The selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SLV has putative cognitive- and social interaction enhancing properties in rodent models of cognitive impairment.

In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether the novel highly selective 5-hydroxytryptamine6 (5-HT6) receptor antagonist SLV can ameliorate impairments in cognition and social interaction with potential relevance for both schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). SLV sub-chronically - treated Wistar rats reared in isolation showed significantly enhanced prepulse inhibition (PPI) and object recognition performance when compared to vehicle - treated rats. In the isolated rats, also a significant reduction in expression of hippocampal neural cell adhesion molecule polysialylation (NCAM-PSA) was found which was ameliorated following treatment with SLV (30mg/kg). The social engagement deficit in rats exposed in utero (on gestational day 12.5) to valproic acid (VPA) was reversed by treatment with SLV (30mg/kg). SLV (20 and 30mg/kg, p.o.) fully reversed MK-801 - induced deficits in the ORT and also scopolamine - induced deficits in both the Object Recognition Task (ORT) and Object Location Task (OLT) in Wistar rats. In addition, a combination of sub-optimal doses of SLV and donepezil attenuated scopolamine-induced ORT deficits. Furthermore, SLV (10mg/kg, p.o.) reversed spontaneous alternation deficits in the T-maze induced by MK-801 administration in Swiss mice and in aged C57Bl/6J mice. SLV additionally improved T-Maze spatial learning and passive avoidance learning in Sprague-Dawley rats with amyoid-beta (Aß) injections into the hippocampus. In contrast, no benefits were found with SLV or the tested reference compounds (donepezil and RVT-101) on cognitive performance of 12months old Tg2576 mice. Also, in the social recognition task, an absence of cognitive enhancing properties was observed with SLV on "normal forgetting" in Wistar rats. Finally, analysis of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) frequency recorded from pyramidal cells revealed a reduction in the presence of 1µM of SLV. In conclusion, SLV was investigated in several rodent animal models and found to be effective at a least effective dose (LED) of 20mg/kg and 10mg/kg (p.o.) in the rat and the mouse, respectively.

Hazard assessment of nitrosamine and nitramine by-products of amine-based CCS: alternative approaches.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are considered vital and economic elements for achieving global CO2 reduction targets, and is currently introduced worldwide (for more information on CCS, consult for example the websites of the International Energy Agency (http://www.iea.org/topics/ccs/) and the Global CCS Institute (http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/)). One prominent CCS technology, the amine-based post-combustion process, may generate nitrosamines and their related nitramines as by-products, the former well known for their potential mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In order to efficiently assess the carcinogenic potency of any of these by-products this paper reviews and discusses novel prediction approaches consuming less time, money and animals than the traditionally applied 2-year rodent assay. For this, available animal carcinogenicity studies with N-nitroso compounds and nitramines have been used to derive carcinogenic potency values, that were subsequently used to assess the predictive performance of alternative prediction approaches for these chemicals. Promising cancer prediction models are the QSARs developed by the Helguera group, in vitro transformation assays, and the in vivo initiation-promotion, and transgenic animal assays. All these models, however, have not been adequately explored for this purpose, as the number of N-nitroso compounds investigated is yet too limited, and therefore further testing with relevant N-nitroso compounds is needed.

Generation of Bayesian prediction models for OATP-mediated drug-drug interactions based on inhibition screen of OATP1B1, OATP1B1∗15 and OATP1B3.

