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Biomedical subjects

D A Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to D A Roberts.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Perfusion imaging with compensation for asymmetric magnetization transfer effects.

The effects of off-resonance radio-frequency irradiation on the intensity of the MR signal from water protons in the cat brain are asymmetric around the chemical shift of the water signal. This asymmetry, which could arise from a shift in the magnetization transfer spectrum approximately 1.5 ppm upfield from the solvent water signal, must be taken into account to compensate for magnetization transfer effects inherent in arterial spin tagging approaches that use a single radio-frequency coil. Two approaches that either correct for, or circumvent, the apparent upfield shift of the magnetization transfer spectrum are presented, and a perfusion image of the cat brain, using flow-induced adiabatic inversion of arterial water protons, is presented. Other problems in obtaining quantitative cerebral blood flow values using the arterial spin tagging approach are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The relative abundance of dopamine D4 receptor mRNA in post mortem brains of schizophrenics and controls.

An increase in dopamine D4 receptors has recently been reported in post mortem brain samples from schizophrenics. We have attempted to complement this finding by assessing the levels of the specific messenger RNA (mRNA) for the D4 receptor, using the technique of quantitative RNA-PCR. No significant differences in the levels of expression of mRNA for the D4 receptor were found in the brains from schizophrenics compared to controls. The relationship between D4 receptors and schizophrenia, therefore, remains unclear.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Allelic variations in apolipoprotein E and prion protein genotype related to plaque formation and age of onset in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Prion gene sequence is thought to affect the phenotypic expression of prion disease and the E2 variant of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) can be neuroprotective in dementia. We determined codon 129 of the prion gene and the Apo E variants in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) using PCR and restriction digest. We found a significant correlation between valine at codon 129 of the prion protein gene and the presence of plaque in CJD and a later age of onset in CJD cases possessing the Apo E2 allele. This study provides further evidence that sequence variations in the prion gene can modify disease pathology and the neuroprotection afforded by Apo E2 is not confined to Alzheimer's disease.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1995

Development and intralaboratory evaluation of an in vitro human cell-based test to aid ocular irritancy assessments.

A human cell-based in vitro method was developed to screen for ocular irritancy potential of aqueous compatible and incompatible test agents, such as liquids, insoluble solids, powders, granulars, emulsions, and acids/alkalis. Methods were developed for topical application (an exposure that mimics in vivo testing) and wash-off of test substances on the epithelial surface of human skin derived epithelial-fibroblast cocultures (Skin2 Model ZK1200 from Advanced Tissue Sciences). These cultures contain noncornified stratified squamous epithelium, providing a three-dimensional in vitro model that resembles noncornified mucosal epithelium, such as cornea and conjunctiva. The hypothesis tested and confirmed in this work was that the rate of cytotoxicity induced by topical application of test substances to the stratified epithelial cell cultures would correlate with ocular irritancy. Test substances were applied to the cell system for up to 30 min, and cytotoxicity was measured as decreased 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) vital dye metabolism. The time (in minutes) of exposure to test agent that reduced MTT metabolism to 50% of control levels (the t50 value) was calculated for each test substance, and these values showed a good correlation (r = 0.87) with historic rabbit low-volume eye test maximum average scores (MAS) for a range of liquid, solid, granular, powder, and other test materials, including consumer product formulations and ingredient chemicals. Additionally, t50 values confirmed the mild nature of selected cosmetic formulations. Taken together, these data indicate that this in vitro test, termed the tissue equivalent assay, is a valuable tool to screen for irritancy of test substances to mucosal tissues, such as cornea and conjunctiva.

Animal Testing Alternatives↗
PubMed1995

Renal perfusion in humans: MR imaging with spin tagging of arterial water.

