Mitochondria from rat uterine smooth muscle possess ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

The objective of this study was to detect ATP-sensitive K uptake in rat uterine smooth muscle mitochondria and to determine possible effects of its activation on mitochondrial physiology. By means of fluorescent technique with usage of K-sensitive fluorescent probe PBFI (potassium-binding benzofuran isophthalate) we showed that accumulation of K ions in isolated mitochondria from rat myometrium is sensitive to effectors of K-channel (ATP-sensitive K-channel) - ATP, diazoxide, glibenclamide and 5HD (5-hydroxydecanoate). Our data demonstrates that K uptake in isolated myometrium mitochondria results in a slight decrease in membrane potential, enhancement of generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and mitochondrial swelling.