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Microwave-enhanced nucleophilic fluorination in the synthesis of fluoropyridyl derivatives of [3,2-c]pyrazolo-corticosteroids, potential glucocorticoid receptor-mediated imaging agents.

Fluoropyridyl derivatives of [3,2-c]pyrazolo-corticosteroids have high affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and are highly active glucocorticoids. They are thus considered to be excellent candidates for PET imaging of GR containing tissues when labeled with fluorine-18 (t(1/2)=110 min). Previously reported syntheses of these fluorinated glucocorticoids were accomplished by conventional thermal nucleophilic halogen exchange reactions with chloropyridyl precursors. These reactions were found to proceed at rates too slow for feasible application to radiosynthesis using [(18)F]fluoride. We have applied microwave-heating methods to these reactions and found that significant rate enhancements can be realized. Kinetic experiments showed an average relative rate ratio of 3/1 for microwave versus conventional heating and preparative experiments showed an average relative conversion ratio of 4.5/1 during the initial 120 min, a period approximating one half-life of the isotope. The microwave method described was used to prepare previously unreported 2'-(2-fluoro-4-pyridyl)-11beta,17,21-trihydroxy-16alpha-methyl-20-oxo-pregn-4-eno-[3,2-c]-pyrazole, which was evaluated for biological activity.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Synthesis and anti-microbial activity of pyrazolylbisindoles--promising anti-fungal compounds.

A series of pyrazolylbisindole derivatives have been synthesized by reacting substituted pyrazole aldehydes with substituted indoles using phosphotungstic acid, a Keggin type heteropoly acid as catalyst. The synthesized pyrazolylbisindoles were evaluated for anti-microbial activities. The effect of pyrazolylbisindoles on the mycelial growth of plant pathogenic fungi is revealed. Entries 3c and 3d emerged as the most interesting compounds in this series exhibiting excellent anti-fungal activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Constrained analogs of CB-1 antagonists: 1,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-4H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine-4-one derivatives.

A series of pyrrolopyridinones was designed and synthesized as constrained analogs of the pyrazole CB-1 antagonist rimonabant. Certain examples exhibited very potent hCB-1 receptor binding affinity and functional antagonism with Ki and Kb values below 10 nM, and with high selectivity for CB-1 over CB-2 (>100-fold). A representative analog was established to cause significant appetite suppression and reduction in body weight gain in industry-standard rat models used to develop new therapeutics for obesity.

Animals↗

Inhibition of neointima formation by local delivery of estrogen receptor alpha and beta specific agonists.

OBJECTIVE: Neointima formation is the underlying mechanism of (in-stent) restenosis. 17beta-Estradiol (E2) is known to inhibit injury-induced neointima formation and post-angioplasty restenosis. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) has been demonstrated to mediate E2 anti-restenotic properties. However, the role of estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) is not fully elucidated. In the present study, the specific role of vascular ERalpha and ERbeta in neointima formation is assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Neointima formation was induced by placement of a perivascular cuff around the femoral artery of male C57BL/6J mice. E2-eluting cuffs significantly inhibited cuff-induced neointima formation. To address the specific roles of ERalpha and ERbeta on neointima formation, the ERalpha-selective agonist 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)tris-phenol (PPT) and the ERbeta-selective agonist 2,3-bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) were applied via a drug-eluting cuff. PPT inhibited neointima formation at low but not at high concentrations. Conversely, DPN inhibited neointima formation dose dependently. To demonstrate the specificity of these responses, an ERalpha-selective antagonist, MPP, was also used in combination with E2, PPT, or DPN. While the effect of PPT on neointima formation inhibition was blocked by co-delivery of MPP, E2 and DPN could still inhibit neointima formation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that, in addition to ERalpha, specific ERbeta activation inhibits neointima formation in a mouse model of restenosis. These data reveal a yet unidentified protective role of ERbeta on neointima formation.

Animals↗

Fipronil induces CYP isoforms and cytotoxicity in human hepatocytes.

