Retigabine, the specific KCNQ channel opener, blocks ectopic discharges in axotomized sensory fibres

The M-current has been proposed as a potential target for analgesia under neuropathic pain conditions. M-currents and/or their molecular correlates, KCNQ proteins, have been demonstrated in key elements of the nociceptive system including spinal and dorsal root ganglion neurons. Here we demonstrate that retigabine, a selective KCNQ channel opener, applied at neuromatose endings modulates the excitability of axotomized fibres inhibiting ectopic discharges. Responses to mechanical and chemical stimulation were obtained from intact and previously axotomized Adelta- and C-fibres using in vitro preparations and extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques. Application of retigabine (10 microM) produced an estimated approximately 80% reduction in the number of discharges produced by mechanical and chemical stimulation of most axotomized fibres tested (24/27). The electrical threshold of stimuli applied to the neuroma was found to increase in the presence of retigabine (+17.5+/-2.3%) and to decrease in the presence of a high potassium medium (-16.5+/-3.7%). This indicates that retigabine produces a hyperpolarization and a subsequent reduction of the excitability in aberrant sensory endings. Application of XE-991 (10 microM), a KCNQ channel blocker, had no effect on responses to stimulation of the neuroma but blocked the effects of retigabine indicating a specific involvement of KCNQ channels. In contrast to the strong effects on ectopic discharges, retigabine did not change responses to stimulation recorded from intact receptors. Results indicate that KCNQ channel opening at axotomized endings may constitute a novel and selective mechanism for modulation of some neuropathic pain symptoms.     

大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元的分离培养与鉴定

背景:神经细胞移植治疗是最有希望治愈帕金森病的方法之一.目的:探讨大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元分离、培养与鉴定的方法.方法:解剖分离E14d SD大鼠胚胎中脑组织,制备单细胞悬液,以神经细胞培养液培养,观察其生长情况并进行RT-PCR和免疫组织化学鉴定.结果与结论:在神经细胞培养液中,细胞生长良好.RT-PCR和免疫组织化学结果显示大多数细胞表达多巴胺神经元特异性分子标志.证实实验成功建立了大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元分离培养与鉴定的方法.     

大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元的分离培养与鉴定

背景：神经细胞移植治疗是最有希望治愈帕金森病的方法之一。目的：探讨大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元分离、培养与鉴定的方法。方法：解剖分离E14dSD大鼠胚胎中脑组织,制备单细胞悬液,以神经细胞培养液培养,观察其生长情况并进行RT-PCR和免疫组织化学鉴定。结果与结论：在神经细胞培养液中,细胞生长良好。RT-PCR和免疫组织化学结果显示大多数细胞表达多巴胺神经元特异性分子标志。证实实验成功建立了大鼠胚胎中脑多巴胺神经元分离培养与鉴定的方法。     

Femtomolar concentrations of dynorphins protect rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons against inflammatory damage

The hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the death of nigral dopaminergic neurons, and inflammation in the brain has been increasingly associated with the pathogenesis of this neurological disorder. Dynorphins are among the major opioid peptides in the striato-nigral pathway and are important in regulating dopaminergic neuronal activities. However, it is not clear whether dynorphins play a role in the survival of nigral dopaminergic neurons. We have recently demonstrated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates the brain immune cells microglia, in vitro and in vivo, to release neurotoxic factors to degenerate dopaminergic neurons. The purpose of this study was to explore the neuroprotective effect of dynorphins in the inflammation-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in rat midbrain neuron-glia cultures. LPS-induced neurotoxicity was significantly reduced by treatment with ultra low concentrations (10(-13)--10(-15) M) of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist dynorphin A (1--17) or the receptor binding ineffective [des-Tyr(1)]dynorphin A (2--17), but not by U50488, a synthetic kappa-receptor agonist. The glia-mediated neuroprotective effect of dynorphins was further supported by the finding that femtomolar concentrations of dynorphins did not prevent the killing of dopaminergic neurons by 6-hydroxydopamine. However, ultra low concentrations of dynorphins inhibited LPS-induced production of superoxide. These results suggest a glia-mediated and conventional opioid receptor-unrelated mechanism of action for the neuroprotective effect of ultra low concentrations of dynorphins. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of action should further define the roles of dynorphins in the regulation of dopaminergic neurons and help devise novel strategies to combat neurodegenerative diseases.     

