Hypoglycemic sulfonylureas antagonize the effects of cromakalim and pinacidil on 86Rb fluxes and contractile activity in the rat aorta.

Cromakalim, pinacidil and nitroprusside provoked concentration-dependent relaxations of K(+)-depolarized rat aortae. Glibenclamide, tolbutamide and to a lesser extent tetraethylammonium antagonized the vasorelaxant action of cromakalim and pinacidil. Cromakalim, pinacidil but not nitroprusside elicited a marked increase in 86Rb outflow from preloaded and perifused aortic rings. These increases in 86Rb outflow were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by glibenclamide and tetraethylammonium. Our data extend previous observations indicating the involvement of K+ channels in the vasorelaxant properties of cromakalim and pinacidil. Moreover, the present findings suggest that both compounds could interfere with a vascular type of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.