The effects by the sulphonylurea glibenclamide on the neonatal rat spinal cord indicate a novel mechanism to control neuronal excitability and inhibitory neurotransmission

Background and purpose: Using the neonatal rat spinal cord in vitro, we investigated the action of glibenclamide, a drug possessing dual pharmacological effects, namely block of KATP channels and of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Experimental approach: Intra‐ and extracellular recordings were performed on motoneurons and interneurons. RT‐PCR and western immunoblotting were used to determine gene and protein expression. Key results: Glibenclamide (50 μM) facilitated mono‐ and polysynaptic reflexes, hyperpolarized motoneuron resting potential, increased action potential amplitude, decreased Renshaw cell‐mediated recurrent inhibition, and increased network excitability by depressing GABA‐ and glycine‐mediated transmission. The action of glibenclamide was mimicked by tolbutamide (500 μM) or the CFTR blocker diphenylamine‐2,2‐dicarboxylic acid (500 μM). The action of glibenclamide was independent from pharmacological inhibition of the Na+–K+ pump with strophanthidin (4 μM) and was associated with a negative shift in the extrapolated reversal potential for CI‐ dependent synaptic inhibition. On interneurons, intracellularly‐applied 8‐bromo‐cAMP elicited an inward current and resistance decrease; effects antagonized by the selective CFTR antagonist, CFTRinh‐172 (5 μM). RT‐PCR and western immunoblotting indicated strong expression of the CFTR in neonatal rat spinal cord. Conclusions and implications: These data suggest the CFTR expressed in motoneurons and interneurons of the neonatal spinal cord is involved in the control of Cl‐ homeostasis and neuronal excitability. CFTR appeared to contribute to the relatively depolarized equilibrium potential for synaptic inhibition, an important process to control hyperexcitability and seizure‐predisposition in neonates.