Pharmacokinetics of α-dihydroergocriptine in rats after single intravenous and single and repeated oral administrations

The pharmacokinetics of α-dihydroergocriptine methane sulphonate in rats were investigated using an HPLC method for the detection of unchanged α-dihydroergocriptine (DHEK) in plasma, organs (kidneys, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and brain), and urine. The plasma profile of DHEK obtained after intravenous administration at a dose of 5 mg kg^?1 (as base) of DHEK methane sulphonate showed a three compartment pharmacokinetic model with an elimination half-life of 6.78 h. The kinetics of DHEK after a single oral administration at a dose of 20 mg kg^?1 (as base) showed two peaks: the second peak, at about 6 h, was probably due to an enterohepatic cycle. The disposition of DHEK consisted of an absorption half-life of 0.02 h, a distribution half-life of 2.15 h and an elimination half-life of 5.83 h. The pharmacokinetics of DHEK, after repeated oral administrations at the same dose, were similar to those after a single oral administration. The absolute bioavailability was 4.14% after a single oral administration and 3.95% after repeated oral administrations. The analysis of the organs showed that DHEK was rapidly absorbed and distributed in all tissues, mostly in lungs, kidneys, and liver, but it is interesting to observe that it also reached the brain. After repeated oral administrations plasma and tissue concentrations were similar to those obtained after a single administration; therefore it is possible to exclude the onset of autoinduction or accumulation phenomena of DHEK in rats' organs. Urinary excretion of the unchanged drug was low (0.38% of the administered dose in the intravenous route and 0.04% in the oral route), being in agreement with a low oral bioavailability and a rapid and extensive metabolism (first-pass effect).     

Ascending single dose pharmacokinetics of cytisine in healthy adult smokers

Abstract

1. Cytisine, a partial agonist for the α₄β₂-nAChR, is used as a smoking cessation medication. Cytisine’s current dosing is complex and involves taking 1.5?mg several times a day. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of dose on the pharmacokinetics and safety of cytisine after a single dose in healthy adult smokers.

2. Participants were assigned to one of three groups (n?=?6 in each group) to receive a single oral dose of 1.5, 3 or 4.5?mg of cytisine. Blood samples were collected up to 24?h post dose. Pulse, blood pressure and respiratory rate were measured. Adverse effects were recorded.

3. Cytisine reached peak plasma concentration 1–2?h post dose in all participants irrespective of dose, with no dose-dependent changes in the elimination phase. Mean (SD) cytisine exposure (AUC_0–24h) were 81.9 (15.8), 181.9 (40.8) and 254.5 (48.1) ng.h/mL following 1.5, 3 and 4.5?mg, respectively.

4. Cytisine appears to have predictable pharmacokinetics following a single dose of up to 4.5?mg and may be safe given as a single 4.5?mg dose, which is threefold greater than the recommended dose taken at one time.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02585024.     

Plasma concentrations of cytisine,a commercially available plant-based alkaloid,in healthy adult smokers taking recommended doses for smoking cessation

Abstract

1. Cytisine is a plant alkaloid that is a partial agonist for the α₄β₂ -nAChRs and is used as an aid to smoking cessation. To date, there are no published data on cytisine concentrations in humans following multiple dosing. The aim of this study was to determine cytisine plasma concentrations after taking recommended doses for smoking cessation and to report on adverse effects.

2. Subjects (n=10) were instructed to follow the 25-day standard dosing regimen of cytisine. Blood was collected at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 10 hours on day 1 then on subsequent visits (days 2, 3, 4, 6, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25 and 26) to measure plasma cytisine concentrations. Plasma concentrations were determined using a validated LC-MS method.

3. Accumulation of cytisine was observed with repeated dosing of cytisine on day 1. Mean ± SEM plasma cytisine concentration measured at 10 hours was 50.8?±?4.7?ng/mL. Due to dose tapering, there was an overall decrease in plasma cytisine concentration over the whole treatment period.

4. Overall, cytisine was well-tolerated and adverse effects reported were minor, indicating that cytisine is safe at concentrations measured in this study. This study is registered in the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12613000002785).     

Isoeugenodilol: A vasorelaxant α/β‐adrenoceptor blocker with antioxidant activity

Isoeugenodilol, derived from isoeugenol, was investigated under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Isoeugenodilol (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mg kg^–1, i.v.) produced dose‐dependent hypotensive and bradycardia responses in pentobarbital‐anesthetized Wistar rats. Isoeugenodilol (0.5 mg kg^–1, i.v.) also markedly inhibited both the tachycardia effects induced by (‐) isoproterenol and arterial pressor responses induced by phenylephrine. A single oral administration of isoeugenodilol at doses of 10, 30, and 100 mg kg^–1 dose‐dependently reduced blood pressure, with a decrease in heart rate in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). In the isolated Wistar rat right atria, left atria, and guinea pig tracheal strips, isoeugenodilol competitively antagonized the (‐) isoproterenol‐induced positive chronotropic effects, inotropic effects, and tracheal relaxation effects in a concentration‐dependent manner. The parallel shift to the right of the concentration–response curve of (‐) isoproterenol suggested that isoeugenodilol was a β₁/β₂‐adrenoceptor competitive antagonist. The apparent pA₂ values were 7.33 ± 0.12 in the right atria, 7.80 ± 0.09 in the left atria, and 7.26 ± 0.11 in the trachea, indicating that isoeugenodilol was a nonselective β‐adrenoceptor blocker. In thoracic aorta experiments, isoeugenodilol also produced a competitive antagonism of norepinephrine‐induced contraction with a pA₂ value of 7.47 ± 0.45. In isolated atria of reserpinized rats, cumulative additions of isoeugenodilol and propranolol produced significantly cardiodepressant responses at high concentrations (10^–5 M) and were without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA). In isolated rat thoracic aorta, isoeugenodilol more potently relaxed the contractions induced by norepinephrine (3 × 10^–6 M) than those by high K⁺ (75 mM). The vasorelaxant effects of isoeugenodilol on norepinephrine‐induced contractions were attenuated by pretreatment with tetraethylammonium (TEA) and glibenclamide, implying the involvement of K⁺ channel opening. In addition, isoeugenodilol inhibited norepinephrine‐induced biphasic contraction; it affected the fast phase significantly more than the slow phase. Furthermore, the binding characteristics of isoeugenodilol and various β‐adrenoceptor antagonists were evaluated in [³H]CGP‐12177 binding to rat ventricle and lung tissues and [³H]prazosin binding to brain membranes. The ranking order of inhibition for [³H]CGP‐12177 binding on β‐adrenoceptor was propranolol > labetalol > isoeugenodilol, and that for [³H]prazosin binding to α‐adrenoceptors was isoeugenodilol > labetalol. Furthermore, isoeugenodilol inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by Fe²⁺ and ascorbic acid with IC₅₀ of 0.74 ± 0.03 mM, indicating that it possesses the antioxidant activity inherent in isoeugenol. In conclusion, isoeugenodilol was found to be a new generation α/β‐adrenoceptor antagonist with vasorelaxant activity by inhibiting Ca²⁺ channel, receptor‐mediated Ca²⁺ mobilization and by K⁺ channel opening, and to have additional potentially antioxidant effects. Drug Dev. Res. 51:29–42, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Integrin α5β1: a new purification strategy based on immobilized peptides

Abstract: Novel efficient and robust affinity chromatography material: There are several strategies known for the purification of integrins by affinity chromatography, but the disadvantages of common strategies like insufficient selectivity or compelling conditions for the elution still require alternatives. A new strategy, based on the immobilized C‐terminally modified peptide Ac‐Gly‐Ala‐c‐(Cys^SS‐Arg‐Arg‐Glu‐Thr‐Ala‐Trp‐Ala‐Cys^SS)‐Gly‐Ala‐O(CH₂CH₂O)₂CH₂CH₂‐NH₂ allows for the affinity purification of the integrin α₅β₁. While RGD peptides have been proven in the past to be inappropriate for selective purification of integrins by affinity chromatography, the new peptide can be efficiently used for selective enrichment of the integrin α₅β₁. It is a specific ligand of the target protein, but does not contain an RGD sequence. The application of well‐characterized affinity chromatography material with a site‐specifically immobilized peptide allows to obtain integrin α₅β₁ in a single chromatography step without contamination by other integrins. This process combines the advantages of a selective and monospecific protein‐ligand recognition with mild elution conditions and a low sensitivity of the immobilized ligand with respect to column regeneration.     

