Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Sodium Channel Blockers”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of sodium channel blockers on electrical field stimulation-induced guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle contraction.

The effects of sodium channel blockers, a conventional one: tetrodotoxin, and clinically available ones: cibenzoline, flecainide and SUN 1165 [N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-8-pyrrolizidine-acetamide hydrochloride hemihydrate] on electrical field stimulation-induced and carbachol-induced guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle contraction were investigated. Electrical field stimulation was performed at 50 V with 20 Hz and 0.8 msec square pulse duration. Carbachol (5 x 10(-8) M) was used for induction of tracheal contractions. All agents were administered before electrical field stimulation or carbachol administration. Electrical field stimulation-induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction was dose-dependently reduced by all sodium channel blockers used. The effects of sodium channel blockers on electrical field stimulation-induced contraction were greater than those on carbachol-induced contractions, except for SUN 1165 which reduced similarly both electrical field stimulation- and carbachol-induced contractions. These results indicate that the sodium influx is closely related to the acetylcholine release, resulting in smooth muscle contraction. Since the parasympathetic nervous system may be involved in the genesis of various pathological conditions, such as bronchial asthma, sodium channel blockers could contribute to the management of these conditions.

Animals↗

Sodium deficient rats are unmotivated by sodium chloride solutions mixed with the sodium channel blocker amiloride.

Rats were made sodium deficient by furosemide injection and then offered 20 min of access to 0.05 M NaCl mixed with the sodium channel blocker amiloride. Compared with a sodium deficient control group that was also offered 0.05 M NaCl, these rats drank very little. A subsequent test conducted in the same manner with 20 min of access to 0.3 M NaCl mixed with amiloride produced similar results. It is concluded that amiloride blocks the neural information required for generating the attractive taste of NaCl to the sodium deficient rat.

Amiloride↗

Electropharmacologic effects of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker, on the remodeled atrium subjected to chronic rapid pacing.

Clinical experience suggests that sodium channel blockers are effective in converting atrial fibrillation of recent onset but not chronic atrial fibrillation. We investigated changes in the electrophysiologic effects of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker, on the canine atrium during chronic rapid pacing (400/min). Three pairs of bipolar electrodes were sutured to the right atrial appendage in six dogs. Five days later, rapid atrial pacing was started after baseline measurements of the effective refractory period (ERP), the intra-atrial conduction velocity, the atrial wavelength, and the inducibility of atrial fibrillation. These studies were repeated at 2, 7, and 14 days of pacing, both before and after pilsicainide administration. Before pacing, pilsicainide increased ERP more than it decreased conduction velocity, causing an increase of wavelength, particularly at faster rates. However, this use-dependent prolongation of ERP disappeared after 2 days of pacing. Thus, pilsicainide failed to prolong ERP during chronic pacing, allowing progressive shortening of wavelength in the remodeled atrium. The effect of sodium channel blockers on atrial refractoriness may decline as rapid atrial excitation persists, limiting the usefulness of these agents for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation.

Animals↗

Sodium channel blockers and uridine triphosphate: effects on nasal potential difference in cystic fibrosis mice.

