Inhibitory effects of SKF96365 on the activities of K⁺ channels in mouse small intestinal smooth muscle cells

Abstract

In order to investigate the effects of SKF96365 (SKF), which is a non-selective cationic channel blocker, on K⁺ channel currents, we recorded currents through ATP sensitive K⁺ (I_KATP), voltage-gated K⁺ (I_Kv) and Ca²⁺ activated K⁺ channels (I_BK) in the absence and presence of SKF in single small intestinal myocytes of mice with patch-clamp techniques. SKF (10 µM) reversibly abolished I_KATP that was induced by cromakalim (10 µM), which is a selective ATP sensitive K⁺ channel opener. These inhibitory effects were induced in a concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 0.85 µM, which was obviously lower than that reported for the muscarinic cationic current. In addition, SKF (1 µM ≈ the IC₅₀ value in I_KATP suppression) reversibly inhibited the I_Kv that was induced by repetitive depolarizing pulses from −80 to 20 mV. However, the extent of the inhibitory effects was only ~30%. In contrast, SKF (1 µM) had no significant effects on spontaneous transient I_BK and caffeine-induced I_BK. These results indicated that SKF inhibited ATP sensitive K⁺ channels and voltage-gated K⁺ channels, with the ATP sensitive K⁺ channels being more sensitive than the voltage-gated K⁺ channels. These inhibitory effects on K⁺ channels should be considered when SKF is used as a cationic channel blocker.