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Background potassium currents play an important role in the regulation of the resting membrane potential and excitability of mammalian neurons. Recently cloned two- pore domain potassium channels (K2p) are believed to underlie these currents. The roles of K2P channels in general anesthesia and neuroprotection have been proposed recently. In view of this, we investigated the ability of trichloroethanol (an active metabolite of the non-volatile general anesthetic cldoral hydrate, widely used as a pediatric sedative) to modulate the activity of human TREK-1 and TRAAK channels. We found that trichloroethanol potently activates both hTREK-1 and hTRAAK channels at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. The parent compound chloral hydrate was also found to augtnent the activity of both the channels reversibly. Studies with carboxy- terminal deletion mutants (hTREK-1A89, hTREK-1 A100 and hTREK-1 A1 19), suggested that C-terminal tail is not essential for the activation of TREK-1 by trichloroethanol. Our findings identify TREK-1 and TRCL4K channels as molecular targets for trichloroethanol and we propose that activation of both these channels might contribute to the CNS depressant effects of chloral hydrate. Another channel TASK-2, which is essentially absent in the human brain was also found to be potently activated by both trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate. In another series of experiments, we studied the effects of methyl xanthines caffeine and theophylline on hTREK-1 channels. Caffeine and theophylline are used for therapeutic purposes and frequently cause life-threatening convulsive seizures due to systemic toxicity. The mechanisms for the epileptogenicity of caffeine and theophylline are not clear. Recent experiments using knockout mice provided direct evidence for a role for TREK-1 in the control of epileptogenesis. We hypothesized that the epileptogenicity of caffeine and theophylline may be related to the inhibition of TREK-1 channels. We investigated this possibility and observed massive inhibition of TREK-1 channels at toxicologically relevant concentrations. Experiments with the mutant TREK-1 channel (S348A mutant) suggested the involvement of cANP/PKA pathway in the inhibition of TREK-1 channels by caffeine and theophylline. We suggest that inhibition of TREK-1 channels may contribute to the convulsive seizures induced by toxic levels of caffeine and theophylline. Local anesthetics exhibit their clinical effects not only by binding to voltage-gated sodium channels, but also by interacting with other ion channels such as potassium channels. Because of the physiological significance of TREK-1 channels and their abundant expression in peripheral sensory neurons, we investigated the effects of lidocaine to see whether its interaction with 'REK-1 channels contribute to the conduction blockade. Lidocaine caused dose-dependent inhibition of TREK-1channels and the inhibition was voltage-independent. Cytoplasmic C-terminal tail is critically required for lidocaine action. Inhibition of TREK-1 channels is achieved at concentrations for iiz vivo action and this effect may have implications for the clinically observed drug action of lidocaine.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / IntroduÃÃo: Cerca de 52% dos homens na faixa etÃria entre 40 e 70 anos sofrem de disfunÃÃo erÃtil (DE). A ioimbina (IOI), um inibidor adrenÃrgico &#945;2, vem sendo usada no tratamento da DE hà dÃcadas, e ainda tem as suas indicaÃÃes, porÃm seu mecanismo de aÃÃo ainda permanece obscuro. A maior parte dos estudos com IOI foi realizada em corpos cavernosos e aorta de ratos e coelhos, devido à dificuldade de se obter tecido humano. O objetivo deste estudo à definir o mecanismo de aÃÃo nÃo-adrenÃrgico nÃo-colinÃgico da IOI, avaliando a via nitrÃrgica e a via dos canais iÃnicos no mÃsculo liso de corpo cavernoso humano. MÃtodos: Os corpos cavernosos foram retirados de 13 doadores cadÃveres masculinos (idade 18-53 anos), durante cirurgia pra retirada de ÃrgÃos para transplante, seguindo os protocolos de doaÃÃo de tecidos. As tiras de mÃsculo cavernoso humano foram montadas verticalmente em paralelo, em banho de registro isomÃtrico em