The effects of opener and blocker of potassium channels on apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of rats

Objective We intended to investigate the effects of opener and blocker of potassium channels on apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) of rats. Methods VSMCs of rats abdomen aorta were cultured, primarily using tissue culture method. The 5th passage of VSMCs were then suspended and cultured in some 25T culture bottles. Different reagents were added into these bottles: Group A was a control group;Group was a group with Pinacidil 0.2 mM; Group was a group with glibenclamide 0.05 mM;and group D was a group with Pinacidil 0.2 mM + glibenclamide 0.05 mM. Cells were observed under optical microscope. Cells were suspended 24 h after adding these reagents. Cells were stained with AnnexinV and PI and then checked with flow cytometer. Results VSMCs shrank to round shapes and their volume decreased in 12 hours after using opener of K ATP 0.2 mM Pinacidil. Flow cytometer test showed that later apoptosis rate of VSMCs increased in Pinacidil group,while 0.05 mM glibenclamide reversed the effect of 0.2 mM pinacidil. Conclusion K ATP of smooth muscle cells contributes to apoptosis of SMVCs.