Effects of quinine on three different types of potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Role of Connexin 36 in Autoregulation of Oxytocin Neuronal Activity in Rat Supraoptic Nucleus

In the supraoptic nucleus (SON), the incidence of dye coupling among oxytocin (OT) neurons increases significantly in nursing mothers. However, the type(s) of connexin (Cx) involved is(are) unknown. In this study, we specifically investigated whether Cx36 plays a functional role in the coupling between OT neurons in the SON of lactating rats. In this brain region, Cx36 was mainly coimmunostained with vasopressin neurons in virgin female rats, whereas in lactating rats, Cx36 was primarily colocalized with OT neurons. In brain slices from lactating rats, application of quinine (0.1 mM), a selective blocker of Cx36, significantly reduced dye coupling among OT neurons as well as the discharge/firing frequency of spikes/action potentials and their amplitude, and transiently depolarized the membrane potential of OT neurons in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. However, quinine significantly reduced the amplitude, but not frequency, of inhibitory postsynaptic currents in OT neurons; the duration of excitatory postsynaptic currents was reduced but not their frequency and amplitude. Furthermore, the excitatory effect of OT (1 pM) on OT neurons was significantly weakened and delayed by quinine, and burst firing was absent in the presence of this inhibitor. Lastly, Western blotting analysis revealed that the presence of combined, but not alone, quinine and OT significantly reduced the amount of Cx36 in the SON. Thus, Cx36-mediated junctional communication plays a crucial role in autoregulatory control of OT neuronal activity, likely by acting at the postsynaptic sites. The level of Cx36 is modulated by its own activity and the presence of OT.

Effects of Quinine, Quinidine and Chloroquine on Human Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

The genus Cinchona is known for a range of alkaloids, such as quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine. Cinchona bark has been used as an antimalarial agent for more than 400 years. Quinine was first isolated in 1820 and is still acknowledged in the therapy of chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria; in lower dosage quinine has been used as treatment for leg cramps since the 1940s. Here we report the effects of the quinoline derivatives quinine, quinidine, and chloroquine on human adult and fetal muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It could be demonstrated that the compounds blocked acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked responses in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing the adult nAChR composed of αβ𝜀δ subunits in a concentration-dependent manner, with a ranked potency of quinine (IC₅₀ = 1.70 μM), chloroquine (IC₅₀ = 2.22 μM) and quinidine (IC₅₀ = 3.96 μM). At the fetal nAChR composed of αβγδ subunits, the IC₅₀ for quinine was found to be 2.30 μM. The efficacy of the block by quinine was independent of the ACh concentration. Therefore, quinine is proposed to inhibit ACh-evoked currents in a non-competitive manner. The present results add to the pharmacological characterization of muscle nAChRs and indicate that quinine is effective at the muscular nAChRs close to therapeutic blood concentrations required for the therapy and prophylaxis of nocturnal leg cramps, suggesting that the clinically proven efficacy of quinine could be based on targeting nAChRs.

The Effects of Quinine on Neurophysiological Properties of Dopaminergic Neurons

Quinine is an antimalarial drug that is toxic to the auditory system by commonly inducing hearing loss and tinnitus, presumably due to its ototoxic effects on disruption of cochlear hair cells and blockade of ion channels of neurons in the auditory system. To a lesser extent, quinine also causes ataxia, tremor, and dystonic reactions. As dopaminergic neurons are implicated to play a role in all of these diseases, we tested the toxicity of quinine on induced dopaminergic (iDA) neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and primary dopaminergic (DA) neurons of substantia nigra from mice brain slices. Patch clamp recordings and combined drug treatments were performed to examine key physiological properties of the DA neurons. We found that quinine (12.5-200 μM) depolarized the resting membrane potential and attenuated the amplitudes of rebound spikes induced by hyperpolarization. Action potentials were also broadened in spontaneously spiking neurons. In addition to quinine attenuating hyperpolarization-dependent conductance, the tail currents following withdrawal of hyperpolarizing currents were also attenuated. Taken together, we found that iPSC-derived DA neurons recapitulated all the tested physiological properties of human DA neurons, and quinine had distinct effects on the physiology of both iDA and primary DA neurons. This toxicity of quinine may be the underlying mechanism for the movement disorders of cinchonism or quinism and may play a role in tinnitus modulation.

