Potassium Channel Openers Increase Aortic Elastic Fiber Formation and Reverse the Genetically Determined Elastin Deficit in the Brown Norway Rat

The study demonstrated that potassium channel openers, such as minoxidil (Mx) and diazoxide (Dx), increased the formation of aortic elastic fibers and reversed the elastin deficit in Brown Norway rats. This effect was observed both in vitro and in vivo, with Mx and Dx enhancing elastin synthesis and increasing elastic fiber thickness. However, Mx also caused eccentric cardiac hypertrophy and aortic dilatation, which were mitigated by irbesartan (Irb), while Dx did not cause these changes. The findings suggested that potassium channel openers could be potential treatments for vascular pathologies with reduced elastin content, such as Williams–Beuren syndrome.