Mechanisms of vasodilation of cerebral vessels induced by the potassium channel opener nicorandil in canine in vivo experiments

Abstract

Background and Purpose Nicorandil, a potent antianginal agent characterized as a potassium channel opener, could produce cerebrovascular dilation in in vitro studies. Our aim was to investigate the pharmacologic response to the topical application of nicorandil on the vasomotor tone of pial vessels in vivo. To elucidate its mechanism, we also studied the inhibitory action of methylene blue and glibenclamide against nicorandil-induced vasodilation. Methods In 14 dogs prepared with a parietal cranial window, we administered five different concentrations of nicorandil solution (10−7, 10−6, 10−5, 10−4, and 10−3 mol/L) under the window and measured pial arteriolar and venular diameters. After pretreating pial vessels with either 10-3 mol/L methylene blue or 10−5 mol/L glibenclamide, we examined inhibitory action after the application of 10-5 mol/L nicorandil. In additional experiments with 9 dogs, we evaluated the effects of nitroglycerin and cromakalim on pial vessels in the absence or presence of 105 mol/L methylene blue and 105 mol/L glibenclamide, respectively. Results Nicorandil produced significant, concentration-dependent dilation of pial vessels (P