盐酸埃他卡林对心肌ATP-敏感性钾通道的作用

目的　在急性分离的豚鼠心室肌细胞上观察盐酸埃他卡林 (iptakalimhydrochloride ,Ipt)对钾电流的影响 ;研究Ipt对 [3 H]格列本脲 (glibenclamide ,Gli)与心肌ATP敏感性钾通道 (ATP sensitivepotassiumchannel,KATP)的硫脲受体(Sulfonylureareceptor,SUR2A)结合特征以及 [3 H]Gli与心肌膜KATP结合和解离动力学过程的影响 ,以评价Ipt对心肌KATP的作用。方法　分离豚鼠心室肌细胞 ,用全细胞记录技术记录细胞钾电流 ,通过浴槽内灌流给药 ,观察盐酸埃他卡林对钾电流的影响。KATP拮抗剂 [3 H]Gli与大鼠心肌膜特异性结合与解离的动力学试验。结果　①Ipt在浓度为 1和10 0 μmol·L-1时 ,均可明显引起豚鼠心室肌外向钾电流I U曲线上移 ,Ipt作用后 5min内细胞外向钾电流强度分别增强为初始电流强度的 12 4 9%± 9 5 % (n =5 )和 15 1 6 %±11 2 % (n =7) ,与溶媒对照组 (6 9 8%± 3 5 % ,n =7)比较差异均有统计学意义 (P <0 0 1)。在相同条件下 ,KATP开放剂吡那地尔 (pinacidil,Pin)的作用与之相似 ,也可明显引起豚鼠心室肌外向钾电流I U曲线上移 ,显著增强细胞外向钾电流。②非标记Gli与 [3 H]Gli和大鼠心肌膜标本在 2 5℃孵育 6 0min ,可浓度依赖性地抑制 [3 H]Gli与心肌膜SUR2A的特异性结合 ,其IC50 值为 (     

埃他卡林对长期低氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌KATP mRNA的影响

目的 :研究慢性低氧对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌ATP敏感钾通道 (KATP)mRNA表达的影响及新型KATP开放剂盐酸埃他卡林的作用。方法 :SD雄性大鼠 16只随机分成对照组、低氧组、低剂量治疗组 (盐酸埃他卡林 0 .75mg·kg-1·d-1,ig)、高剂量治疗组(盐酸埃他卡林 1.5mg·kg-1·d-1,ig)。将低氧组和治疗组大鼠放入常压低氧舱制备动物模型 ;采用RT PCR技术 ,分析各组肺动脉主干平滑肌KATP mR NA表达。结果 :低氧组SUR2mRNA水平显著低于正常组 ,高剂量治疗组SUR2显著高于低氧组 ,各组Kir 6 .1没有显著差异。结论 :慢性低氧抑制KATP 通道表达 ,而盐酸埃他卡林能提高表达 ,可从肺动脉高压发病机制上理解该药物治疗价值。     

盐酸埃他卡林对H2O2所致PC12细胞损伤的保护

目的:研究KATP 通道开放剂盐酸埃他卡林(iptakalimhydrochloride ,Ipt)对H2 O2 所致PC12细胞损伤的保护作用及其作用机制。方法:采用培养的PC12细胞,MTT法测定细胞存活率,HPLC法测定细胞培养液中谷氨酸(Glu)的含量,荧光法测定胞内钙离子([Ca2 ]i)浓度。结果:Ipt可浓度依赖性的拮抗H2 O2 介导的细胞毒性,提高细胞生存率,降低胞外Glu的释放以及胞内Ca2 浓度。该保护作用可被2 0 0 μmol·L- 15 - HD(线粒体KATP通道阻断剂)部分拮抗。结论:Ipt可拮抗H2 O2 介导的细胞损伤作用,该保护作用可能与线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道相关。     

血管平滑肌ATP敏感性钾通道研究进展

ATP敏感性钾通道 (KATP)广泛存在于各类细胞和组织中 ,是药物作用的重要靶点。KATP是由内向整流钾通道Kir和磺酰脲类受体SUR亚基组成。与血管舒缩特性密切相关的是SUR2B/Kir6 1,电导值小 ,对ATP的抑制作用不敏感 ,需要有NDP才能被开放 ,故这类血管平滑肌KATP又被称为NDP依赖性钾通道。内源性和外源性的很多因子引起的血管舒缩反应与血管平滑肌上的KATP有关 ,此信号途径与PKA、PKC等磷酸化激酶有密切联系。不同血管对钾通道开放剂(potassiumchannelopeners,KCO)的反应有差异 ,KCO对血管的选择性作用机制仍不明确。本文就血管平滑肌KATP的分子结构、电生理、药理学特征、信号转导途径和KCO对血管的选择性作用进行综述     