soluÃÃo de KHS (pH 7,4, a 37ÂC), constantemente aerada (O2-95% e CO2-5%). Foram realizadas curvas dose-resposta com IOI (10-12 â10-4 M) em tiras de corpos cavernosos de humanos prÃ-contraÃdas com fenilefrina (10 ÂM) e com soluÃÃo despolarizante rica em potÃssio (60 mM de K+), em associaÃÃo com inibidores da via nitrÃrgica e da via de canais iÃnicos (Na+, K+ e Cl-), para estudo das vias NANC. Resultados: A IOI obteve relaxamento importante das tiras de corpo cavernoso humano in vitro na dose 10-4 M. ApÃs prÃ-contraÃÃo com fenilefrina (10 ÂM), as tiras submetidas à IOI nesta dose, relaxaram 95,8%, e quando a prÃ-contraÃÃo foi realizada com soluÃÃo despolarizante rica em K+ (60 mM de K+), Ca++ (2 mM), contendo 10 ÂM guanetidina (simpatolÃtico quÃmico) e 10 ÂM fentolamina (bloqueador &#945;-adrenÃrgico), o relaxamento foi de 69,5% (p<0,05). A IOI (10-4M), apÃs prÃ-contraÃÃo com fenilefrina (10 ÂM), e na presenÃa de 7- NI (10ÂM) e do L-NAME (100ÂM) (bloqueadores das enzimas Ãxido nÃtrico sintetases constitutivas (nNOS e eNOS, respectivamente)) e do ODQ (inibidor da enzima guanilato ciclase solÃvel - 10ÂM) proporcionou relaxamento do mÃsculo cavernoso humano de 57,4%; 55,5%; 62,99%; respectivamente (p<0,05). Em associaÃÃo com TTX (Tetrodotoxina - bloqueador do canal de sÃdio neuronal - 100ÂM), TEA (tetraetilamonio - bloqueador de canais de potÃssio voltagem-dependentes ativados por cÃlcio - 100ÂM), e com apamina + charybdotoxina (inibidores dos canais de potÃssio ativados por cÃlcio de baixa, mÃdia e alta condutÃncia -0,1ÂM + 1ÂM), obteu-se relaxamento de 56,4%; 100%; 100% respectivamente (p>0,05). Jà com a glibenclamida (inibidor dos canais de KATP e de Cl- - 10ÂM), proporcionou relaxamento de 71,1% (p<0,05). ConclusÃo: Os resultados dos estudos farmacolÃgicos sugerem que a IOI relaxa o corpo cavernoso de humano por mecanismo outro que nÃo o seu bloqueio adrenÃrgico, possivelmente ativando a via nitrÃrgica, e via canais de KATP e de CL- (NO â GUANILATO CICLASE â GMPc â canais de KATP e de cloreto). A IOI nÃo age via canais de Na+, e nem atua via canais de potÃssio voltagem-dependentes ativados por cÃlcio, como tambÃm nÃo age nos canais de potÃssio ativados por cÃlcio de baixa, mÃdia e alta condutÃncia. Palavras-chave: ioimbina, corpo cavernoso, disfunÃÃo erÃtil, canais de K+. / Introduction: About 52% of men aged between 40 and 70 years old suffer with erectile dysfunction (ED). Yohimbine (YOH), an &#945;2-adrenergic blocker, has been used for ED treatment for several decades, and it still has its indications. However its mechanism of action still remains obscure. Most of the studies with YOH were made with corpus cavernosum and aorta of rats and rabbits, due to the difficulty of getting human tissue. The aim of this study is to define the non-cholinergic non-adrenergic mechanism of action of the YOH, evaluating the nitrergic pathway and the role of the ionic channels in the human cavernosum smooth muscle. Methods: The corpus cavernosum were removed from 13 male cadavers donors (18-53 years old), during surgery for removing of organs for transplant, following the national protocols for organs donation. The strips of human cavernosum muscle were vertically settled in parallel, in isometric register bath in KHS solution (pH 7,4, at 37ÂC), constantly gassed with (O2-95% and CO2-5%). Curves dose-reply were performed with IOI (10-12 - 10-4 M) in strips of human corpus cavernosum beings pre-contracted with phenilefrine (10 ÂM) and with rich depolarizing solution in potassium (60 mM of K+), in association with nitrergic and ionic channels inhibitors (Na+, K+ and Cl-), for study of NANC ways. Results: The YOH provided an important relaxation for the strips of in vitro human corpus cavernosum under the dose of 10-4 M. After pre-contraction with phenilefrine (10 ÂM), the strips submitted to the YOH in this dose, got relaxed 95.8%, and when the pre-contraction was made with rich depolarizing K+ solution (60 mM of K+), Ca++ (2 mM), containing 10 ÂM guanethidine (chemical simpatolitic) e 10ÂM phentolamine (&#945;-adrenergic blocker), the relaxation was of 69,5% (p<0,05). The YOH (10-4M), after pre-contraction with fenilefrina (10 ÂM), under the presence of 7-NI (10 ÂM) and of L-NAME (100 ÂM) (nitric oxide synthases inhibitors (nNOS and eNOS, respectively)), and of the ODQ (soluble guanylate cyclase enzyme inhibitor â 10 ÂM) provided relaxation of the human cavernosum muscle of 57,4%; 55.5%; 62.99%; respectively (p<0,05). In association with TTX (Tetrodotoxina - neuronal sodium channel inhibitor â 100 ÂM), TEA (tetraetilamonio - potassium channels voltage-dependents activated by calcium blocker â 100 ÂM), and with apamina + charybdotoxina (potassium channels activated by calcium blocker of low and high conductance - 0,1 ÂM + 1 ÂM), we got a relaxation of 56,4%; 100%; 100% respectively (p>0,05). With the glibenclamida (KATP and Cl- channels blocker â 10 ÂM), we got a 71,1% relaxation (p<0,05). Conclusion: The pharmacologic studies results suggest that the YOH relaxes the human corpus cavernosum by another mechanism different of his adrenergic blockade, possibly activating the nitrergic pathway, and through Cl- and KATP channels (NO - GUANILATO CICLASE - GMPc - chloride and KATP channels). The YOH doesnât act through Na+ channels, and doesnât act through potassium channels voltage-dependents activated by calcium, as well as it doesnât act in the K+ channels activated by calcium of low and high conductance.

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.PDF: 7069577 bytes, checksum: 994737d813443da6d7f127b17873faf9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The flavonoid galetin 3,6 dimethyl ether (FGAL) was isolated from the aerial parts of Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke and was investigated its possible hemolytic activity in rat erythrocytes and spasmolytic activity in several isolated smooth muscles as rat uterus, guinea pig ileum and trachea, and rat aorta. FGAL showed no hemolytic effect on rat erythrocytes, which is suggestive of a low toxicity. In preliminary pharmacological screening performed in smooth muscle models, FGAL showed non-selective spasmolytic effect in the four organs tested, with a higher potency to relax the guinea pig trachea pre-contracted with carbachol and rat aorta pre-contracted with phenylephrine (FEN) in a functional epithelium and endothelium independent manner, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the action mechanism of FGAL relaxing effect in guinea pig trachea and rat aorta. The observation that FGAL was more potent in relaxing both pre-contracted organs with moderate increases in extracellular concentration of KCl than when contracted with larger increases of KCl is suggestive that FGAL modulates the channels positivety. This hypothesis was confirmed by decreasing of relaxant potency of FGAL in both organs in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA+) 10 mM, non-selective blocker of K+ channels. To determine the subtypes of K+ channel involved, were used selectives blockers: in trachea the effect of FGAL was not altered in the presence of TEA+ 1 mM, blocker of large conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (BKCa); glibenclamide, blocker of sensitive-ATP K+ channels (KATP); BaCl2, blocker of inward rectifier K+ channels (Kir) or 4-AP, blocker of voltage activated K+ channels (KV), but was reduced in the presence of apamin, blocker of small conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (SKCa). In aorta, the relaxant effect of FGAL was not altered in the presence of TEA+ 1 mM, but was reduced in the presence of apamin, glibenclamide, BaCl2 and 4-AP, suggesting the involvement of SKCa, KATP, Kir and KV in vasorelaxant action of flavonoid. The fact of FGAL rightward shifted, with Emax reduced the CaCl2-induced contractions in depolarizing medium, and CaCl2 in the presence of verapamil, a voltage activated calcium channel (CaV) blocker, and FEN, suggests the involvement of CaV and ROCs (receptor-operated calcium channel), respectively. Also in the aorta, FGAL inhibited FEN induced contractions in Ca2+-free medium, suggesting inhibition of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum SR. We also evaluated the participation of the cyclic nucleotides pathway, and observed that the trachea and aorta relaxation induced by aminophylline, non selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), was more potent in the presence of FGAL, suggesting the involvement of cAMP and/or cGMP. On the aorta was