Human organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and OATP1B3 are important hepatic uptake transporters. Early assessment of OATP1B1/1B3-mediated drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is therefore important for successful drug development. A promising approach for early screening and prediction of DDIs is computational modeling. In this study we aimed to generate a rapid, single Bayesian prediction model for OATP1B1, OATP1B1∗15 and OATP1B3 inhibition. Besides our previously generated HEK-OATP1B1 and HEK-OATP1B1∗15 cells, we now generated and characterized HEK-OATP1B3 cells. Using these cell lines we investigated the inhibitory potential of 640 FDA-approved drugs from a commercial library (10µM) on the uptake of [(3)H]-estradiol-17ß-d-glucuronide (1µM) by OATP1B1, OATP1B1∗15, and OATP1B3. Using a cut-off of ⩾60% inhibition, 8% and 7% of the 640 drugs were potent OATP1B1 and OATP1B1∗15 inhibitors, respectively. Only 1% of the tested drugs significantly inhibited OATP1B3, which was not sufficient for Bayesian modeling. Modeling of OATP1B1 and OATP1B1∗15 inhibition revealed that presence of conjugated systems and (hetero)cycles with acceptor/donor atoms in- or outside the ring enhance the probability of a molecule binding these transporters. The overall performance of the model for OATP1B1 and OATP1B1∗15 was ⩾80%, including evaluation with a true external test set. Our Bayesian classification model thus represents a fast, inexpensive and robust means of assessing potential binding of new chemical entities to OATP1B1 and OATP1B1∗15. As such, this model may be used to rank compounds early in the drug development process, helping to avoid adverse effects in a later stage due to inhibition of OATP1B1 and/or OATP1B1∗15.

WITHDRAWN: Hazard assessment of nitrosamine and nitramine by-products of amine-based CCS: an alternative approach.

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A novel highly selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonist attenuates ethanol and nicotine seeking but does not affect inhibitory response control in Wistar rats.

Recent studies suggest a potential role for 5-hydroxytryptamine(6) (5-HT(6)) receptors in the regulation of addictive behavior. In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether the novel highly selective 5-HT(6) receptor antagonist compound (CMP) 42 affected nicotine and ethanol seeking behavior in Wistar rats. We have also studied whether CMP 42 had beneficial effects in a model of impulse control, as measured in the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT). Rats were trained to nose poke to receive intravenous infusions of nicotine or an ethanol drop. CMP 42 (3-30 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.) was administered to investigate the effects on nicotine self-administration. Rats were also tested for cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine and ethanol seeking. In addition, the effects of CMP 42 were studied on the number of anticipatory responses in the 5-CSRTT. CMP 42 was effective in reducing nicotine self-administration and reinstatement of nicotine seeking at a dose of 30 mg/kg (i.p.). CMP 42 was also effective in reducing reinstatement of ethanol seeking (30 mg/kg i.p.). In contrast, CMP 42 did not affect anticipatory responding at doses tested, indicating no effects on impulse control. These results add to a body of evidence implicating the 5-HT(6) receptor as a viable target for the control of drug abuse. Specifically, we demonstrated for the first time effects on nicotine self-administration and on nicotine and ethanol reinstatement. Further, these effects are probably not mediated by effects on impulse control.

Two novel 5-HT6 receptor antagonists ameliorate scopolamine-induced memory deficits in the object recognition and object location tasks in Wistar rats.

The 5-hydroxytryptamine(6) (5-HT(6)) receptor has been suggested to play an important role in the regulation of memory and cognition. In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether the novel, selective 5-HT(6) antagonists compound (CMP) X and CMP Y and the reference 5-HT(6) antagonist GSK-742457 could ameliorate impairments in episodic memory in 3-months-old male Wistar rats. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) donepezil (Aricept®, approved for symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease, AD) was used as a positive reference compound. First, effects of the 5-HT(6) antagonists CMP X, CMP Y and GSK-742457 were investigated on object recognition task (ORT) performance in rats treated with the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (0.1mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally, i.p., 30 min before trial 1). Second, effects of the combination of suboptimal doses of 5-HT(6) antagonists CMP X and CMP Y with the AChEI donepezil were studied, to determine whether the 5-HT(6) antagonists show additive synergism with donepezil in the ORT. Finally, effects of CMP Y, GSK-742457 and donepezil were investigated on object location task (OLT) performance in rats treated with scopolamine. Donepezil (1mg/kg, oral administration, p.o.), GSK-742457 (3mg/kg, i.p.), CMP X (3mg/kg, i.p.) and CMP Y (30 mg/kg, p.o.), all ameliorated the scopolamine-induced deficits in object recognition. In the ORT, we have found that combined administration of subthreshold doses of CMP X (1mg/kg, i.p.) and CMP Y (10mg/kg, p.o.) with the AChEI donepezil (0.1mg/kg, p.o.), enhanced memory performance in Wistar rats with deficits induced by scopolamine. Donepezil (0.1mg/kg, p.o.) alone had no discernable effects on performance. This suggests additive synergistic effects of the 5-HT(6) antagonists (CMP X and CMP Y) with donepezil on cognitive impairment. Finally, donepezil (1mg/kg, p.o.), GSK-742457 (10mg/kg, p.o.) and CMP Y (30 mg/kg, p.o.) also reduced scopolamine-induced deficits in the OLT. In conclusion, the 5-HT(6) antagonists were found to clearly improve episodic memory deficits induced by scopolamine. In addition, co-administration of the 5-HT(6) receptor antagonists CMP X and CMP Y with the AChEI donepezil to cognitively impaired rats also resulted in potentially additive enhancing effects on cognition. This suggests that these compounds could have potential as monotherapy, but also as adjunctive therapy in patients with AD treated with common treatments such as donepezil.

