Inhibition of hERG potassium channel by the antiarrhythmic agent mexiletine and its metabolite m-hydroxymexiletine.

ABSTRACT: Mexiletine is a sodium channel blocker, primarily used in the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated its therapeutic value to treat myotonic syndromes and to relieve neuropathic pain. The present study aims at investigating the direct blockade of hERG potassium channel by mexiletine and its metabolite m-hydroxymexiletine (MHM). Our data show that mexiletine inhibits hERG in a time- and voltage-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 3.7 ± 0.7 μmol/L. Analysis of the initial onset of current inhibition during a depolarizing test pulse indicates mexiletine binds preferentially to the open state of the hERG channel. Looking for a possible mexiletine alternative, we show that m-hydroxymexiletine (MHM), a minor mexiletine metabolite recently reported to be as

SUBMITTER: Gualdani R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4618635 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature