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Biomedical subjects

B Costall

Publications and source records attributed to B Costall.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Astra Award Lecture. The psychopharmacology of 5-HT3 receptors.

5-HT3 receptors have an exclusive neuronal location and evidence is presented of their involvement in behaviour. 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron, tropisetron and zacopride have provided the critical pharmacological tools to reveal a potent and efficacious ability to regulate disturbed behaviour. Thus the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists will restore to normal rodent and primate behaviour disturbed by increasing limbic dopamine function, aversive situations, cognitive impairments and drug abuse. The remarkable feature of their action is a failure to modify normal behaviour. This unique pharmacological signature has ensured a wide interest in the potential role of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in the treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety, age related memory impairment and the problems of withdrawal from drugs of abuse. The preclinical data and preliminary clinical observations are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Profile of action of a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor ligand E-4424 to inhibit aversive behavior in the mouse, rat and marmoset.

E-4424 (2-(4-[4-(4-chloro-1-pyrazolyl)butyl]-1-piperazinyl)pyrimidine) was shown to be a 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptor ligand in radioligand binding assays and in an in vitro guinea pig ileum preparation had both 5-hydroxytryptamine1A antagonist and agonist effects. The antagonist/agonist ratio of E-4424 was greater than in the case of buspirone and ipsapirone. E-4424 was compared to diazepam, buspirone and ipsapirone to inhibit the behavioral response to an aversive situation in the mouse black and white test box, the rat social interaction test and a marmoset human threat test. The acute administration of E-4424 (0.0001-0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) to the mouse decreased aversion to the white area of the test box and was as effective as diazepam (0.125-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and much more potent than buspirone (0.25-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or ipsapirone (0.5-5.0 mg/kg, i.p.). E-4424 was also effective in enhancing rat social interaction and reducing anxiety-related behaviors in the marmoset and was again more potent than diazepam, buspirone or ipsapirone. Withdrawal from a 14-day administration of diazepam, cocaine, nicotine or alcohol exacerbated the response to the aversive situation in the mouse test. This was not observed after withdrawal from a chronic treatment with E-4424, buspirone or ipsapirone. However, E-4424 administered during drug withdrawal prevented the response caused by withdrawal from cocaine, alcohol, nicotine and diazepam: buspirone was ineffective and ipsapirone only attenuated that syndrome after alcohol withdrawal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Neuropharmacology of emesis in relation to clinical response.

5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron, granisetron, ICS205-930 and zacopride are highly effective in the ferret, cat or dog to prevent emesis caused by cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic agents, and radiation treatment. The anti-emetic effects may be mediated centrally in the area postrema and associated structures of the emetic reflex such as the nucleus tractus solitarius, which have a very high density of 5-HT3 receptors. Additional sites of action may be found on the 5-HT3 receptors located on the vagus nerve or enteric neuronal elements in the gastro-intestinal tract. The precise site(s) and mechanism(s) of action of different cytotoxic treatments to induce emesis remains to be determined, but appears to involve a common action on a 5-HT3 system. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists do not impair normal behaviour and, in particular, fail to affect the extrapyramidal motor system and do not cause sedation. Of potential benefit, the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists have an anxiolytic profile of action in rodent and primate models. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are revealed as an important group of drugs to prevent emesis induced by a wide range of cytotoxic treatments.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Serotonin and psychiatric disorders. A key to new therapeutic approaches.

Evidence is reviewed that 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine, serotonin) acting through the 5-HT3 receptor subtype can influence behaviour relevant to anxiety, schizophrenia and cognitive disorders, and that 5-HT3 receptor antagonists such as ondansetron (CAS 116002-70-1) can correct behavioural disturbance in the absence of effect on normal behaviour. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonists exert a breadth of action over a wide dose range in rodent and primate models to inhibit aversive behaviour in animal models of anxiety and certain symptoms of withdrawal from drugs of abuse, alcohol, nicotine, diazepam and cocaine, to antagonise increased locomotor activity caused by mesolimbic dopamine excess, and facilitate performance in cognitive tests. The studies reveal an important role for 5-HT3 receptors in the regulation of limbic-cortical functioning, and a critical role for 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to establish the role of 5-HT3 receptors in schizophrenia, anxiety, drug withdrawal phenomena and cognitive disturbance. Preliminary clinical trials indicate a positive effect of ondansetron in anxiety, schizophrenia, alcohol withdrawal and age associated memory impairment.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Angiotensin converting enzyme density is increased in temporal cortex from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The present study assesses the binding density of the selective angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) radioligand [3H]ceranapril in brain tissue homogenates derived from patients with Alzheimer's disease and those from age-, sex- and post-mortem delay-matched neurologically normal patients. Saturation studies with [3H]ceranapril identified that the specific binding (defined by captopril, 10 microM) was homogenous and of high affinity. ACE inhibitor recognition site density was higher by some 70% in the temporal cortex (Brodmann area 22) from Alzheimer's patients whereas densities were similar in frontal cortex and cerebellum when compared to control tissue. It is unknown whether this apparently selective alteration in ACE density is directly related to, or a compensatory effect of the disease, but it provides additional support for the development of compounds which interact with the central angiotensin system as novel therapies for cognitive dysfunction.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Characterisation of [3H]ceranapril recognition sites in rat and human brain tissue.