Mechanisms of copper accumulation in isolated mantle cells of the marine clam Mesodesma mactroides

In vivo copper accumulation was determined in tissues (mantle, gills, digestive gland, and hemolymph) following exposure to Cu (5 µM) for up to 96 h. Mantle was the tissue that accumulated the most Cu, followed by gill, digestive gland, and hemolymph. Therefore, in vitro Cu accumulation was evaluated in isolated mantle cells exposed to 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 µM Cu for 1 and 3 h. After both exposure times, no change in cell viability was observed. However, a significant Cu accumulation was observed in cells exposed to 2.5 and 5.0 µM Cu. Cell exposure to 2.5 µM Cu for 1 h did not affect the ionic (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Cl(-)) content of isolated mantle cells, characterizing an "ideal" noneffect concentration for the study of the involvement of different ion-transporting proteins (Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) channels; Na(+)/K(+) 2Cl(-) and Na(+)/Cl(-) cotransporters; Na(+)/Ca(2+), Cl(-)/HCO3-, and Na(+)/H(+) exchangers; Na(+)/K(+) -ATPase; V-ATPase; and carbonic anhydrase) in Cu accumulation. Isolated cells were pre-exposed (30 min) to specific blockers or inhibitors of the ion-transporting proteins and then exposed (1 h) to Cu (2.5 µM) in the presence of the drug. A significant increase of 29.1 and 24.3% in Cu accumulation was observed after cell incubation with acetozalamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and NPPB (Cl(-) channels blocker), respectively. On the other hand, a significant decrease (48.2%) in Cu accumulation was observed after incubation with furosemide (Na(+) /K(+)/2Cl(-) blocker). Taken together, these findings indicate the mantle as an important route of Cu entry in M. mactroides, pointing to the cotransporter Na(+)/K(+)/2Cl(-) as a major mechanism of Cu accumulation in mantle cells of the clam.

Activation of TREK currents by the neuroprotective agent riluzole in mouse sympathetic neurons

Background K2P channels play a key role in stabilizing the resting membrane potential, thereby modulating cell excitability in the central and peripheral somatic nervous system. Whole-cell experiments revealed a riluzole-activated current (I(RIL)), transported by potassium, in mouse superior cervical ganglion (mSCG) neurons. The activation of this current by riluzole, linoleic acid, membrane stretch, and internal acidification, its open rectification and insensitivity to most classic potassium channel blockers, indicated that I(RIL) flows through channels of the TREK [two-pore domain weak inwardly rectifying K channel (TWIK)-related K channel] subfamily. Whole-ganglia and single-cell reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated the presence of TREK-1, TREK-2, and TRAAK (TWIK-related arachidonic acid-activated K(+) channel) mRNA, and the expression of these three proteins was confirmed by immunocytochemistry in mSCG neurons. I(RIL) was enhanced by zinc, inhibited by barium and fluoxetine, but unaffected by quinine and ruthenium red, strongly suggesting that it was carried through TREK-1/2 channels. Consistently, a channel with properties identical with the heterologously expressed TREK-2 was recorded in most (75%) cell-attached patches. These results provide the first evidence for the expression of K2P channels in the mammalian autonomic nervous system, and they extend the impact of these channels to the entire nervous system.

The inhibitory effect of trimethylamine on the anticonvulsant activities of quinine in the pentylenetetrazole model in rats

Quinine specifically blocks connexin 36 (Cx36), one of the proteins that form gap junction channels. Quinine suppressed ictal epileptiform activity in in vitro and in vivo studies without decreasing neuronal excitability. In this study, we considered the possible mechanism of anticonvulsant effects of quinine (1, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 microM, i.c.v.) in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model of seizure. Thus, we used trimethylamine (TMA) (0.05 microM, 5 microM, 50 microM), a gap junction channel opener, to examine whether it could reverse the effects of quinine in rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of quinine affected generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) induced by PTZ by increments in seizure onset and reducing seizure duration. Additionally, pretreatment with different doses of TMA (i.c.v.) attenuated the anticonvulsant effects of quinine on the latency and duration of GTCS. It can be concluded that quinine possesses anticonvulsant effects via modulation of gap junction channels, which could contribute to the control of GTCS.

