豚鼠心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流快慢成分在生长发育过程中的变化

目的研究豚鼠从幼年到成年的发育过程中心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流快(IKr)、慢成份(IKs)及动作电位的变化。方法酶解法急性分离新生、幼年及成年3个不同年龄阶段豚鼠心室肌细胞。(1)室温下采用全细胞膜片钳技术首先记录总的延迟整流钾电流IK,再加入选择性IKr阻断剂E-4031区分IKr和IKs,计算各成份尾电流密度;(2)采用打孔膜片钳技术观察动作电位在生长发育过程中的变化。结果(1)从新生、幼年到成年3个阶段的发育过程中,豚鼠心室细胞IKr和IKs的电流密度呈增长趋势,但二者的变化方式不同。IKs呈逐渐递增式发育,表现为幼年组在-30～+50 mV范围内均明显高于新生组,成年组亦明显高于幼年组;而幼年组IKr的电流密度在-10～+50 mV范围内高于新生组,但幼年与成年组无明显差别。(2)在1Hz的刺激频率下,豚鼠心室肌细胞90%复极的动作电位时程APD90随动物年龄的增长明显延长。结论 (1)豚鼠从出生、幼年到成年发育过程中心室肌细胞IKr和IKs电流密度呈不同方式增长;(2)豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位时程出生至成年逐渐延长,提示内向电流成分在发育过程中发挥重要作用。     

Trapidil enhances the slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium current and suppresses the transient inward current induced by catecholamine in Guinea pig ventricular myocytes

We examined the electrophysiological effects of trapidil on the ionic currents influencing the repolarization and on the transient inward current (ITi) that can cause triggered arrhythmia using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Trapidil shortened the action potential duration (APD) and increased the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of trapidil on the rapidly and slowly activating components of IK (IKr and IKs, respectively) was studied by the envelope of tails test. Trapidil failed to affect IKr and selectively enhanced IKs. Trapidil increased the amplitude of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L), with an acceleration of its inactivation, whereas isoproterenol, a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, increased the amplitude of the ICa,L in a different manner. Isoproterenol activated ITi; however, trapidil not only failed to facilitate ITi but also suppressed isoproterenol-induced ITi. The inhibitory effect of trapidil on isoproterenol-induced ITi is at least partly via a reduction of Ca2+ overload through an acceleration of ICa,L inactivation and/or a sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca channel modulation. These results suggest that trapidil does not prolong the QT interval and has an antiarrhythmic effect on arrhythmias elicited by triggered activity secondary to Ca2+ overload at much higher concentrations than clinical concentration.     

Slow delayed rectifier K+ current block by HMR 1556 increases dispersion of repolarization and promotes Torsades de Pointes in rabbit ventricles

Background and purpose:

The slow delayed rectifier K⁺ current (I_Ks) contributes to ventricular repolarization when the action potential (AP) is prolonged. I_Ks block during drug-induced AP prolongation may promote Torsades de Pointes (TdP), but whether this is due to additional AP prolongation is uncertain.

Experimental approach:

In bradycardic perfused rabbit ventricles, the incidence of spontaneous TdP, monophasic AP duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD₉₀) and ECG interval between the peak and the end of T wave (T_peak−end) (index of dispersion of repolarization) were measured after the administration of veratridine (125 nM, slows Na⁺ channel inactivation), dofetilide (7.5 or 10 nM, a rapid delayed rectifier blocker) and HMR 1556 (HMR, 100 nM, an I_Ks blocker), alone or in combinations (n=6 each).

Key results:

HMR did not prolong MAPD₉₀, whereas veratridine or 7.5 nM dofetilide prolonged MAPD₉₀ (P<0.01) without inducing TdP. Veratridine+7.5 nM dofetilide additively prolonged MAPD₉₀ (P<0.05), induced 4±6 TdP per heart and prolonged T_peak−end by 12±10 ms. Subsequent addition of HMR did not further prolonged MAPD₉₀, but increased the number of TdP to 22±18 per heart and increased T_peak−end by 39±21 ms (P<0.05). Increasing dofetilide concentration from 7.5 to 10 nM (added to veratridine) produced a longer MAPD₉₀, but fewer TdP (5±5 per heart) and less T_peak−end prolongation (17±8 ms) compared to the veratridine+7.5 nM dofetilide+HMR group (P<0.05).

