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Biomedical subjects

M F Sugrue

Publications and source records attributed to M F Sugrue.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of [3H]forskolin binding sites in the iris-ciliary body of the albino rabbit.

[3H]Forskolin binding sites were identified using membranes prepared from the iris-ciliary body of adult, albino rabbits. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding experiments demonstrated that [3H]forskolin bound to a single population of high affinity sites. The Kd and Bmax values were 8.7 +/- 0.9 nM and 119.0 +/- 30.9 fmol/mg prot. using membranes prepared from frozen tissue and 17.0 +/- 6.2 nM and 184.4 +/- 47.2 fmol/mg prot. using fresh tissue. The binding of [3H]forskolin was magnesium-dependent. The Bmax was enhanced by sodium fluoride and Gpp(NH)p, a nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide analog. Forskolin was the most potent inhibitor of [3H]forskolin binding; two commercially-available analogs were weaker inhibitors. In an adenylate cyclase assay, there was the same rank order of potency to enhance enzyme activity. Based upon binding affinities, magnesium-dependence, sensitivity to sodium fluoride and Gpp(NH)p, rank order of potencies of analogs and correlation of binding with adenylate cyclase activity, these studies suggest that the [3H]forskolin binding site in the iris-ciliary body is similar to the binding site in other tissues.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the albino rabbit ciliary process.

3H-Prazosin and 3H-rauwolscine binding sites were identified in a membrane suspension prepared from albino rabbit iris + ciliary body. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding experiments demonstrated that both 3H-prazosin and 3H-rauwolscine bind to a single population of binding sites with KD values of 0.87 nM and 5.33 nM, respectively. Bmax values of 65.7 and 198 fmol/mg protein were obtained for 3H-prazosin and 3H-rauwolscine, respectively. Displacement studies by several adrenergic agonists and antagonists indicated that 3H-prazosin and 3H-rauwolscine labelled alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, respectively, in the iris + ciliary body. Epinephrine, norepinephrine and phenylephrine were able to stimulate the synthesis of 3H-inositol phosphates in ciliary processes labelled with 3H-inositol, with EC50 values of 2.4, 12 and 10 microM, respectively. The corresponding maximum stimulations of basal activity were 433, 430 and 283%, respectively. Phenylephrine behaved like a partial agonist in this assay. The norepinephrine response could be potently antagonized by prazosin (Ki = 27 nM), with rauwolscine being 285-fold less potent. An epithelial cell suspension was prepared from the ciliary process. Stimulation of phosphatidylinositol turnover by norepinephrine (0.1 mM) was observed, and this could be blocked by prazosin (10 microM), thus, indicating the presence of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, coupled to phosphatidylinositol turnover, in epithelial cells of the rabbit ciliary process.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Ocular distribution studies of the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors L-643,799 and L-650,719 and related alkyl prodrugs.

The ocular distribution of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitors 6-hydroxybenzothiazide-2-sulphonamide (L-643,799) and 6-hydroxybenzothiophene-2-sulphonamide (L-650,719) has been investigated in albino rabbits after conjunctival administration of these compounds or related alkyl prodrugs. The ocular penetration of L-650,719 has been compared in ocular normotensive rabbits and in animals whose intraocular pressure has been experimentally elevated.

Administration, Topical↗

L-653,328: an ocular hypotensive agent with modest beta receptor blocking activity.

L-653,328 is the acetate ester of L-652,698 ((S)-3-tert-butylamino-1-[4-[2(hydroxy)ethyl]phenoxy]2-propanol). The penetration of L-652,698 into the albino rabbit eye was enhanced when the compound was instilled as its prodrug acetate ester. The instillation (one drop of 50 microliter) of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1% solutions of L-653,328 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits by 3.2, 4.7 and 6.1 mm Hg, respectively. A 0.01% solution of L-652,698 failed to significantly lower IOP, whereas this dose of timolol (3.8 mm Hg) and betaxolol (3.3 mm Hg) was effective. L-652,698 was active at 0.05% and 0.1%. Extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade was quantified in ganglion-blocked, conscious rabbits by determining effects on heart rate and blood pressure changes to i.v. isoproterenol (0.5 microgram/kg). Doses of timolol blocking isoproterenol-induced hypotension and tachycardia by 50% were 0.0065% and 0.03%, respectively. The corresponding doses for betaxolol were greater than 3% (43% inhibition) and 0.3%. Heart rate and blood pressure changes to isoproterenol were blocked by 18 and 36%, respectively, after the instillation of a 3% solution of L-653,328. The reduced propensity of L-653,328 for extraocular beta-adrenoceptor blockade stems from the modest affinity of L-652,698, its active moiety, for beta-adrenoceptors. The Ki values of L-652,698 for displacement of 125I-iodocyanopindolol binding to beta 1-(left ventricle) and beta 2-binding sites (iris + ciliary body) in the rabbit were 5.7 microM and 7.3 microM, respectively. In marked contrast, the corresponding values for timolol were 12 nM and 1.8 nM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

The ability of salbutamol and theophylline to suppress immediate allergic conjunctivitis in the guinea pig.

Topically administered salbutamol was extremely effective in suppressing immediate allergic conjunctivitis in the guinea pig; a dose as low as 0.1% elicited 98% inhibition. Topical pretreatment with 1% propranolol completely blocked the suppressant action of 0.1% salbutamol. This was also the case after systemic propranolol (1 mg/kg SC); the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist itself has no effect on antigen-induced inflammation. The effect of 0.1% salbutamol was unaltered by pretreatment with the specific beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist betaxolol (1 mg/kg SC). In marked contrast, the suppressant action of 0.1% salbutamol was profoundly inhibited by pretreatment with the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI-118,551 (0.5 mg/kg SC). The experiments employing beta-adrenoceptor antagonists unequivocally demonstrate that the salbutamol suppression of immediate allergic conjunctivitis in the guinea pig is mediated via the activation of beta 2-adrenoceptors. The methylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline was active after oral administration, 50 mg/kg eliciting an 80% inhibition. Theophylline was inactive topically at 1% and 5%, but this could be due to the fact that the compound was insoluble at these concentrations. Thus, procedures that elevate cyclic-AMP levels suppress immediate hypersensitivity reactions in the guinea pig conjunctiva. Whether or nor this offers an alternative approach to treat allergic conjunctivitis in humans remains to be determined.

Administration, Oral↗

Neuropharmacology of drugs affecting food intake.

The importance of the central monoamines NE, DA and 5-HT in ingestive behavior has inevitably resulted in considerable effort being expended in attempting to implicate these monoamines in the mechanism of action of anorectic drugs. The statements that amphetamine-induced anorexia is unlikely to be due to central serotoninergic systems and that central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems are not implicated in the appetite suppressant effect of fenfluramine are in all probability correct. However, to attribute the ability of drugs to decrease food intake unequivocally to a specific effect on central monoaminergic systems is almost certainly an oversimplification, due to the fact that other putative neurotransmitters, such as GABA and peptides, play a critical role in eating. This can be achieved either directly or by modulating the release of other transmitters. An added complication in attempting to correlate a specific neurochemical process to a behavioral effect, such as anorexia, is the complexity of the central actions of the drug. At best, a predominant but not an exclusive process can be identified. Perhaps the in-built constraint of attempting to correlate a specific neurochemical effect to the desired action of a drug is accountable for the absence of a second generation of centrally acting anorectic drugs. Dramatic progress has been made in elucidating the factors involved in ingestive behavior over the last 5-10 years. This information should, and must, provide the catalyst for more efficacious anorectic drugs because obesity represents one of the few major diseases for which adequate drug therapy does not exist.

Amphetamine↗

A study of PAF-induced ocular inflammation in the rat and its inhibition by the PAF antagonist, L-652,731.

