Article
Dysfunction of endothelial Ca2+-activated K+-channels and impaired EDHF-mediated vasodilation in experimental chronic renal insufficiency
Gestörte EDHF-mediierte Vasodilatation und KCa-Funktionen bei experimenteller chronischer Niereninsuffizienz
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Published: | August 8, 2006 |
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Background: Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, hypertension, and possibly endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial Ca2+-activated K+-channels (KCa) are of crucial importance in endothelial function by inducing endothelial hyperpolarization and thus endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-meditated vasodilations. In the present study we hypothesized that decreased function of endothelial KCa and reduced EDHF-meditated vasodilation contribute to endothelial dysfunction and in experimental CRI.
Methods: Endothelial KCa-channel expression and function were investigated by combined patch-clamp and single-cell-RT-PCR analysis in the in situ endothelium of rat carotid arteries (CA) from SD rats, 8 weeks after either subtotal 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx) in TXR-treated normotensive (137 ± 8 mmHg sBP, n=5) and hypertensive (195 ± 12 mmHg sBP, n=10), or sham operated controls (Sham, n=6). Endothelium-dependent vasodilatations were determined by using a pressure-myograph.
Results: Endothelial KCa-currents (IKCa) were significantly reduced in EC from hypertensive 5/6Nx rats (mean IKCa at a membrane potenial of 0 mV: 28 pA ± 3 SE, n=51, P<0.01) as well as in normotensive 5/6Nx rats (mean IKCa 23 pA ± 2 SE, n=20, P<0.001) when compared to Sham (50 pA ± 5 SE; n=39). Expression of the endothelial KCa genes IKCa1 and SKCa3 was significantly reduced in 5/6Nx rats than in Sham. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced EDHF-mediated vasodilations were almost absent in both hypertensive (5 ± 1%, P<0.01) and normotensive 5/6 Nx rats (4 ± 4%, P<0.05) and were normal in Sham (22 ± 6 %). Selective opening of IKCa1 and SKCa3 by 1-EBIO induced vasodilation of 25 ± 6% in Sham but was readily ineffective in hypertensive (5 ± 1%) and normotensive 5/6 Nx-rats (9 ± 1%).
Conclusions: Experimental chronic renal insufficiency alone or combined with hypertension results in a loss of EDHF-mediated vasodilation. This defect appeared to be caused at least in part by an impaired expression of endothelial KCa. The loss of EDHF-type vasodilation may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and abnormal arterial tone in CRI