Neurotoxic/neuroprotective profile of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and two new putative antiepileptic drugs, BIA 2-093 and BIA 2-024

We investigated and compared the toxicity profile, as well as possible neuroprotective effects, of some antiepileptic drugs in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. We used two novel carbamazepine derivatives, (S)-(-)-10-acetoxy-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b, f]azepine-5-carboxamide (BIA 2-093) and 10, 11-dihydro-10-hydroxyimino-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (BIA 2-024), and compared their effects with the established compounds carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine. The assessment of neuronal injury was made by using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl (MTT) assay, as well as by analysing morphology and nuclear chromatin condensation (propidium iodide staining), after hippocampal neurons were exposed to the drugs for 24 h. The putative antiepileptic drugs, BIA 2-093 or BIA 2-024 (at 300 microM), only slightly decreased MTT reduction, whereas carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine were much more toxic at lower concentrations. Treatment with the antiepileptic drugs caused nuclear chromatin condensation in some neurons, which is characteristic of apoptosis, and increased the activity of caspase-3-like enzymes, mainly in neurons treated with carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine. The toxic effect caused by carbamazepine was not mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or by alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors. Moreover, the antiepileptic drugs failed to protect hippocampal neurons from the toxicity caused by kainate, veratridine, or ischaemia-like conditions.     

Inhibition of human and rat 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases activities by bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a potential endocrine disruptor. It has been shown that it can interfere with steroid biosynthesis and metabolism. However, the mechanism is unclear. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of BPA on two isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2) in human and rat tissues. Human liver, rat testis microsomes as well as rat adult Leydig cells were used for measurement of 11β-HSD1 activity, and human and rat kidney microsomes for 11β-HSD2 activity. BPA inhibited human and rat 11β-HSD1 activities with the half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) of 14.81 ± 0.06 μM (mean ± SEM) for human and 19.39 ± 0.09 μM for rat enzyme, respectively. BPA inhibited rat 11β-HSD1 activity in intact rat Leydig cells. BPA also weakly inhibited both human and rat 11β-HSD2 activities. At 100 μM, BPA inhibited human and rat enzymes by 51.16% and 41.61%, respectively. In conclusion, BPA is an inhibitor for both 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2, with selectivity against the type I enzyme.     

Effects of methoxychlor and its metabolite 2,2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in vitro

Methoxychlor (MXC) is primarily used as a pesticide and widely present in the environment. The objective of the present study is to investigate the direct effects of MXC and its metabolite 2-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE) on two isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2) in vitro. Human liver microsome, rat testis microsome and adult Leydig cells were used for the measurement of 11β-HSD1 activity. Human placental and rat kidney microsomes were used for 11β-HSD2 activity. The IC₅₀ values on human 11β-HSD1 by MXC and HPTE were 1.91 ± 0.07 and 8.88 ± 0.08 μM, respectively. HPTE inhibited rat 11β-HSD1 with IC₅₀ of 9.15 ± 0.05 μM, while MXC did not inhibit the enzyme. MXC and HPTE were competitive inhibitors of 11β-HSD1. HPTE also inhibited human and rat 11β-HSD2 with IC₅₀ values of 55.57 ± 0.08 and 12.96 ± 0.11 μM, respectively, while MXC did not inhibit 11β-HSD2. In summary, our results showed that MXC and its metabolite HPTE inhibited both isoforms of 11β-HSD in a species- and chemical structure-dependent manner.     

Inhibition of glutamate release by BIA 2-093 and BIA 2-024, two novel derivatives of carbamazepine, due to blockade of sodium but not calcium channels

We investigated the mechanism(s) of action of two new putative antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), (S)-(-)-10-acetoxy-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (BIA 2-093) and 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxyimino-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (BIA 2-024), by comparing their effects on the release of endogenous glutamate in hippocampal synaptosomes, with those of carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXC). The AEDs inhibited the release of glutamate evoked by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or veratridine in a concentration-dependent manner, being CBZ more potent than the other AEDs. Using conditions of stimulation (30 mM KCl), where Na(+) channels are inactivated, the AEDs did not inhibit either the Ca(2+)-dependent or -independent release of glutamate. The results indicate that BIA 2-093 and BIA 2-024 have sodium channel-blocking properties, but CBZ and OXC are more potent than the new AEDs. Moreover, the present data also indicate that Ca(2+) channels coupled to the exocytotic release of glutamate and the activity of the glutamate transporter were not affected by the AEDs.     

