The Role of K+, Ca2+ channels, Some Endothelium Hyperpolarizing Factors in Taurine Induced Vasorelaxation in Rats Aorta

Abstract

The current study included the relaxant effect of taurine on rat’s aortic rings and the mechanism behind this relaxation. Taurine produced a potent spasmolytic effect on aortic rings at concentrations from zero to 80 mM. The results of K⁺ channel subtypes using specific blockers indicated that the Kv channel has a considerable role in taurine-induced relaxation, while K_ATP has a limited role, Exposure of aortic rings to combinations of two K⁺ blockers showed that KCa, Kv, and K_IR play important role in taurine mediated relaxation. The endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors used showed responses to a variable extent in taurine mediated relaxation; since NO and cGMP played a major role whereas PGS played a minor role in taurine mediated relaxation. Finally, the results also indicated that taurine-mediated relaxation is endothelium-dependent.