Possible Contribution of Potassium Channels to the Endothelin-Induced Dilatation of Rat Coronary Vascular Beds

The mechanism for the endothelin (ET)-induced vasodilatation of the endothelium-intact rat coronary vascular bed was investigated. Continuous infusion (0.1-1 nM) or bolus injection (1-100 pmol) of ET-1 or ET-3 elicited a dose-related transient decrease, followed by a slight sustained increase, in the coronary perfusion pressure (CPP). The decrease in CPP induced by an injection (10 pmol) of ET-1 or ET-3 was not modified by indomethacin (5 microM). However, oxyhemoglobin (5 mM) shortened the duration of the ET-induced decrease in CPP, although it did not affect the magnitude. The ET-induced decrease in CPP was abolished by raising K+ in the perfusing solution from 5.9 to 16.9 mM. These findings suggest that the ET-induced dilatation of the rat coronary vascular beds may not be mediated by cyclooxygenase products. The ET-induced vasorelaxation may be mediated, at least in part, by endothelium-derived relaxing factor and may be related to opening of K+ channels.