Alaproclate inhibits potassium currents and thereby enhances muscarinic stimulation in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells.

Effects of alaproclate, an inhibitor of the uptake of serotonin, on muscarinic cholinergic responses in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells were studied using intracellular recording techniques. Application of carbachol activates an inward calcium channel, through an action on muscarinic receptors. The influx of calcium activates potassium channels. Alaproclate was found to block these potassium channels and thereby to prolong the muscarinic cellular response to carbachol. It is suggested that this is one mechanism by which alaproclate potentiates cellular responses to muscarinic cholinergic agonists.