[Effects of the potassium channel activator cromakalim on human isolated bronchial smooth muscle].

The method which can be used to measure human small smooth muscle function in vitro with the bronchiolar strip preparation was described. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cromakalim against histamine acetylcholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha in human isolated bronchiolar smooth muscle. The results showed the order of relaxant potencies was cromakalim > salbutamol > Theophylline. The relaxation responses to cromakalim, salbutamol, theophylline for histamine or prostaglandin F2 alpha were not significantly different. The relaxation responses to cromakalim, salbutamol, theophylline for acetylcholine were significantly different. Cromakalim was more potent and more effective than salbutamol and theophylline. Cromakalim was able to produce an additional relaxation response in the presence of a maximal relaxation induced by salbutamol and theophylline.