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Biomedical subjects

J D Leander

Publications and source records attributed to J D Leander.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Preparation and anticonvulsant activity of a series of functionalized alpha-heteroatom-substituted amino acids.

Potent anticonvulsant activity has been reported for (R,S)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-2-methylacetamide (2a). Select alpha-heteroatom substituted derivatives of 2a have been prepared (26 examples) in which the alpha-methyl group has been replaced by nitrogen (3a-q), oxygen (3r-u), and sulfur (3v-z) containing moieties. The functionalized amino acid derivatives were evaluated in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and horizontal screen (tox) tests in mice. The most active compounds were (R,S)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-2-(methoxyamino)acetamide (31), and (R,S)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-2-(methoxymethylamino)acetamide (3n). After ip administration, the MES ED50 values for 31 (6.2 mg/kg) and 3n (6.7 mg/kg) compared favorably with phenytoin (9.50 mg/kg).

Acetamides↗

The effect of the opioid antagonist LY255582 on body weight of the obese Zucker rat.

The effects of the phenylpiperidine opioid antagonist, LY255582, on food consumption, water consumption and body weight gain of the meal-fed obese Zucker rat have been determined. A single subcutaneous dose of LY255582 (0.31 mg/kg) decreased food and water consumption of the meal-fed obese rat. LY255582 was effective as an appetite suppressant at lower doses than ephedrine, amphetamine, fenfluramine, naltrexone and nalmefene. Comparison of the relative in vivo biological activity with in vitro receptor binding assays of LY255582 and its stereoisomers shows that the order of the affinity of the mu and kappa opioid receptors correlates well with biological activity. LY255582 is the most biologically effective and has the highest affinity for both receptors. LY255582 administered chronically to meal-fed obese Zucker rats for 68 days at a subcutaneous dose of 0.31 mg/kg significantly reduced food and water consumption and decreased body weight gain during the entire treatment period. There was no development of tolerance to the biological effects of LY255582.

Animals↗

The behavioral pharmacology of NMDA receptor antagonists.

There is considerable interest in the development of NMDA antagonists as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of convulsant, neurodegenerative and anxiety disorders. Because the clinical use of phencyclidine (PCP) has been precluded by its psychotomimetic effects and abuse potential, there has been concern that other NMDA antagonists including those acting competitively might produce similar untoward effects. However, the studies in animals, reviewed here by Joyce Willetts, Robert Balster and David Leander, suggest that while there are certain similarities in the behavioral effects of PCP-like and competitive antagonists, there are also differences. These differences have implications for the development of NMDA antagonists with less likelihood for producing PCP-like side-effects.

Animals↗

Preparation and anticonvulsant activity of a series of functionalized alpha-aromatic and alpha-heteroaromatic amino acids.

We recently reported the potent anticonvulsant activity of (R,S)-alpha-acetamido-N-benzyl-alpha-phenylacetamide (2b). Selectively substituted derivatives of this compound have now been prepared (23 examples) and evaluated in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and horizontal screen (tox) tests in mice. In several key cases, replacement of the alpha-phenyl substituent in 2b by a relatively small, electron-rich, heteroaromatic moiety led to a substantial improvement in the anticonvulsant potency of the drug candidate. The most active compounds were (R,S)-alpha-acetamido-N-benzyl-2-furanacetamide (2g) and (R,S)-alpha-acetamido-N-benzyl-2-pyrroleacetamide (2i). After ip administration, the MES ED50 values for 2g (10.3 mg/kg) and 2i (16.1 mg/kg) compared well with phenytoin (9.50 mg/kg). Evaluation of the two individual enantiomers of 2g demonstrated that the anticonvulsant activity resided in the R stereoisomer. The low ED50 value (3.3 mg/kg) for (R)-2g contributed to the large protective index (TD50/ED50) observed for this drug candidate, which approached that of phenytoin.

Amino Acids↗

Pharmacological characterization of LY233053: a structurally novel tetrazole-substituted competitive N-methyl-D-aspartic acid antagonist with a short duration of action.