assessed FGAL effect on relaxation induced by selective inhibitors of PDE-3 (milrinone, cAMP selective) and PDE-5 (sildenafil, cGMP selective), and FGAL only potentiated the relaxation induced by sildenafil, suggesting the participation of cGMP. Since K+ channels are modulated negatively by PKC, we investigated a possible inhibition of PKC by FGAL and the flavonoid relaxed the aorta pre-contracted with a PKC activator (PMA), suggesting inhibition of this enzyme. In conclusion, the spasmolytic mechanism of FGAL in trachea involves positive modulation of SKCa and cyclic nucleotides, and in the aorta involves the positive modulation of KATP, SKCa, Kir, Kv and inhibition of CaV, ROCs, Ca2+ release of SR, PDE-5 and PKC. / O flavonoide 3,6-dimetil éter galetina (FGAL) foi isolado das partes aéreas de Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke e foi investigada sua possível atividade hemolítica em eritrócitos de rato e espasmolítica em vários músculos lisos isolados como útero de rata, íleo e traqueia de cobaia, e aorta de rato. FGAL não causou efeito hemolítico em eritrócitos de ratos, o que é sugestivo de baixa toxicidade. Na triagem farmacológica preliminar realizada em músculos lisos, FGAL apresentou efeito espasmolítico não seletivo nos 4 órgãos testados, apresentando uma maior potência em relaxar a traqueia de cobaia pré-contraída com carbacol e a aorta de rato pré-contraída com fenilefrina (FEN), de maneira independente de epitélio e endotélio funcional, respectivamente. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o mecanismo de ação relaxante de FGAL em traqueia de cobaia e aorta de rato. A observação de que FGAL foi mais potente em relaxar ambos os órgãos pré-contraídos com aumentos moderados na concentração extracelular de KCl do que quando contraídos com aumentos maiores de KCl é sugestivo de que FGAL está agindo por modular positivamente os canais de K+, hipótese esta confirmada pela diminuição da potência relaxante de FGAL em ambos os órgãos na presença de tetraetilamônio (TEA+) 10 mM, bloqueador não seletivo dos canais de K+. Para verificar os subtipos de canais de K+, usou-se bloqueadores seletivos: em traqueia o efeito de FGAL não foi alterado na presença de TEA+ 1 mM, bloqueador dos canais K+ de grande condutância ativados pelo Ca2+ (BKCa), glibenclamida, bloqueador dos canais de K+ sensíveis ao ATP (KATP), BaCl2, bloqueador dos canais de K+ retificadores de entrada (Kir) ou de 4-AP, bloqueador dos canais de K+ sensíveis à voltagem (KV), porém foi reduzido na presença de apamina, bloqueador dos canais de K+ de pequena condutância ativados pelo Ca2+ (SKCa). Em aorta, o efeito relaxante de FGAL não foi alterado na presença de TEA+ 1 mM, por outro lado foi reduzido na presença de apamina, glibenclamida, BaCl2 e 4-AP, sugerindo a participação dos SKCa, KATP, Kir e KV na ação vosorrelaxante do flavonoide. O fato de FGAL deslocar para direita com redução do Emax as contrações induzidas por CaCl2 em meio despolarizante, e por CaCl2 na presença de FEN e verapamil, bloqueador de CaV, sugere o envolvimento dos CaV e dos ROCs, respectivamente. Ainda em aorta, FGAL inibiu as contrações induzidas por FEN em meio livre de Ca2+, sugerindo inibição da liberação de Ca2+ do retículo sarcoplasmático (RS). Avaliou-se ainda a participação dos nucleotídios cíclicos, e observou-se que o relaxamento induzido pela aminofilina, inibidor não seletivo de fosfodiesterases (PDEs) em traqueia e aorta foi potencializado com FGAL, sugerindo a participação de AMPc e/ou GMPc. Em aorta foi avaliado o efeito de FGAL sobre o relaxamento induzido com inibidores seletivos de PDE-3 (milrinona, seletiva para AMPc) e PDE-5 (sildenafila, seletiva para GMPc), sendo que FGAL só potencializou o relaxamento induzido por sildenafila, sugerindo a participação do GMPc. Como os canais de K+ são modulados negativamente pela PKC, investigou-se uma possível inibição da PKC por FGAL, que relaxou a aorta pré-contraída com o ativador de PKC (PMA), sugerindo inibição dessa enzima. Em conclusão, o mecanismo de ação espasmolítica de FGAL em traqueia envolve modulação positiva dos SKCa e dos nucleotídios cíclicos, e em aorta modulação positiva dos KATP, SKCa, Kir, KV; inibição dos CaV e dos ROCs, da liberação de Ca2+ do RS, da PDE-5 e PKC.