Presynaptic dopaminergic activity of phencyclidine in rat caudate

This study tested the hypothesis that phencyclidine (PCP) is an indirect dopamine (DA) agonist in the caudate nucleus. Single caudate neurons in rats anesthetized with urethane were recorded extracellularly with multibarrel micropipettes. Effects of drug solutions, applied by pressure microejection, were measured as changes in spontaneous and evoked neuronal activity. Caudate neurons were classified according to their latency-to-discharge in response to supramaximal cortical stimulation. PCP inhibited the spontaneous activity of 92% of neurons with latencies less than 13 msec, while DA inhibited 87%. Both drugs inhibited evoked activity significantly less than spontaneous activity (P less than .01). Neurons with latencies greater than 13 msec were excited by DA significantly more often (45%) than by PCP (13%; P less than .05). Receptor stereospecificity is suggested by the finding that the (+)-isomer of the 3-methyl piperidine derivative of PCP was significantly more potent than the (-)-isomer for inhibition of spontaneous activity. Mg++, which blocks presynaptic release of neurotransmitter, significantly antagonized inhibitory effects of PCP on spontaneous activity, which suggests a presynaptic effect of PCP. DA, which acts postsynaptically, was much less affected by Mg++. The potency of PCP was significantly less in rats treated with reserpine or 6-hydroxydopamine than in control rats, suggesting the endogenous DA is required for the action of PCP. Fluphenazine and (+)-butaclamol, potent DA-receptor antagonists, blocked the effect of PCP, but (-)-butaclamol did not. These results support the hypothesis that PCP facilitates release and/or inhibits reuptake of DA in nerve terminals and thereby acts as an indirect DA agonist in the caudate. However, there may be a subpopulation of caudate neurons in which PCP acts by a nondopaminergic mechanism.     

线粒体ATP敏感钾通道开放剂对大鼠肺缺血-再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨线粒体ATP敏感钾通道开放剂二氮嗪(DE)对肺缺血-再灌注损伤(I/R)的保护作用.方法 建立大鼠肺I/R模型,随机设立假手术(sham)组、I/R组、DE组、线粒体ATP敏感钾通道阻断剂5-羟基葵酸(5-HD)组,每组10只,观察各组肺组织病理形态学变化,测定肺湿/干质量比,检测肺组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性.结果 与sham组比较,I/R组肺组织出现明显损伤性病理形态学变化,肺湿/干质量比明显增加(P<0.05),肺组织MPO活性显著增高、MDA含量显著增加和SOD活性显著降低(P<0.05).与I/R组比较,DE组肺组织损伤明显减轻,肺湿/干质量比降低(P<0.05),肺组织MPO活性降低、MDA含量减少、SOD活性增高(P< 0.05).5-HD组各观察指标与I/R组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 线粒体ATP敏感钾通道开放剂DE可通过抑制中性粒细胞聚集、减少自由基产生、增强抗氧化能力对大鼠肺缺血-再灌注损伤产生明显保护作用,该保护作用可被线粒体ATP敏感钾通道阻断剂5-HD所拮抗.     

The antiseizure activity of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists in the conscious rat

By using a rat seizure model, a comparison of the antiseizure activity of 12 dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists (administered i.c.v.) to their binding affinities for the neuronal site known to regulate L-type calcium channels was made. For these dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists a correlation between physiologic activity and binding affinities would provide evidence that these agents exert their antiseizure actions via a mechanism involving a binding site that regulates L-type neuronal calcium channels. Despite i.c.v. administration, a parallel in antiseizure activity and binding affinities could not be demonstrated precisely, suggesting that the dihydropyridines may be exerting their antiseizure activity by more than just simple neuronal calcium channel blockade.     

