J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2002 Feb;31(2):161-165.

The Effect of Papaverine on L-Type Ca2+ Current in Rat Basilar Smooth Muscle Cells

• Kim CJ
• Han DH
• Gwa YG

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Papaverine has been used to manage vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, its mechanism for cerebrovascular smooth muscle are still not clear. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of papaverine on L-type Ca2+ channels directly by using patch clamp techniques in freshly isolated single smooth muscle cells from rat basilar artery.
METHODS
Whole-cell patch clamp technique was used for measuring the amplitude of L-type Ca2+ current. Papaverine was added to the bath solution.
RESULTS
Patch clamp studies revealed a whole-cell current which resembles the L-type Ca2+ current reported by others. The amplitude of this current was decreased by nimodipidine and increased by Bay K 8644. Papaverine 100 micro M reduced the amplitude of the L-type Ca2+ channel current.
CONCLUSION
We can conclude that papaverine may relax cerebral vessel through decreasing level of intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, by inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channel.

Keyword

Papaverine; Vasospasm; L-type Ca2+ channels; Patch clamp

MeSH Terms

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Animals
Basilar Artery
Baths
Calcium
Muscle, Smooth*
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle*
Papaverine*
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Rats*
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester
Calcium
Papaverine