TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of potassium channels in coronary vasodilation
AU - Dick, Gregory M.
AU - Tune, Johnathan D.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by NIH HL-67804 and Research Funds Development Grant from West Virginia University.
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - K+ channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMC) determine the resting membrane potential (Em) and serve as targets of endogenous and therapeutic vasodilators. Em in CASMC is in the voltage range for activation of L-type Ca2+ channels; therefore, when K+ channel activity changes, Ca2+ influx and arterial tone change. This is why both Ca2+ channel blockers and K+ channel openers have such profound effects on coronary blood flow; the former directly inhibits Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, while the latter indirectly inhibits Ca2+influx by hyperpolarizing Em and reducing Ca2+ channel activity. K+ channels in CASMC play important roles in vasodilation to endothelial, ischemic and metabolic stimuli. The purpose of this article is to review the types of K+ channels expressed in CASMC, discuss the regulation of their activity by physiological mechanisms and examine impairments related to cardiovascular disease.
AB - K+ channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMC) determine the resting membrane potential (Em) and serve as targets of endogenous and therapeutic vasodilators. Em in CASMC is in the voltage range for activation of L-type Ca2+ channels; therefore, when K+ channel activity changes, Ca2+ influx and arterial tone change. This is why both Ca2+ channel blockers and K+ channel openers have such profound effects on coronary blood flow; the former directly inhibits Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, while the latter indirectly inhibits Ca2+influx by hyperpolarizing Em and reducing Ca2+ channel activity. K+ channels in CASMC play important roles in vasodilation to endothelial, ischemic and metabolic stimuli. The purpose of this article is to review the types of K+ channels expressed in CASMC, discuss the regulation of their activity by physiological mechanisms and examine impairments related to cardiovascular disease.
KW - ATP-dependent K channel
KW - Coronary blood flow
KW - Coronary vascular smooth muscle
KW - Large conductance Ca- and voltage-activated k channel
KW - Voltage-gated K channel
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76749145504&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1258/ebm.2009.009201
DO - 10.1258/ebm.2009.009201
M3 - Short survey
C2 - 20404014
AN - SCOPUS:76749145504
SN - 1535-3702
VL - 235
SP - 10
EP - 22
JO - Experimental Biology and Medicine
JF - Experimental Biology and Medicine
IS - 1
ER -