Der Morbus Parkinson ist die häufigste Erkrankung der Basalganglien und wird durch einen Abbau der dopaminergen Neurone in der Substantia nigra des Mittelhirns verursacht. Um Wege zu finden, die Nebenwirkungen bisheriger Therapien dieser Erkrankung zu vermeiden, sollten neue Angriffspunkte für pharmakologische Interventionen gesucht werden. Prinzipiell ist dabei jeder Schritt einer Signaltransduktions-Kaskade zu prüfen. Dazu gehören präsynaptische Transmitterfreisetzung, G-Protein-gesteuerte Effektormechanismen oder Veränderungen prä- und postsynaptischer Potentiale, wie sie durch ein bestimmtes lokales Ionenkanalmuster festgelegt werden. Aufgrund ihrer enormen molekularen Vielfalt bei gleichzeitig weiter, aber spezifischer Verbreitung, stellen Kaliumkanäle interessante Angriffspunkte für neue therapeutische Strategien dar. Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht die zelluläre und subzelluläre Verteilung aller Mitglieder der Kir2-Familie, einer Gruppe von Proteinen, die einwärts-gleichrichtende Kaliumkanäle bildet. Zu diesem Zweck wurden polyklonale, monospezifische, affinitätsgereinigte Antikörper gegen den wenig konservierten carboxyterminalen Anteil der Kir2.1-, Kir2.2-, Kir2.3- und Kir2.4-Proteine hergestellt. Alle Untereinheiten der Kir2-Familie wurden an den Somata und Dendriten der meisten striatalen Neurone nachgewiesen. Zwei dieser Kanäle zeigten jedoch ein inhomogenes Verteilungsmuster: Das "patch"-Kompartiment des Striatums wurde von der Expression des Kir2.3-Kanals ausgespart, und das Kir2.4-Protein wurde am stärksten auf den tonisch aktiven, cholinergen striatalen Interneuronen exprimiert. Diese beiden Strukturen stellen die Schlüsselstellen für die Kontrolle und Regulation der dopaminergen und cholinergen Transmission im Striatum dar, weswegen ihnen eine zentrale Rolle für die efferenten Projektionen der Basalganglien zukommt. Die nachgewiesene heterogene Lokalisation der Kir2.3- und Kir2.4-Untereinheit an diesen strategisch relevanten Strukturen macht diese Kanäle zu viel versprechenden Angriffspunkten für zukünftige Pharmakotherapien. / Parkinson’s disease is the most frequent movement disorder caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Intentions to avoid side effects of conventional therapy should aim to identify additional targets for potential pharmacological intervention. In principle, every step of a signal transduction cascade, such as presynaptic transmitter release, type and occupation of postsynaptic receptors, G protein-mediated effector mechanisms, and the alterations of pre- or postsynaptic potentials as determined by the local ion channel composition, have to be considered. Due to their diversity and their widespread but distinct localizations, potassium channels represent interesting candidates for new therapeutic strategies. As a first step, the present report aimed to study the cellular and subcellular distribution of the individual members of the Kir2 family in the striatum, a group of proteins forming inwardly rectifying potassium channels. For this purpose polyclonal, monospecific, affinity purified antibodies against the less conserved carboxyterminal sequences from the Kir2.1, Kir2.2, Kir2.3, and Kir2.4 proteins were prepared. All subunits of the Kir2 family were detected on somata and dendrites of most striatal neurons. However, the distribution of two of them was not homogeneous. Striatal patch areas were largely devoid of the Kir2.3 protein, and the Kir2.4 subunit was most prominently expressed on the tonically active, giant cholinergic interneurons of the striatum. These two structures are among the key players in regulating dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission within the striatum, and therefore are of major importance for the output of the basal ganglia. The heterogeneous localization of the Kir2.3 and the Kir2.4 subunits with respect to these strategic structures pinpoints these channel proteins as promising targets for future pharmacological efforts.

