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Aminosteroids for acute traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of premature death and disability. Post-traumatic membrane lipid peroxidation has been proposed as one mechanism leading to secondary brain damage following head injury. Aminosteroids have been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation in laboratory animals and have the potential to improve outcome following head injury. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effectiveness and safety of aminosteroids in the treatment of acute traumatic brain injury. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group trials register, The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE. We contacted experts in the field and the company that manufactures tirilazad. SELECTION CRITERIA: We sought to identify all randomised controlled trials of aminosteroids versus placebo in the treatment of acute traumatic brain injury. Studies using a quasi random form of allocation, such as alternation, were excluded from the review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One reviewer examined the electronic search results for reports of possibly relevant trials for retrieval in full. Two reviewers (IR and PA) applied the selection criteria independently to the trial report, with no disagreement. MAIN RESULTS: Two randomised controlled trials have examined the effect of the aminosteroid tirilazad mesylate on death and disability following head injury. To date, only the results of one of these trials are available for analysis. The risk of death in patients treated with tirilazad was almost identical to those given placebo RR=1.05 (95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.29). The risk of death and severe disability in patients treated with tirilazad was again almost identical to those given placebo RR=1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.93 to 1.23). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to support the routine use of aminosteroids in the management of traumatic head injury. On the basis of the existing evidence from randomised trials of aminosteroids in head injury it is not possible to refute the possibility of moderate but potentially clinically important benefits or harms. A further randomised controlled trial of tirilazad mesylate with 1156 participants has been completed, the results of which should become available in the near future.

Brain Injuries↗

Tirilazad for acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Tirilazad mesylate is neuroprotective in experimental models of ischaemic stroke suggesting it might be of benefit clinically. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether tirilazad mesylate is safe and effective at improving outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. SEARCH STRATEGY: Trials of tirilazad were identified from searches of the Cochrane Stroke Group Specialised Trials Register (last searched: May 2001) and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL/CCTR). In addition, we contacted the Pharmacia & Upjohn company, the manufacturer of tirilazad, to identify unpublished studies and further information. SELECTION CRITERIA: Truly and quasi-randomised unconfounded placebo or open controlled trials of tirilazad administered within 24 hours onset of suspected or proven acute ischaemic stroke. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data relating to early and end-of-trial case fatality, disability (Barthel Index and Glasgow Outcome Scale), phlebitis, and QTc were extracted by treatment group from published data and company reports. MAIN RESULTS: Six trials (four published, two unpublished) assessing tirilazad in 1757 patients with presumed acute ischaemic stroke were identified; all were double-blind and placebo-controlled in design. Tirilazad did not alter early case fatality (odds ratio, OR 1.11, 95% confidence intervals, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.56) or end-of-trial case fatality (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.44). Tirilazad increased the odds of being dead or disabled by about one fifth, though the result was only just statistically significant; the odds ratios were similar whether the expanded Barthel Index or Glasgow Outcome Scale were used to assess outcome (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.51; OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.50 respectively). Tirilazad significantly increased the rate of infusion site phlebitis (OR 2.81, 95% CI 2.14 to 3.69). Functional outcome (EBI) was significantly worse in prespecified subgroups of patients: females (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.98) and subjects receiving low dose tirilazad (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.67); a non-significant worse outcome was also seen in patients with mild-moderate stroke (OR 1.40, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.98). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Tirilazad mesylate increased the combined end-point of 'death or disability' by about one-fifth, but did not alter case fatality, when given to patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Although further trials of tirilazad are now not warranted, analysis of individual patient data from the trials may help elucidate why tirilazad appears to worsen outcome in acute ischaemic stroke.

Humans↗

Effects of joint lavage and steroid injection in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of joint lavage and intraarticular steroid injection, alone and in combination, in the treatment of patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with painful tibiofemoral OA were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled, 2 x 2 factorial-design trial of 6 months' duration. The 4 treatment groups consisted of 1) intraarticular placebo (1.5 ml of 0.9% normal saline), 2) intraarticular corticosteroids (3.75 mg of cortivazol in 1.5 ml), 3) joint lavage and intraarticular placebo, and 4) joint lavage and intraarticular corticosteroid. Outcome measures evaluated at baseline, week 1, week 4, week 12, and week 24 included severity of pain (100-mm visual analog scale [VAS]), global status (100-mm VAS), and Lequesne's functional index. RESULTS: No interaction between steroid injection and joint lavage was demonstrated. Patients who had undergone joint lavage had significantly improved pain VAS scores at week 24 (P = 0.020). In contrast, corticosteroid injection had no long-term effect (P = 0.313); corticosteroid injection was associated with a decrease in pain only at week 1 (P = 0.003) and week 4 (P = 0.020). After week 4, Lequesne's functional index was not significantly improved regardless of the assigned treatment. CONCLUSION: Compared with placebo, both treatments significantly relieved pain but did not improve functional impairment. The effects of the 2 treatments were additive. Cortivazol provided short-term relief of pain (up to week 4). The effects of joint lavage persisted up to week 24.

