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 δ-1 opioid receptor, 3-β-hydroxysteroid Δ8Δ7 isomerase, and C-8 sterol isomerase and inhibits human thyroid hormone receptors α and β. 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.