Glibenclamide is a competitive antagonist of cromakalim, pinacidil and RP 49356 in guinea-pig pulmonary artery

The relaxant effect of cromakalim (BRL 34915), pinacidil and RP 49356 (N-methyl-2-(3-pyridyl)-tetrahydro-thiopyran-2-carbothioamide-1-ox ide) on the sustained contractions induced by 20 mM KCl were compared with the effects of nicorandil. The preparation used was vascular smooth muscle of phenoxybenzamine-treated pulmonary artery rings from reserpinized guinea-pigs. Cromakalim, pinacidil, RP 49356 and nicorandil relaxed the tissues with -log EC50 values of 6.78, 6.12, 6.02 and 5.46, respectively. The inhibitory effect of cromakalim, pinacidil and RP 49356, but not of nicorandil, was competitively antagonized by glibenclamide (10(-7)-3 X 10(-6) M), yielding uniform pA2 values of 7.17-7.22 against all three relaxant drugs. The order of potency of other K+ channel blocking agents for the inhibition of vasorelaxation by cromakalim, pinacidil and RP 49356 was procaine greater than 4-aminopyridine greater than tetraethylammonium. The mainly competitive type of inhibition of the RP 49356-induced response was more comparable to that with pinacidil than with cromakalim. The relaxation caused by nicorandil was only attenuated by a high concentration of 4-aminopyridine or tetraethylammonium but was markedly antagonized by methylene blue (3 X 10(-6)-10(-5) M) and potentiated by M & B 22948 (3 X 10(-6)-10(-5) M). These results suggest that the vascular relaxation caused in guinea-pig pulmonary artery by cromakalim, pinacidil and RP 49356 is mediated through the same glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channel whereas the major mechanism for the effect of nicorandil seems to involve stimulation of guanylate cyclase.     

Effects of imidazoline-related compounds on the mechanical response to nicorandil in the rat portal vein.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the interactions of compounds structurally related to imidazoline at K+ channels located in the rat portal vein. Nicorandil, a K+ channel activator, dose dependently inhibited spontaneous contractions of the isolated rat portal vein. Glibenclamide (0.1-1 microM), an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, competitively antagonized the response to nicorandil, whereas methylene blue (10 microM), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not. Phentolamine, antazoline, tolazoline, and midaglizole also shifted the dose-response curve for nicorandil to the right in the dose range of 1-100 microM. The rank order of potency was glibenclamide much greater than phentolamine = antazoline = midaglizole greater than tolazoline. In contrast, clonidine, idazoxan, imidazole, 1-benzylimidazole, and yohimbine were ineffective. In addition, cromakalim (1-100 nM), a selective K+ channel activator, also inhibited spontaneous contractions of the rat portal vein, and this effect was antagonized by phentolamine in a similar way to that found with nicorandil. These results suggest that some 2-substituted imidazolines, including phentolamine, possibly act as K+ channel blockers, like glibenclamide, in vascular smooth muscle.     

Potassium channel opening properties of a novel compound, NIP-121, cromakalim and nicorandil in rat aorta and portal vein.

A novel compound, NIP-121, cromakalim and nicorandil caused concentration-dependent relaxation of rat aortas precontracted with 30 mM KCl, with pEC50 (M) values of 8.2, 7.1 and 5.5, respectively. At 60 mM KCl, the vasorelaxation induced by NIP-121 or cromakalim was almost abolished whereas that induced by nicorandil remained. In preparations precontracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2 alpha) (10(-5) M), glibenclamide (10(-7) M) and phentolamine (3 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-5) M) antagonized the relaxation induced by NIP-121 and cromakalim but not that induced by nicorandil. Methylene blue (10(-5) M) showed antagonistic effects against the vasorelaxation induced by nicorandil but not that induced by NIP-121. NIP-121 (10(-7), 10(-6) M) and cromakalim (10(-6), 10(-5) M) significantly increased the 86Rb+ efflux rate in rat aorta. The three compounds inhibited the frequency of spontaneous contractions of the rat portal vein (pIC30; NIP-121 = 8.0, cromakalim = 7.1 and nicorandil = 4.9); glibenclamide and phentolamine antagonized the effects of these compounds. In conclusion, NIP-121 is a more potent K+ channel opener than cromakalim in these tissues. Nicorandil apparently behaves as a K+ channel opener in the rat portal vein, but the vasorelaxation may involve some other mechanisms, such as generation of cyclic GMP.     

