Potassium Channel Openers: Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects

The document from 1992 reviews potassium channel openers (KCOs), which are compounds that induce hyperpolarization in cells by opening potassium channels, affecting smooth muscle and other tissues. It covers various KCOs, including cromakalim and minoxidil sulphate, and their basic pharmacological properties, such as their inhibition by sulfonyl ureas like glibenclamide. The review also discusses the therapeutic potential of KCOs in cardiovascular diseases and asthma, emphasizing the need for improved tissue selectivity for clinical success. It notes that KCOs may work through multiple mechanisms, including inhibiting calcium release from intracellular stores and affecting IP3 production. The document highlights the controversy over the doses needed for different therapeutic effects and the importance of understanding the types of potassium channels targeted by KCOs for their effective application in treatment.