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of pesticides to either inhibit or induce xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in humans. Exposure of human hepatocytes to doses of fipronil (5-amino-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl) sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile) ranging from 0.1 to 25 microM resulted in a dose dependent increase in CYP1A1 mRNA expression (3.5 to approximately 55-fold) as measured by the branched DNA assay. In a similar manner, CYP3A4 mRNA expression was also induced (10-30-fold), although at the higher doses induction returned to near control levels. CYP2B6 and 3A5 were also induced by fipronil, although at lower levels (2-3-fold). Confirmation of bDNA results were sought through western blotting and/or enzyme activity assays. Western blots using CYP3A4 antibody demonstrated a dose responsive increase from 0.5 to 1 microM followed by decreasing responses at higher concentrations. Similar increases and decreases were observed in CYP3A4-specific activity levels as measured using 6beta-hydroxytestosterone formation following incubation with testosterone. Likewise, activity levels for a CYP1A1-specific substrate, luciferin CEE, demonstrated that CYP1A1 enzyme activities were maximally induced by 1 microM fipronil followed by dramatically declining activity measurements at 10 and 25 microM. Cytotoxic effects of fipronil and fipronil sulfone were examined using the adenylate kinase and the trypan blue exclusion assays in HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes. The results indicate both that HepG2 cells and primary human hepatocytes are sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of fipronil. The maximum induction of adenylate kinase was ca. 3-fold greater than the respective controls in HepG2 and 6-10-fold in the case of primary hepatocytes. A significant time- and dose-dependent induction of adenylate kinase activity in HepG2 cells was noted from 0.1 to 12.5 microM fipronil followed by decreasing activities at 25 and 50 microM. For fipronil sulfone, cytotoxic effects increased throughout the dose range. The trypan blue assay indicated that cytotoxic effects contributing to an increase of greater than 10% of control values was indicated at doses above 12.5 microM. However, fipronil sulfone induced cytotoxic effects at lower doses. The possibility that cytotoxic effects were due to apoptosis was indicated by significant time- and dose-dependent induction of caspase-3/7 activity in both HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes. Fipronil mediated activation of caspase-3/7 in concurrence with compromised ATP production and viability are attributed to apoptotic cell death.

Caspase 3↗

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of new pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin derivatives.

Several new pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin derivatives were prepared by the reaction of two [corrected] 1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acids and various hydrazines. The compounds were tested for antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The compounds named as 7e, f had the highest antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.31 to<0.0024 mg ml(-1) .

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Synthesis and SAR/3D-QSAR studies on the COX-2 inhibitory activity of 1,5-diarylpyrazoles to validate the modified pharmacophore.

Diverse analogs of 1,5-diarylpyrazoles having 3-hydroxymethyl-4-sulfamoyl (SO2NH2)/methyl sulfonyl (SO2Me)-pheny group at N1 were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) inhibitory activity. The SAR study mainly involved the variations at positions C-3, C-5 and N1 of the pyrazole ring. Several small hydrophobic groups at/around position-4 of C-5 phenyl, viz. 3,4-dimethylphenyl analog 9, 3-methyl-4-methylsulfanylphenyl analog 14 and 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]thiophenyl analog 17, exhibited impressive COX-2 inhibitory potency. In general, the sulfonamide analogues with a CHF2 at C-3 were found to be more potent than those having a CF3 group. The three dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship comprising comparative molecular field analysis (3D-QSAR-CoMFA) afforded the models with high predictivity which further validated the acceptance of hydroxymethyl (CH2OH) group in the hydrophilic pocket of the COX-2 enzyme.

Cyclooxygenase 2↗

Structural-activity relationship study on C-4 carbon atom of the CB1 antagonist SR141716: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamides.

A series of 1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamides has been prepared from alkyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxylates under mild conditions. The ability of these triazoles to displace [3H]-CP55940 from CB1 cannabinoid receptor was measured. However, they showed only poor to moderate binding affinities, indicating that substitution of the C-4 pyrazole atom of the CB1 reference compound SR141716 by a nitrogen atom results in loss of affinity. Further investigations for functionality indicated that the compound 6a exhibited significant cannabinoid antagonistic properties in the mouse vas deferens functional assay. This leads us to the conclusion that 6a binds at a different CB1 binding site or at a new cannabinoid receptor subtype.

Animals↗

Synthesis and antimicrobial studies on novel chloro-fluorine containing hydroxy pyrazolines.

