K+ channels are key components of the primary and secondary basolateral Cl- pump systems, which are important for secretion from the salivary glands. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. We studied the effects of paroxetine on a human K+ channel, human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on action potential in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The hERG encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly-activating delayed rectifier K+ channel (IKr) in the heart. Mutations in hERG reduce IKr and cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2), a disorder that predisposes individuals to lifethreatening arrhythmias. Paroxetine induced concentrationdependent decreases in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and time-dependent, but voltageindependent during each voltage pulse. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes held at 36℃, treatment with 0.4 μM paroxetine for 5 min decreased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization (APD90) by 4.3%. Our results suggest that paroxetine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects of clinical administration of paroxetine.

Transdermal drug delivery(TDS) offers many important advantages. For instance, it is easy and painless, it protects the active compound from gastric enzymes, and it avoids the hepatic first-pass effect. Also, it is simple to terminate the therapy if any adverse or undesired effect occurs. But skin is a natural barrier, and only a few drugs can penetrate the skin easily and in sufficient quantities to be effective. Therefore, in recent years, numerous studies have been conducted in the area of penetration enhancement. The most commonly used transdermal system is the skin patch using various types of technologies. Compared with other method of dosage, it is possible to use for a long term. It is also possible to stop the drug dosage are stopped if the drug dosage lead to side effect. Polysaccharide, such as xanthan gum and algin were selected as base materials of TDS. Also, these polymers were characterized in terms of enhancers and drug contents. Among these polysaccharide, the permeation rate of Paroxetine such as lipophilic drug was the fastest in xanthan gum matrix in vitro. We used glycerin, PEG400 and PEG800 as enhancers. Since dermis has more water content(hydration) than the stratum corneum, skin permeation rate at steady state was highly influenced when PEG400 was more effective for lipophilic drug. Proper selection of the polymeric materials which resemble and enhance properties of the delivering drug was found to be important in controlling the skin permeation rate.