The present studies assessed the nature of the recognition site for [3H]ceranapril in tissue from rat and human brain. [3H]Ceranapril exhibited high affinity saturable specific (defined by 1 microM captopril) binding to homogenates of tissue from both rat and human brain (mean pKd values between 8.42 and 8.69). High binding densities were observed in rat striatum and homogenates of tissue from human caudate (Bmax values 3317 +/- 192 and 1900 +/- 110 fmol/mg protein respectively), with comparatively low densities in cortical tissues. In kinetic experiments, association of [3H]ceranapril to homogenates of rat and human cortex was found to be rapid and fully reversible (K+1 = 6 x 10(5) M-1 sec-1 and 2.4 x 10(6) M-1 sec-1, K-1 = 7.6 x 10(-3) sec-1 and 4.5 x 10(-3) sec-1 respectively). In competition studies, lisinopril, captopril, unlabelled ceranapril, epicaptopril and fosinopril, all competed to a similar extent and with similar rank order of potency for the binding of [3H]ceranapril to homogenates of both rat and human brain. In in vivo studies, pretreatment of rats with either captopril or lisinopril (15 micrograms/250 g) significantly reduced the content of tritium in brain, as measured 20 min after intravenous administration of [3H]ceranapril. From these experiments [3H]ceranpril appears to selectively label, with high affinity, the inhibitor binding site of angiotensin converting enzyme and this site appears to be similar in both species studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The effects of umespirone as a potential anxiolytic and antipsychotic agent.

Umespirone was compared to buspirone, diazepam and clozapine as a potential anxiolytic and antipsychotic agent. In the mouse black and white test box, umespirone was considerably more potent than diazepam or buspirone to reduce aversive responding, tolerance to its effects was not observed and sedation was absent, a chronic treatment and withdrawal was not associated with an anxiogenic profile, and umespirone prevented the behavioural consequences of withdrawal from diazepam. Umespirone also had an anxiolytic profile of action in the tests of rat social interaction and in the marmoset exposed to a human threat. Both umespirone and clozapine reduced the hyperactivity induced by the infusion of dopamine into the nucleus accumbens of rat. In radioligand binding assays umespirone demonstrated nanomolar affinity for the alpha 1-adrenoceptor and the 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors. It is concluded that umespirone may present as a novel psychotropic agent with anxiolytic and antipsychotic potential.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed1991

Preclinical pharmacology of ropinirole (SK&F 101468-A) a novel dopamine D2 agonist.

These studies characterise the pharmacology of ropinirole, a selective D-2 agonist. High-affinity human caudate binding revealed a Ki for D2 receptors of 2.9 x 10(-8) M with no affinity for D1 at 10(-4) M in the rat. Ropinirole was weakly active at alpha 2-adrenoceptors and 5-HT2 receptors but inactive at 5-HT1, benzodiazepine and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors or alpha 1 and beta-adrenoceptors. In rodents, ropinirole, like apomorphine, caused biphasic spontaneous locomotor activity and contralateral circling in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice with no tolerance to the latter after 14 days treatment. Amphetamine caused ipsilateral responses in the lesioned mice. Ropinirole did not cause marked stereotypies. In marmosets ropinirole (0.05-1.0 mg/kg SC or 0.1 mg/kg PO) reversed all motor and behavioural deficits induced by MPTP. This response started 10-20 minutes after dosing, and exceeded 2 hours. No tolerance was seen following chronic b.i.d. treatment. Similar results were obtained with 1-dopa plus benserazide; however, 1-dopa always caused emesis, whereas beneficial effects were shown with ropinirole in the absence of this side effect. These results support the continued clinical assessment of ropinirole for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1991

The effect of ondansetron on cognitive performance in the marmoset.

The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron, was administered to marmosets to determine its effect on their performance in a Wisconsin General Test Apparatus using an object discrimination reversal learning task. Briefly, this comprised a test situation in which marmosets were required to select a food rewarded object to reach criterion in performance (this was termed the initial discrimination task); the rewarded object was then changed (in the same test session) and the marmoset was required to abandon its recently learned strategy to gain reward by selection of the second object (this was termed the reversal task). At doses of 1-10 ng/kg SC b.i.d. ondansetron improved performance in both the initial discrimination and reversal tasks. This was indicated as a reduction in the number of trials required to reach criterion, a reduction in choice latency time and a reduction in the number of errors made in each test session. Higher doses of ondansetron impaired performance as measured by several criteria. The major conclusion of this study is, therefore, that ondansetron at low doses is able to improve the performance of marmosets in a cognitive task. This would support the concept that a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist can act as a cognitive enhancer.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Anxiolytic effects of CCK-B antagonists.

PD134308 and PD135158 are highly selective CCK-B receptor antagonists and were used to investigate the role of CCK-B receptors in aversive responding in rodent and primate models of anxiety. Both PD134308 and PD135158 were as effective as diazepam to antagonise aversive behaviour in the mouse light/dark discrimination test, in the rat social interaction and elevated X-maze tests, and in a marmoset 'human threat' model. However, the CCK-B antagonists were much more potent than diazepam and their effects were recorded over an extensive dose range. Furthermore, even at high doses, sedation or muscle relaxation was not observed and anxiogenesis was absent after withdrawal from a subchronic treatment. In contrast, withdrawal from drugs of abuse, diazepam, alcohol, cocaine and nicotine was associated with a withdrawal anxiogenesis that was completely prevented by PD134308 and PD135158. It is concluded that CCK-B receptors are involved in aversive-anxiety responding and that CCK-B receptor antagonists may provide a novel and improved approach to the treatment of anxiety and withdrawal from drugs of abuse.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Cognitive enhancing actions of PD123177 detected in a mouse habituation paradigm.

The anxiolytic-like and cognitive enhancing potential of PD123177, a non-peptide with selectivity for the angiotensin II-2 receptor recognition site, was assessed in a mouse light/dark aversion test and habituation test, respectively. PD123177 (0.01 ng kg-1 to 1.0 mg kg-1 i.p.) failed to alter the behavioural repertoire of animals in the light/dark aversion test. In contrast, daily administration of PD123177 (10.0 ng kg-1 i.p. b.d.) enhanced the performance of mice in a habituation test. In addition, PD123177 overcame the cognitive impairment induced by the administration of scopolamine (0.25 mg kg-1 i.p.). Such findings indicate for the first time a functional role for the angiotension II-2 receptor and further implicate the angiotensin system in the modulation of cognitive processes.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1990

Identification and distribution of 5-HT3 recognition sites within the human brainstem.

The present studies demonstrate the presence of specific [3H]GR65630 binding sites within the human brainstem using the techniques of in vitro receptor autoradiography and ligand binding to homogenates. Autoradiography revealed the greatest accumulation of specific binding in the area postrema and subpostrema (AP/ASP). A lower level of specific binding was identified in the nucleus tractus solitarius (excluding area subpostrema). No specific binding was evident in the remainder of the hindbrain at this level. Discrete dissection followed by ligand binding to homogenates revealed that the specific binding of [3H]GR65630 (defined by the presence of 30 microM metoclopramide) was differentially distributed with highest levels in the AP/ASP (112.1 fmol/mg protein) and lower levels in the dorsal vagal complex (nucleus tractus solitarius--excluding the area subpostrema--dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and hypoglossal nucleus) (DVC) and olivary nucleus (ON) (22.9 and 3.9 fmol/mg, respectively). No specific binding was detectable in the reticular formation (RF) located ventral to the dorsal vagal complex. The specific [3H]GR65630 binding site was pharmacologically similar to the 5-HT3 receptor since the potent and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists ICS 205-930 and zacopride (100 nM) and the agonist 5-HT (10 microM) inhibited binding to the same extent as metoclopramide in each of the individual areas (90, 60 and 20% in the AP/ASP, DVC and ON, respectively). The 5-HT1-like and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist methysergide (10 microM) failed to compete for the binding site. 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites within the AP/ASP and the DVC may be functionally involved in the ability of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to control emesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Angiotensin II inhibits acetylcholine release from human temporal cortex: implications for cognition.

Angiotensin II was shown to inhibit potassium-stimulated release of [3H]acetylcholine from slices of fresh human temporal cortex, obtained at surgery, and subsequently loaded with [3H]choline for the biochemical analyses. The inhibitory effect of angiotensin II was antagonised by the specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist [1-sarcosine, 8-threonine]-angiotensin II. High affinity binding sites were identified in the human temporal cortex using [125I]angiotensin II, and may provide the functional site of action of angiotensin II to modify [3H]acetylcholine release.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1990

The effect of ketotifen in rodent models of anxiety and on the behavioural consequences of withdrawing from treatment with drugs of abuse.

