ROLE OF ATP-SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS AND DIAPHRAGMATIC FATIGUE DURING ENDOTOXEMIA IN THE PIG

To evaluate diaphragmatic strength and endurance capacity during endot oxaemia in anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated, indomethacin-treate d pigs, we infused E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS 70 mu g/Kg, iv, as bolus). After 120 min of endotoxaemia, glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive K+ channel antagonist, 10 mg/Kg iv), was administered over 5 min. The strength and endurance capacity of the diaphragm were evaluated at 12 0 min and 5, 10, 20 and 30 min after drug infusion. Glibenclamide decr eased the strength of the diaphragm whilst the endurance index was red uced only at 5 min. Our data indicate that the block of ATP-sensitive K+ channels (K-ATP(+)) during endotoxaemia may modify diaphragmatic ac tivity.