Neuronal NO mediates cerebral vasodilator responses to K+ in hypertensive rats

Sophocles Chrissobolis, James Ziogas, Colin R Anderson, Yi Chu, Frank M Faraci, Christopher Graeme Sobey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Potassium ion (K+) normally causes cerebral vasodilatation by activating inwardly rectifying K+ (K(IR)) channels. We tested whether chronic hypertension affects the magnitude and/or mechanism of K+-induced cerebral vasodilatation in vivo. Basilar artery responses were examined in anesthetized Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; mean arterial pressure, 114+/-4 mm Hg) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR; 176+/-3 mm Hg) rats. In WKY, elevating cerebrospinal fluid K+ concentration from 3 mmol/L to 5 and 10 mmol/L caused vasodilatation (percent maximum, 12+/-1 and 48+/-7, respectively). The response to 5 mmol/L K+ was greater in SHR (percent maximum, 17+/-2 [P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)880 - 885
Number of pages6
JournalHypertension
Volume39
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Cite this