K_ATP channel therapeutics at the bedside

The family of potassium channel openers regroups drugs that share the property of activating adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (K _ATP) channels, metabolic sensors responsible for adjusting membrane potential-dependent functions to match cellular energetic demands. K _ATP channels, widely represented in metabolically-active tissue, are heteromultimers composed of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel pore and a regulatory sulfonylurea receptor subunit, the site of action of potassium channel opening drugs that promote channel activity by antagonizing ATP-induced pore inhibition. The activity of K_ATP channels is critical in the cardiovascular adaptive response to stress, maintenance of neuronal electrical stability, and hormonal homeostasis. Thereby, K_ATP channel openers have a unique therapeutic spectrum, ranging from applications in myopreservation and vasodilatation in patients with heart or vascular disease to potential clinical use as bronchodilators, bladder relaxants, islet cell protector, antiepileptics and promoters of hair growth. While the current experience in practice with potassium channel openers remains limited, multitude of ongoing investigations aims at defining the benefit of this emerging family of therapeutics in diverse disease conditions associated with metabolic distress.