Cytoplasmic calcium and the relaxation of canine coronary arterial smooth muscle produced by cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil.

1. In order to investigate the vasodilator mechanisms of the K+ channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil, we measured changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) simultaneously with force by a microfluorimetric method using fura-2, a calcium indicator, in canine coronary arterial smooth muscle cells. 2. The three K+ channel openers all produced a concentration-dependent reduction of [Ca2+]i in 5 and 30 mM KCl physiological salt solution (PSS) but failed to affect [Ca2+]i in 45 and 90 mM KCl-PSS. 3. Cromakalim only partly inhibited (-45%) the 30 mM KCl-induced contractures, whereas pinacidil and nicorandil nearly abolished contractions produced by 45 mM, 90 mM and 30 mM KCl-PSS. 4. Tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a nonselective K+ channel blocker, or glibenclamide, a supposed adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ channel blocker, abolished the reduction of [Ca2+]i caused by the three K+ channel openers and the relaxant effect of cromakalim, whereas they only slightly attenuated the relaxant effects of pinacidil and nicorandil. 5. The increase in [Ca2+]i produced by 45 or 90 mM KCl-PSS in the presence of pinacidil or nicorandil was abolished by 10(-5) M verapamil, indicating that the increase in [Ca2+]i was caused by the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and that pinacidil and nicorandil did not affect the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel directly. 6. The [Ca2+]i-force relationship in the presence of cromakalim was not distinguishable from that of control. 7. The [Ca2+]i-force curve was shifted to the right by pinacidil and nicorandil.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of vasodilators on cyclic contraction induced by 3,4-diaminopyridine in isolated porcine coronary arteries

3,4-Diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP), which is known to decrease K conductance, produced spontaneous repetitive phasic contractions of a regular (28/60) and an irregular (15/60) cycle or tonic contraction (16/60) following a latent period of 5-100 min in isolated porcine coronary arteries. Effects of pinacidil, a newly-synthesized vasodilator, were investigated using the preparation in which 3,4-DAP produced phasic contractions of the regular cycle in comparison with those of various vasodilators. Pinacidil produced dose-dependent prolongation of the cycle and reduced the peak tension and the tension at the relaxation phase, a mode of action that closely resembles that of nicorandil, suggesting the increase in K conductance and hyperpolarization. Nifedipine (10(-8) M) and dilazep (10(-4) M) markedly reduced the peak tension, while adenosine, dipyridamole and nitroglycerin did not produce such effects. The latter three drugs produced a prolongation of the cycle and reduced the tension of the relaxation phase. These data suggest that reduction of K conductance and activation of the voltage-dependent Ca channel may play an important role in initiation of the spontaneous repetitive phasic contraction in porcine coronary artery.     

Specific antagonism by glibenclamide of negative inotropic effects of potassium channel openers in canine atrial muscle

The mode of antagonism by glibenclamide, a potassium channel blocker, of the negative inotropic effects of potassium channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil, was investigated in canine atrial muscle. Glibenclamide shifted the concentration-negative inotropic effect curves for cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil to the right without affecting the basal force of contraction. Schild analysis yielded uniform pA2 values of 6.06-6.35 for glibenclamide against the three potassium channel openers. The force of contraction of atrial muscles previously reduced by cromakalim was also antagonized by increasing concentrations of glibenclamide. Glibenclamide affected neither the concentration-negative inotropic effect curves for carbachol, an opener of the muscarinic receptor-coupled potassium channel, nor those for nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker. From these results, it became evident that glibenclamide behaved as a pharmacological antagonist of cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil in cardiac inotropy. The antagonism seems to involve competition of glibenclamide and these potassium channel openers, presumably at the ATP-sensitive channel in canine right atrial muscles.     