Disposition and bioavailability of the β1-adrenoceptor antagonist talinolol in man

In an open randomized crossover study, the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of the selective β₁-adrenoceptor antagonist talinolol (Cordanum®—Arzneimittelwerk Dresden GmbH, Germany) were investigated in twelve healthy volunteers (five female, seven male; three poor and nine extensive metabolizers of the debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype) after intravenous infusion (30 mg) and oral administration (50 mg), respectively. Concentrations of talinolol and its metabolites were measured in serum and urine by HPLC or GC-MS. At the end of infusion a peak serum concentration (C_max) of 631 ± 95 ng mL^?1 (mean ± SD) was observed. The area under the serum concentration-time curve from zero to infinity (AUC_0-∞) was 1433 ± 153 ng h mL^?1. The following parameters were estimated: terminal elimination half life (t_1/2), 10.6 ± 3.3 h; mean residence time, 11.6 ± 3.1 h; volume of distribution, 3.3 ± 0.5 L kg^?1; and total body clearance, 4.9 ± 0.6 mL min^?1 kg^?1. Within 36 h 52.8 ± 10.6% of the administered dose was recovered as unchanged talinolol and 0.33 ± 0.18% as hydroxylated talinolol metabolites in urine. After oral administration a C_max of 168 ± 67 ng mL^?1 was reached after 3.2 ± 0.8h. The AUC_0-∞ was 1321 ± 382 ng h mL^?1. The t_1/2 was 11.9 ± 2.4 h. 28.1 ± 6.8% of the dose or 55.0 ± 11.0% of the bioavailable talinolol was eliminated as unchanged talinolol and 0.26 ± 0.17% of the dose as hydroxylated metabolites by kidney. The absolute bioavailability of talinolol was 55 ± 15% (95% confidence interval, 36–69%). Talinolol does not undergo a relevant first-pass metabolism, and its reduced bioavailability results from incomplete absorption. Talinolol disposition is not found to be altered in poor metabolizers of debrisoquine type.     

Optimization of recombinant β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis and quantification of eight urinary cannabinoids and metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Prolonged urinary cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis users confounds identification of recent cannabis intake that may be important in treatment, workplace, clinical, and forensic testing programs. In addition, differentiation of synthetic Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intake from cannabis plant products might be an important interpretive issue. THC, 11‐hydroxy‐THC (11‐OH‐THC) and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐THC (THCCOOH) urine concentrations were evaluated during previous controlled cannabis administration studies following tandem alkaline/E. coli β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis. We optimized recombinant β‐glucuronidase enzymatic urinary hydrolysis before simultaneous liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) quantification of THC, 11‐OH‐THC, THCCOOH, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐THCV (THCVCOOH) in urine. Enzyme amount, incubation time and temperature, buffer molarity and pH were optimized using pooled urine samples collected during a National Institute on Drug Abuse, Institutional Review Board‐approved clinical study. Optimized cannabinoid hydrolysis with recombinant β‐glucuronidase was achieved with 2000 IU enzyme, 2 M pH 6.8 sodium phosphate buffer, and 0.2 mL urine at 37°C for 16 h. The LC–MS/MS quantification method for hydrolyzed urinary cannabinoids was validated per the Scientific Working Group on Toxicology guidelines. Linear ranges were 1–250 μg/L for THC and CBG, 2–250 μg/L for 11‐OH‐THC, CBD, CBN, THCV and THCVCOOH, and 1–500 μg/L for THCCOOH. Inter‐batch analytical bias was 92.4–112.4%, imprecision 4.4–9.3% CV (n = 25), extraction efficiency 44.3–97.1% and matrix effect ?29.6 to 1.8% (n = 10). The method was utilized to analyze urine specimens collected during our controlled smoked, vaporized, and edible cannabis administration study to improve interpretation of urine cannabinoid test results.     

