J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2005 Nov;38(5):375-379.

The Effect of Papaverine on the Calcium-dependent K+ Current in Rat Basilar Smooth Muscle Cells

• Bai GY
• Cho JW
• Han DH
• Yang TK
• Gwak YG
• Kim CJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Papaverine has been used in treating vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). However, its action mechanism for cerebral vascular relaxation is not clear. Potassium channels are closely related to the contraction and relaxation of cerebral smooth muscle. Therefore, to identify the role of potassium and calcium channels in papaverine-induced vascular relaxation, we examine the effect of papaverine on potassium channels in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat basilar artery. METHODS: The isolation of rat basilar smooth muscle cells was performed by special techniques. The whole cell currents were recorded by whole cell patch clamp technique in freshly isolated smooth muscle cells from rat basilar artery. Papaverine was added to the bath solution. RESULTS: Papaverine of 100 microM into bath solution increased the amplitude of the outward K+ current which was completely blocked by BKCa(large conductance calcium dependent potassium channels)blocker, IBX(iberiotoxin), and calcium chealator, BAPTA(1, 2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid), in whole cell mode. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that potassium channels may play roles in papaverine-induced vascular relaxation in rat basilar artery.

Keyword

Papaverine; Vasospasm; Potassium channel; Patch-Clamp techniques

MeSH Terms

Animals
Basilar Artery
Baths
Calcium
Calcium Channels
Muscle, Smooth*
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle*
Papaverine*
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Potassium
Potassium Channels
Rats*
Relaxation
Calcium
Calcium Channels
Papaverine
Potassium
Potassium Channels