Amiodarone hydrochloride

Amiodarone hydrochloride is a non-selective ion channel blocker (potassium, sodium and calcium channels). Amiodarone is a class III antiarrhythmic agent, in that it prolongs both cardiac action potential and refractoriness by blocking potassium currents. It inhibits the voltage-gated potassium channel hERG, also known as KCNH2. In addition, amiodarone binds with high affinity to the delta-1 opioid receptor, 3-beta-hydroxysteroid Delta8Delta7 isomerase, and C-8 sterol isomerase and inhibits human thyroid hormone receptors alpha and beta. It also inhibits the cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 in vitro at low micromolar concentrations. Amiodarone induces cell proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling in fibroblasts. Recently, this K+ efflux inhibitor has been used to block the colocalisation of miniNLRP3 and ASC in red blood cells (RBCs), in a new process involving miniNLRP3 and RBC lysis, called spectosis.