Potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle: a pathophysiological and pharmacological perspective

摘要: Potassium (K+ ) ion channel activity is an important determinant of vascular tone by regulating cell membrane potential (MP). Activation K+ channels leads to hyperpolarization and subsequently vasodilatation, while inhibition the causes depolarization then vasoconstriction. So far five distinct types have been identified in smooth muscle cells (VSMCs): Ca+2 -activated (BKC a ), voltage-dependent (KV ATP-sensitive (KATP inward rectifier (Kir tandem two-pore (K2 P). The expression are changed during major diseases such as hypertension, pulmonary hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus. defective function commonly associated with impaired responses likely become result changes diseases. Increased may also help compensate for increased abnormal tone. There many pharmacological genotypic studies which were carried out on subtypes expressed variable amounts different beds. Modulation molecular approaches selective drug development be novel treatment modality dysfunction future. This review presents basic properties, physiological functions, pathophysiological, roles classes that determined VSMCs.