Suppressive effect and mechanism of saxatilin, a disintegrin from Korean snake (Gloydius saxatilis), in vascular smooth muscle cells

RGD-peptides can inhibit the binding of ligands to certain β3 integrins, αIIbβ3 and αvβ3, both of which are involved in neointimal hyperplasia that contributes to atherosclerosis and restenosis of arterial walls. Saxatilin, a disintegrin from a Korean snake (Gloydius saxatilis), interacts with integrins αIIbβ3 and αvβ3. It suppressed the adhesion of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) to vitronectin with an IC₅₀ of 2.5 μM, and growth factor (PDGF-BB or bFGF)-induced proliferation was inhibited at an IC₅₀ of 25 μM. Saxatilin disassembled the actin cytoskeleton of focal adhesion and induced cell detachment. This disassembly of focal adhesion in saxatilin-treated HCASMCs involved caspase-induced paxillin degradation. Saxatilin temporally phosphorylated FAK and ERKs and affected the cell cycle of HCASMCs by increasing CDK inhibitors (p21 and p27) and reducing cyclins (D1/2 and E). These results may have significant implications for integrin antagonistic therapy used for the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis.     

The mojastin mutant Moj-DM induces apoptosis of the human melanoma SK-Mel-28, but not the mutant Moj-NN nor the non-mutated recombinant Moj-WN

In this study, three recombinant mojastin peptides (Moj-WN, Moj-NN, and Moj-DM) were produced and compared functionally. Recombinant Moj peptides were purified as GST-fusions. GST-Moj-WN and GST-Moj-NN inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma. The GST-Moj-WN had an IC₅₀ of 160 nM, while the GST-Moj-NN had an IC₅₀ of 493 nM. The GST-Moj-DM did not inhibit platelet aggregation. All three GST-Moj peptides inhibited SK-Mel-28 cell adhesion to fibronectin. The GST-Moj-WN inhibited the binding of SK-Mel-28 cells to fibronectin with an IC₅₀ of 11 nM, followed by the GST-Moj-NN (IC₅₀ of 28 nM), and the GST-Moj-DM (IC₅₀ of 46 nM). The GST-Moj peptides’ ability to induce apoptosis on SK-Mel-28 cells was determined using Annexin-V-FITC and nuclear fragmentation assays. Cells were incubated with 5 μM GST-Moj peptides for 24 h. At 5 μM GST-Moj-DM peptide, 13.56% ± 2.08 of treated SK-Mel-28 cells were in early apoptosis. The GST-Moj-DM peptide also caused nuclear fragmentation as determined by fluorescent microscopy and Hoechst staining. The GST-Moj-WN and GST-Moj-NN peptides failed to induce apoptosis. We characterized the SK-Mel-28 integrin expression, as the first step in determining r-Moj binding specificity. Our results indicate that SK-Mel-28 cells express αvβ3, αv, α6, β1, and β3 integrin receptors.     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel negative allosteric modulator of neuronal nAChRs

In this study, we compared the in vitro and in vivo neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) properties of 1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydro-2-benzyl-6-N,N-dimethylamino-1-methylindeno[1,2,-b]pyrrole (HDMP, 4) to that of negative allosteric modulator (NAM), PCP. Patch-clamp experiments showed that HDMP exhibited an inhibitory functional activity at α7 nAChRs with an IC₅₀ of 0.07 μM, and was 357- and 414-fold less potent at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs, with IC₅₀s of 25.1 and 29.0 μM, respectively. Control patch-clamp experiments showed that PCP inhibited α7, α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs with IC₅₀s of to 1.3, 29.0 and 6.4 μM, respectively. Further, HDMP did not exhibit any appreciable binding affinity to either α7 or α4β2 nAChRs, suggesting its action via a non-competitive mechanism at these neuronal nAChR subtypes. The in vivo study showed that HDMP was a potent antagonist of nicotine-induced analgesia in the tail-flick (AD₅₀ = 0.008 mg/kg), but not in the hot-plate test. All together, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that HDMP is a novel NAM of neuronal nAChRs with potent inhibitory activity at α7 nAChR subtype at concentrations ≤1 μM that are not effective for α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs.     