Na+/K+-ATPase has been shown to regulate the sweating and cutaneous vascular responses during exercise; however, similar studies have not been conducted to assess the roles of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC) and K+ channels. Additionally, it remains to be determined if these mechanisms underpinning the heat loss responses differ with exercise intensity. Eleven young (24±4 years) males performed three 30-min semi-recumbent cycling bouts at low (30% VO2peak), moderate (50% VO2peak), and high (70% VO2peak) intensity exercise, respectively, each separated by 20-min recovery periods. Using intradermal microdialysis, four forearm skin sites were continuously perfused with either: 1) lactated Ringer solution (Control), 2) 6 mᴍ ouabain (Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor), 3) 10 mᴍ bumetanide (NKCC inhibitor), or 4) 50 mᴍ BaCl2 (non-specific K+ channel inhibitor); sites at which we assessed local sweat rate (LSR) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC). Inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase attenuated LSR compared to Control during the moderate and high intensity exercise bouts (both P˂0.01), whereas attenuations with NKCC and K+ channel inhibition were only apparent during the high intensity exercise bout (both P≤0.05). Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition augmented CVC during all exercise intensities (all P˂0.01), whereas CVC was greater with NKCC inhibition during the low intensity exercise only (P˂0.01) and attenuated with K+ channel inhibition during the moderate and high intensity exercise conditions (both P˂0.01). We show that Na+/K+-ATPase, NKCC and K+ channels all contribute to the regulation of sweating and cutaneous blood flow but their influence is dependent on the intensity of exercise.

These experiments were done to determine the effect of glibenclamide and diazoxide on the growth of human bladder carcinoma (HTB-9) cells in vitro. Cell growth was assayed by cell counts, protein accumulation, and 3H-thymidine uptake. Glibenclamide added at 75 and 150 μM for 48 hr reduced cell proliferation. Dose-inhibition curves showed that glibenclamide added for 48 hr reduced cell growth at concentrations as low as 1 μM (IC50 = 73 μM) when growth was assayed in the absence of added serum. This μM-effect on cell growth was in agreement with the dose range in which glibenclamide decreased open probability of membrane K(ATP) channels. Addition of glibenclamide for 48 hr also altered the distribution of cells within stages of the cell cycle as determined by flow cytometry using 10-5 M bromodeoxyuridine. Glibenclamide (100 μM) increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 from 33.6% (vehicle control) to 38.3% (P < 0.05), and it reduced the percentage of cells in S phase from 38.3% to 30.6%. On the other hand, diazoxide, which opens membrane K(ATP) channels in HTB-9 cells, stimulated growth measured by protein accumulation, but it did not increase the cell number. We conclude that the sulfonylurea receptor and the corresponding membrane K(ATP) channel are involved in mechanisms controlling HTB-9 cell growth. However, K(ATP) is not rate-limiting among the signaling mechanisms or molecular switches that regulate the cell cycle.