Sodium channel inhibitors block the enhanced Na+ reabsorption in cystic fibrosis (CF). Extracellular nucleotides facilitate Cl- secretion via Ca2+ gated Cl- channels. A combination of these effects may produce less viscid secretions in CF which are easier to expectorate. This study examined the effects of combining sodium channel blockers with uridine triphosphate (UTP) on nasal membrane potential difference (PD) in CF insertional null mutant mice (cftr(tm1HGU)), deltaF508 homozygous mice (cftr(tm1Cam)) and matched control animals. Median basal PD in the insertional CF mice and deltaF508 CF mice were -28 and -34 mV respectively. These values were significantly different to the control animals (-20 mV). Amiloride and loperamide reduced the PD in cftr(tm1HGU) CF mice (deltaPD 13 mV & 15 mV respectively) suggesting Na+ blockade. The subsequent addition of UTP in a chloride-free vehicle increased the PD (deltaPD -8- -12.5 mV). DeltaF508 mice showed significantly greater responses compared with CF insertional null mutant mice (p<0.05). The action of UTP was brief and not prolonged by the addition alpha-beta-methylene-adenosine 5' diphosphate. Suramin, a competitive antagonist of P2 purinoceptors blocked the action of UTP. In conclusion, this study demonstrated dose dependant nasal membrane potential changes in differences mice with uridine triphosphate in the presence of sodium channel blockers suggestive of chloride secretion. More stable analogues of uridine triphosphate in combination with long acting sodium channel blockers such as loperamide may have therapeutic potential in cystic fibrosis.

Amiloride↗

Ventricular arrhythmia induced by sodium channel blocker in patients with Brugada syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We administered pilsicainide chloride, a class Ic pure sodium channel blocker, to patients with Brugada syndrome (BS) and evaluated the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and T-wave alternans (TWA). BACKGROUND: Ventricular arrhythmia and TWA are sometimes induced by a sodium channel blocker challenge test in BS patients, but the significance of the induced VA and TWA is not known. METHODS: Pilsicainide was administered to 65 patients with BS (10 symptomatic and 55 asymptomatic patients), and the occurrence of VA, TWA, and change of electrocardiogram were evaluated. Electrophysiologic study was performed in 57 patients, and the induction of VA by programmed electrical stimulation (PES) was evaluated. RESULTS: Ventricular arrhythmia was not induced by administration of pilsicainide in 55 patients (no-VA group). Administration of pilsicainide-induced VA in 10 patients (Pil-VA group) and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in four patients. Pilsicainide-induced VA in 60% of the symptomatic patients but in only 7% of asymptomatic patients (p < 0.01). ST level, QTc, and indexes of cardiac conduction in the Pil-VA group were not different from those in the no-VA group. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by PES in 67% of the patients in the Pil-VA group and in 33% of the patients in the no-VA group. In six cases, macroscopic TWA occurred in association with pilsicainide-induced VA, but TWA occurred in only one patient without pilsicainide-induced arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of a sodium channel blocker results in induction of not only ST-elevation but also VA and TWA in patients with BS.

Adult↗

Relationship between the firing frequency of injured peripheral neurons and inhibition of firing by sodium channel blockers.

UNLABELLED: Animal models of neuropathic pain in which a peripheral nerve is damaged result in spontaneous activity in primary afferents that can be inhibited by intravenous administration of sodium channel blockers. Many of these compounds exhibit use-dependent block of sodium current, leading to the prediction that they should more readily inhibit neurons that fire at higher frequencies. This prediction was tested in 2 rat models of nerve injury, L5 spinal nerve section and sciatic nerve section. Sciatic nerve section produced average firing frequencies that were higher than spinal nerve section and often manifested as high-frequency bursting. Inhibition of firing by intravenous sodium channel blockers was longer lasting in this model. Within each model, higher frequency of firing did not translate into more effective block. In the spinal nerve section model, there was a robust inverse correlation between frequency and inhibition. Within the sciatic section model, only neurons that fired in rhythmic bursts were inhibited, and again, those firing at lower mean frequencies were more effectively inhibited. These results indicate that the efficacy of sodium channel blockers depends on the nature of the injury and the pattern of the resulting activity rather than simply the frequency of action potentials generated. PERSPECTIVE: This study examines the ability of frequency-dependent sodium channel blockers to inhibit spontaneous firing of injured peripheral nerves in vivo. It outlines the conditions under which inhibition is more and less effective and will provide insight into conditions under which sodium channel blockers are likely to be therapeutically useful.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Electrophysiological effects of sodium channel blockers on guinea pig left atrium.

