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Biomedical subjects

A Lucacchini

Publications and source records attributed to A Lucacchini.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems. [1]benzopyranopyrrol-4-ones and [1]benzopyrano-1,2,3-triazol-4-ones as benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

The synthesis, ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes, and GABA ratio of some [1]benzopyranopyrroles 1a-i and [1]benzopyrano-1,2,3-triazoles 2a,b are reported. The GABA ratios of some previously synthesized pyrazoloquinolines A and [1]benzopyranopyrazoles C are also presented in order to draw some structure-activity relationships among our benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 1,3-Diarylpyrrole derivatives 1a-h show similar affinity and efficacy to that of diazepam, while the 1-aryltriazoles 2a,b have no receptor affinity. Comparison of the latter results with those on previously reported compounds suggests that there are several hydrophobic regions on the benzodiazepine recognition site whose occupation gives rise to different affinity and efficacy.

Animals↗

Specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding by some N-(2-methyl or 1,2-dimethylindol-3-ylglyoxylyl)amino acid derivatives.

Several N-(2-methyl or 1,2-dimethylindol-3-ylglyoxylyl)amino acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for their affinity for the benzodiazepine receptor in bovine cortical membranes. The 2-methyl derivatives showed a lower affinity than the unmethylated analogues, and the 1,2-dimethyl derivatives practically lacked any affinity for the benzodiazepine receptor. The importance of the indole N-H group is therefore evidenced for an optimal interaction of these ligands with receptor site.

Amino Acids↗

Tricyclic heteroaromatic systems: synthesis, [3H]flunitrazepam brain membrane binding inhibition, and structure-activity relationships of 2,3-dihydro-2-aryl-4-R-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-ones.

We report the synthesis and binding activity to the central benzodiazepine receptors of some 2,3-dihydro-2-aryl-4-R-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole-3-ones, which are isosteres of the CGS series. Although the compounds of the CGS series are potent ligands of the benzodiazepine receptors, none of the isosteres tested showed any significant inhibiting potency. This may be due to the change in electronic properties brought about by the replacement of the NH of the CGS series with an oxygen atom.

Animals↗

Synthesis of 1,5-diaryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]isoquinolines and studies of binding to specific peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites.

Some 1,5-diaryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,5-c]isoquinolines were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]clonazepam or [3H]Ro 5-4864 from their specific binding on the central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors. None of the tested compounds showed any activity as central binding inhibitors, while most of them were specific as peripheral binding inhibitors, although they were not very potent.

Animals↗

Binding of [3H] muscimol to the retina of rabbit and turtle.

1. We studied the binding of [3H]muscimol to membrane preparations of the retina of rabbit (Lepus cuniculus) and turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans). 2. In both species, [3H]muscimol binding was maximal at 0 degrees C and decreased with increasing temperature, it was saturable, protein concentration dependent and specific. Muscimol, GABA and bicuculline were the most effective displacers, whereas baclofen and diaminobutyric acid were ineffective. 3. In the turtle retina, Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of a single site with a KD of 20.81 nM, and a Bmax of 3.620 pmol/mg prot. 4. In the rabbit, a single site could be identified in the nanomolar concentration range (KD of 12.8 nM, Bmax of 1.327). A study of the association rate of [3H]muscimol binding revealed a faster kinetics in turtle, as compared to rabbit.

Animals↗

Specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding by some N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)amino acid derivatives: stereoselective interactions.

Several optically active N-(indol-3-ylglyoxylyl)amino acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for [3H]flunitrazepam displacing activity in bovine brain membranes. IC50 values were measured and revealed that the D form of the amino acid moiety of the compounds was more potent than both the L form and racemic form, suggesting a key role of the amino acid stereochemistry on the affinity to the benzodiazepine receptors. GABA ratio and proconvulsant/convulsant data reported for the most active compounds reveal they behave as inverse agonists at the benzodiazepine receptor.

Amino Acids↗

Further investigation on benzodiazepine binding inhibitory activity in patients with major depression or panic disorder and in healthy volunteers.

