Use of intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated potassium-channel activator for endothelial protection

In porcine coronary arteries, hypoxia markedly reduced endothelial K+ currents related to IKCa and SKCa with downregulation of protein expression and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor function. IKCa/SKCa activator may preserve endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor-mediated relaxation with enhancement of K+ current in endothelial cells and cellular membrane potential hyperpolarization in smooth muscle cells and may become a new strategy to protect coronary endothelium in cardiac surgery or transplantation.