Orias M
Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Privado Córdoba, Argentina.
Medicina (B Aires). 1998;58(4):429-32.
Potassium channels are transmembrane proteins that allow this ion to diffuse through the plasma membrane. By participating in the generation of membrane potential they regulate intracellular calcium levels and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Voltage-gated and ATP-gated potassium channels have been described in vessel smooth muscle. Minoxidil and diazoxide vasodilate by opening ATP-gated potassium channels. Soon other K-ATP channel openers will be available. It has been suggested that hypoxic vasodilatation and shock are due to excessive activation of potassium channels. Mutations in potassium channels have been implied in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.
钾通道是跨膜蛋白，可使该离子通过质膜扩散。通过参与膜电位的产生，它们调节细胞内钙水平和血管平滑肌收缩。血管平滑肌中已发现电压门控和ATP门控钾通道。米诺地尔和二氮嗪通过打开ATP门控钾通道来扩张血管。很快将会有其他K-ATP通道开放剂上市。有人提出，缺氧性血管舒张和休克是由于钾通道过度激活所致。钾通道突变与原发性高血压的发病机制有关。
