二氧化硫衍生物对大鼠背根神经元瞬间外向钾电流和延迟整流钾电流的影响

运用全细胞膜片钳技术研究二氧化硫衍生物对大鼠背根神经元瞬间外向钾电流(IA和ID)和延迟整流钾电流(IK)的影响。结果发现二氧化硫衍生物剂量依赖性地增大钾通道的电导,电压依赖性地增大钾电流的幅度,且这种增大作用部分可逆。二氧化硫非常显著地使延迟整流钾电流的激活过程向超极化方向移动,使瞬间外向钾电流的失活过程向去极化方向移动。10μmol/L二氧化硫衍生物作用前后,延迟整流钾电流的半数激活电压分别是(20.3±2.1)mV和(15.0±1.5)mV;IA和ID的半数失活电压分别朝去极化方向移动了6mV和7.4mV。这些结果表明二氧化硫改变了钾通道的特性,改变了神经元的兴奋性。     

棉铃虫幼虫神经细胞的急性分离培养及其电压门控通道的膜片钳研究

探索了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera幼虫神经细胞的急性分离与体外培养的条件,并利用全细胞膜片钳技术首次对棉铃虫幼虫急性分离神经细胞的电压门控性钠、钾和钙通道的基本电生理学特性进行了研究。结果表明,棉铃虫幼虫中枢神经细胞在TC-100、L-15和Grace培养基中均可贴壁生长,在DMEM培养基中基本不能存活。在TC-100培养基分别与其它三种培养基按一定比例混合形成的培养液中,TC-100与L-15等量混合培养液更适合于神经细胞的生长。全细胞电压钳条件下,可分别记录到电压门控性钠、钾和钙通道电流。钙电流特征为高电压激活、缓慢失活;钠电流对河豚毒素敏感;钾电流可被细胞外液中的氯化四乙胺和4-氨基吡啶抑制。     

海南捕鸟蛛毒素-IV对大鼠背根神经节细胞钠通道的抑制影响(英文)

海南捕鸟蛛毒素 IV(HNTX IV)是从中国捕鸟蛛Seleconosmiahainana粗毒中分离得到的一种肽类神经毒素 ,在成年大鼠背根神经节 (DRG)细胞上观察了该毒素对电压门控钠通道的影响。在全细胞膜片钳条件下 ,HNTX IV能明显抑制哺乳动物神经性河豚毒敏感型 (TTX S)钠电流 ,但不影响河豚毒不敏感型 (TTX R)钠电流。HNTX IV对DRG细胞TTX S钠电流的抑制作用具有浓度依从性 ,其有效半抑制浓度 (IC50 )为 44 .6nmol/L。该毒素不影响DRG钠电流的激活与失活时间特征 ,但能导致钠通道的半数稳态失活电压向超极化方向漂移约 10 .1mV。结果表明HNTX IV是一种新型的蜘蛛毒素 ,其影响电压门控钠通道的机制可能有别于那些结合于通道位点 3来延缓钠电流失活时间特征的蜘蛛毒素如δ 澳洲漏斗网蛛毒素、μ 美洲漏斗网蛛毒素I VI等。     

海南捕鸟蛛毒素—Ⅳ对大鼠背根神经节细胞钠通道的抑制影响

海南捕鸟蛛毒素-Ⅳ（HNTX-Ⅳ）是从中国捕鸟蛛Seleconosmia hainana粗毒中分离得到的一种肽类神经毒素,在成年大鼠背根神经节（DRG）细胞上观察了该毒素对电压门控钠通道的影响。在全细胞膜片钳条件下,HNTX-Ⅳ能明显抑制哺乳动物神经性河豚毒敏感型（TTX-S）钠电流,但不影响河豚毒不敏感型（TTX-R）钠电流,HNTX-Ⅳ对DRG细胞TTX-S钠电流的抑制作用具有浓度依从性。其有效半抑制浓度（IC50）为44.6nmol/L。该毒素不影响DRG钠电流的激活与失活时间特征,但能导致钠通道的半数稳态失活电压向超极化方向漂移约10.1mV。结果表明HNTX-Ⅳ是一种新型的蜘蛛毒素,其影响电压门控钠通道的机制可能有别于那些结合于通道位点3来延缓钠电流失活时间特征的蜘蛛毒素如δ-澳洲漏斗网蛛毒素,μ-美洲漏斗网蛛毒素I-Ⅵ等。     