A significant inflammatory reaction in the rat conjunctiva followed the subconjunctival injection of synthetic platelet activating factor (PAF) in doses which ranged from 10 ng to 1 microgram, an inflammatory response being evaluated as the increase in both tissue weight and extravasation of Evans blue dye in the conjunctival tissue. Inflammation was still present 6 h after the injection of 0.1 microgram of PAF. Orally administered indomethacin or BW 755C failed to alter the response to 0.1 microgram of PAF. In contrast, the PAF-induced inflammation was blocked by the oral administration of the PAF receptor antagonist, L-652,731, a dose as low as 5 mg kg-1 eliciting a significant inhibition. The topical administration of L-652,731, (two doses of 100 micrograms as a 1% suspension), elicited a slight, but significant blockade of 23%. Its antagonistic action was more striking when it was co-injected subconjunctivally with 0.1 microgram of PAF, a dose as low as 3 micrograms evoking a significant blockade. The topical administration of 0.1 microgram of PAF did not elicit a significant inflammatory reaction and this contrasts with the results obtained after its subconjunctival injection.

Animals↗

Characterization of serotonin receptors in the iris + ciliary body of the albino rabbit.

Experiments were undertaken to determine if serotonin (5-HT) radioligand binding sites were present in a membrane fraction of iris + ciliary body from adult, albino rabbits. The total binding of 3H-5-HT, 3H-spiroperidol (SPI) and 3H-ketanserin (KET), all at 2 nM, was determined in the absence and in the presence of ketanserin, mianserin, methysergide or 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MT), all at 1 microM. Except for ketanserin, which displaced 15% of 3H-KET binding, none of the agents altered 3H-SPI or 3H-KET binding. Reductions of 12% and 14% in 3H-5-HT binding were achieved by ketanserin and mianserin, respectively. In contrast, methysergide and 5-MT displaced 3H-5-HT binding by 57% and 56%, respectively. 5-HT (1 microM) also displaced 3H-5-HT binding by approximately 60% and this was used to measure nonspecific binding. Specific binding of 3H-5-HT was saturable and of high affinity with one population of binding sites being labelled. Kd and Bmax values of 1.1 nM and 57.8 fmoles/mg protein were obtained. Seven 5-HT antagonists possessing various affinities for 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 binding sites were assessed for their ability to displace specific 3H-5-HT binding. Ketanserin was the least potent (Ki greater than 3 microM). In contrast, the respective Ki values for metergoline and methysergide were 13 nM and 20 nM. These observations indicate the presence of 5-HT1 binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

A study on the ocular and extraocular pharmacology of metipranolol.

Metipranolol (Betamann) is a clinically efficacious ocular hypotensive drug and preclinical experiments were undertaken to characterize this beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. In vitro beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptor antagonism was evaluated using the guinea pig atrium and the rat uterus, respectively. The respective pA2 values were 8.3 and 8.4. Topical metipranolol, 0.3% and 0.6%, blocked both the hypotension (beta2-mediated) and the tachycardia (beta1-mediated) elicited in ganglion-blocked, conscious rabbits by isoproterenol, 0.5 microgram/kg, i.v. The Ki for displacement of 3H-dihydroalprenolol binding to rabbit iris + ciliary body homogenates was 34 nM. The effect of metipranolol, 0.3% and 0.6%, was not particularly striking on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of conscious, normotensive rabbits. However, the elevated IOP of the alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbit eye was significantly decreased (maximum reduction of 5.8 mm Hg) following the instillation of metipranolol, 0.3%. IOP recovery in conscious rabbits following hyperosmotic challenge (i.v. infusion of a 20% NaCl solution) was not decreased by a 1-h pretreatment with a 0.3% solution. In contrast, a significant reduction of 41% was elicited by a 0.6% solution. Hence, the ocular hypotensive effect of metipranolol may result from decreased aqueous humor inflow. Metipranolol, 0.6%, was devoid of effect on rabbit pupil diameter. However, corneal local anesthesia was elicited in the rabbit by both 0.3% and 0.6% solutions of the drug, the effect being more marked with the higher concentration.

