Nonparametric simulation-based statistical analyses for bipolar affective disorder locus on chromosome 21q22.3.

Straub et al. [1994: Nat Genet 8:291-296] reported a candidate bipolar affective disorder (BAD) locus on chromosome 21q22.3. As a replication study, we analyzed 12 Australian BAD pedigrees for the presence of excess allele sharing and cosegregation with the putative chromosome 21q22.3 BAD locus, using six microsatellite markers. The nonparametric simulation-based statistic SimAPM produced positive results for the marker PFKL (P < 0.001) and D21S198 (P = 0.007). PFKL also demonstrated linkage (P < 0.001) when analyzed using the more conservative statistic, SimIBD. Comparable results were obtained when using the original APM statistic (P = 0.02 for D21S198). However, other nonparametric analyses such as GENEHUNTER and model-free linkage (MFLINK) analysis did not yield significant results. Combined LOD scores for the 12 families were strongly negative for all six markers under six genetic models. Two-point and multipoint analyses of individual families revealed one family, family 17, with maximal LOD scores greater than 1.41 for the 10.5-cM region between PFKL and D21S198. This report provides additional support for the suggestive linkage of a susceptibility locus for BAD on chromosome 21q22.3.

Exclusion of linkage between bipolar affective disorder and chromosome 16 in 12 Australian pedigrees.

Several recent reports of possible susceptibility loci for bipolar affective disorder (BAD) have identified sites on a number of chromosomes. Specifically, two Danish studies have suggested the presence of a susceptibility locus for BAD on chromosome 16p13. As the first step of a whole genome scan, we screened 12 Australian families with markers at 16p13 and also a number of markers spanning the entirety of chromosome 16. Linkage analysis was undertaken using both the parametric lod score method (two- and multipoint) with different models and diagnostic thresholds, and the nonparametric affected pedigree member (APM) method. Results of lod score analysis convincingly excluded the 16p13 region from linkage to BAD in these families, while APM provided no support for linkage. Furthermore, using the broad definition of BAD, with individuals affected by bipolar I and II and recurrent unipolar disorders included, the entire chromosome was excluded from linkage to BAD with autosomal-dominant transmission at a maximum age-specific penetrance of 60%, and with autosomal-dominant and recessive modes of transmission at a maximum age-specific penetrance level of 90%. Diagnostic thresholds which did not include unipolar affected individuals were somewhat less informative. However, a majority (between 63-96%, depending upon the model) of the chromosome was clearly excluded using narrow diagnostic thresholds. Moreover, no positive lod scores were obtained at theta = 0.00 for any tested model or diagnostic threshold. Our results indicate that no linkage exists between BAD and chromosome 16 markers in this group of Australian families.

Parental sex effects in bipolar affective disorder pedigrees.

A combined linkage analysis was performed on chromosome 18 data and produced modest evidence in three of four data sets for linkage of a susceptibility locus for bipolar disorder to markers on chromosome 18p. All data sets showed a preponderance of females among affected individuals. When this was taken into account, no convincing evidence was obtained for excess transmission from mothers compared to fathers. In addition, there was no evidence for differences in the proportions of affected offspring from affected fathers and mothers. We conclude that these combined data do not support previous suggestions of a maternal effect on transmission of bipolar affective disorder.

Computer-aided design and synthesis of 5-substituted tryptamines and their pharmacology at the 5-HT1D receptor: discovery of compounds with potential anti-migraine properties.