The authors tested a noninvasive technique for magnetic resonance imaging of perfusion in human kidneys. Magnetic labeling (spin tagging) of aortic arterial water was performed to generate an endogenous tracer. Breath-hold renal perfusion images obtained in seven volunteers yielded average perfusion rates in cortex and medulla of 278 mL.100 g-1.min-1 +/- 55 (standard error) and 55 mL.100 g-1.min-1 +/- 25, respectively.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of human brain perfusion at 1.5 T using steady-state inversion of arterial water.

We report our experience using a noninvasive magnetic resonance technique for quantitative imaging of human brain perfusion at 1.5 T. This technique uses magnetically inverted arterial water as a freely diffusible blood flow tracer. A perfusion image is calculated from magnetic resonance images acquired with and without arterial blood inversion and from an image of the apparent spin-lattice relaxation time. Single-slice perfusion maps were obtained from nine volunteers with approximately 1 x 2 x 5-mm resolution in an acquisition time of 15 min. Analysis yielded average perfusion rates of 93 +/- 16 ml.100 g-1.min-1 for gray matter, 38 +/- 10 ml.100 g-1.min-1 for white matter, and 52 +/- 8 ml.100 g-1.min-1 for whole brain. Significant changes in perfusion were observed during hyperventilation and breath holding. This technique may be used for quantitative measurement of perfusion in human brain without the risks and expense of methods which use exogenous tracers.

Brain↗
PubMed1994

Tissue specific perfusion imaging using arterial spin labeling.

Quantitative magnetic resonance measurements of regional tissue perfusion can be obtained using magnetically labeled arterial water as a diffusable tracer. Continuous labeling is achieved in flowing spins using adiabatic inversion. The effects of continuous labeling of proximal arterial spins and T1 relaxation in distal tissue magnetization result in a steady-state change in tissue magnetization which is tissue specific, i.e., it can be quantified in units of blood flow per gram of tissue per unit time. This magnetization is sampled using standard imaging sequences. The theoretical basis for this method, including the effects of macromolecular spin saturation, is reviewed. Recent results demonstrating the successful implementation of this technique in vitro and in vivo in rat brain, heart, and kidney, and in human brain and kidney are presented, as well as the use of a separate RF coil for arterial labeling to produce selective perfusion images in rat brain. This approach allows quantitative perfusion images to be obtained completely non-invasively at the resolution of 1H MRI, and is useful in the clinical and investigational evaluation of organ physiology.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The abundance of mRNA for dopamine D2 receptor isoforms in brain tissue from controls and schizophrenics.

The possibility that schizophrenia is associated with a differential expression, in the brain, of the short and long isoforms of the dopamine D2 receptor has been investigated by assessing the abundance of mRNA for each of the isoforms. Using a quantitative RNA-PCR technique, increased mRNA for both isoforms of the D2 receptor were observed in some brain regions, with no differential distribution between the isoforms in the schizophrenics compared to controls.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

New nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. 3. Synthesis, biological properties, and structure-activity relationships of 2-alkyl-4-(biphenylylmethoxy)pyridine derivatives.

A novel series of nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists is reported, derived from linkage of the biphenylyltetrazole moiety found in previously described antagonists via a methyleneoxy chain to the 4-position of a 3-substituted 2,6-dialkylpyridine. When evaluated in an in vitro binding assay using a guinea pig adrenal membrane preparation, compounds in this series generally gave IC50 values in the range 0.005-0.5 microM. A variety of substituents was found to be effective at the 3-position of the pyridine ring. On intravenous administration in a normotensive rat model, the more potent compounds inhibited the AII-induced pressor response with ED50 values in the range 0.1-1.0 mg/kg. One of the compounds, 2-ethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-([2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4y l] methoxy)quinoline (26), demonstrated good oral activity in two rat models. At doses in the range 1-10 mg/kg po in AII-infused, conscious, normotensive rats, the compound exhibited a dose-related inhibition of the pressor response with a good duration of action at the higher doses. In a renal hypertensive rat model compound 26 showed a rapid and sustained lowering of blood pressure at a dose of 5 mg/kg po. Based on its profile, this compound, designated ICI D6888, has been selected for evaluation in volunteers.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1993

Continuous inversion angiography.

