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Two new opioid delta-receptor ligands: a highly selective agonist and a potent selective antagonist in in vitro isolated preparations.

N,N-Diallyl derivatives of enkephalin analogues were chemically synthesized, and their biological activities were estimated in vitro isolated preparations. N,N-Diallyl-[D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin [test compound I] at doses up to 10 microM did not inhibit the electrically-evoked contractions of guinea-pig ileum, which had been suggested to contain opioid mu- and kappa-receptors, but it significantly depressed the contractions of mouse vas deferens, which had been indicated to contain mu-, kappa- and delta-receptors, suggesting that test compound I did not act on both mu- and kappa-receptors, but acted on delta-receptors. Additionally, the Ke (equilibrium dissociation constant) values against test compound I of naloxone were approximately 30 nM and similar to those of Mr 2266, also indicating that test compound I acted as a delta agonist. Moreover, the Ke values of ICI 154129 against compound I were approximately 340 nM, strongly suggesting that test compound I acted as a delta agonist. The Ke values of bis-[N,N-diallyl-[D-Ala2, Leu5]-enkephalyl]-cystine [test compound II] against [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin in mouse vas deferens and morphine or ethylketocyclazocine in guinea-pig ileum were 44.9 nM and 5.00 or 11.3 microM, respectively, showing that test compound II was a potent selective opioid delta antagonist. In conclusion, among compounds synthesized, two new opioid delta-receptor ligands, one being a highly selective agonist and the other being a potent selective antagonist in in vitro isolated preparations, were found in the present study.

Animals↗

Pharmacological actions of the racemic and the enantiomeric 1,4-dimethyl-10-hydroxy-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1,6-methano-1H-4-benz azo nines (C-homobenzomorphans).

The racemate and optical isomers of the C-homobenzomorphans, 1,4-dimethyl-10-hydroxy-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1,6-methano-1H-4-benzaz onine, were evaluated in a number of assays sensitive to narcotics of different types. All three C-homobenzomorphans were active in vitro in guinea pig ileum, mouse vas deferens, and rat brain membrane binding assays, but were of low potency. These C-homobenzomorphans showed different profiles of in vivo activity. The (+)-isomer and racemate were active as agonists in the tail-flick assay, whereas the (-)-isomer was inactive. At higher doses, the (-)-isomer and the racemate behaved as antagonists of morphine in the tail-flick assay. All three compounds were active in the phenylquinone test, but naloxone did not block this effect. In addition, all three were potent in the hot-plate test. Neither of the isomers substituted for morphine in dependent rats or monkeys. However, the (+)-isomer precipitated withdrawal in these monkeys. The (-)-isomer produced opioid-like physical dependence in both rats and monkeys. Some of the implications regarding the results with these remarkable homobenzomorphans are discussed.

Analgesics↗

Dual action mechanisms of KK-3, a newly synthesized leu-enkephalin derivative, in the production of spinal analgesic effects.

The action mechanism for the production of spinal analgesia of KK-3, tyrosyl-N-methyl-gamma-aminobutylyl-phenylalaninol, was examined by the tail pinch and tail flick methods. Intrathecal KK-3, 2.5, 5 and 10 nmol/mouse, dose-dependently produced an analgesic effect in both methods. In the tail pinch method, the analgesia was suppressed by 2 mg/kg but not by 1 mg/kg of naloxone; however, the analgesic effect was significantly antagonized by 1 and 2 mg/kg Mr2266, a kappa-antagonist. Meanwhile, both naloxone and Mr2266 failed to block the analgesic effect of KK-3 in the tail flick test. Intrathecal capsaicin, 0.3, 3 and 15 nmol/mouse, also produced a dose-dependent analgesic effect in the tail flick test, whereas no appreciable analgesia could be found in the tail pinch test. Neither naloxone nor Mr2266 blocked the analgesic effect of capsaicin. The results indicate that KK-3 may possess two separate pharmacological mechanisms for the production of analgesic effects on the spinal level: one is the depletion of substance P following its release from the spinal cord, and the other is the mediation through kappa-opioid receptors.

Analgesics↗

Further evidence for the implication of a kappa-opioid receptor mechanism in the production of psychological stress-induced analgesia.