Automated synthesis of 11C‐β‐hydroxybutyrate by enzymatic conversion of 11C‐acetoacetate using β‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase

1‐[¹¹C]‐β‐hydroxybutyrate was produced by conversion from 1‐[¹¹C]‐acetoacetate using (D)‐β‐hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide with purification by ion exchange column chromatography. Radiochemical yield at the end of the synthesis was 10% for a total synthesis time of 36 min. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis showed ≤4% impurities, principally unconverted acetoacetate. Residual tetrahydrofuran (34±11 ppm) and ethanol (77±30 ppm) were well under the tolerable limits for human studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The use of hair as a long‐term indicator of low‐dose β2 agonist treatments in cattle: Implications for growth‐promoting purposes monitoring

The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of using hair as a long‐term indicator of cocktail (low‐dose β₂ agonists) treatments in cattle. Six male Simmental cattle were treated with a mixture of low‐dose clenbuterol, ractopamine, and salbutamol at dosages of 5.3, 223.3, and 50.0 μg/kg, respectively. The trial lasted for 112 days and included 28 days of treatment and 84 days of withdrawal. Plasma and urine samples taken during the treatment period contained the highest residues, with maximum concentrations of clenbuterol, ractopamine, and salbutamol in plasma of 1.49 ng/mL (Day 21), 43.78 (Day 14) ng/mL, and 8.07 ng/mL (Day 7), respectively, and in urine of 62.40 ng/mL (Day 28), 3995.77 ng/mL (Day 28), and 503.72 ng/mL (Day 1), respectively. On day 42 of withdrawal, the residues of all three β₂ agonists in plasma were below the limit of quantification (LOQ; 0.3 ng/mL for clenbuterol, and 0.5 ng/mL for ractopamine and salbutamol), and in urine samples were below or near the LOQ (the highest being ractopamine at 1.10 ng/mL). The highest concentrations of clenbuterol, ractopamine, and salbutamol in hair were 88.36, 1351.92, and 100.58 ng/g, respectively, on day 14 of withdrawal; and the residues were long‐lasting, with 7.64, 28.55, and 8.77 ng/g, respectively, on day 84 of withdrawal. The results of this study demonstrate that hair could be utilized as a long‐term indicator of the use of a combination of low‐dose β₂ agonists in cattle, which could have implications for growth‐promoting purposes monitoring.     

Interaction of morphine but not fentanyl with cerebral α2‐adrenoceptors in α2‐adrenoceptor knockout mice

Objectives α₂‐Adrenergic and μ‐opioid receptors belong to the rhodopsin family of G‐protein coupled receptors and mediate antinociceptive effects via similar signal transduction pathways. Previous studies have revealed direct functional interactions between both receptor systems including synergistic and additive effects. To evaluate underlying mechanisms, we have studied whether morphine and fentanyl interacted with α₂‐adrenoceptor‐subtypes in mice lacking one individual α₂‐adrenoceptor‐subtype (α₂‐adrenoceptor knockout). Methods Opioid interaction with α₂‐adrenoceptors was investigated by quantitative receptor autoradiography in brain slices of α_2A‐, α_2B‐ or α_2C‐adrenoceptor deficient mice. Displacement of the radiolabelled α₂‐adrenoceptor agonist [¹²⁵I]paraiodoclonidine from α₂‐adrenoceptors in different brain regions by increasing concentrations of morphine, fentanyl and naloxone was analysed. The binding affinity of both opioids to α₂‐adrenoceptor subtypes in different brain regions was quantified. Key findings Morphine but not fentanyl or naloxone provoked dose‐dependent displacement of [¹²⁵I]paraiodoclonidine from all α₂‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the brain regions analysed. Binding affinity was highest in cortex, medulla oblongata and pons of α_2A‐adrenoceptor knockout mice. Conclusions Our results indicated that morphine interacted with α₂‐adrenoceptors showing higher affinity for the α_2B and α_2C than for the α_2A subtype. In contrast, fentanyl and naloxone did not show any relevant affinity to α₂‐adrenoceptors. This effect may have an impact on the pharmacological actions of morphine.     

Ferulidilol: A vasodilatory and antioxidant adrenoceptor and calcium entry blocker,with ancillary β2‐agonist activity

Intravenous injection of ferulidilol (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg kg⁻¹) produced dose‐dependent hypotensive and bradycardia responses in pentobarbital‐anesthetized Wistar rats. Ferulidilol competitively antagonized (‐)isoprenaline‐induced positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of the atria and tracheal relaxation responses on isolated guinea pig tissues. The parallel shift to the right of the concentration–response curve of (‐)isoprenaline suggested that ferulidilol was a β‐adrenoceptor antagonist. The apparent pA₂ values were 8.04 ± 0.09 for the right atria, 8.03 ± 0.15 for the left atria, and 7.51 ± 0.06 for the trachea, respectively. Ferulidilol was more potent than labetalol. In thoracic aorta experiments, ferulidilol also produced a competitive antagonism of norepinephrine‐ and CaCl₂‐induced contraction with pA₂ and pKCa⁻¹ values of 7.05 ± 0.03 and 6.04 ± 0.05, respectively. Ferulidilol produced cumulative relaxation responses on isolated tracheal strips from reserpine‐treated guinea pigs. The effects were competitively antagonized by ICI 118,551 (10⁻⁸–10⁻⁶ M), a relatively selective β₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist. The results implied that ferulidilol had partial β₂‐agonist activity. In the radioligand binding assay, ferulidilol produced dose‐dependent inhibition of [³H]CGP‐12177 binding to rat ventricle and lung membranes with K_i values of 3.40 and 17.94 nM, respectively. In addition, ferulidilol also antagonized [³H]prazosin and [³H]nitrendipine binding to rat brain membrane with K_i values of 32.48 and 305.01 nM, respectively. These results further confirmed the α/β and calcium entry blocking activities of ferulidilol described in functional studies. Furthermore, ferulidilol (10⁻⁸–10⁻⁵ M] inhibited lipid peroxidation induced by Fe²⁺ and ascorbic acid, indicating that it possesses the antioxidant activity inherent in ferulic acid. Our results demonstrate that ferulidilol is a new generation α/β‐adrenoceptor blocker with ancillary calcium entry blockade, partial β₂‐agonist activities and additional antioxidant effects. Drug Dev. Res. 47:77–89, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Protective effects of β‐sheet breaker α/β‐hybrid peptide against amyloid β‐induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro

Alzheimer's disease is most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by increased production of soluble amyloid‐β oligomers, the main toxic species predominantly formed from aggregation of monomeric amyloid‐β (Aβ). Increased production of Aβ invokes a cascade of oxidative damages to neurons and eventually leads to neuronal death. This study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of a β‐sheet breaker α/β‐hybrid peptide (BSBHp) and the underlying mechanisms against Aβ₄₀‐induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. Cells were pretreated with the peptide Aβ₄₀ to induce neurotoxicity. Assays for cell viability, cell membrane damage, cellular apoptosis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular free Ca²⁺, and key apoptotic protein levels were performed in vitro. Our results showed that pretreatment with BSBHp significantly attenuates Aβ₄₀‐induced toxicity by retaining cell viability, suppressing generation of ROS, Ca²⁺ levels, and effectively protects neuronal apoptosis by suppressing pro‐apoptotic protein Bax and up‐regulating antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2. These results suggest that α/β‐hybrid peptide has neuroprotective effects against Aβ₄₀‐induced oxidative stress, which might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF A 7 DAY 17β-ESTRADIOL TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY SYSTEM: PHARMACOKINETICS IN HEALTHY POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

To assess the delivery characteristics of a new 7 day 17β-estradiol transdermal delivery system (TDS), estradiol and estrone pharmacokinetics were evaluated following a single 7 d application of one TDS or two TDSs in 24 healthy, postmenopausal women in a nonblind, randomized, two-period crossover study. Serial blood samples and total urine output were collected before (baseline measurement of endogenous hormone) and during TDS application, and for 24 h (urine) or 72 h (blood) following TDS removal. Serum was assayed for estradiol and estrone by a validated radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. The combined amounts of estradiol and its conjugates, and estrone and its conjugates in urine were determined by validated RIA methods. Overall, one or two estradiol TDSs were well tolerated by healthy, postmenopausal female volunteers. Estradiol absorption from the TDS was characterized by a zero-order process and was dose proportional, resulting in average steady-state serum estradiol concentrations of 16 and 33 pg mL⁻¹ above baseline during the 7 d application of one and two TDSs, respectively. Parallel but smaller increases in serum estrone concentrations were observed, resulting in an increase in the serum estradiol/estrone concentration ratio from approximately 0·2 at baseline to median values of 0·64 and 0·88 during application of one and two TDSs, respectively. The 7 day 17β-estradiol TDS delivered a nominal estradiol dose of 0·02 mg/24 h during the intended wear period.     