Competitive antagonism by glibenclamide of cromakalim inhibition of twitch contractions in rabbit vas deferens

Electrically induced contractions of the rabbit isolated vas deferens were potentiated by carbachol but inhibited by the K+ channel opener cromakalim. The inhibition by cromakalim could be competitively antagonized by 10(-7)-10(-6) M glibenclamide (pA2 = 7.17) and was also reversed by carbachol, extra K+ or Bay k 8644. The data support the view that smooth muscle membrane depolarization is the cause for carbachol potentiation in rabbit vas deferens and that hyperpolarization by cromakalim is susceptible to blockade by the inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide.     

Effects of potassium channel blockers on the negative inotropic responses induced by cromakalim and pinacidil in guinea pig atrium.

The K+ channel openers cromakalim and pinacidil induced a concentration-dependent reduction in atrial contraction force with EC50 values of 25 +/- 2 and 37 +/- 2 mumol/l, respectively. This depressant effect was antagonised by 50 mumol/l tacrine which displaced the concentration-response curves of cromakalim and pinacidil to the right. The respective DR50 values were 3.8 and 2.3. Increasing the tacrine concentration (100 and 500 mumol/l) produced no additional effect on the concentration-response relationships. Addition of 1 mumol/l atropine enhanced the antagonism due to tacrine by increasing the DR50 value from 3.8 to 6.5 for cromakalim and from 2.3 to 5.2 for pinacidil. Glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, competitively inhibited the negative inotropic effects of cromakalim and pinacidil. The respective dissociation constants for glibenclamide against cromakalim and pinacidil were 0.57 and 0.35 mumol/l. Neither apamin nor variation in external Ca2+ concentration affected the negative inotropic effects of the K+ channel openers. It was suggested that the mechanical effects of cromakalim and pinacidil are mediated through the ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the heart.     

Guanylate cyclase and not ATP-dependent K(+) channels seems temperature-dependent in smooth muscle relaxation of human umbilical arteries

The effects of K(+) channel opener, nicorandil [N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-nicotinamide nitrate], on isolated human umbilical arteries were investigated at two temperatures: 37 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The purpose of this investigation was: (1) to confirm the relaxant effect of nicorandil, (2) to elucidate the influence of endothelium and temperature on nicorandil-induced relaxation, (3) to determine which of guanylate cyclase or ATP-sensitive K(+) channels was implicated in temperature-induced relaxation of smooth muscles. Rings, 3-mm-wide, were suspended in organ chambers for isometric force measurement. All solutions were aerated with 95% O(2)-5% CO(2) and maintained at 37 degrees C or 25 degrees C (cooling), pH 7.4. The presence of an intact endothelium was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. During the first set of experiments after contraction with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT 10(-5) M), nicorandil (10(-9)-10(-4) M) was added to the organ chambers with controls and in with rings incubated with L-arginine, N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, [1-H-(1,2,4) oxadiazole (4,3-a) quinoxalin-1-one] (ODQ), a specific inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, or glibenclamide, an antagonist of nicorandil, all at 10(-5) M. In another set of experiments, rings were contracted with 5-HT (10(-5) M) and relaxed with 3-morpholinosydnonimine [SIN-1 (10(-9)-3x10(-5) M) or cromakalim (10(-9)-3x10(-5) M)]. Our results showed that nicorandil induced concentration-dependent relaxation. At 37 degrees C, in the control, the maximum relaxation was 90+/-5%, and 60+/-8% at 25 degrees C (P<0.01). However, the relaxation at 37 degrees C or 25 degrees C remained unchanged after pretreatment with L-arginine, L-NNA, this suggests that the same concentration of drugs used in this type of vessel does not appear to modulate the relaxant effect of nicorandil. On the other hand, we observed that the relaxant effect of SIN-1 was 72+/-5% at 37 degrees C and only 28+/-7% at 25 degrees C (P<0.01). However, relaxations with cromakalim were partly influenced by cooling. In the presence of ODQ, the nicorandil-induced relaxation observed at 37 degrees C or 25 degrees C was less than that in the control and in the rings incubated with glibenclamide. These results for human umbilical arteries indicate that cooling decreases the relaxation response of smooth muscles and that this is partly due to a decreased response to guanylate cyclase.     

