Parkinson's disease is characterized by an extensive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The final common pathway in the demise of these cells may involve dopamine-dependent oxidative stress. Previous studies revealed a new neuronal protective role of ATP-sensitive potassium channel openers. But the exact mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, the neuroprotective effect of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, was studied against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity in rat dopaminergic PC12 cells. Rotenone decreased cell viability significantly after 48 h exposure and induced dopamine release from PC12 cells concentration-dependently. Iptakalim significantly enhanced dopamine uptake and alleviated rotenone-induced PC12 cells death and reduced dopamine release induced by rotenone or GBR-12909, a classical dopamine transporter inhibitor. These results suggest that iptakalim may open mitochondrial K(ATP) channels to modulate dopamine transporter and reduce extracellular dopamine levels, thereby it protecting PC12 cells against rotenone-induced injury.