A subtractive time-of-flight technique for magnetic resonance angiography is described. In this approach, the arterial supply to an organ is inverted in a steady-state fashion by applying off-resonance irradiation in the presence of a linear magnetic field gradient. An angiogram is formed by subtracting an image acquired with arterial inversion from a control image acquired with no arterial inversion. A single coil is used to apply both the inversion and observation pulses. Intracranial angiograms obtained from normal volunteers using a two-dimensional projective implementation of this technique at 1.5 T illustrate excellent small vessel detail and background suppression.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1992

New nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. 1. Synthesis, biological properties, and structure-activity relationships of 2-alkyl benzimidazole derivatives.

On the basis of an extension of the literature lead 1, a series of benzimidazoles have been synthesized and shown to be angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists. The structure-activity relationships of these new antagonists have been explored and the key binding interactions defined. Molecular mechanics calculations were carried out on analogues of imidazole AII antagonists and conformationally restricted analogues were synthesized. The benzimidazole antagonists displaced AII in binding studies in vitro with IC50 values in the range 10(-5)-10(-7) M and antagonized the hypertensive effects of AII in vivo (rats) following intravenous administration with ED50 values in the range of 5-20 mg/kg.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of seven in vitro alternatives for ocular safety testing.

Seven in vitro assays were evaluated to determine if any were useful as screening procedures in ocular safety assessment. Seventeen test materials (chemicals, household cleaners, hand soaps, dishwashing liquids, shampoos, and liquid laundry detergents) were tested in each assay. In vivo ocular irritation scores for the materials were obtained from existing rabbit low volume eye test (LVET) data. The seven assays evaluated included the silicon microphysiometer (SM), luminescent bacteria toxicity test (LBT), neutral red assay (NR), total protein assay (TP), Tetrahymena thermophila motility assay (TTMA), bovine eye/chorioallantoic membrane assay (BE/CAM), and the EYTEX system (ETS). For the seventeen materials used in this study there was a significant correlation between the in vivo irritant potential and in vitro data for all the tests except the EYTEX System (SM, r = -0.87; LBT, r = -0.91; NR, r = -0.85; TTMA, r = 0.78; TP, r = -0.86; ETS, r = 0.29). The irritation classifications provided by the BE/CAM also did not correspond with the actual in vivo irritancy potential of the test materials. The result of this study suggested it may be possible to classify materials into broad irritancy categories with some of the assays. This would allow their use as screens prior to limited in vivo confirmation in the ocular safety assessment process.

Allantoin↗
PubMed1990

1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine derivatives with human renin inhibitory activity. 1. Synthesis and biological properties of alkyl alcohol and statine derivatives.

A series of 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine derivatives with human renin inhibitory activity, which incorporate (1S,2S)-2-amino-1,3-dicyclohexyl-1-hydroxypropane, statine (Sta), and (3S,4S)-4-amino-5-cyclohexyl-3-hydroxy-pentanoic acid (ACHPA) transition-state mimetics, have been prepared. Structure-activity relationships for renin inhibitory activity in the series are consistent with the 2-[8-isobutyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-3-yl]-3-(3 pyridyl)propionic acid moiety 10b acting as a non-peptidic replacement for the P4-P2 (Pro-Phe-His) residues of the natural substrate angiotensinogen. Compounds 12m, 12o and 12q were potent inhibitors of partially purified human renin (IC50 values 1.7, 6.8, and 3.7 nM, respectively), and also effectively lowered blood pressure in anesthetized, sodium depleted marmosets following intravenous administration. On oral administration however, no blood pressure lowering activity could be detected, and absorption studies in bile duct cannulated rats indicate that this may be due primarily to poor oral absorption, rather than rapid biliary excretion. The reason for the observed poor oral activity is not clear, but it seems unlikely that poor aqueous solubility or metabolic instability to gut enzymes are rate-determining, and other factors such as high molecular weight may also be very important.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine derivatives with human renin inhibitory activity. 2. Synthesis, biological properties and molecular modeling of hydroxyethylene isostere derivatives.

