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Biomedical subjects

A E Takemori

Publications and source records attributed to A E Takemori.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

7-Spiroindanyl derivatives of naltrexone and oxymorphone as selective ligands for delta opioid receptors.

A series consisting of spiroindanyl (5-7), benzospiroindanyl (8-10), and spiroperinaphthyl (11) derivatives of naltrexone and oxymorphone were synthesized in order to investigate the role of an orthogonal-oriented "address" for delta opioid receptors. All of the ligands exhibited a preference for delta receptors in vitro. The 7-benzospiroindanyl derivative 8 (BSINTX) was the most selective delta opioid receptor antagonist in vitro. In mice BSINTX antagonized the delta 1-selective agonist, [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin without significantly affecting the antinociceptive potency of delta 2, mu, and kappa agonists. The results of this study are consistent with an orthogonally-oriented address favoring delta 1 activity.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1997

Spinal delta opioid receptor subtype activity of 6-monoacetylmorphine in Swiss Webster mice.

Heroin and 6-monoacetylmorphine (6MAM) given intracerebroventricularly in Swiss Webster mice, act on supraspinal delta (delta) opioid receptors to produce antinociception in the tail flick test. More specifically, this action of heroin involves delta 1 and 6MAM involves delta 2 opioid receptors. Even though 6MAM given intrathecally (IT) in Swiss Webster mice also activates delta receptors to produce antinociception, the subtype of delta receptor in the spinal cord is not known. The present study addressed this question. First, in order to confirm the subtype selectivity of the delta opioid receptor antagonists in the spinal cord, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX, a selective delta 1 receptor antagonist) and naltriben (a selective delta 2 receptor antagonist) were administered IT against the prototypic delta 1 and delta 2 peptide agonists [D-Pen2,5]enkephalin (DPDPE) and [D-Ser2,Leu5]enkephalin-Thr (DSLET), respectively. DPDPE-induced antinociception was inhibited by BNTX, but not naltriben. The opposite selectivity occurred for DSLET; naltriben, but not BNTX, administered IT inhibited IT DSLET-induced antinociception. Therefore, the antagonists differentiated between spinal delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptor subtype agonist actions. This differentiation was further demonstrated by administration of the antagonists IT against the antinociceptive action of beta-endorphin given intracerebroventricularly. The antinociceptive action of beta-endorphin is due to spinal release of met-enkephalin which results in spinal delta 2 receptor activation. This antinociception was reduced by IT naltriben, but not BNTX, administration. The antagonists were then administered against IT 6MAM-induced antinociception. Neither BNTX nor naltriben given alone, each at twice the usual dose, altered IT 6MAM-induced antinociception. When the antagonists were administered together, each at the usual dose, the antinociceptive action of 6MAM was inhibited. Thus, even though a differentiation between spinal delta 1 and delta 2 opioid receptor activity can be obtained with naltriben and BNTX, blockade of the individual delta receptor subtypes does not appear to alter IT 6MAM antinociception. Therefore, these results suggest that 6MAM, given IT, is acting on a delta opioid receptor but this receptor in the spinal cord appears to be different from the delta 2 receptor on which 6MAM acts in the brain.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1996

Aspartic acid conjugates of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1(3-aminophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidi nyl) ethyl]acetamide: kappa opioid receptor agonists with limited access to the central nervous system.

Aspartic acid conjugates of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(1S)-1-(3-aminophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrol idinyl) ethyl]acetamide (5) were synthesized and evaluated in mice for antinociceptive activity by intravenous and intracerebroventricular routes of administration. The intravenously-administered alpha-conjugate of L-Asp (2), its D-Asp diastereomer (3), and the beta -conjugate of L-Asp (4) were found to be 11-, 31-, and 40-fold, respectively, less effective than the parent ligand 1 (ICI 199,441) in producing central nervous system mediated antinociception in the mouse abdominal stretch assay. In addition, iv-administered 2 and 3 were found to also produce potent antinociception in the tonic phase of the mouse formalin assay, which is a model of tonic rather than acute pain. This study suggests that the attachment of a zwitterionic moiety to a position in the molecule that exhibits bulk tolerance is a viable strategy for the design of peripherally-selective and peripherally-active opioids.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Opioid antagonist activity of naltrexone-derived bivalent ligands: importance of a properly oriented molecular scaffold to guide "address" recognition at kappa opioid receptors.

