Background-Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and reactive oxygen species are implica
ted in inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and atherosclerosis. The
role of ion channels has not been previously explored.
Methods and Results-K+ currents and membrane potential were recorded in end
othelial cells by voltage- and current-clamp techniques. H2O2 elicited both
hyperpolarization and depolarization of the membrane potential in a concen
tration-dependent manner. Low H2O2 concentrations (0.01 to 0.25 mu mol/L) i
nhibited the inward-rectifying K+ current (K-IR) Whole-cell K+ current anal
ysis revealed that H2O2 (1 mmol/L) applied to the bath solution increased t
he Ca2+-dependent K+ current (K-Ca) amplitude. H2O2 increased K-Ca current
in outside-out patches in a Ca2+-free solution. When catalase (5000 mu/mL)
was added to the bath solution, the outward-rectifying K+ current amplitude
was restored. In contrast, superoxide dismutase (1000 u/mL) had only a sma
ll effect on the H2O2-induced K+ current changes. Next, we measured whole-c
ell K+ currents and redox potentials simultaneously with a novel redox pote
ntial-sensitive electrode. The H2O2-mediated K-Ca current increase was acco
mpanied by a whole-cell redox potential decrease.
Conclusions-H2O2 elicited both hyperpolarization and depolarization of the
membrane potential through 2 different mechanisms. Low H2O2 concentrations
inhibited inward-rectifying K+ currents, whereas higher H2O2 concentrations
increased the amplitude of the outward K+ current. We suggest that reactiv
e oxygen species generated locally increases the K-Ca current amplitude, wh
ereas low H2O2 concentrations inhibit K-IR via intracellular messengers.