ABSTRACT

Ion channel modulation has recently become an attractive target for experimental and clinical research in a never ending quest for drug development. Following the decades of domination of calcium channel blockers, currently the focus is on potassium channels and their modulators; this is one of the most rapidly developing field of research.
Potassium channels function could be modulated by a number of naturally occurring or synthetic substances which open the channels and therefore have unequivocal therapeutic potential.

Short title: Potassium channel modulators

List of abrrevations:
KCOs - potassium channels openers
KATP - ATP-dependent K+ channels
KV - potassium channel with prolonged activation
Ik - delayed rectifying current
Ikr - rapidly activating current
Iks - slowly activating current

Keywords: K-channels, K-channel openers, K-channel blockers

Correspondence to:
Ass. Prof. Ljiljana Gojkovic Bukarica, MD, PhD
Institute of clinical pharmacology, pharmacology and toxicology
Dr. Subotica 1, P.O.B. 662, 11000 Belgrade Yugoslavia
phone: + 381 11 68 83 48
e_mail: bucarica@eunet.yu