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Dopamine agonist-induced yawning in rats: a dopamine D3 receptor-mediated behavior.

A specific role for the dopamine D3 receptor in behavior has yet to be elucidated. We now report that dopamine D2/D3 agonists elicit dose-dependent yawning behavior in rats, resulting in an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. A series of experiments was directed toward the hypothesis that the induction of yawning is a D3 receptor-mediated effect, whereas the inhibition of the yawning observed at higher doses is due to competing D2 receptor activity. We compared several dopaminergic agonists with a range of in vitro D3 selectivity, including PD-128,907 [(S)-(+)-(4aR, 10bR)-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano-[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol HCl], PD-128,908 [(R)-(-)-(4aS,10bS)-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano-[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol HCl], quinelorane [(5aR-trans)-5,5a,6,7,8, 9,9a,10-octahydro-6-propylpyrido[2,3-g]quinazolin-2-amine dihydrochloride], pramipexole (N'-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole-2,6-diamine), 7-OH-DPAT [(+/-)-7-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin HBr], quinpirole [trans-(-)-(4aR)-4,4a,5,6,7,8, 8a,9-octahydro-5-propyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-g]quinoline HCl], bromocriptine [(+)-2-bromo-12'-hydroxy-2'-(1-methylethyl)-5'-(2-methylpropyl) ergotaman-3',6'-18-trione methanesulfonate], and apomorphine [(R)-(-)-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo-[de,g]quinoline-10,11-diol HCl] with respect to their ability to induce yawning in rats. A series of D2/D3 antagonists differing in selectivity for D3 over D2 receptors were evaluated for their ability to alter the effects of the dopamine agonists. The antagonists L-741,626 (3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidin-l-yl]methyl-1H-indole), haloperidol (4-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyl]-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-butanone HCl), nafadotride (N-[(1-butyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-4-cyano-1-methoxy-2-naphtha-lenecarboxamide), U99194 (2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy-N,N-dipropyl-1H-inden-2-amine maleate), SB-277011A (trans-N-[4-[2-(6-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)ethyl]cyclohexyl]-4-quinolinecarboxamide), and PG01037 (N-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-trans-but-2-enyl}-4-pyridine-2-yl-benzamide HCl) were used to determine effects on dose-response curves for D2/D3 agonist-induced yawning. In addition, the potential contribution of cholinergic and/or serotonergic mechanisms to the yawning response was investigated using a series of pharmacological tools including scopolamine [(a,S)-a-(hydroxymethyl)benzeneacetic acid (1a,2b,4b,5a,7b)-9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo[3.3.1.02,4]-non7-yl ester hydrobromide], mianserin (1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydro-2-methyldibenzo[c,f]pyrazino[1,2-a]azepine HCl), and the D3-preferring antagonists nafadotride, U99194, SB-277011A, and PG01037 to differentially modulate yawning induced by PD-128,907, physostigmine [(3aS)-cis-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydro-1,3a,8-trimethylpyrrolo[2,3-b]indol-5-ol methylcarbamate hemisulfate], and N-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine HCl. The results of these experiments provide convergent evidence that dopamine D2/D3 agonist-induced yawning is a D3 agonist-mediated behavior, with subsequent inhibition of yawning being driven by competing D2 agonist activity. Thus, dopamine agonist-induced yawning may represent an in vivo method for selectively identifying D3 and D2 receptor-mediated activities.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Pharmacological characterization of the competitive GLUK5 receptor antagonist decahydroisoquinoline LY466195 in vitro and in vivo.

The excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate has been implicated in both migraine and persistent pain. The identification of the kainate receptor GLU(K5) in dorsal root ganglia, the dorsal horn, and trigeminal ganglia makes it a target of interest for these indications. We examined the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology of the competitive GLU(K5)-selective kainate receptor antagonist LY466195 [(3S,4aR,6S,8aR)-6-[[(2S)-2-carboxy-4,4-difluoro-1-pyrrolidinyl]-methyl]decahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid)], the most potent GLU(K5) antagonist described to date. Comparisons were made to the competitive GLU(K5)/alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist LY293558 [(3S,4aR,6R,8aR)-6-[2-(1(2)H-tetrazole-5-yl)ethyl]-decahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid], other decahydroisoquinoline GLU(K5) receptor antagonists, and the noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist LY300168 [1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodi-azepine]. When characterized electrophysiologically in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons, LY466195 antagonized kainate (30 microM)-induced currents with an IC50 value of 0.045 +/- 0.011 microM. In HEK293 cells transfected with GLU(K5), GLU(K2)/GLU(K5), or GLU(K5)/GLU(K6) receptors, LY466195 produced IC50 values of 0.08 +/- 0.02, 0.34 +/- 0.17, and 0.07 +/- 0.02 microM, respectively. LY466195 was efficacious in a dural plasma protein extravasation (PPE) model of migraine with an ID100 value of 100 microg/kg i.v. LY466195 was also efficacious in the c-fos migraine model, with a dose of 1 microg/kg i.v. significantly reducing the number of Fos-positive cells in the rat nucleus caudalis after electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion. Furthermore, LY466195 showed no contractile activity in the rabbit saphenous vein in vitro. The diethyl ester prodrug of LY466195 was also efficacious in the same PPE and c-fos models after oral administration at doses of 10 and 100 microg/kg, respectively while having no N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist-like behavioral effects at oral doses up to 100 mg/kg.

Animals↗

Reactive oxygen species generation is involved in epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation through the transient oxidization of Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase in endothelin-1 signaling pathway in rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is implicated in fibroblast proliferation, which results in cardiac fibrosis. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation play critical roles in ET-1 signal transduction. In this study, we used rat cardiac fibroblasts treated with ET-1 to investigate the connection between ROS generation and EGFR transactivation. ET-1 treatment was found to stimulate the phosphorylation of EGFR and ROS generation, which were abolished by ETA receptor antagonist N-(N-(N-((hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)carbonyl)-L-leucyl)-D-tryptophyl)-D-tryptophan (BQ485). NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and p47phox small interfering RNA knockdown all inhibited the EGFR transactivation induced by ET-1. In contrast, EGFR inhibitor 4-(3'-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (AG-1478) cannot inhibit intracellular ROS generation induced by ET-1. Src homology 2-containing tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) was shown to be associated with EGFR during ET-1 treatment by EGFR coimmunoprecipitation. ROS have been reported to transiently oxidize the catalytic cysteine of phosphotyrosine phosphatases to inhibit their activity. We examined the effect of ROS on SHP-2 in cardiac fibroblasts using a modified malachite green phosphatase assay. SHP-2 was transiently oxidized during ET-1 treatment, and this transient oxidization could be repressed by DPI or NAC treatment. In SHP-2 knockdown cells, ET-1-induced phosphorylation of EGFR was dramatically elevated and is not influenced by NAC and DPI. However, this elevation was suppressed by GM6001 [a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor] and heparin binding (HB)-epidermal growth factor (EGF) neutralizing antibody. Our data suggest that ET-1-ETA-mediated ROS generation can transiently inhibit SHP-2 activity to facilitate the MMP-dependent and HB-EGF-stimulated EGFR transactivation and mitogenic signal transduction in rat cardiac fibroblasts.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis and molecular modeling of the binding pocket of the metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor negative modulator 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) 5 is a G-protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptor that plays an important role as a modulator of synaptic plasticity, ion channel activity, and excitotoxicity. 2-Methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) is a highly potent, noncompetitive, selective, and systemically active antagonist of mGlu5 receptors. It binds to a novel allosteric site that resides within the seven-transmembrane domain of mGlu5 receptors. Using site-directed mutagenesis, [3H]MPEP binding, a functional Ca2+ mobilization assay, and rhodopsin-based homology modeling, we identified eight residues (Pro-6543.36, Tyr-6583.40, Leu-7435.47, Thr-7806.44, Trp-7846.48, Phe-7876.51, Tyr-7916.55, and Ala-8097.47) that are crucial for MPEP-binding to rat mGlu5 receptors. Four mutations, Y6583.40V, W7846.48A, F7876.51A, and A8097.47V, caused complete loss of [3H]MPEP binding and also blocked the MPEP-mediated inhibition of quisqualate-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. To visualize these experimental findings, we have constructed a homology model based on the X-ray crystal of bovine rhodopsin and have suggested a possible binding mode of MPEP. We propose that MPEP via its interactions with a network of the aromatic residues including Phe-6583.40 in transmembrane (TM) 3 helix and Trp-7986.48, Phe-7876.51, and Tyr-7916.55 in TM6 helix prevents the movement of TM6 helix relative to TM3 helix, a step that is required for receptor activation, and consequently stabilizes the inactive conformation of mGlu5 receptor. In the TM6 region, we observed a striking similarity between the critical residues involved in MPEP-binding site with those of previously identified as 1-ethyl-2-methyl-6-oxo-4-(1,2,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[d]azepin-3-yl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile-binding pocket of mGlu1, pointing to a common mechanism of inhibition shared by both antagonists.

