pharmacological preconditioning caused by preischemic introduction of medicinal form of flocalin is the diminishing of infarct size of myocardium in experiments with ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium on 42.53% +/- 2.91% versus control experiments.

Role of vascular K(ATP) channels in blood pressure variability after sinoaortic denervation in rats.

AIM: To investigate the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels on blood pressure variability (BPV) in sinoaortic denervated (SAD) rats. METHODS: SAD was performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats 4 weeks before the study. mRNA expression of Kir6.1, Kir6.2 and SUR2 in aorta and mesenteric artery was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and confirmed at the protein level using Western blotting and laser confocal immunofluorescence assays. Concentration-response curves of isolated aortic and mesenteric arterial rings to adenosine and pinacidil were established. Effects of K(ATP) channel openers and blocker on BPV were examined in conscious SAD rats. RESULTS: Aortic SUR2 expression was significantly greater, while Kir6.1 was lower, in SAD rats than in sham-operated controls. In contrast, in the mesenteric artery both SUR2 and Kir6.1 expression were markedly lower in SAD rats than controls. For both arteries, Kir6.2 expression was indistinguishable between sham-operated and SAD rats. These findings were confirmed at the protein level. Responses of the aorta to both adenosine and pinacidil were enhanced after SAD, while the mesenteric response to adenosine was attenuated. Pinacidil, diazoxide, nicorandil, and glibenclamide significantly decreased BPV. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that expression of vascular K(ATP) channels is altered by chronic SAD. These alterations influence vascular reactivity, and may play a role in the increased BPV in chronic SAD rats.

[The vasodilation effects of flokalin, a fluorine-containing K(ATP) channel opener].

In experiments on anesthetized dogs it was shown that the amplitude and duration of hypotensive effect of flocalin, a fluorine-containing pinacidil analogue, were dose-dependent and similar to those evoked by the known ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener pinacidil. However, flocalin appeared to be 3.5 times less toxic than pinacidil. Registration of systemic arterial pressure (SAP) has shown that following intravenous introduction of the threshold dose of flocalin (0.05 mg/ kg) the dilatation lasts around three minutes with the amplitude 9.52% +/- 2.01% (n=7, P < 0.05). Introduction of flocalin in a dose 0.5 mg/kg and above reduced SAP on more than 37%. Flocalin at 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg reduced SAP by 42.07 +/- 6.18 (n=5, P < 0.05); 44.22 +/- 4.87 (n=3, P < 0.05); 44.3 +/- 4.59 (n=5, P < 0.05) and 66.28 +/- 3.15 mm Hg (n=3, P < 0.05), accordingly. Intravenous introduction of high doses of flocalin (0.75-1.5 mg/kgs) quite often reduced SAP to 40-50 mm Hg. However, such dangerous reduction in arterial pressure was comparatively short and lasted not more than 15 minutes, and then (usually within an hour) SAP gradually restored. Introduction of flocalin in hip artery, while measuring the perfusion pressure, produced practically similar results. In our opinion, the optimal cardioprotective doses of flocalin were 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg. In experiments with acute ischemia and reperfusion of myocardium, preischemic introduction of flocalin at 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg reduced an infarct size of myocardium by 37-40% and reduced SAP within first 5 and 25 minutes, accordingly.

K(ATP) channel openers protect mesencephalic neurons against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of ROS production.

Opening of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels has been demonstrated to exert significant neuroprotection in in vivo and in vitro models of Parkinson's disease (PD), but the exact mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, various K(ATP) channel openers (KCOs) sensitive to diverse K(ATP) subunits were used to clarify the protective role of K(ATP) channel opening in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced oxidative stress injury in mouse primary cultured mesencephalic neurons. The results showed that pretreatment with nonselective KCO pinacidil (Pin) or diazoxide (Dia), a KCO sensitive to Kir6.2/SUR1 K(ATP) channels, protected mesencephalic neurons, especially dopaminergic neurons, against MPP(+)-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. However, cromakalim (Cro), an opener of Kir6.1/SUR2 but not Kir6.2/SUR1 K(ATP) channels, failed to protect against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, Pin and Dia but not Cro significantly suppressed the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) triggered by MPP(+) and prevented the loss of mitochondrial member potential (Delta Psi m) and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c. Consequently, opening of K(ATP) channels expressed in neurons could protect primary mesencephalic neurons against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity via inhibiting ROS overproduction and subsequently ameliorating mitochondrial function.

[Effect of a new activator of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels flocalin on the glucose level in blood].