Animals↗

On the pharmacology of L-645,151: a topically effective ocular hypotensive carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

L-645,151 [(2-sulfamoyl-6-benzothiazolyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionate] is the O-pivaloyl ester of L-643,799 (6-hydroxybenzothiazole-2-sulfonamide), topically administered L-645,151 being a substrate for ocular esterases with the resultant liberation of the active moiety, L-643,799, during penetration of the ocular surface. The minimum concentrations of topically administered suspensions (1 drop of 50 microliters into both eyes) of L-645,151, L-643,799, dichlorphenamide and methazolamide significantly lowering the elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of the alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbit eye were 0.25, 2, 10 and 5%, respectively. IOP was not significantly decreased by 10% suspensions of acetazolamide or ethoxzolamide. The IOP lowering action of L-645,151 was local as the unilateral instillation of L-645,151 (0.25%) into the contralateral eye was devoid of effect in alpha-chymotrypsinized rabbits. L-645,151 (2%) decreased aqueous humor inflow in both the conscious rabbit and the anesthetized dog. Outflow facility in the conscious rabbit was unaltered by a 10% suspension of L-645,151. Low peak levels (0.52 microgram/g) of L-643,799 were present in rabbit renal cortex after the instillation of L-645,151 (2%) into both eyes; this treatment did not induce diuresis in the conscious rabbit. The corresponding maximum concentration in the iris + ciliary body was 4.01 micrograms/g. These preclinical studies reveal that L-645,151 is the most potent, topically effective ocular hypotensive carbonic anhydrase inhibitor described to date.

Administration, Topical↗

Antagonism of fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia in rats by some, but not all, selective inhibitors of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake.

The injection of fenfluramine (7.5 mg kg-1,i.p.) to rats housed at 27-28 degrees C was associated with an elevation of core body temperature which peaked at approximately 1 h post-injection. One h pretreatment with citalopram (20 mg kg-1, i.p.), chlorimipramine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.), femoxetine (10 mg kg-1, i.p.) and fluoxetine (20 mg kg-1, i.p.) resulted in an attenuated response to fenfluramine. In contrast, Org 6582 (20 mg kg-1) and zimelidine (20 mg kg-1) were devoid of an effect on fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia. The response to fenfluramine was was also blocked by i.p. injections of metergoline (0.2 mg kg-1), methysergide (5 mg kg-1) and mianserin (0.5 mg kg-1). Rectal temperature was unaltered by both the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) uptake inhibitors and the 5-HT receptor antagonists. The IC50 values (nM) for in vitro inhibition of [3H]-5-HT uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes were for citalopram 2.4, chlorimipramine 8.8, femoxetine 14, fluoxetine 16, Org 6582 75 and zimelidine 250. The injection of all six compounds (20 mg kg-1, i.p.) 1 h before death was associated with an inhibition of [3H]-5-HT uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes which ranged from 47.2% for chlorimipramine to 83.3% for citalopram. Rat hypothalamic 5-HT levels were decreased by approximately 50% 3 h after the injection of fenfluramine (15 mg kg-1, i.p.). This effect was blocked by a 1 h pretreatment with fluoxetine, Org 6582 and zimelidine (all 20 mg kg-1, i.p.). Ki values for displacement of specifically bound [3H]-5-HT (1 nM) to rat hypothalamic membranes were for metergoline 26 nM, methysergide 1.1 microM, mianserin 3.6 microM, chlorimipramine 9.2 microM and fluoxetine 32.7 microM. Values for citalopram, femoxetine, Org 6582 and zimelidine were in excess of 65.4 microM. 6 Fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia in rats is blocked by citalopram, chlorimipramine, femoxetine and fluoxetine but not by Org6582 and zimelidine. This dichotomy cannot be explained in terms of differences in 5-HT uptake, storage and release mechanisms in the rat hypothalamus. Moreover, antagonism of fenfluramine-induced hyperthermia cannot be attributed to blockade of central, postsynaptic 5-HT receptors. The involvement of an indoleamine other than 5-HT is discussed.

Animals↗

Mianserin: is the intraperitoneal route of administration the best?

A 1 h pretreatment with s.c. mianserin (0.5 mg kg-1) markedly blunted the oedema of the rat paw induced by the subplantar injection of 5-HT (5 micrograms). In contrast, i.p. mianserin (same dose) failed to modify 5-HT-induced oedema. However, pretreatment with SKF-525-A (40 mg kg-1) resulted in a profound potentiation of the action of i.p. mianserin, the effect of the combination of SKF-525-A and i.p. mianserin rivaling that of s.c. mianserin. It is concluded that i.p. mianserin is metabolized by the rat liver to compounds which possess a reduced propensity to block peripheral 5-HT receptors and that the i.p. route of administration is not to be recommended when mianserin is being studied as a 5-HT receptor antagonist in the rat.