Comparative effects of K+ channel blockade on the vasorelaxant activity of cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil

Three agents with K+ channel blocking activity, procaine, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA), were tested for inhibition of vasorelaxation and 86Rb+ efflux induced by cromakalim (BRL 34915), pinacidil and nicorandil in rabbit isolated mesenteric artery. The potency order for inhibition of vasorelaxation was procaine greater than 4-AP greater than TEA and for inhibition of efflux was procaine = 4-AP greater than TEA. The K+ channel blockers did not discriminate between cromakalim, pinacidil or nicorandil on efflux but demonstrated preferential inhibition of vasorelaxation to cromakalim greater than pinacidil greater than nicorandil. In addition, the maximum response to cromakalim was depressed but that to pinacidil and nicorandil was not. The results confirm the role of K+ channel activation in vasorelaxation to cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil, but suggest that additional mechanisms may be involved for pinacidil and, in particular, for nicorandil.     

Vasospasmolytic effect of KRN2391 on 3,4-diaminopyridine-induced rhythmic contraction of porcine coronary artery

1. In the present study, we examined the vasospasmolytic effect of KRN2391 on rhythmic contractions of porcine coronary artery caused by 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP) compared with cromakalim and nitroglycerin.2. KRN2391 at 10⁻⁷ showed a tendency to prolong the cycle length and at 10⁻⁶ M completely eliminated rhythmic contractions in all preparations. The elimination by 10⁻⁶ M KRN2391 was antagonized by either oxyhemoglobin (10⁻⁵ M) or glibenclamide (3 × 10⁻⁶) although not completely.3. Cromakalim at 10⁻⁵ M and nitroglycerin at 10⁻⁷ M completely eliminated 3,4-DAP-induced rythmic contractions in all preparations. The elimination by cromakalim and nitroglycerin was completely antagonized by glibenclamide and oxyhemoglobin, respectively.4. The present study suggests that the vasospasmolytic effect of KRN2391 on 3,4-DAP-induced rhythmic contractions is based on its nitrate action and K channel opening action.     

Effect of three novel K+ channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil on allergic reaction and experimental asthma.

The anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activities of three potassium (K+) channel openers, cromakalim, pinacidil, and nicorandil, were investigated. 1) Forty-eight-hour homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice was not affected by cromakalim, pinacidil, or nicorandil. Ketotifen significantly inhibited the reaction. 2) Antigen-induced histamine release from sensitized guinea pig lung tissue was not affected by cromakalim, pinacidil or nicorandil (except for 10(-4) M nicorandil). Salbutamol inhibited the release of histamine. 3) Histamine, serotonin and LTC4-induced vasculitis in rat back skin was not affected by any of these three K+ channel openers. 4) Antigen-induced constriction of isolated sensitized guinea pig tracheal muscle was relaxed by each of the K+ channel openers. 5) Constrictions of isolated guinea pig tracheal muscle caused by high potassium, histamine, LTC4, or U-46619 were clearly relaxed by each of the three K+ channel openers. 6) Increases of airway resistance caused by histamine, LTD4, or U-46619 in guinea pigs in vivo were inhibited by administration of each of the three K+ channel openers. 7) Experimental asthma caused by the IgE antibody and antigen system in guinea pigs was inhibited by each of the three K+ channel openers.     