盐酸埃他卡林对动脉平滑肌钾电流的影响

目的　探讨抗高血压新药盐酸埃他卡林对动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流的作用。方法　分离大鼠动脉平滑肌细胞 ,用膜片钳全细胞记录技术记录细胞钾电流 ,通过浴槽内给药 ,观察盐酸埃他卡林对钾电流的影响。结果　盐酸埃他卡林(0 1、1、10、10 0 μmol·L-1)均可明显引起正常血压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌外向钾电流I U曲线上移 ,盐酸埃他卡林作用后 5min内细胞外向钾电流强度分别增强为初始电流强度的[(118 6± 15 9) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =6 ]、[(10 3 9±5 9) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =5 ]、[(132 7± 2 3 9) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =6 ]、[(15 0 1± 2 5 1) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =7];盐酸埃他卡林 (1、10、10 0 μmol·L-1)均可引起肾性高血压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌外向钾电流I U曲线上移 ,盐酸埃他卡林作用后 5min内细胞外向钾电流强度分别增强为初始电流强度的 [(12 1 5± 4 2 ) % ,P <0 0 1vscon trol,n =7]、[(132 2± 6 7) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =8]、[(114 2± 7 7) % ,P <0 0 1vscontrol,n =8];盐酸埃他卡林 (10 μmol·L-1)可引起肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌外向钾电流I U曲线上移 ,盐酸埃他卡林作用后 5min内细胞外向钾电流强度为初始电流强度的 [(80 6± 10 1) % ,n =5 ],同时间对照     

盐酸埃他卡林对动脉平滑肌ATP敏感性钾通道与其开放剂[3H]P1075特异性结合与解离动力学过程的影响

目的 :研究盐酸埃他卡林 (iptakalimhydrochlo ride ,Ipt)对 [3 H]P10 75与血管平滑肌ATP敏感性钾通道 (ATP sensitivepotassiumchannel ,KATP)结合和解离动力学过程的影响。方法 :KATP开放剂 [3 H]P10 75与大鼠去内皮主动脉平滑肌特异性结合与解离的动力学试验。结果 :Ipt预先与主动脉平滑肌孵育后 ,[3 H]10 75的结合速率减慢 ,结合幅度降低 ,平衡结合常数KA 降为对照组的 2 8.3% (P <0 .0 1) ;结合[3 H]P10 75的解离速率增快 ,解离幅度增加 ,平衡解离常数KD 则较对照组增加 3.5 3倍 (P <0 .0 1)。在相同条件下 ,KATP 开放剂吡那地尔 (pinacidil ,Pin)的作用与之相似 ,KA值降为对照组的 35 % (P <0 .0 1) ,KD 值较对照组增加 2 .88倍 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :Ipt与KATP开放剂Pin的作用相似 ,两者均可变构调节KATP,抑制其与开放剂的结合过程 ,促进其解离过程。     

前列腺素E1对豚鼠心室肌细胞ATP敏感K+通道的影响

目的从离子通道水平,探讨前列腺素E1(PGE1)对ATP敏感K+(KATP)通道的作用.方法膜片钳制技术全细胞记录模式.结果PGE1可诱导KATP通道开放并呈浓度依赖关系.保持电位-40mV,指令电位+20mV,持续时间1s条件下,,10μmol·L1PGE1使外向K+电流由给药前的(2.27±0.34)nA增加到(5.46±0.34)nA(n=6,P＜0.01),增加了(3.18±0.23)nA.并且增加的钾电流可被KATP通道特异阻断剂Glibenclamide(10μmol·     

盐酸埃他卡林对PD模型大鼠脑内突触体谷氨酸摄取的影响

目的　研究谷氨酸转运体功能改变与帕金森病(Parkinson’sdisease ,PD)发病的相关性 ,探讨新型ATP敏感性钾通道 (ATPsensitivepotassiumchannel,KATP)开放剂盐酸埃他卡林 (Iptakalimhydrochloride ,Ipt)对PD模型大鼠脑内突触体摄取谷氨酸的影响及其机制。方法　采用 6 hydrox ydopamine(6 OHDA)建立PD大鼠模型 ,制备脑组织突触体 ;用同位素标记法测定L [3 H] glutamate摄取活性。 结果　PD模型大鼠纹状体和皮层的谷氨酸转运功能明显降低 ;Ipt(10、5 0和 10 0 μmol·L-1)具有恢复转运功能的作用 ,此作用可被KATP阻断剂Glibenclamide (2 0 μmol·L-1)逆转。结论　谷氨酸转运体功能下降与PD发病密切相关 ;Ipt通过激活KATP发挥促进谷氨酸摄取的作用 ,有望成为新一代PD治疗药物     