In experiments on the anaesthetized dogs we investigated the influence of a new fluorine-containing opener of ATP-sensitive potassium channels of sarcolemal and mitochondrial membranes flocalin on the level of glucose in arterial blood at physiological conditions and under ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (180 min) of myocardium. It was shown that intravenous introduction of flocalin in doses 0,1 - 1,0 mg/kg did not change the level of glucose in blood. In experiments with ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium, flocalin also did not increase the level of glucose during all experiment (5,5 hours) after intragastric (with a help of catheter) introduction of drug form (tablets) at cardiorotective dose of 2,2 mg/kg. However, intravenous introduction of flocalin in the dose of 1,5 mg/kg, which 15 times exceeded a cardioprotective dose of 0,1 mg/kg increased the glucose level 1,33 fold. It should be noted that this increase was not sustained and the level of glucose restored to the initial level within 1 hour. Identical changes of indexes of cardiohemodynamic and the level of glucose in arterial blood under introduction of identical doses of flocalin at the beginning and at the end of experiment (total dose of flocalin reached 4 - 4,5 mg/kg) can testify the absence of cumulative effect of flocalin at these experimental conditions. Thus, strong cardioprotective properties, hypotoxicity and the absence of meaningful changes in a carbohydrate exchange allow to consider a new fluorine-containing opener of K(ATP) channels of flocalin as perspective drug for clinical use.

[Cardioprotective effects of activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in experiments in vivo: influence on blood biochemical parameters following ischemia-reperfusion of the myocardium].

In experiments on the anaesthetized dogs with modeling of experimental ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (180 min), the participation of biochemical processes in the cardioprotective effect of the preischemic activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels caused by intravenous introduction of flokalin, a new fluorine-containing opener of these channels was shown. Flokalin was introduced in a dose 0.1 mg/kg of animal body weight which practically did not change the parameters of hemodynamic in normoxia. Thus, the experiments investigating the influence offlokalin on changes of biochemical parameters of arterial blood during ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium showed certain features of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome development during stimulation of K(ATP) channels. The analysis of biochemical parameters of blood showed that flokalin suppressed free radical reactions and had antioxidant properties: reduced quantity of H2O2 and NO3- (the last can interpreted as a reduction in peroxynitrites formation), prevented the decline of catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. Practically constant content of low-molecular nitrosothiols in blood during all duration of experiment and increase of NO2-level during reperfusion may indicate on intact functions of the NO system and protective influence of flokalin during ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium. Practically unchanged content of inorganic phosphorus and uric acid in blood during ischemia- reperfusion under conditions of preischemic introduction of flokalin indicates the prevention of ATP degradation and fomation of both superoxide anion by xanthinoxidase and peroxynitrite by it interaction with nitric oxide. All mentioned properties of flokalin related to the changes of biochemical parameters of arterial blood, together with the changes of parameters of hemodynamics, result in diminishment of infarct size of myocardium after ischemia-reperfusion by 37% versus control experiments. K(ATP) channels, flokalin, ischemia-reperfusion, free radikaly, NO system.

[Cardioprotective effects of flokalin in experiments in vivo: influence on hemodynamic and myocardial lesions in ischemia-reperfusion].

In experiments on anaesthetized dogs with modeling of experimental ischemia (90 min) and reperfusion (180 min) the cardioprotective influence of the preischemic activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels by intravenous introduction of flokalin, a new fluorine-containing opener of these channels was shown. Flokalin was introduced in dose 0.1 mg/kg of animal body weight which practically did not change the parameters of hemodynamic in conditions of normoxia. Thus, the experiments performed about flokalin influence on changes of cardiohemodynamic during ischemia-reperfusion of myocardium showed certain features of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome development under conditions of K(ATP) channels activity stimulation. In our opinion, positive influence offlokalin can be explained by moderate decrease of blood pressure that decreases loading of the damaged heart and allows to preserve cardiac emission in the first period of ischemia. Also, these positive effects can be explained by prevention of the increase of coronal vessel resistance and relative preservation of myocardium contractility indexes by flokalin in the period of reperfusion. All protective properties of flokalin showed above result in diminishing of infarct size of myocardium after ischemia-reperfusion on 37% versus control experiments.

Potassium channel opener pinacidil induces relaxation of the isolated human radial artery.

