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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX).

A quantitative liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of the explosive, octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). In negative ionization mode, HMX forms an acetate adduct ion [M + CH(3)COO](-), m/z 355, in the presence of a small amount of acetic acid in the mobile phase. The ESI collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectrum of m/z 355 was acquired and the transitions m/z 355 --> 147 and m/z 355 --> 174 were chosen for the determination of HMX in samples. Using this quantification technique, the method detection limit was 1.57 microg/L and good linearity was achieved in the range 5-500 microg/L. This method will help to unambiguously analyze environmentally relevant concentrations of HMX.

Azocines↗

Pharmacological evaluation of a Br-76 analog of epibatidine: a potent ligand for studying brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

[(76)Br]-Norchlorobromoepibatidine ([(76)Br]BrPH) is a specific and high affinity radioligand for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In vitro, on rat thalamus membranes [(76)Br]BrPH bound to two sites with apparent affinities of 8 pM and 3 nM. The density of binding sites were 1.9 and 70 fmol/mg protein, respectively. In vivo, in biodistribution and autoradiographic studies in rats the regional distribution of [(76)Br]BrPH paralleled the neuroanatomical localization of nAChRs. Two hours postinjection, the highest concentration in the brain was found in thalamus and colliculi (4% ID/g). Competition experiments with specific nicotinic, muscarinic, dopaminergic, and serotoninergic drugs confirmed that the in vivo binding of [(76)Br]BrPH was consistent with neuronal nicotinic receptors. PET imaging of [(76)Br]BrPH in baboon demonstrated a rapid and high uptake in the brain. Peak uptake occurred at 30-40 min for the thalamus. Due to the constant washout in the cerebellum, the thalamus to cerebellum ratio was 5 at 2 h postinjection. Subcutaneous injection of cytisine (1 mg/kg), 3 h postinjection of [(76)Br]BrPH reduced the radioactivity concentration in thalamus and cortex by 58 and 50%, respectively, as observed 1 h later. Cytisine pretreatment (5 mg/kg s.c.) inhibited completely the radioligand accumulation in the thalamus. Chronic MPTP pretreatment resulted in reduction of [(76)Br]BrPH uptake in all brain regions except in cerebellum. These preliminary results suggest that [(76)Br]BrPH has the potential to be a useful radioligand for studying the pharmacology of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in preclinical experiments.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Development of a soil extraction procedure for ecotoxicity characterization of energetic compounds.

The acetonitrile-sonication extraction method (US EPA Method 8330) associated with aquatic-based toxicity tests was examined to study the ecotoxicity of energetic substances in soil. Three studies were carried out: (1) toxicological characterization of different energetic substances to select a representative toxicant and to validate the choice of bioassays; (2) choice of an appropriate solvent to transfer acetonitrile extracts to the bioassay incubation media; and (3) optimization of Method 8330 using soil samples spiked with the toxicant. Initial studies indicated that pure 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was toxic to Vibrio fischeri [Microtox; IC50 (15 min) of 4.2 microM], whereas RDX was less toxic (IC20 = 181 microM) and HMX was not toxic up to its limit of water solubility (< 22 microM). Selected pure TNT metabolites were less toxic than TNT. Similar results were found using the 96-h Selenastrum capricornutum growth inhibition test. The toxicity of pure TNT in different solvents (acetonitrile, acetone, and DMSO) and that from Method 8330-extracted TNT-spiked soil samples were compared to TNT dissolved in water. Data indicated that DMSO was the most appropriate solvent to transfer the acetonitrile extracts. A modified Method 8330 may be used in conjunction with bioassays and chemical analyses to examine the ecotoxicity of soils contaminated with energetic substances.

Acetone↗

Preventive effect of SA3443, a novel cyclic disulfide, on glucocorticoid-induced cataract formation of developing chick embryo.

The preventive effect of SA3443 [(4R)-hexahydro-7,7-dimethyl-6-oxo-1,2,5-dithiazocine-4-carboxylic acid] against glucocorticoid-induced cataract of developing chick embryos was studied. When hydrocortisone succinate sodium (HC: 0.25 mumol per egg) was administered to 15-day-old embryos, almost all lenses became opaque (stage I:O%, II: 2.5 +/- 4.6%, III: 5 +/- 5.4%, IV-V 92.5 +/- 7.1%) at 48 hr after the treatment. However, a double application of SA3443 (10 mumol per egg) at 3 and 10 hr after HC treatment effectively prevented the cataract formation (stage I: 52.8 +/- 13.7%, II: 11.6 +/- 6.3%, III: 22.9 +/- 8.9%, IV-V: 13.9 +/- 11.0%) and diminished the decline in glutathione in the lens at 48 hr and in the liver at 24 hr after HC administration. The cleavage of the cyclic disulfide bond of SA3443 did not occur in the lens homogenate but in the liver homogenate. These results suggest that the appearance of sulfhydryl residue in the liver may contribute to the anticataract effects by representing radical scavenger activities.