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels establish and regulate the resting membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart, brain and other peripheral tissues. Phosphatidylinositol- 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a key direct activator of ion channels, including Kir channels. Gasotransmitters, such as carbon monoxide (CO), have been reported to regulate the activity of Kir channels by altering channel-PIP2 interactions. We tested, in a model system, the effects and mechanism of action of another important gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) thought to play a key role in cellular responses under ischemic conditions. Direct administration of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), as an exogenous H2S source, and expression of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), a key enzyme that produces endogenous H2S in specific brain tissues, resulted in comparable current inhibition of several Kir2 and Kir3 channels. A “tag switch” assay provided biochemical evidence for sulfhydration of Kir3.2 channels. The extent of H2S regulation depended on the strength of channel-PIP2 interactions: H2S regulation was attenuated when strengthening channel-PIP2 interactions and was increased when channel-PIP2 interactions were weakened by depleting PIP2 levels via different manipulations. These H2S effects took place through specific cytoplasmic cysteine residues in Kir3.2 channels, where atomic resolution structures with PIP2 gives us insight as to how they may alter channel-PIP2 interactions. Mutation of these residues abolished H2S inhibition, and reintroduction of specific cysteine residues into the background of the mutant lacking cytoplasmic cysteine residues, rescued H2S inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulation experiments provided mechanistic insights as to how sulfhydration of specific cysteine residues could lead to changes in channel-PIP2 interactions and channel gating.

Les antalgiques utilisés aujourd’hui sont des produits anciens et plusieurs d’entre eux datent du 19ème siècle. La morphine demeure l’antalgique de référence pour les douleurs dites par excès de nociception, mais elle est à l’origine d’effets indésirables gênants et graves. Il a été démontré que l’effet antalgique de la morphine passait par l’activation des canaux potassiques TREK-1. Les travaux de recherche ont donc comme objectif la recherche d’antalgiques originaux activateurs de TREK-1. Nous avons synthétisé des activateurs de TREK-1 décrits dans la littérature puis nous avons évalué leur activité antalgique in vivo (writhing test) ce qui nous a permis d’identifier le CDC comme molécule « lead ». Nous avons ensuite synthétisé 43 analogues du CDC que nous avons évalué pour leur effet antalgique ainsi que leur capacité à activer les canaux TREK-1 (électrophysiologie). Ces molécules ont été préparées en 3 à 12 étapes avec des rendements de 3 à 72 % en utilisant des réactions telles que : aldolisation, oléfination de Watsworth et Horner, Peterson, estérification …Des résultats très prometteurs ont émergé de cette étude de relation structure-activité avec 8 molécules qui se démarquent avec un très bon effet antalgique (>50% inhibition de la douleur) ainsi qu’une bonne activation des canaux TREK-1 (R>2). Enfin nous avons analysé les résultats de cette étude par modélisation moléculaire (QSAR) ce qui nous a permis d’identifier les caractéristiques structurales essentielles de ces molécules. / Analgesics used today are old products and several of them date from the 19th century. Morphine remains the analgesics of reference for pains called by excess of nociception, but it is at the origin of awkward and serious side effects. It was shown that the analgesic effect of morphine passed by the activation of potassium channels TREK-1. The objective of this work is thus to develop original analgesics, activators of TREK-1. We synthesized activators of TREK-1 described in the literature and we evaluated their analgesic activity in vivo (writhing test) which enabled us to identify CDC as a lead molecule. We then synthesized 43 analogues of CDC which we evaluated for their analgesic effect and their ability to activate TREK-1 channels (electrophysiology). These molecules were prepared in 3 to 12 steps with yields ranging from 3 to 72 % by using reactions such as : aldol reaction, Watsworth and Horner’s olefination, Peterson’s olefination, esterification … Very promising results emerged from this structure-activity relationship study with 8 molecules which display a very good analgesic effect (>50% inhibition of pain) as well as a good activation of TREK-1 channels (R> 2). Finally we analyzed the results of this study by molecular modeling (QSAR) which enabled us to identify the essential structural characteristics of these molecules.

