POTASSIUM CHANNELS PARTICIPATE IN GASTRIC-MUCOSAL PROTECTION IN RATS WITH PARTIAL PORTAL-VEIN LIGATION

Glybenclamide, an adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (K-ATP(+) ) channel blocker, lowered portal pressure and attenuated the hyperdyn amic splanchnic circulation in rats with partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). The purpose of this report was to confirm these observations a nd to test the hypothesis that glybenclamide could reduce acidified et hanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats with PPVL, Gastric mucosa l blood flow (hydrogen gas clearance), systemic blood pressure, and po rtal pressure were monitored in rats with PPVL or sham operation (SO). Intravenous glybenclamide (20 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered, fol lowed by intragastric acidified ethanol (0.15 N HCl and 15% ethanol), The area of gastric mucosal lesions was assessed by image analysis. In contrast to published findings, there was no significant elevation of portal pressure after glybenclamide administration in rats with PPVL, Glybenclamide did not alter the gastric mucosal hyperemia in these ra ts. Glybenclamide significantly increased mucosal injury. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that K-ATP(+) channels play a role in protecting the gastric mucosa in rats with PPVL.