A series of chloro-fluorine containing chalcones (3) were prepared by Claisen-Schmidt condensation. Chalcone dibromides (4) were obtained by the bromination of chalcones at room temperature. Treatment of chalcone dibromides (4) with aryloxy acid hydrazides (5) in the presence of triethylamine gave chloro-fluorine containing hydroxy pyrazolines (7) rather than the expected 1-aryloxy-3-aryl-5-aryl pyrazoles (6). The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by IR, NMR, mass and elemental analysis. All the compounds were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Some compounds showed very good antibacterial activity and antifungal activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

SR141716A, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, improves memory in a delayed radial maze task.

An endogenous cannabinoid system may play an important role in controlling memory processes. SR141716A (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride), a selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist, was studied in an eight-arm radial maze task in which either deficits or improvements in memory could be detected. This task required well-trained rats to recall after either a relatively short (3 h) or long (7 h) delay period where they had received rewards during an information phase in order to obtain the remaining rewards during a retention phase. SR141716A was administered intraperitoneally immediately after the information phase in order to determine the drug's effects on memory consolidation. Although SR141716A had no effect on the number of errors committed after a short interval, SR141716A significantly reduced the number of errors that occurred after 7 h. These results suggest that a cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist can improve consolidation processes and thus may be useful in treating memory disorders.

Animals↗

Amnesia induced by beta-amyloid fragments is counteracted by cannabinoid CB1 receptor blockade.

Administration of drugs activating cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in the brain induces memory deficit in rodents, and blockade of these receptors may restore memory capacity in these animals. Central administration of beta-amyloid or beta-amyloid fragments may also lead to memory disturbances. This study was undertaken to study the involvement of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in amnesia induced by beta-amyloid fragments in mice tested in a step-through passive avoidance paradigm. Pre-training intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of beta-amyloid fragments, beta-amyloid peptide-(25-35) (4, 8 or 16 nmol/mouse) or beta-amyloid peptide-(1-42) (200, 400, 800 pmol/mouse) 7 days prior to the learning trial reduced in a dose-dependent manner the retention of passive avoidance response. This effect was observed in two retention tests, 1 and 7 days after the learning trial. The two beta-amyloid fragments showed similar potency in reducing retention of passive avoidance behavior. This effect was counteracted by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist, N-(piperidin-l-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A, 1 mg/kg), made 30 min prior to the second retention test. The injection of SR141716A per se did not affect memory capacity of mice. The i.c.v. administration of beta-amyloid peptide-(25-35) (8 nmol/mouse) or of beta-amyloid peptide-(1-42) (400 pmol/mouse) made 30 min prior to the learning trial failed to affect the retention capacity of mice as measured 1 and 7 days later. Also, the i.p. injection of SR 141716A (1 mg/kg) made 30 min prior to the learning trial did not influence the behavioral response of mice injected with beta-amyloid peptide-(25-35) (8 nmol/mouse) or of beta-amyloid peptide-(1-42) (400 pmol/mouse) 7 days prior to the learning trial. These results show that beta-amyloid fragments induce a dose-dependent memory deficit. Their effect on memory retention depends upon the time of administration and seems to involve cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in the brain.

Amnesia↗

Behavioral mechanisms underlying inhibition of food-maintained responding by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist/inverse agonist SR141716A.

This study investigated the possible behavioral mechanisms underlying the anorectic effect of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A). Male or female rats were food-restricted and trained to emit stable responding in daily 10-min, fixed ratio 10 food-reinforced operant sessions. Under these conditions, as well as under free-feeding conditions, SR141716A inhibited food-maintained responding (ED(50) values ranging from 0.92 to 2.52 mg/kg, i.p.). In the same operant procedure, SR141716A suppressed intracranial self-stimulation with a potency which was slightly lower than the anorectic potency (ED(50): 4.50 mg/kg). As assessed during a 10-min test period SR141716A (1-10 mg/kg) did not affect activity counts; suggesting that the observed inhibition of operant behavior is not a direct consequence of impairment of locomotor activity. SR141716A, however, attenuated saccharin-preference in a conditioned taste aversion paradigm (ED(50): 6.45 mg/kg). Although the data support the suggestion that the anorectic effect of SR141716A results from an attenuating effect on the rewarding effect of food, the contribution of drug-induced aversion/malaise cannot be excluded.

Animals↗

Celecoxib simulates respiratory burst through pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein, a possible signal for beta 2-integrin expression on human neutrophils.