Distribution of M-channel subunits KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 in rat hippocampus

Neuronal M-channels are low threshold, slowly activating and non-inactivating, voltage dependent K(+) channels that play a crucial role in controlling neuronal excitability. The native M-channel is composed of heteromeric or homomeric assemblies of subunits belonging to the Kv7/KCNQ family, with KCNQ2/3 heteromers being the most abundant form. KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits have been found to be expressed in various neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system of rodents and humans. Previous evidence shows preferential localization of both subunits to axon initial segments, somata and nodes of Ranvier. In this work, we show the distribution and co-localization of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits throughout the hippocampal formation, via immunostaining experiments on unfixed rat brain slices and confocal microscopy. We find intense localization and colocalization to the axonal initial segment in several regions of the hippocampus, as well as staining for non-neuronal cells in the area of the lateral ventricle. We did not observe colocalization of KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 with the presynaptic protein, synaptophysin.     

The effects of the potassium channel opener minoxidil on renal electrolytes transport in the loop of henle

ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle play an important role in apical K(+) recycling, a mechanism essential for maintaining the activity of the Na/2Cl/K-cotransporter. We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of K(ATP) decreases Na(+) and K(+) absorption in the loop of Henle and induces diuretic and natriuretic effects. In the present study, we used renal clearance and in vivo microperfusion techniques to evaluate the effects of the K(ATP) opener minoxidil on the urinary excretion and absorption in the loop of Henle of Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+). Intravenous injection of minoxidil (1.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased fractional Na(+) (FENa) and Mg(2+) (FEMg) excretion and urine volume with a moderate decrease in blood pressure (12%) and glomerular filtration rate (15%). Urine volume decreased 63%, and FENa and FEMg decreased 58 and 37%, respectively. In contrast, K(+) and Ca(2+) excretion did not change significantly. In the microperfusion of the loop of Henle, addition of minoxidil to the perfusion fluid significantly increased fluid (J(v)), Na(+) (J(Na)), Cl(-) (J(Cl)), and K(+) (J(K)) absorption. J(v) increased 44% (from 8.32 to 11.95 nl/min), J(Na) increased 14% (from 1.96 to 2.34 nmol/min), J(Cl) increased 21% (from 1.72 to 2.08 nmol/min), and J(K) increased 57% (from 35.8 to 56.4 pmol/min). We conclude that the activation of K(ATP) leads to stimulation of Na/2Cl/K-cotransporter activity and increases the rates of Na(+), Cl(-), and K(+) absorption in the loop of Henle, an effect contributing to the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic action of this K channel opener.     

Effects of ZD6169, a K(ATP) channel opener, on the micturition reflex in the rat.

The effects of ZD6169, a new ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, on reflex urinary bladder activity were evaluated in urethane-anesthetized female Wistar rats. Continuous transvesical slow infusion cystometrograms (0.04 ml/min) were performed in untreated, capsaicin-pretreated (125 mg/kg s.c., 4 days before experiments) and capsaicin vehicle-pretreated rats. Intravesical infusion of ZD6169 in concentrations of 6, 15, 30, and 300 nM for 2 h at each concentration increased the intercontraction interval and pressure threshold for voiding in a concentration-dependent manner in untreated and vehicle-pretreated rats but not in capsaicin-pretreated animals. The effects appeared within 30 min after administration. ZD6169 did not alter baseline bladder pressure, duration of contractions, or the peak pressure during voiding. Glibenclamide (20 mg/kg i.v.) reversed the effects of ZD6169 (30 nM). During transvesical cystometrograms performed at a fast rate (0.21 ml/min), ZD6169 in concentrations between 6 and 300 nM did not alter the intercontraction interval or pressure threshold for voiding. ZD6169 produced smaller and more variable effects during slow transurethral cystometrograms. Capsaicin, a C-fiber afferent neurotoxin, administered s.c. 4 days before the experiment, produced similar changes and also eliminated the effect of ZD6169. These data suggest that ZD6169 raises the threshold for activation of C-fiber mechanoreceptors in the bladder wall and thereby increases the bladder volume for inducing reflex voiding.     

