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Potassium Channels In The Cardiovascular System

Research & Methods
Concerning
Potassium Channels in the Cardiovascular System Response
to Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension

ABSTRACT

Research concerning the functional role of potassium ions in the cardiovascular system with respect to hypertension and diabetes mellitus has boomed in the past decade. Through a series of experiments, data has been gathered which shows the diverse response of K+ channels in the cardiovascular system when exposed to these diseases.
In elevated glucose levels, diabetes mellitus, the potassium ion channels in vascular smooth muscle cells produced increased superoxides and decreased responsiveness of normal stimulation from 4-aminopyridine. Essentially, they became During hypertension, however, K+ channels adapted to the harsh environment, attempting to maintain normal function.
These experiments were conducted using a wide array of modern biological techniques. The studies for elevated glucose levels utilized patch-clamp, hydroethidine dying, and videomicroscopy. For hypertension, patch-clamp, Western immunoblotting, and ribonuclease protection assay were the methods by which information was gathered on K+ channels.
All of these experiments were performed on rats in an academic setting.

Introduction
The potassium ion channels are a main component on the anatomy and physiology in animals, as they are, in part, responsible for the depolarization and hyperpolarization of neurons, especially in the cardiovascular system (Moyes and Schulte 2006).
K+ channels are voltage-gated ion channels, though certain types of these channels need accessory ions to open properly (Shier et al. 2004). Four types of potassium ion channels will be discussed in this paper. According to Moyes and Schulte (2006), delayed rectifier channels open in response to a change in membrane potential, repolarizing after an axon potential. The A channel (KA channel) makes the neuron more excitable as it opens when the neuron is depolarized. Inward...