The presence of a molecular scaffold to orient a basic group is important for potent and selective kappa opioid antagonist selectivity. An attempt to determine how the geometry of the scaffold affects this selectivity has led to the synthesis of a bivalent ligand (5) whose linker constrains the N17' basic nitrogen (the "address") to a position that is 6.5 A from N17' in the kappa antagonist norBNI (1) when these molecules are superimposed. The fact that compound 5 was found to be a highly selective and potent mu-selective antagonist supports the idea that the position of N17' in 5 precludes effective ion pairing with the nonconserved residue Glu297 on outer loop 3 of the kappa opioid receptor. The high mu receptor binding affinity and in vitro pharmacological selectivity of 5 coupled with its presumed low central nervous system bioavailability suggest that it may be a useful antagonist for the investigation of peripheral mu opioid receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Arylacetamide-derived fluorescent probes: synthesis, biological evaluation, and direct fluorescent labeling of kappa opioid receptors in mouse microglial cells.

Fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer I (FITC-I) conjugates of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[1-(3- or 4-aminophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]acetamide (10 and 14) were prepared either without or with an intervening mono-, di-, or tetraglycyl linker. The 3-substituted fluorescent probes (2-5) were found to retain potent agonist activity in smooth muscle preparations as well as high kappa receptor affinity and selectivity in receptor binding assays. The 4-substituted series (6-9) were substantially less potent than the corresponding 3-substituted compounds. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated high levels of direct kappa-specific staining of mouse microglial cells by the fluorescent probe 5 containing a tetraglycyl linker, as indicated by a 41% decrease in percent cells positively labeled and a 61% decrease in mean fluorescence intensity in the presence of the kappa-selective antagonist, norbinaltorphimine (norBNI). In similar studies, the probe 2 without a linker exhibited only nonspecific binding. This is the first report of direct, selective staining of kappa opioid receptors by a fluorescent nonpeptide opioid ligand. The results of the present study illustrate the importance of introducing hydrophilic linkers to reduce nonspecific binding of fluorescent probes for opioid receptors.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1995

Electrophilic N-benzylnaltrindoles as delta opioid receptor-selective antagonists.

The N-benzyl group of N-benzylnaltrindole (1, BNTI), a potent and selective delta 2 opioid receptor antagonist, was employed as a scaffold to hold electrophilic moieties (isothiocyanate and haloacetamide) in an effort to obtain selective affinity labels (2-4 and 8-11). The corresponding acetamide derivatives (5-7) also were synthesized to serve as nonelectrophilic controls. The o- and p-isothiocyanates (2 and 4) and the haloamides (8-11) were selective delta opioid receptor antagonists in the mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparations, while the meta isomer 3 was a delta-selective full agonist (IC50 = 5 nM). The fact that the effect of 2 and 4 was found to increase as a function of time in MVD suggests a covalent mechanism for the wash resistant component. The m-isothiocyanate 3 was found to be a delta-selective and irreversible agonist in the MVD, and it is suggested that it may be covalently binding to an agonist recognition site. In the mouse abdominal stretch antinociceptive assay, compounds 2-4 and 9 were delta-selective antagonists but exhibited delta 2/delta 1 selectivity ratios than that of BNTI.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

7'-Substituted amino acid conjugates of naltrindole. Hydrophilic groups as determinants of selective antagonism of delta 1 opioid receptor-mediated antinociception in mice.

A series of amino acid conjugates (2-6) of naltrindole (1) were synthesized from 7'-carboxynaltrindole (7) in order to obtain delta antagonists that would have minimal access to the central nervous system (CNS) upon peripheral administration. All of the ligands (2-7) were tested in smooth muscle preparations and found to be potent and selective delta opioid antagonists. Receptor binding showed 2-7 to be highly delta-selective, with Ki ratios (mu/delta, kappa/delta) ranging from 127 to 38,000. Two of the more selective conjugates, the glycinate 2 and aspartate 3, were evaluated by the iv and icv routes in mice, and they afforded very high iv/icv dose ratios (112,766 and 46,667, respectively) consistent with poor CNS penetration. The in vivo testing revealed that 2 and 3 are delta 1-selective antagonists, in contrast to naltriben and related ligands which are delta 2-selective. The fact that the binding data are not consistent with the in vivo data suggests that the origin of the selectivity of naltrindole congeners may be related to selective access to tissue compartments in the CNS rather than to binding affinity differences between delta opioid receptor subtypes.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1995

Cold water swim stress- and delta-2 opioid-induced analgesia are modulated by spinal gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptors.

Cold water swim stress for 3 min at 5 degrees C produces antinociception in the tail-flick test in mice by activation of delta opioid receptors in the brain. Also, the inhibition of the tail-flick reflex produced by i.c.v. administration of delta opioid receptor agonists is known to be mediated by spinal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the cold water swim stress-induced antinociceptive response is mediated by GABA receptors in the spinal cord. First, i.c.v. administration of the delta-2 receptor antagonist, naltriben, but not the delta-1 receptor antagonist, 7-benzylidenenaltrexone, antagonized the cold water swim stress-induced antinociception in ICR mice and confirmed the role of delta-2 receptors in this response. Next, the involvement of spinal GABAA receptors was shown through intrathecal administration of GABAA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin and bicuculline, which inhibited the cold water swim stress-induced antinociceptive response. Thus, the antinociception produced through activation of the delta-2 receptor in the brain by cold water swim stress involved a descending pathway mediated by spinal GABAA receptors. This descending pathway appeared to be the same as that activated by i.c.v. administration of delta-2 opioid agonists in the brain.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1994

kappa Opioid receptor selective affinity labels: electrophilic benzeneacetamides as kappa-selective opioid antagonists.

2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[1-(3- or 4-substituted phenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]-acetamides 3-6 were synthesized as kappa-selective affinity labels and evaluated for opioid activity. In smooth muscle preparations, the non-electrophilic parent compound (+)-S-2 and the affinity labels 3-6 behaved as kappa agonists in that they were potently antagonized by norbinaltorphimine (norBNI). In addition to the high binding affinity and selectivity of the 3-isothiocyanate 3 (DIPPA) to kappa opioid receptors, wash studies have suggested that this involves covalent binding. In the mouse tail-flick assay, the 3- and 4-substituted isomers (3 and 5, respectively) produced long-lasting antagonism of the antinociceptive effect of the kappa opioid agonist, (+/-)-trans-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl) cyclohexyl]acetamide ((+/-)-U50,488). In contrast, the non-electrophilic parent compound (+)-S-2 and the fumaramate derivative 4 were devoid of antagonist activity in the tail-flick assay. At substantially different doses, DIPPA (3) and the 4-isothiocyanate 5 also produced antinociception in the mouse abdominal stretch assay. In addition, DIPPA and the 3-fumaramate methyl ester 4 had improved in vivo kappa-selectivities compared to the unsubstituted parent compound (+)-S-2 and the para-substituted derivative 5. The improved kappa-selectivities of 3 and 4 and the different agonist and antagonist potencies of 3 and 5 may be explained respectively by the existence of multiple kappa agonist binding sites and distinct agonist and antagonist binding sites. In view of the antagonist selectivity and the apparent irreversible binding of DIPPA to kappa receptors, it may serve as a useful pharmacologic or biochemical tool to investigate kappa opioid receptors.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗
PubMed1994

N-benzylnaltrindoles as long-acting delta-opioid receptor antagonists.

The indolic nitrogen of the delta-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (1), was derivatized with benzyl or substituted benzyl to afford a series (2-9) that retained delta-opioid receptor antagonist activity and selectivity in vitro. The two most potent members (2 and 8) of the series were evaluated in mice and were found to produce delta-selective antagonism of [D-Ser2,Leu5]enkephalin-Thr6 which lasted 5 days. N-Benzylnaltrindole (2) should be useful as a delta 2-selective antagonist for in vivo studies where prolonged action is desired.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Synthesis and delta-opioid receptor antagonist activity of a naltrindole analogue with a regioisomeric indole moiety.

