Induction of the ATP-sensitive potassium (uKATP-1) channel by endotoxemia

The effect of sepsis on the ubiquitously expressed ATP-sensitive potassium (uK ATP -1) channel expression was measured in Sprague-Dawley rat diaphragms. Rats were treated with either 0.5 ml saline or 20 mg/Kg E. coli lipopolysaccharides and sacrificed at 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h later. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that channel mRNA expression was increased at 3 h and continued to rise up to 48 h. Western blotting analysis showed a -9-fold increase in channel protein expression 24 h after sepsis. Our results demonstrate that sepsis upregulates the uK ATP -1 channel.