Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
Published on: January 26, 2018
Propofol inhibits potassium chloride induced contractions of isolated human umbilical vessels
E Caliskan1, Z Kayhan, H Tufan
1Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, Department of Anaesthesiology, Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. esra_ertr@yahoo.com
Background And Objective:
We have evaluated the effects of propofol and its relationship with K+ channels on human isolated umbilical vessels.
Methods:
Umbilical vessel rings were suspended in isolated organ baths containing Krebs-Ringer solution. In the first series of experiments the effect of propofol (10(-9)-10(-4) M) was examined in a concentration-dependent manner on umbilical vessels precontracted with KCl (60 mmol). In the second series, these effects were studied in the presence of tetraethylammonium.
Results:
A mild contraction was produced by low dose propofol in both precontracted umbilical artery and umbilical vein segments. 10(-4) M propofol caused significant relaxation in both umbilical artery and umbilical vein. The relaxation response was significantly reduced by the addition of 10(-1) M tetraethylammonium.
Conclusion:
These results suggested that the responses of propofol on KCl-induced contractions of both umbilical artery and vein were dose dependent, and this effect involved Ca2+ activated K+ channels.
More Related Videos
07:42Contractions of Human-iPSC-derived Cardiomyocyte Syncytia Measured with a Ca-sensitive Fluorescent Dye in Temperature-controlled 384-well Plates
Published on: October 18, 2018
08:11Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
Published on: November 11, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects
Unlike...
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...