Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J L Vaught

Publications and source records attributed to J L Vaught.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Substance P antagonists and analgesia: a review of the hypothesis.

This review focused entirely on the hypothesis that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have, and the experimental evidence examining whether they do have, analgesic/antinociceptive properties. Such a hypothesis is reasonable considering the wealth of evidence implicating substance P in the nociceptive process and the demonstration that antibodies to substance P produce or potentiate antinociception. However, despite the availability of several putative antagonists, their pharmacological purity, specificity and selectivity are questionable. Thus, the investigator may not have, as yet, the appropriate tool drug with which to work. Much of the information concerning these points is generated utilizing in vitro (referring to isolated tissue preparations) bioassay tests which may not adequately reflect nor predict their pharmacology in the CNS. Differences in species responsiveness further complicate experimental design and interpretation. Apart from these factors, the choice of test or tests becomes an important consideration. What test, if any, adequately and appropriately reflects the endogenous physiological activity of substance P in nociception and predicts clinically useful activity of an antagonist? Several different models have been described and I have emphasized that conclusions based on a single model should be interpreted with caution. If the ultimate intent of the study is to further define the role of substance P in nociception, then most of the models discussed are adequate. However, if the intent is to demonstrate that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have therapeutically useful analgesic activity, it is incumbant on the investigator to demonstrate that, in their model, substance P release is a primary event, the resultant analgesia correlates to the occupancy of the neurokinin receptor by antagonist (ultimately important for all conclusions) and that the model adequately reflects activity of known analgesics in clinical use (validation of the model). In conclusion, given the complexities and contradictions of existing information, the hypothesis that a substance P/neurokinin antagonist should have analgesic/antinociceptive properties remains to be proven.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Examination of the involvement of supraspinal and spinal mu and delta opioid receptors in analgesia using the mu receptor deficient CXBK mouse.

The role of mu and delta opioid receptors in the spinal and supraspinal analgesic actions of morphine and [D-Pen2, L-Pen5] enkephalin were examined in the tail-flick test utilizing the mu opioid receptor deficient CXBK mouse and BALB/cBy and C57BL/6By, the progenitor strains of CXBK. The analgesic effects of i.c.v. administered morphine were equivalent in the CRS-CD1 (Swiss) standard laboratory mice and the progenitor strains of CXBK. Morphine did not, however, produce analgesia in the CXBK mice at doses greater than 10 times the ED50 dose in the progenitor strains. Similarly, the analgesic effect of i.c.v. [D-Ala2, NMePhe4, Gly-ol]enkephalin, a highly selective mu receptor peptide agonist, also was reduced greatly in the CXBK mice. These data are consistent with the deficiency in mu opioid receptors observed autoradiographically in this strain. In contrast, the highly selective delta opioid receptor peptide agonist [D-Pen2, L-Pen5]enkephalin was equipotent i.c.v. in the CXBK mice and in the progenitor strains of CXBK. In contrast to the effects produced by i.c.v. administration, the analgesic effects of intrathecally administered morphine were similar between CRS-CD1 and CXBX strains of mice. These results suggest that 1) both mu and delta opioid receptors can mediate supraspinal analgesia and 2) that the receptor(s) involved in spinally mediated analgesia is (are) quite distinct from those involved supraspinally.

Analgesia↗

McN-5652: a highly potent inhibitor of serotonin uptake.

