Abstract
The basis for the neuroprotectant effect of D-mannitol in reducing the sensory neurological disturbances seen in ciguatera poisoning, is unclear. Pacific ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1), at a concentration 10 nM, caused a statistically significant swelling of rat sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons that was reversed by hyperosmolar 50 mM D-mannitol. However, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, it was found that P-CTX-1 failed to generate hydroxyl free radicals at concentrations of toxin that caused profound effects on neuronal excitability. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from DRG neurons revealed that both hyper- and iso-osmolar 50 mM D-mannitol prevented the membrane depolarisation and repetitive firing of action potentials induced by P-CTX-1. In addition, both hyper- and iso-osmolar 50 mM D-mannitol prevented the hyperpolarising shift in steady-state inactivation and the rise in leakage current through tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na(v) channels, as well as the increased rate of recovery from inactivation of TTX-resistant Na(v) channels induced by P-CTX-1. D-Mannitol also reduced, but did not prevent, the inhibition of peak TTX-sensitive and TTX-resistant I(Na) amplitude by P-CTX-1. Additional experiments using hyper- and iso-osmolar D-sorbitol, hyperosmolar sucrose and the free radical scavenging agents Trolox and L-ascorbic acid showed that these agents, unlike D-mannitol, failed to prevent the effects of P-CTX-1 on spike electrogenesis and Na(v) channel gating. These selective actions of D-mannitol indicate that it does not act purely as an osmotic agent to reduce swelling of nerves, but involves a more complex action dependent on the Na(v) channel subtype, possibly to alter or reduce toxin association.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 669-86 |
Number of pages | 18 |
ISSN | 0028-3908 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Algorithms
- Ascorbic Acid
- Cell Size
- Chromans
- Ciguatoxins
- Diuretics
- Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
- Electrophysiology
- Free Radical Scavengers
- Ganglia, Spinal
- Ion Channel Gating
- Mannitol
- Membrane Potentials
- Neurons, Afferent
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Osmolar Concentration
- Patch-Clamp Techniques
- Sodium Channel Blockers
- Sodium Channels
- Sorbitol
- Tetrodotoxin