The design and synthesis of a series of novel 5-substituted tryptamines with pharmacological activity at 5-HT1D and other monoamine receptors is described. Structural modifications of N- and C-linked (principally hydantoin) analogues at the 5-position were synthesized and their pharmacological activities were utilized to deduce significant steric and electrostatic requirements of the 5-HT1D and 5-HT2A receptor subtypes. Conformations of the active molecules were computed which, when overlaid, suggested a pharmacophore hypothesis which was consistent with the affinity and selectivity measured at 5-HT1D and 5-HT2A receptors. This pharmacophore is composed of a protonated amine site, an aromatic site, a hydrophobic pocket, and two hydrogen-bonding sites. A "selectivity site" was also identified which, if occupied, induced sensitivity for 5-HT1D over 5-HT2A in this series of molecules. The development and use of the pharmacophore models in compound design is described. In addition, the physicochemical constraints of molecular size and hydrophobicity required for efficient oral absorption are discussed. Utilizing the pharmacophore model in conjunction with the physicochemical constraints of molecular size and log DpH7.4 led to the discovery of 311C90 (6), a new selective 5-HT1D agonist with good oral absorption and potential use in the treatment of migraine.

Selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor BW A4C does not influence progression of tissue injury in a canine model of regional myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion.

The effects of BW A4C, a selective arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor, on the progression of myocardial tissue injury were examined in anaesthetised, open-chest beagle dogs subjected to 90-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 120-min reperfusion. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF, microspheres), segment shortening (sonomicrometry), and infarct size (tetrazolium stain) as an index of tissue injury were measured. Control animals (group 1, n = 11) received an infusion of vehicle [50% vol/vol glycofurol and distilled water, 47 ml at 12 ml h-1, intravenously (i.v.)] beginning 15 min before ischaemia and continuing until the end of reperfusion. Treated animals received either 10 (group 2, n = 11) or 50 micrograms kg-1 min-1 (group 3, n = 5) BW A4C i.v. in the same period. The infarct/risk zone ratio (I/R) in group 1 (24.1 +/- 6.0%) was not significantly different from that of group 2 (28.0 +/- 8.4%) or group 3 (46.1 +/- 6.7%). The close inverse relationship observed in controls between I/R ratio and collateral flow was not altered by either dose of BW A4C. Segment shortening during ischaemia (-0.2 +/- 2.7, -2.4 +/- 1.7, and -1.5 +/- 1.7%) and reperfusion (4.9 +/- 2.8, 1.0 +/- 1.8, and -1.0 +/- 1.9%) and during an isoprenaline infusion to unmask stunned myocardium (14.7 +/- 3.0, 14.7 +/- 2.6, and 7.4 +/- 1.7%) were not significantly different between groups 1, 2, and 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Use of high-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-electron-impact mass spectrometry in the identification of the metabolites of alpha-methylacetohydroxamic acids, potential anti-asthmatic agents.

Two potential anti-asthmatic alpha-methylacetohydroxamic acids, compound 1 and compound II were metabolised to two major products (metabolite 1 and metabolite 2) after oral dosing to rabbits. Metabolite 1, extracted under acid conditions from the plasma and urine of dosed animals, was identified as a glucuronide by incubation with beta-glucuronidase and subsequent high-performance liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric (HPLC-MS) analysis of the aglycone. HPLC-MS analysis of metabolite 2 suggested that it was the acetamide, however, unequivocal identification was obtained by further analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of its trimethylsilyl derivative and by comparison with the mass spectra of the authentic acetamides. This study shows the advantages of combining HPLC-MS with other techniques such as GC-MS for the identification of metabolites.

Hydroxamic acids and hydroxyureas as novel, selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors for possible use in asthma.

Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in asthma. Acetohydroxamic acids such as BW A4C are potent and selective 5-LO inhibitors in vitro and also inhibit 5-LO activity in vivo following oral administration. In man, BW A4C is metabolised relatively rapidly (t1/2 = approx. 2h) but nevertheless inhibits 5-LO with reasonable persistence. Chemical modification of BW A4C has resulted in compounds, including the alpha-methyl analogues BW B218C and BW A360C and the hydroxyurea BW B70C, that retain high in vitro potency as selective 5-LO inhibitors and, compared to BW A4C, have a higher potency and longer duration of action in vivo. Members of both the hydroxamic acid and hydroxyurea series of 5-LO inhibitors are presently being considered as potential anti-asthma drugs.

Functional characteristics of macrophages in glomerulonephritis in the rat. O2- generation, MHC class II expression, and eicosanoid synthesis.