吡那地尔,cromakalim和NS1619对电刺激所致大鼠输精管收缩的作用

目的：本文研究新近研制的ＡＴＰ敏感性钾通道开放剂，吡那地尔（Ｐｉｎ）和ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｎ（Ｃｒｏ），以及钙离子激活性钾通道开放剂ＮＳ１６１９对电场刺激所致大鼠输业管收缩的作用，方法：利用电场刺激（０．３Ｈｚ，１ｍｓ，６０Ｖ）反复性引致输精管单相性收缩，结果：Ｐｉｎ和Ｃｒｏ浓度依赖性减低电刺激收缩，格列本脲（Ｇｌｉ）而非ｃｈａｒｙｂｄｏｔｏｘｉｎ拮抗上述两药的舒张的作用，Ｐｉｎ右移去甲肾上腺素的浓     

The recent development and the present status of K+ channel opener]

The development of vasodilator drugs that open the K+ channels in blood vessels has been of great academic and practical interest. The discoveries of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel and the glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channel have promoted these interests. In relation to this channel, the cardioprotective effectiveness of a K+ channel opener (Aprikalim) in doses that did not change haemodynamics or collateral blood flow were demonstrated in infarct dog heart. The effects were antagonized by glibenclamide. Thus, ATP-sensitive K+ channels seem to play an important role in this effect. Clinical evaluations of the K+ channel openers are reviewed. The hypotensive effects of the drugs are well-recognized. At present, however, the clinical usefulness of K+ channel openers has not been accepted widely, because of their side-effects including reflex tachycardia, edema, flushing and headache. An approach to reduce these side-effects is critical if these K+ channel openers are to be used as good hypotensive drugs. The K+ channel opener nicorandil has been evaluated as a highly effective antianginal drug. It seems likely that the clinical benefits of nicorandil result from both its K+ channel opening properties and its ability to stimulate smooth muscle guanylate cyclase. Clinical data on the pure-selective K+ channel opener cromakalim (lemakalim) as an antianginal drug is limited. However, on the basis of the vasodilator profile of this drug, it is expected to be useful for this purpose. The application of K+ channel openers to treat other disorders such as bladder instability is limited because of its hypotensive action.     

The relaxant action of nicorandil in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

The relaxant mechanisms of nicorandil were examined by comparing its effects with those of sodium nitroprusside and cromakalim in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. In preparations contracted with methacholine (0.3 μ mol/l) or high K(+)(40 mmol/l), nicorandil and sodium nitroprusside caused concentration-dependent relaxations. Their relaxant effects on high K(+) -contracted preparations were smaller than those on methacholine-contracted muscle. Cromakalim relaxed methacholine-contracted preparations, whereas it had no effect on high K(+) -contracted muscle. The inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 5 mol/l) completely prevented the relaxation induced by lower concentrations ( <30 μ mol/l) of nicorandil,whereas it partially attenuated relaxation caused by higher concentrations. The ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel blocker glibenclamide only partially attenuated the relaxant responses to nicorandil (at 100 and 300 μ mol/l). Combination treatment with ODQ and glibenclamide almost completely prevented nicorandil-induced relaxations. The large-conductance Ca2(+) -activated K(+) channel (Maxi K(+) channel) inhibitor iberiotoxin significantly prevented the relaxations induced by lower concentrations (3 and 10 μ mol/l) of nicorandil. The preventive effect of iberiotoxin was markedly enhanced under the blockade of K(ATP) channels with glibenclamide. These results suggest that nicorandil relaxes bovine tracheal smooth muscle through 2 mechanisms: opening of K(ATP) channels and activation of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. Nicorandil may also activate Maxi K(+) channels, possibly through the NO-cGMP pathway, and the interaction of K ATP channels and Maxi K(+) channels may affect the relaxant effect of nicorandilin bovine tracheal smooth muscle.     

Comparison of the effects of nicorandil, pinacidil and nitroglycerin on hypoxic and hypercapnic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the isolated perfused lung of rat.

