Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Decreases Expression Of Kir6.1 Subunit Of Atp-Sensitive Potassium Channels In Human Internal Mammary Artery Grafts

Background and Aims: Previously, we have shown that pinacidil, known as potassium (K) channels opener, relaxed human internal mammary artery (HIMA) obtained from patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mechanism of vasodilator action of pinacidil includes interaction with smooth muscle ATP-sensitive K (KATP) channels, but our results on HIMA showed that KATP channels are not involved in this process. Thus, the aim of our study was to detect the differences in the expression of KATP channel subunits in HIMA obtained from patients with and without T2DM.