神经干细胞诱导分化为多巴胺能神经元与胚胎中脑多巴胺能神经元移植治疗帕金森病效果比较

目的:目前对于体外诱导分化的多巴胺能神经元的生物学功能、体内存活状况,以及与胚胎中脑多巴胺能神经元移植治疗帕金森病大鼠的疗效比较方面尚缺乏深入的研究.观察神经干细胞诱导分化的多巴胺能神经元移植治疗帕金森病大鼠的作用,并与胚胎中脑多巴胺能神经元组织移植治疗帕金森病大鼠的疗效进行比较.方法:实验于2006-06/2007-09在中山大学附属第一医院完成.①实验材料:健康成年雄性SD大鼠及孕14～15 d的SD大鼠由中山大学动物实验中心提供,实验过程中对动物处置符合动物伦理学标准.②实验方法:在含表皮生长因子及碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的无血清培养液中培养胚胎大鼠中脑神经干细胞.经传代扩增后,在含白细胞介素1a、白细胞介素11、白血病抑制因子、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子的诱导分化液中向多巴胺能神经元分化,并进行免疫细胞化学鉴定和流式细胞仪检测.参考Sauer和Lee等方法制备帕金森病大鼠模型,并将造模成功大鼠随机分组,每组9只:分化细胞组向每一坐标点注入1×1011 L-1神经干细胞诱导分化的多巴胺能神经元;胚胎中脑组注入 1×1011 L -1胚胎中脑多巴胺能神经元;手术对照组注入DMEM/F12细胞培养液.③实验评估:移植术后10、20、40、60 d诱发大鼠不对称旋转行为以观察治疗效果,并对移植区进行酪氨酸羟化酶免疫组织化学检测以了解移植细胞体内存活的情况.结果:①大鼠神经干细胞球在诱导分化液中呈贴壁生长,球内细胞从球体中央逐渐向四周分化扩展出形态各异的细胞.免疫细胞化学染色显示,分化细胞中含有酪氨酸羟化酶染色阳性细胞.流式细胞仪检测诱导分化6 d的细胞中酪氨酸羟化酶染色阳性细胞的比率为(16.7±2.8)%.②移植后20 d分化细胞组大鼠的不对称旋转行为开始明显下降(P < 0.05).移植后40 d和60 d,分化细胞组大鼠的旋转圈数与胚胎中脑组比较差异不显著(P > 0.05).③分化细胞组和胚胎中脑组大鼠纹状体移植区有酪氨酸羟化酶染色阳性细胞,多数细胞位于移植针道边缘.结论:神经干细胞诱导分化的多巴胺能神经元与胚胎中脑多巴胺能神经元移植治疗帕金森病大鼠具有相同的疗效.     

