Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir3.1 , Kir6.2

Title: Hypercholesterolemia alters vascular functions and gene expression of potassium channels in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Authors: Y J Ren, X H Xu, C B Zhong, N Feng, X L Wang

Journal, date & volume: Acta Pharmacol. Sin., 2001 Mar , 22, 274-8

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11742577

Abstract
To investigate the effects of hypercholesterolemia on functions of rat aorta and on gene expression of inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channels in aortic smooth muscle.Rats were treated with high-cholesterol emulsion ig for 2 weeks; the aortic rings with and without endothelium were prepared to examine the aortic contractile and relaxation responses; RT-PCR was used to observe the gene expression of inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channels.Hypercholesterolemia damaged the endothelium-dependent vascular functions severely, but did not affect the endothelium-independent vascular functions; Kir6.2 mRNA expression was upregulated (P < 0.05) and Kir3.1 mRNA expression was downregulated markedly (P < 0.05) in hypercholesterolemic smooth muscle.Hypercholesterolemia altered the vascular functions and regulated gene expression levels of specific inward rectifier and ATP-sensitive potassium channel subtypes.