Carbamazepine inhibits distinct chemoconvulsant-induced seizure-like activity in Dugesia tigrina

Planaria, non-parasitic flatworms, were recently shown to be a simple yet sensitive model for investigating the pharmacology of convulsants and anticonvulsants. The present findings show that three distinct chemoconvulsants, (−)-nicotine, picrotoxin, and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), induce dose-dependent seizure-like paroxysms in the planarian Dugesia tigrina. Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, iminodibenzyl derivatives, exhibit anticonvulsive effects mediated mainly through the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Apart from these primary molecular targets, both carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are known to activate γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptors and inhibit NMDA activated glutamate receptors and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The present study shows that in D. tigrina both carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine inhibit chemoconvulsant-induced seizure behaviors in a dose-dependent manner. Carbamazepine (100 μM) decreased by ~ 65% the cumulative mean planarian seizure-like activity (pSLA) observed in the presence of (−)-nicotine (10 μM), picrotoxin (5 mM), or NMDA (3 mM), whereas oxcarbazepine (1 μM) decreased by 45% the cumulative mean pSLA induced by (−)-nicotine (10 μM). The results demonstrate, for the first time, the anti-seizure pharmacology of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine in an invertebrate seizure model.     

Comparative cytotoxicity study of enniatins A, A1, A2, B, B1, B4 and J3 on Caco-2 cells, Hep-G2 and HT-29

Enniatins (ENs) are ionophoric, phytotoxic, antihelminthic, and antibiotic compounds of hexadepsipeptidic structure produced by several strains of Fusarium spp. The cytotoxicity effect of the ENs A, A₁, A₂, B, B₁, B₄ and J₃ was compared on three tumor cell lines, the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), the human colon carcinoma (HT-29), and the human liver carcinoma (Hep-G2). The endpoint evaluated was the mitochondrial integrity by using the MTT assays, after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The IC₅₀ value for EN A₂ on Caco-2 cells, after 24 h exposure, was 18.7 ± 4.5 μM and decrease to 2.6 ± 0.7 μM at 48 h of incubation. However, ENs A, A₁, B₁ and B₄ exert pronounced cytotoxic effects in all the cell lines tested by the MTT assay after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The EN A₁ demonstrated to be the most cytotoxic ENs tested. Moreover, no statistical differences were found between the IC₅₀ values obtained for EN A₁ on Caco-2, HT-29 and Hep-G2, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 9.1 ± 2.2 μM to 12.3 ± 4.3 μM at 24 h and decreasing in a range variable from 1.4 ± 0.7 μM to 2.7 ± 0.8 μM at 48 h. On the other hand, EN A, B₁ and B₄ showed lower cytotoxicity, but in a similar range as the IC₅₀ values reported on HT-29 (IC₅₀ values (24 h): 16.8 ± 4.3-26.2 ± 6.7 μM), Caco-2 (IC₅₀ values (24 h): 19.5 ± 4.1 μM) and Hep-G2 (IC₅₀ values (24 h): 23.4 ± 5.6-26.2 ± 7.6 μM) cells. Cytotoxic effect with a 48 h of incubation revealed also a significant toxicity of ENs A (IC₅₀ values ranged from 8.2 ± 1.8 to 11.4 ± 4.6 μM), B₁ (IC₅₀ values variables from 3.7 ± 0.7 to 11.5 ± 5.3 μM) and B₄ (IC₅₀ of 4.5 ± 2.9-15.0 ± 4.0 μM). In summary, this study demonstrated that ENs can exert toxic activity at low micromolar concentrations in mammalian cells.     

