Differential effects of sulfonylurea derivatives on vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Sulfonylurea drugs exert their insulinotropic action by inhibiting ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the pancreas. However, these channels are also expressed in myocardial and vascular smooth muscle, implicating possible detrimental cardiovascular effects. Aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory potency of various widely used sulfonylurea drugs in resistance arteries.