ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of enhanced large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel currents (BK) in coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Coronary SMCs were isolated by enzyme digestion. Potassium channels in coronary SMCs were identified by applications of different potassium blockers. Effects of DHA and its metabolite 16, 17-epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (16, 17-EDP) on BK channels in the absence and presence of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A were studied by patch clamp in whole-cell configuration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BK channels were widely distributed in SMCs, and BK currents in normal SMCs accounted for (64.2 ± 2.7)% of total potassium currents (n = 20). DHA could activate BK channels, and its 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) was (0.23 ± 0.03) µmol/L, however, the effect of DHA on BK channels was abolished after SMCs were incubated with cytochrome P450 epoxygenase inhibitor SKF525A. 16, 17-EDP, a metabolite of DHA, could reproduce the effects of DHA on BK channels, and its EC(50) was (19.7 ± 2.8) nmol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DHA and metabolites can activate BK channels and dilate coronary arteries through activating cytochrome P450 epoxygenase pathway.</p>