Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Tomas de Paulis

Publications and source records attributed to Tomas de Paulis.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Substituent effects of N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamides on positive allosteric modulation of the metabotropic glutamate-5 receptor in rat cortical astrocytes.

CDPPB [3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide] was recently described as the first centrally active, positive allosteric modulator of rat and human metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) mGluR5 subtype. We explored the structural requirements for potentiation of glutamate-induced calcium release in naturally expressed mGluR5 in cultured rat astrocytes and increasing affinity for the allosteric antagonist binding site by evaluating 50 analogues of CDPPB. In the fluorometric calcium assay, CDPPB exhibited an EC50 value of 77 +/- 15 nM in potentiating mGluR5-mediated responses in cortical astrocytes and a Ki value of 3760 +/- 430 nM in displacing [3H]methoxyPEPy binding in membranes of cultured HEK-293 cells expressing rat mGluR5. The structure-activity relationships showed that electronegative aromatic substituents in the para-position of the benzamide moiety of CDPPB increase potency. Both binding and functional activities were further increased with a halogen atom in the ortho-position of the 1-phenyl ring. These effects of substitution do not match those of either aromatic ring of MPEP [2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine] for the antagonist allosteric binding site. Combination of the optimal substituents and aromatic positions resulted in 4-nitro-N-(1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (VU-1545) showing Ki = 156 +/- 29 nM and EC50 = 9.6 +/- 1.9 nM in the binding and functional assays, respectively.

Allosteric Regulation↗

A novel class of positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1 interact with a site distinct from that of negative allosteric modulators.

We recently reported a novel class of compounds, represented by 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CD-PPB), that act as positive allosteric modulators (potentiators) of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtype 5. Studies of CDPPB analogs revealed that some compounds in this series serve also as positive allosteric modulators of mGluR1. Although CDPPB is selective for mGluR5 relative to other mGluR subtypes, several CDPPB analogs also showed 2.5-fold potentiation of glutamate-induced calcium transients in cells expressing mGluR1 at 10 muM, with 4-nitro-N-(1,4-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (VU-71) being selective for mGluR1. In previous studies, we found that two structural classes of mGluR5-selective allosteric potentiators, including CDPPB, share a common binding site with the allosteric mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine. Negative allosteric modulators of mGluR1, regardless of structural class, have been reported to bind to a common allosteric antagonist site on this receptor. However, neither the novel CDPPB analogs nor previously identified allosteric mGluR1 potentiators [e.g., (S)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)pyrrolidine (Ro 67-7476), ethyl diphenylacetylcarbamate (Ro 01-6128), and butyl (9H-xanthene-9-carbonyl)carbamate (Ro 67-4853)] displaced the binding of [(3)H]1-(3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-7-yl)-2-phenyl-1-ethanone (R214127), a high-affinity radioligand for the allosteric antagonist site on mGluR1 at concentrations several orders of magnitude higher than those required to induce allosteric potentiation of mGluR1 responses. These data suggest that allosteric potentiators of mGluR1 act at a site that is distinct from that of allosteric antagonists of mGluR1. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that valine at position 757 in transmembrane V of mGluR1a is crucial for the activity of multiple classes of allosteric mGluR1 potentiators.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Biphenyl-indanone A, a positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2, has antipsychotic- and anxiolytic-like effects in mice.

Previous studies indicate that agonists of the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), mGluR2 and mGluR3, may provide a novel approach for the treatment of anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. However, the relative contributions of the mGluR2 and mGluR3 subtypes to the effects of the group II mGluR agonists remain unclear. In the present study, we describe an alternate synthesis and further pharmacological characterization of a recently reported positive allosteric modulator of mGluR2 termed biphenyl-indanone A (BINA). In recombinant systems, BINA produced a robust and selective potentiation of the response of mGluR2 to glutamate with no effect on the glutamate response of other mGluR subtypes. In hippocampal brain slices, BINA (1 microM) significantly potentiated the mGluR2/3 agonist-induced inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission at the medial perforant path-dentate gyrus synapse. BINA was also efficacious in several models predictive of antipsychotic- and anxiolytic-like activity in mice. The behavioral effects of BINA were blocked by the mGluR2/3 antagonist (2S)-2-amino-2-[(1S,2S)-2-carboxycycloprop-1-yl]-3-(xanth-9-yl) propanoic acid (LY341495), suggesting that the in vivo effects of BINA are mediated by increased activation of mGluR2. Collectively, these results indicate that BINA is a selective mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator and provide further support for the growing evidence that selective allosteric potentiators of mGluR2 mimic many of the in vivo actions of mGluR2/3 agonists that may predict therapeutic utility of these compounds.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Chlorogenic acids and lactones in regular and water-decaffeinated arabica coffees.

