Inhibitory effect of potassium channel openers on proliferation of cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells.
AIM
To study the effects of pinacidil (Pin), nicorandil (Nic), RP 49356 (RP), and lemakalim (Lem) on phenylephrine (PE)-induced proliferation of cultured rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMC).


METHODS
The [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and number of ASMC were measured.


RESULTS
[3H]Thymidine uptake induced by PE was markedly inhibited by Pin, Nic, RP, and Lem (0.1-10 mumol.L-1). Only RP inhibited [3H]thymidine uptake without PE-pretreatment. Cell growth induced by PE was completely inhibited by Pin.


CONCLUSION
Pin, Nic, RP, and Lem showed potent antiproliferation of ASMC.