Studies on the inhibition of human cytochromes P450 by selenocysteine Se-conjugates.

1. To investigate whether cytochrome P450 (P450) inhibition can contribute to the chemopreventive activity of selenocysteine Se-conjugates (SeCys conjugates), 21 SeCys conjugates were screened for their inhibitory potency towards seven of the most important human P450s. 2. The majority of the SeCys conjugates produced near complete inhibition of CYP1A1 at a concentration of 250 microm. The most potent inhibitor, Se-benzyl-L-selenocysteine, displayed an IC50 of 12.8 +/- 1.2 microm. CYP2C9, -2C19 and -2D6 were moderately (50-60%) inhibited by the SeCys conjugates. CYP1A2, -2E1 and -3A4 were least inhibited. 3. Studies on the susceptibility of CYP1A1 to SeCys conjugates implicated a thiol-reactive intermediate, as evidenced by reduced inhibition levels in the presence of glutathione and N-acetyl cysteine. Uncoupling of the P450-catalytic cycle was of no importance as ROS scavengers did not influence inhibition levels. 4. P450 inhibition by two physiologically relevant metabolite classes of SeCys conjugates was also studied. N-acetylation of SeCys conjugates consistently increased the inhibitory potency towards CYP1A2, -2C19, -2E1 and -3A4. Beta-lyase catalysed bioactivation of alkyl-substituted SeCys conjugates or Se-benzyl-L-selenocysteine produced little or no additional inhibition of P450 activity. For Se-phenyl-L-selenocysteine, however, significant increases in P450 inhibition were obtained by beta-lyase pre-incubation. 5. It is concluded that the potent and relatively selective CYP1A1 inhibition exerted by SeCys conjugates may contribute to their chemopreventive activity.

Identification of ligand-binding site III on the immunoglobulin-like domain of the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor.

The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor (G-CSF-R) forms a tetrameric complex with G-CSF containing two ligand and two receptor molecules. The N-terminal Ig-like domain of the G-CSF-R is required for receptor dimerization, but it is not known whether it binds G-CSF or interacts elsewhere in the complex. Alanine scanning mutagenesis was used to show that residues in the Ig-like domain of the G-CSF-R (Phe(75), Gln(87), and Gln(91)) interact with G-CSF. This binding site for G-CSF overlapped with the binding site of a neutralizing anti-G-CSF-R antibody. A model of the Ig-like domain showed that the binding site is very similar to the viral interleukin-6 binding site (site III) on the Ig-like domain of gp130, a related receptor. To further characterize the G-CSF-R complex, exposed and inaccessible regions of monomeric and dimeric ligand-receptor complexes were mapped with monoclonal antibodies. The results showed that the E helix of G-CSF was inaccessible in the dimeric but exposed in the monomeric complex, suggesting that this region binds to the Ig-like domain of the G-CSF-R. In addition, the N terminus of G-CSF was exposed to antibody binding in both complexes. These data establish that the dimerization interface of the complete receptor complex is different from that in the x-ray structure of a partial complex. A model of the tetrameric G-CSF.G-CSF-R complex was prepared, based on the viral interleukin-6.gp130 complex, which explains these and previously published data.

Evaluation of a novel high-throughput assay for cytochrome P450 2D6 using 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin.

