Fig. 6. The role of pancreatic adenosine triphosphate–sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in insulin secretion. In the KATPchannel–dependent triggering pathway, elevated blood glucose levels increase glucose metabolism in pancreatic β cells and increase the ratio of [ATP]/[ADP]i. This metabolic signal closes KATPchannels, resulting in depolarization, activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+channels (VDCCs), Ca2+entry, and exocytosis of insulin. Volatile anesthetics might facilitate the opening of KATPchannels and affect the coupling of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. The solid arrow indicates the KATPchannel–dependent triggering pathway. The dotted arrow indicates the KATPchannel–independent amplifying pathway. ADP = adenosine diphosphate; ATP = adenosine triphosphate.