The superoxide anion-generating effect of celecoxib (4-[5-(4-methylpheny)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide); SC58633), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on human neutrophils was evaluated in this study. Celecoxib induced superoxide anion generation in a concentration-dependent manner in human neutrophils. The EC50 value of celecoxib on superoxide anion generation was 15.5+/-2.5 microM. A NADPH oxidase inhibitor, diphenyliodonium (20 microM), and superoxide dismutase (150 U/ml) completely inhibited the free radical generation caused by celecoxib, indicating that the respiratory burst was activated by celecoxib. 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA/AM;10 microM) and staurosporine (200 nM) completely inhibited the superoxide anion release caused by celecoxib, respectively. These data indicated that celecoxib increased superoxide anion release by increasing intracellular calcium and protein kinase C activation. Moreover, 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo(2,3-a)pyrrolo(3,4-C)-carbazole (Go-6976; 1 microM) and 3-[1-[3-(amidinothio)propyl-1H-indol-3-yl]-3-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)maleimide, methane sulfate (Ro-31-8220; 0.5 microM), specific inhibitors of conventional protein kinase C isotypes (alpha, beta(I) and beta(II)), significantly inhibited superoxide anion release caused by celecoxib. Rottlerin (5 microM), a protein kinase C delta inhibitor, did not affect the free radical generation caused by celecoxib. Celecoxib caused translocation of protein kinase C alpha, beta(I) and beta(II) from the cytosol to the cellular membrane. 2-[2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl]-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059; 20 microM) and wortmannin (100 nM) did not decrease the superoxide anion generation caused by celecoxib, indicating that Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) were not involved in the respiratory burst induced by celecoxib. Pertussis toxin (2 microg/ml), a Gi-protein sensitive inhibitor, significantly inhibited superoxide anion release. Moreover, pertussis toxin significantly inhibited intracellular calcium mobilization and protein kinase C alpha, beta(I) and beta(II) translocation from the cytosol to the membrane. Celecoxib increased beta(2)-integrin expression on human neutrophils and this effect was inhibited by BAPTA/AM (10 microM), superoxide dismutase (150 U/ml), genistein (25 microM) and PD98059 (20 microM). This information indicated that intracellular calcium, superoxide anion, tyrosine kinase and MAP kinase are involved in beta(2)-integrin expression. Furthermore, BAPTA/AM, superoxide dismutase and genistein inhibited celecoxib-increased MAP kinase activity, indicating that MAP kinase is a downstream signal for beta(2)-integrin expression. In conclusion, celecoxib stimulates superoxide anion release from human neutrophils by activating pertussis toxin sensitive G-protein. An increase in intracellular calcium and protein kinase C alpha, beta(I) and beta(II) is involved in this process. Celecoxib also regulates beta(2)-integrin expression through superoxide anion release, tyrosine kinase and p42/p44 MAP kinase on human neutrophils.

Adult↗

Opposing effects of cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors on oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity.

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors protect against excitotoxicity in vitro yet provide conflicting results in in vivo models of ischemia. To bridge the gap in understanding the discrepancies among these studies, the effects of different cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors were studied in an in vitro model of ischemia. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) induced cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression in neuronal cortical cultures. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors exhibited opposing effects on neuronal death induced by OGD. The acidic sulfonamides, N-(2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl) methanesulfonamide (NS-398) and N-(4-nitro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-methanesulfonamide (nimesulide), aggravated neuronal death by enhancing OGD-induced increases in extracellular glutamate and intracellular Ca2+ levels. In contrast, 1-[(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-tri-fluoromethyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)pyrazole (SC-58125) dose-dependently protected cultures against OGD by suppressing increases in extracellular glutamate and intracellular Ca2+ levels. The NS-398-induced aggravation of neuronal death was lost if the inhibitor was added only following the OGD. The timing of inhibitor application also determined its effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced excitoxicity. NS-398 was protective when added both during and post-NMDA exposure, but not if NS-398 was also applied for 60 min prior to the insult. In contrast, SC-58125 afforded protection against NMDA in the presence or absence of a pre-incubation period. This study demonstrates that certain cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have opposing effects on neuronal survival depending on the timing of application and the nature of the insult. These results may account for the discrepancies among previous studies which used different inhibitors and different models of neurotoxicity.

