Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Ruggero G Fariello

Publications and source records attributed to Ruggero G Fariello.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Safinamide.

Safinamide (SAF) ((S)-(+)-2-(4-(3-fluorobenzyloxy) benzylamino)propanamide) was initially synthetized by Farmitalia Carlo Erba (Italy). Following initial anticonvulsant screening, safinamide was selected for its potency, broad spectrum of action, and good safety margin. Pharmacodynamic properties probably relevant to its antiepileptic activity are use- and frequency-dependent block of voltage sensitive Na+ channels, block of Ca++ channels, and glutamate release inhibition. Possibly contributing mechanism are also selective and reversible monoamide oxidase B inhibition and dopamine and noradrenaline uptake inhibition. The high selectivity for the sigma-1 receptor site does not entail psychotomimetic or behavioral changes. In several experimental in vitro and in vivo conditions, SAF exerts neurorescuing and neuroprotectant effects. Safinamide is water soluble and suitable for 1 times a day oral administration in humans. In a pilot phase II study in 38 refractory epilepsy patients affected by multiple types of seizures, 41% of subjects obtained > or =50% seizure reduction during a 12-week escalating dose up to 300 mg 1 times day compared with perspective baseline. Safinamide is being developed in phase III for treatment of Parkinson's disease, whereas the development in epilepsy relates to the industrial strategy of the company.

Alanine↗
PubMed2005

The anti-nociceptive agent ralfinamide inhibits tetrodotoxin-resistant and tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ currents in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Tetrodotoxin-resistant and tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channels contribute to the abnormal spontaneous firing in dorsal root ganglion neurons associated with neuropathic pain. Effects of the anti-nociceptive agent ralfinamide on tetrodotoxin-resistant and tetrodotoxin-sensitive currents in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons were therefore investigated by patch clamp experiments. Ralfinamide inhibition was voltage-dependent showing highest potency towards inactivated channels. IC50 values for tonic block of half-maximal inactivated tetrodotoxin-resistant and tetrodotoxin-sensitive currents were 10 microM and 22 microM. Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant used in the treatment of pain, showed significantly lower potency. Ralfinamide produced a hyperpolarising shift in the steady-state inactivation curves of both currents confirming the preferential interaction with inactivated channels. Additionally, ralfinamide use and frequency dependently inhibited both currents and significantly delayed repriming from inactivation. All effects were more pronounced for tetrodotoxin-resistant than tetrodotoxin-sensitive currents. The potency and mechanisms of actions of ralfinamide provide a hypothesis for the anti-nociceptive properties found in animal models.

Analgesics↗
PubMed2004

The role of iron and copper molecules in the neuronal vulnerability of locus coeruleus and substantia nigra during aging.

