Motor Dysfunction of Gastric Antral Smooth Muscle in Diabetic Rats: Contribution of ATP-Dependent Potassium Channels.

Background: The goal of the current research was to further elucidate the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K) channels in the motility and contractility force of gastric smooth muscle of diabetic rats.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats (190-230 g) were grouped into control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes (55 mg/kg) rats. Thirty days later, gastric muscle contractility was measured using a myograph and a force transducer of antral segments immersed in a tissue bath. Gastric emptying response was measured through feeding of standard pellet. Furthermore, the expression of K channel subunits in antral smooth muscle was determined by western blot technique.

Results: The amplitude of KCl-evoked twitch contractions of diabetic antral strips was about 25% more than control ( < 0.05). Application of minoxidil, a K channel opener, dose dependently decreased the force of twitch contractions in both normal and diabetic antral strips. Application of 10 μM glibenclamide, a K channel blocker, did not antagonize the minoxidil-induced relaxation of antral strips. Diabetic gastric emptying was faster than normal, although not significant. Despite the relaxant effect of minoxidil on gastric emptying rate in normal rats ( < 0.05), this effect was not observed in diabetic rats. Also, glibenclamide increased gastric emptying and antagonized minoxidil-induced relaxation in normal rats ( < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of K Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits was substantially reduced in antral smooth muscle in diabetic condition ( < 0.01).

Conclusion: These results propose that K channels may contribute to the development of gastric motility disorders in diabetes.