Evidence that inward rectifier K+ channels mediate relaxation by the PGI2 receptor agonist cicaprost via a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism

Abstract

We conclude that cicaprost relaxes rat tail artery by activating KIR channels with some involvement from EDHF. The mechanism appears to be largely independent of cyclic AMP and Gi/Go, although the latter appears to counteract relaxation through an unknown pathway and/or receptor.