Animals↗

Sex-linked differences in the vasorelaxant effects of anandamide in vascular mesenteric beds: role of oestrogens.

Anandamide (0.01 to 10 microM) caused greater concentration-dependent reductions of the contractile-induced responses to noradrenaline in female than in male mesenteric vascular beds isolated from adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Greater relaxant responses in females were also induced by the vanilloid TRPV1 receptor agonist capsaicin (0.01 to 10 microM), whereas no sex differences were observed for the relaxations caused by either acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. The effect of anandamide in either sex was reduced by the vanilloid TRPV1 receptor antagonist capsazepine but not by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-pyrazole-carboxamide (SR141716A). In males, the anandamide-induced relaxations were potentiated by in vitro exposure during 5 min to 0.5 microM 17beta-oestradiol and unmodified by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The vasorelaxant effects of anandamide in female rats were decreased by ovariectomy. This decrease was prevented by in vivo treatment with 17beta-oestradiol-3-benzoate (450 microg/kg i.m., once a week during 3 weeks) and counteracted by in vitro exposure to oestrogen. In vivo treatment with 17beta-oestradiol also potentiated anandamide-induced responses in males. In conclusion, this study shows an oestrogen-dependent sensitivity to the vanilloid TRPV1 receptor-mediated vasorelaxant effects of anandamide in the mesenteric vasculature of Sprague-Dawley rats, that could be mediated by both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms.

Acetylcholine↗

Alpha 2-adrenoceptors and 5-HT receptors mediate the antinociceptive effect of new pyrazolines, but not of dipyrone.

In this study, we investigated whether spinal noradrenergic and serotonergic systems are involved in the antinociception induced by the novel pyrazolines 3-methyl- and 3-phenyl-5-hydroxy-5-trichloromethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1-pyrazole-1-carboxyamide (MPCA and PPCA, respectively), and the pyrazolinone dipyrone in the acetic acid writhing (stretching) test in mice. Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of methysergide (3 and 10 microg) and yohimbine (3 microg), but not of prazosin (0.3 and 1 microg) prevented the antinociceptive action of MPCA and PPCA (500 micromol/kg, s.c.). Dipyrone-induced antinociception (500 micromol/kg, s.c.) was not affected by methysergide or adrenoceptor antagonists. These results suggest that spinal 5-HT receptors and alpha2-adrenoceptors are involved in the antinociception induced by MPCA and PPCA, but not in that elicited by dipyrone.

Analgesics↗

Suppressing effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, SR 141716, on alcohol's motivational properties in alcohol-preferring rats.

Administration of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR 141716 [N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-3-pyrazole-carboxamide], has been reported to reduce alcohol intake and alcohol self-administration in different models of excessive alcohol consumption, including the selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats. The present study investigated whether SR 141716 was also capable of decreasing, in this rat line, alcohol's motivational properties. Extinction responding for alcohol, defined as the maximal number of lever responses reached in the absence of alcohol in rats trained to lever-press for alcohol, was used as index of alcohol's motivational properties. Rats were initially trained to lever-press for oral alcohol (15%, v/v) under a fixed ratio (FR) schedule of FR4. Once self-administration behavior was established, extinction sessions were conducted. SR 141716 (0, 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg; i.p.) was acutely administered before extinction sessions. In order to assess the specificity of SR 141716 action on extinction responding for alcohol, a separate group of sP rats was trained to lever-press for a 3% (w/v) sucrose solution under an FR4 schedule. SR 141716 administration produced a dose-dependent, virtually complete suppression of extinction responding for alcohol. In contrast, extinction responding for sucrose was not significantly altered by treatment with SR 141716. Further to the consummatory aspects, these results also extend the suppressing effect of SR 141716 to the appetitive aspects of alcohol drinking behavior in sP rats. The results also implicate the cannabinoid CB1 receptor in the neural substrate mediating alcohol's motivational properties in this rat line.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Cannabinoid receptor antagonist reduces heroin self-administration only in dependent rats.

Functionality of the endogenous cannabinoid system undergoes relevant changes in reward-related brain areas in animal models of opiate addiction. By using a limited access heroin self-administration paradigm we show that cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A, 0.03-3.0 mg/kg) suppresses heroin self-administration only in opiate-dependent rats but not in non-dependent animals. These results further support the study of cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonists for the treatment of opiate addiction.

Animals↗