This study reports the activity of a structurally novel excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist, LY233053 [cis-(+-)-4-[(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]piperidine-2-carboxylic acid], the first tetrazole-containing competitive N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) antagonist. LY233053 potently inhibited NMDA receptor binding to rat brain membranes as shown by the in vitro displacement of [3H] CGS19755 (IC50 = 107 +/- 7 nM). No appreciable affinity in [3H]alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) or [3H]kainate binding assays was observed (IC50 values greater than 10,000 nM). In vitro NMDA receptor antagonist activity was further demonstrated by selective inhibition of NMDA-induced depolarization in cortical wedges (IC50 = 4.2 +/- 0.4 microM vs. 40 microM NMDA). LY233053 was effective after in vivo systemic administration in a number of animal models. In neonatal rats, LY233053 selectively blocked NMDA-induced convulsions (ED50 = 14.5 mg/kg i.p.) with a relatively short duration of action (2-4 hr). In pigeons, LY233053 potently antagonized (ED50 = 1.3 mg/kg i.m.) the behavioral suppressant effects of 10 mg/kg of NMDA. However, a dose of 160 mg/kg, i.m., was required to produce phencyclidine-like catalepsy in pigeons. In mice, LY233053 protected against maximal electroshock-induced seizures at lower doses (ED50 = 19.9 mg/kg i.p.) than those that impaired horizontal screen performance (ED50 = 40.9 mg/kg i.p.). Cholinergic and GABAergic neuronal degenerations after striatal infusion of NMDA were prevented by single or multiple i.p. doses of LY233053. In summary, the antagonist activity of LY233053 after systemic administration demonstrates potential therapeutic value in conditions of neuronal cell loss due to NMDA receptor excitotoxicity. The relatively short duration of action of LY233053 may make this compound particularly advantageous as a neuroprotective agent in the treatment of acute conditions such as cerebral ischemia.

Administration, Oral↗

Effect of phenylpiperidine opioid antagonists on food consumption and weight gain of the obese Zucker rat.

Meal-fed Zucker rats were used to determine the acute and chronic s.c. effect of certain trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperidines (opioid antagonists) on food consumption. In acute studies, the active compounds suppressed food intake significantly of lean and obese meal-fed Zucker rats. LY117413 was the most effective over the 4-hr period immediately after the s.c. administration of the drug. Long-term chronic s.c. administration to the meal-fed obese Zucker rat showed that LY88329 and LY117413 significantly reduced food consumption for as long as the drug was administered and resulted in a significant decrease in body weight gain when compared to nontreated control obese rats. There was no evidence for the development of tolerance to these effects of LY88329 and LY117413 in this genetically obese rat model.

Animals↗

Synthesis and pharmacology of a series of 3- and 4-(phosphonoalkyl)pyridine- and -piperidine-2-carboxylic acids. Potent N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.

We recently prepared a series of 3- and 4-(phosphonoalkyl)pyridine- and -piperidine-2-carboxylic acids as antagonists of neurotransmission at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) preferring receptors. NMDA antagonists may prove to be useful therapeutic agents, for instance, as anticonvulsants, in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and in the prevention of neuronal damage that occurs during cerebral ischemia. The compounds prepared were evaluated for their ability to displace [3H]CPP binding (an assay shown to be selective for compounds that bind at the NMDA receptor) and for their ability to block NMDA-induced lethality in mice (an assay that is also specific for competitive and noncompetitive NMDA antagonists). Two of the compounds, cis-4-(phosphonomethyl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (11a) and cis-4-(3-phosphonoprop-1-yl)piperidine-2-carboxylic acid (11c) proved to be potent NMDA antagonists. 11a and 11c displaced [3H]CPP binding with IC50's of 95 and 120 nM, respectively, and both protected mice from NMDA-induced lethality, with MEDs (minimum effective dose, the dose at which three of the five animals tested survived) of 10 and 40 mg/kg ip, respectively. The rest of the compounds prepared were weakly active or inactive in these assays. The pattern of activity observed for this series parallels that observed for the acyclic series of omega-phosphono-alpha-amino acids, where AP5 and AP7 possessed NMDA antagonist activity while AP6 and AP8 were inactive. Reduction of conformational mobility by incorporation of the piperidine ring led to enhanced potency relative to the acyclic analogues.

Animals↗

Tricyclic antidepressants block N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced lethality in mice.

It has been suggested on the basis of in vitro studies that tricyclic antidepressants interact with the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-receptor complex to block the action of NMDA. The present study showed that tricyclic antidepressants prevented lethality produced by a large dose of NMDA. The potency of the drugs in preventing NMDA-induced lethality correlated with the inhibition of [3H]-MK-801 binding at the NMDA receptor complex, and not with effects on amine uptake. These in vivo data support the in vitro data of Reynolds & Miller (1988a,b).

Animals↗

Marked stereospecificity in a new class of anticonvulsants.

N-Acetyl-D,L-alanine-N-benzylamide and N-acetyl-D,L-phenylglycine-N-benzylamide are two novel anticonvulsants that selectively blocked maximal electric shock-induced tonic extensor seizures in mice. For both compounds, the anticonvulsant activity is due to the D-stereoisomer, and the L-stereoisomer is virtually inactive as an anticonvulsant. The marked stereoselectivity of these anticonvulsants may make them very useful pharmacological tools for the study of the mechanism(s) of anticonvulsants that selectively inhibit maximal electric shock-induced seizures.

Animals↗

Buprenorphine is a potent kappa-opioid receptor antagonist in pigeons and mice.

