Figure 6.
Etomidate does not inhibit HCN1 channel currents and hypnotic effects of etomidate are unaffected in HCN1 knock-out mice. A, Sample currents from HEK293 cells expressing mHCN1 channels (n = 5) before and during exposure to etomidate (left, 10 μm); averaged steady-state I–V (right, top) and voltage dependence of I h activation (right, bottom) under control conditions (squares) and in the presence of etomidate (triangles). B, Mice were tested for LORR following injection with different concentrations of etomidate (0.625–10 mg/kg, i.v.); hypnotic effects of etomidate were identical in wild-type and HCN1 knock-out animals, determined as either EC50 (left) or duration of LORR (right). NS, by two-way RM-ANOVA, n = 10 and 12. Vm, Membrane voltage.