McN-5652 is one of a series of substituted pyrrolo-isoquinolines that, as a group, potently inhibit the uptake of one or more of the monoamines, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. McN-5652 is characterized by exceptionally high potency as an inhibitor of the uptake of serotonin by rat brain synaptosomes in vitro (Ki approximately 0.6 nM) and ex vivo (ED50 approximately 2 mg/kg p.o.). The high potency of McN-5652 as a serotonin uptake inhibitor in vivo is indicated further by the low doses required to potentiate L-5-hydroxytryptophan-induced head twitches in mice (ED50 = 0.4 mg/kg 2 hr after p.o. dosing) and the serotonin syndrome in rats (ED50 = 1.5 mg/kg 2 hr after p.o. dosing). McN-5652 also potently inhibited the synaptosomal uptake of norepinephrine (Ki approximately 3 nM) and was a moderately potent inhibitor of the synaptosomal uptake of dopamine (Ki approximately 40 nM). McN-5652 inhibited tetrabenazine-induced ptosis in rats and mice but was much less effective in blocking the sedation caused by tetrabenazine. In rats, McN-5652 did not induce the stereotyped behavior often caused by dopamine agonists and inhibitors of dopamine uptake. Receptor binding experiments indicated that McN-5652 has a weak affinity for serotonin 5-HT2 and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (apparent Ki approximately 200 nM) and a very low affinity for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, serotonin 5-HT1, alpha-2 adrenergic, muscarinic and gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptors. Experiments using the guinea pig ileum indicate that McN-5652 is a weak, noncompetitive antagonist of histamine.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Evidence that reciprocal hindlimb scratching elicited in mice by intrathecal administration of muscarinic agonists is mediated through M1 type receptors.

Intrathecal (IT) administration of pilocarpine to mice produces a vigorous and dose-related reciprocal hindlimb scratching (RHS) response (ED50 = 0.6 microgram) that is potently blocked by simultaneous IT administration of atropine (ID50 = 0.002 microgram). We now report that RHS is (1) also elicited by the more selective M1 agonist McN-A-343-11 (ED50 = 11.6 micrograms), (2) blocked by the selective M1 antagonist pirenzepine (ID50 = 0.001 microgram), and (3) is not blocked by the selective M2 antagonist AF-DX 116 BS at a dose up to 100 times the ID50 dose of pirenzepine. These results extend our earlier findings and suggest that the RHS elicited in mice by IT injection of muscarinic agonists is mediated through pirenzepine-sensitive (presumably M1) receptors and that RHS may be a convenient in vivo centrally mediated M1 endpoint.

(4-(m-Chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyl)trimethy↗

Restoration of analgesic response of C57BL/6J-bgJ (beige-J) mice to morphine by carbachol.

C57BL/6J-bgJ (beige-J) mice respond poorly to the analgesic effects of centrally administered (intracerebroventricular; i.c.v.) morphine in the tail-flick test. In the present study C57BL/6J-bgJ mice, their littermate (heterozygous) controls, and normal Swiss mice were given carbachol (200 micrograms/ml) in their drinking water for three weeks. Carbachol had no effect on control animals. However, the carbachol-treated beige-J mice responded to i.c.v.-administered morphine (1 microgram) significantly better than untreated beige-J mice and nearly as well as the normal mice.

Animals↗

C57BL/6J-bgJ (beige) mice: differential sensitivity in the tail flick test to centrally administered mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonists.

The antinociceptive effects of two mu-opioid receptor agonists, morphine and [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO), and a selective delta-receptor agonist, [D-Pen2, L-Pen5]enkephalin (DPLPE), were determined in C57BL/6J-bgJ (beige) and control mice (CRS-CDl and C57BL/6By) using a standard tail-flick assay. The antinociceptive response of C57BL/6J-bgJ mice to intracerebro-ventricularly administered morphine and DAGO was significantly reduced compared to controls, but there was no difference in the antinociceptive response to DPLPE. These results suggest that there is a genetic deficit of mu-opioid receptor number or a genetically-induced alteration in receptor function in regions of C57BL/6J-bgJ brains involved in antinociception, that delta-opioid receptors can mediate antinociception in mice, and that the C57BL/6J-bgJ strain may offer a practical new animal model for studying the function of opioid receptor subtypes.

Animals↗

[D-Pen2,L-Pen5]enkephalin induced analgesia in the jimpy mouse: in vivo evidence for delta-receptor mediated analgesia.