Preliminary findings regarding the presence of plasmatic benzodiazepine binding inhibitory activity (BBIA) in 14 psychiatric patients prompted us to investigate it further in larger samples of psychiatric patients (n = 44) and in healthy controls (n = 14). The results have shown that BBIA is present in all the subjects included with statistically significant differences between the patients and controls. The highest concentrations were found in the patients with no difference between anxious or depressed patients, and the lowest in the healthy controls. These findings indicate that BBIA might play a role in the pathophysiology of some manifestations of anxiety.

Adult↗

Dipyrazolo[5,4-b:3',4'-d]pyridines. Synthesis, inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding and structure-activity relationships.

Some 2,6,8-trisubstituted dipyrazolo[5,4-b:3',4'-d]pyridin-3-ones related to the CGS series were synthesized and tested for their ability to displace [3H]flunitrazepam binding from bovine brain membranes. However the affinity for the benzodiazepine receptor of the tested compounds was lower than that of the CGS series, although it was comparable to that of chlordiazepoxide. It follows that some structure-activity relationships on the tested compounds can be drawn.

Animals↗

Xanthine oxidase inhibition: effect of an N-alkyl substituent on C-2 of the nucleus of 8-azahypoxanthine.

Several new 2-n-alkyl-8-azahypoxanthines were synthesized and tested. The compounds were obtained from 4(5)-amino-5(4)-carbamoyl-1,2, 3-triazole and the suitable ethyl alkanoate in the presence of sodium ethoxide. The inhibitory activity of these compounds against xanthine oxidase was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain of the substituent: 2-n-hexyl-8-azahypoxanthine was the most active product. This fact pointed out the great importance of the weak interaction between the substituent and the adjacent region of the active site of the enzyme.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Specific inhibition of benzodiazepine receptor binding by some 1,2,3-triazole derivatives.

Certain 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were prepared and tested for their ability to displace [3H]diazepam from bovine brain membranes. From these compounds, the quinolytriazole derivatives (14, 15, 16, 17) were clearly the most potent, while the naphthyl- and the naphthyridyl-triazoles were considerably less active. The p-nitrophenyl derivative (15) was the compound that bound with the highest affinity within the quinolyltriazole compounds class. The replacement of the p-nitrophenyl group with other substituents greatly decreased the binding activity. From a Lineweaver-Burk analysis of 11, it appears that the inhibition is competitive.

Animals↗

An anomalous effect of N-isopropyl substitution in determining beta-adrenergic activity.

We report unexpected results in an investigation of cyclic analogues of dopamine and norepinephrine possessing the structures 1-(aminomethyl)-5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (3) and 1-(aminomethyl)-5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenol (7). N-Isopropyl substitution of these compounds, providing 4 and 8, brings about the total disappearance of their stimulant activity on beta-adrenergic receptors. On the basis of current knowledge about the structure-activity relationship of adrenergic drugs, it is difficult to provide an explanation for these results; however a tentative rationalization based on conformational considerations is suggested.

1-Propanol↗

3-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)methyl]piperidine derivatives. Synthesis and antidepressant activity.

The 3-[(2-ethoxyphenoxy)methyl]piperidine derivatives 3-5 were synthesized and screened as potential antidepressant agents by the reserpine interaction test in mice and the evaluation of reuptake inhibition of biogenic amines in pig brain synaptosomal fractions. In addition, their anticonvulsant activity, tested by pentyleneetrazole antagonism, and approximate acute toxicity were evaluated. In vivo and in vitro tests showed that compounds 3 and 5 possess a biological activity comparable to that of the antidepressant drug viloxazine.

Animals↗

Affinity labeling of adenosine A1 binding sites.

The adenosine A1 receptors of sheep brain membranes have been identified by the specific binding of radiolabeled cyclohexyl[3H]adenosine ([3H]CHA). Pretreatment of membranes with periodate-oxidized CHA causes a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the number of binding sites. No decrease occurs when membranes are pretreated with CHA. Binding of [3H]CHA to the remaining sites occurs with the same characteristics as binding to the untreated receptor population.

Adenosine↗