Macrophage infiltration is important in the pathogenesis of acute proliferative glomerulonephritis (gn). The state of activation of macrophages during gn may be central to their role in injury. To study this, a method for extracting macrophages from nephritic glomeruli in active in situ gn was developed. MHC Class II (Ia) antigen expression, superoxide (O2-) generation, and eicosanoid synthesis were compared with thioglycollate elicited peritoneal macrophages (TEM). At the height of inflammation there were 407 +/- 83 macrophages/glomerulus. Compared with TEM, Ia expression, and in vitro production of O2- were enhanced. Synthesis of prostaglandin E2 was greatly reduced (day 6 gn, 62 +/- 10 ng/mg; TEM 663 +/- 128 ng/mg cell protein). Thromboxane synthesis was relatively conserved (day 6 gn, 109 +/- 28 ng/mg; TEM 201 +/- 53 ng/mg). Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was undetectable (day 6 gn, less than 13 ng/mg; TEM 119 +/- 56 ng/mg). This large influx of activated macrophages in glomeruli may be fundamental to pathogenesis of glomerular inflammation.

Selective inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase by novel acetohydroxamic acids: biochemical assessment in vitro and ex vivo.

1. The chemically novel acetohydroxamic acids, BW A4C, BW A137C and BW A797C, are potent inhibitors of the synthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from arachidonic acid by human leucocyte homogenates: the concentrations required for 50% inhibition (IC50) were 0.1 microM, 0.8 microM and 0.5 microM respectively. Inhibition was less at higher concentrations of arachidonic acid. 2. These compounds also inhibited the synthesis of [14C]-5-HETE from [14C]-arachidonic acid and the calcium-dependent synthesis of LTB4 from 5-HPETE. This, therefore, suggests that they inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and LTA4 synthase. 3. Concentrations of acetohydroxamic acids required to inhibit metabolism of arachidonic acid by cyclo-oxygenase, 12-lipoxygenase and 15-lipoxygenase were 10 to 100 times higher than those required to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase. 4. The compounds were potent inhibitors of LTB4 synthesis induced by the ionophore, A23187, in human intact leucocytes. This inhibition was reversed by washing the cells. They were also potent, selective inhibitors of LTB4 synthesis induced by A23187 in whole rat blood: binding to rat plasma proteins did not greatly reduce the effectiveness of the compounds. 5. The effects of the acetohydroxamic acids, administered either intravenously or orally to rats, on the synthesis of LTB4, and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in A23187-stimulated blood ex vivo was studied. The three compounds caused dose-dependent inhibition of the synthesis of LTB4 but not TXB2. Inhibition of LTB4 synthesis persisted for up to 6 h after a single oral dose of 50 mg kg-1. 6. The plasma concentrations of unchanged compound determined by h.p.l.c. correlated with the inhibition of LTB4 synthesis ex vivo.

Selective inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase by novel acetohydroxamic acids: effects on bronchial anaphylaxis in anaesthetized guinea-pigs.

1. The effect of a novel series of orally-active acetohydroxamic acid inhibitors of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase on 'leukotriene-dependent' anaphylactic bronchoconstriction has been investigated in anaesthetized, pump-ventilated guinea-pigs actively sensitized to ovalbumin (OA). In a complementary series of experiments, the pharmacokinetics of these compounds in the plasma compartment following oral administration to guinea-pigs has also been investigated. 2. In animals pretreated with mepyramine (2 mg kg-1, i.v.) and indomethacin (10 mg kg-1, i.v.) and challenged with antigen aerosol (OA 10 mg ml-1; 5 s) compounds BW A4C, BW A137C and BW A797C (10-200 mg kg-1, p.o., 1 h pre-challenge) markedly reduced that component of anaphylactic bronchoconstriction shown to be 'leukotriene-dependent'. 3. The maximum degree of inhibition (up to 75%) of 'leukotriene-dependent' anaphylactic bronchoconstriction by these three compounds was equivalent to that seen with the leukotriene antagonist FPL 55712 (10 mg kg-1, i.v.). 4. The peak levels of unchanged acetohydroxamic acids in the plasma compartment occurred 0.5 h after their oral administration and were as follows: BW A4C: 11.3 +/- 3.9; BW A137C: 7.6 +/- 2.4; BW A797C: 3.9 +/- 1.3 micrograms ml-1 plasma. 5. The inhibition by BW A4C and BW A137C (50 mg kg-1, p.o.) of 'leukotriene-dependent' anaphylactic bronchospasm persisted for up to 3 and 4 h respectively but did not extend to 6 h. The decline in inhibitory activity paralleled the fall in the concentration of unchanged drug in the plasma compartment over this time period. 6. The results of the present study are consistent with BW A4C, BW A137C and BW A797C attenuating 'leukotriene-dependent' bronchial anaphylaxis in anaesthetized guinea-pigs by selective inhibition of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase.