新生大鼠脑缺氧缺血后热休克蛋白表达与KATP通道开放剂的脑保护作用

目的观察KATP通道开放剂克罗吗啉对新生大鼠脑缺氧缺血后热休克蛋白70表达、病理学损伤变化的影响.从基础水平探讨KATP通道开放剂保护脑的作用机制,为其在实际应用上寻求依据.方法实验选用72只7日龄新生大鼠,随机分为4组,分别为缺氧缺血组(结扎左颈总动脉后予8%氧2 h),给药组(缺氧缺血前给予克罗吗啉),正常对照组,假手术组.每组再分为24,48,72 h 3个亚组,共12组,每组6只.每组分别在24,48,72 h用免疫组织化学及苏木精-伊红染色方法检测缺氧缺血和克罗吗啉干预后不同时间点脑皮质热休克蛋白阳性细胞数表达情况及病理学改变.结果干预后24,48,72 h给药组大鼠脑皮质中热休克蛋白70阳性细胞数[(40.87±7.97),(82.25±8.50)(77.75±10.35)个/视野]明显多于缺氧缺血组[(17.25±2.30),(51.75±9.00)(44.37±6.14)个/视野](P＜0.05).干预后24,48,72 h缺氧缺血组大鼠脑皮质中热休克蛋白70阳性细胞数明显多于正常组(P＜0.01).结论KATP通道开放剂对缺氧缺血后脑损伤有保护作用,可能与其诱导神经元热休克蛋白70合成的增加,阻滞了细胞凋亡有关.     

The antipsychotic drug loxapine is an opener of the sodium-activated potassium channel slack (Slo2.2)

Sodium-activated potassium (K(Na)) channels have been suggested to set the resting potential, to modulate slow after-hyperpolarizations, and to control bursting behavior or spike frequency adaptation (Trends Neurosci 28:422-428, 2005). One of the genes that encodes K(Na) channels is called Slack (Kcnt1, Slo2.2). Studies found that Slack channels were highly expressed in nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurons and modulated their firing frequency (J Neurosci 30:14165-14172, 2010). Therefore, Slack channel openers are of significant interest as putative analgesic drugs. We screened the library of pharmacologically active compounds with recombinant human Slack channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, by using rubidium efflux measurements with atomic absorption spectrometry. Riluzole at 500 μM was used as a reference agonist. The antipsychotic drug loxapine and the anthelmintic drug niclosamide were both found to activate Slack channels, which was confirmed by using manual patch-clamp analyses (EC(50) = 4.4 μM and EC(50) = 2.9 μM, respectively). Psychotropic drugs structurally related to loxapine were also evaluated in patch-clamp experiments, but none was found to be as active as loxapine. Loxapine properties were confirmed at the single-channel level with recombinant rat Slack channels. In dorsal root ganglion neurons, loxapine was found to behave as an opener of native K(Na) channels and to increase the rheobase of action potential. This study identifies new K(Na) channel pharmacological tools, which will be useful for further Slack channel investigations.     

缺血-再灌注不同时间点给予尼可地尔对犬心肌梗死范围的影响

目的　证实尼可地尔是通过激活心肌细胞 KATP通道而起到使梗死心肌范围明显缩小的作用 ;进一步了解在冠状动脉 (冠脉 )闭塞心肌缺血前后和再灌注时给予尼可地尔产生的心肌保护作用是否相同 ,为临床上应用 KATP通道开放剂防治急性心肌缺血性疾病提供依据。方法　 35条犬随机分为 5组 ,每组 7只。缺血再灌注组 (IR组 ) :冠脉左前降支 (L AD)闭塞 90 min,再灌注 12 0 min。缺血前给予尼可地尔组 (PNIC组 ) :L AD闭塞前 10 min经静脉给予尼可地尔 10 0μg/ kg,随后给予 10μg· kg- 1 · min- 1 持续静脉滴注至再灌注结束。缺血后 15 m in给予尼可地尔组 (INIC组 ) :L AD闭塞后 15 m in经静脉给尼可地尔 10 0μg/ kg,随后给予10 μg· kg- 1· min- 1持续至再灌注结束。再灌注开始时给予尼可地尔组 (RNIC组 ) :L AD闭塞 90 min,再灌注开始时立即静脉给尼可地尔 10 0 μg/ kg,随后给予 10 μg· kg- 1· m in- 1持续至再灌注结束。KATP通道阻滞剂组(GL IB+INIC组 ) :在 L AD闭塞前 10 min经静脉给予优降糖 0 .3m g/ kg 10 min,随后步骤同 INIC组。各组均在冠脉闭塞前、冠脉闭塞后 1h、再灌注 2 h测定血流动力学指标 ;再灌注 2 h后用图像分析仪测量氯化三苯四唑 (TTC)染色的梗死心肌范围 (IA)和危险心肌范围 (     