Extended periods of oxygen deprivation cause brain death in mammals but the western painted turtle overwinters in anoxic mud for months without damage. Neural protection is achieved through decreases in the whole cell currents of N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (NMDAR and AMPAR) that are dependent on a mild increase in intracellular calcium from the mitochondria. The goal of this research was to determine if natural anoxic decreases in reactive oxidative species (ROS) serve as the signal to bring about these changes. Reductions in cellular ROS levels were demonstrated to have no effect on AMPAR currents or intracellular calcium and produced massive increases in NMDAR currents, indicating that ROS depression does not directly mediate anoxic alterations. Interestingly, mammalian neural tissue also experiences a similar increase in NMDAR whole cell current in response to reducing agents suggesting a possible conserved mechanism for normoxic receptor control.

Les canaux potassiques voltage-dépendants forment des tétramères dont chaque sous-unité comporte six segments transmembranaires (S1 à S6). Le pore, formé des segments S5-S6 de chaque sous-unité, est entouré de quatre domaines responsables de la sensibilité au potentiel membranaire, les senseurs de voltage (VS; S1-S4). Lors d’une dépolarisation membranaire, le mouvement des résidus chargés situés dans le VS entraine un mouvement de charges détectable en électrophysiologie, le courant de « gating ». L’activation du VS conduit à l'ouverture du pore, qui se traduit par un changement de conformation en C-terminal du segment S6. Pour élucider les principes qui sous-tendent le couplage électromécanique entre ces deux domaines, nous avons étudié deux régions présumées responsables du couplage chez les canaux de type Shaker K+, soit la région carboxy-terminale du segment S6 et le lien peptidique reliant les segments transmembranaire S4-S5 (S4-5L). Avec la technique du « cut-open voltage clamp fluorometry » (COVCF), nous avons pu déterminer que l’interaction inter-sous-unitaire RELY, formée par des acides aminés situés sur le lien S4-5L et S6 de deux sous-unités voisines, est impliquée dans le développement de la composante lente observée lors du retour des charges de « gating » vers leur état de repos, le « OFF-gating ». Nous avons observé que l’introduction de mutations dans la région RELY module la force de ces interactions moléculaires et élimine l’asymétrie observée dans les courants de « gating » de type sauvage. D’ailleurs, nous démontrons que ce couplage inter-sous-unitaire est responsable de la stabilisation du pore dans l’état ouvert. Nous avons également identifié une interaction intra-sous-unitaire entre les résidus I384 situé sur le lien S4-5L et F484 sur le segment S6 d’une même sous-unité. La déstabilisation de cette interaction hydrophobique découple complètement le mouvement des senseurs de voltage et l'ouverture du pore. Sans cette interaction, l’énergie nécessaire pour activer les VS est moindre en raison de l’absence du poids mécanique appliqué par le pore. De plus, l’abolition du couplage électromécanique élimine également le « mode shift », soit le déplacement de la dépendance au voltage des charges de transfert (QV) vers des potentiels hyperpolarisants. Ceci indique que le poids mécanique du pore imposé au VS entraine le « mode shift », en modulant la conformation intrinsèque du VS par un processus allostérique. / Voltage-gated potassium channels are tetramers and each subunit is formed of six transmembrane segments (S1 to S6). The pore, formed by the S5-S6 segments of each subunit, is surrounded by four modules responsible for sensitivity to the membrane potential, the voltage sensors (VS, S1-S4). During membrane depolarization, the movement of charged residues located in the VS causes a detectable charge movement called the gating current. The activation of the VS led to the opening of the pore, resulting in a conformational change in the C-terminal segment of S6. To elucidate the principles underlying the electromechanical coupling between these two domains, we examined two regions presumed responsible for the coupling among channels of the Shaker K + family: the carboxy-terminal region of S6 and the peptide bond linking the transmembrane segments S4-S5 (S4-5L). Using the cut-open voltage clamp fluorometry (COVCF), we have determined that the RELY inter-subunit interaction, formed by amino acids located on the S4-5L linker and S6 of two neighboring subunits, is involved in the development of the slow component observed during the return of the gating charges (OFF-gating) to their resting state. The introduction of mutations in the RELY region modulates the strength of these molecular interactions and eliminates the asymmetry observed in the wild type gating currents. Moreover, we demonstrate that this inter-subunit coupling is responsible for stabilizing the pore in the open state. We have also identified an intra-subunit interaction between residues I384 located on the S4-5L linker and F484 on the S6 segment of the same subunit. The destabilization of this hydrophobic interaction uncouples completely the movement of voltage sensors from pore opening. Without this interaction, the energy required to activate the VS is diminished due to the absence of mechanical weight applied by the pore. Furthermore, this uncoupling also eliminates the "mode shift", defined as an amplified shift of the voltage dependence of gating charge (QV) to hyperpolarizing potentials during prolonged depolarization, thus indicating that the mechanical load of the pore influences the entry of the VS into this shifted mode by modulating the conformation of the VS threw an intrinsic allosteric process.

