What are potassium channel activators used for?
Potassium channels activators (PCA) are drugs which open or prolong the open state duration of potassium channels. Hence they promote potassium efflux, hyperpolarize the cell membrane, thus preventing intracellular penetration of calcium through the voltage-dependent calcium channels.
Which drugs are potassium channel openers?
Potassium channel openers (KCOs) are a structurally diverse group of drugs which share the common property that they activate KATP channels, thereby hyperpolarizing the plasma membrane and reducing electrical excitability (Ashcroft and Gribble, 2000). They include diazoxide, cromakalim, pinacidil and nicorandil.
Which of the following drugs are acting on potassium ion channels?
Examples
- Diazoxide vasodilator used for hypertension, smooth muscle relaxing activity.
- Minoxidil vasodilator used for hypertension, also used to treat hair loss.
- Nicorandil vasodilator used to treat angina.
- Pinacidil.
- Retigabine, an anticonvulsant.
- Flupirtine, analgesic with muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties.
How do potassium channel openers cause vasodilation?
1. Numerous compounds and changes in physical state functions shift the membrane potential of vascular smooth muscle to more negative values. The consequence is a vasodilatation because Ca2+ channels are closed. K+ channel opening frequently causes the hyperpolarization.
Is nicorandil a potassium channel blockers?
In humans, nicorandil, a potassium channel blocker, causes vasodilatation not only in angiographically normal segments but also at sites of dynamic coronary stenosis, where coronary spasm has been provoked by methylergometrine as well as at sites of spontaneous spasm.
How do potassium channel activators reduce blood pressure?
This leads to relaxation and vasodilation. Because small arteries and arterioles normally have a high degree of smooth muscle tone, these drugs are particular effective in dilating these resistance vessels, decreasing systemic vascular resistance, and lowering arterial pressure.
Is Minoxidil a potassium channel opener?
Minoxidil is a potent opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and acts on many cells including those of vascular smooth muscle and kidney (Meisheri et al., 1993).
What are the different types of potassium channels?
There are four main types of potassium channels which are as followed: calcium activated, inwardly rectifying, tandem pore domain, and voltage-gated. The differences between these types are mainly with how the gate receives its signal, whereas the structure of these channels is similar.
What is minoxidil made of?
Minoxidil is a pyrimidine N-oxide that is pyrimidine-2,4-diamine 3-oxide substituted by a piperidin-1-yl group at position 6. It has a role as a vasodilator agent and an antihypertensive agent. It is a pyrimidine N-oxide, a member of piperidines and an aminopyrimidine.