General anesthetic octanol and related compounds activate wild-type and delF508 cystic fibrosis chloride channels

Miniature inhalation therapy platform using surface acoustic wave microfluidic atomization

Pulmonary drug administration requires direct delivery of drug formulations into the lower pulmonary tract and alveoli of the lung in the form of inhaled particles or droplets, providing a distinct advantage over other methods for the treatment of respiratory diseases: the drug can be delivered directly to the site of inflammation, thus reducing the need for systemic exposure and the possibility of adverse effects. However, it is difficult to produce droplets of a drug solution within a narrow monodisperse size range (1-10 microm) needed for deposition in the lower pulmonary tract and alveoli. Here, we demonstrate the use of surface acoustic wave microfluidic atomization as an efficient means to generate appropriate aerosols containing a model drug, the short-acting beta2 agonist salbutamol, for the treatment of asthma. The mean aerosol diameter produced, 2.84+/-0.14 microm, lies well within the optimum size range, confirmed by a twin-stage impinger lung model, demonstrating that approximately 70 to 80% of the drug supplied to the atomizer is deposited within the lung. Our preliminary study explores how to control the aerosol diameter and lung delivery efficiency through the surface tension, viscosity, and input power, and also indicates which factors are irrelevant-like the fluid density. Even over a modest power range of 1-1.5 W, SAW atomization provides a viable and efficient generic nebulization platform for the delivery of drugs via the pulmonary route for the treatment of various diseases. The control offered over the aerosol size, low power requirements, high delivery efficiency, and the miniaturization of the system together suggest the proposed platform represents an attractive alternative to current nebulizers compatible with microfluidic technologies.

Electrophysiological properties and gap junction coupling of striatal astrocytes

The striatum is the biggest nucleus of the basal ganglia and receives input from almost all cortical regions, substantia nigra and the thalamus. Striatal neuronal circuitry is well characterized, but less is known about glial physiology. To this end, we evaluated astrocyte electrophysiological properties using whole-cell patch-clamp recording in dorsal striatal brain slices from P15 to P21 rat. The majority of cells (95%) were passive astrocytes that do not express any detectable voltage-gated channels. Passive astrocytes were subcategorized into three groups based on time-dependent current properties. The observed proportion of the different astrocyte subtypes did not change within the age range evaluated here, but was modulated during reduction of specific conductances and gap junction coupling. Striatal astrocytes were extensively interconnected and closure of gap junctions with octanol (1mM), carbenoxolone (100 microM) or increased intracellular calcium (2mM), significantly altered intrinsic properties. When simultaneously blocking potassium channels and gap junction coupling almost no passive conductance was detected, implying that the major currents in striatal astrocytes derive from potassium and gap junction conductance. Uncoupling of the syncytium reduced currents activated in response to a hyperpolarizing pulse, suggesting that changes in gap junction coupling alters astrocyte electrophysiological responses. Our findings indicate that the prevalent gap junction coupling is vital for astrocyte function in the striatum, and that whole-cell recordings will be distorted by currents activated in neighboring cells.

IBMX-elicited inhibition of water permeability in the isolated rabbit conjunctival epithelium