Aged↗

Novel inhibitors of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation for neurodegenerative disorders.

A considerable body of information supports the occurrence and pathophysiological importance of oxygen radical-mediated lipid peroxidation in acute cerebral damage secondary to traumatic or ischemic injury. Moreover, peroxidative mechanisms have been implicated in chronic neurodegenerative (e.g., Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) and demyelinating (e.g., multiple sclerosis) disorders. Consequently, there has been interest in identification of pharmacological agents with potent ability to interrupt oxygen radical formation or cell membrane lipid peroxidative mechanisms. Our laboratories have developed a novel series of potent lipid peroxidation inhibitors known as the 21-aminosteroids or "lazaroids." One of these compounds, U-74006F or tirilazad mesylate, has shown efficacy in animal models of brain injury and focal cerebral ischemia. In addition, the compound has been found to attenuate the increased lipid peroxidation observed in Alzheimer's brain tissue, to retard anterograde degeneration of motor nerve fibers, and to be effective in decreasing the clinical disease severity and blood-brain barrier disruption observed in the multiple sclerosis model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Another series of antioxidants, the 2-methylaminochromans typified by the compound U-78517F, have been discovered that are even more potent and effective inhibitors of lipid peroxidation than the 21-aminosteroids.

Animals↗

Role of lipid mediators in the pathogenesis of skeletal muscle infarction and oedema during reperfusion after ischaemia.

During revascularization of skeletal muscle lipid mediators are released that may have a role in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury. This study investigated the efficacy of the lipid mediator antagonists U74500A (a lipid peroxidation inhibitor), GR32191 (a thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist) and SC41930 (a leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist) in altering muscle viability and oedema, in a rat hindlimb model of 6-h ischaemia and 4-h reperfusion. Study groups comprised normal, ischaemic (6-h ischaemia) and control rats, and animals receiving the lipid mediator antagonists. Ischaemia itself did not result in muscle oedema or necrosis but both occurred following reperfusion (P < 0.01). Muscle viability was preserved by all lipid mediator antagonists (P < 0.01 versus controls, P not significant versus normal and ischaemia), with the LTB4 receptor antagonist ameliorating limb oedema (P < 0.01 versus controls). These results demonstrate a role for lipid mediators in reperfusion injury and suggest that their antagonists might aid the management of acute limb ischaemia.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of tirilazad mesylate, a 21-aminosteroid free radical scavenger: I. Single-dose administration.

The single-dose tolerability and pharmacokinetics of tirilazad mesylate, a 21-aminosteroid free radical scavenger, were assessed in 47 healthy male subjects. Subjects were randomized to receive citrate vehicle (n = 12) or 0.25 mg/kg (n = 9), 0.5 mg/kg (n = 9), 1.0 mg/kg (n = 8), or 2.0 mg/kg (n = 9) tirilazad mesylate by 0.5-hour intravenous infusion. Injection site pain was observed with approximately equal frequency in both vehicle and tirilazad mesylate treatment groups. No statistically significant effects of tirilazad mesylate on blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiograms, liver enzymes, or renal function were apparent. Tirilazad mesylate did not significantly affect measures of glucocorticoid activity (blood glucose, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, eosinophil, or lymphocyte levels). Maximal plasma concentrations of tirilazad mesylate increased linearly with dose. Limited assay sensitivity at the lower two doses prevented determination of the dose proportionality of tirilazad area under the curve. The apparent elimination half-life at the higher doses was 3.7 hours. Clearance of tirilazad mesylate approached liver blood flow. Results indicate that intravenous infusions at these doses are well tolerated and devoid of glucocorticoid effects. Tirilazad mesylate appears to be efficiently cleared by the liver, and its pharmacokinetics are apparently linear over the dosage range studied.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of tirilazad mesylate, a 21-aminosteroid free radical scavenger: II. Multiple-dose administration.

