5-HT3 receptors in the CNS: 3B or not 3B?

5-HT(3) receptors are widely distributed in the CNS and PNS where they participate in a variety of physiological processes. Native 5-HT(3) receptors in the CNS display functional and pharmacological heterogeneity, suggesting the existence of multiple receptor subunits. However, recent evidence suggests that of the two known subunits only the 5-HT(3A) receptor subunit (and not the 5-HT(3B) receptor subunit) is functionally present in the CNS. The molecular makeup of the 5-HT(3) receptor therefore remains an open question.     

Involvement of PI3K, GSK-3β and PPARγ in the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid in the forced swimming test in mice

Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that deficiency in folic acid plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Considering that alterations in the signaling pathways that regulate neuroplasticity and cellular survival are implicated in depressive disorders, the present study investigated the involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3β), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) in the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid in the forced swimming test (FST). The intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pre-treatment of mice with LY294002 (10 nmol/site, a PI3K inhibitor) or GW-9662 (1 μg/site, a PPARγ antagonist) prevented the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid (50 mg/kg, p.o.) in the FST. In addition, the administration of subeffective doses of the selective GSK-3β inhibitor, AR-A014418 (3 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective GSK-3β inhibitor, lithium chloride (10 mg/kg, p.o) or a PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone (1 μg/site, i.c.v.) in combination with a subeffective dose of folic acid (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the immobility time in the FST as compared with either drug alone, without altering the locomotor activity. These results indicate that the antidepressant-like effect of folic acid in the FST might be dependent on inhibition of GSK-3β and activation of PPARγ, reinforcing the notion that these are important targets for antidepressant activity.     

Simultaneous determination of 3-chlorotyrosine and 3-nitrotyrosine in human plasma by direct analysis in real time–tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the simultaneous determination of 3-nitrotyrosine (NT) and 3-chlorotyrosine (CT) in human plasma has been developed based on direct analysis in real time–tandem mass spectrometry (DART–MS/MS). Analysis was performed in the positive ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of the ion transitions at m/z 216.2/170.1 for CT, m/z 227.2/181.1 for NT and m/z 230.2/184.2 for the internal standard, d³-NT. The assay was linear in the ranges 0.5–100 μg/mL for CT and 4–100 μg/mL for NT with corresponding limits of detection of 0.2 and 2 μg/mL. Intra- and inter-day precisions and accuracies were respectively <15% and ±15%. Matrix effects were also evaluated. The method is potentially useful for high throughput analysis although sensitivity needs to be improved before it can be applied in clinical research.KEY WORDS: 3-Nitrotyrosine, 3-Chlorotyrosine, Determintion, DART–MS/MS, Human plasma     

Pharmacokinetics of 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine in dogs

The pharmacokinetics of 2,3-dideoxyadenosine (ddAdo) and 2-3-dideoxyinosine (ddIno) were determined after intravenous bolus administration and long-term intravenous infusion of ddAdo in dogs. ddAdo was rapidly deaminated to ddIno and ddAdo plasma concentrations were only a fraction of ddIno concentrations. The total body clearance of ddAdo exceeded the literature value for the cardiac output of the dog, indicating an extremely rapid metabolism, and the existence of extrahepatic metabolism. Urinary excretion of unchanged ddAdo was a minor route of elimination ( 1%). The pharmacokinetics of ddIno was determined assuming complete conversions of ddAdo to ddIno. ddIno elimination was dose-dependent with total body clearance ranging from 4 to 55 ml/min/kg in individual animals. The plasma half-life was approximately 30 min after most routes of administration, but increased to approximately 60 min in two animals receiving a large intravenous dose of 500 mg/kg. ddIno penetrated into the cerebrospinal fluid to a limited extent, reaching concentrations of 3–11% of those in plasma. Urinary excretion of unchanged ddIno accounted for approximately 20% of the administered dose of ddAdo, while uric acid and hypoxanthine were minor urinary metabolites.Concentrations exceeding the in vitro minimal viral inhibitory concentration (2.4 g/mL) could be safely maintained in plasma for a 10-day period. Infusions which gave cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of 12 to 17 Lg/mL resulted in dose limiting myelosuppression and intestinal toxicity, after less than 10 days of infusion. Orally administered ddAdo was absorbed as ddIno, with bioavailabilities ranging from 28 to 93% in experiments where no emesis occurred. These studies indicate the rapid in vivo conversion of ddAdo to ddIno, and support the selection of ddIno over ddAdo for further drug development.     

