Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 2005 January; 26 (1): 69-76; doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2005.00016.x

Aim: The alterations of the binding sites for ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel (K_ATP) openers and blockers in aortic strips were investigated in hypertensive rats.

Methods: Radioligand binding techniques were used to compare the specific binding properties of [³H]P1075 and [³H]glibenclamide (Gli) in normotensive (NWR) and reno-vascular hypertensive rat (RVHR) aortic strips.

Results: The K_D values of [³H]P1075 binding were increased by 1.5-fold, while the B_max values were unchanged in RVHR. The IC₅₀ values of P1075 and pinacidil (Pin) for displacing the [³H]P1075 binding in RVHR were increased by 1.8- and 1.7-fold, respectively. The kinetic processes of association and dissociation of [³H]P1075 binding were slower in RVHR. Glibenclamide pretreatment slowed down the kinetic processes of the association and dissociation of [³H]P1075 binding in NWR, but failed to alter the kinetic processes of [³H]P1075 binding in RVHR. The IC₅₀ values of Gli for displacing the [³H]Gli binding at high-affinity sites were increased by 3-fold, while those at low-affinity sites remained to be unchanged in RVHR. The kinetic processes of association of [³H]Gli binding were decreased and those of the dissociation were accelerated in RVHR. The treatment with Pin slowed down the association kinetic processes but accelerated the process of the dissociation of [³H]Gli binding in NWR, but did not alter the kinetics of [³H]Gli binding in RVHR.

Conclusion: The affinity of binding sites for [³H]P1075 and of high-affinity binding sites for [³H]Gli are decreased, and the negative allosteric interactions between the two binding sites are impaired in RVHR aorta.