Altered ATP-sensitive potassium channels may underscore obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure

Aim： To determine whether ATP-sensitive potassium channels are altered in VSMC from arotas and mesenteric arteries of obese rat, and their association with obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure. Methods： Obesity was induced by 24 weeks of high-fat diet feeding in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Control rats were fed with standard laboratory rat chow. Blood pressure and body weight of these rats were measured every 4 weeks. At the end of 24 weeks, KATP channel- mediated relaxation responses in the aortas and mesenteric arteries, KATP channel current, and gene expression were examined, respectively. Results： Blood pressure and body weight were increased in rats fed with high-fat diet. KATP channelmediated relaxation responses, currents, and KATP expression in VSMC of both aortas and mesenteric arteries were inhibited in these rats. Conclusion： Altered ATP-sensitive potassium channels in obese rats may underscore obesity-triggered increase in blood pressure.