title: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors pravastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin suppress delayed rectifier K(+)-channel currents in murine thymocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since lymphocytes predominantly express delayed rectifier K(+)-channels (Kv1.3) that trigger lymphocyte activation, statins, which exert immunosuppressive effects, would affect the channel currents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Employing the patch-clamp technique in murine thymocytes, we examined the effects of statins on Kv1.3-channel currents and the membrane capacitance (Cm).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pravastatin significantly suppressed the pulse-end currents of the channels. Lovastatin and simvastatin also suppressed the peak currents, significantly decreasing the Cm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated for the first time that statins inhibit thymocyte Kv1.3-channels. The slow inactivation patterns induced by lovastatin and simvastatin may be associated with their accumulation in the plasma membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology I, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. Electronic address: kazaitsu@med.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Itsuro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kazama
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology I, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
authors.forename: Asuka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology I, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maruyama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060168:Thymocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D051664:Kv1.3 Potassium Channel; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin
keywords: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins); Immunosuppressive effects; Kv1.3-channel; Lymphocytes; Membrane capacitance (C(m))