Potassium Channels as a Target in Smooth Muscles and Nerves

Apart from heart and pancreatic islets, potassium channels are widely distributed in the smooth muscle and nerves. Several different types of K⁺ channels located in the above mentioned tissues have a crucial role in the regulation of many functions. Their modulation is seriously considered in the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, different kinds of pain, and stroke. These are some of the most common and serious neurological defects that appear usually as a consequence of untreated hypertension, and without satisfactorily up to date pharmacological treatment. This chapter will discuss the substances related to the different kinds of potassium channels which are currently in clinical trials or are already clinically used for treatment of above mentioned diseases.

Keywords: Hypertension, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, pain, stroke, iptakalim, flupirtine, riluzol, andolast, magnolol.