Menthol Modulates Pacemaker Potentials through TRPA1 Channels in Cultured Interstitial Cells of Cajal from Murine Small Intestine.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ICCs are the pacemaker cells responsible for slow waves in gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle, and generate periodic pacemaker potentials in current-clamp mode. METHODS: The effects of menthol on the pacemaker potentials of cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from mouse small intestine were studied using the whole cell patch clamp technique. RESULTS: Menthol (1 - 10 µM) was found to induce membrane potential depolarization in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of various TRP channel antagonists were examined to investigate the receptors involved. The addition of the TRPM8 antagonist, AMTB, did not block menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations, but TRPA1 antagonists (A967079 or HC-030031) blocked the effects of menthol, as did intracellular GDPßS. Furthermore, external and internal Ca2+ levels were found to depolarize menthol-induced membrane potentials, whereas external Na+ was not. Y-27632 (a Rho kinase inhibitor), SC-560 (a selective COX 1 inhibitor), NS-398 (a selective COX 2 inhibitor), ozagrel (a thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor) and SQ-29548 (highly selective thromboxane receptor antagonist) were used to investigate the involvements of Rho-kinase, cyclooxygenase (COX), and the thromboxane pathway in menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations, and all inhibitors were found to block the effect of menthol. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that menthol-induced membrane potential depolarizations occur in a G-protein-, Ca2+-, Rho-kinase-, COX-, and thromboxane A2-dependent manner via TRPA1 receptor in cultured ICCs in murine small intestine. The study shows ICCs are targeted by menthol and that this interaction can affect intestinal motility.