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1.
Front Immunol ; 13: 752105, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35222364

ABSTRACT

The P2X7 receptor is a critical purinergic receptor in immune cells. Its activation was associated with cathepsin release into macrophage cytosol, suggesting its involvement in lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) and leakage. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which P2X7 receptor activation induces LMP and leakage are unclear. This study investigated cellular mechanisms associated with endosomal and lysosomal leakage triggered by P2X7 receptor activation. We found that ATP at 500 µM and 5 mM (but not 50 µM) induced LMP in non-stimulated peritoneal macrophages. This effect was not observed in P2X7-deficient or A740003-pretreated macrophages. We found that the P2X7 receptor and pannexin-1 channels mediate calcium influx that might be important for activating specific ion channels (TRPM2 and two-pore channels) on the membranes of late endosomes and lysosomes leading to LMP leakage and consequent cathepsin release. These findings suggest the critical role of the P2X7 receptor in inflammatory and infectious diseases via lysosomal dysfunction.


Subject(s)
Calcium , Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 , Calcium/metabolism , Cathepsins/metabolism , Connexins/metabolism , Lysosomes/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Receptors, Purinergic P2X7/metabolism
2.
Molecules ; 25(14)2020 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32664425

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that involves different pathogenic mechanisms. In this regard, the goal of this study was the design and synthesis of new compounds with multifunctional pharmacological activity by molecular hybridization of structural fragments of curcumin and resveratrol connected by an N-acyl-hydrazone function linked to a 1,4-disubstituted triazole system. Among these hybrid compounds, derivative 3e showed the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species as well as the neurotoxicity elicited by Aß42 oligomers in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. In parallel, compound 3e showed a good profile of safety and ADME parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that 3e could be considered a lead compound for the further development of AD therapeutics.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Triazoles/chemistry , Triazoles/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacokinetics , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Curcumin/pharmacokinetics , Curcumin/pharmacology , Humans , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacokinetics , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Pharmacokinetics , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Resveratrol/pharmacokinetics , Resveratrol/pharmacology , Triazoles/pharmacokinetics
3.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) ; 237(6): 1643-1655, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32095916

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex (PPI) is disrupted in several psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Understanding PPI pharmacology may help elucidate the pathophysiology of these disorders and lead to better treatments. Given the advantages of multi-target approaches for complex mental illnesses treatment, we have investigated the interaction between receptors known to modulate PPI (5-HT1A and 5-HT2A) and the neuromodulatory endocannabinoid system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate serotonin and cannabinoid receptor (CBR) co-modulation in a model of PPI disruption relevant to schizophrenia METHODS: Male Swiss mice were pretreated with WIN 55,212-2 (CBR agonist), rimonabant (CB1R inverse agonist), 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A/7 agonist), and volinanserin (5-HT2A antagonist) or with a combination of a cannabinoid and a serotonergic drug. PPI disruption was induced by acute administration of MK-801. RESULTS: WIN 55,212-2 and rimonabant did not change PPI nor block MK-801-induced deficits. 8-OH-DPAT increased PPI in control mice and, in a higher dose, inhibited MK-801-induced impairments. Volinanserin also increased PPI in control and MK-801-treated mice, presenting an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. Co-administration of either cannabinoid ligand with 8-OH-DPAT did not change PPI; however, the combination of volinanserin with rimonabant increased PPI in both control and MK-801-exposed mice. CONCLUSIONS: WIN 55,212-2 and rimonabant had similar effects in PPI. Moreover, serotonin and cannabinoid receptors interact to modulate PPI. While co-modulation of CBR and 5-HT1A receptors did not change PPI, a beneficial effect of 5-HT2A and CB1R antagonist combination was detected, possibly mediated through potentiation of 5-HT2A blockade effects by concomitant CB1R blockade.


