• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.433-441
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• 2001

The ATP-sensitive potassium $(K_{ATP})$) channel is a member of inward rectifier potassium channel (Kir) that is inhibited by intracellular ATP and functions in close relation to sulfonylurea receptors (SUR). Although the molecular mechanism and physiological function of $K_{ATP}$ channels are well understood, the expression pattern during development or treatment with the channel modulators such as glybenclamide is little known. In this work, we determined mRNA levels of a $K_{ATP}$ channel (Kir6.2) and a sulfonylurea receptor (SUR2) in rat tissues by RNase protection assay. Levels of Kir6.2 and SUR2 mRNA in the rat brain and skeletal muscle were higher in adult $(90{\sim}120\;days)$ than in neonate $(2{\sim}8\;days),$ whereas those in the heart were not much different between neonate $(2{\sim}8\;days)$ and adult $(90{\sim}120\;days).$ In addition, none of $K_{ATP}$ channel modulators (opener, pinacidil and nicorandil; blocker, glybenclamide) affected the Kir6.2 mRNA levels in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle. The results indicate that the expression of Kir and SUR genes can vary age-dependently, but the expression of Kir is not dependent on the long-term treatment of channel modulators. The effect of the channel modulators on mRNA level of SUR is remained to be studied further.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.69-70
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• 2006

Purpose: Panaxadiols are more potent than panaxatriols as far as insulin secretory activity is concerned. In this study, we examined insulin secretory activity and mechanism of compound K (CK), a major intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginsenosides. Method: Insulin secretory activity of CK was examined using pancreatic beta cells and in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test assay. In addition, insulin secretory mechanism was studied in terms of calcium dependent or independent pathways. Results: In vitro, CK enhanced the insulin secretion concentration-dependently when compared to glucose-stimulated control cells. Insulin secretory mechanism of CK seems to block ATP sensitive K channels, which was confirmed by diazoxide (K channel opener) but, insulin resistance ameliorating activity of CK can't be ruled out. In vivo, CK showed hypoglycemic effect in OGTT.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.245-254
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• 1995

The density of ATP-sensitive potassium($K_{APT}$) channels, that open as intracellular ATP concentration falls below a critical level, is very high in skeletal muscle surface membrane and those high density may imply that $K_{ATP}$ channels have very important physiological roles. To elucidate a role of $K_{ATP}$ in relation to fatigue, the modulating effects of potassium channel openers and blockers on the fatigue velocity(FV) of mouse extensor hallucis longus muscle(EHL) were investigated in vitro. Twitch contraction was induced by an electrical field stimulation (EFS: 24-48V, 20ms, 0.2-4Hz) and resulting contraction force was isometrically recorded. The twitch forces were gradually decreased to 25% of initial contraction force(ICF) in $37.52{\pm}1.55sec$($mean{\pm}s.e.m.$, n=135), indicating the fatigue phenomena. The mean velocity for development of the fatigue was measured during the period that twitch force decreased to half($FV_{0/0.5}$) and during the period from half to 25%($FV_{0.5/0.25}$) of ICF. The fatigue was induced once every one hour and the tissue response was stable for up to 4 hours. In control condition, ICF was $5.8{\pm}0.12g$ (n=144) and decreased to 50% of ICF with the mean fatigue velocity of $0.182{\pm}0.006g/sec$($FV_{0/0.5}$, n=135) and from 50% to 25% of ICF with $0.084{\pm}0.004g/sec$($FV_{0.5/0.25}$, n=135). Cromakalim($50{\mu}M$) significantly increased $FV_{0.5/0.25}$(n=4). Glibenclamide($IC_{50}>50{\mu}M$), $Ba^{2+}$($IC_{50}=10{\mu}M$), 4-aminopyridine($FV_{0/0.5}$, $IC_{50}=0.5mM$; $FV_{0.5/0.25}$, $IC_{50}=2mM$) decreased both $FV_{0/0.5}$ and $FV_{0.5/0.25}$ concentration-dependently up to 75%. $TEA^+$(30mM), E-4031($10{\mu}M$), tolbutamide(1mM) decreased $FV_{0.5/0.25}$, but apamin(300nM) and $TEA^+$(10mM) showed no significant effects. Our results suggest that activation of the $K_{ATP}$ channels may be major cause of $K^+$ outflux during development of the fatigue and the isolated EHL muscle could be an useful experimental preparation in studying the fatigue phenomena in skeletal muscle. In addition, the possibility of activation of delayed rectifier during the fatigue development remains to be studied further.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2011

