Study of potassium channel blockers on convulsions in rats

ABSTRACT

Present study was conducted to see the effect of potassium channel blockers - 4-aminopyridine [4-AP], Tetraethylammoniumchloride [TEA+CI], and Quinine hydrochloride on electrically evoked convulsions in rats. Charles Foster albino rats of either sex weighing between 100-200 gms were taken and divided into four groups of six reach. Group I was taken as control and treated with normal saline [1 ml/Kg body weight], Group II was treated with 4-AP [2 mg/Kg body weight Group III was treated with TEA+CI [30 mg/Kg body weight], Group IV was treated with Quinine hydrochloride [50 mg/Kg body weight]. The rats were then subjected to a current of 150 mA for 0.2 seconds by means of Electroconvulsometer and the duration of extensor phase of the hind limbs was taken as the end. The rats treated with potassium channel blockers showed an increase in the duration of the extensor phase. This effect could be due to the enhancement of the excitatory synaptic transmission