Conclusions and implications:

Adding I_Ks block markedly increases TdP incidence in hearts predisposed to TdP development by increasing the dispersion of repolarization, but without additional AP prolongation.     

Sevoflurane inhibition of the slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current in guinea pig ventricular cells

Single ventricular cells were enzymatically isolated from guinea pig hearts and the effects of sevoflurane on the delayed rectifier K(+) current were investigated by the patch clamp method. The rapidly (I(Kr)) and slowly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)) were isolated using chromanol 293B, a selective blocker for I(Ks) or E4031 (N-[4-[[1-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]carbonyl]phenyl]methanesulfonamide dihydrochloride), a blocker for I(Kr). Sevoflurane and halothane decreased I(Ks) in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 0.38 mM for sevoflurane and 1.05 mM for halothane. I(Ks) inhibition was characterized by suppression of maximum conductance with little effect on activation kinetics. Inhibition occurred immediately after anesthetic application and recovered upon wash-out. In contrast to the marked inhibition of I(Ks), I(Kr) was hardly affected by sevoflurane. Under the current clamp, sevoflurane prolonged the action potential duration in a reversible manner and this effect was more marked when I(Kr) was inhibited by E4031. The results suggest that sevoflurane inhibits I(Ks), and not I(Kr), in a concentration-dependent manner at clinically relevant concentrations. The resulting prolongation of ventricular repolarization may partly account for the clinical observation of excessive QT prolongation by these anesthetics.     

New channel blocker BIIA388CL blocks delayed rectifier, but not A-type potassium current in central neurons

A new substance (R,S)-(3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline-1-yl)-2-cyclohexyl-N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-acetamide hydrochloride (BIIA388Cl), which demonstrates neuroprotective properties in animal models, was examined for its action on K(+) currents in acutely isolated rat hippocampal neurons using the patch-clamp/concentration clamp techniques in the whole-cell configuration. The delayed rectifier K(+)-current (I(DR)) was strongly inhibited by externally applied BIIA388Cl, while the transient A-current (I(A)) remained virtually unaffected. Block of I(DR) by the pre-applied BIIA388Cl was revealed as a rapid decay of the current indicating direct interaction of the drug with the open state of the channel. The removal of the block upon repolarization was also rapid (tau=22 ms). The dose-response relationship for the blocking action of BIIA388Cl revealed an IC(50) value of 300 nM for the peak I(DR), whereas the IC(50) value for I(DR) measured 300 ms after the onset of depolarization was 120 nM. The blocking action of BIIA388Cl on I(A) was at least 200 times less potent. These data allow us to conclude that BIIA388Cl is an effective and selective blocker of I(DR). This current is the main pathway for the loss of intracellular potassium by depolarized neurons. Selective obstruction of this pathway could be useful for neuroprotection.     

苄基四氢巴马汀对豚鼠心室肌细胞慢激活延迟整流钾电流及其尾电流的作用(英文)

目的　研究苄基四氢巴马汀 (BTHP)的抗心律失常机理。方法　采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录心室肌细胞慢激活延迟整流钾电流 (IKs)及其尾电流(IKs ,tail)。结果　BTHP在 1～ 10 0 μmol·L- 1的范围内以浓度依赖性、电压依赖性和频率依赖性方式阻滞IKs ,tail,其IC50 为 9.3μmol·L- 1(95 %可信限 :7.8～11.8μmol·L- 1)。BTHP 30 μmol·L- 1可使IKs 及IKs,tail分别降低 (40± 6 ) %和 (39± 5 ) % (P <0 .0 1)。BTHP可以抑制IKs ,tail。该药主要使IKs ,tail的失活时间常数缩短 ,从而使IKs ,tail 失活速度增加 ,而对IKs,tail的激活动力学影响不大。结论　BTHP对IKs有明显的抑制作用。     

Time-dependent block of the slowly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current by chromanol 293B in guinea-pig ventricular cells