Jimpy (B6CBA-A W-J/A-Ta jp) mice, which are known to be deficient in neuronal cerebroside sulfate (a putative component of the mu opioid receptor), were non-responsive in the tail flick test (compared to littermate controls and a standard Swiss strain of mouse) to analgesic doses of two mu opioid receptor agonists, morphine sulfate and [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO). However, the jimpy mice responded normally (compared to controls) to the analgesic effects of the selective delta opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen2,L-Pen5]enkephalin (DPLPE). These results suggest (1) that delta opioid receptors can mediate analgesia and (2) that cerebroside sulfate is not necessary for delta opioid receptor activation.

Analgesics↗

Species differences in the behavioral toxicity produced by intrathecal substance P antagonists: relationship to analgesia.

Intrathecal administration of [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-substance P to rats produced an irreversible flaccid paralysis of the hind limbs (paraplegia) which was irreversible with an ED50 of 2.3 micrograms. At 5 micrograms intrathecally, [D-Pro2,D-Phe7,D-Trp9]-substance P, [D-Trp7,9]-substance P and [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P octapeptide also produced paraplegia (70-80%). Surprisingly, intrathecal administration of up to 20 micrograms of these analogs to the mouse produced no paraparesis or paraplegia. In the guinea pig or rabbit, 20 micrograms of [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-substance P or [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]-substance P octapeptide were also devoid of paraparetic effects. Lidocaine hydrochloride, on the other hand, was equieffective across species in producing paraplegia (which was reversible) suggesting that interspecies susceptibility is not a factor in the marked species differences between substance P analogs. In the mouse, intrathecal [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-substance P was active in tail-flick and hot-plate tests at doses showing no overt behavioral effects but in the rat was not analgesic at sub-paraplegic doses. Lidocaine hydrochloride (i.t.) was analgesic in mouse and rat tail-flick tests at doses two times less than paraplegic doses; however, there was an overlap in analgesic and paraplegic doses. Based on these data, we suggest that the rat is unique in being extremely sensitive to the paraplegic effects of intrathecal neurokinin antagonists and may simply be a poor species in which to study the spinal functionality of neurokinins.

Analgesia↗

An antinociceptive profile of kojic amine: an analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Kojic amine [2-(aminomethyl)-5-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one], an analogue of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), produced dose-related, but short-lived, antinociceptive activity in the 48 degrees C [ED50 = 9.2 (8.2-10.3) mg/kg i.p.] and 55 degrees C [ED50 = 13.8 (12.2-15.7) mg/kg i.p.] hot-plate tests in the mouse. The antinociceptive activity of kojic amine at 48 degrees C was found to be insensitive to bicuculline (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) and picrotoxin (0.5 mg/kg i.p.). At this temperature, antinociception was distinctly separate from the impairment of motor function (measured by a rotorod assay) and was not significantly affected by prior treatment with the cholinergic antagonist, atropine sulfate (10.0 mg/kg i.p.). However, at 55 degrees C, the antinociceptive effect of a large dose (20 mg/kg i.p.) of kojic amine was significantly attenuated by similar pretreatment with atropine sulfate, but not by the peripheral cholinergic antagonist, atropine methylnitrate (10.0 mg/kg i.p.). Kojic amine exhibited no significant interaction with haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) at this temperature. In animals made tolerant to morphine, THIP or baclofen, there was analgesic cross-tolerance between kojic amine, morphine and baclofen but not between kojic amine and THIP. It is suggested that kojic amine-induced antinociception is similar to that produced by both THIP and baclofen. Thus, kojic amine represents a unique tool with which to study GABA-ergic antinociceptive processes.

Animals↗

Role of mu and delta receptors in the supraspinal and spinal analgesic effects of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin in the mouse.