Allosteric Site↗

Prevention of the emergence of drug resistance in bacteria by acridines, phenothiazines, and dibenzocycloheptenes.

It has been found that, like Atabrine, the phenothiazine tranquilizers promazine, chlorpromazine, promethazine, levopromethazine, and Stelazine; the antidepressants (dibenz-azepine and dibenzocycloheptene derivatives) Tofranil, Pertofrane, cyclobenzaprine, Elavil, protriptyline, and 3-chlorodibenzocycloheptene; and the acridine derivatives acridine orange, acriflavin, SKF no. 16214-A2, SKF no. 13231-A2, SKF no. 9200, and SKF no. 9836 are all to a greater or lesser extent than Atabrine, effective in preventing the emergence of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the presence of streptomycin, sulfathiazole, or chloramphenicol. The antimalarials chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were also studied and found to be ineffective. The medical significance of these findings is discussed, as well as the effect of the structural variations of these compounds on their relative activities.

Journal Article↗

Ca2+ channel ligand sensitive responses to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in vascular smooth muscle.

The action of a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), on isolated rat aortic and tail artery strips has been characterized. TPA (10(-9)-10(-7) M) produced a graded contraction developing maximum tension over 30-40 min. The contraction was irreversible and was not relaxed by prolonged washing with physiologic saline. Relaxation occurred upon washing with Ca2+-free saline but readdition of Ca2+ restored response. TPA was without significant effect in rat tail arteries in physiologic saline but produced responses in saline containing elevated K+ (15 mM). The protein kinase C inhibitor, CP-46,665-1 (4-aminomethyl-1-[2,3-(di-n-decyloxy)n-propyl]-4-phenylpiperidine dihydrochloride) (5 X 10(-5) M), blocked the response to TPA but was without effect on responses to Bay K 8644 (2,6-dimethyl-3-carbomethoxy-5-nitro-4-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl) 1,4-dihydropyridine), KCl, phenylephrine, and B-HT 920 (6-allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin dihydrochloride). The calcium channel antagonist nifedipine and its analogue, 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-dicarbomethoxy-4-(3-cyanophenyl)-1,4-dihydr opyridine, inhibited TPA responses with IC50 values of 9.28 X 10(-9) and 1.96 X 10(-7) M, respectively. Responses to Bay K 8644 in rat aorta were maximum in the presence of elevated KCl (10 mM), but TPA at concentrations of 10(-9) and 3 X 10(-9) M potentiated responses to Bay K 8644 in physiologic saline to levels approximating those in elevated K+ saline. TPA similarly potentiated responses to Ca2+ in Ca2+-free solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Effects of various drugs supposed to interact with serotonin on PGO frequency changes induced by reserpine and 5-hydroxytryptophan.