The slowly activating delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)) was recorded in single myocytes dissociated from guinea-pig ventricles and the mechanism underlying the block of I(Ks) by a chromanol derivative, 293B, was investigated. In the presence of 1 - 100 microM 293B, activation phase of I(Ks) was followed by a slower decay during 10 s depolarizing pulses. Both the rate and extent of the decay were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The relationship between the concentration of 293B and the block showed a Hill's coefficient of approximately 1. The half-inhibitory concentration was approximately 3.0 microM and did not differ significantly at various membrane potentials from +20 to +80 mV. A mathematical model for the 293B block was constructed on the basis of multiple closed and open states for the I(Ks) channels, and the blocking rate was calculated by fitting the model to the original current traces. The blocking rate constant showed a linear function with the 293B concentration, indicating 1 : 1 binding stoichiometry. At +80 mV the blocking rate was 4x10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and the unblocking rate was 0.2 s(-1). The results indicate that 293B is an open channel blocker with relatively smaller blocking rate than those reported so far for time-dependent blockade of various ionic channels.     

Effects of the chromanol HMR 1556 on potassium currents in atrial myocytes

PURPOSE: The chromanol HMR 1556 is a potent blocker of KvLQT1/minK potassium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The compound is therefore a new class III antiarrhythmic drug with a distinct mechanism of action. However, the effect of HMR 1556 on atrial ion channels and the selectivity of block in the human heart has not been investigated. We tested the effects of HMR 1556 on repolarizing potassium currents in human and guinea pig atrial myocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Single atrial myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation. Atrial potassium currents (I(Ks), I(Kr), in guinea pig, I(to), I(Kur), I(K1) in humans) were recorded at 36 degrees C in the whole cell mode of the patch clamp technique. HMR 1556 produced a concentration-dependent and reversible block of I(Ks) with a half maximal concentration (EC(50)) of 6.8 nmol/l. 10 micromol/l HMR 1556 almost completely inhibited I(Ks) (97.2+/-3.2%, n=6). Steady-state activation as well as kinetic properties of the current were not altered by HMR 1556. I(Kr) currents were not affected up to concentrations of 10 micromol/l. HMR 1556 did not inhibit other potassium currents in human atrium: I(to), I(Kur) and the classical inward rectifier potassium current I(K1) were not significantly affected up to concentrations that completely blocked I(Ks) (10 micromol/l). CONCLUSIONS: HMR 1556 is a highly-potent blocker of I(Ks) channels without exerting effects on other potassium currents involved in atrial repolarization. Given the potential advantages of I(Ks) vs. I(Kr) blockade, the drug's new mechanism of action warrants further investigation to clarify its role as an antiarrhythmic agent.     

Imipramine, mianserine and maprotiline block delayed rectifier potassium current in ventricular myocytes.

Imipramine, mianserine and maprotiline are three widely used antidepressant drugs with different chemical structure. In the present work we have studied the effects of these drugs on the delayed rectifier potassium current (I(K)) in myocytes isolated from rat ventricle. The delayed rectifier potassium current, responsible for action potential termination, is blocked by all of the three drugs I(K)studied in a state-independent manner. Imipramine and mianserine block I(K)in a 1 : 1 drug-receptor interaction, whereas maprotiline shows a negative cooperativity in the interaction between the channel complex and drug molecules.     

N-甲基小檗胺对人心房肌细胞瞬时外向钾电流和延迟整流钾电流的作用(英文)

目的　动物实验表明N 甲基小檗胺 (NMB)通过抑制豚鼠心室肌细胞ATP敏感性钾电流和钙电流来发挥抗心律失常和抗心肌缺血作用 ,故进一步研究NMB对人心肌细胞电流的作用。方法　膜片钳制技术全细胞记录模式研究NMB对人心房肌细胞瞬时外向钾电流 (Ito)和延迟整流钾电流 (IK)的作用。结果　指令电位为 +60mV时 ,NMB 0 .1 ,1 ,1 0 μmol·L-1 分别使Ito幅值下降 (1 6± 4) % ,(2 5±4) %和 (49± 3) % ,使IK 幅值下降 (42± 6) % ,(47±7) %和(65± 3) %。结论　NMB对人心房肌细胞Ito和IK 均有抑制作用。     