The opioid receptors involved in the supraspinal and spinal actions of [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) for production and/or modulation of analgesia were investigated in two thermal analgesic tests, the mouse warm water (55 degrees C) tail-withdrawal assay and the radiant heat tail-flick test. Two approaches were used at supraspinal and spinal sites: determination of possible cross-tolerance between morphine and a variety of receptor selective/nonselective agonists (DPDPE, [D-Pen2, L-Pen5]enkephalin (DPLPE), [D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol]enkephalin, [D-Ala2, Met5]enkephalin amide, [D-Ser2, Leu5, Thr6]enkephalin and [D-Thr2 Leu, Thr6]enkephalin) and possible potentiation of morphine (mu) analgesia by proposed delta agonists (DPDPE, DPLPE and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin) in naive and morphine-tolerant mice. Additionally, proposed mu (morphine) and delta (DPDPE) agonists were evaluated for their i.c.v. analgesic effectiveness in the absence, and in the presence, of the proposed delta antagonist ICI 174,864. The present communication now reports that after i.c.v. administration analgesic cross-tolerance could be demonstrated between morphine and a variety of relatively selective or nonselective opioids but not to the highly delta selective DPDPE and DPLPE. This result was consistent with direct antagonism of i.c.v. DPDPE, but not morphine analgesia, by ICI 174,864. Furthermore, i.c.v. DPDPE and DPLPE were able to potentiate morphine analgesia in either naive or morphine-tolerant mice. In contrast, after intrathecal administration, cross-tolerance could be demonstrated between DPDPE or DPLPE and morphine, and no potentiation of morphine by DPDPE could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesia↗

Preclinical evaluation of McN-5707 as a potential antidepressant.

Based on its activity in a variety of tests in vivo and in vitro McN-5707 [trans-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,2,3,5,6,10b-hexahydropyrrolo- (2,1-a)isoquinoline] is a novel potential antidepressant. McN-5707 blocked tetrabenazine-induced sedation and ptosis in mice and rats, and potently inhibited the uptake of norepinephrine by synaptosomes from rat hypothalamus (Ki approximately 2 nM), and the uptake of serotonin by synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex (Ki approximately 10 nM). McN-5707 also inhibited the uptake of dopamine by synaptosomes from rat striatum (Ki approximately 40 nM); however, the stereotypic behavior often caused by dopamine uptake inhibitors was not evident in rats at doses of 300 mg/kg (p.o.) or less. In receptor binding assays, McN-5707 potently inhibited ketanserin binding to serotonin 5-HT2 receptors in synaptic membranes from rat cerebral cortex (apparent Ki approximately 8 nM). In mice, McN-5707 antagonized 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced head twitches. Spiperone binding to dopamine D2 receptors in synaptic membranes from rat striatum was weakly inhibited by McN-5707 (apparent Ki approximately 400 nM), as was the binding of WB4101 to alpha-1 adrenergic receptors (apparent Ki approximately 150 nM). McN-5707 was essentially inactive as an inhibitor of [3H]clonidine binding to alpha-2 adrenergic receptors and of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to muscarinic receptors. In experiments with guinea pig ileum, McN-5707 weakly antagonized histamine-induced contractions and exhibited virtually no cholinergic or anticholinergic activity. Our observations indicate McN-5707 possesses attributes of both tricyclic and newer atypical antidepressants because it inhibits the uptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and blocks 5-HT2 receptors, but lacks some of the anticholinergic and behavioral properties often associated with them.

Acetylcholine↗

Neurokinin-induced salivation in the anesthetized rat: a three receptor hypothesis.

Substance P (3 micrograms/kg), neurokinin A (20 micrograms/kg), neurokinin B (6 micrograms/kg) and acetylcholine (875 micrograms/kg) all produced salivation upon i.v. infusion in the anesthetized rat. Against single equivalent agonist doses, atropine (135 micrograms/kg i.v.) blocked both acetylcholine- and neurokinin B-, but not substance P- or neurokinin A-induced salivation. [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-substance P (1 mg/kg i.v.), a putative substance P antagonist, reduced responses to mammalian neurokinins but caused a 2-fold potentiation of acetylcholine-induced salivation. [D-Pro2,D-Trp6,8,Nle10]-Neurokinin B (1 mg/kg i.v.), a novel putative neurokinin B antagonist, significantly reduced substance P- and neurokinin B- but not acetylcholine- or neurokinin A-induced salivation. The three agonists (at doses that produced salivation) and [D-Pro2,D-Trp6,8,Nle10]-neurokinin B (1 mg/kg i.v.) lowered blood pressure in anesthetized rats by 35 to 40%. [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]-Substance P (1 mg/kg i.v.) had no significant effect on blood pressure. Hydralazine at 0.60 mg/kg (i.v.), a dose which lowered blood pressure by 47%, did not reduce substance P-induced salivation. Thus, blockade of neurokinin-induced salivation by [D-Pro2,D-Trp6,8,Nle10]-neurokinin B was probably not due to hypotension. Based on the differential effects of the three antagonists on neurokinin- and acetylcholine-induced salivation, we hypothesize the existence of three distinct neurokinin receptors in rat salivary gland, and suggest that neurokinin B receptors reside presynaptically.