Animals↗

Effects of U50488 and bremazocine on [Ca2+]i and cAMP in naive and tolerant rat ventricular myocytes: evidence of kappa opioid receptor multiplicity in the heart.

To explore the existence of multiplicity of kappa receptor in the heart, two series of experiments were performed. In the first we studied the antagonistic actions of nor-BNI, a selective kappa 1 antagonist, and quadazocine, a preferential kappa 2 antagonist, against the effects of U50488, a selective kappa 1 agonist, and bremazocine, a universal agonist preferentially binding to kappa 2 receptor, on the electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i transient and forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the rat ventricular myocyte. In the second series of experiments, we determined and compared the effects of above two kappa receptor agonists in the ventricular myocytes made insensitive to kappa 1 and kappa 2 agonists by prior exposure to the respective agonists. At the concentration range of 3 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-5) M, both U50488 and bremazocine dose-dependently inhibited the [Ca2+]i transient induced by electrical stimulation. The inhibitory effects of U50488 and bremazocine were antagonized by nor-BNI and quadazocine. The antagonistic actions of nor-BNI were significantly greater against the effects of U50488, but smaller against the effects of bremazocine than those of quadazocine. At 1 x 10(-6)-5 x 10(-5) M, both U50488 and bremazocine dose-dependently and significantly inhibited the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effect of 30 microM U50488 on cAMP accumulation was significantly attenuated by 5 microM nor-BNI, but not by quadazocine at the same concentration; whereas the effect of 30 microM bremazocine was significantly blocked by 5 microM quadazocine, but not by nor-BNI at the same concentration. The inhibitory effect of 30 microM U50488 on electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i was abolished by preincubation of myocytes with 10(-6) M U50488 for 24 h, but not with 10(-6) M bremazocine for h; whereas the inhibitory effect of 30 microM bremazocine on electrically stimulated [Ca2+]i transient was significantly attenuated after incubation of the myocyte with 10(-6) M bremazocine for 24 h, but not with 10(-6) M U50488 for 24 h. The observations indicate the existence of kappa receptor subtypes in the rat heart.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Pharmacokinetic studies with 3H-cytisine.

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of cytisine was studied in mice by means of tritiated cytisine after intravenous and oral administration of a sublethal dose of 2 mg/kg. After oral administration the maximum blood level is reached after 2 h. The absorption rate is approximately 42%. From the blood level after intravenous administration a half-life of 200 min was calculated. Within 24 h after intravenous administration 32% and after oral administration 18% of the administered radioactivity was excreted into urine. Following intravenous administration 3% of the dose was found in the faeces within 6 h. Among the examined organs and tissues the highest concentrations were reached in the liver, adrenals and kidneys. In the bile the highest concentration after intravenous administration was 200 times that in the blood.

Alkaloids↗

The influence of drugs on the acute toxicity of cytisine.

The effect of various drugs on the acute toxicity of cytisine, the toxic constituent of Laburnum anagyroides Med, was studied in mice. Drugs were tested which have been recommended for symptomatic treatment of laburnum poisoning. Drugs which influence the CNS reduce the acute toxicity of cytisine more effectively than those with predominantly peripheral site of action.

Alkaloids↗

Enantioselectivity of asocainol studied at different conditions: a novel approach to check the feasibility of molecular models of antiarrhythmic drug action.

In terms of the "guarded receptor" hypothesis, changes in potency of Na+ channel blocking drugs reflect alterations in drug access to and/or egress from a compartment facing a binding site with constant affinity. Potency is therefore assumed to be determined by changes in drug diffusion, its mobility in the electric field, protonation etc. Hence, the potencies of enantiomers, i.e. compounds with identical physicochemical properties, should be influenced in a parallel manner by the condition. To test this prediction, actions of the enantiomers of the stereoselective antiarrhythmic drug asocainol were compared at various membrane potentials and stimulus frequencies. Several experimental models indicative of Na+ channel block were used: the elevation of the rectangular pulse stimulation threshold (RPT) and the suppression of alternating-current induced arrhythmia (ACT) were studied in guinea-pig atria. The reduction of the upstroke velocity of action potentials was measured in guinea-pig papillary muscles. The inhibition of whole-cell Na+ currents was investigated in isolated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. In all these assays, (+)-asocainol was more potent than the (-)-enantiomer. Lowering the membrane potential and/or increasing the stimulus frequency enhanced the effects of both enantiomers. However, over a certain range of conditions, the potency of (+)-asocainol was more markedly affected than that of (-)-asocainol, indicating that the eudismic ratio between potencies of the two drugs is not constant. Accordingly, these findings are inconsistent with the guarded receptor hypothesis.