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibition alleviates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)on NLRP3 inflammasome activation. METHODS We conducted myocardial infarction(MI) model in male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rat during days 2-28. An in vitro investigation was performed using new-born rat/human cardiomyocyte and fibroblast cultures under typical inflammasome stimulation and hypoxia treatment. Further identification for possibility of GSK-3β active NLRP3 inflammasomes, GSK-3β immunoprecipitation was performed from the lysate of inflammasome stimulation-treated rat neonatal fibroblasts(RCFs) with or without GSK-3β inhibitor pretreatment. RESULTS Assessments of cardiac function, histochemical and biochemical assays for cardiac tissues, as well as detection of protein and m RNA expressions in heart tissues, showed that GSK-3β inhibition remarkably improves myocardial dysfunction and prevents remodeling with parallel reduction of the parameters of NLRP3 inflammasome activation after MI. The measurement of primary rats/human cells expounded that GSK-3β inhibition reduce NLRP3 inflammasome activation happens in cardiac fibroblasts, but not in cardiomyocytes. Futhermore, GSK-3β interacts with ASC and GSK-3β inhibition reduces cytoplasmic aggregates of ASC, NLRP3 and caspase-1 formation. CONCLUSION GSK-3β directly mediates NLRP3 inflammasome activation causing cardiac dysfunction in MI.     

Kinetic properties of the in vivo accumulation of 3H-(−)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine in mouse brain

Summary (1) The influence of various dopamine (DA) receptor agonists and antagonists on the kinetic properties of the specific binding of ³H(–)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) in the mouse striatum in vivo was studied. The specific binding of ³H-NPA, defined as the difference between the radioactivity in the striatum and cerebellum, was completely antagonized by the selective D-2 receptor antagonist raclopride but not by the selective D-1 antagonist SCH 23390, showing that the binding occurs exclusively to the D2 receptors. (2) The selective D-2 receptor agonists pergolide and quinpirole inhibited the ³H-NPA binding biphasically at low doses, indicating that these DA receptor agonists have high affinities for a subfraction (10 to 30%) of the NPA binding sites. (3) Increasing the synaptic DA concentration by DA release [(+)-amphetamine] or uptake blockade (amfonelic acid and methylphenidate) inhibited the ³HNPA binding in a competitive manner (unchanged B _max, increased K _D). Depletion of the DA in the synapses by -butyrolactone or reserpine decreased the apparent K _D value. (4) The possibility of estimating changes in the synaptic DA concentration from changes in the apparent K _D is discussed. According to the results obtained, the normal concentration of DA in the synaptic cleft in mouse striatum in vivo is about 40 nmol/l and this concentration is increased 2 to 3 times by (+)-amphetamine and amfonelic acid in doses which evoke hyperactivity and stereotypic behaviour.Send offprint requests to S. B. Ross at the above address     

Disposition of 2′, 3′-dideoxyadenosine and 2′, 3′-dideoxyinosine in mice

Summary Mice were dosed with [³H]2,3-dideoxyadenosine ([³H]ddA) in three procedures: intravenously, intraperitoneally, and interperitoneally following a dose of 2 -deoxycoformycin (dCF). For mice dosed intravenously, the content of radioactivity in plasma and tissue samples were essentially constant after 30 min. Of the radioactivity in plasma and brain samples collected between 30 min and 24 hr, more than 94% was present as ³H₂O, indicating that most of the tritium from [³H]ddA had exchanged with water. No intact ddA was detected, and the deamination product, 2,3 -dideoxyinosine (ddI), was present only transiently. In the urine, the major radioactive material was [³H]ddI. Also detected were ³H₂O and small amounts of [³H]hypoxanthine and [³H]ddA. Following intraperitoneal doses to mice, levels of radioactivity in plasma, liver, and kidney increased to a maximum by 15–30 min after dosing but dropped to essentially constant levels thereafter, again indicating that the tritium had exchanged with water. At 5, 15, and 30 min after dosing, ddI was the major radioactive component in plasma. Only small amounts of ddA were present. When dCF was administered 24 hr prior to intraperitoneal [³H]ddA, levels of radioactivity in plasma, liver, and kidney reached a maximum at 30 to 60 min after dosing and decreased to essentially constant levels thereafter. The dCF transiently inhibited the deamination of ddA to ddI, since, in plasma, [³H]ddA was the main radioactive component at 5 and 15 min after dosing. Comparison of HPLC assays based on radioactivity detection and UV absorbance showed that they were equivalent for measuring ddA and ddI in samples derived from dosed mice. Therefore, exchange of tritium must have occurred at a metabolic step beyond ddI.For mice dosed intravenously and orally with unlabeled ddI, there was evidence of a saturated process. Nevertheless, for the high and low intravenous doses of ddI, the percent of dose excreted in the urine as unchanged drug was the same.     

