Mechanisms of QT prolongation by buprenorphine cannot be explained by direct hERG channel block

Buprenorphine is a μ-opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist used to manage pain and addiction. QTC prolongation that crosses the 10 msec threshold of regulatory concern was observed at a supratherapeutic dose in two thorough QT studies for the transdermal buprenorphine product BUTRANS®. Because QTC prolongation can be associated with Torsades de Pointes (TdP), a rare but potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia, these results have led to further investigation of the electrophysiological effects of buprenorphine. Drug-induced QTC prolongation and TdP are most commonly caused by acute inhibition of hERG current (IhERG) that contribute to the repolarizing phase of the ventricular action potentials (APs). Concomitant inhibition of inward late Na+ (INaL) and/or L-type Ca2+ (ICaL) current can offer some protection against proarrhythmia. Therefore, we characterized the effects of buprenorphine and its major metabolite norbuprenorphine on cardiac hERG, Ca2+, and Na+ ion channels, as well as cardiac APs. For comparison, methadone, a MOR agonist associated with QTC prolongation and high TdP risk, and naltrexone and naloxone, two opioid receptor antagonists, were also studied. Whole cell recordings were performed at 37°C on cells stably expressing hERG, CaV1.2, and NaV1.5 proteins. Microelectrode array (MEA) recordings were made on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). The results showed that buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine, naltrexone, and naloxone had no effect on IhERG, ICaL, INaL, and peak Na+ current (INaP) at clinically relevant concentrations. In contrast, methadone inhibited IhERG, ICaL, and INaL. Experiments on iPSC-CMs showed a lack of effect for buprenorphine, norbuprenorphine, naltrexone, and naloxone, and delayed repolarization for methadone at clinically relevant concentrations. The mechanism of QTC prolongation is opioid moiety-specific. This remains undefined for buprenorphine, while for methadone it involves direct hERG channel block. There is no evidence that buprenorphine use is associated with TdP. Whether this lack of TdP risk can be generalized to other drugs with QTC prolongation not mediated by acute hERG channel block warrants further study.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2020

Erschienen:

2020

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:15

Enthalten in:

PloS one - 15(2020), 11 vom: 01., Seite e0241362

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Tran, Phu N [VerfasserIn]
Sheng, Jiansong [VerfasserIn]
Randolph, Aaron L [VerfasserIn]
Baron, Claudia Alvarez [VerfasserIn]
Thiebaud, Nicolas [VerfasserIn]
Ren, Ming [VerfasserIn]
Wu, Min [VerfasserIn]
Johannesen, Lars [VerfasserIn]
Volpe, Donna A [VerfasserIn]
Patel, Dakshesh [VerfasserIn]
Blinova, Ksenia [VerfasserIn]
Strauss, David G [VerfasserIn]
Wu, Wendy W [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

36B82AMQ7N
40D3SCR4GZ
5S6W795CQM
7E53B4O073
Buprenorphine
Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels
Journal Article
Methadone
Naloxone
Naltrexone
Norbuprenorphine
Potassium Channel Blockers
Receptors, Opioid
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
UC6VBE7V1Z

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 23.12.2020

Date Revised 23.12.2020

published: Electronic-eCollection

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1371/journal.pone.0241362

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM317256408