河蟹眼柄神经分泌细胞离子通道的膜片钳研究

采用全细胞膜片钳技术对培养12－24小时不同形态河蟹眼柄视节端髓X器官（MTXO）神经分泌细胞离子通道进行了研究。结果表明,河蟹眼柄MTXO中分布的A、B、C三种类型神经分泌细胞均可记录到由向电流和外向电流组成的正常全细胞电流。内向电流由高电压激活钙离子通道电流（Lca)和对TTX敏感钠离子通道电流（INa）组成。ICa的激活电压为－30mV,在0－ 20mV电压下达到峰值,在－40mV和－70mV保持电压下记录的ICa激活阈值、初始峰值及I－V曲线无明显差别。外向电流明显,幅值较大,包括对4－AP敏感的快速激活、快速失活钾离子通道电流（IA）和对TEA敏感的缓慢激活、缓慢失活钾离子通道电流（IK）。正常蟹种、二龄成蟹和早熟蟹种MTXO神经分泌细胞均表达电压门控钠、钾、钙离子通道,通道电流和电压特征无明显区别.     

海马神经细胞胆固醇含量降低对其电压依赖钾电流的上调作用

胆固醇普遍存在于细胞膜中,其含量在细胞增殖、生长及各种疾病条件下会发生改变,这暗示胆固醇对细胞功能的调节起着重要的作用。运用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了胆固醇含量变化对海马神经细胞电压依赖钾电流的影响。实验观察到神经细胞经胆固醇去除剂β-甲基环化糊精(MβCD)处理后,胆固醇含量的减少促进了延迟整流钾电流IK的增加,且延缓了瞬间失活钾电流IA的失活。更进一步,延迟整流钾电流IK和瞬间失活钾电流IA分别经TEA和4-AP阻断后,MβCD对两种电流成分的影响显著降低。这一结果进一步表明胆固醇去除剂对电压依赖钾电流的上调是通过作用于IK和IA电流而共同实现的。基于电压依赖钾通道在神经细胞功能中的重要作用,实验结果暗示神经细胞胆固醇含量变化可对神经细胞的兴奋性起调节作用。     

虎纹捕鸟蛛神经细胞急性分离培养及其电压门控通道膜片钳

探索了虎纹捕鸟蛛(Ornithoctonus huwena)食道下神经细胞急性分离培养条件,并利用全细胞膜片钳技术对虎纹捕鸟蛛食道下神经细胞电压门控性钠、钾和钙通道的基本电生理学特性进行了研究.适合虎纹捕鸟蛛神经细胞离体培养的培养基为(g/L):葡萄糖0.7,果糖0.4,琥珀酸0.06,咪唑0.06,L-1513.7,Hepes 2.38,酵母粉2.8,乳白蛋白2.5,青霉素200 IU/ml,链霉素200 mg/ml,小牛血清15%;pH 6.8.该培养基非常适合虎纹捕鸟蛛神经节神经细胞离体培养,细胞在温度(27±2)℃的培养箱中培养2～4h,培养的细胞数目多、结构完整、贴壁效果好,细胞近似汤勺形,有一个长的单极突起,大部分细胞在10～30μm之间.全细胞模式下可以记录到钠、钾和钙三种电压门控离子通道电流.钙电流为高电压激活电流,该电流能够被NiCl2完全抑制;钾电流为瞬时钾电流和延迟整流钾电流,这两类钾电流分别被细胞外液中的4-氨基吡啶和氯化四乙胺所阻断;钠电流为TTX敏感型电流.     

硫酸镁对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的抑制作用

利用全细胞膜片钳技术研究了硫酸镁 (MgSO4 )对大鼠海马CA1区神经元钠电流的影响。结果表明 ,MgSO4 可浓度依赖和电压依赖地抑制钠电流 ,半数抑制浓度为 4 0 5mmol/L。这一抑制作用与刺激频率无关。结果还表明 ,4mmol/LMgSO4 不影响钠电流的失活过程 ,却使半数激活电压由 - 5 5 8± 6 8mV变为 - 3 4 2± 6 2mV (n =8,P <0 0 1) ,而激活曲线的斜率因子不变。结果提示 ,MgSO4 抑制大鼠海马CA1区神经元的钠电流可能是其抗缺血缺氧造成的中枢神经系统损伤的机制之一     