Extended periods of oxygen deprivation cause brain death in mammals but the western painted turtle overwinters in anoxic mud for months without damage. Neural protection is achieved through decreases in the whole cell currents of N-methyl-D-aspartate and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (NMDAR and AMPAR) that are dependent on a mild increase in intracellular calcium from the mitochondria. The goal of this research was to determine if natural anoxic decreases in reactive oxidative species (ROS) serve as the signal to bring about these changes. Reductions in cellular ROS levels were demonstrated to have no effect on AMPAR currents or intracellular calcium and produced massive increases in NMDAR currents, indicating that ROS depression does not directly mediate anoxic alterations. Interestingly, mammalian neural tissue also experiences a similar increase in NMDAR whole cell current in response to reducing agents suggesting a possible conserved mechanism for normoxic receptor control.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2110214 bytes, checksum: 4a28fa47726ea0c494b4de5c87f4f054 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Solanum agrarium Sendtner known popularly as babá , gogóia , and melancia da praia . In folk medicine, the decoction of its roots is used as abortive (AGRA, 1991). In a preliminary study, Santos et al. (2003) demonstrated that crude ethanolic extract of aerial parts from S. agrarium (SA-EtOH) showed non-selective spasmolytic activity on guinea-pig ileum and rat uterus. The aim of the study was evaluate on the cytotoxic potential of SA-EtOH in rats erythrocytes and to investigate the spasmolytic action mechanism on guinea-pig ileum and rat uterus. SA-EtOH extract showed moderate hemolytic activity only at concentration of 243 and 500 μg/mL (Emax = 21.2 ± 3.2%). On guinea-pig ileum, SA-EtOH extract inhibited the cumulative concentration-response curves to carbachol (CCh) and histamine, and these were shifted to the right, in a non-parallel manner, with depression of the maximal effect (Emax), suggesting a noncompetitive antagonism. SA-EtOH extract relaxed in a significant and concentration dependent manner the ileum pre-contracted with 40 mM KCl (EC50 = 17.4 ± 3.5 μg/mL), 10-6 M CCh (EC50 = 119.4 ± 24.3 μg/mL) or 10-6 M histamine (EC50 = 18.7 ± 4.6 μg/mL), suggesting that SA-EtOH extract could be acting on voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav). This assumption was confirmed by observation that SA-EtOH extract antagonized the CaCl2 induced contractions in the depolarizing medium without Ca2+. The finding that SA-EtOH extract relaxed (EC50 = 187.2 ± 27.3 μg/mL) the guinea-pig ileum pre-contracted with S-(-)-BAY K8644 suggests that the Ca2+ channel subtype involved is the CaV1. As the SA-EtOH extract was more potent in relaxing the body pre-contracted with KCl than by S-(-)-Bay K8644, it is suggestive of indirect blockade of the Cav1. We decided to investigate the participation of K+ channels in the spasmolytic action of SA-EtOH extract. The relaxation curve induced by SA-EtOH extract was rightward displacement only in the presence of tetraethylammonium (TEA+) 1 mM, this concentration is a selective blocker of the large conductance clacium-activated K+ channels (BKca) (EC50 = 37.7 ± 4.9 μg/mL) and 4-aminopyridine, selective blocker of the voltage activated K+ channels (Kv) (EC50 = 48.9 ± 6.2 μg/mL). On rat uterus, SA-EtOH extract inhibited the cumulative concentration-response curves to oxytocin, and these were shifted to the right, in a non-parallel manner, with depression of the maximal effect (Emax) suggesting a noncompetitive antagonism. SA-EtOH extract did not effective at relax the uterus pre-contracted with 60 mM KCl (Emax = 10.5 ± 5.0%), however relaxed in a significant and concentration dependent manner the rat uterus pre-contracted with 10-2 UI/mL (EC50 = 56.3 ± 8.2 μg/mL). Therefore, suggesting that SA-EtOH extract could be promoting its spasmolytic effect of indirect