Effect of sodium ferulate on delayed rectifier K(+) currents in PC12 cells

In order to investigate the effect of sodium ferulate (SF) on voltage-activated K(+) channels, the delayed rectifier K(+) current (Ik) in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells was recorded using the automated patch-clamp method. The results indicated that following the application of SF, the Ik in PC12 cells was significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The analysis of activation kinetic curves and inactivation kinetic curves of Ik showed that SF had an effect on the activation and inactivation kinetics. Following the application of 15.3 μM SF, the activation curve of the Ik of PC12 cells was shifted to positive potentials and the inactivation curve of the Ik of PC12 cells was shifted to negative potentials. This study revealed that the delayed rectifier K(+) currents of PC12 cells were inhibited following SF treatment in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism may be associated with the delayed activation and enhanced inactivation of Ik-associated channels.