High-fat diet may impair KATP channels in vascular smooth muscle cells

KATP channel in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is closely linked to the etiology of hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of the high-fat diet-induced obesity on KATP channel and blood pressure. Obesity was induced by a 24-week high-fat diet feeding in rats. Function and expression of KATP channel in mesenteric arteries were examined using myography system, patch clamp and Western blotting. We show that high-fat diet increased blood pressure, decreased KATP channel-mediated relaxation responses and currents, and down-regulated KATP expression in VSMC. In conclusion, diet-induced obesity impairs KATP channels in VSMC, which may underscore obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure.