Action potential conduction block of nerves in vitro by potassium citrate, potassium tartrate and potassium oxalate.

Abstract

Potassium salts in desensitising formulations are believed to act by blocking nerve conduction. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of some organic potassium salts to block action potential conduction and to compare their effects with potassium chloride and potassium nitrate. Potassium citrate, oxalate or tartrate were added to Krebs' solutions to raise the potassium concentration to 8-64 mM. The test solutions were applied to rat spinal nerves in a bath while monitoring the compound action potentials evoked by electrical stimulation. All potassium salts attenuated the compound action potential in a dose-dependent manner. There were no significant differences between the effects of potassium tartrate and potassium citrate solutions (p>0.1) which caused significantly greater compound action potential attenuation than the same concentrations of potassium oxalate (p<0.05). On the basis of the potassium ion concentration required to cause 50% attenuation of the compound nerve action potential, the relative potencies of the potassium salts were: citrate = tartrate> oxalate>chloride =nitrate. Potassium citrate and potassium tartrate were more effective than other potassium salts in blocking nerve conduction and may be more effective dentinal desensitising agents.