• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.507-515
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• 1996

Background : Potassium channel opener (K-opener) opens ATP-sensitive K'-channel located at cell membrane and induces potassium efflux from cytosol, resulting in intracellular hyperpolarization. Newly synthesized K-opener is currently examined for pharmacologic potency by means of rubidium release test from smooth muscle strip pre-incubated with Rb-86. Since in-vivo behavior of thallium is similar to that of rubidium, we hypothesized that K-opener can alter T1-201 kinetics in vivo. Purpose : This study was prepared to investigate the effects of pinacidil (one of potent K-openers) on the T1-201 uptake and clearance in cultured myocyte, and in-vivo biodistribution in mice. Methods : Spontaneous contracting myocytes were prepared to imitate in-vivo condition from 20 hearts of 3-5 days old Sprague-Dawley rat and cultured for 3-5 days before use ($5{\times}10^5$ cells/ml). Pinacidil was dissolved in 10% DMSO solution at a final concentration of 100nM or l0uM and was co-incubated with T1-201 in HBSS buffer for 20-min to evaluate its effect on cellular T1-uptake, or challenged to cell preparation pre-incubated with T1-201 for washout study. Two, 40 or $100{\mu}g$ of pinacidil was injected intravenously into ICR mice at 10 min after $5{\mu}Ci$ T1-201 injection, and organ uptake and whole body retention rate were measured at different time points. Results : Co-incubation of pinacidil with T1-201 resulted in a decrease in T1-201 uptake into cultured myocyte by 1.6 to 2.5 times, depending on pinacidil concentration and activity of T1-201 used. Pinacidil enhanced T1-201 washout by 1.6-3.1 times from myocyte preparations pre-incubated with T1-201. Pinacidil treatment appears to be resulted in mild decreases in blood and liver activity in normal mice, in contrast, renal and cardiac uptake were mildly decreased in a dose dependent manner. Whole body retention ratios of T1-201 were lower at 24 hour after injection with $100{\mu}g$ of pinacidil than control. Conclusion : These results suggest that treatment with K-opener may affect the interpretation of T1-201 myocardial images, due to decreasing thallium accumulation and enhancing washout from myocardium.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 1994

Synthetic potassium channel openers (KCOs) are agents capable of opening K-channels in excitable cells. These agents are known to have their maximal potency in the smooth muscle tissue, especially in the vascular smooth muscle. Much attention has been focused on the type of K-channel that is responsible for mediating the effects of KCOs. As the KCO-induced changes are antagonized by glibenclamide, an $K_{ATP}$ (ATP-sensitive K-channel) blocker in the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell,\;K_{ATP}$ was suggested to be the channel responsible. However, there also are many results in favor of other types of K-channel $$(maxi-K,\;small\;conductance\;K_{Ca,}\; SK_{ATP}) mediating the effects of KCOs. Effects of lemakalim, (-)enantiomer of cromakalim (BRL 34915), on the spontaneous contractions and slow waves, were investigated in the antral circular muscle of the guinea-pig stomach. Membrane currents and the effects on membrane currents and single channel activities were also measured in single smooth muscle cells and excised membrane patches by using the patch clamp method. Lemakalim induced hyperpolarization and inhibited spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by glibenclamide and low concentrations of tetraethyl ammonium (< mM). Glibenclamide blocked the effect of lemakalim on the membrane potential and slow waves. The mechanoinhibitory effect of lemakalim was blocked by pretreatment with glibenclamide. In a whole ceIl patch clamp condition, lemakalim largely increased outward K currents. These outward K currents were blocked by TEA, glibenclamide and a high concentration of intracelIular EGTA (10 mM). Volatage-gated Ca currents were not affected by lemakalim. In inside-out patch clamp experiments, lemakalim increased the opening frequency of the large conductance $Ca^{2+}-activated$ K channels $(BK_{Ca},\;Maxi-K).$ From these results, it is suggested that lemakalim induces hyperpolarization by opening K-channels which are sensitive to internal Ca and such a hyperpolarization leads to the inhibition of the spontaneous contraction.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 1997

