Exercise training increases inwardly rectifying K+ current and augments K+-mediated vasodilatation in deep femoral artery of rats

Abstract

The present study provides evidence that regular exercise up-regulates I(Kir) in DFA and CA myocytes. Although the increase in I(Kir) was observed in two types of arteries, augmentation of K(+)-induced relaxation was observed only in the DFA of ET rats, possibly due to the increased Na(+) conductance in CA myocytes. The increases in I(Kir) and K(+)-induced vasodilatation of the arteries of skeletal muscle suggest novel mechanisms of improved exercise hyperaemia with physical training.