埃他卡林对K_(ATP)通道亚型选择性作用的研究

目的建立特异性表达以K ir6.x和SUR亚单位组成的不同KATP通道亚型的细胞模型,研究KATP通道开放剂埃他卡林对KATP通道亚型的选择性作用特点。方法利用脂质体转染的方法将编码KATP通道亚单位K ir6.x-pcDNA3、SUR-pcDNA3基因和编码绿色荧光蛋白pEGFP-N1基因共同转染到HEK-293细胞中,免疫组化法鉴定细胞上K ir6.x和SUR蛋白的表达,并采用膜片钳全细胞记录技术,以KATP通道特异性激动剂吡那地尔和二氮嗪为对照,分析埃他卡林对特定刺激条件下对K ir6.x和SUR共同转染的细胞上诱发的钾电流的影响,并观察KATP通道特异性拮抗剂格列苯脲的阻断作用。结果在共同转入KATP通道两亚单位基因的HEK-293细胞上,有K ir6.x和SUR蛋白的表达。在共同表达K ir6.1/SUR2B的细胞上,埃他卡林(100μmol.L-1)、吡那地尔(100μmol.L-1)及二氮嗪(200μmol.L-1)均具有增强诱发电流的效应,给药前后-100 mV时电流值由(-88.0±30.8)pA分别增至(-2042.6±127.3)pA,(-1431.9±142.4)pA及(-1104.7±228.9)pA,三者的作用均能被格列苯脲所阻断。相同条件下,在共同表达K ir6.2/SUR2A的细胞上,埃他卡林和吡那地尔能增强诱发电流,此作用对格列苯脲敏感;而二氮嗪对该电流无影响。相反,在共同表达K ir6.2/SUR1的细胞上,二氮嗪能增强诱发电流,此作用对格列苯脲敏感;而埃他卡林和吡那地尔对该电流无影响。结论不同结构钾通道开放剂对不同亚型KATP通道作用不同,埃他卡林与吡那地尔作用相似,能选择性作用于K ir6.1/SUR2B和K ir6.2/SUR2A型KATP通道,对K ir6.2/SUR1型无影响。     

匹那地尔合用卡立泊来德对离体大鼠心肌梗死范围的影响

<正>三磷酸腺苷(ATP)敏感性钾通道(KATP通道)是受细胞内ATP浓度等多因素调节的钾通道,KATP通道在缺血及再灌注损伤的发生和发展中起很重要的作用。匹那地尔可开放KATP通道,对心脏有保护作用[1]。Na+/H+交换蛋白是一种存在于细胞膜上的糖蛋白,在生理状态下受很多因素的调节[2]。Na+/H+交换阻滞剂卡立泊来德[3]和KATP通道开放剂均可缩小心肌梗     

埃他卡林增强星形胶质细胞摄取谷氨酸的作用

目的研究新型ATP敏感性钾通道开放剂(KATPCO)埃他卡林(iptakalim,Ipt)对星形胶质细胞摄取谷氨酸的影响。方法取新生大鼠脑星形胶质细胞作原代培养，将Ipt直接作用于细胞，观察它对正常和6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)损伤模型细胞摄取谷氨酸的影响；分别加入阳性对照药吡那地尔和非特异性钾通道阻断药格列本脲分析Ipt的作用机制。根据［³H］标记的D,L-谷氨酸摄入量判断细胞谷氨酸摄取作用强度。结果Ipt和吡那地尔都能增强星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸摄取作用、逆转6-OHDA引起的谷氨酸摄取抑制效应，预先加入格列本脲后，上述作用均被取消。结论埃他卡林可能通过促进钾通道开放增强星形胶质细胞摄取谷氨酸的作用。     

银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H2O2和谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸引起的大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca2+］i变化的影响

