Analogs of a potent maxi-K potassium channel opener with an improved inhibitory profile toward cytochrome P450 isozymes

Down-regulation of BK channel expression in the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy

In the hippocampus, BK channels are preferentially localized in presynaptic glutamatergic terminals including mossy fibers where they are thought to play an important role regulating excessive glutamate release during hyperactive states. Large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK, MaxiK, Slo) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of genetic epilepsy. However, the role of BK channels in acquired mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) remains unknown. Here we used immunohistochemistry, laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), Western immunoblotting and RT-PCR to investigate the expression pattern of the alpha-pore-forming subunit of BK channels in the hippocampus and cortex of chronically epileptic rats obtained by the pilocarpine model of MTLE. All epileptic rats experiencing recurrent spontaneous seizures exhibited a significant down-regulation of BK channel immunostaining in the mossy fibers at the hilus and stratum lucidum of the CA3 area. Quantitative analysis of immunofluorescence signals by LSCM revealed a significant 47% reduction in BK channel immunofluorescent signals in epileptic rats when compared to age-matched non-epileptic control rats. These data correlate with a similar reduction in BK channel protein levels and transcripts in the cortex and hippocampus. Our data indicate a seizure-related down-regulation of BK channels in chronically epileptic rats. Further functional assays are necessary to determine whether altered BK channel expression is an acquired channelopathy or a compensatory mechanism affecting the network excitability in MTLE. Moreover, seizure-mediated BK down-regulation may disturb neuronal excitability and presynaptic control at glutamatergic terminals triggering exaggerated glutamate release and seizures.

Atropisomeric 3-(β-hydroxyethyl)-4-arylquinolin-2-ones as Maxi-K Potassium Channel Openers

The synthesis of a series of 3-beta-hydroxyethyl-4-arylquinolin-2-ones is described. These compounds contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic substituents ortho to the phenolic OH in the C ring of the quinolinone. Electrophysiological evaluation of the panel of compounds revealed that 11 and 16 with an unbranched ortho substituent retain activity as maxi-K ion channel openers. Members of this series of compounds can exist as stable atropisomers. Calculated estimates of the energy barrier for rotation around the aryl-aryl single bond in 3 is 31 kcal/mol. The atropisomers of (+/-)-3, (+/-)-4, and (+/-)-11 were separated by chiral HPLC and tested for their effect on maxi-K mediated outward current in hSlo injected X. laevis oocytes. The (-) isomer in each case was found to be more active than the corresponding (+) isomer, suggesting that the ion channel exhibits stereoselective activation. X-ray crystallographic structures of (+)-3 and (+)-11 were determined. Evaluation of the stability of (-)-3 at 80 degrees C in n-butanol indicated a 19.6% conversion to (+)-3 over 72 h. In human serum at 37 degrees C (-)-3 did not racemize over the course of the 30 h study.