Hypercholesterolemia‐Induced Loss of Flow‐Induced Vasodilation and Lesion Formation in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice Critically Depend on Inwardly Rectifying K⁺Channels

Abstract

We conclude that hypercholesterolemia-induced reduction in FIV is largely attributable to cholesterol suppression of Kir2.1 function via the loss of flow-induced NO production, whereas the stages downstream of flow-induced Kir2.1 activation appear to be mostly intact. Kir2.1 channels also have an atheroprotective role.