Cytisine for smoking cessation: a research agenda

Cytisine has a molecular structure somewhat similar to that of nicotine and varenicline. The concept for the new smoking cessation drug varenicline was based partly on cytisine. Like varenicline, cytisine is a partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, with high affinity for alpha4beta2 receptors. Cytisine has been used since the 1960s as a smoking cessation drug in Eastern and Central Europe, but has remained largely unnoticed elsewhere. Three placebo-controlled trials, conducted in East and West Germany in the 1960s and 1970s, suggest that cytisine, even with minimal behavioural support, may be effective in aiding smoking cessation. Cytisine tablets are very inexpensive to produce and could be a more affordable treatment than nicotine replacement, bupropion and varenicline. There is however a dearth of scientific research on the properties of cytisine, including safety, abuse liability and efficacy. This paper seeks to identify research priorities for molecular, animal and clinical studies. In particular, new studies are necessary to define the nicotinic receptor interaction profile of cytisine, to establish its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in humans, to determine whether animals self-administer cytisine, and to ascertain whether cytisine is safe and effective as a smoking cessation drug. Potentially, this research effort, contributing to wider use of an inexpensive drug, could save many lives.     

Effects of α2-agonists upon colonic propulsion

The α₂-adrenoceptor agonists clonidine and lidamidine were found to be effective in decreasing colonic propulsion in conscious mice after oral administration. Propulsive activity was measured using evacuation of a rectally administered glass bead as the endpoint. The ED50's of clonidine and lidamidine in this assay were 55 μg/kg and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. The effects of these compounds were selectively blocked by the α₂-antagonists SK&F 72223 and RX 781094 (idazoxan) but not by other standard receptor antagonists. Administration of lidamidine to cats over the same dosage range as was markedly active in mice icreased circular, but not longitudinal, colonic contractile activity, an effect that could be reversed by injection of idazoxan.     

Potencies of vitamin D analogs, 1α‐hydroxyvitamin D3, 1α‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3, in lowering cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic mice in vivo

Vitamin D₃ and the synthetic vitamin D analogs, 1α‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [1α(OH)D₃], 1α‐hydroxyvitamin D₂ [1α(OH)D₂] and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] were appraised for their vitamin D receptor (VDR) associated‐potencies as cholesterol lowering agents in mice in vivo. These precursors are activated in vivo: 1α(OH)D₃ and 1α(OH)D₂ are transformed by liver CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 to active VDR ligands, 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] and 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₂ [1,25(OH)₂D₂]_, respectively. 1α(OH)D₂ may also be activated by CYP24A1 to 1α,24‐dihydroxyvitamin D₂ [1,24(OH)₂D₂], another active VDR ligand. 25(OH)D₃, the metabolite formed via CYP2R1 and or CYP27A1 in liver from vitamin D₃, is activated by CYP27B1 in the kidney to 1,25(OH)₂D₃. In C57BL/6 mice fed the high fat/high cholesterol Western diet for 3 weeks, vitamin D analogs were administered every other day intraperitoneally during the last week of the diet. The rank order for cholesterol lowering, achieved via mouse liver small heterodimer partner (Shp) inhibition and increased cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) expression, was: 1.75 nmol/kg 1α(OH)D₃ > 1248 nmol/kg 25(OH)D₃ (dose ratio of 0.0014) > > 1625 nmol/kg vitamin D₃. Except for 1.21 nmol/kg 1α(OH)D₂ that failed to lower liver and plasma cholesterol contents, a significant negative correlation was observed between the liver concentration of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ formed from the precursors and liver cholesterol levels. The composite results show that vitamin D analogs 1α(OH)D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ exhibit cholesterol lowering properties upon activation to 1,25(OH)₂D₃: 1α(OH)D₃ is rapidly activated by liver enzymes and 25(OH)D₃ is slowly activated by renal Cyp27b1 in mouse.     