Rb efflux mediated by α4β2*-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with high and low-sensitivity to stimulation by acetylcholine display similar agonist-induced desensitization

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) assembled from α4 and β2 subunits are the most densely expressed subtype in the brain. Concentration-effect curves for agonist activation of α4β2*-nAChR are biphasic. This biphasic agonist sensitivity is ascribed to differences in subunit stoichiometry. The studies described here evaluated desensitization elicited by low concentrations of epibatidine, nicotine, cytisine or methylcarbachol of brain α4β2-nAChR function measured with acetylcholine-stimulated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from mouse thalamic synaptosomes. Each agonist elicited concentration-dependent desensitization. The agonists differed in potency. However, IC₅₀ values for each agonist for desensitization of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux both with high (EC₅₀ ≈ 3 μM) and low (EC₅₀ ≈ 150 μM) acetylcholine sensitivity were not significantly different. Concentrations required to elicit desensitization were higher that their respective K_D values for receptor binding. Even though the two components of α4β2*-nAChR-mediated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from mouse brain differ markedly in EC₅₀ values for agonist activation, they are equally sensitive to desensitization by exposure to low agonist concentrations. Mice were also chronically treated with nicotine by continuous infusion of 0, 0.5 or 4.0 mg/kg/h and desensitization induced by nicotine was evaluated. Consistent with previous results, chronic nicotine treatment increased the density of epibatidine binding sites. Acute exposure to nicotine also elicited concentration-dependent desensitization of both high-sensitivity and low-sensitivity acetylcholine-stimulated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from cortical and thalamic synaptosomes. Although chronic nicotine treatment reduced maximal ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from thalamus, IC₅₀ values in both brain regions were unaffected by chronic nicotine treatment.     

Disrupting androgen production of Leydig cells by resveratrol via direct inhibition of human and rat 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

Resveratrol is a polyphenol produced by several plants. It has been demonstrated that it has anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-diabetic effects in animal models. However, its side effects are generally unclear. In the present study, we reported that resveratrol inhibited luteinizing hormone-stimulated androgen production in rat immature Leydig cells. Further analysis demonstrated that it was a competitive inhibitor of rat and human 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with IC₅₀ values of 3.87 ± 0.06 and 8.48 ± 0.04 μM, respectively. The inhibition on 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was specific since it did not inhibit another hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 at the highest concentration (100 μM) tested. In conclusion, resveratrol potentially interferes with androgen biosynthesis of rat Leydig cells.     

3'-Fluoro substitution in the pyridine ring of epibatidine improves selectivity and efficacy for alpha4beta2 versus alpha3beta4 nAChRs

The analog of epibatidine having a fluoro substituent at the 3′ position of the pyridine ring has been recently developed and shown to possess binding affinity in the pM range to α4β2 nAChRs and in the nM range to α7 nAChRs and to exhibit potent agonist activity in nicotine-induced analgesia tests. Here we used patch-clamp technique in a whole-cell configuration to compare functional activity of 3′-fluoroepibatidine to that of epibatidine by itself on recombinant α4β2, α7 and α3β4 neuronal nAChRs. The agonist effect of (±)-epibatidine was partial and yielded comparable EC₅₀s of 0.012 μM (72% efficacy) and 0.027 μM (81% efficacy) at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs, respectively, but was full at α7 nAChRs with an EC₅₀ of 4.8 μM. Testing of the analog at different concentrations revealed that it acts as a full agonist with an EC₅₀ of 0.36 μM at α4β2 nAChRs and induces partial agonist effect (66% efficacy) at α7 nAChRs with an EC₅₀ of 9.8 μM and an IC₅₀ corresponding to 225 μM. In contrast, the analog caused only 24% maximal activation at the range of concentrations from 0.1 to 100 μM and, in addition, induced an inhibition of α3β4 nAChR function with an IC₅₀ of 8.3 μM. Our functional data, which are in agreement with previous binding and behavioral findings, demonstrate that 3′-fluoro substitution in the pyridine ring of epibatidine results in an improved pharmacological profile as observed by an increased efficacy and selectivity for α4β2 versus α3β4 nAChRs.     

Angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor antagonists modulate nicotine-evoked [H]dopamine and [H]norepinephrine release

Tobacco smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. A major negative health consequence of chronic smoking is hypertension. Untoward addictive and cardiovascular sequelae associated with chronic smoking are mediated by nicotine-induced activation of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) within striatal dopaminergic and hypothalamic noradrenergic systems. Hypertension involves both brain and peripheral angiotensin systems. Activation of angiotensin type-1 receptors (AT1) release dopamine and norepinephrine. The current study determined the role of AT1 and angiotensin type-2 (AT2) receptors in mediating nicotine-evoked dopamine and norepinephrine release from striatal and hypothalamic slices, respectively. The potential involvement of nAChRs in mediating effects of AT1 antagonist losartan and AT2 antagonist, 1-[[4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-(diphenylacetyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid (PD123319) was evaluated by determining their affinities for α4β2* and α7* nAChRs using [³H]nicotine and [³H]methyllycaconitine binding assays, respectively. Results show that losartan concentration-dependently inhibited nicotine-evoked [³H]dopamine and [³H]norepinephrine release (IC₅₀: 3.9 ± 1.2 and 2.2 ± 0.7 μM; I_max: 82 ± 3 and 89 ± 6%, respectively). In contrast, PD123319 did not alter nicotine-evoked norepinephrine release, and potentiated nicotine-evoked dopamine release. These results indicate that AT1 receptors modulate nicotine-evoked striatal dopamine and hypothalamic norepinephrine release. Furthermore, AT1 receptor activation appears to be counteracted by AT2 receptor activation in striatum. Losartan and PD123319 did not inhibit [³H]nicotine or [³H]methyllycaconitine binding, indicating that these AT1 and AT2 antagonists do not interact with the agonist recognition sites on α4β2* and α7* nAChRs to mediate these effects of nicotine. Thus, angiotensin receptors contribute to the effects of nicotine on dopamine and norepinephrine release in brain regions involved in nicotine reward and hypertension.     

Suppressive effects of oxcarbazepine on tooth pulp-evoked potentials recorded at the trigeminal spinal tract nucleus in cats

1. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of oxcarbazepine, a keto derivitive of carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant), in an animal model. To evoke a nociceptive response, we electrically stimulated the maxillary canine tooth pulp (MCTP) in anaesthetized (allobarbital-urethane), spontaneously breathing cats. 2. The evoked potentials were recorded from the superficial layers of the caudal part of the trigeminal spinal tract nucleus (5ST). We examined a slow component with a large amplitude (the P3 component) in evoked compound potentials; its mean conduction velocity was 1.7 m/s, suggesting a response mediated by C-fibres. 3. To confirm that the P3 component was related to pain sensation, we used morphine, a most efficacious antinociceptive agent, in the present study. The P3 component was significantly suppressed by intravenous administration of morphine (3 mg/kg) and was also suppressed by microinjection of morphine (2 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST. These results suggest that the P3 component is involved in the transmission of nociceptive information. 4. We compared the effect of oxcarbazepine with mexiletine; both are known to block neuronal Na+ channels. Intravenous administration of mexiletine suppressed the P3 component at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Microinjection of mexiletine (10 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST tended to suppress the P3 component, but this effect was not significant. 5. Intravenous administration of oxcarbazepine (1-10 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the P3 component, which was significantly suppressed at 10 mg/kg oxcarbazepine. Intravenous administration of 10,11-dihydro-10-hydroxy-5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide (MHD), a metabolite of oxcarbazepine, at doses of 3-30 mg/kg caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the P3 component. Oxcarbazepine was not available for the microinjection study because it is not water soluble. We used MHD for the microinjection study instead of oxcarbazepine, because MHD can be dissolved in water up to 3 mg/mL. Microinjections of MHD (6 microg) into the recording site of the 5ST suppressed the P3 component. These results indicate that oxcarbazepine has an antinociceptive action.     

