Neuroprotective effect of KR-31378 via KATP channel opening against ischemic insult.

The opening of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for ischemia. Here we examined the opening effect of KR-31378 on the KATP channel using patch clamp recording in neuroblastoma 2a (N2a) cells and investigated the neuroprotective effect of KR-31378 in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures exposed to oxygen/glucose deprivation. The treatment with KR-31378 (10 microM) to N2a cells seemed to induce KATP channel opening in a dose dependent manner. The opening effect of KR-31378 was more significant than that of other known KATP channel openers. Pretreatment with KR-31378 (10 microM) showed a neuroprotective effect in both CA1 and CA3 regions and its effect was attenuated by glibenclamide in a dose dependent manner in both areas. This remarkable neuroprotective effect of KR-31378 seemed to be mediated by the opening of the KATP channel. These results suggest that KR-31378 could be a possible neuroprotective agent against cerebral ischemia.