The multiple dose tolerability and pharmacokinetics of tirilazad mesylate, a 21-aminosteroid free radical scavenger, were assessed in 50 healthy male volunteers. Volunteers were randomized to receive intravenous normal saline placebo (n = 10), citrate vehicle placebo (n = 10), or 0.5 mg/kg/day (n = 6), 1.0 mg/kg/day (n = 6), 2.0 mg/kg/day (n = 6), 4.0 mg/kg/day (n = 6), or 6.0 mg/kg/day (n = 6) tirilazad mesylate in divided doses every 6 hours for 5 days, for a total of 21 doses. Drug was infused over 10 or 30 minutes. All tirilazad mesylate treatment groups and the citrate vehicle group had significantly more frequent and more intense pain at the injection site than did the saline group, but the pain intensity did not require interruption of dosing. Three episodes of clinical thrombophlebitis were observed. No statistically significant effects of tirilazad mesylate on blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiograms, or renal function were apparent. Moderate and transient increases in serum alanine transaminase were observed in several subjects. In the 6.0 mg/kg/day group, 50% of the subjects exhibited increased alanine transaminase. Tirilazad mesylate did not significantly affect measures of glucocorticoid activity (blood glucose, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, eosinophil, or lymphocyte levels). Tirilazad mesylate pharmacokinetics were linear over the dosage range studied. Steady state appeared to be achieved by the fifth day of dosing. After the last dose, a mean terminal half-life of 35 hours was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Lack of a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction between nimodipine and tirilazad mesylate in healthy volunteers.

The potential interaction between tirilazad mesylate, a membrane lipid peroxidation inhibitor, and nimodipine, a calcium-channel antagonist, was assessed in 12 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received 60 mg nimodipine orally, 2.0 mg/kg tirilazad mesylate as a 10-minute intravenous infusion, and a combination of the two treatments according to a balanced 3-way crossover design. No significant effects of nimodipine on tirilazad mesylate pharmacokinetic parameters were observed (P > .05). Values for tirilazad mesylate clearance (34.9 +/- 8.96 L/hr) and half-life (29 +/- 7.83 hr) were consistent with previous studies. Nimodipine pharmacokinetic parameters exhibited substantial variability, and mean AUC was approximately 25% below the range of previously published values. However, no significant differences in nimodipine pharmacokinetics were observed between treatments. Nimodipine administration increased heart rate slightly without a change in blood pressure, which was not observed after tirilazad administration and was not altered when tirilazad and nimodipine were coadministered. Thus, no significant interaction between tirilazad mesylate and nimodipine is detectable after single-dose administration.

Administration, Oral↗

Pharmacokinetics of tirilazad and U-89678 in ischemic stroke patients receiving a loading regimen and maintenance regimen of 10 mg/kg/day of tirilazad.

The pharmacokinetics of tirilazad mesylate and its active reduced metabolite, U-89678, were evaluated in ischemic stroke patients receiving 2.5 mg/kg tirilazad every 3 hours for the first 12 hours of dosing followed by 2.5 mg/kg every 6 hours for a total of 22 doses (5 days). Trough and serial samples drawn during the 6 hours after administration of the last dose were analyzed for plasma levels of tirilazad and U-89678 by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Complete concentration-time profiles were available for 20 patients, including 12 men (mean age, 68.0 years) and 8 women (mean age, 75.0 years). Trough concentrations of tirilazad and U-89678 were consistent with the loading regimen used. The mean area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to 6 hours (AUC0-6) of tirilazad was 8181 +/- 2398 ng.hr/mL in men and 8135 +/- 3671 ng.hr/mL in women. The mean AUC0-6 of U-89678 was 2761 +/- 1834 ng.hr/mL in men and 1477 +/- 903 ng.hr/mL in women. These results show that gender has a modest effect on the pharmacokinetics of U-89678 but little effect on the pharmacokinetics of tirilazad in elderly ischemic stroke patients. These observations are consistent with previous findings in healthy young and elderly subjects.

Aged↗

Inhibition of carbon tetrachloride-induced lipid peroxidation by novel antioxidants in rat hepatic microsomes: dissociation from hepatoprotective effects in vivo.

