Prolongation of rat heart allograft survival with K(+)ATP-dependent channel modulators

Controversies exist regarding the immunoregulatory properties of K(+) ATP channel modulators. We investigated the effects of aprikalim, a K(+) ATP-dependent channels activator, and glibenclamide and gliclazide, two inhibitors of K(+) ATP-dependent channels, on the prolongation of heart allograft survival in the rat. Nine groups (n >/= 5) were involved in this study with the Brown-Norway to Lewis rat combination treated with aprikalim, glibenclamide, gliclazide, and/or cyclosporine. The results indicate that modulators of K(+) ATP-dependent channels can improve the survival of rat heart allograft without interfering with the immunosuppressive properties of cyclosporine.