Taking into consideration that the search for drugs capable of modifying blood flow through human radial artery (RA) is warranted, the present study was designed to examine the vasodilatatory effects of the potassium channel opener, pinacidil on the RA and to define the contribution of different K+ -channel subtypes in the endothelium-independent pinacidil action on this blood vessel. Pinacidil relaxed the RA rings with endothelium and without endothelium with comparable potency. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and methylene blue did not affect the pinacidil-induced vasorelaxation in rings with endothelium. In the rings without endothelium, the K+ -channel blockers glibenclamide and tetraethylammonium (TEA) moderately antagonized the pinacidil-induced relaxation, while charybdotoxin and 4-aminopiridine did not. In endothelium-denuded rings, precontracted with 100 mM K+, the relaxant responses to pinacidil were highly significantly shifted to the right compared to those obtained in RA precontracted with phenylephrine, but pinacidil-induced maximal relaxation was not affected. Addition of nifedipine did not but addition of nifedipine and nickel (Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger inhibitor) did cause a statistically significant rightward shift of the pinacidil concentration-relaxation curve, although the effect 0.1 mM pinacidil was preserved. Thus, pinacidil induces relaxation of the human RA in endothelium-independent manner, and glibenclamide- and TEA-sensitive vascular smooth muscle K+ channels are probably involved. Its ability to completely relax the RA precontracted with K+ -rich solution suggests that pinacidil has additional K+ channel-independent mechanism(s) of action. It seems that stimulation of the forward mode of the Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger plays a part in this K+ channel-independent effect of pinacidil.

The nitric oxide-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G-K+ channel pathway participates in the antiallodynic effect of spinal gabapentin.

The possible participation of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G (PKG) pathway on gabapentin-induced spinal antiallodynic activity was assessed in spinal nerve injured rats. Intrathecal gabapentin, diazoxide or pinacidil reduced tactile allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NG-L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, non-specific inhibitor of NO synthase NOS), 7-nitroindazole (neuronal NO synthase inhibitor), 1H-[1,2,4] -oxadiazolo [4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) or (9S, 10R, 12R)-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo-[1,2,3-fg:3',2',1'-kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i][1,6]benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid methyl ester (KT-5823, specific PKG inhibitor), but not NG-D-nitro-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME) or okadaic acid (protein phosphatase 1 and 2 inhibitor) prevented gabapentin-induced antiallodynia. Pinacidil activity was not blocked by L-NAME, D-NAME, 7-nitroindazole, ODQ, KT-5823 or okadaic acid. Moreover, KT-5823, glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker), apamin and charybdotoxin (small- and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel blockers, respectively), but not margatoxin (voltage-gated K+ channel blocker), L-NAME, 7-nitroindazole, ODQ or okadaic acid, reduced diazoxide-induced antiallodynia. Data suggest that gabapentin-induced spinal antiallodynia could be due to activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-PKG-K+ channel pathway.

Pretreatment with pinacidil promotes arrhythmias in an isolated tissue model of cardiac ischemia and reperfusion.

It is not clear whether activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) with pinacidil in advance of ischemia and reperfusion promotes or suppresses arrhythmias. This study determines the effects of pinacidil pretreatment on arrhythmias and the changes in cellular electrophysiological parameters in segments of guinea pig right ventricular free walls exposed to simulated ischemia and reperfusion. Microelectrode recordings were made from endo- and epicardium during endocardial pacing. Preparations were superfused with Tyrode's solution and then exposed for 5 min to either 100 muM pinacidil or its solvent. After a 5-min washout, preparations were exposed to 15 min of ischemic conditions (hypoxia, hypercapnia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, lactate accumulation, and glucose-free) followed by reperfusion with Tyrode's solution. Pinacidil pretreatment increased ischemia-induced abbreviation of endo- and epicardial action potential durations and effective refractory periods. Pinacidil had no effect on endocardial conduction times but greatly prolonged transmural conduction during ischemia and early reperfusion, and it increased the incidence of transmural conduction block. Pinacidil pretreatment caused a significant increase in the incidence of arrhythmias in ischemia and reperfusion. Reperfusion arrhythmias in control preparations had electrophysiological characteristics of activity initiated by afterpotentials; however, arrhythmias with these characteristics were absent in pinacidil-pretreated preparations, and all reperfusion arrhythmias exhibited characteristics of reentry. The increased incidence of re-entrant arrhythmias is likely explained by pinacidil-induced reduction in effective refractory periods in combination with prolonged transmural conduction times. Thus, pinacidil pretreatment enhanced the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on action potential duration, effective refractory period, and transmural conduction, and it promoted re-entrant arrhythmias.