Agents expected to increase intracellular cAMP levels were tested on the diffusional water permeability (P(dw)) of isolated rabbit conjunctival epithelia given recent indications of the apical expression of AQP5, a water channel homologue regulated by cAMP in other cell systems. For these experiments, segments of conjunctivae were mounted between Ussing-type hemichambers under short-circuit conditions. Unidirectional water fluxes (J(dw)) were measured by adding (3)H(2)O to one hemichamber and sampling from the other, while the electrical parameters (I(sc) and R(t)) were recorded simultaneously. J(dw) were determined under control conditions and after the introduction of forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP, rolipram and IBMX. All agents reduced J(dw), with rolipram and IBMX the most effective inhibitors (~28% reduction), while simultaneously evoking stimulations of the I(sc); suggesting that cAMP regulates ionic transport and P(dw) independently. This observation was consistent with the elimination of the IBMX-elicited I(sc) stimulations by the PKA inhibitor, H89, and the ineffectiveness of the sulfonamide in preventing the J(dw) reductions produced by the xanthine. Data from mannitol fluxes and Arrhenius plots indicated that the IBMX-elicited P(dw) reduction occurred at the level of water-transporting channels, but the specific moiety was not identified. Instead it was observed that lipophiles commonly used in other systems to uncouple cellular communication precluded the effects of IBMX on J(dw), but the mechanism for these results was not directly linked to gap-junction blockade in the conjunctiva, as assessed by the transepithelial electrical parameters. Putatively, agents such as heptanol, by also fluidizing the bilayer, may have changed the conformation of a water channel in a manner preventing down-regulation by IBMX. Nevertheless, this study uncovered an apparently unique response to cAMP elevation exhibited by the conjunctiva, namely that P(dw) declines via an H89-insensitive pathway under conditions whereby PKA-dependent electrolyte transport might be over stimulated due to excessive cAMP levels (e.g., PDE inhibition).

Ethanol effects on electrophysiological properties of astrocytes in striatal brain slices

Ethanol (EtOH) is known to alter neuronal physiology, but much less is known about the actions of this drug on glial function. To this end, we examined acute effects of ethanol on resting and voltage-activated membrane currents in striatal astrocytes using rat brain slices. Ten minutes exposure to 50mM EtOH reduced slope conductance by 20%, increased input resistance by 25% and decreased capacitance by 38% but did not affect resting membrane potential. Current generated by a hyperpolarizing pulse was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner in passive astrocytes, while no significant EtOH effect was observed in complex astrocytes or neurons. The EtOH effect was blocked when intracellular KCl was replaced with CsCl, but not during chelation of intracellular calcium with BAPTA. During blockage of gap junction coupling with high intracellular CaCl(2) or extracellular carbenoxolone the EtOH effect persisted but was reduced. Interestingly, EtOH effects were largely irreversible when gap junctions were open, but were fully reversible when gap junctions were closed. Ethanol also reduced the spread to other cells of Lucifer Yellow dye from individual glia filled via the patch pipette. These data suggest that EtOH inhibits a calcium-insensitive potassium channel, most likely a passive potassium channel, but also affects gap junction coupling in a way that is sustained after ethanol withdrawal. Astrocytes play a critical role in brain potassium homeostasis, and therefore EtOH effects on astrocytic function could influence neuronal activity.

The electro-oculogram

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) lying distal to the retina regulates the extracellular environment and provides metabolic support to the outer retina. RPE abnormalities are closely associated with retinal death and it has been claimed several of the most important diseases causing blindness are degenerations of the RPE. Therefore, the study of the RPE is important in Ophthalmology. Although visualisation of the RPE is part of clinical investigations, there are a limited number of methods which have been used to investigate RPE function. One of the most important is a study of the current generated by the RPE. In this it is similar to other secretory epithelia. The RPE current is large and varies as retinal activity alters. It is also affected by drugs and disease. The RPE currents can be studied in cell culture, in animal experimentation but also in clinical situations. The object of this review is to summarise this work, to relate it to the molecular membrane mechanisms of the RPE and to possible mechanisms of disease states.

Toward the pharmacogenomics of cystic fibrosis – an update

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal recessive disorder in Caucasians, with a frequency of ∼ 1 in 3000 live births. The mutated gene is a defective chloride channel in epithelial cells, named cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Several different protocols for the scanning of the entire gene have aided molecular diagnosis and improved our understanding of the disorder’s pathophysiology, but also showed the disease’s complexity. Therefore, CF phenotype remains difficult to predict from CFTR mutation data alone: several studies have suggested that additional genes could modulate its clinical outcome. Gene replacement therapy is still far from being used in patients with CF, mostly due to the difficulties with targeting the appropriate cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances, both in the pharmacological and gene therapy field, aimed for the treatment of the disease.