Another Use of Ifenprodil - NMDA Receptor AntagonistGood Day All,
Concerning the impact and side affects of using Ifendropil, then connecting the dots for a positive outcome re: covid, seems more real when reviewing what the drug does for various bodily organs.
Following are some excerpts of a recent Japanese study:
Received: 6 October 2017 | Revised: 10 November 2017 | Accepted: 16 November 2017
ORIGINAL ARTICLE A randomized controlled study of the effect of ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence
Abstract Aim: This prospective, randomized, controlled, rater-blinded study investigated the effect of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel inhibitor ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence.
Methods: The participants were 68 outpatients with alcohol dependence who were assigned to an ifenprodil group (administered 60 mg ifenprodil per day for 3 months) or control group (administered 600 mg ascorbic acid and calcium pantothenate per day for 3 months). The participants completed a questionnaire that included the frequency of alcohol drinking and presence of heavy drinking before the study period (time 1) and 3 months after the start of the study period (time 2). The alcohol use score was calculated using these two items.
Results: Valid data were obtained from 46 participants (25 in the ifenprodil group and 21 in the control group). The alcohol use score at time 2 in the ifenprodil group was significantly lower than that in the control group after adjusting for the score at time 1 and some covariates. The intention-to-treat analysis of multiply imputed datasets indicated similar results. Group differences in the frequency of alcohol drinking were significant in the multiply imputed datasets but not in 46 participants. The ifenprodil group had a significantly lower rate of heavy drinking at time 2 than the control group.
Conclusions: This study found an inhibitory effect of ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence. The results support the hypothesis that GIRK channel inhibitors ameliorate alcohol dependence.
8 Ifenprodil, which is generally prescribed to improve dizziness after brain infarction or hemorrhage in Japan, is a neuroprotectant that reportedly reduces the preference for addictive substances in mice19 and has also been found to inhibit GIRK channels in Xenopus oocytes.20 Ifenprodil has a stronger inhibitory effect on GIRK channels than SSRIs, although it also inhibits GluN2B subunit-containing N-methylD-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and has fewer side effects (occasionally dry mouth, nausea, headache, or palpitation) than SSRIs.
The present study suggests that ifenprodil decreases alcohol use. The present results supported previous results21 that GIRK channel inhibition may decrease alcohol dependence. Most of the GIRK channel inhibitors in the previous study were SSRIs. Ifenprodil has a stronger inhibitory effect on GIRK channels than SSRIs, although it also inhibits GluN2B subunit-containing NMDA receptors. The number of participants who were prescribed medications that inhibit GIRK channels, with the exception of ifenprodil, during the study period was not significantly different between groups. The present results suggest a possible positive effect of ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence. Future investigations should evaluate the long-term effects of ifenprodil and types of patients who are treated effectively with ifenprodil. Ifenprodil inhibits NMDA receptors and GIRK channels at low micromolar levels and affects brain circulation and metabolism. Tajima et al32 recently reported the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of ifenprodil on NMDA receptors. Acute alcohol exposure inhibits ion flow through NMDA receptor channel complexes,33 whereas chronic alcohol exposure upregulates the number of NMDA receptors and thus increases ion flow.34 Acute withdrawal from alcohol results in hyperexcitability and seizures in the presence of upregulated channels.35 The present results may involve the effect of ifenprodil on NMDA receptors. Future studies should investigate which factors (eg, GIRK channels, NMDA receptors, and brain circulation and metabolism) are associated with the effects of ifenprodil on alcohol use.
5 | CONCLUSION This randomized, rater-blinded study suggests that ifenprodil has an inhibitory effect on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence. The results support the hypothesis that GIRK channel inhibitors ameliorate alcohol dependence. Further clinical studies that utilize a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design are worth conducting in the future.
Best wishes to All, good health,
Sincerely,
Topseeker