二氧化硫衍生物对铅引起的大鼠海马神经元钠电流变化的影响

运用全细胞膜片钳技术研究慢性铅暴露和急性给二氧化硫衍生物对大鼠海马神经元钠电流的影响,结果发现,慢性铅暴露组钠电流在-70mV激活,-30mV达到峰值;对照组钠电流在-70mV激活,-40mV达到峰值．两组峰值不具有显著性差异．急性给二氧化硫衍生物于慢性铅暴露组,钠电流在-80mV开始激活,-40mV达到峰值,I-V曲线显著下移．慢性铅暴露使穿越钠通道离子的绝对数量稍微有些减少,但不具有统计学差异;二氧化硫可使慢性铅暴露的海马神经元的INa显著增大．慢性铅暴露推迟了INa达到峰值的时间,但不影响失活时间常数;急性加入二氧化硫衍生物不改变慢性铅暴露达到峰值的时间,却使失活时间常数显著延长．慢性铅暴露使INa的激活曲线右移,失活曲线左移;二氧化硫衍生物使慢性铅暴露的海马神经元上的INa的激活和失活曲线都往超极化方向移动．这些结果表明,铅和二氧化硫改变了细胞膜钠通道对于电压的感应,延长了钠通道的开放时程,这些可能是这两种大气污染物联合损伤海马神经元的作用机制之一．     

大鼠海马神经干细胞体外培养分化过程中钾电流的变化

目的:探讨新生大鼠海马神经干细胞体外培养分化后的神经元样细胞钾电流的变化.方法:神经干细胞体外扩增培养并传代后,撤除有丝分裂原并加血清诱导分化,应用全细胞电压钳技术检测分化后培养1 d、7 d、14 d、21 d细胞的电压依赖性钾电流.结果:分化后培养1 d的细胞,未检测出钾电流;分化后培养7 d、14 d、21 d的细胞,在 50 mV电压水平下的钾电流幅值分别为(18.077±2.789)pA/pF, (13.099±2.742)pA/pF, (34.045±8.067)pA/pF.该电流为两种电流的混合,分别能被TEA和4-AP所阻断,可能为缓慢失活的延迟整流钾电流(IK)和快速失活的瞬时外向钾电流(IA).结论:新生大鼠海马神经干细胞诱导分化后,随着体外培养时间的延长,钾离子通道的功能逐渐成熟.     

Ionic currents in cardiac myocytes of squid, Alloteuthis subulata

This paper provides the first study of voltage-sensitive membrane currents present in heart myocytes from cephalopods. Whole cell patch clamp recordings have revealed six different ionic currents in myocytes freshly dissociated from squid cardiac tissues (branchial and systemic hearts). Three types of outward potassium currents were identified: first, a transient outward voltage-activated A-current (I_A), blocked by 4-aminopyridine, and inactivated by holding the cells at a potential of −40 mV; second, an outward, voltage-activated, delayed rectifier current with a sustained time course (I_K); and third, an outward, calcium-dependent, potassium current (I_K(Ca)) sensitive to Co²⁺ and apamin, and with the characteristic N-shaped current voltage relationship. Three inward voltage-activated currents were also identified. First, a rapidly activating and inactivating, sodium current (I_Na), blocked by tetrodotoxin, inactivated at holding potentials more positive than −40 mV, and abolished when external sodium was replaced by choline. Second, an L-type calcium current (I_Ca,L) with a sustained time course, suppressed by nifedipine or Co²⁺, and enhanced by substituting Ca²⁺ for Ba²⁺ in the external medium. The third inward current was also carried by calcium ions, but could be distinguished from the L-type current by differences in its voltage dependence. It also had a more transient time course, was activated at more negative potentials, and resembled the previously described low-voltage-activated, T-type calcium current. Accepted: 24 September 1999     

Comparison of the endogenous IK currents in rat hippocampal neurons and cloned Kv2.1 channels in CHO cells