The electrophysiological effects of five sodium channel blockers (mexiletine, lidocaine, disopyramide, aprindine and flecainide) on the guinea pig left atrium were investigated by recording the action potential and its maximum rate of rise (Vmax). The onset and offset kinetics of use-dependent block of Vmax were analyzed. Lidocaine, aprindine and flecainide were classified clearly as fast, intermediate and slow, respectively. Mexiletine and disopyramide had two components in onset and offset of use-dependent block. Mexiletine showed fast and intermediate kinetics, whereas disopyramide showed intermediate and slow kinetics. Action potential duration at 90% repolarization (APD) was prolonged by disopyramide and mexiletine. The other drugs did not change the action potential duration. Effective refractory period was prolonged by all drugs with relative potency in the following order: disopyramide greater than mexiletine greater than lidocaine greater than aprindine = flecainide. In conclusion, the modes of actions of sodium channel blockers on the atrium were disclosed to be different from those on the ventricle. The pharmacological therapy for atrial arrhythmias should be based on the electrophysiological effects of the drugs on the atrium, not on the ventricle.

Action Potentials↗

Vanilloid receptor agonists potentiate the in vivo local anesthetic activity of percutaneously injected site 1 sodium channel blockers.

BACKGROUND: Capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in chili peppers, is a vanilloid with noxious and analgesic effects that inhibits tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currents. Because tetrodotoxin-resistant currents are found primarily in small-diameter nociceptor afferents of the peripheral nerves, their inhibition may lead to selective analgesia. Therefore, the authors evaluated the interactions between tetrodotoxin, a site 1 sodium channel blocker, and capsaicin on nerve blockade in vivo. METHODS: Percutaneous sciatic nerve injections with 0 to 9.9 mM capsaicin, 0 to 120 microM tetrodotoxin, or both were administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thermal nociceptive and motor blockade were measured. Data were expressed as medians with 25th and 75th percentiles. RESULTS: Capsaicin produced a transient increase in thermal latency with no effect on motor strength. Tetrodotoxin reduced motor strength for a longer duration than nociception. The interaction between tetrodotoxin and capsaicin was synergistic, as evidenced by (1) supraadditive prolongation of both nociceptive and motor block, with the effect of capsaicin reversed by the vanilloid antagonist capsazepine, and (2) synergism in the frequency that rats achieved maximal block shown by isobolographic analysis. The combination of tetrodotoxin and capsaicin showed less motor predominance than tetrodotoxin did alone. Similar interactions were found between tetrodotoxin and resiniferatoxin (another vanilloid), and between capsaicin and saxitoxin (another site 1 sodium channel blocker), but much less so between bupivacaine and capsaicin. CONCLUSIONS: Site 1 sodium channel blockers and vanilloids have synergistic effects on nerve blockade in vivo. These interactions may be useful in developing prolonged local anesthetics and elucidating mechanisms of functionally selective nerve blockade.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Determination of refractory periods and conduction velocity during atrial fibrillation using atrial capture in dogs: direct assessment of the wavelength and its modulation by a sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to measure the atrial refractory period and the conduction velocity (CV) during atrial fibrillation (AF) and to explore the antiarrhythmic mechanism of a sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide, during AF. BACKGROUND: Sodium channel blockers not only decrease the CV, but also prolong the atrial refractory period, particularly during rapid excitation. Because these effects on the wavelength are counteractive and rate dependent, it is critical to measure these parameters during AF. METHODS: In eight dogs, after AF was induced under vagal stimulation, a single extra-stimulus was repeatedly introduced from the left atrium and its capture was statistically determined for each coupling interval. The local CV was also measured during constant capture of the fibrillating atrium by rapid pacing. The same procedure was repeated after pilsicainide administration. RESULTS: Pilsicainide significantly increased the mode of AF intervals from 81 +/- 10 to 107 +/- 16 ms (p < 0.01). While the CV was decreased from 0.9 +/- 0.1 to 0.7 +/- 0.1 m/s (p < 0.02), the effective refractory period during AF was increased from 69 +/- 11 ms to 99 +/- 17 ms (p < 0.01). As a result, the wavelength was significantly increased by pilsicainide from 6.6 +/- 0.9 to 7.6 +/- 1.2 cm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During AF, whereas the sodium channel blocker pilsicainide decreases CV, it lengthens the wavelength by increasing the refractory period, an action that is likely to contribute to the drug's ability to terminate the arrhythmia. The direct measurement of refractoriness and CV during AF may provide new insights into the determinations of the arrhythmia and antiarrhythmic drug action.

