SDZ PSD 958, a novel D1 receptor antagonist with potential limbic selectivity.

SDZ PSD 958, a novel benzo[g]quinoxaline derivative exhibits the properties of a potent orally active selective D1 receptor antagonist. It has high affinity for D1-like receptors (D1, D5; pKi = 9.7-9.8) labelled by [3H]SCH23390 and is at least 400 fold less active at D2-like receptors (i.e. D2, D4) labelled by [3H]spiperone. Effects in functional tests are consistent with D1 receptor antagonist properties. SDZ PSD 958 inhibited apomorphine-induced rearing in mice and prevented prolongation of novelty-induced locomotion in rats elicited by the selective D1 receptor agonist CY 208-243. By contrast, SDZ PSD 958 did not induce catalepsy and only weakly inhibited apomorphine-induced stereotyped gnawing in rats. This suggests that SDZ PSD 958 preferentially inhibits responses mediated by dopamine systems innervating the limbic system.

SDZ GLC 756, a novel octahydrobenzo[g]quinoline derivative exerts opposing effects on dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.

SDZ GLC-756, a novel octahydrobenzo[g]quinoline derivative, is equipotent in displacing [3H]SCH23390 from dopamine D1 receptors and [3H]205-501 from dopamine D2 receptor binding sites. It blocks dopamine sensitive adenylate cyclase with the same potency as SCH23390, indicating antagonist properties at dopamine D1 receptors. On the other hand, SDZ GLC 756 inhibits electrically evoked acetylcholine release from rat striatal slices with the same potency as the selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine. This effect is blocked by spiperone suggesting that it is mediated by dopamine D2 receptor activation. The opposing action of SDZ GLC 756 on dopamine D1 and D2 receptors is also evident in vivo. SDZ GLC 756, like SCH23390, blocks apomorphine-induced rearing in mice. On the other hand, it inhibits prolactin secretion and produces circling in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, which is compatible with stimulant properties at dopamine D2 receptors. This drug might be a new tool to study linkage between dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.

The pharmacology of SDZ EAA 494, a competitive NMDA antagonist.

SDZ EAA 494 (D-CPPene) was characterized as a competitive NMDA antagonist, having a pA2 value against NMDA depolarizations in frog spinal cord and rat neocortex of 6.7-6.8 and a pKi of 7.5 in a [3H]CGP39653 binding assay, with no action on other receptors or amine reuptake. The compound was orally active in rodent maximal electroshock models with an ED50 of around 16 mg/kg, was protective in rats even 24 hours after oral application and had an oral therapeutic index of around 8. Muscle relaxation, ataxia, flattened body posture and reduced acquisition of a passive avoidance task, suggesting potential effects on memory formation, occurred at supra-anticonvulsant doses in rodents, with PCP-like stimulatory effects produced only by high i.p. doses or constant i.v. infusions. This favourable profile is discussed in relation to the negative outcome of a recent trial of the compound in patients with intractable epilepsy. The conclusion is drawn that standard models for screening new anticonvulsants are inappropriate to seeking drugs active in patients with a protracted convulsive history. The anti-ischaemic action of SDZ EAA 494 encourages further testing in brain trauma, in which the anticonvulsant action of the compound may be an added benefit.

Biochemical and pharmacological effects of fluperlapine on noradrenaline and acetylcholine systems in some rodent, bovine and crustacean preparations.

Fluperlapine was compared with clozapine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol and imipramine regarding its effects on some cholinergic and noradrenergic animal systems. Fluperlapine and clozapine showed the most pronounced anticholinergic effects. Fluperlapine was equipotent with clozapine in displacing [3H]-QNB from muscarinic receptors of the calf cerebral cortex (IC50 about 15 nM). In the mydriasis test in the mouse and in the crayfish hindgut bioassay the differences between fluperlapine and clozapine were small. Like the other antischizophrenic drugs tested, fluperlapine displayed a marked affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors (calf cerebral cortex: IC50 about 10 nM) but a negligible affinity for alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the same tissue. Only clozapine showed a weak affinity for the latter receptor type. Fluperlapine was as effective as imipramine in antagonizing tetrabenazine-induced ptosis in the rat, the anti-ptotic effect remaining constant after up to ten daily drug administrations. Still, imipramine was stronger than fluperlapine as an inhibitor of the accumulation of [3H]-noradrenaline ([3H]-NA) in rat cerebral cortex slices. Fluperlapine's effects on the spontaneous and the electrically-induced release of [3H]-NA from rat cerebral cortex slices, with and without protriptyline, showed it to be an inhibitor of the reuptake of NA. The results indicate that the pharmacological profile of fluperlapine is similar to that of clozapine, with additional antidepressant properties.

Receptor dynamics: effect of repeated administration of desmethylimipramine on the noradrenergic systems in rat brain.

The effects of a single and of repeated administration of desmethylimipramine (DMI) on the densities of various receptors and on the metabolism of noradrenaline (NA) were determined in rat brain. Inhibition of the uptake of NA into cortex slices, measured in vitro, was not diminished after repeated administration of DMI. The turnover of NA was inhibited only after the single administration of the drug. After repeated administration the turnover of NA was again within the normal range, but now the density of beta-receptors was significantly reduced. Repeated administration of DMI had no significant effect on the densities of alpha-adrenergic, dopaminergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, opiate and serotoninergic receptors. These results indicate that the continued blockade of NA-reuptake caused a selective desensitization of beta-receptor-regulated systems in the brain.