The Kv2.1 potassium channel is a principal component of the delayed rectifier I(K) current in the pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus. We used whole-cell patch-clamp recording techniques to systemically compare the electrophysiological properties between the native neuronal I(K) current of cultured rat hippocampal neurons and the cloned Kv2.1 channel currents in the CHO cells. The slope factors for the activation curves of both currents obtained at different prepulse holding potentials and holding times were similar, suggesting similar voltage-dependent gating. However, the half-maximal activation voltage for I(K) was approximately 20 mV more negative than the Kv2.1 channel in CHO cells at a given prepulse condition, indicating that the neuronal I(K) current had a lower threshold for activation than that of the Kv2.1 channel. In addition, the neuronal I(K) showed a stronger holding membrane potential and holding time-dependence than Kv2.1. The Kv2.1 channel gave a U-shaped inactivation, while the I(K) current did not. The I(K) current also had much stronger voltage-dependent inactivation than Kv2.1. These results imply that the neuronal factors could make Kv2.1 channels easier to activate. The information obtained from these comparative studies help elucidate the mechanism of molecular regulation of the native neuronal I(K) current in neurons.     

Voltage gated ionic channels in rat cultured astrocytes, reactive astrocytes and an astrocyte-oligodendrocyte progenitor cell

Astrocytes (both type 1 and type 2), cultured from the central nervous system of newborn or 7 day old rats show voltage gated sodium and potassium channels that are activated when the membrane is depolarized to greater than -40 mV. The sodium channels in these cells have an h-infinity curve similar to that of nodal membranes but the activation (peak current-voltage) curves are shifted along the voltage axis by about +30 mV. These sodium currents are blocked only by high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. The voltage activated potassium currents in both types of astrocyte show at least two components; an inactivating component that is suppressed at holding potentials of greater than -40 mV and a persistent, non-inactivating current. Several types of single channel currents were observed in outside-out membrane patches from type 2 astrocytes. One type of potassium channel showed inactivation on depolarization and may contribute to the whole-cell inactivating current. In contrast, oligodendrocytes showed no obvious voltage gated membrane channels. The properties of the type 2 astrocyte-oligodendrocyte progenitor cell were investigated in two ways: 1) by examination of cells just beginning to differentiate along the "electrically silent" oligodendrocyte pathway or 2) by recording from progenitor cells cultured for 24 hours in the presence of cycloheximide to block the appearance of new membrane channels. In both cases, voltage gated inward (sodium) and outward (potassium) currents were noted. The outward current response showed both an inactivating and a non-inactivating component. Similar voltage activated inward and outward membrane currents were noted in reactive astrocytes freshly isolated (3-6 hours) from lesioned areas of adult rat brains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Biophysical properties and slow voltage-dependent inactivation of a sustained sodium current in entorhinal cortex layer-II principal neurons: a whole-cell and single-channel study.

The functional and biophysical properties of a sustained, or "persistent," Na(+) current (I(NaP)) responsible for the generation of subthreshold oscillatory activity in entorhinal cortex layer-II principal neurons (the "stellate cells") were investigated with whole-cell, patch-clamp experiments. Both acutely dissociated cells and slices derived from adult rat entorhinal cortex were used. I(NaP), activated by either slow voltage ramps or long-lasting depolarizing pulses, was prominent in both isolated and, especially, in situ neurons. The analysis of the gating properties of the transient Na(+) current (I(NaT)) in the same neurons revealed that the resulting time-independent "window" current (I(NaTW)) had both amplitude and voltage dependence not compatible with those of the observed I(NaP), thus implying the existence of an alternative mechanism of persistent Na(+)-current generation. The tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na(+) currents evoked by slow voltage ramps decreased in amplitude with decreasing ramp slopes, thus suggesting that a time-dependent inactivation was taking place during ramp depolarizations. When ramps were preceded by increasingly positive, long-lasting voltage prepulses, I(NaP) was progressively, and eventually completely, inactivated. The V(1/2) of I(NaP) steady state inactivation was approximately -49 mV. The time dependence of the development of the inactivation was also studied by varying the duration of the inactivating prepulse: time constants ranging from approximately 6.8 to approximately 2.6 s, depending on the voltage level, were revealed. Moreover, the activation and inactivation properties of I(NaP) were such as to generate, within a relatively broad membrane-voltage range, a really persistent window current (I(NaPW)). Significantly, I(NaPW) was maximal at about the same voltage level at which subthreshold oscillations are expressed by the stellate cells. Indeed, at -50 mV, the I(NaPW) was shown to contribute to >80% of the persistent Na(+) current that sustains the subthreshold oscillations, whereas only the remaining part can be attributed to a classical Hodgkin-Huxley I(NaTW). Finally, the single-channel bases of I(NaP) slow inactivation and I(NaPW) generation were investigated in cell-attached experiments. Both phenomena were found to be underlain by repetitive, relatively prolonged late channel openings that appeared to undergo inactivation in a nearly irreversible manner at high depolarization levels (-10 mV), but not at more negative potentials (-40 mV).     

