Vol. 282, Issue 1, 220-227, 1997

Electrophysiological Characterization of the Prokinetic Agents Cisapride and Mosapride in Vivo and in Vitro: Implications for Proarrhythmic Potential?

Leif Carlsson, Gregory J Amos, Birgit Andersson, Lissen Drews, Göran Duker and Gunilla Wadstedt

Astra Hässle AB, Preclinical Research & Development, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden

In the present study the electrophysiological characteristics and the proarrhythmic potential of cisapride and a structurally related drug, mosapride, were compared. In the anesthetized guinea pig, cisapride and d-sotalol (0.01-10 µmol/kg i.v., n = 6) dose-dependently prolonged the duration of the monophasic action potential recorded from the left ventricle. The maximal lengthening was 18 ± 3.2% at 1.0 µmol/kg (mean ± S.E.M., P < .01 vs. base line) and 19 ± 2.5% at 10 µmol/kg (P < .001) for cisapride and d-sotalol, respectively. In contrast, mosapride did not increase this variable. In a rabbit model of the acquired long QT syndrome, infusion of cisapride (0.3 µmol/kg/min for 10 min maximum, n = 6), but not mosapride or vehicle, was associated with a significant lengthening of the QTU interval (43 ± 3.8 ms, P < .01). Furthermore, torsades de pointes appeared in two of the six rabbits given cisapride. In isolated rabbit Purkinje fibers (PF), cisapride increased the action potential duration (48 ± 5.6% at 0.1 µmol/l, P < .01 vs. control, n = 4). Mosapride did not significantly influence the action potential duration (3 ± 2.0% increase at 1.0 µmol/l, n = 6). However, after mosapride was washed out, the addition of cisapride (0.1 µmol/l) caused a 46 ± 3.2% lengthening of the action potential duration (P < .01 vs. 1.0 µmol/l mosapride). Early afterdepolarizations and triggered activity appeared in four of eight cisapride-superfused PF stimulated at a very low frequency (0.1 Hz). In isolated rabbit cardiomyocytes, cisapride concentration-dependently blocked (IC₅₀ = 9 nmol/l) the rapid component of the delayed rectifying K⁺ current (I_Kr). Mosapride was approximately 1000-fold less potent in blocking I_Kr (IC₅₀ = 4 µmol/l). It is concluded that the electrophysiological characteristics of cisapride may explain the recently reported propensity to prolong the QT interval and to induce torsades de pointes in susceptible patients, although a structurally related benzamide, mosapride, did not appear to have electrophysiological features of relevance for induction of torsades de pointes in common with cisapride.