Anesthesia↗

Differentiation of multiple neurokinin receptors in the guinea pig ileum.

We have studied the selectivity and competitiveness of three neurokinin antagonists and atropine against substance P, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B. DPDTNLE-NB, [D-Pro2, D-Trp6,8, Nle10]-neurokinin B is a competitive antagonist of neurokinin B (pA2 = 5.5), but not substance P or neurokinin A. DPDT-SP ([D-Pro2,Trp7,9]-substance P), competitively blocks substance P (pA2 = 6.9) and neurokinin B (pA2 = 6.8), but not neurokinin A. Spantide ([D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P) competitively blocks substance P (pA2 = 6.7) and at a log unit higher concentration blocks neurokinin A (pA2 = 5.8), but does not block neurokinin B. Atropine is a competitive antagonist of neurokinin B (pA2 = 9.0) at ten times the concentration needed to block acetylcholine (pA2 = 10.1), but does not inhibit the other neurokinins. These results support the hypothesis of multiple neurokinin receptors in the guinea pig ileum and indicate that the site of neurokinin B, but not substance P or neurokinin A is predominantly on intramural neurons. This indirect stimulation appears to be dependent on the release of acetylcholine. Neurokinin B also has activity on smooth muscle receptors since the contractile response could not be completely antagonized by atropine. There appear to be two smooth muscle neurokinin receptors on the basis of results obtained with DPDT-SP and spantide, one predominantly responsive to substance P and the other to neurokinin A. Only spantide appeared to have any effect on the neurokinin A receptor and that was at a much higher concentration than that needed to block substance P.

Animals↗

A differentiation between peripheral and central neurokinin receptors using phenoxybenzamine.

Concentrations of phenoxybenzamine ranging from 0.33-33 micron produced a competitive block of kassinin-, neurokinin A- and neurokinin B-induced contractions of the guinea-pig ileum with pA2 values of 6.6, 5.6 and 6.2, respectively. Physalaemin- and substance P-induced contractions were insensitive to phenoxybenzamine treatment. Differences in sensitivity to phenoxybenzamine and pA2 values suggest the existence of at least two and possibly three neurokinin receptors in the guinea-pig ileum. Injected intrathecally to mice, phenoxybenzamine blocked neurokinin-induced, but not bombesin- or somatostatin-induced, reciprocal hind limb scratching. Phenozybenzamine was 6-32 times more effective in blocking neurokinin B-induced scratching than substance P, kassinin, physalaemin or neurokinin A-induced scratching. These results suggest that multiple peripheral and central neurokinin receptors can be differentiated from one another by phenoxybenzamine treatment. They also suggest the existence of a distinct neurokinin B receptor in the mouse spinal cord and the apparent identification of a third neurokinin receptor in the guinea-pig ileum.

Animals↗

Intrathecal morphine slows gastrointestinal transit in rats.

Intrathecal (i.th.) (by direct lumbar puncture) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of morphine (30-100 micrograms/rat) caused a dose-related inhibition of gastrointestinal transit in the rat. Pretreatment with i.th. naloxone (5 micrograms at -5 min) reversed the effects of i.th., but not i.p., morphine. These results suggest that the spinal cord appears to be a target site for the inhibitory effects of morphine on gastrointestinal transit in the rat.

Animals↗