Inactivation and recovery of sodium currents in cerebellar Purkinje neurons: evidence for two mechanisms

We examined the kinetics of voltage-dependent sodium currents in cerebellar Purkinje neurons using whole-cell recording from dissociated neurons. Unlike sodium currents in other cells, recovery from inactivation in Purkinje neurons is accompanied by a sizeable ionic current. Additionally, the extent and speed of recovery depend markedly on the voltage and duration of the prepulse that produces inactivation. Recovery is faster after brief, large depolarizations (e.g., 5 ms at +30 mV) than after long, smaller depolarizations (e.g., 100 ms at -30 mV). On repolarization to -40 mV following brief, large depolarizations, a resurgent sodium current rises and decays in parallel with partial, nonmonotonic recovery from inactivation. These phenomena can be explained by a model that incorporates two mechanisms of inactivation: a conventional mechanism, from which channels recover without conducting current, and a second mechanism, favored by brief, large depolarizations, from which channels recover by passing transiently through the open state. The second mechanism is consistent with voltage-dependent block of channels by a particle that can enter and exit only when channels are open. The sodium current flowing during recovery from this blocked state may depolarize cells immediately after an action potential, promoting the high-frequency firing typical of Purkinje neurons.     

Potassium currents across the plasma membrane of protoplasts derived from rye roots: a patch-clamp study

Epidermal-cell protoplasts from rye (Secale cereale L.) rootswere voltage-clamped in both the whole-cell and outside-outmembrane-patch modes. Time-dependent inwardly-rectified (IR)and outwardly-rectified (OR) K⁺-currents were recorded, as wellas a ubiquitous, timeindependent (instantaneous) K⁺-current. The IR current activated at voltages more negative than —100mVwith two exponentially rising components. The time-constantof the shorter component was voltage-independent, whereas thetime-constant of the longer component was voltage-dependent,increasing as the activating voltage became more negative. TheIR current showed no inactivation. The IR current deactivatedwith a single exponential timecourse. The steady-state IR currentcould be fitted to a Boltzmann function with —135 mV asthe voltage at which the current was half-maximal and a minimalgating charge of 1.93. These parameters were insensitive tochanges in E_K. One component of the IR current was K ⁺ , butother ions were also permeable. The IR current was inhibitedby extracellular Ca²⁺ , Ba²⁺ , Cs⁺, and TEA⁺, but was insensitiveto quinine. Single channels with unitary conductances of 56pS and 110 pS (in c.100 mM K⁺) were recorded at negative voltages. Two OR currents were observed. One had sigmoidal activationkinetics and activated at low positive voltages. The other activatedmore rapidly, with apparently exponential kinetics, at voltages50–100 mV more positive than the first. Neither currentshowed inactivation and deactivation of OR currents followeda double exponential time-course. Unitary-conductances of thechannels mediating these OR currents were 24 pS and 57 pS (inc.100 mM K⁺), respectively. Only the first type of OR currentwas studied in detail. This current activated with a sigmoidaltime-course, which could be described using a Hodgkin-Huxleyfunction with the activation variable raised to the second power.Its voltage-dependence was modulated in response to changesin E^K and analysis of single-channel recordings indicated thatthe channel was K⁺-selective. The current was inhibited by Ba²⁺and TEA+, but not Ca²⁺, Cs⁺ or quinine. The instantaneous current was selective for monovalent cationsand K⁺ , Na⁺ and Cs⁺ were all permeant. It was inhibited byextracellular quinine and the instantaneous inward K⁺-currentwas reduced by extracellular Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺ and TEA⁺, as well asby competing permeant monovalent cations. The kinetics and pharmacology of these currents are comparedwith K⁺-currents across the plasma membrane of protoplasts fromother root-derived cells and with K⁺ channels in the plasmamembrane of rye roots studied following incorporation into artificial,planar lipid bilayers. Key words: Ionic currents, patch-clamp, pharmacology, potassium, K⁺, rye, Secale cereale L     

