Selective effects of subarachnoid hemorrhage on cerebral vascular responses to 4-aminopyridine in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We postulated that some abnormalities in cerebrovascular function after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may involve underlying alterations in K(+) channel function. Thus, using pharmacological inhibitors, we assessed the influence of SAH on function of 2 types of K(+) channel in regulation of basilar artery diameter in vivo and membrane potential (E(m)) in vitro. METHODS Rats were injected with saline (control) or autologous blood (SAH) into the cisterna magna. Two days later, effects of vasoactive drugs on the basilar artery were examined with a cranial window preparation. Vascular responses to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), 3-aminopyridine (3-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA), serotonin, acetylcholine, and adenosine were compared in control and SAH rats. Additional studies using intracellular microelectrodes evaluated the effects of 4-AP and serotonin on E(m) of basilar arteries isolated from control and SAH rats. RESULTS Baseline artery diameter was 236+/-5 micrometer in control rats and 220+/-7 micrometer in SAH rats (P:<0. 05). 4-AP, but not 3-AP, constricted the basilar artery in control rats, and responses to 4-AP were reduced in SAH rats. Constrictor responses to TEA or serotonin were unaffected by SAH. Vasodilator responses to acetylcholine were impaired in SAH rats, whereas responses to adenosine were not different. Resting E(m) was -81+/-3 mV in control arteries and -79+/-3 mV in SAH arteries. Both 4-AP and serotonin depolarized the basilar artery, but only 4-AP-induced depolarization was impaired in SAH arteries. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that 4-AP induces cerebral vasoconstriction in vivo through smooth muscle depolarization due to inhibition of voltage-dependent K(+) channels. Furthermore, function of these K(+) channels may be selectively reduced in the basilar artery after SAH and thus could contribute to cerebral vascular dysfunction.