The vascular effect of glibenclamide: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: To systematically review the vascular effects of glibenclamide. Background: Infusion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener (KCO) levcromakalim dilates cranial arteries and induces headache and migraine attacks. Recent data show that levcromakalim-induced vasodilation is associated with headache. Glibenclamide is a KATP channel blocker that may alter the vascular tone and thus has an impact on headache or migraine prevention. Methods: A search through PubMed was undertaken for studies investigating the vascular effects of glibenclamide in vitro as well as in vivo published until July 2019. Results: We identified 58 articles; 31 in vitro studies, 24 in vivo studies and 3 studies with both. The main findings were that glibenclamide inhibited levcromakalim-induced and other KCOs-induced vasodilation, while the basal vascular tone remained unchanged. Conclusion: Glibenclamide could inhibit vasodilation by KCOs, and further studies are needed to clarify the vascular effect of glibenclamide on human cranial arteries.