The market for decaffeinated coffees has been increasingly expanding over the years. Caffeine extraction may result in losses of other compounds such as chlorogenic acids (CGA) and, consequently, their 1,5-gamma-quinolactones (CGL) in roasted coffee. These phenolic compounds are important for flavor formation as well as the health effects of coffee; therefore, losses due to decaffeination need to be investigated. The present study evaluates the impact of decaffeination processing on CGA and CGL levels of green and roasted arabica coffees. Decaffeination produced a 16% average increase in the levels of total CGA in green coffee (dry matter), along with a 237% increase in CGL direct precursors. Different degrees of roasting showed average increments of 5.5-18% in CGL levels of decaffeinated coffee, compared to regular, a change more consistent with observed levels of total CGA than with those of CGL direct precursors in green samples. On the other hand, CGA levels in roasted coffee were 3-9% lower in decaffeinated coffee compared to regular coffee. Although differences in CGA and CGL contents of regular and decaffeinated roasted coffees appear to be relatively small, they may be enough to affect flavor characteristics as well as the biopharmacological properties of the final beverage, suggesting the need for further study.

Caffeine↗

Effect of roasting on the formation of chlorogenic acid lactones in coffee.

Of all plant constituents, coffee has one of the highest concentrations of chlorogenic acids. When roasting coffee, some of these are transformed into chlorogenic acid lactones (CGL). We have studied the formation of CGL during the roasting of coffee beans in Coffea arabica cv. Bourbon; C. arabicacv. Longberry; and C. canephora cv. Robusta. Individual CGL levels were determined by comparison of HPLC peaks with those of synthetic CGL standards. Seven CGL were identified: 3-caffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-CQL), 4- caffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-CQL), 3-coumaroylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-pCoQL), 4-coumaroylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-pCoQL), 3-feruloylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-FQL), 4-feruloylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-FQL), and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (3,4-diCQL). 3-CQL was the most abundant lactone in C. arabica and C. canephora, reaching peak values of 230 +/- 9 and 254 +/- 4 mg/100 g (dry weight), respectively, at light medium roast ( approximately 14% weight loss). 4-CQL was the second most abundant lactone (116 +/- 3 and 139 +/- 2 mg/100 g, respectively. The maximum amount of CGL represents approximately 30% of the available precursors. The relative levels of 3-CQL and 4-CQL in roasted coffee were reverse to those of their precursors in green coffee. This suggests that roasting causes isomerization of chlorogenic acids prior to the formation of lactones and that the levels of lactones in roasted coffee do not reflect the levels of precursors in green coffee.

Chlorogenic Acid↗

4-Caffeoyl-1,5-quinide in roasted coffee inhibits [3H]naloxone binding and reverses anti-nociceptive effects of morphine in mice.