Reserpine induced ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) spikes in the lateral geniculate nucleus. This was used as a model to evaluate the possible anti-reserpine effects of Org GB 94-1,2,3,4,10,14b-hexahydro-2-methyldibenzo[c,f]pyrazino [1,2-alpha]azepine monohydrochloride-methiothepin, imipramine and atropine. In cats, under local anaesthesia, 3.2 mg/kg of methiothepin (a serotonin antagonist and neuroleptic) increased PGO density while 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) effects were blocked. A dose of 0.32 mg/kg of imipramine or atropine greatly reduced PGO density while potentiating 5-HTP effects. Org GB 94 had no effect in doses up to 10 mg/kg, where a slight decrease of PGO density was found, while 5-HTP effects were unchanged. At 32 mg/kg, EEG was pronouncedly changed by Org GB 94 but only a short-lasting decrease in PGO density was noted. On the basis of these results it seems improbable that the behavioural effects of Org GB 94 are to be explained by the same mechanism (i.e. serotonin uptake inhibition) as that of imipramine.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗

Colorimetric assays for evaluation of the mode of action of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Four non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors, 9-CI-TIBO [(+)-S-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-9- chloro-5-methyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)imidazo(4,5,1-jk)(1,4)- benzodiazepin-2(1H)-thione)], nevirapine (6,11-dihydro-11-cyclopropyl-4-methyl-dipyrido[2,3-b:2',3'-e]-[1,4]di azepin- 6-one), MSA-300 (N-[cis-2-(2-hydroxy-3-acetyl-6-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropyl]-N'- (5-chloropyrid-2-yl)-thiourea) and delavirdine ¿1-(5-methanesulphonamido-1H-indol-2-yl-carbonyl)-4-[3- (1-methylethylamino)pyridinyl]piperazine¿ were analysed for the mode of action of their inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RT in three different assays utilizing a 96-well microtitre plate format, with solid-phase conjugated poly(rA) as template. These were: (i) direct RT assay, for determination of IC50 values of RT inhibitors; (ii) RT template/primer binding inhibition (BIC) assay, for measuring the effect of various substances on the RT activity binding to template/primer; (iii) RT protein ELISA, for measuring RT protein binding to template/primer with a monoclonal antibody reactive against a peptide in the RNase H region. MSA-300 and delavirdine gave the lowest IC50 values, ranging from 0.17 microM to 0.24 microM for MSA-300 and from 0.12 microM to 0.38 microM for delavirdine, whereas higher IC50 values of approximately 20 microM were obtained for 9-CI-TIBO at all primer concentrations. None of the non-nucleoside substances had inhibiting effects on the binding of template, primer, or template/primer to RT protein. Their inhibition of RT activity was not due to prevention of RT binding to template/primer. TIBO, nevirapine and delavirdine bound to RT reversibly, and they bound more tightly to RT template/primer ternary than to RT template binary complex. MSA-300 showed a comparatively high affinity for the enzyme. The utility of the three assays in relation to screening and analysis of RT inhibitory substances is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of dopamine receptor subtypes involved in experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.

There are conflicting reports about the role of dopamine in gastric and duodenal ulcers. This investigation was undertaken to characterize the specific subtypes of dopamine receptor involved in gastric and duodenal ulceration. Administration of dopamine D1 agonist fenoldopam and dopamine D2 antagonist sulpiride elicited a significant decrease in acid secretion, total acid output, pepsin output and histamine content in the gastric juice, and reduced ulcer-index values, in pylorus-ligated rats. However, dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 39166 ((-)-trans-6,7,7a,8,9,13b-hexahydro-3-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-methyl-5H -benzo (d) naptho -(2,1-b) azepine) and the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole led to significant augmentation of these parameters compared with respective controls. In the restraint plus water-immersion stress model the score for intraluminal bleeding and the cumulative gastric lesion length was significantly lower for rats treated with fenoldopam and sulpiride. The opposite effects were observed after pretreatment of rats with SCH 39166 and quinpirole. In the cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer model the mean ulcer area and the score for intensity were significantly lower for fenoldopam and sulpiride and higher for SCH 39166 and quinpirole. Our data suggest that the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors have opposite effects on gastric and duodenal ulcers. Whereas stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors inhibits the formation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, stimulation of dopamine D2 receptors has a pro-ulcerogenic effect.