The UV-filter benzophenone-1 inhibits 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3: Virtual screening as a strategy to identify potential endocrine disrupting chemicals

The prevalence of male reproductive disorders and testicular cancer is steadily increasing. Because the exposure to chemicals disrupting natural hormone action has been associated with these diseases, it is important to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their targets of action. Here, a 3D-structural database that can be applied for virtual screening approaches to facilitate the identification of EDCs was constructed. The database was screened using pharmacophores of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3), which catalyzes the last step of testosterone synthesis in testicular Leydig cells and plays an essential role during male sexual development. Among other chemicals, benzophenone (BP) UV-filters were predicted as potential 17β-HSD3 inhibitors. Biological analyses revealed (2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-phenylmethanone (also known as benzophenone-1, BP-1) as an inhibitor of human 17β-HSD3 (IC₅₀ 1.05 μM). BP-1 also efficiently blocked conversion of androstenedione to testosterone by mouse and rat 17β-HSD3 in whole-organ enzyme assays. Moreover, BP-1 antagonized the testosterone-dependent activation of androgen receptors (IC₅₀ 5.7 μM), suggesting synergistic anti-androgenic effects of BP-1 by preventing testosterone formation and blocking receptor activation. In addition, analyses of several commonly used UV-filters on estrogen- and androgen-metabolizing 17β-HSD enzymes revealed 3-benzylidene camphor (3-BC) and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) as low micromolar 17β-HSD2 inhibitors. In conclusion, screening of virtual chemical structure libraries can facilitate the identification of compounds interfering with hormone action. The potential disruption of 17β-HSD enzyme function by the UV-filters BP-1, 3-BC and 4-MBC requires further investigation and should be considered for safety assessment of these chemicals.     

ABT-594 improves performance in the 5-choice serial reaction time task under conditions of increased difficulty, sub-chronic dosing, and in poorly-performing subjects

Several studies have tested nicotinic receptor ligands in the 5-Choice Serial Reaction Time Task (5-CSRTT) with varying results. Some investigators have increased attentional demands by modifying task parameters or using aged or poor performing rats to observe treatment effects. This study examined the α4β2 nicotinic agonist ABT-594 in the 5-CSRTT using a variety of manipulations to determine optimal conditions for observing enhancement. ABT-594 had no effect in drug-naïve adult rats that self-initiated trials. Constant trial presentation decreased accuracy and omissions, with the latter significantly attenuated by acute administration of ABT-594 (0.019-0.062 μmol/kg). Sub-chronic treatment (0.019 μmol/kg) initially impaired drug-naïve subjects, but significant improvements in accuracy and decreased omissions were observed after 5 days of dosing. In 18-22 month-old rats, attentional demands were altered by interspersing blocks of trials with different stimulus durations. Acute ABT-594 (0.062 μmol/kg) enhanced accuracy performance in poor performing rats (< 70% accuracy) but not in those that performed well (> 80% accuracy), while omissions were decreased in both groups. Sub-chronic treatment with (0.019 μmol/kg) decreased omissions in all rats, but enhanced accuracy primarily in poor performing rats. These experiments demonstrate that an α4β2 nicotinic agonist can enhance attention, but accuracy effects may only be observed under specific conditions. Moreover, a reduction in omissions was more reliably observed than improvements in accuracy, resulting in a net increase in signals successfully detected.     

Novel bis-(-)-nor-meptazinol derivatives act as dual binding site AChE inhibitors with metal-complexing property

The strategy of dual binding site acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition along with metal chelation may represent a promising direction for multi-targeted interventions in the pathophysiological processes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, two derivatives (ZLA and ZLB) of a potent dual binding site AChE inhibitor bis-(−)-nor-meptazinol (bis-MEP) were designed and synthesized by introducing metal chelating pharmacophores into the middle chain of bis-MEP. They could inhibit human AChE activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.63 μM (for ZLA) and 8.64 μM (for ZLB), and prevent AChE-induced amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation with IC₅₀ values of 49.1 μM (for ZLA) and 55.3 μM (for ZLB). In parallel, molecular docking analysis showed that they are capable of interacting with both the catalytic and peripheral anionic sites of AChE. Furthermore, they exhibited abilities to complex metal ions such as Cu(II) and Zn(II), and inhibit Aβ aggregation triggered by these metals. Collectively, these results suggest that ZLA and ZLB may act as dual binding site AChEIs with metal-chelating potency, and may be potential leads of value for further study on disease-modifying treatment of AD.     

