Vasodilator effects of PGE1 in the coronary and systemic circulation of the rat are mediated by ATP-sensitive potassium (K+) channels.

This study was undertaken to investigate the possible involvement of K+ channels in PGE1-mediated vasodilatation. The increase in coronary flow elicited by PGE1 in isolated working rat hearts was attenuated by phentolamine and glibenclamide, inhibitors of ATP-regulated K+ channels, whereas apamin and charybdotoxin, inhibitors of calcium-activated K+ channels, were ineffective. In the anaesthetized rat, the duration of the hypotensive action of PGE1 was markedly attenuated by glibenclamide. It is concluded that the vasodilatory action of PGE1 in the coronary and systemic circulation of the rat is, at least in part, mediated via an opening of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.