blockade influx Ca2+ by Cav, as observed in guinea-pig ileum. However, the relaxation curve induced by SA-EtOH extract was rightward displacement only in the presence of glibenclamide (EC50 = 124.8 ± 21.0 μg/mL), selective blocker of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP), different from that observed in guinea-pig ileum. These results suggest that SA-EtOH extract is not promoting the membrane injury on rat erythrocytes and that the spasmolytic action mechanism of SA-EtOH extract involves modulation/activation of BKCa and KV on guinea-pig ileum, and of KATP on rat uterus. / Solanum agrarium Sendtner é conhecida popularmente por babá , gogóia e melancia da praia . O decocto da raiz é empregado popularmente como abortivo (AGRA, 1991). Em estudos anteriores, Santos et al., (2003) demonstraram que o extrato etanólico bruto obtido das partes aéreas de S. agrarium (SA-EtOH) apresentou atividade espasmolítica não seletiva em íleo de cobaia e útero de rata. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o potencial citotóxico do extrato SA-EtOH em eritrócitos de rato e investigar o mecanismo de ação espasmolítica em íleo de cobaia e útero de rata. O extrato SA-EtOH apresentou uma atividade hemolítica moderada apenas nas concentrações de 243 e 500 μg/mL (Emax = 21,2 ± 3,2%). Em íleo de cobaia, o extrato SA-EtOH inibiu as curvas cumulativas ao carbacol (CCh) e à histamina e estas foram desviadas para a direita de maneira não paralela com redução do Emax, sugerindo um antagonismo não competitivo. O extrato SA-EtOH relaxou de maneira dependente de concentração e significante o íleo de cobaia pré-contraído com 40 mM de KCl (CE50 = 17,4 ± 3,5 μg/mL), ou com 10 6 M de CCh (CE50 = 119,4 ± 24,3 μg/mL) ou de histamina (CE50 = 18,7 ± 4,6 μg/mL), sugerindo que o extrato SA-EtOH deve estar agindo bloqueando os canais de Ca2+ dependentes de voltagem (CaV). A confirmação desta hipótese veio com a observação de que o extrato SA-EtOH antagonizou as contrações induzidas por CaCl2 em meio despolarizante nominalmente sem Ca2+. O fato do extrato SA-EtOH ter relaxado (CE50 = 187,2 ± 27,3 μg/mL) o íleo pré-contraído com S-(-)-BAY K 8644 sugere que o canal de Ca2+ envolvido é o tipo CaV1. Como a potência relaxante do extrato SA-EtOH foi maior quando o órgão foi pré-contraído com KCl do que pelo S-(-)-Bay K8644, isto é sugestivo de que há um bloqueio indireto dos Cav1. Decidiu-se investigar a participação dos canais de K+ na ação espasmolítica do SA-EtOH. A curva de relaxamento induzida pelo extrato SA-EtOH foi desviada para direita apenas na presença de tetraetilamônio (TEA+) 1 mM, nessa concentração um bloqueador dos canais de K+ ativados por Ca2+ de grande condutância (BKCa) (CE50 = 37,7 ± 4,9 μg/mL) e na de 4-aminopiridina, bloqueador dos canais de K+ operados por voltagem (KV) (CE50 = 48,9 ± 6,2 μg/mL). Em útero de rata, o extrato SA-EtOH inibiu as curvas cumulativas à ocitocina e esta foi desviada para a direita de maneira não paralela com redução do Emax, sugerindo um antagonismo não competitivo. O extrato SA-EtOH não foi eficaz em relaxar o útero pré-contraído com 60 mM de KCl (Emax = 10,5 ± 5,0%), entretanto relaxou de maneira dependente de concentração o útero pré-contraído com 10-2 UI/mL ocitocina (CE50 = 56,3 ± 8,2 μg/mL). Diante deste fato, pode-se sugerir que o extrato SA-EtOH pode estar promovendo seu efeito espasmolítico pelo bloqueio indireto do influxo de Ca2+ através dos CaV, assim como o observado em íleo de cobaia. Entretanto, a curva de relaxamento induzida pelo extrato SA-EtOH foi desviada para direita apenas na presença de glibenclamida (CE50 = 124,8 ± 21,0 μg/mL), bloqueador seletivo dos canais de K+ sensíveis ao ATP (KATP), diferente do observado em íleo de cobaia. Esses resultados são sugestivos de que o extrato SA-EtOH não esteja promovendo injúrias a membrana dos eritrócitos de ratos e que o mecanismo de ação espasmolítica do extrato SA-EtOH se dá pela modulação/ativação dos BKCa e KV em íleo de cobaia e pelos KATP em útero de rata.

