Pinacidil causes depresor action, catecholamine release and vasorelaxation in the normotensive rat

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of pinacidil, a potassium channel opener, on arterial blood pressure, catecholamine release and vascular contractile responses in the normotensve rats and to establish the mechanism of action. Phenylephrine (an adrenergi $_1$-receptor agonist) and high potassium (a membrane- depolarizing agent) caused greatly contractile responses in the isolated aortic strips, respectively. These phenylephrine (10$\^$-5/ M)-induced contractile responses were dose-dependently depressed in the presence of pinacidil (25 ∼ 100 ${\mu}$M). (omitted)