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Chronic neurosteroid treatment produces functional heterologous uncoupling at the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A/benzodiazepine receptor complex in mammalian cortical neurons.

We have investigated the effects of chronic treatment with the neurosteroid 5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one (5 alpha 3 alpha) on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor complex in cultured mammalian cortical neurons. Chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment (up to 2 microM, 5 days) did not produce any changes in the morphological appearance or the cell protein content of cortical neurons. The basal binding of [3H]flunitrazepam, [3H]Ro15-1788, and [3H]Ro15-4513 was not altered after the chronic treatment. Chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment did not alter the Kd or Bmax values of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to intact cortical neurons. However, chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment produced uncoupling between GABA, barbiturate, and neurosteroid sites and the benzodiazepine site. The EC50 values of these ligands were not significantly altered; however, their Emax values were decreased after chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment. The 5 alpha 3 alpha-induced uncoupling was time and concentration dependent. The binding of [3H]GABA and t-[35S]butylbicyclophosphorothionate was also decreased after chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment. Chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment decreased the Bmax of the low affinity GABAA receptor sites, without affecting the high affinity sites, and decreased the Bmax of t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding sites. The EC50 value for GABA-induced 36Cl- influx was not altered, whereas the Emax value was decreased after chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment. Furthermore, the 5 alpha 3 alpha-induced uncoupling was reversed by concomitant exposure of the cortical neurons to 5 alpha-pregnan-3 beta-ol-20-one or R5135, suggesting an involvement of the neurosteroid and GABA recognition sites in the observed uncoupling. Taken together, these results suggest that chronic 5 alpha 3 alpha treatment produces heterologous uncoupling at the GABAA receptor complex.

Androstanes↗

Conjugated system of homo-aza-steroidal esters in cancer chemotherapy.

The homo-aza-steroidal esters of conjugated carboxylic derivatives of nitrogen mustards are reviewed. Particularly we discuss the antitumor activity of cinnamic acid and benzoic acid mustard isomers, esters of homo-aza-steroids in which the mustard acid is linked to the C-3 or C17 position, while the lactam nucleus is in the D or A ring of the steroid respectively. The current literature indicates that the potential is due to the synergistic activity of both the steroidal lactam and the mustard of the acids. Steroidal lactams, namely 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam, the isomer 3 alpha-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic- 13,17-lactam, 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino 13,17-seco-5-androsten-17-oic-13,17-lactam and the 17 beta-hydroxy-3-aza-A-homo- 4 alpha-androsten-4-one, have been used as biological platforms of the cinnamic acid, of the benzoic acid mustard isomers and the 4-methyl-benzoic acid mustard. The twelve esters of cinnamic acid mustard isomers were tested against P388, L1210 leukemias Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and melanoma B16 in vivo. The effect of homo-aza-steroidal esters of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl) amino cinnamic acid isomers on the incorporation of the radioactive precursors into DNA, RNA and proteins of L1210, P388 leukemias, Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and Baby Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells, was investigated. The effect of the homo-aza-steroidal esters of N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl) aminobenzoic acid isomers on the incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA, RNA and proteins was studied in L1210, P388 leukemias, Ehrlich ascites tumor and Baby hamster kidney cells.

Animals↗

gamma-Aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) agonists down-regulate GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor polypeptides from the surface of chick cortical neurons.

The impermeant SH-cleavable reagent, 125I-labeled 3,3'-dithiopropionyl 1-sulfosuccinimidyl 1'-glycyltyrosine (DPSgt) and specific immunoprecipitation were used to quantitate gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor polypeptides with domains exposed on the surface of chick cortical neurons. The 125I label incorporated into 50- and 53-kDa receptor subunits was completely removed by washing the cells with glutathione (GSH) buffer. A single dose of 100 microns GABA or GABA agonist was added to the neurons, and after 5 days in culture the cells were washed and labeled with 125I-DPSgt. This treatment with GABA or isoguvacine reduced the level of the receptor 125I-labeled subunits by 50-60%, while the reduction by 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol was less than 17%. The subunit down-regulation by agonist was prevented by the GABAA antagonist 3 alpha-hydroxy-16-imino-5 beta-17-aza-androstan-11-one (R5135). Direct iodination of membranes isolated from treated cells revealed a similar loss of subunits, indicating that the down-regulated polypeptides are not retained intracellularly. Furthermore, the level of intracellular [3H]flunitrazepam binding (per mg of protein) did not change significantly during chronic GABA treatment, while the fraction of intracellular binding rose from 7% to 15% of the total, owing to a decline in surface binding. The fate of the surface subunits during acute agonist exposure was examined by labeling intact neurons with 125I-DPSgt at 0 degrees C, incubating with GABA for 2-4 h at 37 degrees C and then washing with GSH buffer. Of the 50-53-kDa receptor peptides originally on the surface, 16 +/- 2% became protected from GSH during the 2-h GABA treatment. This sequestration was not found in cells incubated without GABA, with GABA + R5135, or with GABA at 0 degree C. A consistently lower level of sequestered subunits was recovered after a 4- versus 2-h GABA treatment at 37 degrees C, suggesting polypeptide degradation. Overall, the results indicate that GABAA receptor sequestration and subsequent degradation play an important role in agonist-dependent down-regulation.