Subject(s)
Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists/administration & dosage , Prepulse Inhibition/physiology , Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A/physiology , Receptors, Cannabinoid/physiology , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists/administration & dosage , 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin/administration & dosage , Animals , Benzoxazines/administration & dosage , Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators/administration & dosage , Cannabinoids/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Therapy, Combination , Fluorobenzenes/administration & dosage , Male , Mice , Morpholines/administration & dosage , Naphthalenes/administration & dosage , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Prepulse Inhibition/drug effects , Reflex, Startle/drug effects , Reflex, Startle/physiology , Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists/administration & dosage , Treatment Outcome
4.
Nat Commun ; 10(1): 3890, 2019 09 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31488835

ABSTRACT

Neurological complications affecting the central nervous system have been reported in adult patients infected by Zika virus (ZIKV) but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that ZIKV replicates in human and mouse adult brain tissue, targeting mature neurons. ZIKV preferentially targets memory-related brain regions, inhibits hippocampal long-term potentiation and induces memory impairment in adult mice. TNF-α upregulation, microgliosis and upregulation of complement system proteins, C1q and C3, are induced by ZIKV infection. Microglia are found to engulf hippocampal presynaptic terminals during acute infection. Neutralization of TNF-α signaling, blockage of microglial activation or of C1q/C3 prevent synapse and memory impairment in ZIKV-infected mice. Results suggest that ZIKV induces synapse and memory dysfunction via aberrant activation of TNF-α, microglia and complement. Our findings establish a mechanism by which ZIKV affects the adult brain, and point to the need of evaluating cognitive deficits as a potential comorbidity in ZIKV-infected adults.


Subject(s)
Brain/virology , Synapses/virology , Virus Replication , Zika Virus Infection/virology , Zika Virus/physiology , Animals , Behavior, Animal , Brain/metabolism , Brain/pathology , Complement System Proteins/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Hippocampus/metabolism , Humans , Inflammation , Learning , Male , Memory , Memory Disorders , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Microglia/metabolism , Microglia/pathology , Neurons/virology , Presynaptic Terminals/metabolism , Receptors, Interleukin-1 Type I/genetics , Synapses/metabolism , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
5.
Front Mol Neurosci ; 11: 277, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30186108

ABSTRACT

Neural crest stem cells (NCPCs) have been shown to differentiate into various cell types and tissues during embryonic development, including sensory neurons. The few studies addressing the generation of NCPCs and peripheral sensory neurons (PSNs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), generated sensory cells without displaying robust activity. Here, we describe an efficient strategy for hiPSCs differentiation into NCPCs and functional PSNs using chemically defined media and factors to achieve efficient differentiation, confirmed by the expression of specific markers. After 10 days hiPSCs differentiated into NCPCs, cells were then maintained in neural induction medium containing defined growth factors for PSNs differentiation, followed by 10 days in neonatal human epidermal keratinocytes- (HEKn-) conditioned medium (CM). We observed a further increase in PSN markers expression and neurites length after CM treatment. The resulting neurons elicited action potentials after current injection and released substance P (SP) in response to nociceptive agents such as anandamide and resiniferatoxin. Anandamide induced substance P release via activation of TRPV1 and not CB1. Transcriptomic analysis of the PSNs revealed the main dorsal root ganglia neuronal markers and a transcriptional profile compatible with C fiber-low threshold mechanoreceptors. TRPV1 was detected by immunofluorescence and RNA-Seq in multiple experiments. In conclusion, the developed strategy generated PSNs useful for drug screening that could be applied to patient-derived hiPSCs, consisting in a powerful tool to model human diseases in vitro.

6.
Eur J Med Chem ; 130: 440-457, 2017 Apr 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28282613

ABSTRACT

A novel series of feruloyl-donepezil hybrid compounds were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multitarget drug candidates for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In vitro results revealed potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity for some of these compounds and all of them showed moderate antioxidant properties. Compounds 12a, 12b and 12c were the most potent AChE inhibitors, highlighting 12a with IC50 = 0.46 µM. In addition, these three most promising compounds exhibited significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in the mice paw edema, pleurisy and formalin-induced hyperalgesy models, in vitro metal chelator activity for Cu2+ and Fe2+, and neuroprotection of human neuronal cells against oxidative damage. Molecular docking studies corroborated the in vitro inhibitory mode of interaction of these active compounds on AChE. Based on these data, compound 12a was identified as a novel promising drug prototype candidate for the treatment of AD with innovative structural feature and multitarget effects.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Indans/pharmacology , Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods , Piperidines/pharmacology , Acrylates/chemistry , Acrylates/pharmacology , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Antioxidants , Cell Line , Cells, Cultured , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Donepezil , Drug Design , Humans , Indans/chemistry , Male , Mice , Molecular Docking Simulation , Neurons/drug effects , Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology , Piperidines/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship
7.
Sci Rep ; 7: 40912, 2017 01 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28098256