The pharmacological effects of benzopyran potassium channel openers (lemakalim, KR-30450 and KR-30818) on the occlusion/reperfusion-induced myocardial infarction were investigat ed. In anesthetized rats, subjected to 45-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 90-min reperfusion, the infarct size was measured by calculating the ratio of infarct zone to area at risk (IZ/AAR) with the Evans blue/TTC technique. Rats were intravenously given vehicle (1% DMSO), lemakalim, KR-30450, and KR-30818 alone or in combination with a selective K$_{ATP}$ blacker glibenclamide, 30 min prior to coronary occlusion. Compared to vehicle, lemakalim (30 ${\mu}$g/kg i.v.), the active enantiomer of cromakalim, had a tendancy to decrease infarct size. KR-30450(30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.). the newly synthetized potassium channel openers (PCOs), caused a reduction of infarct size (from 70${\pm}$4%to 57${\pm}$5%). but KR-30818 (30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.), a metabolite of KR-30450. did not modify infarct size. It seem ed likely that glibenclamide (0.3mg/kg, i.v.), given in combination, reduced the effects of these PCOs, especially KR-30450 (30 ${\mu}$g/kg, i.v.) on the infarct size. These results indicate that. in the coronary occluded rat model of ischemia, lemakalim and KR-30450 may exert cardioprotective activity through a reduction of infarct size, the effect being considered related to the opening of K$_{ATP}$ channel.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.32-40
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• 1996

The electrophysiological effects of benzopyran potassium channel openers (PCOs: lemakalim, KR-30450 and KR-30818) on the ischemia/reperfusion-induced arrythmias were investigated. In anesthetized rats, subjected to 45 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 90 min reperfusion, ventricular arrythmias were identified according to the Lambeth Conventions by lead II ECG. Rats were intravenously given vehicle ($1\%$ DMSO), lemakalim, KR-30450, and KR-30818 alone or in combination with a selective $K_{ATP}$ blocker glibenclamide, 30 min prior to coronary occlusion. Compared to vehicle, lemakalim ($30{\mu}g/kg$ i.v.), the active enantiomer of cromakalim, had a tendancy to increase the duration of ventricular tachycardia (Vl) and ventricular fibrillation (VF), the number of premature ventricular complexes (PVC) and the incidence of VF, especially in the early post-occlusion peroid ($0\~15$ min), while increasing ST-segment elevation. Both KR-30450 ($30{\mu}g/kg$, i.v.) and KR-30818 (30, $100{\mu}g/kg$, i.v.) showed similar proarrhythmic effects to lemakalim (PVC, duration of VT, and incidence of VF) with a tendancy to decrease the duration of VF and ST-segment elevation. Unlike other PCOs, however, glibenclamide (0.3, 1.0 mg/kg) had opposite effects on the induction of arrhythmias (PVC, the duration of VF); it had a tendancy to increase the duration of VT with a slight elevation of ST-segment. It seems likely that glibenclamide (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.), reduced the effects of lemakalim or KR-30450 ($30{\mu}g/kg$, i.v.) on arrhythmias (PVC, VT, VF and ST-segment). These results indicate that, in the coronary occluded rat model of ischemia, lemikuiln and KR-30450 exert a proarrhythmic activity, the effect being considered related to the opening of KATP channel.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.463-475
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• 1993

Pharmacological effects of lemakalim on cardiovascular system were investigated using isolated rat hearts and conscious SHRs subjected to hyperkalemic and hypokalemic condition. In the isolated hearts perfused with normal physiological salt solution(4.7 mM KCI), lemakalim increased cardiac function and coronary flow, and these effects were significantly potentiated under hypokalemic(1.2, 2.5 mM KCI), but attenuated under hyperkalemic(IO mM KCI) condition. In conscious SHRS, lemakalim(0.1, 0.2, 0.3mg/kg, p.o.) produced a dose-related decrease in systolic blood pressure, the maximal hypotensive effect being reached around 0.5 hr after dosing. The intensity and the duration of hypotensive effect of lemakalim were significantly increased when administered in combination with dihydrochlorothiazide (2 mg/kg, p.o.), but decreased with triamterene(32 mg/kg, p.o.). It appears that the differential effects of two types of diuretics on the hypotensive action of lemakalim are due to their hypokalemic and hyperkalemic action, respectively. It is conclued that the concomitant use of $K^{+}$ channel openers and hypokalemic diuretics may be an appropriate model of combination therapy in the treatment of hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.341-346
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• 2014

Lubiprostone is a chloride ($Cl^-$) channel activator derived from prostaglandin $E_1$ and used for managing constipation. In addition, lubiprostone affects the activity of gastrointestinal smooth muscles. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells that generate slow-wave activity in smooth muscles. We studied the effects of lubiprostone on the pacemaker potentials of colonic ICCs. We used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to determine the pacemaker activity in cultured colonic ICCs obtained from mice. Lubiprostone hyperpolarized the membrane and inhibited the generation of pacemaker potentials. Prostanoid $EP_1$, $EP_2$, $EP_3$, and $EP_4$ antagonists (SC-19220, PF-04418948, 6-methoxypyridine-2-boronc acid N-phenyldiethanolamine ester, and GW627368, respectively) did not block the response to lubiprostone. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase) did not block the response to lubiprostone. In addition, tetraethylammonium (TEA, a voltage-dependent potassium [$K^+$] channel blocker) and apamin (a calcium [$Ca^{2+}$]-dependent $K^+$ channel blocker) did not block the response to lubiprostone. However, glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel blocker) blocked the response to lubiprostone. Similar to lubiprostone, pinacidil (an opener of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel) hyperpolarized the membrane and inhibited the generation of pacemaker potentials, and these effects were inhibited by glibenclamide. These results suggest that lubiprostone can modulate the pacemaker potentials of colonic ICCs via activation of ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel through a prostanoid EP receptor-independent mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1349-1356
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• 2017

