Preferential enhancement of inhibitory synaptic transmission by CS-722 in the ventral horn neurons of neonatal rat spinal cord

We studied the modulatory effect of (R)-4-chloro-2-(2-hydroxy-3-morpholinopropyl)-5-phenyl-4-isoxaz olin-3-one hydrochloride (CS-722), a centrally acting muscle relaxant, on synaptic transmission in the ventral horn neurons of neonatal rat lumbar spinal cord in slices using whole cell recording techniques. Pharmacologically isolated excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs and IPSCs) were evoked by stimulating neighboring neurons. CS-722 preferentially enhanced IPSCs with little effects on EPSCs. Moreover, CS-722 reduced paired pulse facilitation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated IPSCs, suggesting its action on the presynaptic terminal. Preferential facilitatory effects on inhibitory synaptic transmission seem to be one of the mechanisms underlying muscle relaxation of this compound.