We recently reported on the design, synthesis and characterisation of a novel and selective substrate of human cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin (MAMC). Here, we describe a high-throughput microplate reader assay, which makes use of MAMC as a fluorescent probe for determining the inhibition and activity of CYP2D6 in heterologously expressed systems and human liver microsomes. The high-throughput screening (HTS) assay can be used both in an end-point and real-time configuration, and is easy to use, rapid and sensitive. In addition, end-point measurements by means of flow injection analysis have also successfully been performed. The HTS-assay was validated by performing inhibition experiments for several low- and high-affinity ligands (n=6) of CYP2D6, and comparing the findings to those obtained with the standard O-demethylation assay of dextromethorphan. The results indicate that all compounds tested display competitive inhibition in both the MAMC and dextromethorphan assay, and the K(i) values reveal a very good correlation (R(2)=0.984) between the two assays. To further demonstrate the usefulness of the HTS-assay, IC(50) values of a series of five N-substituted analogs of 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine for CYP2D6 have been determined. The results obtained demonstrate that the current HTS-assay represents a significant improvement over previous assays, with a higher turnover of MAMC and a higher selectivity for CYP2D6.

Influence of N-substitution of 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin on cytochrome P450 metabolism and selectivity.

A series of six structural analogs of 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)-coumarin (MAMC), a recently developed high-throughput substrate of P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), was synthesized to investigate the influence of N-substitution on the metabolism by cytochrome P450s, as well as on P450 selectivity. The analogs were obtained by introducing alkyl substituents at the amino group of MAMC and by replacing this moiety with a pyridine group. Competition experiments using heterologously expressed CYP2D6 demonstrated that the introduction and elongation of alkyl substituents strongly decreased the IC(50) values toward dextromethorphan O-demethylation. Metabolism studies showed that the regioselectivity of metabolism was unaffected by the varying N substituents, as only O-dealkylation of the analogs and no N-dealkylation was observed. In excellent agreement with the competition experiments, metabolism studies also showed that elongation of the alkyl chain dramatically increased the affinity of the compounds toward CYP2D6, as indicated by an up to 100-fold decrease in K(m) values. The V(max) values displayed a much less pronounced decrease with an increasing N-alkyl chain, resulting in as much as a 30-fold increase in the V(max)/K(m) value. Interestingly, due to the higher fluorescent yield of the N-alkyl metabolites compared with the metabolite of MAMC, O-dealkylation of N-methyl MAMC by CYP2D6 can be measured with a more than 3-fold higher sensitivity. Studies on P450 selectivity showed that only CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 contribute to the O-dealkylation of the N-alkyl analogs in both heterologously expressed P450s and human liver microsomes. In sharp contrast to CYP2D6, N-alkylation of MAMC did not significantly affect the K(m) values of O-dealkylation by CYP1A2, but it did result in higher V(max) values. Finally, CYP1A2 also N-dealkylated the analogs.

Design, synthesis, and characterization of 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)coumarin as a novel and selective cytochrome P450 2D6 substrate suitable for high-throughput screening.

In this study, a selective substrate for cytochrome P450 2D6 was designed using a small molecule model developed by M. J. De Groot et al. [(1997) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 10, 41-48]. The substrate, 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)coumarin (MAMC), and its putative O-demethylated metabolite 7-hydroxy-4-(aminomethyl)coumarin (HAMC) were synthesized, and their respective fluorescence properties were characterized. The selectivity of MAMC for P450 2D6 was characterized using microsomes containing single human P450 isoenzymes and human liver microsomes. Formation of the metabolic product HAMC was easily assessed in real time with fluorescence spectroscopy, since MAMC and HAMC excitation and emission wavelengths differed significantly. HPLC analysis confirmed that HAMC was the single metabolic product of MAMC and that HAMC formation accounts for the total increase in fluorescence. It was found that, in microsomes from yeast or lymphoblastoid cells selectively expressing P450 isoenzymes, MAMC was selective for P450 2D6 at a concentration of 25 microM with only P450 1A2 contributing significantly to the formation of HAMC. P450s 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2E1, 3A4, and 3A5 were shown not to metabolize MAMC at a concentration of 25 microM. K(m) and v(max) values of MAMC for P450 2D6 were found to be 26.2 +/- 2.8 microM and 2.9 +/- 0.07 min(-)(1), respectively. For P450 1A2, MAMC was found to have a K(m) value of 29.7 +/- 6.2 microM and a v(max) of 0.57 +/- 0.07 min(-)(1). Formation of HAMC in human liver microsomes could be completely inhibited by quinidine, at a concentration of 0.5 microM selective for P450 2D6, and furafylline, at a concentration of 30 microM selective for P450 1A2. In conclusion, O-demethylation of 7-methoxy-4-(aminomethyl)coumarin is a rapid and easily determined parameter for P450 2D6 activity and, due to the fluorescent properties of the metabolite formed, may be a valuable new tool for high-throughput screening purposes.

