RESUMEN
This study investigated the modulatory effect of synthetic cannabinoids WIN55,212-2 on 5-HT(3) receptor-activated currents (I(5-HT3)) in cultured rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons using whole-cell patch clamp technique. The results showed that: (1) The majority of examined neurons (78.70%) were sensitive to 5-HT (3-300 μmol/L). 5-HT induced inward currents in a concentration-dependent manner and the currents were blocked by ICS 205-930 (1 μmol/L), a selective antagonist of the 5-HT(3) receptor; (2) Pre-application of WIN55,212-2 (0.01-1 μmol/L) significantly inhibited I(5-HT3) reversibly in concentration-dependent and voltage-independent manners. The concentration-response curve of 5-HT(3) receptor was shifted downward by WIN55,212-2 without any change of the threshold value. The EC(50) values of two curves were very close (17.5±4.5) μmol/L vs. (15.2±4.5) μmol/L and WIN55,212-2 decreased the maximal amplitude of I(5-HT3) by (48.65±4.15)%; (3) Neither AM281, a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, nor AM630, a selective CB2 receptor antagonist reversed the inhibition of I(5-HT3) by WIN55,212-2; (4) When WIN55,212-2 was given from 15 to 120 s before 5-HT application, inhibitory effect was gradually increased and the maximal inhibition took place at 90 s, and the inhibition remained at the same level after 90 s. We are led to concluded that-WIN55,212-2 inhibited I(5-HT3) significantly and neither CB1 receptor antagonist nor CB2 receptor antagonist could reverse the inhibition of I(5-HT3) by WIN55,212-2. Moreover, WIN55,212-2 is not an open channel blocker (OCB) of 5-HT(3) receptor. WIN55,212-2 significantly inhibited 5-HT-activated currents in a non-competitive manner. The inhibition of I(5-HT3) by WIN55,212-2 is probably new one of peripheral analgesic mechanisms of WIN55,212-2, but the mechanism by which WIN55,212-2 inhibits I(5-HT3) warrants further investigation.
RESUMEN
We have investigated the methods and mechanisms for analysis of the channel kinetics parameters of voltage-gated potassium channels, HERG (Human ether-à-go-go related gene) channels, in the process of electrophysiological recording. The current of HERG K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes was studied using a two-electrode voltage clamp technique, and the channel kinetics parameters were analyzed through compiling different pulse protocol and recording the current. Results showed: (1) The HERG K+ channels, under conditions of being activated with depolarized pulse, expressed an inward-rectified property attributing to rapid inactivation. The activation curve could be obtained through fitting the depolarized potential and the following peak amplitude of tail current, while the parameters of time-dependent activation was obtained through fitting different depolarized duration and the corresponding peak amplitude of tail current. (2) The I-V relationship still exhibit marked inward rectification. Tail current decay traces were fitted with a bi-exponential function to determine the time constants of the fast and slow components of current decay. (3) The inactivation of HERG channels is voltage-dependent. The inactivation process was isolated with two different three-pulse protocols, with which the inactivation curve and nearly linear I-V relationship were obtained, respectively. Thus, altough the kinetics properties of HERG channels were complicated, the channels kinetics could be indirectly analyzed through differently designed pulse protocols, which provided the basis for investigation on Alanine-scanning mutagenesis and agent action.