Synergy Between 3′Azido-3′deoxythymidine and Paclitaxel in Human Pharynx FaDu Cells

Purpose. We recently demonstrated simultaneous targeting of telomere and telomerase as a novel cancer therapeutic approach, and that telomerase inhibitors such as 3azido-3deoxythymidine (AZT) significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of paclitaxel, which causes telomere erosion, in telomerase-positive human pharynx FaDu tumors in vitro and in vivo (1). The present study evaluated the synergy between AZT and paclitaxel to identify optimal combinations for future clinical evaluation. Methods. FaDu cells were incubated with or without AZT for 24 h and then treated with AZT with or without paclitaxel for an additional 48 h. Under these conditions, single agent paclitaxel produced a 60% maximum reduction of cell number (IC₅₀ was 7.3 nM), and single agent AZT produced a 97% reduction (IC₅₀ was 5.6 M). Synergy was evaluated using fixed-concentration and fixed-ratio methods, and data were analyzed by the combination index method. Results. The results indicate a concentration-dependent synergy between the two drugs; the synergy was higher for combinations containing greater paclitaxel-to-AZT concentration ratios and increased with the level of drug effect. For example, in combinations containing 1 M AZT, synergy was 1.3-fold at the 20% effect level and 3.1-fold at the 60% effect level. Because the major antitumor activity, determined by comparing the posttreatment cell number to the pretreatment cell number, was antiproliferation at the 20% effect level and cell kill at the 60% effect level, our results suggest that AZT mainly enhances the cell kill effect of paclitaxel. Conclusion. In summary, the present study demonstrates a synergistic interaction between paclitaxel and AZT and supports a combination using a low and nontoxic AZT dose in combination with a therapeutically active dose of paclitaxel.     

Pharmacokinetics of Oral 2′,3′-Dideoxyinosine in Rats

Pharmaceutical Research -     

Percutaneous Absorption of 2′,3′-Dideoxyinosine in Rats

This study explored the topical route for administering of 2,3-dideoxyinosine (ddI), a nucleoside analog used for treating patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A dose of ddI (180 mg/kg) dispersed in ~1 g ointment base was applied, with or without occlusion, to the back of high follicular density (HFD) and low follicular density (LFD) rats. The systemic ddI clearance was determined using a concomitant administration of an intravenous tracer dose of [³H]ddI. At 24 hr, the experiment was terminated and skin sections at the application site were removed. After topical application, average plateau plasma levels of about 0.6 µg/ml were achieved within 1 to 2 hr and maintained for 24 hr. Occlusion gave a more uniform plasma profile but did not increase the bioavailability. The systemic bioavailability in HFD and LFD rats was about the same at 33%. In addition, a depot of about 16% of the dose was recovered by rinsing the application area and extracting the drug from the excised application site. These data indicate that about 50% of the dermal dose penetrated the skin barrier in 24 hr. The similar bioavailability in the HFD and LFD rats further suggests an unimportant role for the transfollicular absorption route for ddI. The effect of a mixture of penetration enhancers, Azone and propylene glycol (5:95), was studied in HFD rats. Coadministration of ddI with the enhancers did not increase the ddI bioavailability. However pre-treatment and coadministration with the enhancers significantly increased the bioavailability to 62%, which is a conservative estimate because the plasma drug level was still at a plateau when the experiment was terminated at 24 hr. In summary, the transdermal bioavailability of ddI exceeded the 15% oral bioavailability found in previous studies by more than 3 folds and was further increased by the pretreatment with absorption enhancers. These data indicate the topical route as an attractive administration route.     