Animals↗

Development of potent serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. I. Structure-activity relationships of 2-alkoxy-4-amino-5-chlorobenzamide derivatives.

A new series of 2-alkoxy-4-amino-5-chlorobenzamide derivatives bearing five- to seven-membered heteroalicyclic rings in the amine moiety was synthesized and evaluated for serotonin-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonistic activity by assaying the ability to antagonize the von Bezold-Jarisch reflex in rats. The five- to seven-membered heteroalicycles comprise pyrrolidine, morpholine, 1,4-thiazine, piperidine, piperazine, 1,4-oxazepine, 1,4-thiazepine, azepine, and 1,4-diazepine rings. Among them, some benzamide derivatives having a 1,4-diazepine ring showed a potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity. In particular, 4-amino-5-chloro-N-(1,4-dimethylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-6- yl)-2- ethoxybenzamide (96) and the 1-benzyl-4-methylhexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepine analogue 103 showed potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonistic activity without 5-HT4 receptor binding affinity.

Animals↗

[Synthesis of metabolites of mosapramine. II. Synthesis of phenolic metabolites of mosapramine and their pharmacological activities].

Four phenolic metabolites of (+-)-3-chloro-5-[3-(2-oxo-1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydroimidazo[1,2- a]pyridine-3-spiro-4'-piperidino)propyl]-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz [b,f]azepine (mosapramine), a new antipsychotic drug, were synthesized in order to determine their chemical structures. Pharmacological activities of the three main metabolites were compared with those of mosapramine. The activities of the metabolites were far less potent than those of mosapramine.

Animals↗

[Behavioral pharmacology of a new antidepressant, lopramine].

The behavioral effects of lopramine [N-methyl-N-(4-chlorobenzoyl-methyl)-3-(10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenz (b,f) azepin-5-yl) propylamine hydrochloride] were investigated in mice and rats and compared with those of amitriptyline and imipramine. Lopramine inhibited reserpine hypothermia and haloperidol catalepsy in mice and tetrabenazine ptosis in rats. In addition the drug potentiated the effects of methamphetamine, and DOPA- or apomorphine-induced stereotypy in mice, whereas it suppressed muricide of the rat induced by either olfactory bulbectomy or delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, similar to the responses seen with imipramine and amitriptyline. On the other hand,lopramine increased spontaneous motor activity and markedly potentiated methamphetamine hyperactivity. In contrast to imipramine and amitriptyline, lopramine failed to counteract both the lethal effect of physostigmine and oxotremorine tremor in mice, indicating that the drug had no central anticholinergic effect. Lopramine, even at such a large dose as 5,000 mg/kg p.o., caused neitherimpairment of coordinated motor activity nor muscle relaxation. It is concluded that lopramine is a new type of tricyclic antidepressant with extremely low toxicity and without central anticholinergic action.

Amitriptyline↗

[Behavioral effects of quinupramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant].

