Arachidonic acid augments potassium currents in rat neocortical neurones.
We analysed the effects induced by arachidonic acid on voltage-dependent outward currents generated by rat neocortical neurones in culture in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers. These currents, recorded with whole-cell voltage-clamping techniques, were presumably carried by K+ and were characterized by an early transient and a late persistent component. Extracellular application of arachidonic acid (50 microM) enhanced both components of the voltage-dependent K+ response by 15-29% (n > 20 cells). These effects were reversible and not observed when a low dose (50 microM) of indomethacin was present in the bath (n = 7 cells). We conclude that one or more of the arachidonic acid metabolites of the cyclooxygenase pathway might be involved in the modulation of outward currents in neocortical cells in culture.
Zona
C
C
Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Scienze Biochimiche, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy.
Palma
E
E
Pellerin
L
L
Avoli
M
M
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D015221:Potassium Channels; D016718:Arachidonic Acid