Effects of MF-268, a new cholinesterase inhibitor, on acetylcholine and biogenic amines in rat cortex.

MF-268 bitartrate [(3a S, 8a R)-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydro-1,3a,8-trimethylpyrrolo[2,3-b]indol- 5-ol[8-(cis2,-6-dimethyl-morpholin-4-yl)octyl]-carbamate L-bitartrate hydrate; Mediolanum Farmaceutici, Milan, Italy] is a pseudo-reversible carbamate-type cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) which interacts with the catalytic and regulatory anionic site of the enzyme. Its effects on extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) were studied in rat cortex by using a microdialysis technique coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD). Conscious, freely moving rats were systemically [per os (p.o.) and subcutaneously (s.c.)] administered MF-268 with no ChEI in the probe. Cholinesterase inhibition in brain was assayed in parallel experiments. Oral administration of MF-268 (0.5, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/kg) produced a significant increase of extracellular ACh in cortex; the maximal increase was 300% [not significant (n.s.)], 460% and 1,200%, respectively. Maximal cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition was 2.3% (n.s.) at 9 hr and 9.7% (P < .05) at 12 hr after the 2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg doses, respectively. Norepinephrine and DA levels were increased 180% and 100% after the 5.0 mg/kg dose, respectively; 100% and 60% after the 2.0 mg/kg dose, respectively; and 70% for both amines after the 0.5 mg/kg dose, respectively. The elevation lasted at least 5 hr with the 2.0 and 5.0 mg/kg doses. There were no major changes in 5-HT levels at these three doses. Subcutaneous administration (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) produced a maximal 360% (5.5 hr) and 2,500% (5 hr) increase in extracellular ACh, respectively. Maximal ChE inhibition was 13% (0.5 mg/kg) and 41% (2.0 mg/kg). Neither 0.5 nor 2.0 mg/kg produced a consistent modification of NE. Only a transient increase in DA was seen with the 0.5 mg/kg dose. There were no changes in 5-HT levels at these two doses. MF-268-treated animals showed slight cholinergic side effects (chewing, tremor) at both doses. MF-268 administered intracortically through the microdialysis probe at a concentration of 50 microM induced a 5,900% increase in ACh levels at 6 hr. This effect started 30 min after injection and continued throughout the period of administration. MF-268 produced a significant decrease in NE levels (-44%) starting at 30 min, and a slight but significant increase in DA levels of 45% at 2.5 hr. A significant increase of 5-HT (58%) was also observed starting at 4 hr. Slight symptoms of cholinergic toxicity were observed during intracortical administration.

6-Aminoquinolones: a new class of quinolone antibacterials?

A series of quinolone- and 1,8-naphthyridone-3-carboxylic acids, designed by previous QSAR studies and characterized by an amino group at the C-6 position instead of the usual fluorine atom, were synthesized for the first time and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity. All of the synthesized compounds maintain good activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa excluded), and those compounds having a thiomorpholine group as the C-7 substituent also have good activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Some aspects of structure-activity relationships associated with the C-1, C-5, C-7, and C-8 substituents are also discussed. Derivatives 18g and 38g displayed the best activity with geometric mean MICs of 0.45 and 0.66-0.76 micrograms/mL against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. This antimicrobial activity reflects their ability to inhibit bacterial DNA-gyrase. The results of this study show that, while the C-6 fluorine is still the preferred substituent, good activity can still be obtained by replacing it with an amino group.

7-(Disubstituted thiazolyl)-3,5-dihydroxy-6-heptenoic/heptanoic acid derivatives as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

A series of disubstituted thiazoles, functionalized with the essential 3,5-dihydroxy-6-heptenoic or heptanoic chain, were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase in vitro. All the synthesized compounds 46-61 showed a moderate inhibitory potency.

Quinolinecarboxylic acids. 3. Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 2-substituted-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-pyrido[1,2,3-de] [1,4]benzothiazine-6-carboxylic acids related to rufloxacin.

