Structure-activity relationships of SERMs optimized for uterine antagonism and ovarian safety.

Structure-activity relationship studies are described, which led to the discovery of novel selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for the potential treatment of uterine fibroids. The SAR studies focused on limiting brain exposure and were guided by computational properties. Compounds with limited impact on the HPO axis were selected using serum estrogen levels as a biomarker for ovarian stimulation.

Traumatic experiences and psychological distress in an urban refugee population seeking treatment services.

While a growing literature has addressed the psychological consequences of torture and refugee trauma, most studies have focused on homogeneous samples drawn from a single region. Thus, relatively little research has attempted to identify demographic or experiential factors that might help explain different levels of distress in these individuals. We measured depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a convenience sample of refugees and survivors of torture seeking treatment in a torture treatment program (N = 325). We found 81.1% of patients had clinically significant anxiety, 84.5% had clinically significant depressive symptoms, and 45.7% had significant PTSD symptoms. Regression analyses revealed that anxiety and depressive symptom were significant higher among women (beta = .08, p = 0.02 and beta = .22, p = 0.0001 for anxiety and depression respectively) and those who reported death threats as part of their traumatic experiences (beta = .10, p = 0.033 and beta = .12, p = 0.036 respectively). Symptoms of PTSD were also predicted by death threats (beta = .22, p = 0.03), but were also influenced by the experience of rape (beta = .33, p < 0.001), family torture experiences (beta = .23, p = 0.022), religion (beta = .21, p = 0.03), and age (beta = -.18, p = 0.004). The clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Androgen dependent mammary gland virilism in rats given the selective estrogen receptor modulator LY2066948 hydrochloride.

A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) is a nonsteroidal compound with tissue specific estrogen receptor (ER) agonist or antagonist activities. In animals, SERMs may produce morphologic changes in hormonally-sensitive tissues like the mammary gland. Mammary glands from female rats given the SERM LY2066948 hydrochloride (LY2066948) for 1 month at >or= 175 mg/kg had intralobular ducts and alveoli lined by multiple layers of vacuolated, hypertrophied epithelial cells, resembling in part the morphology of the normal male rat mammary gland. We hypothesized that these SERM-mediated changes represented an androgen-dependent virilism of the female rat mammary gland. To test this hypothesis, the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide was co-administered with LY2066948 (175 mg/kg) to female rats for 1 month. Female rats given SERM alone had hyperandrogenemia and the duct and alveolar changes described here. Flutamide cotreatment did not affect serum androgen levels but completely blocked the SERM-mediated mammary gland change. In the mouse, a species that does not have the sex-specific differences in the mammary gland observed in the rat, SERM treatment resulted in hyperandrogenemia but did not alter mammary gland morphology. These studies demonstrate that LY2066948 produces species-specific, androgen-dependent mammary gland virilism in the female rat.

A selective estrogen receptor modulator designed for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma with unique tissue specificity for uterus and ovaries in rats.

The design of a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) for the potential treatment of uterine leiomyoma is described. 16 (LY2066948-HCl) binds with high affinity to estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERalpha and ERbeta, respectively) and is a potent uterine antagonist with minimal effects on the ovaries as determined by serum biomarkers and histologic evaluation.

Preclinical pharmacology of FMPD [6-fluoro-10-[3-(2-methoxyethyl)-4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-methyl-4H-3-thia-4,9-diaza-benzo[f]azulene]: a potential novel antipsychotic with lower histamine H1 receptor affinity than olanzapine.

FMPD [6-fluoro-10-[3-(2-methoxyethyl)-4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-methyl-4H-3-thia-4,9-diaza-benzo[f]azulene] is a potential novel antipsychotic with high affinity for dopamine D2 (Ki= 6.3 nM), 5-HT(2A) (Ki= 7.3 nM), and 5-HT6 (Ki= 8.0 nM) human recombinant receptors and lower affinity for histamine H1 (Ki= 30 nM) and 5-HT2C (Ki= 102 nM) human recombinant receptors than olanzapine. Oral administration of FMPD increased rat nucleus accumbens 3,4-dihyroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations (ED200 = 6 mg/kg), blocked 5-HT2A agonist-induced increases in rat serum corticosterone levels (ED50= 1.8 mg/kg), and inhibited the ex vivo binding of [125I]SB-258585 [4-iodo-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide] to striatal 5-HT6 receptors (ED50= 10 mg/kg) but failed to inhibit ex vivo binding of [3H]pyrilamine to hypothalamic histamine H1 receptors at doses of up to 30 mg/kg. In electrophysiology studies, acute administration of FMPD selectively elevated the number of spontaneously active A10 (versus A9) dopamine neurons and chronic administration selectively decreased the number of spontaneously active A10 (versus A9) dopamine neurons. FMPD did not produce catalepsy at doses lower than 25 mg/kg p.o. In Fos-induction studies, FMPD had an atypical antipsychotic profile in the striatum and nucleus accumbens and increased Fos expression in orexin-containing neurons of the hypothalamus. FMPD produced only a transient elevation of prolactin levels. These data indicate that FMPD is an orally available potent antagonist of dopamine D2, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT6 receptors and a weak antagonist of H1 and 5-HT2C receptors. FMPD has the potential to have efficacy in treating schizophrenia and bipolar mania with a low risk of treatment-emergent extrapyramidal symptoms, prolactin elevation, and weight gain. Clinical trials are needed to test these hypotheses.

A new selective estrogen receptor modulator with potent uterine antagonist activity, agonist activity in bone, and minimal ovarian stimulation.

The use of selective estrogen receptor modulators for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases in premenopausal women has been hindered by undesirable ovarian stimulation and associated risks of ovarian cysts. We have identified a selective estrogen receptor modulator compound (LY2066948) that is a strong estrogen antagonist in the uterus yet has minimal effects on the ovaries of rats. LY2066948 binds with high affinity to both estrogen receptors and has potent estrogen antagonist activity in human uterine and breast cancer cells. Oral administration of LY2066948 to immature rats blocked uterine weight gain induced by ethynyl estradiol with an ED50 of 0.07 mg/kg. Studies in mature rats demonstrated that LY2066948 decreases uterine weight by 51% after 35 d treatment, confirming potent uterine antagonist activity over several estrous cycles. This strong uterine response contrasted with the minimal effects on the ovaries: serum estradiol levels remained within the normal range, whereas histologic evaluation showed granulosa cell hyperplasia in few of the rats. Bone studies demonstrated that LY2066948 prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss and treatment of ovary-intact rats caused no bone loss, confirming estrogen receptor agonist skeletal effects. Collectively, these data show that LY2066948 exhibits a tissue-specific profile consistent with strong antagonist activity in the uterus, agonist activity in bone, and minimal effects in the ovaries.