The cardioprotective actions of iloprost in myocardial ischemia of the rabbit can be separated from its vasodilatory effects mediated by KATP(+)-channel opening.

The modification of cardioprotective actions of iloprost by K(+)-channel blockade was studied in ischemic rabbit hearts. Glibenclamide, a blocker of ATP-dependent K(+)-channels, prevented coronary vasodilation mediated by the prostacyclin mimetic iloprost. In contrast, the cardioprotective effects of iloprost which were determined from prevention of ischemia induced rise in left ventricular enddiastolic pressure and loss of cytosolic troponin T in hearts made globally ischemic for two hours were not affected by glibenclamide. It is concluded that the cardioprotective action of iloprost can be separated from ist coronary vasodilator effect mediated by opening KATP(+)-channels.