Influence of the flavonoids apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin on the function of organic anion transporting polypeptides 1A2 and 2B1

OATP1A2 and OATP2B1 are uptake transporters of the human organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) family with a broad substrate spectrum including several endogenous compounds as well as drugs such as the antihistaminic drug fexofenadine and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Both transporters are localized in the apical membrane of human enterocytes. Flavonoids, abundantly occurring in plants, have previously been shown to interact with drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters. However, the impact of flavonoids on OATP1A2 and OATP2B1 transport function has not been analyzed in detail. Therefore, HEK293 cell lines stably expressing OATP1A2 and OATP2B1 were used to investigate the influence of the Ginkgo flavonoids apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin on the transport activity of OATP1A2 and OATP2B1. K_i values of all three flavonoids determined from Dixon plot analyses using BSP as substrate indicated a competitive inhibition with quercetin as the most potent inhibitor of OATP1A2 (22.0 μM) and OATP2B1 (8.7 μM) followed by kaempferol (OATP1A2: 25.2 μM, OATP2B1: 15.1 μM) and apigenin (OATP1A2: 32.4 μM OATP2B1: 20.8 μM). Apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin led to a concentration-dependent decrease of the OATP1A2-mediated fexofenadine transport with IC₅₀ values of 4.3 μM, 12.0 μM, and 12.6 μM, respectively. The OATP1A2- and OATP2B1-mediated transport of atorvastatin was also efficiently inhibited by apigenin (IC₅₀ for OATP1A2: 9.3 μM, OATP2B1: 13.9 μM), kaempferol (IC₅₀ for OATP1A2: 37.3 μM, OATP2B1: 20.7 μM) and quercetin (IC₅₀ for OATP1A2: 13.5 μM, OATP2B1: 14.1 μM). These data indicate that modification of OATP1A2 and OATP2B1 transport activity by apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin may be a mechanism for food-drug or drug-drug interactions in humans.     

Evaluation of in vitro cytotoxicity of 6-benzylaminopurine carboplatin derivatives against human cancer cell lines and primary human hepatocytes

A series of seven platinum(II) cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato (cbdc) complexes {[Pt(cbdc)(L_n)₂], 1-7}, derived from carboplatin by a substitution of two NH₃ molecules for two 2,6,9-trisubstituted 6-benzylaminopurine-based N-donor ligands (L_n), was studied by the MTT assay for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against seven human cancer cell lines, i.e. lung carcinoma (A549), cervix epithelioid carcinoma (HeLa), osteosarcoma (HOS), malignant melanoma (G361), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), ovarian carcinoma (A2780) and its cisplatin-resistant analogue (A2780cis), and against two primary cultures of human hepatocytes (LH31 and LH32). The prepared complexes were cytotoxic against several cancer cells, in some cases even more than cisplatin. The best results were achieved for complexes 1 (IC₅₀ = 17.4 ± 2.0 μM) and 2 (IC₅₀ = 14.8 ± 2.1 μΜ) against HOS cells, 1 (IC₅₀ = 15.1 ± 6.8 μM), 2 (IC₅₀ = 13.6 ± 5.2 μM) and 6 (IC₅₀ = 19.0 ± 6.6 μM) against MCF7, 6 (IC₅₀ = 6.4 ± 0.1 μM) against A2780, and 1-6 (IC₅₀ = 15.6 ± 4.0, 12.9 ± 3.7, 15.8 ± 3.8, 16.6 ± 5.5, 22.1 ± 2.5, and 5.6 ± 1.7 μM, respectively) against A2780cis. Viability of human hepatocytes was not declined by the tested complexes up to the concentration of 50 μM (for 1, 3-7) and 20 μM (for 2; caused by lower solubility of this complex).