The role of ВK<sub>Са</sub> and IK<sub>Са</sub> channels in H<sub>2</sub>S-induced dilatation of pial arteries in rats after nephrectomy

BACKGROUND. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is accompanied by the development of endothelial dysfunction, leading to a decrease in arterial reactivity to vasoactive agents. Uremia causes a change in the dilatation of arteries in various vascular regions, incl. and arteries of the pial membrane of the brain. The action of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which can induce relaxation of smooth muscle cells of blood vessels, is currently considered a possible route of vasoprotection in various diseases, particularly, in CKD. THE AIM. To evaluate the role of calcium-activated potassium channels of large (BKCa) and intermediate (IKCa) conductance in H2S-induced dilatation of pial arteries in nephrectomized (NE) rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS. In Wistar rats nephrectomy (NE) was performed by resection of 5/6 of the renal tissue mass. Sham-operated (LO) animals served as control. The reaction of the pial arteries of the sensomotor cortex of NE and control SO rats to the application of H2S under physiological conditions and against the background of the use of BKCa channel blockers – tetraethylammonium (TEA) and IKCa – channels – TRAM-34. RESULTS. 4 months after NE, the application of H2S led to the dilatation of a smaller number of pial arteries (1.4 – 1.7 times) compared with SO rats. The preliminary exposure to TEA led to a decrease in the number of pial arteries responding by dilatation to the action of H2S in NE and SO rats. Against the background of the action of TRAM-34, the number of dilated arteries decreased under the action of H2S in SO rats, while in NE rats it practically did not change. CONCLUSION. Under physiological conditions, dilatation of the pial arteries in rats under the action of H2S is realized (at least in part) through the activation of the BKCa and IKCa channels of the membrane of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Uremia, caused by nephrectomy, leads to impairment of the mechanism of dilatation of pial arteries, mediated by activation of calcium-activated potassium channels intermediate conductance apparently due to dysfunction of endothelial cells.