1. The aims of this study were to compare in the rat isolated perfused lung preparation, the dilator actions of nicorandil, pinacidil and nitroglycerin on the hypoxic pulmonary pressure response with or without hypercapnic acidosis and to investigate the possible involvement of K channels and EDRF in these effects. 2. Isolated lungs from male Wistar rats (260-320 g) were ventilated with 21%O2 + 5%CO2 + 74%N2 (normoxia) or 5%CO2 + 95%N2 (hypoxia) and perfused with a salt solution supplemented with ficoll and gassed with 40%CO2 + 60%N2 to produce hypercapnic acidosis. Glibenclamide (1 microM), charybdotoxin (0.1 microM), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM) and methylene blue (30 microM) were used to block KATP channels, KCa channels, EDRF synthesis and guanylate cyclase, respectively. 3. Hypoxic pressure response was significantly increased by hypercapnic acidosis (+115%, P < 0.001), L-NAME (+111%, P < 0.001), methylene blue (+100%, P < 0.05) but not by glibenclamide or charybdotoxin. In contrast none of these inhibitors affected the hypoxic hypercapnic acidosis response. 4. Nicorandil, pinacidil and nitroglycerin caused relaxation during the hypoxic pressure response and hypoxic hypercapnic acidosis response. Nicorandil was more potent in the latter. Glibenclamide inhibited the relaxant effects of nicorandil and pinacidil but not those of nitroglycerin during hypoxia alone. In contrast, glibenclamide inhibited the relaxant effects of the three drugs during hypoxia + hypercapnia. Charybdotoxin inhibited the relaxant effect of pinacidil during normocapnia and hypoxia but not those of nicorandil or nitroglycerin. Methylene blue inhibited partially the dilator response to pinacidil but did not modify the effects of nitroglycerin or nicorandil. 5. It is concluded that in the rat isolated lung preparation, EDRF limits hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction but not hypoxic vasoconstriction potentiated by hypercapnic acidosis, whereas KATP or KCa channels are not involved in either case. Nicorandil and pinacidil dilate pulmonary vessels mainly through KATP channels but the effects of pinacidil may also involve an additional mechanism of action through KCa channels. Finally it is suggested that nitroglycerin may partly exert its relaxant effects through KATP channels.     

The resistance of some rat cerebral arteries to the vasorelaxant effect of cromakalim and other K+ channel openers.

1. Cromakalim (0.01-30 microM) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.01-100 microM) were tested for their ability to relax a number of pre-contracted small arteries (approximate diameter 200-700 microM at 100 mmHg) from the rat, rabbit and guinea-pig. 2. In the rat, SNP (0.01-100 microM) caused near maximal relaxation in all vessels studied including the middle cerebral, anterior cerebellar, basilar, mesenteric and renal arteries. Cromakalim (0.01-30 microM) relaxed pre-contracted mesenteric and renal arteries but was only a weak relaxant of all the rat cerebral arteries with the exception of the basilar artery. Similar experiments using mesenteric and cerebral vessels from the rabbit and guinea-pig showed cromakalim could relax pre-contracted vessels in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. Two other K+ channel openers, nicorandil and pinacidil, were also tested for their ability to relax rat cerebral arteries. Nicorandil (0.01-100 microM) was ineffective in the rat anterior cerebellar artery at concentrations up to 100 microM. Pinacidil (0.01-100 microM) caused significant vasorelaxation, although high concentrations were required (greater than 10 microM) and the response was insensitive to the effects of glibenclamide (3 microM). 4. Electrophysiological experiments with the rat anterior cerebellar artery showed that cromakalim (up to 30 microM) failed to influence the resting membrane potential of impaled single smooth muscle cells. 5. The results showed that some rat small cerebral arteries were resistant to the effects of K+ channel openers including cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil. This is peculiar to this vascular tree since the same vessels from other species do not exhibit the same behaviour.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cromakalim, a potassium channel activator: a comparison of its cardiovascular haemodynamic profile and tissue specificity with those of pinacidil and nicorandil