A series of 2-substituted-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-pyrido[1,2,3-de][1,4]benzothiazine-6 -carboxylic acids has been prepared and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity. These derivatives were less active than corresponding desmethylated analogues. Among these derivatives, the most active compound 22a was selected for preliminary pharmacokinetics in rats. The pharmacokinetic data indicated that 22a was rapidly absorbed and induced lasting plasma and urinary levels. In comparison with rufloxacin, it was excreted in low quantity in urine; a significant amount of desmethylated piperazinyl urinary metabolite was observed.

Determination of heptylphysostigmine in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Heptylphysostigmine is a new and very promising cholinergic drug for the treatment of Alzheimer disease. A method has been developed for its determination in plasma with a detection limit of 50 pg/ml. The drug was extracted in n-hexane by a simple one-step procedure, after buffering with sodium bicarbonate. Samples were analysed on a 25 cm x 4.6 mm I.D. silica column (5 microns particle size) using a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol and ammonium nitrate as mobile phase. Since this molecule is quite unstable in plasma, pyridostigmine bromide was added to samples to limit the decomposition. Physostigmine was employed as internal standard. The molecule was electrochemically detected by oxidizing potential (+0.75 V). The method was applied to the analysis of blood samples taken from one healthy volunteer administered this drug. In the same subject the inhibition rate of acetylcholinesterase in plasma and red cells was also measured.

Synthesis of phenothiazine derivatives as potential inhibitors of phospholipase C.

In order to study the structure-activity relationships of phenothiazine derivatives inhibiting phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), the synthesis of some phenothiazine amide, amine and ester derivatives was performed mainly by reacting 10H-phenothiazine-10-propanoyl chloride with some amines and alcohols; the resulting amides were reduced with borane to yield the corresponding amines. Starting from 2-chloro and 2-trifluoromethyl-10H-phenothiazine-10-propanoyl chloride two amides were synthesized. The inhibiting activity on PI-PLC from human platelets is reported.

Synthesis of some carbamates of myo-inositol.

The syntheses are described of the 1-O-carbamoyl (11), 1-O-carbamoyl-2-O-stearoyl (10), 1-O-(acetylcarbamoyl)-2-O-stearoyl (12), 1-O-(heptylcarbamoyl) (13), 2-O-(heptylcarbamoyl) (14) 1,2-di-O-(heptylcarbamoyl) (15), and 1-O-(octadecylcarbamoyl) (16) derivatives of myo-inositol. None of these compounds had significant activity against phospholipase C.

Reversal of cognitive impairment by heptyl physostigmine, a long-lasting cholinesterase inhibitor, in primates.

Cholinergic replacement therapy for Alzheimer's disease using existing cholinesterase inhibitors is compromised by short duration, meagre benefits restricted to subgroups of patients, and peripheral toxicity. Heptyl physostigmine is a lipophilic carbamate derivative of physostigmine. In rhesus monkeys, heptyl physostigmine (0.2-0.9 mg/kg i.m.) fully reversed a scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment. Following oral administration in squirrel monkeys, heptyl physostigmine (8 mg/kg) induced long-lasting hypothermia (greater than or equal to 4 h), a centrally-mediated cholinergic effect. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity was inhibited by 86% at the time of peak hypothermia (180 min). Clinical trials with heptyl physostigmine will enable a more rigorous evaluation of cholinomimetic therapy for dementia.

The behavioral effects of heptyl physostigmine, a new cholinesterase inhibitor, in tests of long-term and working memory in rodents.