Disinhibition combines with excitation to extend the operating range of the OFF visual pathway in daylight

Cone signals divide into parallel ON and OFF bipolar cell pathways, which respond to objects brighter or darker than the background and release glutamate onto the corresponding type of ganglion cell. It is assumed that ganglion cell excitatory responses are driven by these bipolar cell synapses. Here, we report an additional mechanism: OFF ganglion cells were driven in part by the removal of synaptic inhibition (disinhibition). The disinhibition played a relatively large role in driving responses at low contrasts. The disinhibition persisted in the presence of CNQX and d-AP-5. Furthermore, the CNQX/d-AP-5-resistant response was blocked by l-AP-4, meclofenamic acid, quinine, or strychnine but not by bicuculline. Thus, the disinhibition circuit was driven by the ON pathway and required gap junctions and glycine receptors but not ionotropic glutamate or GABA(A) receptors. These properties implicate the AII amacrine cell, better known for its role in rod vision, as a critical circuit element through the following pathway: cone --> ON cone bipolar cell --> AII cell --> OFF ganglion cell. Rods could also drive this circuit through their gap junctions with cones. Thus, to light decrement, AII cells, driven by electrical synapses with ON cone bipolar cells, would hyperpolarize and reduce glycine release to excite OFF ganglion cells. To light increment, the AII circuit would directly inhibit OFF ganglion cells. These results show a new role for disinhibition in the retina and suggest a new role for the AII amacrine cell in daylight vision.

The connexin 36 blockers quinine, quinidine and mefloquine inhibit cortical spreading depression in a rat neocortical slice model in vitro

A protocol for inducing cortical spreading depression (SD) on rat neocortical slices in vitro, upon local application of calibrated approximately nl drops of KCl, 3M was used to elicit SD events, recorded at two different points on the slice. This in vitro model was validated by the inhibition of SD episodes by the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (20 microM), the reference SD blocker. Quinine, its stereoisomer quinidine, and mefloquine consistently inhibited the SD episodes. Quinine and quinidine, 100 and 200 microM reduced the duration, while mefloquine, 100 and 200 microM reduced the amplitude of SD events, all in a concentration-dependent manner. These compounds have been reported to block gap junctions, specifically the neuronal connexin (Cx) 36, but they also exert other cellular effects. While further investigation is warranted to settle whether SD inhibition in vitro by quinine, quinidine and mefloquine reflects an involvement of neuronal Cx36 channels in SD generation/propagation, these results bear potential drug-discovery relevance for the migraine with aura.

Slow motility in hair cells of the frog amphibian papilla: Ca2+-dependent shape changes

We investigated the process of slow motility in non-mammalian auditory hair cells by recording the time course of shape change in hair cells of the frog amphibian papilla. The tall hair cells in the rostral segment of this organ, reported to be the sole recipients of efferent innervation, were found to shorten in response to an increase in the concentration of the intracellular free calcium. These shortenings are composed of two partially-overlapping phases: an initial rapid iso-volumetric contraction, followed by a slower length decrease accompanied with swelling. It is possible to unmask the iso-volumetric contraction by delaying the cell swelling with the help of K+ or Cl- channel inhibitors, quinine or furosemide. Furthermore, it appears that the longitudinal contraction in these cells is Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent: in the presence of W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, only a slow, swelling phase could be observed. These findings suggest that amphibian rostral AP hair cells resemble their mammalian counterparts in expressing both a Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent contractile structure and an "osmotic" mechanism capable of mediating length change in response to extracellular stimuli. Such a mechanism might be utilized by the efferent neurotransmitters for adaptive modulation of mechano-electrical transduction, sensitivity enhancement, frequency selectivity, and protection against over-stimulation.