Electrophysiological characterization of 14-benzoyltalatisamine, a selective blocker of the delayed rectifier K+ channel found in virtual screening

The objective of this study was to investigate spinal and supraspinal antinociceptive effects of a new synthetic compound, (±)-cis-(6-ethyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-formic acid (tetrahydropyran derivative). Its activity was compared with those from morphine. In peripheral models of inflammation and hyperalgesia, tetrahydropyran derivative significantly reduced nociceptive effect induced by acetic acid or formalin in mice. Tetrahydropyran derivative developed antinociceptive effect on the tail-flick and hot-plate tests with a long-acting curve maintaining the effect for 4 h longer than morphine.

The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone totally reverted tetrahydropyran derivative effects on both models. Morphine as well as tetrahydropyran derivative induced tolerance and sedation in mice. However, tetrahydropyran derivative-induced tolerance had its onset retarded and the sedative activity was lower when compared to that induced by morphine. These results indicate that this new substance develops an antinociceptive activity and may be used in the future as a substitute for traditional opioids.     

Familial and acquired long qt syndrome and the cardiac rapid delayed rectifier potassium current

1. Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a cardiac disorder characterized by syncope, seizures and sudden death; it can be congenital, idiopathic, or iatrogenic. 2. Long QT syndrome is so-named because of the connection observed between the distinctive polymorphic ventricular tachycardia torsade de pointes and prolongation of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram, reflecting abnormally slowed ventricular action potential (AP) repolarization. Acquired LQTS has many similar clinical features to congenital LQTS, but typically affects older individuals and is often associated with specific pharmacological agents. 3. A growing number of drugs associated with QT prolongation and its concomitant risks of arrhythmia and sudden death have been shown to block the 'rapid' cardiac delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) or cloned channels encoded by the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG; the gene believed to encode native IKr). Because IKr plays an important role in ventricular AP repolarization, its inhibition would be expected to result in prolongation of both the AP and QT interval of the electrocardiogram. 4. The drugs that produce acquired LQTS are structurally heterogeneous, including anti-arrhythmics, such as quinidine, non-sedating antihistamines, such as terfenadine, and psychiatric drugs, such as haloperidol. In addition to heterogeneity in their structure, the electrophysiological characteristics of HERG/IKr inhibition differ between agents. 5. Here, clinical observations are associated with cellular data to correlate acquired LQTS with the IKr/HERG potassium (K+) channel. One strategy for developing improved compounds in those drug classes that are currently associated with LQTS could be to design drug structures that preserve clinical efficacy but are modified to avoid pharmacological interactions with IKr. Until such time, awareness of the QT-prolongation risk of particular agents is important for the clinician.     

Effects of aluminum chloride on sodium current, transient outward potassium current and delayed rectifier potassium current in acutely isolated rat hippocampal CA1 neurons.

The effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on sodium current (INa), the transient outward potassium (IA) and delayed rectifier potassium currents (IK) in hippocampal CA1 neurons of rats were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. AlCl3 decreased INa, IA, and IK in a partly reversible, dose and voltage-dependent manner. AlCl3 prolonged the time to peak of INa, and increased the inactivation time constants of INa and IA . In addition, 1000 microM AlCl3 shifted the voltage dependence of steady-state activation of INa, IA and IK toward positive potential, and the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation of INa, IA toward negative potential. These results imply that AlCl3 could affect the activation and inactivation courses of sodium current and potassium current of rat hippocampal CA1 neurons, which may contribute to damage of the central nervous system by aluminum.     