目的研究银杏叶提取物对低氧复氧、H₂O₂和L-谷氨酸损伤时谷氨酸升高大鼠星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的影响。方法钙荧光探针Fluo-3/AM标记胞浆内游离钙离子，激光扫描共聚焦显微镜测定［Ca²⁺］_i的变化。结果 在低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸损伤后，外源性谷氨酸（27 μmol·L^-1）均不能引起培养乳大鼠星形胶质细胞正常的［Ca²⁺］_i升高，反而使［Ca²⁺］_i分别降低(3.3±1.6)%，(81±11)%和(81±7)%；损伤前预先给予GbE（10 mg·L^-1）不能明显改善星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，但预先给予GbE（100 mg·L^-1）后，27 μmol·L^-1谷氨酸可使损伤的星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i分别升高(135±98)%，(117±93)%和(89±36)%。结论低氧复氧、H₂O₂以及高浓度的L-谷氨酸均能损伤星形胶质细胞的谷氨酸反应，影响神经细胞与胶质细胞的双向交流。GbE能明显逆转不同损伤后谷氨酸诱导星形胶质细胞［Ca²⁺］_i的异常变化，使星形胶质细胞在不同损伤时能维持正常功能，该作用可能与GbE的脑保护作用有关。     

Different roles of PKC and PKA in effect of interferon-γ on proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts

AIM: To study the signal roles of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) in the influence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on proliferation and collagen synthesis of fibroblasts derived from hypertrophic scar (HS-FB) and normal skin (NS-FB). METHODS: HS-FB and NS-FB were cultured and passaged in Dulbecco modified Eagles medium (DMEM). Activity of PKC and PKA were assayed by transferring phosphorus (32P) into substrate after treatment with IFN-gamma 1000 kU/L at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay. The collagen synthesis was measured with [3H]proline incorporation and Type III pre-collagen was determined with radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: After exposure to IFN-gamma 1000 kU/L for 30 min, PKC activity of HS-FB and NS-FB increased from 2.57 +/- 0.14 and 2.13 +/- 0.12 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1) of control to 3.75 +/- 0.19 and 3.36 +/- 0.16 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1), respectively (P < 0.05). After exposure to IFN-gamma 1000 kU/L for 60 and 120 min, PKA activities of HS-FB increased gradually from 0.82 +/- 0.04 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1) of control to 1.03 +/- 0.05 and 1.23 +/- 0.06 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1), respectively (P<0.05). The PKA activities of NS-FB also increased from 0.52 +/- 0.03 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1) of control to 0.68 +/- 0.03 and 0.89 +/- 0.05 nmol x min(-1) x g(-1), respectively (P<0.05). The proliferation and collagen synthesis were enhanced by PKC activator (containing phosphatidylserine, diacylglycerol and Ca2+) and PKA inhibitor [H(7)250 micromol/L, 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl piperazine], and inhibited by PKC inhibitor (GF109 250 micromol/L) and PKA activator (cAMP 25 micromol/L) (P<0.01). GF109 abrogated increased proliferation and collagen synthesis by IFN-gamma but it did not affect the inhibitory effects of IFN-gamma. At 120 min H7 reversed the inhibitory functions of IFN-gamma. CONCLUSION: IFN-gamma transiently increased proliferation and collagen synthesis of HS-FB and NS-FB by activation of PKC and subsequently inhibited proliferation and collagen synthesis by activation of PKA.     

西红花苷对牛主动脉平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度的影响

目的研究西红花苷对血管平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度的影响。方法以Fluo-3/AM作为Ca²⁺荧光探针,采用激光扫描共聚焦显微镜观察牛主动脉平滑肌细胞内钙离子浓度的变化。结果无论细胞外有无钙离子,西红花苷(1×10^-8,1×10^-7,1×10^-6 mol·L^-1)均能明显抑制1×10^-2 mol·L^-1 H₂O₂引起的细胞内钙离子浓度的升高,其抑制率含钙条件下分别为34.1%, 57.1%和74.3%(P<0.01),无钙条件下分别为26.2%,32.1%和50.0%(P<0.01);在胞外无钙的条件下,西红花苷 (1×10^-8,1×10^-7,1×10^-6 mol·L^-1)能抑制70 mmol·L^-1 CHCl₃导致雷洛丁敏感钙池的释放,其抑制率分别为27.8%, 27.8%和50.0% (P<0.01)。结论西红花苷能抑制胞外钙离子的内流及内质网上钙离子的释放。     

利用体外诱导的钙振荡估测在体内源性物质的生理浓度．肝脏中的情况

AIM: To identify the physiological concentration ranges of norepinephrine (NE), vasopressin (VP), and ATP in the rat liver. METHODS: Rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion. Isolated cells were loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester (Fura-2 AM). The effects of different concentrations of norepinephrine, vasopressin, and ATP on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) increases in the freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were investigated. [Ca2+]i was measured by microfluorometry and recorded as fluorescence ratios (F340/F380). RESULTS: NE, VP, and ATP induced increases in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. At lower concentrations, [Ca2+]i tended to show an oscillatory increase; with increasing concentrations, [Ca2+]i in more cells tended to show phasic or plateau increases. NE, VP, and ATP concentrations likely to induce an oscillatory [Ca2+]i response were 100 - 500 nmol/L, 50 - 100 pmol/L, and < 1 micromol/L respectively. CONCLUSION: Physiological concentrations of NE, VP, and ATP are 100 - 500 nmol/L, 50 - 100 pmol/L, and < 1 micromol/L respectively in the rat liver.     