Cardioprotective effects of the potassium channel opener cromakalim: stereoselectivity and effects on myocardial adenine nucleotides

We determined if the cardioprotective effects of the potassium channel opener cromakalim are stereoselective and if it can preserve adenine nucleotides in ischemic myocardium. We subjected isolated isovolumically beating rat hearts to 25 min of global ischemia and reperfusion with and without pretreatment by cromakalim or its enantiomers. All of these compounds significantly increased preischemic coronary flow with the (3S,4R)-(-)-enantiomer being more potent (EC25 = 0.52 microM) compared to cromakalim (EC25 = 1.04 microM) and the (3R,4S)-(+)-enantiomer (EC25 greater than 100 microM). The (-)-enantiomer was also significantly more potent in reducing ischemic/reperfusion damage compared to cromakalim and its (+)-enantiomer. Reperfusion contractile function was improved significantly and lactate dehydrogenase release was reduced by these compounds. Time to contracture was also increased significantly by the (-)-enantiomer (EC25 = 2.27 microM), cromakalim (EC25 = 4.89 microM) and the (+)-enantiomer (EC25 greater than 100 microM). We determined if cromakalim, in a concentration which does not depress cardiac function (10 microM), can preserve high energy phosphates during ischemia in isolated rat hearts. Cromakalim significantly preserved ATP at 15 to 25 min of ischemia. Adenylate energy charge was also significantly improved by cromakalim at 20 to 25 min into an ischemic episode. Thus, the cardioprotective effects of cromakalim are stereoselective and may be due partly to preservation of myocardial energy reserves. It is significant that cromakalim can preserve adenine nucleotides despite its lack of negative inotropic effects.     

Iptakalim, a vascular ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener, closes rat pancreatic beta-cell KATP channels and increases insulin release

Sulfonylureas have been the leading oral antihyperglycemic agents, and they presently continue to be the most popular antidiabetic drugs prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, concern has arisen over the side effects of sulfonylureas on the cardiovascular system. Here, we tested the hypothesis that iptakalim, a novel vascular ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel opener, closes rat pancreatic beta-cell K(ATP) channels and increases insulin release. Rat pancreatic beta-cell K(ATP) channels and heterologously expressed K(ATP) channels in both human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and Xenopus oocytes were used to test the pharmacological effects of iptakalim. Patch-clamp recordings, Ca(2+) imaging, and measurements of insulin release were applied. Patch-clamp whole-cell recordings revealed that iptakalim depolarized beta-cells, induced action potential firing, and reduced K(ATP) channel-mediated currents. Single-channel recordings revealed that iptakalim reduced the open probability of K(ATP) channels without changing channel sensitivity to ATP. By closing beta-cell K(ATP) channels, iptakalim elevated intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations and increased insulin release. In addition, iptakalim decreased the open probability of recombinant Kir6.2FL4A (a trafficking mutant of the Kir6.2) K(ATP) channels heterologously expressed in HEK 293 cells, suggesting that iptakalim suppressed the function of beta-cell K(ATP) channels by directly inhibiting the Kir6.2 subunit. Finally, iptakalim inhibited Kir6.2/SUR1, but it activated Kir6.1/SUR2B (vascular-type), K(ATP) channels heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Iptakalim bidirectionally regulated pancreatic-type and vascular-type K(ATP) channels, and this unique pharmacological property suggests the potential use of iptakalim as a new therapeutic strategy for treating type 2 diabetes with the additional benefit of alleviating vascular disorders.     

Effect of metaphit on dopaminergic neurotransmission in rat striatal slices: involvement of the dopamine transporter and voltage-dependent sodium channel.

Metaphit, an isothiocyanate analog of phencyclidine (PCP), increased the basal release of radioactivity (outflow) from perfused rat striatal slices preloaded with [3H]dopamine above levels observed with the dopamine uptake blocker nomifensin. Preperfusing the slices with metaphit, followed by its removal, attenuated the amphetamine- or dopamine-induced outflow. In slices prepared from reserpine-pretreated rats, the metaphit (100 microM)-induced outflow was reduced to that observed with 10 microM nomifensin, suggesting a vesicular releasing effect of metaphit in addition to dopamine uptake blockade. Electrically induced overflow of radioactivity from normal slices was stimulated by nomifensin and PCP, and by metaphit at 3 microM; it was unaffected by metaphit at 10 and 25 microM, and inhibited by higher concentrations of metaphit. Evidence that the latter effect is due to blockade of voltage-dependent sodium channels is as follows. First, metaphit, as did PCP, inhibited the binding of [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20-alpha benzoate to rat striatal synaptoneurosomes by increasing its dissociation rate; the effect of PCP, but not that of metaphit, was reversible by washing. Second, metaphit, as did PCP, inhibited veratridine (5 microM)-induced influx of [14C]guanidinium ion into synaptoneurosomes. Third, metaphit inhibited overflow of radioactivity from [3H]dopamine-preloaded slices induced by 2.5 microM veratridine, as did the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin.     

A new ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener protects the kidney from hypertensive damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The effects of iptakalim, a new ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Treatment of 12-week-old male SHR (six animals in each group) with iptakalim by gastric lavage at doses of 1, 3, or 9 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks resulted in a lowering of blood pressure. Iptakalim provided significant renoprotection to SHR rats as measured by decreased proteinuria and improved renal function. Histological evidence demonstrated that iptakalim could reverse renal vascular remodeling (of afferent arterioles, arcuate arteries, or interlobular arteries), and improve pathological changes of glomerular, renal interstitial, and glomerular filtration membranes. These effects were accompanied by the decreased circulation and intrarenal concentrations of endothelin 1 and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), and down-regulated overexpression of genes for ET-1, endothelin-converting enzyme 1, TGF-beta1, and the subunits of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)), Kir1.1 and Kir6.1, in the kidney during hypertension. Abnormal expression of matrix components [collagen IV, fibronectin, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP tissue inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1)] was also significantly reversed by iptakalim. Our results demonstrate that chronic treatment with iptakalim not only reduces blood pressure but also preserves renal structure and function in SHR. In addition to reducing blood pressure, the renoprotective of iptakalim may be involved in inhibiting the circulation and intrarenal concentrations of endothelin 1 and TGF-beta1, regulating the expression of K(ATP) genes and correcting MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance in renal tissue, which may result in reducing the accumulation of extracellular matrix molecules.     

Nifedipine inhibits picrotoxin-induced seizure activity: further evidence on the involvement of L-type calcium channel blockers in epilepsy

A large body of evidence supports the role of L-type calcium channels in epileptogenesis. The aim of the present study was to study the efficacy of the specific L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine on seizure activity induced by picrotoxin (PTX). Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in these experiments. The intraperitoneal administration of nifedipine (5 mg/kg) did not significantly alter the latency to onset of clonic seizure induced by intraperitoneal injection of PTX (4 mg/kg). Higher doses of the drug (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly increased the latency of onset of clonic seizure in a dose-dependent manner. Nifedipine (10 mg/kg) did not reduce the incidence of clonic seizures in the animals injected with PTX, but inhibited tonic seizure and the progression of clonic seizures into maximal tonic seizures in four of eight of the animals. The drug (20 mg/kg) inhibited clonic seizure in four of six of the animals and abolished minimal or maximal tonic seizures in all the animals. In conclusion, our study provides further evidence on the antiepileptic effect of L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine by showing its protective effect on seizure activity induced by PTX.