Potentiation of GABA-induced inhibition by 20-hydroxyecdysone, a neurosteroid, in cultured rat cortical neurons.
Effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), a neurosteroid, on cultured rat cortical neurons were examined using the whole cell recording technique. Under the voltage and current clamp conditions, brief application (5 sec) of 20-HE alone did not produce current changes nor any changes in the membrane potential. However, the chemical dose-dependently potentiated the GABA-induced current and hyperpolarization, which were blocked by bicuculline. These results suggest that 20-HE acts on the modulatory site of the GABAA receptor and potentiates GABAergic inhibition in rat cortical neurons.
D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000187:drug effects; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018079:Receptors, GABA; D004441:Ecdysterone; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001640:Bicuculline