粉防己碱对培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌细胞内游离钙浓度的影响

目的：研究粉防己碱对培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌细胞游离钙浓度（[Ca^2 ]i)的影响。方法：利用AR－CM－MIC阳离子测定系统,采用Fura 2-AM为指示剂,测量单个细胞内[Ca^2 ]i。结果：粉防己碱10－100μmol/L对培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌细胞静息[Ca^2 ]i无明显影响。在细胞外钙为1．3mmol/L,粉防己碱可浓度依赖性地抑制KC1引起[Ca^2 ]i的升高。咖啡因10mmol/L可诱导一次[Ca^2 ]i瞬间快速升高,随后自发回复到静息水平,粉防己碱10和30μmol/L对咖啡因诱导的[Ca^2 ]i瞬间升高没有作用,但高浓度（100μmol/L）粉防己碱抑制了[Ca^2 ]i瞬间升高。在细胞外钙为1.3mmol/L,苯肾上腺素10μmol/L可引起双相[Ca^2 ]i变化,包括快速升高相和持续升高相。在细胞外钙为零,苯肾上腺素仅引起[Ca^2 ]i的快速升高相。粉防己碱可浓度依赖性地抑制苯肾上腺素引起[Ca^2 ]i快速升高相。结论：在培养乳牛基底动脉平滑肌细胞,粉防己碱可能通过影响电压依赖性和苯肾上腺素受体介导的钙通道而抑制钙内流。高浓度粉防己碱也可能影响肌浆网钙释放或钙摄取。     

Iptakalim inhibited endothelin-1-induced proliferation of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells through the activation of K(ATP) channel

To determine whether iptakalim inhibited endothelin-1(ET-1)-induced proliferation of human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) through the activation of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel, the effect of iptakalim on the ET-1-induced proliferation of human PASMCs was examined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, staining with propidium iodide and flow cytometry analyses, measurement of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) and Western blot for the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in vitro. The results showed that iptakalim inhibited the ET-1-induced proliferation of human PASMCs, including [3H]thymidine incorporation and the transition of cell cycle phase, and blocked the ET-1-induced transient raise of [Ca2+]cyt, and the ET-1-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the human PASMCs. Iptakalim exerted a similar role as pinacidil did in human PASMCs and both inhibited the [3H] thymidine incorporation and the transition of cell cycle phase induced by ET-1 in the human PASMCs. Furthermore, we found that the inhibition of iptakalim and pinacidil on the ET-1-induced proliferation of human PASMCs was blocked by glyburide, a selective K(ATP) channel antagonist. These findings provide a strong evidence to support that iptakalim acts as a specific K(ATP) channel opener to antagonize the proliferating effect of ET-1 in the human PASMCs. This study provides further evidence that iptakalim may serve as another candidate drug to treat pulmonary hypertension.     

蛋白激酶C与血管平滑肌α_1肾上腺素受体触发Ca~（2＋）内流的关系

在酶新鲜分离的犬肠系膜上动脉平滑肌细胞，蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）的激活剂佛波二丁酯（ＰＤＢ）引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高作用可被ＰＫＣ抑制剂１－（５－异喹啉磺酰）－２－甲基哌嗪（Ｈ７）所阻断，而哌唑嗪和普萘洛尔则不能阻断ＰＤＢ的这一作用；１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１苯福林引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高作用可被１０和２０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１Ｈ７部分阻断；在无Ｃａ２＋液，Ｈ７可部分抑制苯福林引起的内Ｃａ２＋释放和外Ｃａ２＋内流，两者分别被抑制了３３±３％和５８±６％；ＫＣｌ（２０－１００ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可浓度依赖性地引起胞内钙升高，这一作用可被１０和２０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１Ｈ７不同程度地阻断；ＰＤＢ引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高也可分别被１．２５和２．５μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１维拉帕米部分和全部阻断。上述结果提示ＰＫＣ参与苯福林引起的部分内Ｃａ２＋释放和外Ｃａ２＋内流，但以参与外Ｃａ２＋内流为主；这一作用可能与ＰＫＣ激活，引起电压依赖性Ｃａ２＋通道开放有关。     

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)