Agonist function of the recombinant α4β3δ GABAA receptor is dependent on the human and rat variants of the α4‐subunit

1. It is known that the α₄‐subunit is likely to occur in the brain predominantly in α₄β₃δ receptors at extrasynaptic sites. Recent studies have revealed that the α₁‐, α₄‐, γ₂‐ and δ‐subunits may colocalize extrasynaptically in dentate granule cells of the hippocampus. In the present study, we characterized a series of recombinant GABA_A receptors containing human (H) and rat (R) α₁/α₄‐, β₂/β₃‐ and γ_2S/δ‐subunits in Xenopus oocytes using the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique. 2. Both Hα₁β₃δ and Hα₄β₃γ_2S receptors were sensitive to activation by GABA and pentobarbital. Contrary to earlier findings that the α₄β₃δ combination was more sensitive to agonist action than the α₄β₃γ_2S receptor, we observed extremely small GABA‐ and pentobarbital‐activated currents at the wild‐type Hα₄β₃δ receptor. However, GABA and pentobarbital activated the wild‐type Rα₄β₃δ receptor with high potency (EC₅₀ = 0.5 ± 0.7 and 294 ± 5 μmol/L, respectively). 3. Substituting the Hα₄ subunit with Rα₄ conferred a significant increase in activation on the GABA and pentobarbital site in terms of reduced EC₅₀ and increased I_max. When the Hα₄ subunit was combined with the Rβ₃ and Rδ subunit in a heteropentameric form, the amplitude of GABA‐ and pentobarbital‐activated currents increased significantly compared with the wild‐type Hα₄β₃δ receptor. 4. Thus, the results indicate that the Rα₄β₃δ, Hα₁β₃δ and Hα₄β₃γ_2S combinations may contribute to functions of extrasynaptic GABA_A receptors. The presence of the Rα₄ subunit at recombinant GABA_A receptors containing the δ‐subunit is a strong determinant of agonist action. The recombinant Hα₄β₃δ receptor is a less sensitive subunit composition in terms of agonist activation.     

Conformational investigation of α, β-dehydropeptides

The crystal structure of Ac-Pro-ΔVal-NHCH₃ was examined to determine the influence of the α,β-dehydrovaline residue on the nature of peptide conformation. The peptide crystallizes from methanol-diethyl ether solution at 4° in needle-shaped form in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a= 11.384(2) Å, b = 13.277(2) Å, c = 9.942(1) Å. V = 1502.7(4) ų Z = 4, D_m= 1.17 g cm^?3 and D_c=1.18 g cm^?3 The structure was solved by direct methods using SHELXS-86 and refined to an R value of 0.057 for 1922 observed reflections. The peptide is found to adopt a β-bend between the type I and the type III conformation with φ₁=?68.3(4)°, ψ₁=? 20.1(4)°, φ₂=?73.5(4)°= and Ψ₂=?14.1(4)°=. An intramolecular hydrogen bond between the carbonyl oxygen of ith residue and the NH of (i+ 3)th residue stabilizes the β-bend. An additional intermolecular N.,.O hydrogen bond joins molecules into infinite chains. In the literature described crystal structures of peptides having a single α,β-dehydroamino acid residue in the (i+ 2) position and forming a β-bend reveal a type II conformation.     

Synthesis of [18F]3‐[1‐(3‐fluoropropyl)‐(S)‐pyrrolidin‐2‐ylmethoxy]pyridine ([18F]NicFP): a potential α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor radioligand for PET

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are widely distributed throughout the human brain and are believed to play a role in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. In order to identify an effective PET radioligand for in vivo assessment of the α4β2 subtype of nicotinic receptor, we synthesized [¹⁸F]3‐[1‐(3‐fluoropropyl)‐(S)‐pyrrolidin‐2‐ylmethoxy]pyridine (NicFP). The in vitro K_D of NicFP was determined to be 1.1 nM, and the log P value obtained by HPLC analysis of the unlabelled standard was found to be 2.2. The radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]NicFP was carried out by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of anhydrous [¹⁸F]fluoride and the corresponding mesylate precursor. After purification by HPLC, the radiochemical yield was determined to be 11.3±2.1% and the specific activity was 0.47±0.18 Ci/μmol (EOS, n = 3). The time of synthesis and purification was 99±2 min. The final product was prepared as a sterile saline solution suitable for in vivo use. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.