Role of Na-activated K channel, Na-K-Cl cotransport, and Na-K pump in [K]e changes during ischemia in rat heart

Abstract

The contribution of Na-activated K channel, the furosemide-sensitive (Na-K-Cl) cotransport, and Na-K pump to extracellular potassium accumulation during global ischemia was investigated using pharmacological blockade of these pathways. R 56865 (a blocker of the Na-activated K channel), furosemide, or ouabain was included in the perfusate before ischemia in the isolated rat heart preparation, and the extracellular K concentration ([K]e) was monitored during 30 min of global ischemia. In control hearts, [K]e showed an early rise (up to 9.0 +/- 0.2 mM from the baseline of 5.9 mM), a fall (to a minimum of 6.7 +/- 0.2 mM), and a late rise (to 14.1 +/- 0.4 mM by the end of ischemia). R 56865 (0.1 and 1 microM) suppressed the early [K]e rise to 50% of the control level. The late rise in [K]e was also significantly suppressed by the higher dose of R 56865. Furosemide (0.1 and 1 mM) reduced the early K accumulation by 35% but did not affect the rise of [K]e during the late ischemic phase. Blockade of Na-K pump by 10 microM ouabain did not increase [K]e during any phase of ischemia and, in fact, 100 microM ouabain profoundly suppressed the early rise in [K]e. We therefore suggest that the Na-activated K channel, the furosemide-sensitive cotransport, and changes in the activity of the Na-K pump may all contribute to extracellular K accumulation during ischemia. However, in addition to these pathways, it seems likely that other pathways for transsarcolemmal K efflux contribute to cellular K loss during ischemia in the isolated rat heart.