Studies have been performed to compare the cardiovascular haemodynamic profiles of the potassium channel activator, cromakalim (BRL 34915), with those of pinacidil and nicorandil. In conscious renal hypertensive cats, cromakalim was 10 times more potent than pinacidil as an antihypertensive agent while nicorandil was 10 times less potent than pinacidil. Cromakalim and pinacidil had a similar duration of action while nicorandil was short acting. In anaesthetised cats, hypotension evoked by intravenous infusions of cromakalim, pinacidil, or nicorandil was associated with a decrease in mesenteric vascular resistance but only cromakalim produced a marked reduction in renal vascular resistance. Cromakalim, pinacidil, and nicorandil were highly specific as inhibitors of tension in vascular (rabbit portal vein) (IC50 = 2.1 x 10(-8), 4.6 x 10(-8), and 1.3 x 10(-6)M, respectively,) rather than cardiac (rabbit papillary muscle), tissue. In view of its antihypertensive efficacy, specificity for vascular tissue, and beneficial effect upon renal haemodynamics, the potassium channel activator, cromakalim, has advantages in its profile of activity compared to pinacidil and nicorandil.     

Nicorandil enhances the effect of endothelial nitric oxide under hypoxia-reoxygenation: role of the KATP channel

Nicorandil increased the anti-platelet aggregation activity of endothelial cells when endothelial cells were exposed to hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions. However, nicorandil (0.1-10 muM) did not inhibit platelet aggregation directly. The mechanism by which nicorandil increases the anti-aggregation activity of hypoxia-reoxygenation treated endothelial cells was investigated. The effect of nicorandil was observed even in indomethacin-treated endothelial cells, but the effect was eliminated by treating endothelial cells with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). This indicates that nicorandil enhances the anti-aggregation activity of endothelial nitric oxide (NO). Nicorandil did not increase the anti-aggregation activity of endothelial NO when endothelial cells were pre-treated with superoxide dismutase or 4-(2-aminophenyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Nicorandil dose-dependently inhibited the reactive oxygen species generation induced by an oxidative stress in endothelial cells. The effect of nicorandil on anti-aggregation activity was abrogated by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel blocker. Pinacidil, a K(ATP) channel opener, also enhanced the anti-aggregation activity of endothelial NO. This effect was similarly abrogated by glibenclamide. These results suggest that nicorandil may inhibit the generation of superoxide (O(2)(-)) from hypoxia-reoxygenation treated endothelial cells through activation of the K(ATP) channel, and that nicorandil may prevent the disappearance of endothelial NO by O(2)(-).     

Effects of cromakalim on the contraction and the membrane potential of the circular smooth muscle of guinea-pig stomach.

1. The effects of cromakalim on mechanical and electrical activities of the circular smooth muscles of guinea-pig stomach antrum were observed. 2. Cromakalim (greater than 1 x 10(-7) M) decreased the amplitude of spontaneous rhythmic contractions and also the acetylcholine-enhanced spontaneous contractions. Cromakalim was less effective against the 25.9 mM and 35.9 mM K(+)-induced tonic contractions. 3. Glibenclamide (1 x 10(-6) M) itself caused no detectable change in the spontaneous contractions, those potentiated by acetylcholine or tonic contractions induced by high K+ solutions, but attenuated the actions of cromakalim. On the other hand, charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) M) increased the amplitude of spontaneous contractions but failed to affect the actions of cromakalim. 4. Cromakalim (greater than 1 x 10(-6) M) decreased the amplitude and duration of slow waves, and hyperpolarized the membrane. These actions of cromakalim were completely antagonized by 1 x 10(-6) M glibenclamide, whereas part of the effects of cromakalim on mechanical activity was resistant to glibenclamide. 5. The results suggest that the inhibition by cromakalim of the electrical activity and the hyperpolarization, which may be associated with the opening of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channel, are responsible for its inhibitory action on circular smooth muscle of guinea-pig stomach. Further, some effects independent of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channel may also be responsible for the mechanical effect.