Background: Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent that interacts selectively with the voltage-sensitive-$Ca^{2+}$-channel alpha-2-delta subunit. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the analgesic action of intrathecal (IT) pregabalin is associated with KATP channels in the rat formalin test. Methods: IT PE-10 catheters were implanted in male Sprague-Dawley rats (250.300 g) under inhalation anesthesia using enflurane. Nociceptive behavior was defined as the number of hind paw flinches during 60 min after formalin injection. Ten min before formalin injection, IT drug treatments were divided into 3 groups: normal saline (NS) $20\;{\mu}l$ (CON group); pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $10\;{\mu}l$ (PGB group); glibenclamide $100\;{\mu}g$ in DMSO $5\;{\mu}l$ with pregabalin 0.3, 1, 3 and $10\;{\mu}g$ in NS $5\;{\mu}l$ (GBC group). All the drugs were flushed with NS $10\;{\mu}l$. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel was done with a different set of rats divided into naive, NS and PGB groups. Results: IT pregabalin dose-dependently decreased the flinching number only in phase 2 of formalin test. The log dose response curve of the GBC group shifted to the right with respect to that of the PGB group. Immunohistochemistry for the $K_{ATP}$ channel expression on the spinal cord dorsal horn showed no difference among the groups 1 hr after the formalin test. Conclusions: The antinociceptive effect of pregabalin in the rat formalin test was associated with the activation of the $K_{ATP}$ channel. However, pregabalin did not induce $K_{ATP}$ channel expression in the spinal cord dorsal horn.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.341-348
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• 2003

Mechanical stimuli to the cardiac myocytes initiate many biochemical and physiological events. Stretch-activated cation channels have been suggested to mediate these events. In this study, cell-attached and inside-out excised-patch clamp methods were used to identify stretch-activated cation channels in adult rat atrial myocytes. Channel openings were increased in cell-attached configuration when negative pressure was applied to the pipette, and also in inside-out excised patches by negative pressure. The channel was not permeable to $Cl^-$, $Na^+$ and $Cs^+$, but selectively permeable to $K^+$, and the degree of activation was dependent on the magnitude of negative pressure (full activation at ${\sim} -50 mmHg). In symmetrical 140 mM KCl, the slope conductance was $51.2{\pm}3$ pS between the potentials of -80 and 0 mV and $55{\pm}6$ pS between 0 and +80 mV (n=5). Glibenclamide ($100{mu}M$) or ATP (2 mM) failed to block the channel openings, indicating that it is not ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel. Arachidonic acid ($30{mu}M$), which has been shown to activate a $K^+$ channel cooperatively with membrane stretch, did not affect the channel activity. $GdCl_3$ ($100{mu}M$) also did not alter the activity. These results demonstrate that the mechanical stretch in rat atrial myocytes activates a novel $K^+$-selective cation channel, which is not associated with other $K^+$ channels such as ATP-sensitive and arachidonic acid-activated $K^+$ channel.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.231-241
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• 2001

The mammalian cortical collecting duct (CCD) plays a major role in regulating renal NaCl reabsorption, which is important in $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ homeostasis. The M-1 cell line, derived from the mouse cortical collecting duct, has been used as a mammalian model of the study on the electrolytes transport in CCD. M-1 cells were grown on collagen-coated permeable support and short circuit current $(I_{sc})$ was measured. M-1 cells developed amiloride-sensitive current $5{\sim}7$ days after seeding. Apical and basolateral addition of ATP induced increase in $I_{sc}$ in M-1 cells, which was partly retained in $Na^+-free$ or $Cl^--free$ solution, indicating that ATP increased $Na^+$ absorption and $Cl^-$ secretion in M-1 cells. $Cl^-$ secretion was mediated by the activation of apical cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) chloride channels and $Ca^{2+}-activated$ chloride channels, but $Na^+$ absorption was not mediated by activation of epithelal sodium channel (ENaC). ATP increased cAMP content in M-1 cells. The RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that M-1 cells express $P2Y_2,\;P2X_3\;and\;P2Y_4$ receptors. These results showed that ATP regulates $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ transports via multiple P2 purinoceptors on the apical and basolateral membranes in M-1 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.6
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• pp.743-752
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• 1998

The atrial acetylcholine-activated $K^+\;(K_{ACh})$ channel is gated by the pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory G $(G_K)$ protein. Earlier studies revealed that ATP alone can activate the $K_{ACh}$ channel via transphosphorylation mediated by nucleoside-diphosphate kinase (NDPK) in atrial cells of rabbit and guinea pig. This channel can be activated by various agonists and also modulated its function by phosphorylation. ATP-induced $K_{ACh}$ channel activation (AIKA) was maintained in the presence of the NDPK inhibitor, suggesting the existence of a mechanism other than NDPK-mediated process. Here we hypothesized the phosphorylation process as another mechanism underlying AIKA and was undertaken to examine what kinase is involved in atrial cells isolated from the rat heart. Single application of 1 mM ATP gradually increased the activity of $K_{ACh}$ channels and reached its maximum $40{\sim}50$ sec later following adding ATP. AIKA was not completely reduced but maintained by half even in the presence of NDPK inhibitor. Neither ADP nor a non-hydrolyzable ATP analogue, AMP-PNP can cause AIKA, while a non-specific phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase blocked completely AIKA. PKC antagonists such as sphingosine or tamoxifen, completely blocked AIKA, whereas PKC catalytic domain increased AIKA. Taken together, it is suggested that the PKC-mediated phosphorylation is partly involved in AIKA.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2005