In this study, a comparative analysis of metal-related neuronal vulnerability was performed in two brainstem nuclei, the locus coeruleus (LC) and substantia nigra (SN), known targets of the etiological noxae in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. LC and SN pars compacta neurons both degenerate in Parkinson's disease and other Parkinsonisms; however, LC neurons are comparatively less affected and with a variable degree of involvement. In this study, iron, copper, and their major molecular forms like ferritins, ceruloplasmin, neuromelanin (NM), manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and copper/zinc-SOD were measured in LC and SN of normal subjects at different ages. Iron content in LC was much lower than that in SN, and the ratio heavy-chain ferritin/iron in LC was higher than in the SN. The NM concentration was similar in LC and SN, but the iron content in NM of LC was much lower than SN. In both regions, heavy- and light-chain ferritins were present only in glia and were not detectable in neurons. These data suggest that in LC neurons, the iron mobilization and toxicity is lower than that in SN and is efficiently buffered by NM. The bigger damage occurring in SN could be related to the higher content of iron. Ferritins accomplish the same function of buffering iron in glial cells. Ceruloplasmin levels were similar in LC and SN, but copper was higher in LC. However, the copper content in NM of LC was higher than that of SN, indicating a higher copper mobilization in LC neurons. Manganese-SOD and copper/zinc-SOD had similar age trend in LC and SN. These results may explain at least one of the reasons underlying lower vulnerability of LC compared to SN in Parkinsonian syndromes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of safinamide, a neuroprotectant with antiparkinsonian and anticonvulsant activity.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics, in terms of monoamino oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibition, in male healthy volunteers of orally administered safinamide, a new neuroprotectant that in experimental models has demonstrated strong anticonvulsant and antiparkinson activities. METHODS: Four clinical trials covering the dose range of 25-10,000 microg/kg were carried out to describe pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of safinamide, administered in single or repeated dose regimen to steady state, including a food interaction trial. All the above trials were carried out after the Ethics Committee's approval and signature of the consent form by the volunteers. In single dose trials blood sampling covered a 24 h-period in pharmacodynamic trials, 48 h-period in pharmacokinetic trials. In the case of repeated dose regimen to steady state a pre-dose sample was drawn on the first six study days, whereas the curve was explored on the 7th study day, prolonging blood sampling over a 48 h-period after the last dosing. Safinamide level was determined in plasma by a very sensitive and specific LC-MS-MS method, with a low limit of quantification of 0.5 ng/ml of plasma. Pharmacokinetic analysis was carried out with non-compartmental method and, in one case, also with the two-compartmental method. Monoamine oxidase activity of both types A and B (MAO-A and MAO-B) was determined in plasma at different times (MAO-B) and correlated to safinamide levels, or in urine (MAO-A). RESULTS: Pharmacokinetics of safinamide proved to be linearly and proportionally related to the administered doses. The absorption of safinamide was rapid with peak plasma concentrations ranging from 2 to 4 h. Food prolonged the rate and did not affect the extent of absorption of safinamide. In repeat dose regimen once daily, the steady state was reached on the 5th study day with a marginal accumulation factor of 1.5-1.7. The drug was cleared with a t(1/2) of about 22 h. Safinamide reversibly inhibited MAO-B enzyme. Full inhibition was observed with single doses >/= 600 microg/kg, and a relevant, dose dependent, progressive inhibition was encountered with doses starting from 25 microg/kg. Even at the highest single dose of 10 mg/kg no evidence of MAO-A inhibition was observed. CONCLUSION: Enteral absorption of the drug is linear and proportional to the doses administered. The drug is cleared from the body with a t(1/2) of approximately equal to 22 h, without producing any clinically relevant accumulation at steady state. The MAO-B inhibitory activity, without affecting MAO-A, is useful to prevent a dopamine bioinactivation in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Safinamide tolerability in the four clinical trials proved to be good.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pressor response to intravenous tyramine in healthy subjects after safinamide, a novel neuroprotectant with selective, reversible monoamine oxidase B inhibition.

Safinamide is a novel neuroprotectant combining sodium and calcium channel blocking properties with selective, reversible monoamine oxidase type B (MAO B) inhibition. Phase 1 studies have demonstrated that in healthy volunteers, the ED50 (a dose that inhibits enzyme activity by 50% in 50% of treated subjects) for MAO B inhibition is 87.5 microg/kg/day orally, and that no MAO A inhibition occurs after 10-mg/kg oral dosing. To assess the risk of inducing the "cheese effect," the effect of safinamide and placebo on the pressor response to tyramine was investigated in a group of healthy male volunteers. The study was an open, single-dose placebo-controlled trial with the 2 treatments in sequence. An increase of 30 mm Hg systolic blood pressure was obtained by intravenous tyramine administered by 0.5-mg incremental boluses injected at 15-minute intervals. The amount of tyramine necessary to achieve such a blood pressure increase was the same after the safinamide 2-mg/kg oral load compared with placebo. These results suggest that dietary restrictions for food with high tyramine content should not be required under safinamide treatment.

Adult↗