Buprenorphine was studied for its antagonist activity against the specific kappa-opioid agonist U-50,488H in pigeons responding under a multiple schedule of grain presentation and in mice in an antinociception test. U-50,488H decreased rates of responding of pigeons over the dose range (2.5-20 mg/kg i.m.). In the presence of 0.32 mg/kg of buprenorphine, the U-50,488H dose-effect curve was shifted to the right approximately two-fold. Buprenorphine alone (0.01-0.08 mg/kg s.c.) inhibited in mice the abdominal stretching induced by i.p. acetic acid. beta-Funaltrexamine pretreatment blocked the mu-like agonist analgesic effect of buprenorphine and revealed an antagonist action of buprenorphine against 2.5 mg/kg of U-50,488H over the same dose range that it produced antinociception at the mu-receptor. Thus, buprenorphine is a potent kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, producing the kappa-antagonist activity over the same dose range that it produces its mu-mediated partial agonist activity.

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

Anticonvulsant effects of phencyclidine-like drugs: relation to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid antagonism.

Various compounds that have been identified in the literature as binding to the [3H]phencyclidine receptor site and as producing behavioral effects similar to phencyclidine (phencyclidine-like) protected mice from maximal electric shock-induced tonic-extensor seizures. These anticonvulsant effects appear to be due to blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor, as recently reported for phencyclidine-like compounds. Phencyclidine-like compounds produced their anticonvulsant effects at doses that were also neurologically impairing.

Animals↗

N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-induced lethality in mice: selective antagonism by phencyclidine-like drugs.

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) produced a dose-related increase in lethality in mice, with 200 mg/kg (i.p.) effecting 100% lethality. Upon daily dosing, acutely sublethal doses of NMDA produced deaths. This NMDA-induced lethality was stereoselective; N-methyl-L-aspartic acid had no effects at doses as high as 400 mg/kg. Moderate doses of phencyclidine (PCP) and drugs having PCP-like behavioral effects blocked the NMDA-induced lethality. Other classes of psychoactive drugs, including opioids, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics, were ineffective in preventing NMDA-induced lethality. The potency of PCP-like drugs to block the NMDA-induced lethality correlates highly with the dose necessary to produce PCP-like catalepsy and PCP-like discrimination in pigeons. These data support the hypothesis that PCP-like drugs produce many of their effects by impairing the normal functioning of the NMDA-defined excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Anticonvulsant effects of a novel aminobenzamide (LY201116) in mice.

The drug 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)benzamide(LY201116) is a potent and selective anticonvulsant in the maximal electric shock test in mice. The ED50 values after oral and intravenous administration were 1.7 mg/kg and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively. For comparison, the oral and intravenous ED50 values for the anticonvulsant phenytoin which is selective for the maximal electric shock test were 9.1 and 8.5 mg/kg, respectively. After oral administration, LY201116 had a protective index (ED50 to produce neurological impairment, divided by ED50 on the maximal electric shock) of 13.5. After 4 days of administration, there was no evidence of the development of tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of LY201116. The hexobarbital-induced sleeping time was not significantly affected by either acute or chronic administration of LY201116 for 4 days. In combination studies with the anticonvulsants phenytoin and carbamazepine which are selective for the maximal electric shock test, LY201116 produced dose-additive effects which suggest that it produces its anticonvulsant action through the same mechanism of action as these prototype anticonvulsants.

Administration, Oral↗

Opioid antinociceptive effects of delta-receptor antagonists.

The antinociceptive effects of delta opioid receptor antagonists (ICI 154129 and ICI 174864) have been studied using the mouse writhing assay. When administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV), ICI 154129 and ICI 174864 produced dose-related inhibition of writhing with respective ED50's of 97 micrograms/mouse and 1.4 micrograms/mouse. Inhibition of writhing by ICI 174864 (3 micrograms, ICV) was antagonized by subcutaneous (SC) naloxone doses of 0.1 mg/kg and greater. Pretreatment of mice with 80 mg/kg (SC) of beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA), an irreversible mu-receptor antagonist, 28 hr before ICV injection of ICI 174864 shifted the dose-effect curve for ICI 174864 to the right (ED50 of 7.3 micrograms/mouse). When administered SC, ICI 174864 inhibited writhing with an ED50 of 8.5 mg/kg. Maximal inhibition occurred 30 min after SC administration and decreased 50% by 2 hr. After beta-FNA pretreatment, doses of ICI 174864 as high as 80 mg/kg (SC) did not inhibit writhing. There was no antinociceptive effect of ICI 174864 in mice chronically maintained on morphine, i.e., chronic morphine produced cross-tolerance to the delta antagonist. These results show that delta-selective receptor antagonists produced antinociception which was related to the mu-receptor, but was probably not a result of direct agonist action.

Analgesics↗