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Inhibition of BKCa channel currents in vascular smooth muscle cells contributes to HBOC-induced vasoconstriction

Shuang Zhang1, Nanfu Luo2, Shen Li3

  • 1a Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery , West China Hospital, Sichuan University , Chengdu , P. R. China.

Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology
|July 2, 2014
PubMed

The exact mechanism of hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC)-related vasoactivity is still unclear. This study measured the isometric tension of dog arteries and large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BKCa) channel currents in vascular smooth muscle cells after exposure to HBOC with increasing concentrations. Data indicated that the net tensions of arteries were dramatically elevated and this elevation was more prominent in coronary artery. Moreover, HBOC exhibited inhibitory effect on BKCa channel, which is strongly correlated with changes in vascular tension. Collectively, HBOC-induced vasoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner and inhibition of BKCa channel is at least partially contributing to this effect.

Keywords:
BKCa channelshemoglobin-based oxygen carrierpatch clampvascular smooth muscle cellsvasoactivity

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