RATIONALE: Cinnamoylquinides are formed from the corresponding chlorogenic acids during coffee roasting. Instant coffee has been shown to displace binding of the mu opioid receptor antagonist, [3H]naloxone, but the putative active agent, feruloylquinide, has not been characterized. OBJECTIVES: The goal was to identify the active agent(s) in coffee by measuring the binding affinity of individual cinnamoyl-1,5-quinides to the human mu opioid receptor, and determine the effects of these compounds on morphine-induced anti-nociceptive behavior in mice. METHODS: Cinnamoyl-1,5-quinides in extracts of decaffeinated instant coffee were quantified by reverse-phase HPLC comparisons with synthetic samples of 3-coumaroyl-1,5-quinide and 4-coumaroyl-1,5-quinide, 3-caffeoyl-1,5-quinide and 4-caffeoyl-1,5-quinide (4-CQL) 3-feruloyl-1,5-quinide and 4-feruloyl-1,5-quinides and 3,4-dicaffeoyl-1,5-quinide (DICAQ). Affinities of the cinnamoyl-1,5-quinides and decaffeinated instant coffee extract were determined by displacement of [3H]naloxone binding in cultured HEK-MOR cells. Inhibition of the anti-nociceptive activity of morphine (1 mg/kg IP) was determined in C57BL/6J mice using the hot plate test at 52 degrees C. RESULTS: Extract of decaffeinated instant coffee produced a displacement K(i) of 42+/-16 mg/l, while the K(i) of a synthetic sample of 4-CQL was 4.4+/-0.4 microM. Compounds with a cinnamoyl substituent in the 4-position of the quinide, i.e. 4-CQL, DICAQ, 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinide, and 3,4-dicoumaroyl-1,5-quinide, had affinities for the mu opioid receptor in the low micromolar range. In the hot plate test, coffee extract, containing 0.78% of 4-CQL, reversed the anti-nociceptive effect of morphine at 10 mg/kg IP. Two cinnamoyl-1,5-quinides found in roasted coffee, DICAQ, and 4-CQL, were active at 1 and 0.1 mg/kg IP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the previously reported anti-opioid activity of instant coffee is caused primarily by the presence of 4-CQL, and to lesser extent by other cinnamoyl-1,5-quinides.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Antioxidant effects of dihydrocaffeic acid in human EA.hy926 endothelial cells.

Dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) is a metabolite of caffeic acid with potent antioxidant properties. Since DHCA has been detected in human plasma following coffee ingestion, we tested the hypothesis that DHCA protects the endothelium from oxidative stress in a model in human-derived EA.hy926 endothelial cells. During culture for 16-24 hours, the cells accumulated DHCA against a concentration gradient to low millimolar concentrations. In alpha-tocopherol-loaded cells, DHCA spared alpha-tocopherol during overnight culture in a dose-dependent manner. In response to oxidant stress induced by a water-soluble free radical initiator, both alpha-tocopherol and DHCA diminished oxidation of cis-parinaric acid that had been incorporated into the cells, although their antioxidant activities were not additive. DHCA also decreased intracellular oxidation of dihydrofluorescein due to redox cycling by menadione. This suggests that the protective effects of DHCA were caused by scavenging of intracellular reactive oxygen species. DHCA also increased nitric oxide synthase activity in a dose-dependent manner in cultured cells, which was associated with a comparable increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein. Although the DHCA concentrations required for these effects are higher than those likely to be present in plasma or the interstitium, these results indicate that DHCA can function as an intracellular antioxidant.

Antioxidants↗

Quinides of roasted coffee enhance insulin action in conscious rats.

Consumption of large amounts of coffee has been shown to decrease the incidence of type 2 diabetes. However, the specific compounds and mechanisms responsible for this effect are not known. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a decaffeinated coffee extract and a synthetic quinide, representative of those found in roasted coffee, 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinolactone, on insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and muscle glucose uptake. Experiments were performed on conscious rats during hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamps receiving gastric infusions of saline, a decaffeinated coffee extract (DECAF) (220 mg/kg), or 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinide (DIFEQ) (110 mg/kg). Following treatment, rats received an intravenous bolus of deoxy-[2-3H] glucose to assess muscle glucose uptake (Rg, micromol x 100 g(-1) x min(-1)). Glucose infusions [mg/(kg x min)] required to maintain euglycemia during the tracer period were higher with DIFEQ (14.6 +/- 0.7) than with saline (10.8 +/- 0.7) and DECAF (11.5 +/- 1.1). Despite increased glucose requirements, Rg in skeletal (soleus, gastrocnemius, superficial vastus lateralis) and cardiac muscle were unchanged. DECAF or DIFEQ did not affect heart rate, blood pressure, plasma nonesterified fatty acids or liver aminotransferase activity. These results demonstrate that DIFEQ increases whole-body glucose disposal independently of skeletal muscle Rg.

Animals↗

The discovery of epidepride and its analogs as high-affinity radioligands for imaging extrastriatal dopamine D(2) receptors in human brain.