Vasorrelaxant effects of R(+)-pulegone were tested in normotensive rats using two different methodological approaches. In vivo, increasing doses (1, 3, 10, 20 and 30 mg / kg) were administered in the animals, i.v. bolus and selected randomly, then the parameters for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. In this situation the substance triggered a hypotensive effect and bradycardia. In the ex vivo approach, we used the thoracic aorta of these animals and isometric tension experiments, evaluated the vasorelaxant activity of the substance. The administration of R (+)-pulegone triggered vasorelaxant effect concentration-dependent in both rings with intact endothelium and with this removed, but the substance had the lowest pD2 value in the presence of the endothelium (-3.64 ± 0.06, n = -3.17 vs 5 ± 0.034, n = 6, respectively), no change in peak effect (98.2 ± 1.2%, n = 5 vs. 106.0 ± 8.1%, n = 6) indicating that the substance acts triggering vasodilation in aortic dependent manner and independent of the vascular endothelium. In rings with intact endothelium, the vasorelaxant activity of R(+)-pulegone was not altered in the presence of diclofenac and atropine, but was modified by L-NAME (-3.00 ± 0.016; n=5), HDX (-3.07 ± 0.021; n=5), ODQ (-3.17 ± 0.03; n = 5) and the red ruthenium (-3.14 ± 0.04; n=5) vs control: -3.64 ± 0.06; n = 5. These results suggest that the substance is probably stimulating NO production via the activation of TRP channels. In smooth muscle vascular, R(+)-pulegone inhibited curve calcium concentration-dependent manner (Emax: 10-4 M: 68 9 ± 3.81%; 3x10-4 M: 40.97 ± 8.05%; 10-3 M: 24.79 ± 5.04% and 3x10-3 M: 0.29 ± 0.33%) via calcium channels type L, as in the presence of nifedipine, there was a reduction of the maximum effect (Emax: 93.3 ± 1.7% ; n = 6 vs Emax control: 106.8 ± 8.1%; n = 6 ). Additionally, it was surveyed the participation of for potassium channels, using 4-aminiopiridine, it was seen that the substance has inhibited response by blocking the potassium channels sensitive to voltage (-2.93 ± 0.012 - n = 5 vs control - 3.17 ± 0.034 - n = 6) as well as sensitive to ATP, since, in the presence of glybenclamide, the relaxant response to R(+)-pulegone was also inhibited (-2.94 vs. -3.17 ± 0.012 ± 0.03). Thus, to cause vasorelaxation in normotensive rat thoracic aorta, R(+)-pulegone, stimulates the production of NO in endothelial cells, probably by activating calcium influx via TRP channels. The effect independent of the endothelium is mediated by inhibition of calcium influx, likely through the CaV and for opening potassium channels (KATP and Kv). / O efeito vasorrelaxante de R(+)-pulegona foi estudado em