ATP-gated ion channels (P2X receptors) are abundantly expressed in both neuronal and nonneuronal tissues, where they can serve as postsynaptic receptors. The response to ATP shows marked desensitization in some tissues but not others. Currents induced by ATP in Xenopus oocytes expressing cloned P2X1 (or P2X3) receptor had strong desensitization, whereas currents in cells expressing P2X2 recepto...

Platinum-based chemotherapy is the standard regimen for the treatment of gynecologic cancers; however, hypersensitivity reactions (HR) to platinum often lead to discontinuation of this effective treatment. Here we performed a desensitization protocol for platinum infusion in 3 patients who required platinum re-administration after developing HR. Two patients (Case 1 and 2) were treated with the...

Desensitization of NMDA receptors was studied at the single-channel level using outside-out patches taken from rat hippocampus CA neurons maintained short term in culture. The amount of desensitization that accumulated as a function of time during the application of NMDA (2.5 microM) was measured by the response to the rapid application of NMDA at a high concentration (100 microM). Records were...

A prominent feature of ionotropic glutamate receptors from the AMPA and kainate subtypes is their profound desensitization in response to glutamate-a process thought to protect the neuron from overexcitation. In AMPA receptors, it is well established that desensitization results from rearrangements of the interface formed between agonist-binding domains of adjacent subunits; however, it is uncl...

The Center for Disease Control guidelines recommend desensitization to metronidazole in patients with trichomoniasis and hypersensitivity to metronidazole. There is only one published oral metronidazole desensitization protocol. The purpose of this study was to design a new, more gradual oral desensitization protocol to decrease systemic reactions that may occur when using the previously publis...

A large cytoplasmic domain accounts for approximately one-third of the entire protein of one superfamily of ligand-gated membrane ion channels, which includes nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh), gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)), serotonin type 3 (5-HT3), and glycine receptors. Desensitization is one functional feature shared by these receptors. Because most molecular studies of receptor des...

The whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique was used to study the effects of different cytosolic calcium concentrations [Ca2+]i on desensitization kinetics of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated receptors in acutely dissociated rat hippocampal neurons. Two different intrapipette concentrations of the calcium chelator 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (...

BACKGROUND Patients with a history of beta-lactam antibiotic allergy are often admitted to the hospital with severe or life-threatening infections requiring beta-lactam antibiotics. Strict avoidance of beta lactams to such patients may prevent them from getting adequate coverage and can lead to an increase in the use of alternative antibiotics, which can predispose to antibiotic resistance. Pas...

Aspirin sensitivity is relatively frequent and can be a major problem in patients who need percutaneous coronary intervention and stenting with subsequent dual antiplatelet therapy. Desensitization is often the therapy in these patients, but this can prolong the time to revascularization significantly. Rapid oral aspirin desensitization protocols have been described since 2000. However, data ar...

Ryanodine receptor (RyR) activation by cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is followed by homologous desensitization. Though poorly understood, this "switching off" process has provided a key experimental tool for determining the pathway through which cADPR mediates Ca(2+) release. Moreover, desensitization is likely to play an important role in shaping the complexities of Ca(2+) signaling involving cADP...