Animals↗

Cerebral cation shifts in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage are prevented by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin.

We investigated the effect of the sodium channel blocker, tetrodotoxin, in two animal models of brain pathology. In the first, an acute model, we recorded the interstitial brain potential in the striatum of rats after cardiac arrest. The time of deflection of this potential, an indication of changes in cerebral cation concentrations, was determined in control rats, and in rats pretreated with intrastriatal tetrodotoxin. In control rats a deflection of the brain potential was noted 2 min after cardiac arrest; tetrodotoxin pretreatment delayed this deflection to about 5 min. The second, a survival model, was based on the Levine preparation in rats. A combination of ischemia and hypoxia produced unilateral, cerebral infarcts, which were characterized by a decrease of brain [K+], and by increases of [Ca2+] and [Na+] and thus of the Na+:K+ ratio. Data on the cation shifts, determined by chemical assay methods, were complemented by those of more conventional methods of assessment of brain damage, such as the determination of survival, of Evans blue staining, and of brain water content. Cation shifts could be prevented locally by tetrodotoxin. In conclusion, the drug can, at least partially, prevent the detrimental effects of an ischemic insult. In addition, our results showed that protective effects observed in the acute model may sometimes offer an indication of the effects to be expected in the survival model. Furthermore, the effect of tetrodotoxin on the brain potentials in the acute model showed that its protective action in the survival model may be brought about by delaying cell depolarization and by shortening the actual duration of the depolarized state. We conclude that Na+ influx and, consequently, neurotransmission may play a crucial role in the development of cerebral damage.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of action of sodium channel blocker: gate-related receptor hypothesis.

A new hypothesis on mechanisms of action of the sodium channel blocker, the gate-related receptor hypothesis, has been proposed in this paper. Furthermore, a mathematic model and parameter estimation procedure for the kinetics analysis have also been given. Using the model and procedure, modeling and analyzing of cardiac sodium channel blockade by lidocaine and dauricine have been performed. The model-estimated results were not only coincident with those documented, but also provided some new information which may be helpful for understanding mechanism of blocking action of both drugs on sodium channels. The studies suggested that the gate-related receptor hypothesis is good for the elucidation of mechanisms of action of the sodium channel blocker.

Alkaloids↗

Comparative study of voltage-sensitive sodium channel blockers in focal ischaemia and electric convulsions in rodents.

This study evaluates the neuroprotective properties of some voltage-sensitive sodium channel blockers in a model of focal ischaemia. After curative treatment (0.5 and 24.5 h after insult), well known voltage-sensitive sodium channel blockers, phenytoin (2 x 100 mg/kg i.p.), carbamazepine (2 x 50 mg/kg i.p.), lamotrigine (2 x 50 mg/kg i.p.) and RP 66055 (2 x 8 mg/kg i.p.) were found to protect rats against brain damage induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, by 40%, 24%, 28% and 44% respectively. These compounds were also active in protecting both mice and rats against tonic convulsions induced by electroshock, Intraperitoneal ED50 values in mice and rats respectively were of 5.2 and 12.5 mg/kg for phenytoin, 8.4 and 3.6 mg/kg for carbamazepine, 4.4 and 3.1 mg/kg for lamotrigine, 3.9 and 0.22 mg/kg for RP 66055. In contrast, lifarizine was totally devoid of activity in these three tests. This study extends an accumulation of data in the literature pointing to a therapeutic potential for voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers which penetrate the blood brain barrier. Such compounds as phenytoin, carbamazepine, lamotrigine or RP 66055 may act at sodium channels to prevent depolarization, inhibit release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and thus protects the cortex against cellular damage induced by focal ischaemia by both pre- and post-synaptic inhibition of abnormal neurotransmission.