ABSTRACT

Dopamine and glutamate are critical neurotransmitters involved in light-induced synaptic activity in the retina. In brain neurons, dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) and the cytosolic protein tyrosine kinase Src can, independently, modulate the behavior of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs). Here we studied the interplay between D1Rs, Src and NMDARs in retinal neurons. We reveal that dopamine-mediated D1R stimulation provoked NMDAR hypofunction in retinal neurons by attenuating NMDA-gated currents, by preventing NMDA-elicited calcium mobilization and by decreasing the phosphorylation of NMDAR subunit GluN2B. This dopamine effect was dependent on upregulation of the canonical D1R/adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/PKA pathway, of PKA-induced activation of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and of Src inhibition. Accordingly, knocking down Csk or overexpressing a Csk phosphoresistant Src mutant abrogated the dopamine-induced NMDAR hypofunction. Overall, the interplay between dopamine and NMDAR hypofunction, through the D1R/Csk/Src/GluN2B pathway, might impact on light-regulated synaptic activity in retinal neurons.


Subject(s)
Dopamine/pharmacology , Receptors, Dopamine D1/metabolism , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Retina/drug effects , src-Family Kinases/metabolism , Animals , CSK Tyrosine-Protein Kinase , Calcium/metabolism , Chick Embryo , Chickens , Colforsin/pharmacology , Microscopy, Fluorescence , Mutagenesis, Site-Directed , Neurons/cytology , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Phosphorylation/drug effects , RNA Interference , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Receptors, Dopamine D1/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Dopamine D1/genetics , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics , Retina/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Up-Regulation/drug effects , src-Family Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , src-Family Kinases/genetics
8.
Eur J Med Chem ; 108: 687-700, 2016 Jan 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26735910

ABSTRACT

Cardanol is a phenolic lipid component of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), obtained as the byproduct of cashew nut food processing. Being a waste product, it has attracted much attention as a precursor for the production of high-value chemicals, including drugs. On the basis of these findings and in connection with our previous studies on cardanol derivatives as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, we designed a novel series of analogues by including a protonable amino moiety belonging to different systems. Properly addressed docking studies suggested that the proposed structural modifications would allow the new molecules to interact with both the catalytic active site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE, thus being able to act as dual binding inhibitors. To disclose whether the new molecules showed the desired profile, they were first tested for their cholinesterase inhibitory activity towards EeAChE and eqBuChE. Compound 26, bearing an N-ethyl-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)amine moiety, showed the highest inhibitory activity against EeAChE, with a promising IC50 of 6.6 µM, and a similar inhibition profile of the human isoform (IC50 = 5.7 µM). As another positive feature, most of the derivatives did not show appreciable toxicity against HT-29 cells, up to a concentration of 100 µM, which indicates drug-conform behavior. Also, compound 26 is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), as predicted by a PAMPA-BBB assay. Collectively, the data suggest that the approach to obtain potential anti-Alzheimer drugs from CNSL is worth of further pursuit and development.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cholinesterases/metabolism , Phenols/pharmacology , Alzheimer Disease/enzymology , Binding Sites/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , HT29 Cells , Humans , Molecular Structure , Phenols/chemical synthesis , Phenols/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship
9.
Front Cell Neurosci ; 9: 97, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25904842

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease (PD) is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Clinical presentation of PD stems largely from the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, motivating experimental strategies of replacement based on cell therapy. Transplantation of dopaminergic neurons derived from embryonic stem cells significantly improves motor functions in rodent and non-human primate models of PD. However, protocols to generate dopaminergic neurons from embryonic stem cells generally meet with low efficacy and high risk of teratoma formation upon transplantation. To address these issues, we have pre-treated undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with the DNA alkylating agent mitomycin C (MMC) before transplantation. MMC treatment of cultures prevented tumorigenesis in a 12 week follow-up after mESCs were injected in nude mice. In 6-OH-dopamine-lesioned mice, intrastriatal injection of MMC-treated mESCs markedly improved motor function without tumor formation for as long as 15 months. Furthermore, we show that halting mitotic activity of undifferentiated mESCs induces a four-fold increase in dopamine release following in vitro differentiation. Our findings indicate that treating mESCs with MMC prior to intrastriatal transplant is an effective to strategy that could be further investigated as a novel alternative for treatment of PD.