Simultaneous determination of eight lipid peroxidation degradation products in urine of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride using gas chromatography with electron-capture detection.

One of the major processes that occur as a result of radical-induced oxidative stress is lipid peroxidation (LPO). Degradation of lipid peroxides results in various products, including a variety of carbonyl compounds. In the present study eight different lipid degradation products, i.e., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, propanal, butanal, pentanal, hexanal and malondialdehyde were identified and measured simultaneously and quantitatively in rat urine after derivatization with O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorbenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride, extraction with heptane and using gas chromatography-electron-capture detection (GC-ECD). The identity of the respective oximes in urine was confirmed by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS). Simultaneously measured standard curves were linear for all oxime-products and the detection limits were between 39.0 +/- 5.3 (n=9) and 500 +/- 23 (n=9) fmol per microl injected sample. Recoveries of all products from urine or water were 73.0 +/- 5.2% and higher. In urine of CCl4-treated rats an increase in all eight lipid degradation products in urine was found 24 h following exposure. ACON showed the most distinct increase, followed by PROPA, BUTA and MDA. It is concluded that the rapid, selective and sensitive analytical method based on GC-ECD presented here is well suited for routine measurement of eight different lipid degradation products. These products appear to be useful as non-invasive biomarkers for in vivo oxidative stress induced in rats by CCl4.

The histamine H1-receptor antagonist binding site. A stereoselective pharmacophoric model based upon (semi-)rigid H1-antagonists and including a known interaction site on the receptor.

A new pharmacophoric model for the H1-antagonist binding site is derived which reveals that a simple atom to atom matching of compounds is not sufficient; in this model, interacting residues from the receptor need to be included. To obtain this model, the bioactive conformations of several (semi-)rigid classical histamine H1-receptor antagonists have been investigated (cyproheptadine, phenindamine, triprolidine, epinastine, mequitazine, IBF28145, and mianserine). In general, these antihistamines contain two aromatic rings and a basic nitrogen atom. A previously derived pharmacophoric model with the nitrogen position fixed relative to the two aromatic rings is now found not to be suitable for describing the H1-antagonist binding site. A procedure is described which allows for significant freedom in the position of the basic nitrogen of the histamine H1-antagonist. The area accessible to the basic nitrogen is confined to the region accessible to its counterion on the histamine H1-receptor, i.e., the carboxylate group of Asp116. The basic nitrogen is assumed to form an ionic hydrogen bond with this aspartic acid which C alpha- and C beta-carbons are fixed with respect to the protein backbone. Via this hydrogen bond, the direction of the acidic proton of the antagonist is taken into account. Within these computational procedures, an aspartic acid is coupled to the basic nitrogen of each H1-antagonist considered; the carboxylate group is connected to the positively charged nitrogen via geometric H-bonding restraints obtained from a thorough database search (CSD). Also to the basic nitrogen of the pharmacophore is coupled an aspartic acid (to yield our new template). In order to derive a model for the H1-antagonist binding site, the aromatic ring systems of the antagonists and template are matched according to a previously described procedure. Subsequently, the C alpha- and C beta-carbons of the aspartic acid coupled to the H1-antagonists are matched with those of the template in a procedure which allows the antagonist and the carboxylate group to adapt their conformation (and also their relative position) in order to optimize the overlap with the template. A six-point pharmacophoric model is derived which has stereoselective features and is furthermore able to distinguish between the so-called "cis"- and "trans"-rings mentioned in many (Q)SAR studies on H1-antagonists. Due to its stereoselectivity, the model is able to designate the absolute bioactive configuration of antihistamines such as phenindamine (S), epinastine (S), and IBF28145 (R). A further merit of this study is that a model is obtained which includes an amino acid from the receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)