ratos normotensos, utilizando duas abordagens metodológicas. Na avaliação in vivo, doses crescentes (1, 3, 10, 20 e 30 mg/Kg), foram administradas nos animais, via i.v. em bolus de maneira aleatória, posteriormente os parâmetros de pressão arterial média (PAM) e frequência cardíaca (FC) foram avaliados. Nesta situação a substância desencadeou um efeito hipotensor e bradicárdico dependente de dose. Na abordagem ex vivo, utilizou-se a aorta torácica destes animais e avaliou-se a atividade vasorrelaxante da substância. A administração de R(+)-pulegona desencadeou efeito vasorrelaxante, concentração dependente tanto em anéis com endotélio intacto quanto com este removido, porém a substância apresentou o valor do pD2 menor na presença do endotélio (-3,64 ± 0,06, n=5 vs -3,17 ± 0,034, n=6, respectivamente), sem nenhuma alteração no efeito máximo (98,2 ± 1,2%, n=5 vs 106,0 ± 8,1%, n=6), indicando que a substância atua desencadeando vasodilatação na aorta de maneira dependente e independente do endotélio vascular. Em anéis com endotélio intacto, a atividade vasorrelaxante de R(+)-pulegona não foi alterada na presença de diclofenaco e atropina, porém foi modificada por L-NAME (-3,00 ± 0,016, n=5), HDX (-3,07 ± 0,021, n=5), ODQ (-3,17 ± 0,03, n=5) e o vermelho de rutênio (-3,14 ± 0,04, n=5) todos vs controle: -3,64 ± 0,06, n=5. Estes resultados sugerem que a substância provavelmente está estimulando a produção de óxido nítrico (NO), via ativação dos canais TRP na célula endotelial. O efeito dependente do músculo liso vascular de R(+)-pulegona dá-se através da inibição da curva de cálcio de maneira dependente de concentração (Emáx: 10-4 M: 68,9 ± 3,81%; 3x10-4 M: 40,97 ± 8,05%; 10-3 M: 24,79 ± 5,04% e 3x10-3 M: 0,29 ± 0,33%), via canais para cálcio tipo L, pois na presença de NIF, ocorreu redução do efeito máximo (Emáx: 93,3 ± 1,7%, n= 6 vs controle Emáx: 106,8 ± 8,1%, n=6). Adicionalmente, pesquisou-se a participação dos canais para potássio e na presença de 4-AP ocorreu redução da resposta relaxante da substância indicando a participação dos canais para potássio sensíveis a voltagem (-2,93 ± 0,012, n=5 vs controle -3,17 ±0,034, n=6) e também sensíveis ao ATP, uma vez que, na presença de glibenclamida, a resposta relaxante para R(+)-pulegona também foi reduzida (-2,94 ± 0,012, n=5 vs -3,17 ± 0,03, n=6). Assim, para causar vasorrelaxamento em aorta torácica de ratos normotensos, R(+)-pulegona, estimula a produção de NO na célula endotelial, provavelmente por ativar o influxo de cálcio via canais TRP e o efeito independente do endotélio, é mediado pela inibição do influxo de cálcio, provavelmente através dos CaV e abertura dos canais para potássio (Kv e KATP).