10.
PLoS One ; 8(12): e82726, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24349349

ABSTRACT

Crude extracts and three isolated alkaloids from Erythrina mulungu plants have shown anxiolytic effects in different animal models. We investigated whether these alkaloids could affect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and if they are selective for different central nervous system (CNS) subtypes. Screening experiments were performed using a single concentration of the alkaloid co-applied with acetylcholine in whole cell patch-clamp recordings in three different cell models: (i) PC12 cells natively expressing α3* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; (ii) cultured hippocampal neurons natively expressing α7* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors; and (iii) HEK 293 cells heterologoulsy expressing α4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. For all three receptors, the percent inhibition of acetylcholine-activated currents by (+)-11á-hydroxyerysotrine was the lowest, whereas (+)-erythravine and (+)-11á-hydroxyerythravine inhibited the currents to a greater extent. For the latter two substances, we obtained concentration-response curves with a pre-application protocol for the α7* and α4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The IC50 obtained with (+)-erythravine and (+)-11á-hydroxyerythravine were 6 µM and 5 µM for the α7* receptors, and 13 nM and 4 nM for the α4ß2 receptors, respectively. Our data suggest that these Erythrina alkaloids may exert their behavioral effects through inhibition of CNS nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, particularly the α4ß2 subtype.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/pharmacology , Erythrina/chemistry , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Nicotinic Antagonists/pharmacology , Receptors, Nicotinic/metabolism , Alkaloids/chemistry , Animals , Cell Line , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Hippocampus/cytology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/metabolism , Humans , Nicotinic Antagonists/chemistry , Pregnancy , Rats
11.
J Biol Chem ; 287(49): 41432-45, 2012 Nov 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23055518

ABSTRACT

Assembly of synapses requires proper coordination between pre- and postsynaptic elements. Identification of cellular and molecular events in synapse formation and maintenance is a key step to understand human perception, learning, memory, and cognition. A key role for astrocytes in synapse formation and function has been proposed. Here, we show that transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) signaling is a novel synaptogenic pathway for cortical neurons induced by murine and human astrocytes. By combining gain and loss of function approaches, we show that TGF-ß1 induces the formation of functional synapses in mice. Further, TGF-ß1-induced synaptogenesis involves neuronal activity and secretion of the co-agonist of the NMDA receptor, D-serine. Manipulation of D-serine signaling, by either genetic or pharmacological inhibition, prevented the TGF-ß1 synaptogenic effect. Our data show a novel molecular mechanism that might impact synaptic function and emphasize the evolutionary aspect of the synaptogenic property of astrocytes, thus shedding light on new potential therapeutic targets for synaptic deficit diseases.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes/cytology , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Serine/chemistry , Synapses/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Cognition , Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology , Electrophysiology , Humans , Mice , Models, Biological , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Signal Transduction , Transfection
12.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav ; 92(3): 508-13, 2009 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19463267

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the cholinesterase inhibitory activity of an alkaloid-rich fraction of stembark from Geissospermum vellosii (PP), and its effect on memory tests in mice. PP inhibited rat brain and electric eel acetylcholinesterase, as well as horse serum butyrylcholinesterase in a concentration-dependent manner with mean IC(50) values of 39.3 microg/mL, 2.9 microg/mL, and 1.6 microg/mL, respectively. The main alkaloid with anticholinesterase activity in PP was isolated and identified as geissospermine. PP significantly reduced scopolamine-induced amnesia in the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests, at 30 mg/kg i.p. (given 45 min before the test sessions). At the highest effective dose (60 mg/kg), administration of PP did not result in noticeable peripheral or central cholinergic side effects. Only after administration of 200 mg/kg, mice showed convulsions affecting the whole body followed by death. These results show that compounds present in G. vellosii stembark have anticholinesterase activity, and that they can revert cognitive deficits in a model of cholinergic hypofunction.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/drug effects , Apocynaceae/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Memory Disorders/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plant Stems/chemistry , Scopolamine/toxicity , Animals , Avoidance Learning , Male , Maze Learning , Memory Disorders/chemically induced , Mice , Plant Extracts/pharmacology
13.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 17(3): 1125-31, 2009 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19135376

ABSTRACT

We described herein the molecular design of novel in vivo anti-inflammatory 6-methanesulfonamide-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-N-acylhydrazone derivatives (1) planned by applying the molecular hybridization approach. This work also points out to the discovery of LASSBio-930 (1c) as a novel anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic prototype, which was able to reduce carrageenan-induced rat paw edema with an ED(50) of 97.8 micromol/kg, acting mainly as a non-selective COX inhibitor.


Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemistry , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/pharmacology , Benzodioxoles/chemistry , Benzodioxoles/pharmacology , Hydrazones/chemistry , Hydrazones/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/chemical synthesis , Benzodioxoles/chemical synthesis , Carrageenan/chemistry , Computer Simulation , Crystallography, X-Ray , Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Edema/chemically induced , Edema/drug therapy , Edema/prevention & control , Female , Hydrazones/chemical synthesis , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Thermodynamics
14.
Eur J Pharmacol ; 580(3): 339-49, 2008 Feb 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18096154

ABSTRACT

LASSBio-767 [(-)-3-O-acetyl-spectaline] and LASSBio-822 [(-)-3-O-tert-Boc-spectaline] were recently described as cholinesterase inhibitors derived from the natural piperidine alkaloid (-)-spectaline, obtained from the flowers of Senna spectabilis (Fabaceae). We investigated their mechanism of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and their efficacy in reversing scopolamine-induced amnesia. Competition assays with the substrate acetylthiocholine showed a concentration-dependent reduction in rat brain cholinesterase Vmax without changes in apparent Km. The kinetic data for LASSBio-767 and LASSBio-822 were best fit by a model of simple linear noncompetitive inhibition with Ki of 6.1 microM and 7.5 microM, respectively. A dilution assay showed a fast and complete reversal of inhibition, independent of incubation time. Simulated docking of the compounds into the catalytic gorge of Torpedo acetylcholinesterase showed interactions with the peripheral anionic site, but not with the catalytic triad. Anti-amnestic effects in mice were assessed in a step-down passive avoidance test and in the Morris water maze 30 min after injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.). Saline, LASSBio-767, or LASSBio-822 was administered 15 min before scopolamine. Both compounds reversed the scopolamine-induced reduction in step-down latency at 0.1 mg/kg i.p. LASSBio-767 reversed scopolamine-induced changes in water maze escape latency at 1 mg/kg i.p. or p.o., while its cholinergic side effects were absent or mild up to 30 mg/kg i.p. (LD50 above 100 mg/kg i.p.). Thus, the (-)-spectaline derivatives are potent cholinergic agents in vivo, with a unique profile combining noncompetitive cholinesterase inhibition and CNS selectivity, with few peripheral side effects.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/pharmacology , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Piperidines/pharmacology , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Administration, Oral , Alkaloids/chemistry , Alkaloids/isolation & purification , Amnesia/chemically induced , Amnesia/drug therapy , Amnesia/physiopathology , Animals , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Brain/enzymology , Catalysis/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drugs, Investigational/administration & dosage , Drugs, Investigational/chemistry , Drugs, Investigational/pharmacology , Injections, Intraperitoneal , Kinetics , Maze Learning/drug effects , Mice , Models, Molecular , Molecular Structure , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Piperidines/chemistry , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Scopolamine/toxicity , Space Perception/drug effects , Stereoisomerism
15.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther ; 319(1): 376-85, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16837558

ABSTRACT

Hippocampal alpha7(*) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors modulate the release of GABA and glutamate. The control of functional receptor pools by cell firing or synaptic activity could therefore allow for a local adjustment of the sensitivity to cholinergic input upon changes in neuronal activity. We first investigated whether tonic depolarization or cell firing affected the function of alpha7(*). The amplitude of alpha7(*)-gated whole-cell currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons exposed to high-extracellular K(+) (40 mM KCl) for 24 to 48 h increased 1.3 to 5.5 times. The proportion of alpha7(*)-responsive neurons (99%), the potency of acetylcholine, and the sensitivity to nicotinic antagonists were all unaffected. In contrast, block of spontaneous cell firing with tetrodotoxin for 24 h led to a 37% reduction in mean current amplitude. Reduced alpha7(*) responses were seen after a 24-h blockade of N-type calcium channels but not of L-type calcium channels, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), or non-NMDA receptor channels, protein kinase C, or calcium-calmodulin kinases II and IV. The N-type or L-type calcium channel antagonists omega-conotoxin GVIA and nifedipine did not prevent the current-potentiating effect of KCl. The GABA(A) antagonist picrotoxin led to a 44% reduction of the currents, despite increasing action potential firing, and also reversed the potentiating effect of KCl. Treatment with GABA, midazolam, or a GABA uptake blocker led to increased currents. These data indicate that alpha7(*)-gated currents in hippocampal neurons are regulated by GABAergic activity and suggest that depolarization-induced GABA release may underlie the effect of increased extracellular KCl.