The analgesic effect induced by exposure to psychological stress, using a communication box (psychological stress-induced analgesia, PSY-SIA), was completely antagonized by 10 min pretreatment with 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg of nor-binaltorphimine and with 0.5 and 1 mg/kg of Mr2266, selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonists, in the tail pinch method. Neither footshock (FS)- nor forced swimming (SW)-SIA was affected by these antagonists. The selective delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole, at doses up to 20 mg/kg, had no appreciable effect on PSY-SIA. Daily morphine treatment, 10 mg/kg, s.c., resulted in tolerance to the analgesic effect, and concurrent exposure to PSY-stress suppressed the development of morphine tolerance. The substitution of treatment with U-50,488H for PSY-stress still resulted in analgesia on the initial day; and likewise, the suppression by U-50,488H of the development of morphine tolerance was replicated by PSY-stress. Pretreatment with nor-binaltorphimine antagonized the suppressive effect of PSY-stress on the development of morphine tolerance without affecting the analgesic effect of morphine per se. These results provide further evidence that PSY-SIA involves the mediation by kappa-opioid receptor mechanisms.

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

Effects of eptazocine, a novel analgesic, on KCN-induced changes in the cerebral contents of glycolytic metabolites and high-energy phosphates in mice.

Effects of eptazocine on cerebral metabolic changes due to a sublethal dose of KCN were investigated in mice. KCN (2 mg/kg, i.v.) induced a temporary loss of consciousness being moderated by eptazocine (1-10 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner. The KCN injection decreased the contents of phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP and glucose and increased the contents of AMP and lactate, resulting in a 34% decrease in energy charge potential (ECP) and an increase in lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio. Such changes were improved by eptazocine (10 mg/kg) and EKC (3 mg/kg), but not by pentazocine (10 mg/kg) and morphine (3 mg/kg), and the improving effect of eptazocine was completely inhibited by MR-2266 (3 mg/kg), a relatively selective opioid kappa-receptor antagonist. On the other hand, eptazocine (3, 10 mg/kg) was found to increase the glucose content in normal mice, but not to give significant changes in the contents of glycolytic metabolites and high-energy phosphates. These results suggest that eptazocine may improve anoxic changes in cerebral energy metabolism.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Bremazocine recognizes the difference in four amino acid residues to discriminate between a nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor and opioid receptors.

We investigated the molecular basis of the discrimination between nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NociR) and opioid receptors (OPRs) by bremazocine, a non-type-selective opioid ligand. Construction of several chimeric receptors between NociR and kappa-opioid receptor (KOPR) and mutant NociRs followed by binding experiments with [3H]bremazocine showed that the mutation of only four amino acid residues of NociR, Ala216, Val279, Gln280 and Val281, to the amino acid residues located at the corresponding position of KOPR, Lys227, Ile290, His291 and Ile292, made it possible for the resultant mutant NociR to bind bremazocine with high affinity. Considering that these four amino acid residues are conserved among mu-, delta- and kappa-OPRs, the present result suggests that bremazocine recognizes the difference in these four amino acid residues to discriminate between NociR and OPRs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Opioid modulation of LH secretion during the oestrous cycle of heifers.

Injections of an opioid agonist (bremazocine) and/or an antagonist (quadazocine) were given to heifers during the luteal or follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. Quadazocine was injected (210 mg/injection) three times at 2-h intervals, and bremazocine was injected (0.45 mg/injection) every 15 min for 6 h. Blood samples were taken every 15 min beginning 6 h before treatments started and continued for 18 h. LH secretion patterns were not affected by quadazocine in the luteal-phase heifers, but quadazocine and bremazocine had marked effects during the follicular phase. Quadazocine increased LH secretion by increasing peak height but not peak frequency. Bremazocine decreased LH secretion through both peak height and frequency. This decrease was of greater magnitude than the increase due to quadazocine. When quadazocine and bremazocine were given together, these effects were cancelled and none of the effects carried over into the bleeding period after treatments stopped. No apparent interruption of follicular maturation was detected since all follicular-phase heifers were detected in oestrus at normal intervals. We conclude that heifers in this experiment did not have an opioid-mediated mechanism for progesterone suppression of LH but that an opioid mechanism for modulating LH does exist during the follicular phase.

Animals↗

Central nervous system-mediated growth inhibition of a rat prostate carcinoma by an opioid.

Long-term treatment for more than 3 months with a central nervous system (CNS)-active drug, the opioid agonist bremazocine, at a dose of 1 mg/kg per day elicited an 80% inhibition of the volume of the subcutaneously transplanted rat prostate adenocarcinoma Dunning R3327H. Whereas, under this therapy, prostate tumour and prostatic weights were decreased, testes and pituitary weights remained normal. Bremazocine inhibited not only the growth of freshly transplanted tumours but also that of well-grown Dunning prostate carcinomas since, after 41 days of treatment, such tumours showed a volume inhibition of 52%. In these experiments bremazocine decreased LH and testosterone plasma levels significantly. Bremazocine, therefore, probably acts mainly through suprapituitary CNS-opiate receptor sites, which indirectly, rather than locally, mediate LH inhibition. Indeed, no specific receptors for bremazocine could be found in the Dunning tumour, which makes a local action of bremazocine in this tissue unlikely. the efficient tumour growth inhibition through the supra-pituitary action of bremazocine makes such opiate drugs, which lack respiratory and side effects due to improper use, of potential interest for treatment of prostatic tumours.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effects of selective opioid-receptor blockade on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical responses to surgical trauma in the rat.

