Troglitazone inhibits type 2 K-ATP channel activity and depolarises tolbutamide-sensitive neurones in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus

Patch-clamp recording techniques were used to examine the effect of troglitazone upon visually identified neurones contained in slices from the rat ventromedial hypothalamus. Bath application of 1-50 mu M troglitazone depolarised tolbutamide-sensitive neurones in a poorly reversible manner. In outside-out patches, troglitazone inhibited K-ATP channel activity when added to the bath solution. It is concluded that troglitazone is a novel modulator of the type 2 K-ATP channel. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.