Effect of the calmodulin antagonist CGS 9343B on skin burns

1. CGS 9343B is a novel, potent and selective inhibitor of calmodulin activity, which unlike other known calmodulin antagonists, does not inhibit protein kinase C activity and does not possess potential antidopaminergic activity. Here we show that CGS 9343B, like other calmodulin antagonists reported previously, is most effective in treatment of burns. 2. The effectiveness of CGS 9343B on skin burns was evaluated by electron microscopic studies, as well as by measurements of hemoglobin, ATP and enzymes which are markedly changed in the burned skin. 3. As CGS 9343B is a more selective probe for calmodulin function than other inhibitors, the similarity of its effects on burns to that of other calmodulin antagonists, strongly suggest that their action on burns is mediated through calmodulin inhibition.