We assessed the effects of heptyl physostigmine, a new cholinesterase inhibitor, in a mouse tail-flick (TF) test, a mouse and rat passive avoidance test, a rat conditioned suppression-of-drinking (CSD) test, a rat Random Interval (RI) response rate test and a rat delayed matching-to-position (DMTP) test. In the TF test, a dose of 8.0 mg/kg of heptyl induced a significant antinociceptive effect that was in excess of 75% of the maximum possible effect 300 minutes after administration. In the mouse passive avoidance test, a dose of 3.0 mg/kg of heptyl fully reversed, and a dose of 1.0 mg/kg partially reversed, a scopolamine-induced (0.2 mg/kg) deficit. In the rat passive avoidance test, a dose of 8.0 mg/kg fully reversed a scopolamine-induced (0.2 mg/kg) deficit, while a dose of 4.0 mg/kg of heptyl was without effect. In the same experiment, a dose of 0.6 mg/kg of physostigmine partially reversed the scopolamine-induced deficit. In the CSD test, a dose of 8.0 mg/kg of heptyl fully reversed, and doses of 1.0 and 4.0 mg/kg of heptyl partially reversed, the deficit induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg). In the RI response rate test, doses of 8.0 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg of physostigmine fully suppressed lever pressing for food rewards. Doses of 4.0 mg/kg of heptyl and below had no effect on lever-pressing rates. In the working memory test (DMTP), 4.0 mg/kg heptyl partially reversed the scopolamine-induced deficit (0.2 mg/kg) in the number of correct choices made, but did not affect the scopolamine-induced deficit in the number of trials completed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

New analogs of physostigmine: alternative drugs for Alzheimer's disease?

The synthesis of a series of physostigmine analogs, in which the methylcarbamyl group has been substituted with monoalkylcarbamyl, dimethyl- and diethylcarbamyl groups, is reported. These compounds were prepared with the aim of investigating their possible therapeutic effects in the treatment of Alzheimer's type dementia. The new analogs of physostigmine are inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase from Electroforus electricus, with a value of the reactivation constant, k3 smaller than the one of physostigmine. The percentage of anticholinesterase activity in vitro and in vivo, the acute toxicity and some behavioural effects were also evaluated for selected derivatives. The reactivation constant, in vitro, supports the view that the derivatives described would be more suitable for therapeutic use than physostigmine.

A long-lasting cholinesterase inhibitor affecting neural and behavioral processes.

A series of analogues of physostigmine were prepared with the aim of investigating their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. One of the isomers prepared was evaluated for its anticholinesterase activity in vivo, acute toxicity, and some behavioral effects. This compound was a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme and was found to antagonize the stimulating effect produced by scopolamine on locomotor activity and to facilitate memory consolidation.

Synthesis and beta-adrenergic blocking activity of oxipropanolamines of 3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H(1,4)benzothiazine.

The synthesis of a series of oxypropanolamines of 3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H(1,4)benzothiazine is reported. Some of these compounds proved more potent than propranolol and carteolol as beta-adrenergic blocking agents in in vitro tests. The 8-(3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxy)propoxy-3,4-dihydro-3-oxo-2H(1,4) benzothiazine fumarate (XVI a), which gave better results, confirmed its remarkable activity in in vivo tests.

Antithrombotic properties of dermatan sulphate in a rat venous thrombosis model.

It has been suggested that glycosaminoglycans (GAG) such as heparan sulphate (HS), dermatan sulphate (DS), chondroitin-4-sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate contribute to the nonthrombogenic properties of the vascular wall. We have investigated the potential role of DS and HS as antithrombotic agents in an experimental model of stasis-induced venous thrombosis in rats. We utilized a range of doses of both DS and HS (0.25-4 mg/kg BW) to test both their antithrombotic activity and potential bleeding effects. The results were evaluated with reference to an unfractionated heparin (0.5-2 mg/kg BW). We report that the antithrombotic activity of DS is not related to its anticoagulant activity as measured by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and anti-Xa tests. The dose of DS which was able to inhibit thrombus formation by 70% did not prolong the bleeding time measured using two techniques (template and tail transection); in contrast, with HS a prolongation of both times could clearly be seen. On the other hand, standard unfractionated heparin, at a dose which is equipotent to that of DS in preventing thrombus formation, significantly prolonged the bleeding time. These results suggest that DS may be a useful antithrombotic agent with a lower haemorrhagic effect than heparin, unlike HS which expresses a haemorrhagic risk similar to heparin.

Drug modulation of superoxide anion production from human neutrophils.