Indolomorphinans 2 and 3, in which the indole moiety is fused to the 7,8-position of the morphinan system, have been synthesized from dihydropseudocodeinone 4 and evaluated for antagonist activity on the mouse vas deferens (MVD) and guinea pig ileum (GPI) preparations. Indolomorphinan 2 was found to be approximately 1/60th as potent as naltrindole 1 in the MVD and an agonist in the GPI preparation. A comparable difference in affinity between 1 and 2 was observed. The methyl analogue 3 was inactive in both preparations. The results of this study support the idea that the regio orientation of the indolic benzene moiety of 1 is optimal for delta-opioid receptor antagonist activity. It is proposed that the proper alignment of the benzene moiety with an address subsite on the delta receptor is critical for potent delta antagonist activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Structure-activity relationship of N17'-substituted norbinaltorphimine congeners. Role of the N17' basic group in the interaction with a putative address subsite on the kappa opioid receptor.

A series of norbinaltorphimine congeners (2-12) which contain different groups at the N17'-position have been synthesized in order to evaluate the role of N17' in conferring kappa opioid antagonist selectivity at opioid receptor sites. The compounds that contain a basic N17' nitrogen (2-9) were found to be selective kappa antagonists. Amidation of N17' afforded congeners 10-12 with feeble kappa antagonist potency and low selectivity. The fact that potent antagonism and selectivity were observed only when members of the series contain a basic N17' nitrogen suggests that it interacts with extracellular domains of the kappa receptor that contain acidic amino acid residues. The N-terminal domain and extracellular loop 2, both of which contain acidic residues, are candidates for this interaction and may be components of the kappa address subsite of the receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Synthesis of naltrexone-derived delta-opioid antagonists. Role of conformation of the delta address moiety.

Naltrindole (1) (NTI) is a highly potent and selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist. In an effort to understand the origin of the high potency, affinity, and selectivity of NTI, we have examined the conformational role of its indolic benzene moiety through the synthesis of related naltrexone derivatives 3-8, which contain the benzene moiety in different orientations and at different attachments in the molecule. One of these naltrexone derivatives, 5, whose 7-indanyl benzene moiety is orthogonal to ring C of the morphinan system, is a potent delta-opioid receptor antagonist in vitro and in vivo. Computer-assisted molecular overlay studies of the minimized structures (2-8) revealed the importance of the position of the benzene moiety for effective interaction with delta-opioid receptors. In compounds 2, 4, and 5, the aromatic ring falls in the same region of space as that of the indolic benzene moiety of NTI, and all of these ligands possessed significant activity at delta-opioid receptors. Analogues (3 and 6-8) which were shown to have relatively weak delta-opioid receptor antagonist potency have their aromatic groups located in a space that is different from that of the more potent analogues.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Interaction of [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin and [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin with delta-opioid receptor subtypes in vivo.

The interaction of [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) and [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin with delta-opioid receptor subtypes was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with the delta 1-opioid receptor antagonist, [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin (DALCE), produced a virtually complete antagonism of the antinociceptive actions of DPDPE, but had no effect on those of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin. In DALCE pretreated mice (i.e., delta 1-opioid receptors blocked), DPDPE was able to significantly antagonize the antinociceptive effects of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin. Pretreatment of mice with the delta 2-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole-5'-isothiocyanate (5'-NTII) produced a virtually complete antagonism of the antinociceptive effects of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin, but had no effect on the antinociception produced by DPDPE. In 5'-NTII pretreated mice (i.e., delta 2-opioid receptors blocked), [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin had no effect on the antinociception produced by DPDPE. These data suggest that [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin is highly selective for the delta 2-opioid receptor in vivo, and that neither agonist nor antagonist actions can be demonstrated at delta 1-opioid receptors for this peptide. In contrast, under appropriate conditions, DPDPE can be shown to interact with both delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptor subtypes; DPDPE may have limited efficacy (i.e., is a partial agonist) at the delta 2-opioid receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Supraspinal delta receptor subtype activity of heroin and 6-monoacetylmorphine in Swiss Webster mice.