Action Potentials↗

Cue properties of oral and transdermal nicotine in the rat.

In a standard two-lever drug discrimination paradigm, rats were trained to discriminate nicotine 0.5 mg/kg PO from saline. Injections occurred 15 min before the session. Subjects reached the training criterion in a mean of 38 sessions. Nicotine PO, SC, and IP generated similar dose-effect curves (ED50 = 0.073 mg/kg PO, 0.076 mg/kg SC, 0.090 mg/kg IP); the dose-effect curve for transdermal (TD) administration fell approximately 1 log unit to the right (ED50 = 1.34 mg/kg). The percentage of rats choosing the nicotine-appropriate lever peaked at 15 min and gradually decreased to 50% or less by 180 min for nicotine PO and TD, a time-decay function similar to that previously shown for SC administration. The nicotinic cholinergic agonist cytisine (0.5-8.0 mg/kg) PO and TD produced up to 56% nicotine-appropriate responding, while the muscarinic cholinergic agonist arecoline (1.0-4.0 mg/kg) PO and TD produced only saline-appropriate responding. The nicotine cue did not generalize to the cholinergic antagonist mecamylamine (0.125-0.5 mg/kg) PO or TD; mecamylamine 0.5 mg/kg PO but not TD completely blocked the PO and TD nicotine cues. These results show that an approximately equal cue occurs with PO, IP, and SC administration, and that the TD cue is considerably weaker. The significance of the procedure as an animal analog of human transdermal nicotine intake is discussed.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Characterization of the receptor mediating the nicotine discriminative stimulus.

The discriminative stimulus (cue) property of nicotine was studied in a T-maze paradigm, and the results were analyzed by a new statistical method. For rats trained on 0.4 mg/kg, the ED50 was 0.11 mg/kg. The enantinomer of natural nicotine (+)nicotine was much less potent, and both position isomers of nicotine were inactive. Anabasine, which is active at nicotinic cholinergic receptors, provided the nicotine cue. Cytisine, a potent nicotinic agonist in vitro, was ineffective after SC administration and this was shown to be due to its inability to enter the brain in adequate amounts. High doses of cytisine by the intracerebroventricular route partially provided the cue. The cue was blocked by low doses of mecamylamine and pempidine and by high doses of hexamethonium. The data indicate that the cue receptor is pharmacologically similar to the nicotinic cholinergic receptor in autonomic ganglia.

Alkaloids↗

Electrophysiological profile of the antiarrhythmic compound asocainol studied on perfused guinea-pig hearts and on isolated cardiac preparations.

The studies deal with electrophysiological effects of asocainol [(+/-)-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-2,12-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6-phenetyl-5 H-dibenz(d,f)azonine-1-ol] on isolated perfused guinea-pig hearts (Langendorff-preparation), on right ventricular papillary muscles, on Purkinje fibres from the guinea pig, and on isolated sinus nodes from the rabbit. In the perfused heart (n = 5) the lowest effective concentration of asocainol is about 0.2 mumol/l. At a concentration of 2 mumol/l the cardiac electrogram shows in spontaneously beating hearts a mean decrease in frequency of 15%, in electrically driven hearts (150/min at 32 degrees C) prolongation of PQ (+31%), of QRS (+24%) and of QT (+5%). In papillary muscles (32 degrees C; K+e 5.9 mmol/l; stimulation rate 0.5 Hz) asocainol (3-30 mumol/l) exerts the following effects: no change of the resting potential, concentration-dependent reduction of the maximum rate of rise (Vmax) of the action potential (AP) (-16 to -67%) as well as of the AP-amplitude (-4 to -16%), and shortening of the AP-duration at 50% repolarisation (-18 to -43%). The steady-state dependence of Vmax on the resting potential (RP) determined by variation of K+e (5.9-15 mmol/l) is shifted by asocainol to more negative potentials. The percentage deviation from controls of the Vmax-RP relationship is more pronounced at lower membrane potentials. The influence of asocainol on the recovery from inactivation of Vmax shows marked time-dependence. Slow response (Ca2+-mediated) APs elicited by strong stimuli in a K+e-rich solution (K+e 20-24 mmol/l) respond to asocainol (3-10 mumol/l) with a marked reduction in amplitude, Vmax and duration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗

Role of training dose in discrimination of nicotine and related compounds by rats.

