K201 (
JTV519) is a 1,4-benzothiazepine derivative that exhibits a strong cardioprotective action and acts as a multiple-channel blocker, including as a K+ channel blocker. An experimental model of prolongation of the QT interval and
torsades de pointes can be induced in rabbits by treatment with
clofilium in the presence of the alpha1-adrenoreceptor agonist
methoxamine. In this study we examined the effects of K201 with and without
methoxamine on the QT and QTc intervals, and determined whether K201 inhibits
clofilium-induced
torsades de pointes in the presence of
methoxamine (15 microg/kg/min) in rabbits (n=74). Administration of K201 (0, 40, 100, 200 and 400 microg/kg/min) with and without
methoxamine prolonged the QT interval in a dose-dependent manner, and
torsades de pointes did not occur in any animals. However,
clofilium (50 microg/kg/min) with
methoxamine induced
torsades de pointes in all animals (6/6).
Torsades de pointes occurred at rates of 100%, 67%, 40% and 0% at K201 concentrations of 0, 50, 200 and 400 microg/kg/min, respectively, in the
clofilium-infused
torsades de pointes model. Therefore, 400 microg/kg/min of K201 completely inhibited
clofilium-induced
torsades de pointes and attenuated the increase of repolarization caused by
clofilium; the inhibitory effects of K201 may be related to its pharmacological properties as an
alpha1-adrenoceptor blocker. Overall, our results show that K201 causes prolongation of the QT and QTc intervals, but does not induce
torsades de pointes, with and without alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation. Furthermore, K201 inhibits
clofilium-induced
torsades de pointes, despite QT prolongation, suggesting that QT prolongation alone is not a proarrhythmic signal.