A series of inhibitors of human renin have been synthesized, derived from combination of a 2-(8-propyl-6-pyridin-3-yl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-3-yl)- 3-pyridin- 3-ylpropionic acid moiety 6c with the hydroxyethylene isostere of the scissile amide bond (2S,4S,5S)-5-amino-6-cyclohexyl-4-hydroxy-2-isopropylhexanoic acid (ChaOH--Val). The more potent members of this series showed good inhibitory activity against partially purified human renin, 7d, for example, having an IC50 of 0.2 nM. Structure-activity relationships for these compounds were consistent with their binding to the S4-S2' sites of human renin. Analogues 7e and 7h-k with a variety of substituents at the C-terminus all had in vitro IC50S less than 1 nM. In contrast with the majority of previously reported inhibitors of similar potency, these compounds contain no natural amino acid fragments. When administered intravenously to anesthetized, sodium-depleted marmosets at doses of 0.3-3.0 mg/kg, compound 7d caused a marked reduction in mean arterial pressure. Following oral administration at 30 mg/kg in the same animal model, 7d again elicited a significant fall in mean arterial pressure, accompanied by suppression of plasma renin activity lasting up to 3 h after dosing.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1989

2(1H)-quinolinones with cardiac stimulant activity. 2. Synthesis and biological activities of 6-(N-linked, five-membered heteroaryl) derivatives.

A series of 6-(N-linked, five-membered heteroaryl)-2(1H)-quinolinone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for cardiotonic activity. Most compounds were prepared by sulfuric acid catalyzed cyclization of an N-(4-heteroarylphenyl)-3-ethoxypropenamide or by condensation of a 2-amino-5-heteroarylbenzaldehyde or -acetophenone derivative with the ylide derived from triethyl phosphonoacetate. In anesthetized dogs, 6-imidazol-1-yl-8-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone (3; 25 micrograms/kg) produced a greater increase in cardiac contractility (percentage increase in dP/dt max) than alternative 6-(five-membered heteroaryl)-substituted analogues (4-8). Introduction of 4-methyl (10) or 2,4-dimethyl (13) substituents into the imidazole ring of 3 produced a marked increase in inotropic activity, and these compounds were some 10 and 5 times more potent than milrinone. Most of these quinolinones also displayed positive inotropic effects (decrease in QA interval) in conscious dogs after oral administration (0.0625-1 mg/kg) and in many cases (3, 5-7, 9, 11, 13, 16) there was little difference in activities at both the 1- and 3-h time points. Compound 13 (62.5, 125, 250 micrograms/kg po) demonstrated dose-related cardiac stimulant activity which, in contrast to milrinone, was maintained over the whole 7-h test period. No changes in heart rate were detected at any dose level and compounds 3, 9, 10, and 13 also displayed high selectivity for the stimulation of cardiac contractile force rather than heart rate in the Starling dog heart-lung preparation. Increases in dP/dt max of approximately 50% were accompanied by heart rate changes of less than 10 beats/minute. Physicochemical measurements gave a log P of 1.64 for 13 with pKa values of 7.13 +/- 0.04 and 11.5 +/- 0.2 for the imidazole and quinolinone moieties, respectively. X-ray structural analysis of 13 showed the imidazole and quinolinone rings at 52 degrees to one another in close agreement with the minimum-energy conformation (30 degrees) suggested by PCILO calculations. 6-(2,4-Dimethylimidazol-1-yl)-8-methyl-2-(1H)-quinolinone (13, UK-61,260) is currently undergoing phase II clinical evaluation in congestive heart failure patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

2(1H)-quinolinones with cardiac stimulant activity. 3. Synthesis and biological properties of 6-imidazol-1-yl derivatives.

