RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 PONM18 Nerve excitability studies can be used to differentiate between voltage-gated sodium blockers using an in-vitro cutaneous sensory nerve model: potential prospects as a model for drug discovery
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e65
OP e65
DO 10.1136/jnnp.2010.226340.191
VO 81
IS 11
A1 Shields, K
YR 2010
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/81/11/e65.1.abstract
AB Methods Excitability studies were performed on rat saphenous skin-nerve preparations mounted in a tissue bath. VGSC blockers lidocaine (LID), carbamazepine (CBZ) and lacosamide (LAC) were dissolved in synthetic interstitial fluid at 1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 μM. Measurements were performed before and after perfusion for 20 min, drug responses were compared with baseline values using student's paired and unpaired t-tests for within and between group analysis (p=0.05).Results Lidocaine had reversible dose-dependent effects on all excitability parameters. Strength duration time constant (SD), depolarising threshold electrotonus (TEd) and superexcitability (SX) were all decreased and the I/V curve was shifted towards outward rectification. TEd was the most sensitive parameter; effects being seen at 1 μM (N=8 df=7, t=2.4, p=0.05), indicating use-dependent blockade of VGSCs. Significant differences in SD (N=9, df=8 t=3.66, p=0.006) and SX (N=8, df=7, t=−3.48, p=0.01) were seen at 30 μM. CBZ had qualitatively similar effects but with less efficacy. Lacosamide followed the same trend except for SX which increased at 30 μM (N=5, df=4, t=4.12, p=0.01). Comparison of efficacy (TEd) was LID>CBZ>LAC.Conclusions This model is a sensitive biomarker for drug activity at VGSCs, capable of discriminating quantitative and qualitative differences between VGSC blockers. It may be used to screen for activity and provide comparative information on drug dosing.