Animals↗

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of novel 2-substituted pyrazinoylguanidine epithelial sodium channel blockers: drugs for cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis.

Amiloride (1), the prototypical epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) blocker, has been administered with limited success as aerosol therapy for improving pulmonary function in patients with the genetic disorder cystic fibrosis. This study was conducted to synthesize and identify more potent, less reversible ENaC blockers, targeted for aerosol therapy and possessing minimal systemic renal activity. A series of novel 2-substituted acylguanidine analogues of amiloride were synthesized and evaluated for potency and reversibility on bronchial ENaC. All compounds tested were more potent and less reversible at blocking sodium-dependent short-circuit current than amiloride. Compounds 30-34 showed the greatest potency on ENaC with IC(50) values below 10 nM. A regioselective difference in potency was found (compounds 30, 39, and 40), whereas no stereospecific (compounds 33, 34) difference in potency on ENaC was displayed. Lead compound 32 was 102-fold more potent and 5-fold less reversible than amiloride and displayed the lowest IC(50) value ever reported for an ENaC blocker.

Animals↗

Effect of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker, on spiral waves during atrial fibrillation: theoretical analysis by numerical simulation.

This study investigated the effects of a particular type of sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide, on spiral waves, which are a possible mechanism of atrial fibrillation, by using numerical simulation. A meandering spiral wave was induced on a two-dimensional matrix corresponding to the isolated atrial myocardium. The model attempted to simulate the changes caused by pilsicainide. The conductivity was depressed and the refractory period was prolonged with little change in the action potential duration. The dynamic change in the refractory period depended on the preceding coupling interval. A blockline occurred and changed gradually because of the change in the refractory period. The spiral wave became a stable reentry rotating around the blockline, decreasing the excitation frequency in the matrix before rushing out of the matrix. The electrocardiogram showed a slow coarse wave, as well as a real electrocardiographic change by pilsicainide. This might, in part, explain how pilsicainide acts on atrial fibrillation. Key words: sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide, spiral wave, atrial fibrillation, computer simulation.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents↗

Down regulation of sodium channel Na(v)1.1 expression by veratridine and its reversal by a novel sodium channel blocker, RS100642, in primary neuronal cultures.

This study investigated the effects of veratridine-induced neuronal toxicity on sodium channel gene (NaCh) expression in primary forebrain cultures enriched in neurons, and its reversal by a novel sodium channel blocker, RS100642. Using quantitative RT-PCR, our findings demonstrated the expression ratio of NaCh genes in normal fetal rat forebrain neurons to be Na(v)1.2 > Na(v)1.3 > Na(v)1.8 > Na(v)1.1 > Na(v)1.7 (rBII > rBIII > PN3 > rBI > PN1). Veratridine treatment of neuronal cells produced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (0.25-20 micro M). Neuronal injury caused by a dose of veratridine producing 80% cell death (2.5 micro M) significantly, and exclusively down-regulated the Na(v)1.1 gene. However, treatment of neurons with RS100642 (200 micro M) reversed the down-regulation of the Na(v)1.1 gene expression caused by veratridine. Our findings document for the first time quantitative and relative changes in the expression of various NaCh genes in neurons following injury produced by selective activation of voltage-gated sodium channels, and suggest that the Na(v)1.1 sodium channel gene may play a key role in the neuronal injury/recovery process.

Animals↗

Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers as cytostatic inhibitors of the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3.

