Aims: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of glibenclamide on ATP-sensitive K,+ (K(ATP), channels in cultured rat sensory neurones.

Material and Methods: Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were removed after decapitation of neonatal Wistar rats and DRG neurones were isolated by enzymatic and mechanical procedures and incubated in a humidified incubator containing %95 CO2and air mixture at 37°C until being used for electrophysiological recordings. Whole-cell patch clamp techniques under current and voltage clamp configurations were used to record K (ATP) channel currents.

Results: Membrane hyperpolarisation was observed depending on the application of glucose-free extracellular recording solution in the current-clamp experiments. Application of K(ATP) channel activator, diazoxide (100 µM) induced a membrane hyperpolarsation (mean -23+3.2 mV) in a similar manner which was completely blocked by glibenclamide (20 µM). Diazoxide (100 µM) activated outward membrane currents when used under the voltage-clamp experiments. This activation was inhibited by application of glibenclamide (20 µM, n=6).

Conclusion: Results from this study indicates that glibenclamide blocks K(ATP) channel currents activated by both application of diazoxide and by the use of glucose-free extracellular recording solution.