Leukocyte-derived metabolites of arachidonic acid in ischemia-induced myocardial injury.

Within minutes of occlusion of a major coronary artery the polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are activated whereby they adhere to the vascular endothelium and migrate through the endothelial layer. Interactions with the endothelium can promote increased vascular resistance, diminished collateral flow, capillary blockade, and predisposition to vasospasm, as well as enhanced vascular permeability. On subsequent reperfusion entrapped leukocytes contribute to the no-reflow phenomenon, while more leukocytes gain access to the previously ischemic region. The leukocytes infiltrate the myocardium where they exacerbate the process of tissue injury and the development of arrhythmias. The release of leukocyte-derived mediators including arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites and oxygen-derived free radicals probably underlies these activities of the leukocytes. PMNs contain active lipoxygenase enzymes capable of metabolizing AA to products that are not normally found in the myocardium, and can dominate the metabolic profile of that tissue, leading to changes in myocardial integrity and function. Inhibitors of the lipoxygenase enzymes suppress the accumulation of leukocytes into the ischemic myocardium and reduce infarct size. However, because the drugs prevent cell invasion it cannot be inferred that a lipoxygenase metabolite per se is deleterious to the ischemic heart, inasmuch as any leukocyte-dependent mechanism of injury will be attenuated whether it is mediated by eicosanoids or by any other leukocyte-derived product. Additional studies with specific inhibitors/antagonists are required to determine the biochemical mechanisms underlying the different aspects of leukocyte-mediated myocardial injury.

Pharmacokinetics of aspirin and salicylate in relation to inhibition of arachidonate cyclooxygenase and antiinflammatory activity.

Among the nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs there is generally a close correlation between the potency of their inhibition of arachidonate cyclooxygenase, and thus prostaglandin production, and their antiinflammatory activity. One anomaly in this generalization is that whereas aspirin and salicylate are equipotent as antiinflammatory agents, salicylate is less active than aspirin in inhibiting prostaglandin production in vitro. Using rats, we have now measured the concentrations of aspirin and salicylate in plasma and in inflammatory exudates after their oral administration and determined their effects on thromboxane B2 production in clotting blood and prostaglandin (PG) E2 concentrations in the exudates. We have also investigated the effects of both drugs, at concentrations achieved in the exudates, on PGE2 production by nonproliferative explants of acutely inflamed tissues. Aspirin is rapidly metabolized, resulting in peak concentrations of salicylate in the plasma and exudate that exceeded peak concentrations of aspirin by 30- to 50-fold. Furthermore, concentrations of aspirin rapidly declined, whereas high concentrations of salicylate persisted in the plasma and in the exudate for up to 6 hr after a single administration of aspirin. Both drugs reduced PGE2 concentrations in inflammatory exudates by 50-70%, but aspirin was considerably more potent than salicylate in inhibiting thromboxane B2 production in clotting blood. The concentration of salicylate found in inflammatory exudates 6 hr after the administration of aspirin was sufficient to reduce PGE2 production in explants by more than 50%. We conclude that the antiinflammatory action of both drugs depends on the inhibition of PGE2 synthesis by salicylate.