Abstract The processes affecting myocardial survival in ischemia were studied in perfused rat hearts by using largely non-invasive methods based on optical monitoring and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been shown to protect the heart considerably from ischemic damage in all species studied. F1Fo-ATPase inhibition has been suggested to involve the mechanism of IPC, but its significance has been doubted, partly because ischemic inhibition of F1Fo-ATPase has been considered insignificant in rat. An improved method of F1Fo-ATPase activity measurement was used in which the time-consuming isolation of mitochondria was omitted and the salt concentration and pH conditions were optimized. It was demonstrated that ischemic F1Fo-ATPase inhibition does occur in rat, and that the method can also be applied in human myocardium. The mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitKATP) channel opener, diazoxide, attenuated myocardial damage and enhanced ischemic inhibition of F1Fo-ATPase similar to IPC. All of these effects were abolished with the mitKATP inhibitor 5-HD. These results suggest that mitKATP opening is connected to F1Fo-ATPase inhibition in the mechanism of IPC. Observations of the nature of F1Fo-ATPase inhibition in isolated mitochondria suggest that IF1 binding is involved in the inhibition. Calcium perturbations in ischemia-reperfusion were studied in intact heart using calcium probing with Fura-2. It was found that compensation for tissue autofluorescence and pH changes were necessary for reliable Ca2+ monitoring. IPC significantly decreased myocardial calcium accumulation in ischemia, and magnesium quenching of cytosolic Fura-2 fluorescence showed that this is mainly mitochondrial. The attenuation of mitochondrial calcium overload was connected to an enhanced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in IPC. The role of calcium in respiratory control and in substrate selection was studied during fatty acid oxidation. The energy state evaluated by 31P-NMR decreased slightly during hexanoate infusion upon calcium-induced inotrophy, and a tendency for NADH and flavoprotein oxidation was also monitored. These observations are in agreement with the theory that mitochondrial respiration is mainly determined by the energy expenditure. Even a 50 μM octanoate concentration completely surpassed glucose and internal substrates as a preferential myocardial energy source. The fatty acid dominance remained unaltered even upon a calcium-induced increase in energy consumption evaluated by 13C-NMR. The rate of anaplerosis was found to be considerable during octanoate oxidation, and it was emphasised during low cardiac workload.

Background potassium currents play an important role in the regulation of the resting membrane potential and excitability of mammalian neurons. Recently cloned two- pore domain potassium channels (K2p) are believed to underlie these currents. The roles of K2P channels in general anesthesia and neuroprotection have been proposed recently. In view of this, we investigated the ability of trichloroethanol (an active metabolite of the non-volatile general anesthetic cldoral hydrate, widely used as a pediatric sedative) to modulate the activity of human TREK-1 and TRAAK channels. We found that trichloroethanol potently activates both hTREK-1 and hTRAAK channels at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. The parent compound chloral hydrate was also found to augtnent the activity of both the channels reversibly. Studies with carboxy- terminal deletion mutants (hTREK-1A89, hTREK-1 A100 and hTREK-1 A1 19), suggested that C-terminal tail is not essential for the activation of TREK-1 by trichloroethanol. Our findings identify TREK-1 and TRCL4K channels as molecular targets for trichloroethanol and we propose that activation of both these channels might contribute to the CNS depressant effects of chloral hydrate. Another channel TASK-2, which is essentially absent in the human brain was also found to be potently activated by both trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate. In another series of experiments, we studied the effects of methyl xanthines caffeine and theophylline on hTREK-1 channels. Caffeine and theophylline are used for therapeutic purposes and frequently cause life-threatening convulsive seizures due to systemic toxicity. The mechanisms for the epileptogenicity of caffeine and theophylline are not clear. Recent experiments using knockout mice provided direct evidence for a role for TREK-1 in the control of epileptogenesis. We hypothesized that the epileptogenicity of caffeine and theophylline may be related to the inhibition of TREK-1 channels. We investigated this possibility and observed massive inhibition of TREK-1 channels at toxicologically relevant concentrations. Experiments with the mutant TREK-1 channel (S348A mutant) suggested the involvement of cANP/PKA pathway in the inhibition of TREK-1 channels by caffeine and theophylline. We suggest that inhibition of TREK-1 channels may contribute to the convulsive seizures induced by toxic levels of caffeine and theophylline. Local anesthetics exhibit their clinical effects not only by binding to voltage-gated sodium channels, but also by interacting with other ion channels such as potassium channels. Because of the physiological significance of TREK-1 channels and their abundant expression in peripheral sensory neurons, we investigated the effects of lidocaine to see whether its interaction with 'REK-1 channels contribute to the conduction blockade. Lidocaine caused dose-dependent inhibition of TREK-1channels and the inhibition was voltage-independent. Cytoplasmic C-terminal tail is critically required for lidocaine action. Inhibition of TREK-1 channels is achieved at concentrations for iiz vivo action and this effect may have implications for the clinically observed drug action of lidocaine.