The ability of two novel antioxidants, U-74,006F and U-78,517G, as well as the known antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was investigated in Aroclor 1254-induced rat hepatic microsomes. All three compounds completely inhibited lipid peroxidation in microsomes as measured by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was not a function of decreased bioactivation of CCl4, as the compounds did not substantially inhibit benzphetamine N-demethylase activity or covalent binding of [14-C]CCl4 to lipid or protein. Parallel studies examined the hepatoprotective effects of the compounds in vivo. Rats were pretreated with antioxidant or vehicle prior to administration of CCl4 (300 or 600 microL/kg i.p.). Sera were collected 24 h postadministration of CCl4 and analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and total bilirubin. Administration of CCl4 produced elevations in ALT, moderate changes in bilirubin, and no change in ALP activities. Histological examination of CCl4-treated livers revealed lipidosis and centrilobular necrosis. The antioxidants partially improved the clinical chemistry parameters, but had minimal effects on the histological lesion. In contrast to the complete inhibition of lipid peroxidation observed in the in vitro studies, none of the antioxidants markedly protected against CCl4-induced toxicity in vivo.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Inhibition of S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine-induced lipid peroxidation by antioxidants in rabbit renal cortical slices: dissociation of lipid peroxidation and toxicity.

Precision-cut, rabbit renal slices were used to examine the effects of three novel antioxidants (U-74006, U-74500, and U-78517) on S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC)-induced lipid peroxidation and toxicity. Slices exposed to DCVC showed a dose- and time-dependent increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and a decrease in cellular viability, as evidenced by the loss of intracellular potassium, during the course of a 3 hour incubation. Subsequent studies employed DCVC concentrations of 100 microM. Microemulsion formulations of U-78517, U-74500, and U-74006 (100 microM) inhibited DCVC-induced lipid peroxidation by 100 +/-, 50 +/-, and < 5% (not significant), respectively. However, none of these antioxidants had a significant effect on DCVC-dependent cytotoxicity, as indicated by intracellular potassium release. The effects of U-78517, the most potent of the three antioxidants, were similar to those observed with two model antioxidants, diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) and the iron chelator, deferoxamine. Aminooxyacetic (AOAA), an inhibitor of renal cysteine conjugate beta-lyase, had only a minimal effect on DCVC-induced lipid peroxidation, and no effect on toxicity. These data represent the first report of DCVC-induced lipid peroxidation in rabbit renal cortical slices, a system which has been widely used to investigate mechanisms of nephrotoxicity, including that induced by DCVC. Our results demonstrate that DCVC-induced lipid peroxidation in renal slices can be inhibited by a variety of antioxidant compounds operating by different mechanisms. Because inhibition of lipid peroxidation had minimal effect on DCVC-dependent cytotoxicity, the data suggest that DCVC-induced lipid peroxidation is not a major mechanism in the cytotoxicity induced by this compound.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗

Protective effect of 21-aminosteroid pretreatment in peripheral nerve low-load crush injury in mature and immature rats.

The effects of U-74006F (tirilazad mesylate), a 21-aminosteroid antioxidant, on injured peripheral nerve were studied. Twenty-two immature and 44 mature rats were divided equally into two groups. The experimental group received two injections of 3 mg/kg of U-74006F at a 2 hour interval. The control group received the same volumes of a citrate buffer. A 5 mm segment of the sciatic nerve was subjected to a crush load of 100 g for 2 hours. Motor function (sciatic functional index) was assessed to day 48 postoperatively. There was total paralysis of the crushed limb in all rats the first week after crushing. The experimental group had a statistically significant improvement in motor function compared with the controls on days 14, 21, 25, and 28 for the mature rats and on days 11 and 14 for the immature rats. The mature controls attained complete recovery on day 42 and had a significantly slower recovery rate than the immature controls, which had recovered fully by day 25. The recovery rates were almost similar among mature and immature groups pretreated with U-74006F, both of which had fully recovered motor function by day 28. The results indicate that pretreatment with U-74006F can significantly promote peripheral nerve function after low-load crush injury and that the age of the animal influences the rate of peripheral nerve recovery.

