Ketamine stereoselectively affects vasorelaxation mediated by ATP-sensitive K(+) channels in the rat aorta.

BACKGROUND The effect of ketamine on vasodilation mediated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K(+) channels has not been studied. The present study was designed to determine whether ketamine might stereoselectively affect vasorelaxation induced by an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener in the isolated rat aorta. METHODS Rings of the rat aorta with or without endothelium were suspended for isometric force recording. During contraction to phenylephrine (3 x 10(-7) M), vasorelaxation in response to an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener levcromakalim (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) or a nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (10(-10) to 10(-5) M) was obtained. Glibenclamide (10(-5) M), S(+) ketamine (10(-4) M), or ketamine racemate (10(-5) to 10(-4) M) was applied 15 min before addition of phenylephrine. RESULTS Vasorelaxation induced by levcromakalim was completely abolished by an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel antagonist glibenclamide (10(-5) M) in the aorta with or without endothelium. Ketamine racemate (3 x 10(-5) to 10(-4) M) significantly inhibited this vasorelaxation in a concentration-dependent fashion, whereas S(+) ketamine did not affect the relaxation. However, the highest concentration of ketamine racemate and S(+) ketamine used in the present study did not alter vasorelaxation in response to sodium nitroprusside in the aorta without endothelium. CONCLUSION In the isolated rat aorta, clinically relevant concentrations of ketamine racemate can inhibit relaxation induced by an ATP-sensitive K(+) channel opener, whereas S(+) ketamine did not produce any inhibitory effect on this vasorelaxation. These results suggest that ketamine stereoselectively alters vasodilation ATP-sensitive K(+) channels in the conduit artery.