A series of 6-imidazol-1-yl-8-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinones was synthesized and evaluated for cardiac stimulant activity in dogs. The majority of compounds were prepared from an appropriate 6-imidazol-1-yl-2(1H)-quinolinone precursor or by sulfuric acid catalyzed cyclization of an N-(4-heteroarylphenyl)-3-ethoxypropenamide. Introduction of a range of 5-substituents into 6-(2,4-dimethylimidazol-1-yl)-8-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone (1) reduced inotropic activity in anesthetized dogs (percentage increase in dP/dtmax) although replacement of the 2-methyl group by iodo (10) or cyano (11) substituents was well tolerated. The 2-methyl-4-chloro (15) and 2-methyl-4-(methylthio) (22) derivatives displayed similar potency to 1 (40-50% increase in dP/dtmax, 10-12.5 micrograms/kg) and these compounds were 3-5 times more potent than milrinone. Introduction of iodo (14), cyano (16), or acetyl (17) substituents into the 4-position approximately halved inotropic activity. In conscious dogs, 11 (0.25 mg/kg) and 16 and 17 (0.125 mg/kg) produced similar increases in cardiac contractility (decrease in the QA interval) to 1 (0.125 mg/kg) and maximum responses were maintained for at least 3 h. Dose-related (25, 125, 250 micrograms/kg) cardiac stimulant activity was demonstrated by 17 and after the higher doses a marked response (approximately 30% increase in dP/dtmax) was still observed after 7 h, in contrast to milrinone. The substantial increases in cardiac contractility observed with 16 and 17 in the conscious dog were not accompanied by any tachycardia. These compounds also displayed an overwhelming selectivity for increasing the force of cardiac contraction (greater than 120% increase in dP/dtmax) rather than heart rate (5-10 beats/min decrease) in the Starling heart-lung preparation. As a result of this beneficial pharmacological profile, 6-(4-acetyl-2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-8-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone (17, UK-66,838) was selected for preclinical development studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

7-Heteroaryl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin -2(1H)-one derivatives with cardiac stimulant activity.

A series of 7-heteroaryl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin++ +-2 (1H)-ones was synthesized and evaluated in dogs for cardiac stimulant activity. Compounds were obtained by a palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between a heteroarylzinc chloride and a 7-iodo-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo [2,1-b]quinazolin-2(1H)-one or by cyclization of an N-[(2-aminophenyl)methyl]glycinate with cyanogen bromide. Compared to the parent ring system (3), introduction of a 2,6-dimethylpyridin-3-yl (6), 2,4-dimethylimidazol-1-yl (7), or 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl (8) moiety at the 7-position led to a 13-17-fold increase in positive inotropic activity (percentage increase in dP/dtmax) in anesthetized dogs. Potency could be further enhanced with a 9-methyl substituent (10-12). The most potent member of the series, 7-(2,4-dimethylimidazol-1-yl)-9-methyl-1,2,3,5-tetrahydroimidaz o [2,1-b]quinazolin-2(1H)-one (11) (23% increase in dP/dtmax, 2 micrograms/kg), was 80 times more active than 3 and displayed a 5-fold advantage over milrinone. In conscious dogs, 6 elicited marked and sustained positive inotropic activity (decrease in QA interval) after oral administration (1 mg/kg), whereas 10-12 were 10 times more potent. 11 produced an obvious increase in cardiac contractility (20% increase in dP/dtmax) at low dose levels (25 micrograms/kg) while, after 100 micrograms/kg, the marked response (50% increase in dP/dtmax) was maintained for the whole 7-h test period. In these experiments, 11 had no effect on heart rate, and the compound also displayed exceptional selectivity for increasing the force rather than the rate of cardiac contraction (greater than 150% increase in dP/dtmax) in the Starling heart-lung preparation. These studies demonstrate that the tetrahydroimidazoquinazolinone nucleus is an effective bioisostere for the 2(1H)-quinolinone system and that 11 displays improved cardiac stimulant activity and duration of action when compared to milrinone.

Animals↗