Effects of chlorohydroxyfuranones on 3-methylcholanthrene-induced neoplastic transformation in the two-stage transformation assay in C3H 10T1/2 cells

3-Chloro-4-(chloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (CMCF), 3-chloro-4-methyl-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MCF) and 3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MCA) are chlorination byproducts in disinfected drinking water. These compounds are positive in genotoxicity tests in vitro. We have previously shown that 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) can induce malignant transformed foci in the two-stage cell transformation assay in C3H 10T1/2 cells in vitro in both the initiation and promotion phases. In the present study we compared the effects of CMCF, MCF and MCA in the same assay. C3H 10T1/2 mouse embryonic fibroblasts were exposed to these chlorohydroxyfuranones (CHFs) at three different concentrations in the initiation phase or the promotion phase of the assay. In the latter experiments 3-methylcholanthrene (MC, 5 µg/ml) was used as the initiating chemical. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA, 0.3 µg/ml) was used as a positive control promoter. At the end of the assay (6 weeks from the start), the transformation foci were counted and scored after fixation and staining of the cells. When added at the initiation phase of the assay on their own, CMCF and MCF, but not MCA, increased the transformation foci formation. TPA added in the promotion phase did not modify the responses of CMCF and MCF but TPA increased the number of foci in MCA-treated cells. When CHFs were added during the promotion phase to the MC-initiated cells, MCF and MCA enhanced the development of the transformation foci. The effect of CMCF was equivocal since at higher concentrations CMCF actually decreased the number of the MC-induced foci. Including the previous data for MX in this assay and considering the lowest active concentrations, the initiation activity of the foci formation decreased in the order MX >CMCF >MCF, i.e. with the decreasing number of chlorine atoms of the methyl group in the 4-position of the CHF molecule (two, one, and zero, respectively). In contrast, the activity in the promotion phase did not follow the same pattern. MX, MCF and MCA were all active over the same concentration range. Hence, in addition to MX, MCF and MCA may also possess some potential to promote tumor development.     

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of the selective β3-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron in rats

To investigate the pharmacological properties of mirabegron in in vitro and in vivo, the effects on cAMP accumulation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing rat β-adrenoceptors, the relaxant activity in isolated rat bladder smooth muscle, and the voiding effects in cerebral infarcted rats were evaluated. Mirabegron increased cAMP accumulation with EC₅₀ value and intrinsic activity of 19 nmol/L and 1.0, respectively, in CHO cells expressing rat β₃-adrenoceptors. The EC₅₀ values and the intrinsic activities of mirabegron were 610 nmol/L and 0.6 for rat β₁-adrenoceptors and were sumless and 0.1 for β₂-adrenoceptors, respectively. Mirabegron showed concentration-dependent relaxant and full agonistic effects in rat bladder strips under passive tension with EC₅₀ value of 290 nmol/L. The concentration–response curve of mirabegron was affected neither by the β₁-adrenoceptor selective antagonist CGP-20712A nor by the β₂-adrenoceptor selective antagonist ICI-118,551. In in vivo studies with cerebral infarcted rats, a significant decrease in the volume voided per micturition compared with sham-operated rats was observed. Mirabegron dose-dependently increased the volume voided per micturition. In conclusion, we have extended the selectivity profile of mirabegron to rats and demonstrated that it is effective via stimulation of β₃-adrenoceptors in a rat cerebral infarction model of detrusor overactivity.     

Does Cl-/HCO3- exchange play an important role in reperfusion arrhythmias in rats?

The protective effects of Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange inhibitors, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4'isothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were investigated in anesthetized rats. Rats were subjected to 5-min occlusion of the left coronary artery followed by 10-min reperfusion. All drugs were intravenously administered 5 min before the onset of occlusion. DIDS (75 mg/kg) reduced the incidence of ventricular fibrillation and mortality to 0%, whereas SITS (75 mg/kg) only decreased these parameters to 60%. DIDS simultaneously decreased the mean blood pressure and heart rate, and prolonged PQ and QRS intervals, whereas SITS produced a weaker effect on these parameters and no change in QRS interval. Mexiletine (5 mg/kg), which had been demonstrated to suppress the arrhythmias and reduce the heart rate and mean blood pressure in this model, was shown to prolong PQ and QRS intervals. Verapamil (0.5 mg/kg) or diltiazem (0.4 mg/kg) suppressed the arrhythmias, simultaneously decreasing the heart rate and mean blood pressure and prolonging PQ interval. The results indicate that the protective effect of DIDS on reperfusion arrhythmias in the anesthetized rats is unlikely to be attributed to the inhibitory action on Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange, but possibly mediated by its blocking effects on cardiac ion channels, such as Na(+) or Ca(2+) channels.