title: Effects of analgesics and antidepressants on TREK-2 and TRESK currents.
abstract: TWIK-related K(+) channel-2 (TREK-2) and TWIK-related spinal cord K(+) (TRESK) channel are members of two-pore domain K(+) channel family. They are well expressed and help to set the resting membrane potential in sensory neurons. Modulation of TREK-2 and TRESK channels are involved in the pathogenesis of pain, and specifi c activators of TREK-2 and TRESK may be benefi cial for the treatment of pain symptoms. However, the effect of commonly used analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels are not known. Here, we investigated the effect of analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels. The effects of analgesics were examined in HEK cells transfected with TREK-2 or TRESK. Amitriptyline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine significantly inhibited TREK-2 and TRESK currents in HEK cells (p<0.05, n=10). Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nabumetone, and bupropion inhibited TRESK, but had no effect on TREK-2. These results show that all analgesics tested in this study inhibit TRESK activity. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms by which the analgesics modulate TREK-2 and TRESK differently.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, College of Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jin
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
authors.forename: Jaehee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, College of Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
authors.forename: Jongwoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
authors.forename: Dawon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Analgesics; Background potassium channels; Pain