We evaluated the antiplatelet effects of two classes of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers $(K_{ATP}\;openers)$ on washed human platelets, and the study's emphasis was on the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in platelet aggregation. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by lemakalim and SKP-450, which are potent cardio-nonselective $K_{ATP}$ openers, and also by cardioselective BMS-180448 and BMS-191095 $(IC_{50}\;:\;1,130,\;>\;1,500,\;305.3\;and\;63.9\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$, but a significantly greater potency was noted for the cardioselective $K_{ATP}$ openers. The latter two $K_{ATP}$ openers also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, another important blood-borne platelet activator, with similar rank order of potency $(IC_{50}\;:\;498.0\;and\;104.8{\mu}M\; for\;BMS-180448\;and\;BMS-191095,\;respectively)$. The inhibitory effects of BMS-191095 on collagen-induced platelet aggregation were significantly blocked by a 30-min pretreatment of platelets with glyburide $(1{\mu}M)$ or sodium 5-hydroxyde­canoate$(5-HD,\;100{\mu}M)$, a nonselective and selective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ antagonist, respectively, at similar magnitudes; this indicates the role of mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ in the antiplatelet activity of BMS-191095. However, glyburide and 5-HD had no effect when they were added to the platelet cuvette immediately prior to the addition of BMS-191095. These findings indicate that cardioselective mitochondrial $K_{ATP}$ openers like BMS-191095 are able to exert cardioprotective effects in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury via dual mechanisms directed at the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the protection of cardiomyocytes, and both these mechanisms are mediated by mitochondrial$K_{ATP}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2008

OLETF (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats are characterized by obesity-related insulin resistance, which is a phenotype of type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylurea drugs or benzoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of the ATP-sensitive potassium $(K_{ATP})$ channel are commercially available to treat diabetes. The present study compared sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) with one of benzoic acid derivatives (repaglinide) in regard to their long-term effect on ameliorating insulin sensitivity in OLETF rats. Each drug was dissolved and fed with drinking water from 29 weeks of age. On high glucose loading at 45 weeks of age, response of blood glucose recovery was the greatest in the group treated with glimepiride. On immunohistochemistry analysis for the Kir6.2 subunit of $K_{ATP}$ channels, insulin receptor ${\beta}$-subunits, and glucose transporters (GLUT) type 2 and 4 in liver, fat and skeletal muscle tissues, the sulfonylurea drugs (glimepiride and gliclazide) were more effective than repaglinide in recovery from their decreased expressions in OLETF rats. From these results, it seems to be plausible that $K_{ATP}$-channel inhibitors containing sulfonylurea moiety may be much more effective in reducing insulin resistance than those with benzoic acid moiety. In contrast to gliclazide, non-tissue selectivity of glimepiride on $K_{ATP}$ channel inhibition may further strengthen an amelioration of insulin sensitivity unless considering other side effects.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.719-724
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• 2000

Objectives : It has been reported that the presence of a pharmacologically inactive foreign substance, polystyrene latex bead, in subarachnoid space activates a non-specific immunological response and elicits arterial narrowing. Recently the activation of potassium($K^+$) channels may be of benefit in relieving cerebral vasospasm. The present study examined the effects of systemic administration of a ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel activator, cromakalim, on the polystyrene latex bead-induced cerebral vasospasm. Methods : The spasm models similar to that caused by subarachnoid blood injection were created by injection of bead into rabbit cisterna magna. Intravenous injections of cromakalim were administered twice daily(bid) 30 minutes after induction of vasospasm. Animals were killed by perfusion-fixation 2 days after vasospasm. Basilar arteries were removed and sectioned, and the luminal cross-sectional areas were measured. Results : Injection of bead elicited an arterial constriction, reducing arterial diameter to 33.3% of resting tone. Cromakalim inhibited bead-induced constriction at a dose of 0.3mg/kg(Mann-Whitney test, p<0.01). Conclusion : These results support the concept that the cellular events triggered by inactivation of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels are responsible for the pathogenesis of vasospasm. The findings also indicate that cromakalim represents a potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.