The role of potassium in atherosclerosis.

Tannaz Jamialahmadi, Khalid Al-Rasadi, Suowen Xu, Toktam Sahranavard, Federico Carbone, Fabrizio Montecucco, Amirhossein Sahebkar

Journal: European journal of clinical investigation 2021;51(3):e13454

PMID: 33216974

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory condition with a leading prevalence worldwide. Endothelial dysfunction leads to low-density lipoprotein trafficking into subendothelial space and the subsequent form of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) within intimal layer, perpetuating the vicious cycle of endothelial dysfunction. K+ exerts beneficial effects in vascular wall by reducing LDL oxidization, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation, and free radical generation. K+ also modulates vascular tone through a regulatory effect on cell membrane potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The most relevant papers on the association between 'potassium channels' and 'atherosclerosis' were selected among those deposited on PubMed from 1990 to 2020.

RESULTS

Here, we provide a short narrative review that elaborates on the role of K+ in atherosclerosis. This review also update the current knowledge about potential pharmacological agents targeting K+ channels with a special focus on pleiotropic activities of agents such as statins, sulfonylureas and dihydropyridines.

CONCLUSION

In this review, the mechanism of different K+ channels on vascular endothelium will be summarized, mainly focusing on their pathophysiological role in atherosclerosis and potential therapeutic application.

Address: Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa School of Medicine, Genoa, Italy.; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genoa-Italian Cardiovascular Network, Genoa, Italy.; First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research (CEBR), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.; Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.; Medical Research Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.; Department of Food Science and Technology, Quchan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran.; Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.; Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland.

DOI: 10.1111/eci.13454

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MeSH Terms: Atherosclerosis, Cell Proliferation, Endothelium, Vascular, Free Radicals, Humans, KATP Channels, Lipoproteins, LDL, Membrane Potentials, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular, Myocytes, Smooth Muscle, Potassium, Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated, Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying, Shaker Superfamily of Potassium Channels