High altitude differentially modulates potassium channel-evoked vasodilatation in pregnant human myometrial arteries.

ABSTRACT: High-altitude (>2500 m or 8200 ft) residence reduces uterine artery blood flow during pregnancy, contributing to an increased incidence of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. However, not all pregnancies are affected by the chronic hypoxic conditions of high-altitude residence. K⁺ channels play important roles in the uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy, promoting a reduction in myogenic tone and an increase in blood flow. We hypothesized that, in pregnancies with normal fetal growth at high altitude, K⁺ channel-dependent vasodilatation of myometrial arteries is increased compared to those from healthy pregnant women at a lower altitude (∼1700 m). Using pharmacological modulation of two K⁺ channels, ATP-sensitive (K_ATP ) and lar

SUBMITTER: Fallahi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9772154 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature