title: BRL 38227--a potassium channel opener, antagonizes digoxin-induced convulsions.
abstract: Experimental evidence suggests that potassium channel openers play an important role in convulsions. In this study, the anticonvulsant activity of BRL 38227, a new potassium channel opener against digoxin-induced convulsions, is reported. Intraventricular administration of digoxin (7.5 micrograms), included "popcorn-type" convulsions in rats. BRL 38227, injected centrally increased the onset time of convulsions and decreased the mortality rate in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 4-aminopyridine, a potassium channel blocker antagonized the protective effect of BRL 38227. These findings show the involvement of potassium channels in digoxin-induced convulsions. Further these results indicate that in the future potassium channels might be a target for new anticonvulsant drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chugh
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sankaranarayanan
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D019806:Cromakalim; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D008297:Male; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011758:Pyrroles; D019806:Cromakalim; D004077:Digoxin; D015761:4-Aminopyridine