Ketotifen was compared to diazepam to inhibit aversive responding of the mouse in a black and white test box and in the rat social interaction test. Both drugs reduced aversive responding in the mouse to the brightly illuminated area of the test box and facilitated social interaction in the rat; ketotifen was approximately 100 times more potent than diazepam. The chronic administration of diazepam, ethanol, nicotine and cocaine in the mouse also reduced aversive responding but their withdrawal was associated with an increased behavioural suppression. The administration of ketotifen during the period of withdrawal from diazepam, ethanol, nicotine and cocaine prevented the exacerbation in aversive responding. It is concluded that ketotifen, like diazepam and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, can reduce behavioural suppression in rodent models of anxiety and attenuate the behavioural consequences of withdrawal from treatment with drugs of abuse.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Topographical distribution of 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites in the ferret brain stem.

The distribution of [3H]zacopride (1.0 nM) to putative 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites in the ferret hindbrain was assessed using autoradiography. Specific binding (defined by the inclusion of granisetron, 1.0 microM) was heterogeneously distributed with highest density within the dorsal vagal complex (area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve). Lower densities were detected in the spinal trigeminal nerve complex whilst no other significant specific binding was detected ventral to the dorsal vagal complex. The location of 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites within the dorsal vagal complex may provide sites of action for zacopride and other 5-HT3 receptor antagonists to inhibit the emesis induced by cancer chemotherapeutic agents and x-radiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The actions of (-)N-n-propylnorapomorphine and selective dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists to modify the release of [3H]dopamine from the rat nucleus accumbens.

The ability of (-)N-n-propylnorapomorphine and selective D1 and D2 dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists to modify the release of [3H]dopamine, induced by potassium from the nucleus accumbens, was studied using an in vitro superfusion technique. (-)N-n-Propylnorapomorphine, in picomolar concentrations, inhibited the release of [3H]dopamine, the inhibition being antagonised by fluphenazine and the selective D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride; the selective D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 was ineffective. The selective D1 receptor agonist SKF 38393 and the selective D2 agonist quinpirole, both inhibited the potassium-induced release of [3H]dopamine; no synergistic effect was observed to a combined treatment with SKF 38393 and quinpirole. The effects of SKF 38393 and quinpirole were selectively antagonised by SCH 23390 and sulpiride, respectively, although both antagonists failed to modify the release of [3H]dopamine when administered alone. Receptor antagonists for other transmitter sites, e.g. noradrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine and acetylcholine, failed to modify potassium-induced release of [3H]dopamine, when administered alone or to prevent the inhibition of the release caused by (-)N-n-propylnorapomorphine. It is concluded that the action of dopamine agonists on both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens can reduce the release of [3H]dopamine in the in vitro system. Comparable actions in vivo may contribute to the ability of dopamine agonists to moderate locomotor responding.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗
PubMed1990

Characterisation and autoradiographic localisation of 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites identified with [3H]-(S)-zacopride in the forebrain of the rat.

The pharmacological characterisation and topographical distribution of [3H]-(S)-zacopride recognition sites in the forebrain of the rat was studied using homogenate and autoradiographic radioligand binding techniques. [3H]-(S)-Zacopride labelled a single, saturable, specific binding site (defined by 10.0 microM granisetron) in homogenates prepared from the entorhinal cortex of the rat (pKD = 9.51 +/- 0.08; Bmax = 104 +/- 7 fmol mg-1 protein; mean +/- SEM, n = 8). Pharmacological characterisation of the recognition site, within the entorhinal cortex, suggested that [3H]-(S)-zacopride selectively labelled the recognition site of the 5-HT3 receptor. Specific binding of [3H]-(S)-zacopride (defined by 1.0 microM granisetron) was differentially distributed throughout the forebrain of the rat; highest densities were located within sub-nuclei of the amygdala (cortical amygdaloid nucleus, amygdalohippocampal area, posterior medial cortical amygdaloid nucleus, posterior lateral amygdaloid nucleus), cortical areas (primary olfactory cortex, entorhinal cortex) and hippocampus. Non-specific binding was distributed homogeneously, although lower in myelinated structures. It is concluded that [3H]-(S)-zacopride selectively labels 5-HT3 receptor recognition sites within the forebrain of the rat; the topographical distribution of these sites, within the limbic nuclei, is consistent with the behavioural actions in animal models of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Animals↗