甲基苯丙胺对豚鼠心室肌细胞动作电位及延迟整流钾电流的影响(英文)

目的研究甲基苯丙胺对心血管系统的毒性作用及其机制。方法分离豚鼠心室肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳技术获取并分析心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流(IK)及动作电位(AP)水平。结果甲基苯丙胺0.5mmol·L-1使豚鼠心室肌细胞AP幅值从121.6mV降至106.0mV,能延长动作电位时程(APD),但不改变静息电位水平。其中动作电位复极10%,25%,50%,75%及90%时程(APD10,APD25,APD50,APD75,APD90)分别延长179.0%,88.7%,47.7%,43.4%和31.9%(P<0.05)。甲基苯丙胺0.5mmol·L-1使快速激活延迟整流钾电流(IKr)和缓慢激活延迟整流钾电流(IKs)的膜电位水平降低,电流-电压曲线下移,但曲线形状不变,冲洗后能部分恢复。用含甲基苯丙胺0.01,0.1,0.5,1.0和3.0mmol·L-1的细胞外液分别灌流细胞5min,甲基苯丙胺对IKr尾电流幅度呈浓度依赖性的阻断作用,冲洗后能部分恢复。甲基苯丙胺对IKs尾电流的影响也非常显著(P<0.05)。结论甲基苯丙胺对豚鼠心室肌细胞的IK及AP都有不同程度的影响,这可能是甲基苯丙胺造成心脏损伤的电生理机制之一。     

异丙肾上腺素对豚鼠离体心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流的影响(英文)

观察异丙肾上腺素对豚鼠离体心室肌细胞延迟整流钾电流(I_K)的作用.方法:分离单个离体豚鼠心室肌细胞,采用电压钳技术观察I_K.结果:在用不同去极化时程脉冲(40—300ms)激活I_K的条件下,异丙肾上腺素(1 μmol·L~(-1))仅增加长时程脉冲(150—300 ms)激活的I_k,这一作用在预先用BAPTA缓冲细胞内钙的条件下仍然存在,而细胞内注射BAPTA则降低长时程脉冲激活的I_K.结论:豚鼠离体心室肌细胞I_K有二个成分,其中一个成分受异丙肾上腺素和细胞内钙的调控.     

Effects of venom from Conus striatus on the delayed rectifier potassium current of molluscan neurons

The effect of crude venom extracted from venom ducts of Conus striatus on the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK) of the marine mollusc Aplysia californica was studied using voltage clamp techniques. Initial experiments indicated that the venom had phospholipase activity which destroyed the cells. The use of phospholipase inhibitors prevented destruction of the cell and permitted long-term electrophysiological measurements to be made. Application of the venom to unclamped cells caused a dramatic increase in the frequency of action potentials associated with a depolarization of the membrane potential. A broadening of the action potential was also observed. Three separate effects of the venom were observed on IK in voltage clamped cells: an increase in peak current (effect I), a slowing of both the activation and inactivation kinetics (effect K) and a decrease in the peak current (effect D). All three effects were dose dependent and both effects on peak current were greater at more depolarized membrane potentials. The data suggest that the three effects on IK are caused by different components of the venom. Effect D appears to be caused by a heat-labile compound of molecular weight greater than 50,000, effect I by a heat-stable compound of less than 50,000 and effect K by a heat-stable compound of intermediate molecular size.     

Olanzapine prolongs cardiac repolarization by blocking the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current

Prolongation of the QT interval has been observed during treatment with olanzapine, a thienobenzodiazepine antipsychotic agent. Our objectives were 1) to characterize the effects of olanzapine on cardiac repolarization and 2) to evaluate effects of olanzapine on the major time-dependent outward potassium current involved in cardiac repolarization, namely I(Kr) (I(Kr): rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current).Isolated, buffer-perfused guinea pig hearts (n = 40) were stimulated at different pacing cycle lengths (150-250 msec) and exposed to olanzapine at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 microM. Olanzapine increased monophasic action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization (MAPD90) in a concentration-dependent manner by 6.7 +/- 0.7 msec at 3 microM but by 26.0 +/- 4.3 msec at 100 microM (250 msec cycle length). Increase in MAPD(90) was also reverse frequency dependent; 30 microM olanzapine increased MAPD90 by 28.0 +/- 6.2 msec at a pacing cycle length of 250 msec but by only 18.9 +/- 2.2 msec at a pacing cycle length of 150 msec. Experiments in HERG-transfected (HERG: human ether-a-gogo-related gene) HEK293 cells (n = 36) demonstrated concentration-dependent block of the rapid component (I(Kr)) of the delayed rectifier potassium current: tail current was decreased 50% at olanzapine 3.8 microM.Olanzapine possesses direct cardiac electrophysiological effects similar to those of class III anti-arrhythmic drugs. These effects were observed at concentrations that can be measured in patients under conditions of impaired drug elimination such as renal or hepatic insufficiency, during co-administration of other CYP1A2 substrates/inhibitors or after drug overdose. These results offer a new potential explanation for QT prolonging effects observed during olanzapine treatment in patients.     

