Pathophysiological relevance of apical large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels in pancreatic duct epithelial cells

Abstract

It was shown for the first time that BK channels (i) are expressed at the apical membrane of guinea pig PDECs; (ii) have a crucial role in regulating HCO₃⁻ secretion and (iii) are also essential for the bile acid-induced hypersecretion and, therefore, underlie the response of the pancreas to this noxious agent.