Age Factors↗

Studies of ischemia-reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle: efficacy of 21-aminosteroids on microcirculation and muscle contraction after an extended period of warm ischemia.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the effects of tirilazad mesylate (U-74006F), a potent inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, on vessel diameter, capillary perfusion, and contractile function of rat cremaster muscle during a 90-minute reperfusion period that followed 4 hours of warm ischemia. Two groups of 32 animals were treated with either 3 mg/kg U-74006F or the vehicle (citrate buffer) alone 30 minutes before ischemia, 90 minutes after ischemia, and immediately before reperfusion. With use of intravital videomicroscopy, the internal luminal diameters of preselected vessels were measured prior to ischemia and during reperfusion. The area that filled with fluorescein was determined at 15-minute intervals for as long as 90 minutes of reperfusion, and contractile function was examined in vitro in an organ bath at that point. In the U-74006F group, after 90 minutes of reperfusion the vessel diameters returned completely to baseline and the diameters of all three categories of vessels at every time point from 10 to 90 minutes of reperfusion had significantly more rapid recovery than the controls. Although some evidence of more rapid fluorescence was noted in the U-74006F group, the two groups did not differ significantly at any time period of reperfusion. In response to tetanic stimulation, the muscles treated with U-74006F had a significantly greater contractile force at all stimulation frequencies than the control muscles. Our findings indicate that pretreatment with U-74006F can effectively decrease the rise of vascular resistance and preserve the contractile function of skeletal muscle during early reperfusion, thereby attenuating ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals↗

Plasma compatibility of injectables: comparison of intravenous U-74006F, a 21-aminosteroid antioxidant, with Dilantin brand of parenteral phenytoin.

The 21-aminosteroid antioxidant U-74006F (1) is being developed as an iv injectable agent for the treatment of human CNS trauma and ischemia. Because of its poor water solubility, the plasma compatibility of the parenteral formulation of 1 was evaluated using three models: (I) static solubility, (II) aggregometric, and (III) dynamic flow. The flow model was designed to mimic an iv infusion into the human antecubital vein, which was assumed to have plasma flow of 10 mL/min. Dilantin (phenytoin), the positive control, produced a precipitate in all three models from a 10% (v/v) mixture with human plasma, which approximates the in vivo ratio when the drug is infused at the recommended rate of 1 mL/min. Approximately 39% of the phenytoin dose in the flow model was retained on a downstream 3-microns filter as crystals. In comparison, the parenteral formulation of 1 produced minimal precipitate in models I and II from 40% mixtures with plasma, but higher percentages produced unstable suspensions with time-dependent precipitation. The percentage of the dose of the parenteral formulation of 1 retained on the filter in the flow model was 0.5% or less at infusion rates as high as 10 mL/min and 3% at 19 mL/min. At the 10-mL/min infusion rate, the mass of 1 retained on the filter per minute was less than 1% of the mass of phenytoin retained at the 1-mL/min infusion rate for Dilantin. The acceptable plasma compatibility of the parenteral formulation of 1 appears to be related to the solubilizing effects of plasma protein binding and pH suppression by the citric acid vehicle.

Antioxidants↗

The effects of 21-aminosteroids on the redox status of iron in solution.

The effects of two 21-aminosteroids (U-74500A and U-74006F) on the oxidation and reduction of iron were investigated. U-74500A completely prevented ADP: Fe(II) autoxidation whereas U-74006F had only a slight inhibitory effect. The inhibition of Fe(II) oxidation by U-74500A was concentration dependent, with 100% inhibition occurring at concentrations equal to or greater than 25 microM in systems containing 50 microM Fe(II). When the Fe(II)-specific chelator Ferrozine was added to incubations containing U-74500A and ADP:Fe(II), formation of the Ferrozine:Fe(II) chromophore was slow, suggesting that U-74500A chelates Fe(II) with substantial affinity. Temporally, 20 min were required for complete formation of the Ferrozine-Fe(II) chromophore in the presence of U-74500A, whereas complexation in its absence was instantaneous. This phenomenon was not observed with U-74006F, Desferal, or ascorbate. In a system containing 25 microM ADP:Fe(II), U-74500A (25 microM) and U-74006F (25 microM) acted as iron reductants, reducing the iron at rates of approximately 2, and 0.1 microM/min, respectively. In addition, U-74500A fluorescence was quenched in a concentration-dependent manner upon the addition of Fe(III), further demonstrating interactions between this compound and iron. The substructures of U-74500A consist of a steroid (U-76911) and a complex amine (U-82902E). When these compounds were assayed individually, it was found that U-82902E exhibited activities similar to those of U-74500A, whereas the free steroid had no effect. Studies employing cyclic voltammetry revealed that U-74500A had a relatively low oxidation potential (E = 228 mV), whereas U-74006F was much less susceptible to oxidation (E = 810 mV). Taken together, these data suggest that subtle effects on iron redox chemistry, which would in turn inhibit or eliminate the initiation of undesired oxidative reactions, may contribute to the potent antioxidant activities of U-74500A and U-74006F.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Requirement for membrane lipid peroxidation in HIV-1 gp120-induced neuroblastoma cell death.

The HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 engenders Ca(2+)-mediated, excitotoxic damage of rodent neuronal and human neuroblastoma cells in culture. Here we report that human CHP100 neuroblastoma cells undergo early peroxidation of membrane lipids following a brief exposure to gp120. This effect is prevented by preincubating cell cultures with the 21-aminosteroid U-74389G, an inhibitor of membrane lipid peroxidation, which also rescues neuroblastoma cultures from gp120-induced cell death; conversely, no protection from cell death is observed when the 21-aminosteroid is added to neuroblastoma cultures after the induction of membrane lipid peroxidation by gp120. These data indicate that membrane lipid peroxidation has a causative role in the expression of cell death produced by the viral protein.

Antioxidants↗

Apoptosis induced by gp120 in the neocortex of rat involves enhanced expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 and is prevented by NMDA receptor antagonists and by the 21-aminosteroid U-74389G.

The effects of a single dose of the HIV-1 coat protein gp120 given into one lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) on the expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) and PGE(2) levels have been studied using Western blotting and ELISA techniques applied to brain tissue extracts obtained from the neocortex of individual rats, one of the regions of the central nervous system where the viral protein causes apoptosis. The results demonstrate that COX-2 expression is almost doubled 6 h after a single dose (100 ng) of gp120 and this is paralleled by a statistically significant elevation of PGE(2). Enhanced COX-2 expression is implicated in the mechanisms of apoptosis evoked by gp120 because the latter is prevented by NS398 (10 mg/kg i.p.), a selective inhibitor of COX-2 activity. Protection is also afforded by NMDA receptor antagonists, such as MK801 (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) and CGP040116 (10 mg/kg i.p.), and by the free radical scavenger, U-74389G (10 mg/kg i.p.), supporting a glutamate-mediated, excitotoxic, mechanism of apoptotic death induced by gp120. These data together with the observation that MK801 failed to prevent gp120-enhanced COX-2 expression indicate that products of the arachidonic cascade may be responsible for elevation of synaptic glutamate leading neocortical cells to oxidative stress and excitotoxic apoptosis.

Animals↗

Protective effect of pirenoxine and U74389F on induced lipid peroxidation in mammalian lenses. An in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo study.

Oxidative stress is believed to be involved in cataract development. The protective effect of the xanthomatine derivative, pirenoxine, and the 21-aminosteroid U74389F on oxidative insult in mammalian lenses was evaluated in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. In vitro pirenoxine and U74389F inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by iron or haemoglobin in guinea-pig homogenate lens or whole lenses. Both compounds produced the same effect when lens oxidation was induced by superoxide producing system such as xanthine/xanthine oxidase or fMLP stimulated macrophages. In all the in vitro experiments, the values of biochemical lipid peroxidation markers, such as lipid hydroperoxides or thiobarbituric reactant substances, fell to the basal values with the addition of either pirenoxine (10(-5) M) or U74389F (10(-5) M). When two drops (60 microl) of the above molecular solutions (0.005 and 0.012% in saline respectively) were instilled in rabbit eyes (every hour for 8 hours over 2 days), the extracted lenses appeared to have better defences against an in vitro iron-induced lipid peroxidation, as shown by the values of conjugated dienes and lipid soluble fluorescent substances. These values also proved to be significantly lower when the same parameters were assayed in lenses from eyes where a lipid peroxidation was induced in vivo by haemoglobin or Diquat intravitreal injection followed by instillations of pirenoxine sodium salt or U74389F solutions (2 drops of about 60 microl every hour for 8 hours over 4 days) administered topically. Polarographic and chronocoulometric measurements were also performed in order to investigate the action mechanisms of both compounds. Experimental data indicate that the pirenoxine sodium salt and U74389F may be considered effective tools for rejecting an oxidative attack on the lenses, which can finally lead to cataract formation.

Animals↗