Rats were trained to discriminate nicotine from saline in a two-bar operant conditioning procedure with food reinforcement. There was partial generalization to the nicotine analogues anabasine and cytisine in rats trained to discriminate either 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg nicotine from saline. However, generalization was complete in rats trained to discriminate 0.1 mg/kg nicotine and, in a novel procedure, any one of three doses of nicotine (0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg/kg). There was no generalization to the muscarinic-cholinergic agonist oxotremorine (0.0025-0.04 mg/kg). Additional experiments were carried to further characterize the response of rats trained with nicotine (0.1 mg/kg). These animals failed to generalize to compounds from a range of pharmacological classes (i.e., apomorphine, cocaine, chlordiazepoxide, picrotoxin, and quipazine), but there was partial generalization to amphetamine. Mecamylamine (0.5 mg/kg) but not hexamethonium (5.0 mg/kg) blocked the discrimination of nicotine and the generalization to cytisine. Anabasine (1.0-4.0 mg/kg) did not block the response to nicotine. The results support the view that the nicotine cue is mediated mainly through central cholinergic mechanisms. The dose of nicotine used for training has a very significant influence on the characteristics of the cue and 0.1 mg/kg of nicotine may be more suitable than 0.4 mg/kg as a training dose in future work.

Alkaloids↗

The effect of nicotine and cytisine on 3H-acetylcholine release from cortical slices of guinea-pig brain.

Nicotine 1.8 X 10(-5)-1.8 X 10(-4) mol/l enhanced the spontaneous 3H-efflux from guinea-pig cortical slices preloaded with 3H-choline and perfused in the presence of hemicholinium (HC-3). The facilitation of tritium outflow was prevented by tetrodotoxin 5 X 10(-7) mol/l and by D-tubocurarine 4.5 X 10(-6) mol/l. Nicotine 1.8 X 10(-6)-1.8 X 10(-4) mol/l, and the agonist cytisine 5 X 10(-7)-5 X 10(-5) mol/l increased, in a concentration-dependent way, 3H-efflux from electrically-stimulated slices (0.2 Hz). The concentration-response curves of both drugs were parallelly shifted to the right by D-tubocurarine 4.5 X 10(-6) mol/l. The EC50 values (i.e. the concentrations required to cause a 50% increase in the S2/S1 ratio) changed for nicotine from 5.58 X 10(-5) to 4.34 X 10(-4) and for cytisine from 6.3 X 10(-6) to 2.75 X 10(-4) mol/l in the absence and in the presence of the antagonist, respectively. In the range of 0.2-2 Hz the magnitude of the effect of nicotine was inversely related to the rate of stimulation. The response to nicotine was subject to rapidly developing tachyphylaxis; it was resistant to atropine. It is concluded that nicotine and cytisine facilitate 3H-efflux from the cholinergic nerve endings of guinea-pig cerebral cortex. This effect involves sodium-dependent mechanisms and is due to an interaction of the drugs with receptors showing affinity for D-tubocurarine.

Acetylcholine↗

Kappa opioid agonists inhibit transmitter release from guinea pig hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes.

Opioid agonists specific for the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptor subtypes were tested for their ability to modulate potassium-evoked release of L-glutamate and dynorphin B-like immunoreactivity from guinea pig hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes. The kappa opioid agonists U-62,066E and (-) ethylketocyclazocine, but not the mu agonist [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAGO) nor the delta agonist [D-Pen2,5]enkephalin (DPDE), inhibited the potassium-evoked release of L-glutamate and dynorphin B-like immunoreactivity. U-62,066E, but not DAGO or DPDE, also inhibited the potassium-evoked rise in mossy fiber synaptosomal cytosolic Ca2+ levels, indicating a possible mechanism for kappa agonist inhibition of transmitter release. DAGO and DPDE were found to be without any effect on cytosolic Ca2+ levels or transmitter release in this preparation. The U-62,066E inhibition of the potassium-evoked rise in synaptosomal cytosolic Ca2+ levels was partially attenuated by the opioid antagonist quadazocine and insensitive to the delta-opioid specific antagonist ICI 174,864 and the mu opioid-preferring antagonists naloxone and naltrexone. Quadazocine also reversed U-62,066E inhibition of the potassium-evoked release of L-glutamate, but not dynorphin B-like immunoreactivity. These results suggest that kappa opioid agonists inhibit transmitter release from mossy fiber terminals through both kappa opioid and non-kappa opioid receptor mediated mechanisms.

Animals↗