Effects of K+ channel blockers on vascular tone in the perfused rat lung

To learn more of the role of K+ channel activity in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone, we compared the pressor effects of the differential blockers of numerous K+ channels, tetraethylammonium chloride and 4-aminopyridine, and the inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K+ channels glibenclamide in meclofenamate-treated salt solution-perfused rat lungs. Tetraethylammonium (1 to 20 mM) and 4-aminopyridine (1 to 10 mM), but not glibenclamide (1 to 20 microM) caused vasoconstriction in the normoxic lung. The Ca++ channel blocker nifedipine (0.1 microM) and the alpha adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (10 microM) inhibited the 4-aminopyridine response by about 50% and reduced slightly the smaller tetraethylammonium response. 4-Aminopyridine and, to a lesser extent, tetraethylammonium, but not glibenclamide, also potentiated peak vasoconstriction to angiotensin II and airway hypoxia. Nifedipine, but not phentolamine, inhibited hypoxic vasoconstriction and prevented the potentiation by 4-aminopyridine. These results suggest that Ca(++)- and/or voltage-activated (not ATP-sensitive) K+ channels may be important in maintaining low pulmonary vascular tone.