[(123)I]Epidepride, [(18)F]fallypride, and [(76)Br]isoremoxipride (FLB-457) and their corresponding [(11)C]labeled derivatives belong to a class of high-affinity radioligands for SPECT or PET imaging of dopamine D(2) receptors in the human brain. In contrast to previously used imaging agents, these ligands are capable of identifying extrastriatal dopamine D(2) receptors. The design of these substituted benzamides derive its origin from the atypical antipsychotic agent, remoxipride. Starting in the late 1970's, halogenated analogs of (S)-sulpiride were evaluated in binding assays and behavioral studies, leading to the discovery of remoxipride. Remoxipride was 10 times weaker than sulpiride in vitro but 50 times more potent in vivo. Search for a putative active metabolite of remoxipride led to the discovery of raclopride and eticlopride, the former becoming a useful radioligand as tritium or carbon-11 labeled form for receptor binding and PET studies, respectively. In the US, the mono-iodine analog of raclopride, [(123)I]iodobenzamide (IBZM), was found to have moderate putamen-to-cerebellum ratio in rat and human brain. Continued search for metabolites of remoxipride led to the discovery of its 3,6-dihydroxy derivative, NCQ-344, with an extremely potent in vivo activity in the rat. SAR studies of the metabolites of remoxipride led to the discovery of the 3-methoxy isomer, isoremoxipride (FLB-457) and its corresponding 6-hydroxy analog, FLB-463, both having affinities for the dopamine D(2) receptor in the 20-30 pM range. Later, the 5-[(123)I]iodo analog of FLB-463, [(123)I]ioxipride ([(123)I]NCQ-298), became a potential SPECT imaging agent. In the mean time, the deshydroxy analog of IBZM, [(125)I]iodopride, showed binding potential in the rat similar to [(125)I]IBZM. Epidepride was designed by combining the structure of isoremoxipride with that of iodopride. In 1988, epidepride was independently prepared and radiolabeled in three separate laboratories in Stockholm, Berkeley, and Nashville. Evaluation of seven [(125)I]iodine substituted analogs of raclopride, including IBZM, revealed the unusual high striatum-to-cerebellum ratio of 234 of [(125)I]epidepride in the rat. Subsequent SPECT images with [(123)I]epidepride demonstrated its ability to identify extrastriatal dopamine D(2) receptors in the human brain. Exploration of the structure of epidepride confirmed its exceptional properties, to be exceeded only by its N-allyl homolog, [(125)I]nalepride. The design by others of a series of potent 5-(3-[(18)F]fluoropropyl) substituted analogs of epidepride for PET imaging, lead to the discovery of [(18)F]fallypride. By elucidating the role of lipophilicity in the substituted benzamides, the excellent imaging characteristics of [(11)C]/[(123)I]epidepride, [(11)C]/[(76)Br]isoremoxipride and [(18)F]fallypride, could not only be explained but predicted with remarkable accuracy. By using the inverse product of the receptor affinity (K(D)), and the apparent partition constant of the radioligand (P((7.4))), estimates of maximal binding potential of any radioligand for imaging of any neurotransmitter receptor or transporter site seem possible.

Animals↗

Sumanirole Pharmacia.

Sumanirole is a dopamine D2 agonist under development by Pharmacia Corp (formerly Pharmacia & Upjohn) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The compound is currently undergoing phase II trials in Japan and phase III clinical trials in the US.

Antiparkinson Agents↗

ONO-2506. Ono.

ONO-2506 is an enantiomeric, three carbon atom homolog of valproic acid under development by ONO Pharmaceutical for the potential treatment of stroke, as well as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The injectable formulation (Proglia) is undergoing phase II trials in the US and Japan for acute-phase cerebral infarction, and the oral formulation (Cereact) is in phase I trials in the UK for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Japanese and European phase I trials for AD, PD and amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS) had commenced by March 2002 and phase II trials for ALS are underway in Europe.

Animals↗

Dicinnamoylquinides in roasted coffee inhibit the human adenosine transporter.