雌激素对Kv2.1钾电流及大鼠海马神经元延迟整流钾电流的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇对Kv2.1钾电流和原代培养大鼠海马神经元延迟整流钾电流的作用。方法采用HEK293-Kv2.1细胞培养、大鼠海马神经元原代培养和膜片钳全细胞记录技术。结果17β-雌二醇浓度依赖地抑制Kv2.1钾电流和原代培养大鼠海马神经元延迟整流钾电流(I_K)。17β-雌二醇抑制Kv2.1钾电流和原代培养大鼠海马神经元延迟整流钾电流的IC₅₀分别为2.4和4.0 μmol·L^-1。通道动力学研究发现，17β-雌二醇(3 μmol·L^-1)显著左移Kv2.1钾电流的稳态激活和失活曲线，但只显著左移海马神经元延迟整流钾电流稳态激活曲线，而不影响该电流的稳态失活曲线。结论17β-雌二醇抑制Kv2.1钾电流与抑制I_K的程度相近，17β-雌二醇抑制I_K的作用可能部分通过阻断Kv2.1钾电流而实现。     

Risperidone prolongs cardiac repolarization by blocking the rapid component of the delayed rectifier potassium current

Cases of QT prolongation and sudden death have been reported with risperidone, a neuroleptic agent increasingly prescribed worldwide. Although hypokalemia was present in some of these events, we hypothesized that risperidone may have unsuspected electrophysiologic effects predisposing patients to proarrhythmia. In six isolated guinea pig hearts, risperidone elicited prolongation of cardiac repolarization: action potential duration increased from a baseline value of 128 ms +/- 5 to 147 ms +/- 5 (15%) with risperidone 1 microM during pacing at 250-ms cycle length, whereas the increase was only 10%, from 101 ms +/- 2 to 111 ms +/- 4, with pacing at a cycle length of 150 ms. In human ether-a-go-go (HERG)-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (n = 16), risperidone caused concentration-dependent block of the rapid component (I(Kr)) of the delayed rectifier potassium current with an IC(50) for tail block of 261 nM. Risperidone did not block I(Ks). Risperidone exerts cardiac electrophysiologic effects similar to those of Class III antiarrhythmic drugs. These effects are observed at clinically relevant concentrations. Because risperidone is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6, these actions likely enhance risk for risperidone-related QT prolongation and proarrhythmia in specific patient subsets (e.g., poor metabolizers and those taking interacting drugs).     

Effect of angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor on delayed rectifier potassium current in catecholaminergic CATH.a cells

AIM: To study the modulatory effects of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) on the delayed rectifier potassium (Kv) current (IKv) and its underlying intracellular mechanism in the catecholaminergic system of rats. METHODS: AT1 and AT2 receptors of the differentiated and undifferentiated CATH.a cells were determined by radioligands binding assay. The IKv was recorded with the whole cell patch-clamp configuration in voltage clamp mode on CATH.a cells. RESULTS: The Ang Ⅱ receptor proteins including AT1 and AT2 receptors were expressed in CATH.a cells, and the number of the former was significantly more than the latter (P<0.01). The IKv of CATH.a cells was reduced by superfusion with the Ang Ⅱ (100 nmol/L) (P<0.05) in the presence of the AT2 receptor antagonist PD123319, but was not affected by only superfusion with PD123319. The effect of Ang Ⅱ on IKv in CATH.a cells was completely inhibited by addition of AT1 receptor antagonist losartan. Superfusion with Ang Ⅱ (100 nmol/L) plus U73122, an inhibitor of