Androstanes↗

Induction of HMG CoA reductase by the administration of 20,25-diazacholesterol.

This paper describes the direct examination of HMG CoA reductase activity in rats treated with 20,25-diazacholesterol. Conversion of acetyl CoA and HMG CoA to mevalonate increased to over 200% of control values in the microsomes and in the 12,000 g supernatant of liver homogenates after 5 days of treatment. The time course of induction coincided with the development of hypocholesterolemia. Animal weights, liver weights, and microsomal protein content did not vary significantly between animal groups. Incubations to which the compound was introduced in vitro in concentrations as great as 0.5 mM produced no significant difference from control incubations. Similar treatment of the animals with 7-ketocholesterol, a cholesterol derivative reported to repress HMG CoA reductase activity in tissue cultures, produced no appreciable difference in reductase activity or serum steroid levels in vivo.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗

Antitumor activity of homo-aza-steroidal esters of p-N, N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid.

The homo-aza-steroidal esters of carboxylic derivatives of N, N-bis (2-chloroethyl) aniline are reviewed. In particular, we discuss the antitumor activity of the esters of homo-aza steroids in which the p-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid is linked to the C-3 or C-17 position, while the lactam nucleus is linked to the D or A ring of the modified steroid respectively. The current literature indicates clearly that the potential of these esters is due to the synergistic activity of both the lactam and the p-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxyacetic acid.

Animals↗

Effects of finasteride on the rat ventral prostate.

The objectives of this study were to compare changes in the ventral prostate (VP) of young adult Sprague Dawley rats after 28 days of treatment with finasteride (F), a potent 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, with those caused by castration (Cx). VP concentrations of DHT were reduced to 20.2% and 6.6% of controls (1,947 +/- 207 pg/VP, mean +/- SE) by F (5 or 20 mg/kg/day) and to 2.6% of controls by Cx. VP weights were reduced 49% and 54% by F and 88% by Cx. DNA/VP fell 25% and 15% with F treatment and 72% after Cx, whereas RNA and protein/VP were reduced 37-51% by F and 91-93% by Cx. The RNA/DNA and the protein/DNA ratios fell to 30-36% of controls after F treatment and to 70% of controls after Cx. The mRNA concentrations of the C3 subunit of prostatein 28S ribosomal RNA fell after treatment with F (5 mg/kg/day) and after Cx, whereas the mRNA for TRPM-2, an androgen-suppressed protein associated with apoptosis, was increased only after castration. To examine further the effects of F on the rate of DNA synthesis, 7-day regressed adult rats were treated for 3 days with testosterone propionate +/- F, and incorporation of 3H-thymidine in minced ventral prostates was determined. F inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation. We conclude that Cx causes a greater reduction in cell number/VP and a greater reduction in RNA and protein cell than F and that the differences between F treatment and castration probably result from differences in prostatic concentrations of T.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Antileukemic effect of homo-aza-steroidal ester of [p-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]acetic acid.

The homo-aza-steroidal ester of [p-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]acetic acid, 3beta-hydroxy-13alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17,-lactam p-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenylacetate (ASE), gives a greater than 50% increased lifespan over controls in the treatment of L1210 leukemia by the ip, sc, and oral routes of administration and a greater than 150% increased lifespan in the treatment of P388 leukemia by the ip route (the only route tested). Both a daily and a Day 1, 5, and 9 treatment schedule are essentially equally effective. In this study, ASE is compared to the parent compound phenesterin which is inactive in both of these tumor lines. To our knowledge ASE is the first steroidal alkylating agent to show activity in the L1210 leukemia.

Animals↗

Unique preclinical characteristics of GG745, a potent dual inhibitor of 5AR.

Selective inhibition of type 2 5alpha-reductase has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results are reported of treatment with a potent inhibitor of both 5alpha-reductase isozymes, GG745, in rats, dogs and men. In the rat, GG745 has a similar effect on DHT-driven prostatic growth as finasteride, another dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor in this species. However, GG745 appears to be more potent in the rat, a result that likely reflects the greater inherent potency and terminal half-life of GG745 (14 hr) compared with that of finasteride (1 hr). These pharmacokinetic differences are also maintained in the dog (65 and 4 hr for GG745 and finasteride, respectively). From these results, the literature, and in vitro studies, we estimated doses of GG745 likely to prove efficacious in reducing DHT levels in man. These estimated values were predictive of single-dose effects of GG745 in man. Results from single-dose evaluations in man indicate that GG745 has a terminal half-life of approximately 240 hr, and single doses of >10 mg decreased DHT levels significantly more than did single 5-mg doses of finasteride. These data support the hypothesis that a molecule (GG745) that effectively inhibits both 5alpha-reductases will lower serum DHT levels significantly more than a molecule that inhibits only a single 5alpha-reductase isozyme (e.g., finasteride, a selective inhibitor of the type 2 enzyme in man).

Animals↗