Preliminary screening of a minor, non-xanthine constituent of roasted coffee, 3,4-diferuloyl-1,5-quinolactone (DIFEQ), showed inhibition of the adenosine transporter at low micromolar concentration. DIFEQ is a neutral derivative of the chlorogenic acids, i.e. isomeric mono- and di-substituted coumaroyl-, caffeoyl-, and feruloyl-esters of quinic acid, formed in the roasting process of coffee. Displacement of the adenosine transporter antagonist [(3)H](S)-(nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine binding by DIFEQ in cultured U-937 cell preparations, expressing the human adenosine transporter protein (hENT1), showed a K(i) of 0.96+/-0.13 microM. Extracts of regular and decaffeinated coffee showed binding activities equivalent to 30-40 mg DIFEQ per three cups of coffee. Acute administration of a high dose of DIFEQ (100 mg/kg i.p.) reduced open field locomotion in mice for 20 min in correlation with brain levels of DIFEQ. Both 3,4-dicaffeoyl-1,5-quinide and 3,4-dicoumaroyl-1,5-quinide, two close structural analogs of DIFEQ also present in roasted coffee, showed similar affinities for the adenosine transporter, while the corresponding 3- and 4-mono caffeoyl- and feruloyl-quinides were one to two orders of magnitudes less active. This suggests that 3,4-dicinnamoyl-1,5-quinides in coffee could have the potential to raise extra-cellular adenosine levels, thereby counteracting the stimulant effect of caffeine.

Animals↗

Perospirone (Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals).

Perospirone is a serotonin 5-HT2 antagonist and dopamine D2 antagonist developed by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals for the potential treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses [381769]. Its receptor binding profile and animal pharmacology resemble those of other atypical antipsychotic agents, in particular risperidone. In November 2000, CPAC's First Committee on Drugs recommended the approval of this product in Japan, [394007]; approval was granted in December 2000 [396121]. In January 2001, the NHI price was agreed by the Chuikyo [398222] and the drug was added to the NHI price list in February 2001 13982261. It was finally launched in Japan on February 8 2001 [399401]. In November 2000, Sumitomo and Welfide signed an agreement whereby Welfide's subsidiary Yoshitomi Yakuhin will copromote perospirone [394007]. Based on data from the Chuikyo, peak sales of perospirone are forecast to be yen9 billion in the sixth year following launch [398222], [398226]. In February 2001, Sumitomo predicted that perospirone would reach sales of yen10 billion within five to six years [399401].

Animals↗

Discrimination in 5-HT(3) receptor binding in murine brain and cultured cell preparations.

One-hundred ninety-one ligands were screened at 5-HT(3) receptors in membranes from rat brain and NCB20 cells for their ability to displace the selective, high-affinity 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist, [(125)I]DAIZAC ([(125)I]( S)-5-chloro-3-iodo-2-methoxy- N-(1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)benzamide). Thirty-seven compounds having structures related to benzamide, dibenzepine, serotonin, phenylbiguanide, or arylpiperzine were selected for more extensive displacement studies in membranes from rat and mouse brains, from two cultured cell preparations expressing heteromeric mouse-derived 5-HT(3) receptor proteins (NCB20 and NG108-15 cell lines), and from recombinant Sf9 cells expressing homomeric 5-HT(3A) receptors. [(125)I]DAIZAC bound specifically to a single site in each of the five tissue preparations with high affinity ( K(D) 0.12-0.19 nM). The densities of [(125)I]DAIZAC-labeled 5-HT(3) receptors were 7.4-7.5 fmol/mg protein in membranes from murine brain, and 38, 99, and 1588 fmol/mg protein in membranes from cultured NCB20, NG108-15, and recombinant Sf9 cells, respectively. The affinity of substituted benzamides ( n=10) was similar in all five tissue preparations. The affinity of dibenzepines ( n=17) was significantly higher in membranes from cultured cells as compared to membranes from rat and mouse brain, but similar in the two brain membrane preparations, and in each of the cultured cell membrane preparations. Serotonin-, phenylbiguanide-, and quipazine-analogs ( n=10), which typically function as 5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) agonists, exhibited significantly higher apparent p K(i) values in membranes from rat brain and Sf9 recombinant cells than in membranes from the three preparations expressing heteromeric mouse-derived 5-HT(3) receptor proteins ( F=7.52, P<0.001). These findings confirm that there are both species and cell-type dependent differences in binding to 5-HT(3) receptors, and that care must be taken when comparing results between experimental paradigms that utilize different sources of 5-HT(3) receptors.

Animals↗