Biological Activity:
Amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate is a potent epithelial sodium channel blocker. Amilorida is the hydrochloride dehydrate of amiloride. Amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate works by directly blocking the epithelial sodium channel thereby inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the late distal convoluted tubules, connecting tubules, and collecting ducts in the kidneys (this mechanism is the same for triamterene). This promotes the loss of sodium and water from the body, but without depleting potassium. Amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate also carries the risk of developing an acidosis. A fraction of the effects of amiloride is inhibition of cyclic GMP-gated cation channels in the inner medullary collecting duct. Amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate has a second action on the heart, blocking Na+/H+ exchangers Sodium-hydrogen antiporter 1 or NHE-1. This minimizes reperfusion injury in ischemic attacks. Acid-Sensing ion channels are also sensitive to inhibition by Amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate. [1][2][3]References on Amiloride HCl dihydrate[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiloride, , [2] Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol., 1992 Feb, 6(2):140-5[3] Am J Physiol Renal Physiol., 2003 Apr, 284(4):F628-43 |