The effects of a new tricyclic antidepressant quinupramine (5-(3-quinuclidinyl)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz [b, f] azepine) on various animal behaviors were examined in mice and rats and compared with those of imipramine, amitriptyline and maprotiline. Quinupramine antagonized haloperidol-induced catalepsy and tetrabenazine-induced ptosis and potentiated methamphetamine- and apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior. These effects were almost the same as or even more potent than those of imipramine and amitriptyline. Quinupramine decreased locomotor activity in mice, but potentiated methamphetamine-induced hyperactivity to a greater degree than imipramine and amitriptyline. On the other hand, quinupramine inhibited muricide in accumbens-lesioned rats, but did not prominently inhibit muricide in olfactory-bulbectomized and raphe-lesioned rats. Quinupramine decreased the duration of immobility in low doses without affecting locomotor activity, and this effect was almost the same as that of imipramine and amitriptyline and more potent than that of maprotiline. Quinupramine antagonized physostigmine lethality and oxotremorine-induced tremor, suggesting that quinupramine has a central anticholinergic action. Quinupramine, like imipramine and amitriptyline, has no effect on conditioned avoidance behavior. In conclusion, quinupramine generally has the same behavioral profile as typical tricyclic antidepressants, but it has somewhat different effects from imipramine and amitriptyline since quinupramine has a potent central anticholinergic and a weak antimuricide effect.

Animals↗

Receptor binding profile of quinupramine, a new tricyclic antidepressant.

The receptor binding profile, composed of the Ki-values measured in eight different receptor binding models using rat brain membranes, is reported for the new tricyclic antidepressant quinupramine, 10,11-dihydro-5-(3-quinuclidinyl)-5H-dibenz[b, f]azepine, and three reference compounds with a tertiaryamine side chain. Quinupramine was found to possess high affinity for muscarinic cholinergic and histamine H1 receptor binding sites in rat brain, whereas its affinity for imipramine binding sites was only one seventieth that of imipramine. Receptor binding profiles of the reference compounds were almost similar to that of quinupramine, except in the case of imipramine binding sites.

Animals↗

Spontaneous release of neuropeptide Y tonically inhibits recurrent mossy fiber synaptic transmission in epileptic brain.

In the pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy, mossy fibers coexpress the inhibitory transmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) with glutamate. The effects of endogenous and applied NPY on recurrent mossy fiber synaptic transmission were investigated with the use of whole-cell voltage-clamp and field recordings in rat hippocampal slices. Applied NPY reversibly inhibited synaptic transmission at recurrent mossy fiber synapses on dentate granule cells but not at perforant path or associational-commissural synapses. It also reduced the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) in granule cells from epileptic, but not control, rats and depressed granule cell epileptiform activity dependent on the recurrent mossy fiber pathway. These actions of NPY were mediated by activation of presynaptic Y2 receptors. The Y2 receptor antagonist (S)-N2-[[1-[2-[4-[(R,S)-5,11-dihydro-6(6H)-oxodibenz[b,e]azepin-11-yl]-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethyl]cyclopentyl]acetyl]-N-[2-[1,2-dihydro-3,5(4H)-dioxo-1,2-diphenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]ethyl]argininamide (BIIE0246) not only blocked the effects of NPY but also enhanced recurrent mossy fiber synaptic transmission, the frequency of mEPSCs, and the magnitude of mossy fiber-evoked granule cell epileptiform activity when applied by itself. Several observations supported the selectivity of BIIE0246. These results suggest that even the spontaneous release of NPY (or an active metabolite) from recurrent mossy fibers is sufficient to depress glutamate release from this pathway. Tonic release of NPY accounts at least partially for the low probability of glutamate release from recurrent mossy fiber terminals, impedes the ability of these fibers to synchronize granule cell discharge, and may protect the hippocampus from seizures that involve the entorhinal cortex. This pathway may synchronize granule cell discharge more effectively in human brain than in rat because of its lower expression of NPY.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

Spectroelectrochemical characterization of Si-bridged diphenylamines: influence of Si-bridging upon electronic structures of diphenylamines.

Spectroelectrochemical properties of monosilane bridged diphenylamine (5,10-dihydro-2,8-diphenyl-5, 10,10-trimethylphenazasiline, Phenaz) and disilane bridged diphenylamine (2,8-diphenyl-10,11-dihydro-10,11-disila-5,10,10,11,11-pentamethyldibenzo[b,f]azepine, DSiAzep) were investigated. The electrochemical oxidation of Phenaz was reversible and its cyclic voltammogram was almost the same shape as that of diphenylamine (DPA). The electrochemical oxidation of DSiAzep was followed by irreversible reactions leading to the cleavage of the Si-Si bond. On electrochemical oxidations of Phenaz and DPA, the formation of a stable radical cation was observed with UV-Vis spectroscopy. In comparison with the absorption characteristics of oxidized radical cations, it was seen that the oxidized radical cation of Phenaz was more delocalized than that of DPA. In the same way, absorption characteristics of oxidized DSiAzep were observed to be different from those observed in Phenaz and DPA.