Opioid substances have been shown to stimulate and depress the secretion of ACTH in the rat. Their opposing actions appear to be mediated in part by specific receptors in the hypothalamus which influence the secretion of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). In an attempt to determine the physiological role of these receptor systems, experiments were carried out in which the plasma ACTH and serum corticosterone concentrations were determined before and after stress in rats treated s.c. with selective antagonists of mu-(naloxone, naltrexone), delta-(ICI 174864) and kappa-(MR2266) opioid receptors. Neither naloxone (25-100 micrograms/100 g) nor naltrexone (50 micrograms/100 g) influenced the resting plasma ACTH or serum corticosterone concentrations. However, both inhibited (P less than 0.01) the secretion of the two hormones elicited normally by surgical stress (laparotomy under ether anaesthesia). ICI 174864 (30-100 micrograms/100 g) also had little effect on resting hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity but, at the highest dose, it caused a small (P less than 0.05) potentiation of the response to surgery. In contrast, MR2266 (150-300 micrograms/100 g) produced marked activation of the HPA system and not only stimulated the resting secretion of ACTH and corticosterone but also potentiated and prolonged the HPA response to stress. The results suggest that mu- and kappa-opioid receptors mediate opposing actions of endogenous opioid peptides, both of which may be physiologically important in the regulation of CRF release.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Analysis of the receptor specificity of tolerance induction in stress versus opioid-related prolactin secretion in rats.

The effects of restraint stress and opiates on prolactin secretion in male rats have been measured. Both induced a short-lived increase in prolactinaemia. Experimental evidence indicates that both opioids and restraint stress bring about their actions by the activation of opioid receptors. When restraint stress was followed by administration of the specific kappa-agonist bremazocine, a second prolactin peak was observed. In contrast, morphine (predominantly a mu-agonist) lost its prolactin-stimulating capacity when given after a period of restraint stress. This indicates cross-tolerance between restraint stress and morphine. Tolerance was overcome when the dose of morphine was doubled, and an increase in prolactin secretion could again be obtained. The cross-tolerance phenomenon argues that a common opioid receptor is involved in morphine- and restraint stress-stimulated prolactin release. In another set of experiments, in which morphine administration replaced restraint stress as a means of inducing tolerance, a second rise in prolactinaemia was seen only with bremazocine and not with a further administration of morphine. This suggests a morphine (mu) receptor-specific development of tolerance. Two consecutive administrations of bremazocine also produced tolerance, in this case for the kappa-receptor. This illustrates the rapid and receptor-specific development of tolerance for the prolactin-releasing capacity of opioid compounds.

Animals↗

Opioids modify the release of LH at the pituitary level: in vitro studies with entire rat pituitaries.

It is currently accepted that opioids modify the secretion of LH by affecting the release of GnRH in the hypothalamus. A direct action of opioids at the pituitary level is not yet fully established. To this end, we tested the effects of opioids on the release of LH by the entire pituitary in adult male rats. Opioid agonists with mu (DAGO), delta (DS-LET) and kappa (U-50488H) specificity were tested at 0.01 to 10 microM in static incubations. DAGO inhibited dose-dependently the spontaneous and GnRH-induced release of LH. DSLET inhibited only the GnRH-induced release of LH. On the other hand, U-50488H increased spontaneous LH release dose-dependently. The opioid antagonists naloxone, diallyl-G (delta antagonist) and MR 2266 (kappa antagonist) blocked the effects induced by DAGO, DSLET or U-50488H respectively, implying an opioid receptor-mediated effect. The above results showed that opioids with mu, delta and kappa specificity act on the entire pituitary and modify differentially the release of LH. In this study we also compared spontaneous and GnRH-induced LH release by anterior and entire pituitaries and found that the amount of LH released by the anterior lobe was twofold higher, suggesting that inhibitory factors present in the neurointermediate part may affect the release of LH.

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

Simultaneous differentiation of three opiate receptor subpopulations by computer modelling.