Subject(s)
Hippocampus/physiology , Receptors, Nicotinic/physiology , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/physiology , Animals , Calcium/physiology , Calcium Channels/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Female , Glutamic Acid/physiology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Ion Channel Gating , Potassium Chloride/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, GABA-A/physiology , Receptors, Nicotinic/drug effects , Sodium Channel Blockers/pharmacology , Tetrodotoxin/pharmacology , alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
16.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 13(13): 4184-90, 2005 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15878668

ABSTRACT

Five new piperidine alkaloids were designed from natural (-)-3-O-acetyl-spectaline and (-)-spectaline that were obtained from the flowers of Senna spectabilis (sin. Cassia spectabilis, Leguminosae). Two semi-synthetic analogues (7 and 9) inhibited rat brain acetylcholinesterase, showing IC50 of 7.32 and 15.1 microM, and were 21 and 9.5 times less potent against rat brain butyrylcholinesterase, respectively. Compound 9 (1mg/kg, i.p.) was fully efficacious in reverting scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice. The two active compounds (7 and 9) did not show overt toxic effects at the doses tested in vivo.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry , Alkaloids , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Drug Design , Piperidines , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Alkaloids/chemistry , Alkaloids/pharmacology , Amnesia/chemically induced , Amnesia/drug therapy , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Brain/enzymology , Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Flowers/chemistry , Male , Mice , Molecular Structure , Muscarinic Antagonists/toxicity , Piperidines/chemical synthesis , Piperidines/chemistry , Piperidines/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Scopolamine/toxicity , Structure-Activity Relationship
17.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett ; 14(17): 4399-403, 2004 Sep 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15357961

ABSTRACT

New N-heteroarylcarbonylalanines of the D-series were stereoselectively prepared from enoates derived from D-mannitol. These compounds were active in binding and functional assays of the NMDA sub-type of glutamate receptors. A pyridine derivative inhibited MK801 binding, protected neurons from excitotoxic damage and blocked NMDA-induced currents in neurons. A thiophene derivative positively modulated the NMDA receptor, possibly through the allosteric glycine site.


Subject(s)
Alanine/chemical synthesis , Alanine/metabolism , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Animals , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Dizocilpine Maleate/metabolism , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods , Ligands , Protein Binding/physiology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Stereoisomerism , Thiophenes/chemical synthesis , Thiophenes/metabolism
18.
Eur J Pharmacol ; 495(2-3): 87-96, 2004 Jul 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15249156

ABSTRACT

Research aimed at developing selective drugs acting on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors introduced compounds from diverse chemical classes unrelated to the 1,4-benzodiazepines, including flavonoids. These studies also revealed the potential use of inverse agonists as cognition-enhancing agents. Here we report pharmacological properties of the novel synthetic isoflavonoid 2-methoxy-3,8,9-trihydroxy coumestan (PCALC36). PCALC36 displaced [3H]flunitrazepam binding to rat brain synaptosomes with an IC50 of 13.8 microM. Scatchard analysis of the effect of PCALC36 showed a concentration-dependent reduction of the Bmax of [3H]flunitrazepam, without a marked change in Kd. This effect could be reversed by diluting and washing the preparation. Addition of 20-microM GABA shifted to the right the inhibition curve of PCALC36 on [3H]flunitrazepam binding (IC50 ratio of 0.68), which is characteristic for inverse agonists. PCALC36 produced little change in the GABAergic tonic currents recorded by whole-cell patch clamp in cultured rat hippocampal neurones, but it caused a 20% reduction in miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current amplitude and completely antagonised the full (direct) agonist midazolam in a quickly reversible manner. The data suggest that the coumestan backbone can be useful for developing novel ligands at the GABAA receptor.