Journal Article↗

Oxcarbazepine: an update of its efficacy in the management of epilepsy.

UNLABELLED: Oxcarbazepine (10,11-dihydro-10-oxo-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide) is a 10-keto analogue of carbamazepine with anticonvulsant activity. In newly diagnosed adult patients, oxcarbazepine monotherapy is as effective as phenytoin and vaiproic acid at reducing generalised tonic-clonic and partial seizure frequency. Furthermore, oxcarbazepine 2400 mg/day as monotherapy has also proved effective in the treatment of refractory partial seizures in adult patients. Oxcarbazepine 600, 1200 and 2400 mg/day as adjunctive therapy significantly reduced seizure frequency compared with placebo in 692 patients with refractory partial seizures. The efficacy of oxcarbazepine monotherapy is similar to that of phenytoin in the treatment of children and adolescents with newly diagnosed partial or generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Additionally, adjunctive therapy with oxcarbazepine was significantly more effective than placebo at reducing seizure frequency in children and adolescents with refractory partial seizures. The most commonly reported adverse events associated with oxcarbazepine monotherapy and/or adjunctive therapy in adults and/or children are somnolence, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. Oxcarbazepine monotherapy is better tolerated than phenytoin (in both adults and children) and valproic acid (in adults), and although 75 to 90% of adult patients in 5 recent monotherapy studies reported adverse events while receiving oxcarbazepine, <8% withdrew from treatment because of them. Acute hyponatraemia, although usually asymptomatic, develops in 2.7% of patients treated with oxcarbazepine. Adverse events most likely to resolve upon switching to oxcarbazepine therapy from treatment with carbamazepine are undetermined skin reactions (rashes, pruritus, eczema), allergic reactions and a combination of malaise, dizziness and headache. Although oxcarbazepine does have a clinically significant interaction with some drugs (e.g. phenytoin and oral contraceptives), it has a lower propensity for interactions than older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) because its major metabolic pathway is mediated by noninducible enzymes. CONCLUSION: Oxcarbazepine as monotherapy is a viable alternative to established AEDs in the treatment of partial and generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children. Furthermore, it is also effective as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of refractory partial seizures in both age groups. In addition, the drug is tolerated better than the older, established AEDs, and has a lower potential for drug interactions. These attributes make oxcarbazepine an effective component in the initial treatment of newly diagnosed partial and generalised tonic-clonic seizures, and also as an adjunct for medically intractable partial seizures in both adults and children.

Adult↗

The distribution and excretion of [3H, 14C] lofepramine in the rat.

1. Lofepramine hydrochloride (N-methyl-N-[4-chlorobenzoylmethyl-3-(10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenz(b,f)azepin-5-yl)]-propylamine hydrochloride) labelled with 3H in the dihydrobenzazepine moiety and 14C in the chlorobenzene moiety was synthesized and its distribution, urinary and biliary excretion were studied in female rats after oral administration. 2. For both isotopes, high ratios were established between tissues and blood. 3. Extensive N-dealkylation of lofepramine occurred in the rat. One of the metabolites, desmethylimipramine, was found in high concentrations in most tissues, especially the lungs and brain. 4. Desmethylimipramine was further metabolized to 2-hydroxydesmethyl-imipramine and 2-hydroxy-iminodibenzyl, and the corresponding glucuronides. These metabolites were mainly excreted via the bile. 5. p-Chlorobenzoic acid was found in the liver and lungs but not in the urine where most of the excreted 14C-activity was found. The identity of the major urinary metabolite is discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