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Pharmaceuticals
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Pharmaceuticals
Article . 2025
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PubMed Central
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: PubMed Central
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Pharmacological Actions of Potassium Channel Openers on Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels

Authors: Michael T. McCoy; Bruce Ladenheim; Jean Lud Cadet; Atul P. Daiwile;

Pharmacological Actions of Potassium Channel Openers on Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Potassium (K+) channels are essential transmembrane proteins that regulate ion flow, playing a critical role in regulating action potentials and neuronal transmission. Although K+ channel openers (agonists, K+ Ag) are widely used in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, their precise mechanisms of action remain unclear. Our study explored how K+ channel openers might influence the expression of voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv) in rat brain. Methods: Briefly, eight rats per group received intraperitoneal injections of diazoxide (Dia), chlorzoxazone (Chl), or flupirtine (Flu). Two hours post-injection, the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum (dSTR), dorsal hippocampus (dHIP), and ventral hippocampus (vHIP) were collected for mRNA expression analysis of various Kv. Results: Dia administration altered expression of Kcna6 in the NAc, dSTR, and vHIP, and Kcnq2 in the PFC, dSTR, and dHIP. The mRNA levels of Kcna2 and Kcna3 changed in the NAc, dHIP, and vHIP, while Kcna6 expression increased in the PFC, dHIP, and vHIP of rats treated with Chl. Injection of Flu resulted in altered expression for Kcna1 in the NAc, dSTR, and dHIP; Kcna3 in the PFC, NAc, dHIP, and vHIP; Kcna6 in the dSTR, dHIP, and vHIP; and Kcnq2 and Kcnq3 in the PFC, dHIP, and vHIP. We also found dose-dependent changes. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify the effects of potassium channel openers on gene expression within the mesocorticolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic systems. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism underlying the action of these drugs in the brain. Importantly, our results have broader implications for translational neuroscience, particularly in the context of repurposing FDA-approved drugs, such as diazoxide and chlorzoxazone, for the treatment of neurological disorders.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
1
Average
Average
Average
Green
gold