Quinine suppresses extracellular potassium transients and ictal epileptiform activity without decreasing neuronal excitability in vitro

The effect of quinine on pyramidal cell intrinsic properties, extracellular potassium transients, and epileptiform activity was studied in vitro using the rat hippocampal slice preparation. Quinine enhanced excitatory post-synaptic potentials and decreased fast- and slow-inhibitory post-synaptic potentials. Quinine reduced the peak potassium rise following tetanic stimulation but did not affect the potassium clearance rate. Epileptiform activity induced by either low-Ca(2+) or high-K(+) artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) was suppressed by quinine. The frequency of spontaneous inter-ictal bursting induced by picrotoxin, high-K(+), or 4-aminopyridine was significantly increased. In normal ACSF, quinine did not affect CA1 pyramidal cell resting membrane potential, input resistance, threshold for action potentials triggered by intracellular or extracellular stimulation, or the orthodromic and antidromic evoked population spike amplitude. The main effects of quinine on intrinsic cell properties were to increase action potential duration and to reduce firing frequency during sustained membrane depolarizations, but not at normal resting membrane potentials. This attenuation was enhanced at increasingly depolarized membrane potentials. These results suggest that quinine suppresses extracellular potassium transients and ictal activity and modulates inter-ictal activity by limiting the firing rate of cells in a voltage-dependent manner. Because quinine does not affect 'normal' neuronal function, it may merit consideration as an anticonvulsant.

Pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid can antagonize the purinoceptor-mediated inhibition of M-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell recordings of an M-type potassium current (I(M)) were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons. Purinoceptor agonists inhibited I(M) with UTP>ADP>adenosine triphosphate=UDP>ATPgammaS=guanosine triphosphate (GTP)>>amyloid precursor protein (APP)(NH)P as the rank order of potency. The IC(50) was 35 nM for UTP, and 2.6 microM for GTP. Under conditions in which I(M) was abolished by UTP (1 microM), a sulfonic acid derivative, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS) (30-300 microM) recruited I(M) to 15 to 90% of its control in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that PPADS can be useful as an antagonist for the purinoceptors presumably P2Y subtypes in amphibian autonomic neurons.

Acute neuropharmacologic action of chloroquine on cortical neurons in vitro

Chloroquine, a common quinolone derivative used in the treatment of malaria, has been associated with neurologic side-effects including depression, psychosis and delirium. The neuropharmacologic effects of chloroquine were examined on cultured cortical neurons using microelectrode array (MEA) recording and the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Whole-cell patch clamp records under current-clamp mode also showed a chloroquine-induced depression of the firing rate of spontaneous action potentials by approximately 40%, consistent with the observations with the MEA recording, although no changes in either the baseline membrane potential or input resistance were observed. Voltage clamp recordings of spontaneous post-synaptic currents, recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin, revealed no obvious changes in either the amplitude or rate of occurrence of inward currents with application of chloroquine at 10 microM, suggesting that the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying spontaneous synaptic transmission may not be affected by acute application of the drug. In contrast, a concentration-dependent inhibition of whole-cell calcium current was observed in the presence of chloroquine. These acute neuropharmacologic changes were not accompanied by cytotoxic actions of the compound, even after exposure of up to 500 microM chloroquine for 7 h. These data suggest that chloroquine can depress in vitro neuronal activity, perhaps through inhibition of membrane calcium channels.

Active and passive membrane properties of rat sympathetic preganglionic neurones innervating the adrenal medulla

The intravascular release of adrenal catecholamines is a fundamental homeostatic process mediated via thoracolumbar spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurones (AD-SPN). To understand mechanisms regulating their excitability, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained from 54 retrogradely labelled neonatal rat AD-SPN. Passive membrane properties included a mean resting membrane potential, input resistance and time constant of -62 +/- 6 mV, 410 +/- 241 MOmega and 104 +/- 53 ms, respectively. AD-SPN were homogeneous with respect to their active membrane properties. These active conductances included transient outward rectification, observed as a delayed return to rest at the offset of the membrane response to hyperpolarising current pulses, with two components: a fast 4-AP-sensitive component (A-type conductance), contributing to the after-hyperpolarisation (AHP) and spike repolarisation; a slower prolonged Ba(2+)-sensitive component (D-like conductance). All AD-SPN expressed a Ba(2+)-sensitive instantaneous inwardly rectifying conductance activated at membrane potentials more negative than around -80 mV. A potassium-mediated, voltage-dependent sustained outward rectification activated at membrane potentials between -35 and -15 mV featured an atypical pharmacology with a component blocked by quinine, reduced by low extracellular pH and arachidonic acid, but lacking sensitivity to Ba(2+), TEA and intracellular Cs(+). This quinine-sensitive outward rectification contributes to spike repolarisation. Following block of potassium conductances by Cs(+) loading, AD-SPN revealed the capability for autorhythmicity and burst firing, mediated by a T-type Ca(2+) conductance. These data suggest the output capability is dynamic and diverse, and that the range of intrinsic membrane conductances expressed endow AD-SPN with the ability to generate differential and complex patterns of activity. The diversity of intrinsic membrane properties expressed by AD-SPN may be key determinants of neurotransmitter release from SPN innervating the adrenal medulla. However, factors other than active membrane conductances of AD-SPN must ultimately regulate the differential ratio of noradrenaline (NA) versus adrenaline (A) release secreted in response to various physiological and environmental demands.