The recent discovery of sodium (Na(+)) channel expression in human prostate cancer (PCa) cells led us to investigate the potential use of neuronal Na(+) channel blockers as inhibitors of PCa cells. Our initial studies discovered two classes of Na(+) channel blockers that were effective inhibitors of PCa cell proliferation. Both hydroxyamides (compounds 1 and 4) and a hydantoin (compound 5) were shown to inhibit the androgen-independent PCa cell line PC-3 in vitro. Electrophysiology showed that all compounds functionally block brain type II voltage-gated Na(+) channels (Nav1.2) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Long-term growth assays in androgen-independent PC-3 cells showed remarkable inhibition of cell growth, with cells growing to a maximum of 30% of controls with analogue 1. Further, our analogues demonstrated only marginal impact on cell viability over the same treatment interval.

Androgens↗

Electrophysiological evaluation of the sodium-channel blocker carbamazepine in healthy human subjects.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a sodium-channel blocker used mainly for the treatment of epileptic seizures and neuralgias. It may impair the function of the cardiac conduction system in susceptible patients, but its electrophysiological effects have not been thoroughly assessed in the normal heart, which was the aim of the present study. Ten healthy volunteers, mean age 32 years, underwent two electrophysiological investigations at baseline and three at different dose levels of CBZ. The transesophageal atrial stimulation technique was used to evaluate sinus node function, refractoriness of the atrial myocardium, atrioventricular conduction, and ventricular depolarization and repolarization (as reflected by the QRS, JT, and QT intervals) at spontaneous rhythm and after atrial pacing. Atropine was administered to facilitate 1:1 conduction and assessment of rate-dependent effects. At the highest CBZ dose (800 mg/day), which gave plasma concentrations within the upper therapeutic range, the PQ interval was mildly prolonged (151 vs. 159 msec; p < 0.01). In addition, the shortening of the JT interval normally seen at higher pacing rates was counteracted by high-dose CBZ, as demonstrated by a lower mean slope of the regression line after atropine and CBZ than after atropine alone (0.17 vs. 0.20; p < 0.05). No other effects were detected. At therapeutic levels CBZ had minimal effects on the healthy conduction system, supporting its safe use in the absence of cardiac disease.

Administration, Oral↗

The use-dependent sodium channel blocker mexiletine is neuroprotective against global ischemic injury.

Mechanisms responsible for anoxic/ischemic cell death in mammalian CNS grey and white matter involve an increase in intracellular Ca2+, however the routes of Ca2+ entry appear to differ. In white matter, pathological Ca2+ influx largely occurs as a result of reversal of Na+-Ca2+ exchange, due to increased intracellular Na+ and membrane depolarization. Na+ channel blockade has therefore been logically and successfully employed to protect white matter from ischemic injury. In grey matter ischemia, it has been traditionally presumed that activation of agonist (glutamate) operated and voltage dependent Ca2+ channels are the primary routes of Ca2+ entry. Less attention has been directed towards Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Na+ channel blockade as a protective strategy in grey matter. This study investigates mexiletine, a use-dependent sodium channel blocker known to provide significant ischemic neuroprotection to white matter, as a grey matter protectant. Pentobarbital (65 mg/kg) anesthetized, mechanically ventilated Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with mexiletine (80 mg/kg, i.p.). Then 25 min later the animals were subjected to 10 min of bilateral carotid occlusion plus controlled hypotension to 50 Torr by temporary partial exsanguination. Animals were sacrificed with perfusion fixation after 7 days. Ischemic and normal neurons were counted in standard H&E sections of hippocampal CA1 and the ratio of ischemic to total neurons calculated. Mexiletine pre-treatment reduced hippocampal damage by approximately half when compared to control animals receiving saline alone (45 vs. 88% damage, respectively; P<0.001). These results suggest that mexiletine (and perhaps other drugs of this class) can provide protection from ischemia to grey matter as well as white matter.

Animals↗