Potassium channel openers (KCOs) produce physiological and pharmacological defense mechanisms against cell injuries caused by oxidative stress of diverse origins. Openings of mitochondrial and plasmalemmal $K^+$ channels are involved in the defense mechanisms. This study tested whether NS 1619, an opener of large-conductance BK channels, has a similar beneficial influence on the pigment epithelial cells of retinas. The human retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 was exposed to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in the absence and presence of NS 1619. The degrees of the cells' injuries were assessed by analyzing the cells' trypan-blue exclusion abilities and TUNEL staining. NS 1619 produced remarkable protections against cell injuries caused by $H_2O_2$. It prevented apoptotic and necrotic cell deaths. The protective effect of NS 1619 was significantly diminished when the cells were treated with NS 1619 in combination with the BK channel-blocker paxilline. NS 1619 significantly ameliorated cellular ATP deprivations in $H_2O_2$-treated cells. It helped mitochondria preserve their functional integrity, which was estimated by their MTT reduction abilities and mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, it was suggested that NS 1619 had a beneficial effect on mitochondria in regards to preserving their functional integrity under oxidative stress, and it produces defense mechanisms against oxidant-induced cell injuries in ARPE-19 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.191-203
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• 1994

$K^+$ channel openers (KCOs) are known to have a wide range of effects by opening the $K^+$ channel in plasma membranes of various smooth muscles, cardiac muscle and pancreatic ${\beta}-cell$. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 5 types of KCOs, cromakalim, RP49356, pinacidil, nicorandil and diazoxide on the contractility of isolated rat uterus. All KCOs tested inhibited the uterine contraction induced by 0.2 nM oxytocin in a dose-dependent manner. Individual KCO and its $pD_2$ values were cromakalim 6.5, RP49356 6.3, pinacidil 5.92, nicorandil 4.43 and diazoxide 4.18. The relaxant effects of KCO were inhibited by glibenclamide (0.3, 1 and $10\;{\mu}M$) with $pA_2$ values of cromakalim 6.91, RP49356 6.59, pinacidil 6.55, nicorandil 5.97 and diazoxide 6.37. In addition, the relaxant effect of cromakalim or pinacidil was antagonised by TEA, a non-selective $K^+$ channel blocker, but not by apamin. Contractions induced by low concentration of KCI (< 40 mM) were inhibited by cromakalim $(100{\mu}M)$ and nicorandil $(300{\mu}M)$, but those evoked by higher concentration (> 40 mM) of KCI were little affected. In ovariectomized rat uterus, cromakalim dose-dependently inhibited oxytocin-induced contraction and glibenclamide $(10{\mu}M)$ inhibited the relaxant effect of cromakalim with $pD_2$ and $K_B$ values of 7.48 and $1.26{\times}10^{-7}M$, respectively. In estrogen-primed rat uterus, these values were 6.51 and $1.57{\times}10^{-7}M$, respectively, indicating that the cromakalim is less effective on the estrogen-treated uterine smooth muscle. Our results suggest that the KCO-sensitive $K^+$ channels participate in the motility of uterine smooth muscle and such channels are, at least in part, under the control of estrogen. In addition, our data Indicate that the type of $K^+$ channels activated by KCO is ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels which is blocked by glibenclamide.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1997

Cardiac and antihypertensive effects of BMS-180448, a cardiac-selective ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, and its newly synthesized derivatives KR-31281, KR-31282 and KR-31299 were evaluated in isolated perfused rat hearts (25 min global ischemia/30 min reperfusion) and conscious rats. Three new compounds $(10\;{\mu}M)$ induced positive inotropism as evidenced by increased LVDP (left ventricular developed pressure) and RPP (Rate-Pressure Product) in nonischemic rat heart. HR-31299 increased CF (coronary flow) and HR (heart rate) but the other two had no effects. KR-31282, KR-31281 and HR-31299 had a tendency to increase reperfusion LVDP and RPP compared with vehicle, while the latter two significantly reduced reperfusion EDP with a tendency to inclose TTC (time to contracture). All three KR-compounds had very weak effects on MBP and HR in conscious rats. These results indicate that KR-31281 and HR-31299 may have some cardioprotective effects, although weaker than BMS-180448, and their mode of action different from that of BMS-180448, despite the similarity in major structural moeity.