Effects of the Anticonvulsant Losigamone and Its Isomers on the GABAA Receptor System

Summary: We conducted in vitro studies to clarify the possible involvement of GABA, receptor-mediated processes in the anticonvulsant effects of losigamone and its optical isomers AO-242 (+losigamone) and AO-294 (-losigamone). In binding experiments with cortical and cerebellar membrane preparations of rat brain, ≤100 μM losigamone did not affect the specific binding of [³H]GABA, [³H]flunitrazepam, or [³⁵S]t-butyl-bicyclo-phosphorothionate (TBPS) to their receptors. Losigamone, however, in concentrations of 10-8-10-5 M, stimulated ³⁶Cl influx into spinal cord neurons in the absence of exogenous GABA. This effect was inhibited by the GABA antagonists bicuculline (BIC) and picrotoxin (PIC). Losigamone 10^-5 M potentiated the effect of a suboptimal concentration of exogenous GABA M on 3³⁶Cl influx. Both isomers of losigamone likewise stimulated 36Cl influx into spinal cord neurons, and these effects were similarly antagonized by BIC and PIC. Losigamone and its optical isomers AO-294 and AO-242 antagonized potassium-induced hyperexcitability in rat hippocampal slices concentration dependently. There were no clear differences in the potencies of losigamone, AO-242, or AO-294. However, AO-294 and AO-242 differed significantly in their ability to suppress TBPS- induced hyperexcitability of hippocampal slices. Such observations demonstrate that although losigamone does not bind to GABA, benzodiazepine (BZD) or PIC binding sites of the neuronal chloride channel, it is capable of stimulating ³⁶Cl influx in the spinal cord neurons by a GABA-sensitive mechanism and at a side distant from the GABA channel.     

Comparison of the effects of losigamone and its isomers on maximal electroshock induced convulsions in mice and on three different patterns of low magnesium induced epileptiform activity in slices of the rat temporal cortex

Summary Losigamone (AO-33) is a recemate of a tetronic acid derivative. The effects of losigamone and its three isomers (AO-242, AO-294 and AO-23) were compared on maximal electroshock (MES) induced convulsions in mice and on different patterns of extracellularly recorded, low Mg ²⁺ induced epileptiform activity in slices of the rat temporal cortex. Lowering Mg ²⁺ induced recurrent short discharges in areas CA3 and CA1 while ictaform events that lasted for many seconds were induced in the entorhinal cortex. In the hippocampus the activity stayed stable over a number of hours. In contrast, the ictaform events in the entorhinal cortex changed their characteristics after one to two hours to recurrent discharges of 0.8 to 10 s. Afterdischarges and interictal events were absent. 50 M AO-242 showed a similar efficacy to 50 M AO-33 in reducing and blocking epileptiform discharges in areas CA1 and CA3 while 50 M AO-294 and 50 M AO-23 had weaker effects than 50 M AO-33. Concentrations of 50 M and 100 M AO-242 showed a similar efficacy to AO-33 on ictaform events in the entorhinal cortex. Late recurrent discharges were also blocked by AO-33 and AO-242 although at higher concentrations (300 M). The in vitro observations are with respect to order of efficacy in accordance with the in vivo data obtained in the maximal electroshock test in mice. The order of potency in the MES test was AO-242>AO-33AO-294 AO-23. The results show that the erythro-isomer AO-23, although active, is much less potent than AO-33. Of the two optical isomers of losigamone the (+) isomer AO-242 is more active than the (–) form AO-294. Send offprint requests to C. L. Zhang at the above address     

The antiepileptic drug losigamone decreases the persistent Na current in rat hippocampal neurons

The tetronic acid derivative losigamone is a new anticonvulsant drug with a mechanism of action that was previously unknown. The drug decreases the frequency of spontaneous action potentials and suppresses repetitive firing of neurons. Here we tested the hypothesis that losigamone suppresses the persistent Na⁺ current (I_NaP) in hippocampal neurons of rat brain slices and in cultured hippocampal neurons. Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings from neurons of juvenile rats (P15–P25) were performed with pipettes filled with Cs-gluconate or CsF. After pharmacological block of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ currents I_NaP was revealed by applying slow depolarizing voltage ramps from −70 to 0 mV. Losigamone (100–200 μM) was dissolved in DMSO (0.1%) and was applied by bath application or local pressure application. Losigamone induced a decrease in amplitude of I_NaP at depolarized membrane potentials which was reversible in cultured neurons. When tetrodotoxin (TTX) was added to the bath, I_NaP was blocked and only a residual non-specific outward cation current (I_cat) remained. Losigamone had no obvious effect on responses to voltage ramps under these conditions. Thus, losigamone did not affect I_cat or induce any additional currents. The data suggest that losigamone decreases neuronal excitability via a decrease in I_NaP.