Hyperpolarizing shift by quinine in the steady-state inactivation curve of delayed rectifier-type potassium current in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell recordings were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons to examine the actions of quinine (1-100 microM) on the steady-state activation and inactivation curves of a delayed rectifier-type potassium current (I(K)). Quinine (EC50 approximately 8 microM) caused a hyperpolarizing shift (approximately 31 mV with 30 microM) in the inactivation curve of I(K) without significantly affecting its activation curve. Quinine (20 microM) was without effects on the voltage-dependence of a rapidly-inactivating A-type potassium current (I(A)). It is concluded that quinine can selectively modulate the voltage-dependence of I(K) in amphibian autonomic neurons.

Volume-activated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux in lactating rat mammary tissue

The effect of cell swelling, induced by a hyposmotic shock, on K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from lactating rat mammary tissue explants has been studied. A hyposmotic challenge increased the fractional release of K(+)(Rb(+)) from mammary tissue in the absence and presence of the loop-diuretic bumetanide (100 microM). However, the volume-sensitive moiety of K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux was proportionately larger when bumetanide was present in the incubation medium. On the other hand, a hyposmotic shock appeared to reduce the bumetanide-sensitive component of K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux. The increase in K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux, induced by cell swelling, was dependent upon the extent of the hyposmotic challenge. In the presence of bumetanide, substituting Cl(-) with NO(3)(-) reduced the initial increase in volume-sensitive K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux. However, volume-sensitive K(+)(Rb(+)) release was prolonged in the presence of NO(3)(-). Volume-activated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from rat mammary tissue explants was inhibited by quinine. Cell swelling increased the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) in a fashion which depended on the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). However, removing extracellular Ca(2+) did not inhibit volume-activated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from rat mammary tissue explants. The results are consistent with the presence of volume-activated K(+) channels in lactating rat mammary tissue. Volume-activated K(+) efflux may play a central role in mammary cell volume regulation.

Effects of lanthanides on voltage-dependent potassium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

The effects of lanthanides (La(3+), Gd(3+), Lu(3+) and Sm(3+)) on voltage-dependent potassium currents were studied in dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons. A-type current (I(A)) and M-type current (I(M)) were blocked by lanthanides (0.1-30 microM) with I(M) being much less sensitive to these ions than I(A). The order of potency was Gd(3+)>/=Lu(3+) approximately La(3+) approximately Sm(3+) for I(A) and Gd(3+)&z.Gt;Lu(3+) approximately La(3+)>Sm(3+) for I(M). The I(M) block occurred independently of its activation kinetics while the I(A) block was associated with a positive shift of the activation and inactivation curves. Gd(3+) (100 microM) blocked the delayed rectifier-type current (I(K)) by less than 20%; Lu(3+), La(3+) and Sm(3+) (100 microM for each) were without effect on I(K). It is concluded that I(A) was the most sensitive to lanthanides, and Gd(3+) was the most potent for all the currents in amphibian autonomic neurons.

Mechanisms underlying the M-current block by barium in bullfrog sympathetic neurons

Whole-cell/voltage-clamp recordings were made from dissociated bullfrog sympathetic neurons to examine the channel blocking actions of barium (3-2000 microM) on an M-type potassium current (I(M)). Barium (IC(50) approximately 105 microM) blocked I(M) without affecting the 50%-activation voltage ( approximately -35 mV) and the slope factor ( approximately 11 mV) of the activation curve. The results indicate that the barium block is independent of the kinetics of I(M).