[3H]-(-)-bremazocine was displaced from guinea-pig brain membrane homogenates by three compounds having different specificity to opiate receptor subpopulations. A three site receptor model showed the best fit of the calculated to the measured value for the opiate mu (DAla2,MePhe4,Gly(ol)5-enkephalin) and the delta specific compound (DAla2,DLeu5-enkephalin). Computer modelling of data from displacement curves with the opiate kappa specific compound U-50.488H favored a two site receptor model.

Animals↗

Radioligands for probing opioid receptors.

The three endogenous opioid precursors of almost 30000 Da are pro-opiocortin, proenkephalin and prodynorphin. Pro-opiocortin contains beta-endorphin, melanotropins and ACTH. Proenkephalin yields one [Leu5]enkephalin, three [Met5]enkephalins, one [Met5] enkephalyl-Arg-Arg-Val-NH2 (metorphamide or adrenorphin), one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Gly-Leu and one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Phe. [Leu5]enkephalin is common to all fragments of prodynorphin; its carboxyl extension by Arg-Lys leads to alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin and its carboxyl extension by Arg-Arg gives two dynorphins A and B of 17 and 13 amino acids, respectively. Another endogenous peptide is dynorphin A (1-8). The three main opioid binding sites are mu, delta and kappa. Their analysis has been facilitated by the synthesis of analogues of peptides and non-peptide compounds, which have selective agonist or antagonist action at only one site. The various physiological roles of the three types of the opiate receptor have so far not been sufficiently investigated.

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

Autoradiographic visualization of kappa opioid receptors with labelled dynorphins in guinea pig brain.

The distribution of kappa opioid receptors in guinea pig brain was measured by in vitro receptor autoradiography using [3H]dynorphin A1-9, [3H]dynorphin A1-8 and [3H]bremazocine as ligands. The sites labelled by the two dynorphins had identical, heterogeneous distributions in brain sections. High levels of kappa receptors were seen in striatum, claustrum, nucleus accumbens and laminae V and VI of the cerebral cortex. The substantia nigra and superior colliculus also had high dynorphin binding levels. The [3H]dynorphin autoradiographs were closely similar to those obtained using [3H]bremazocine in the presence of mu and delta receptor displacers. It is concluded that tritiated dynorphin A fragments can be used for autoradiographic studies of kappa opioid receptors in brain.

Animals↗

Characterization of opioid binding sites in rat spinal cord.

Binding sites were characterized in rat whole spinal cord crude membrane preparations using selective labelling techniques with multiple methods of mathematical analysis of experimental curves. Mathematical analysis of single [3H]-[D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5] enkephalin (DAGO) saturation curves suggested binding of the [3H]-ligand at one site, while displacement curves of low concentrations of [3H]-DAGO with selective mu-ligands indicated the presence of high- and low-affinity sites. All the [3H]-DAGO curves processed simultaneously by LIGAND analysis showed the presence of high (27%) and low (73%) affinity components, with a total Bmax of 3.19 pmol/g tissue. Eighty percent of [3H]-[D-Ala2,D-Leu5] enkephalin (DADLE) binding was displaced by DAGO with high affinity, indicating that a high percentage of [3H]-DADLE binding was at mu-sites. Saturation curves of [3H]-DADLE after inhibition of mu-sites by unlabelled DAGO (delta-sites) were monophasic with non-linear fitting analysis and the Bmax was 0.90 pmol/g tissue. Most mathematical analysis of single saturation curves of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine indicated binding at more than one site. DAGO, DADLE, U-69,593 and PD 117302 displaced 0.15 nM of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine biphasically: the percentages of displacement calculated with the non-linear fitting program were respectively 50 (mu-sites), 64 ((mu + delta)-sites), 18 and 25 (kappa-sites). Haloperidol displaced [3H]-(-)-bremazocine only at microM concentrations. suggesting no binding at sigma-sites. In the presence of 225 nM of DAGO, DADLE displaced only 21% of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine 0.15 nM binding (delta-sites). Most mathematical analysis of saturation curves of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine, after inhibition of binding at mu- and delta-sites by DAGO and DADLE, still indicated binding at more than one site and the selective kappa-ligands U-69,593 and PD 117302 displaced [3H]-(-)-bremazocine in these experimental conditions. LIGAND analysis of saturation and inhibition curves of [3H]-(-)-bremazocine by U-69,593 and PD 117302 showed the presence of high (43%) and low (57%) affinity components, with a total Bmax of 2,73 pmol/g tissue. Thus in rat spinal cord there are at least two mu-sites bound by [3H]-DAGO which amount together to approximately 47% of total opioid sites, delta-sites bound by [3H]-DADLE amounting to approximately 13%, kappa-sites and other unknown sites (possibly a kappa-subtype) bound by [3H]-(-)-bremazocine, which together are approximately 40% of total opioid sites.

Animals↗