Animals↗

Some effects of chronic antidepressant treatments on rat brain monoaminergic systems.

A range of established and putative antidepressant therapies were studied for the effect of their long-term administration on two facets of presynaptic monoaminergic functioning in rat brain, namely NE, DA, and 5-HT turnover and alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity. Unless stated otherwise drugs (10 mg/kg) were injected i.p. twice daily for 14 days. ECT (100 mA for 1 s) was applied once daily for 10 days. Changes in turnover were indirectly assessed by measuring levels of metabolites. Brain levels of MHPG-SO4 were unchanged by chronic amitriptyline, imipramine, nisoxetine (20 mg/kg), nortriptyline, salbutamol (5 mg/kg), and ECT. Amitriptyline elicited a slight, but significant, increase in brain DOPAC content. Brain levels of 5-HIAA were increased by amitriptyline, imipramine, salbutamol, and ECT. An overall view of the results indicates that no common pattern of change was elicited by the range of antidepressant therapies studied. Central alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity was assessed by investigating the effect of various therapies on the ability of clonidine (25 mg/kg i.p.) to decrease rat brain MHPG-SO4 content. The clonidine-induced fall was attenuated by desipramine, imipramine, and ECT. Amitriptyline, iprindole, mianserin, nisoxetine, nortriptyline, Org 6582 (10 mg/kg once daily), pargyline (25 mg/kg once daily), salbutamol, and trazodone were ineffective. The following chronic antidepressant therapies were investigated for their effect on rat frontal cortex 3H-clonidine binding: amitriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, iprindole, mianserin, nisoxetine, nortriptyline, pargyline, salbutamol, and ECT. CHronic, but not acute, pargyline decreased 3H-clonidine binding and this was due to a diminished number of binding sites. The induction of subsensitive presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat brain is not a property common to all forms of antidepressant therapies. Hence it cannot be the fundamental mode of action of antidepressants. No correlation exists between the changes in rat cortical 3H-clonidine binding and the observed changes in the sensitivity of central presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

Animals↗

Chronic antidepressant therapy and associated changes in central monoaminergic receptor functioning.

Acutely administered antidepressants possess a multiplicity of pharmacological actions. However, the fact that agents possessing similar pharmacological actions are devoid of antidepressant activity, together with the lack of correlation between doses required for acute pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy, suggest that the mechanism(s) of action of antidepressants cannot be directly attributed to the acute pharmacological properties of the drugs. The lag phase in onset of clinical effectiveness emphasizes the importance of adaptive changes following chronic antidepressant administration. A rapidly accelerating trend in attempting to delineate the precise molecular mechanisms of action of antidepressants is the shift in emphasis following chronic antidepressant therapies from alterations in uptake, storage, synthesis and release of neurotransmitters to adaptive changes in receptor functioning. These adaptations occur both pre- and postsynaptically. Examples of the former are alpha 2 and DA presynaptic receptors, both being down-regulated by certain forms of chronic antidepressant therapy. The fact that the NE-coupled adenylate cyclase system in rat brain slices is down-regulated by tricyclics, atypical antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and ECT emphasizes the importance of the system. Electrophysiological and behavioral studies point to the up-regulation of central alpha 1 and 5-HT receptor functioning following long-term antidepressant therapy. In contrast to the beta-adrenoceptor, these findings cannot be correlated with data from radioligand binding studies. In general central alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding remains unaltered. This is also true for 5-HT1 binding whereas cortical 5-HT2 binding is both increased and decreased depending on the type of antidepressant therapy being investigated. The relationship of these adaptive changes to the clinical efficacy of antidepressants in man is not clear since there is generally a lack of good models for studying human central receptor functioning. A review of current data from animal studies would tend to disfavour the view that all forms of antidepressant therapy possess a common mechanism of action. Perhaps multiple intervention sites exist. The introduction and evaluation of agents possessing a specificity of pharmacological action will undoubtedly aid psychotherapeutic research. The knowledge that peptides and 'classical' neurotransmitters can co-exist in the same neurone will undoubtedly generate studies of the significance and importance of the co-transmitter function of peptides in the mechanisms of action of antidepressant therapies.

Animals↗