Contractility of vascular smooth muscles (VSMs) in resistance arteries determines systemic blood pressure and blood supplies to local tissues, in which ATP sensitive K+ (KATP) channels play a role. The KATP channels that couple metabolic state to cellular activity are activated by multiple hormonal vasodilators and inhibited by vasoconstrictors. To understand the molecular mechanisms for the channel regulation by vasodilators, we studied the effects of β-adrenergic receptors on Kir6.1/SUR2B in HEK cells. Stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors activated the channels, which relied on the GS-protein, adenylyl cyclase, cAMP and PKA system. Using mutational analysis, we scanned all the putative PKA sites on Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits and identified two residues (Ser1351 and Ser1387) in SUR2B critical for channel activation. In vitro phosphorylation experiments confirmed that Ser1387 but not Ser1351 was phosphorylated in isolated SUR2B peptides. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that phosphorylation at Ser1387 causes interdomain movements in SUR2B subunit. Blockage of the movements by engineering a disulfide bond across NBD2 and TMD1 eliminated the PKA-dependent channel activation. We also studied the molecular basis for the inhibition of vascular KATP channels by PKC. In the HEK expression system, we found that the Kir6.1/SUR2B channel but not the Kir6.2/SUR2B was drastically inhibited by PKC stimulation. We constructed Kir6.1/Kir6.2 chimeras and identified two critical protein domains for the Kir6.1 channel inhibition by PKC. The distal C-terminus was the direct target of PKC where multiple phosphorylation sites were identified. These phosphorylation sites were located in a short sequence with stereotypical sequence repeats. Mutation of any decreased the effects of PKC. Joint mutation of all of them prevented the channel inhibition by PKC. The proximal N-terminus is also involved in PKC effects without phosphorylation sites, suggesting it may play a role in channel gating. Thus, this thesis provides experimental evidence for the vascular KATP channel modulation by PKA and PKC. Phosphorylation of the Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits by PKC and PKA produce inhibition and activation of the vascular KATP channel, respectively, which appears to be one of the molecular bases contributing to vascular tone regulation by both vasoconstricting and vasodilating hormones and neurotransmitters.

Septic shock is a major cause of deaths resulting from uncontrolled inflammation and circulatory failure. Recent studies suggest that the vascular isoform of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels is an important contributor to septic susceptibility. To understand the molecular mechanisms for channel regulation during sepsis, we performed studies in isolated endothelium-denuded mesenteric rings. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced vascular relaxation and hyporeactivity to phenylephrine. The LPS-treated aortic smooth muscle cells displayed hyperpolarization and augmentation of KATP channel activity. Both were due to an up-regulation of Kir6.1 and SUR2B surface expression. The up-regulation relied on transcriptional and translational mechanisms, in which nuclear factor-¦ÊB (NF-¦ÊB) and Protein kinase A (PKA) played a critical role. Oxidative stress occurs during sepsis and may act as another regulatory mechanism affecting KATP channel activity and vascular contractility. We found that micromolar concentrations of H2O2 impaired the pinacidil-induced vasodilation. The effect attributed to the suppression of KATP channel activity, which can be fully produced by reactivity oxidants. Unlike the Kir6.1/SUR2B channel, the Kir6.2/SUR2B channel was insensitive to 1mM H2O2, indicating that the modulation sites are located in Kir6.1. Site-directed mutational analysis showed that three cysteine residues located in N-terminus and the core region of Kir6.1 were likely to mediate the redox-dependent channel modulation. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a vasoconstrictor that is successfully applied to manage sepsis. However, the downstream target of AVP is uncertain. Our studies show that AVP-induced vasoconstriction depended on V1a receptor, Protein kinase C (PKC) and KATP channel. Additionally, AVP decreased Kir6.1/SUR2B channel activity through V1a receptor. The inhibitory effect was caused by a suppression of the channel open state probability. The channel inhibition was mediated by phosphorylation of the channel protein by PKC. The widespread involvement of the vascular KATP channel in vascular responses to endotoxemia strongly suggests that the temporospatial control of channel activity may constitute an important intervention to vascular tone, blood pressure and organ-tissue perfusion in septic shock. Such a control appears feasible by targeting several modulatory mechanisms of intracellular signaling, Kir6.1/SUR2B expression, redox state and channel protein phosphorylation as demonstrated in this dissertation.