The effects of drugs on the production of superoxide anion from neutrophils stimulated by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) were examined. Drugs acting on specific receptors, such as beta-adrenergic agonists (e.g. fenoterol, salbutamol) inhibited FMLP-evoked superoxide in a dose-dependent fashion. The order of activity: isoprenaline greater than fenoterol greater than salbutamol is the same as that found by assaying their effects on lysosomal enzyme release. Superoxide production from human neutrophils can also be affected in different manners, such as by a scavenging mechanism. A new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate, by forming complexes with copper, displayed a significant superoxide dismutase activity which would contribute to explain its anti-inflammatory effect in vivo.

Reversible inhibition of thromboxane A2 production by imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182) in the arachidonic acid injected rat. A comparison with acetylsalicylic acid and indometacin.

The behavior of imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and indometacin (INN; in some pharmacopoeias called indomethacin) in inhibiting thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin (PGs) production in the blood of the rat intravenously injected with arachidonic acid was studied. ITF 182 caused a selective inhibition of TXA2 production with a time-dependent reversible action. An irreversible inhibition of PGs production was shown by ASA whereas a reversible inhibition could be observed with indometacin. The PGs involved in the physiological processes, may be spared after ITF 182 administration contrary to what occurs after ASA or indometacin administration.

Pharmacological and toxicological studies on an iron succinyl-protein complex (ITF282) for oral treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

ITF282, a soluble iron succinyl-protein complex, orally administered to the rat elevates the concentration of iron in the serum to a greater extent than ferritin. The serum iron increase induced by ITF282 is delayed when compared with ferrous sulphate. The ITF282 absorption process, like that of ferritin, proceeds along the physiological pathways without bypassing the transfer system of the intestinal mucosal cells since no further increase of serum metal is observed when giving high doses of ITF282 to the rat pretreated with a saturating dose of ferrous sulphate. Hypochromic and microcytic anemia induced in growing rats by bleeding and feeding a low iron diet is sensitive to both prophylactic and therapeutic oral treatment with ITF282. Iron deficiency anemia and cardiomegaly induced in suckling rats by feeding the pregnant and lactating dams with the low iron diet are reversed by oral treatment of the dams with ITF282. Comparative investigations of the therapeutic efficacy of ITF282 and ferritin made on uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia show that the drugs, p.o. administered during 4 weeks, are equally effective. Preliminary toxicological data in the rat, after single and chronic administrations, show that ITF282 is well tolerated. These findings prove that ITF282 gives an adequate supply of iron from which to make hemoglobin.

Penetration of imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182) into experimentally inflamed pleural and knee joint exudates.

The penetration of the two components of imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182), imidazole and salicylate, into inflamed sites induced by intrapleural injection of carrageenin in the rat and by a urate-cotton pellet implantation in the knee joint of the rabbit is studied. The results obtained show that the two components of the salt penetrate rapidly the inflamed sites and display different kinetic profiles: imidazole diffuses throughout inflamed and non-inflamed fluids without any specific localization, salicylate shows preferential localization in inflamed fluids and remains longer than imidazole.

Different sensitivity of basilar and saphenous arteries to thromboxane A2-induced contractions. Effect of imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182).

Superfused rings of rabbit basilar arteries are more sensitive than those of saphenous arteries to the contractions induced by a prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue (U-46 619) and by a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) generating system. 5-Hydroxytryptamine aggravates the latter. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on the other hand, relaxes only the basilar rings without affecting the saphenous. Imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate (ITF 182), at doses that do not interfere with platelet cyclooxygenase, reduces the contractions induced by the TXA2 generating system on both arteries because it reduces the platelet TXA2 synthetase enzyme. TXA2 is involved in the aetiology of strokes and cerebral vasospasms while PGI2 plays a physiological role in the maintenance of cerebral arterial tone. The high sensitivity of cerebral arteries to contractures caused by TXA2 together with the ability of ITF 182 to reduce them by inhibiting TXA2 production and to spare physiological PG production suggest a beneficial effect of the drug in cerebral vasospasms.