The anticontractile effect of vascular smooth muscle BK channels in diabetes

Research Question: In diabetes malfunction of autoregulation of arteries and arterioles has been observed. In autoregulation, potassium channels, in particular BK channels, serve as a negative feedback mechanism exerting an anticontractile effect. However, how diabetes affects the anticontractile effect of the BK channel is not very well known. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that BK channel functionality is altered in diabetes. Methodology: We used isometric force measurement (isometric myography) of rat arteries to investigate the influence of BK channel activity on vessel contractility. The α-receptor agonist…