Effects of 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium on relaxant responses of isolated dog coronary arteries to 2-nicotinamidoethyl nitrate (SG-75).

Effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) on vasodilator actions of 2-nicotinamidoethyl nitrate (SG-75) were investigated using isolated dog coronary arteries. SG-75 10(-8)--10(-4) Gm/ml produced concentration-dependent relaxations of coronary arterial strips which were contracted with potassium 30 mM or prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha 10(-6) Gm/ml. Both 4-AP 5 x 10(-4) Gm/ml and TEA 1.6 x 10(-3) Gm/ml produced further contractions of the strips under potassium or PGF 2 alpha contracture. The potency to constrict the strips was greater in 4-AP than in TEA. 4-AP 5 x 10(-4) Gm/ml and TEA 1.6 x 10(-3) Gm/ml did not affect the SG-75-induced relaxations of the strips under potassium-contracture, but significantly depressed them under PGF2 alpha-contracture. In the strips under a resting state, 4-AP 5 x 10(-4) Gm/ml increased tension and produced oscillations in their contractions, but TEA 1.6 x 10(-3) Gm/ml did not. Results suggest that SG-75 may display its relaxant effect on isolated dog coronary arteries in part through an increase in potassium conductance.