Anorexic Agents Aminorex, Fenfluramine, and Dexfenfluramine Inhibit Potassium Current in Rat Pulmonary Vascular Smooth Muscle and Cause Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

Abstract

These observations indicate that anorexic agents, like hypoxia, can inhibit potassium current, cause membrane depolarization, and stimulate pulmonary vasoconstriction. They suggest one mechanism that could be responsible for initiating pulmonary hypertension in susceptible individuals. It is possible that susceptibility is the result of the reduced production of an endogenous vasodilator, such as NO, but this remains speculative.