Voltage-activated potassium currents in the somatic membrane of sensory neurons of early postnatal rats

Transmembrane ion currents were studied in the somatic membrane of freshly isolated neurons from the spinal ganglia of early postnatal (younger than 15-day-old) rats. According to their dissimilar voltage dependence and different sensitivity to external application of tetraethylammonium (TEA) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), three types of outward potassium currents were identified. Fast-inactivating K⁺ current was activated at the most negative values of the membrane potential and showed the highest sensitivity to external application of 4-AP. The threshold for activation of slow-inactivating K⁺ current was within a −40 ... −30 mV range. Non-inactivating delay-rectified current showed the highest sensitivity to TEA. All three types of K⁺ currents could be found in all studied neurons of animals of three age groups: 1, 5 to 6, and 14 to 15 postnatal days. The mean density of fast-inactivating K⁺ current significantly increased during the first two weeks of postnatal ontogenesis. Within the studied period, the mode of a normal (Gaussian) distribution of fast K⁺ current shifted toward higher current density values. The mean density of slow-inactivating K⁺ current also increased with the age. Yet, the mean density of non-inactivating delay-rectified K⁺ current significantly dropped during the first five days of the postnatal development and remained stable during the following time interval.     

Role of a novel maintained low-voltage-activated inward current permeable to sodium and calcium in pacemaking of insect neurosecretory neurons

Among ionic currents underlying neuronal pacemaker activity, low-threshold-activated calcium currents contribute to setting the threshold for spike firing. In the insect central nervous system, dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons are capable of generating spontaneous electrical activity. It has previously been shown that two distinct (transient and maintained) low-voltage-activated (LVA) calcium currents are responsible for the generation of the pacemaker potential. Whole-cell recordings in voltage- and current-clamp mode were obtained from short-term cultured DUM neurons. Using 100 mM sodium and 2 mM calcium as charge carrier in the external solution as well as conditions that eliminate calcium currents (0.5 mM CdCl₂), voltage-clamp experiments showed that a hitherto unanticipated LVA maintained inward current, activated at around −60 mV, was present. The current amplitude was strongly dependent on internal ATP concentration. Sodium-free solution reduced by 80% the current amplitude. Increasing (5 mM) or decreasing (calcium-free) external calcium concentrations enhanced or reduced, respectively, the maximum conductance without any effect on the voltage dependence. This novel ion channel was permeable to barium but manipulating internal or external magnesium concentrations was without effect on current amplitude or reversal potential. Based on IC₅₀ values, the maintained current was 50-fold less sensitive to TTX than the classical transient voltage-dependent sodium current. Furthermore, it was insensitive to ethosuximide and halothane. Voltage-dependent inactivation analysis revealed an unexpected calcium-sensitive process that involved calcineurin. From these results it appears that, besides the two LVA calcium currents previously described, another LVA maintained inward current permeable to both sodium and calcium was also involved in the generation of the predepolarization. Based on these findings, we propose that a novel calcium-dependent mechanism is involved in the regulation of the pacemaker activity.     

Vitamins C and E Modulate Neuronal Potassium Currents

We investigated the effects of vitamins C and E on the delayed-rectifier potassium current (IK_DR), which is important in repolarizing the membrane potential, and on the transient A-type potassium current (IK_A), which regulates neuronal firing frequency. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to measure the currents from cultured Drosophila neurons derived from embryonic neuroblasts. The membrane potential was stepped to different voltages between −40 and +60 mV from a holding potential of −80 mV. IK_DR and IK_A measured in the vitamin C-containing solution (IK_DR 305 ± 16 pA, IK_A 11 ± 2 pA) were smaller than those measured in the control solution (488 ± 21 pA, IK_A 28 ± 3 pA). By contrast, IK_DR and IK_A measured in the vitamin E-containing solution (IK_DR 561 ± 21 pA, IK_A 31 ± 3 pA) were greater than those measured in the control solution (422 ± 15 pA, 17 ± 2 pA). These results indicate that vitamins C and E can modulate potassium current amplitudes and possibly lead to altered neuronal excitability.