The purpose of this study was to determine which delta (delta) opioid receptor subtype, delta 1 or delta 2, was involved in producing the antinociceptive action of heroin and 6-monacetylmorphine (MAM) in Swiss Webster mice. Previous work from this laboratory established that heroin and MAM, given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in Swiss Webster mice, produce antinociception through activation of supraspinal delta receptors. Naltrindole, but not naloxone or nor-binaltorphimine, antagonizes the inhibitory action of heroin and MAM in the tail-flick test. Recent literature documents the occurrence of subtypes of the delta opioid receptor and the availability of selective antagonists. 7-Benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) antagonizes the antinociception induced by delta 1 receptor agonists without affecting that induced by delta 2 receptor agonists. Naltriben (NTB) selectively inhibits delta 2- but not delta 1-induced antinociception. In the present study BNTX and NTB were administered i.c.v. with heroin and MAM to determine the delta receptor subtype responsible for inhibition of the tail-flick response in Swiss Webster mice. The ED50 for heroin-induced antinociception was increased 19-fold by BNTX and was not altered by NTB administration. On the other hand, the ED50 value of MAM was increased 3-fold by NTB and was not altered by BNTX administration. These results suggest that heroin activated supraspinal delta 1 receptors and MAM acted on supraspinal delta 2 receptors to produce antinociception in Swiss Webster mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Lack of involvement of delta-1 opioid receptors in the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice.

Previously, we have shown that the development of physical dependence on morphine in mice is inhibited substantially by treatment of mice with the highly selective, nonequilibrium delta-2 opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole-5'-isothiocyanate. With the availability of the highly selective, nonequilibrium delta-1 opioid receptor antagonist, [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin, it was possible, in the present report, to examine the possible involvement of delta-1 opioid receptors in the development of opiate dependence. Mice were made physically dependent on morphine by s.c. implantation of morphine pellets (75-mg free base) for 3 days. The degree of dependence was quantified by determining the ED50 values of naloxone to precipitate withdrawal jumping and diarrhea. Neither sign of opiate withdrawal was affected by chronic treatment of animals with [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin during the morphine implant period. The data suggest that delta-1, as opposed to delta-2, opioid receptors are not involved in the development of physical dependence on morphine. This fact takes on added significance because the recently cloned delta opioid receptors appear to be the delta-2 subtype and the present data together with previous findings suggest that the cloned receptors may be proper models for the study of opiate dependence.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1993

Possible contribution of a glutathione conjugate to the long-duration action of beta-funaltrexamine.

The fumaramate derivative of naltrexone, beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA), is a highly selective long-lasting mu opioid receptor antagonist that is active both in vitro and in vivo, presumably as a result of covalent binding to a mu receptor-based sulfhydryl group. Glutathione, which occurs in significant levels in brain and liver, was found to undergo a Michael-type reaction with beta-FNA in the test tube to give a stable conjugate 3 which occurred as an isomeric mixture. When tested in the GPI and MVD smooth muscle preparations, 3 was found to possess one-tenth the agonist activity of beta-FNA is both tissues, but showed no irreversible antagonist activity. The same result was found for the cysteine conjugate 4, except for some irreversible antagonism in the MVD. Both conjugates antagonize the antinociceptive effect of morphine in the mouse radiant heat tail-flick assay on icv administration. This antagonism persisted and actually increased over 24 h and generally paralleled the duration profile of beta-FNA. On sc administration, beta-FNA and 3 showed similar duration of antagonistic effect, while 4 exhibited only marginal activity at the early time interval. When the compounds are compared by the dose to produce equivalent antagonism, beta-FNA and 3 appeared equally effective and accessible by either route, whereas 4 showed a large difference between the two routes. It is possible that the ultra-long antagonism of the conjugates may result from their enzymatic conversion to beta-FNA in the central nervous system in view of the fact that conjugate 5, which cannot be converted to beta-FNA, did not produce antagonism of long duration in vivo. Alternatively, the protracted antagonism could arise from sequestration of 3 and 4 in tissue compartments that interface with mu opioid receptors.

Analgesia↗