Subject(s)
Flavonoids/pharmacology , GABA Agonists/pharmacology , GABA-A Receptor Agonists , Isoflavones/pharmacology , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Bicuculline/pharmacology , Binding, Competitive/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Flavonoids/chemical synthesis , Flunitrazepam/metabolism , GABA Agonists/chemical synthesis , GABA Modulators/pharmacology , Hippocampus/cytology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/physiology , Isoflavones/chemical synthesis , Isoflavones/metabolism , Kinetics , Male , Membrane Potentials/drug effects , Midazolam/pharmacology , Neurons/drug effects , Neurons/physiology , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, GABA-A/physiology , Synaptosomes/metabolism , Time Factors , Tritium , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/pharmacology
19.
Neurotoxicology ; 25(3): 481-94, 2004 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15019311

ABSTRACT

The organophosphate cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor paraoxon is the oxidized active metabolite of parathion, a pesticide whose use in agriculture has been matter of increasing concern. The present work was aimed at reproducing a prolonged exposure to low concentrations of paraoxon and assessing possible damage to the hippocampus during the period of most significant cholinergic development. Male Wistar rats were given, from P8 to P20, subcutaneous daily injections of paraoxon (0.1, 0.15 and 0.2mg/kg). The rate of body weight gain was reduced by all doses of paraoxon and brain ChE activity progressively decreased up to 60% by P21. Some deaths occurred in the beginning of the treatment, but the surviving animals showed neither convulsions nor overt signs of cholinergic hyperstimulation. Morphometric analysis of Lucifer Yellow-stained CA1 pyramidal neurons in coronal sections of the hippocampus showed that by P21 paraoxon caused a decrease in spine density on basal but not on secondary apical dendrites. The dendritic arborization and the pyramidal and granular cell body layers were not altered by paraoxon. ChE staining decreased in all hippocampal and dentate gyrus regions studied, whereas choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and zinc-positive fibers remained as in control. In summary, chronic exposure to low paraoxon concentrations during the period of rapid brain development caused significant and selective decrease in basal dendritic spine density of the CA1 pyramidal neurons. Distinct modulation of the basal tree at the stratum oriens by the interplay of cholinergic afferent and GABAergic interneurons, as well as the remodeling process in response to a repetitive and rather mild paraoxon insult, may account for this selective susceptibility of basal dendritic spines. The hippocampal alterations described here occurred in the absence of toxic cholinergic signs and may affect brain development and cause functional deficits that could continue into adulthood.


Subject(s)
Dendrites/drug effects , Insecticides/administration & dosage , Paraoxon/administration & dosage , Pyramidal Cells/cytology , Pyramidal Cells/drug effects , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cell Count/methods , Dendrites/physiology , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Environmental Exposure/adverse effects , Hippocampus/cytology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Hippocampus/enzymology , Male , Pyramidal Cells/enzymology , Rats , Rats, Wistar
20.
J Med Chem ; 46(7): 1144-52, 2003 Mar 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12646025

ABSTRACT

A new family of tacrine (THA) analogues (7-9, 12), containing the azaheterocyclic pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyridine or pyrazolo[3,4-b][1,8]naphthyridine systems as isosteres of the quinoline ring of THA, has been synthesized. The compounds were tested in rat brain cholinesterases using Ellman's method, and all were fully efficacious in inhibiting the enzymes. Compounds 9 and 12b were the most potent against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), showing IC(50) of 6.0 and 6.4 microM, and were less active against rat brain butyrylcholinesterase, showing selectivity indexes of 5.3 and 20.9, respectively. Compounds 7-9 and 12 were also tested for their acute neurotoxicity in vitro, using cultured rat cortical cells. Compounds 7 and 8 were not significantly toxic; 9 was toxic at 500 microM, but not at 100 microM. The naphthyridine derivatives 12a and 12b showed a significant concentration-dependent neurotoxicity, being able to kill most cells at 500 microM. Molecular dynamic simulation using the X-ray crystal structure of AChE from Torpedo californica was used to explain the possible binding mode of these new THA isosteres.


Subject(s)
Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Naphthyridines/chemical synthesis , Neuroprotective Agents/chemical synthesis , Pyrazoles/chemical synthesis , Pyridines/chemical synthesis , Acetylcholinesterase/chemistry , Animals , Butyrylcholinesterase/chemistry , Cells, Cultured , Cerebral Cortex/cytology , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/chemistry , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/toxicity , Crystallography, X-Ray , Models, Molecular , Naphthyridines/chemistry , Naphthyridines/toxicity , Neuroprotective Agents/chemistry , Neuroprotective Agents/toxicity , Pyrazoles/chemistry , Pyrazoles/toxicity , Pyridines/chemistry , Pyridines/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Structure-Activity Relationship , Torpedo
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