Effect of glibenclamide on extracellular potassium accumulation and the electrophysiological changes during myocardial ischaemia in the arterially perfused interventricular septum of rabbit

The aim was to study the effects of glibenclamide on the rate of rise of extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) and the electrophysiological changes that occur during myocardial ischaemia. The study was performed in isolated, arterially perfused interventricular septa from the rabbit. Six septa were treated with glibenclamide 10(-6) mol.litre-1 and there were six untreated controls (vehicle only). [K+]o and electrophysiological variables were compared before and during a 30 min period of global zero flow ischaemia. Prior to ischaemia, the extracellular potassium concentrations measured using potassium sensitive valinomycin electrodes were similar in the control and glibenclamide groups being 4.0 (SEM 0.1) and 4.0 (0.1) mmol.litre-1 respectively. [K+]o rose during ischaemia in both groups, and at 30 min was 13.3 (0.7) mmol.litre-1 in the control group. The increase in the glibenclamide group was less marked, reaching 9.2 (0.5) mmol.litre-1 (p less than 0.0005; unpaired t test). Glibenclamide had no electrophysiological effects prior to ischaemia. However, during ischaemia the decrease in action potential amplitude, action potential duration (APD), maximum upstroke velocity of the action potentials (dV/dtmax), and the exte...Continue Reading