Potentiation of Acetylcholine-Mediated Facilitation of Inhibitory Synaptic Transmission by an Azaindolizione Derivative, ZSET1446 (ST101), in the Rat Hippocampus.

The integrity of the hippocampal network depends on the coordination of excitatory and inhibitory signaling, which are under dynamic control by various regulatory influences such as the cholinergic systems. ZSET1446 (ST101; spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one) is a newly synthesized azaindolizinone derivative that significantly improves learning deficits in various types of Alzheimer disease (AD) models in rats. We examined the effect of ZSET1446 on the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (nAChR)-mediated regulation of synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices of rats. ZSET1446 significantly potentiated the facilitatory effect of nicotine and ACh on the frequency of spontaneous postsynaptic currents (sPSCs) recorded in CA1 pyramidal neurons with a maximum effect at 100 pM (tested range, 10 pM-1000 pM). The basal sPSC frequency without ACh was not affected. Such potentiation by ZSET1446 was observed in both the pharmacologic isolations of inhibitory and excitatory sPSCs and markedly reduced by blockade of either α7 or α4ß2 nAChRs. ZSET1446 did not affect ACh-activated inward currents or depolarization of interneurons in the stratum radiatum and the lacunosum moleculare. These results indicate that ZSET1446 potentiates the nicotine-mediated enhancement of synaptic transmission in the hippocampal neurons without affecting nAChRs themselves, providing a novel possible mechanism of procognitive action that might improve learning deficits in clinical therapy.

Combination effects of ZSET1446/ST101 with memantine on cognitive function and extracellular acetylcholine in the hippocampus.

In the novel object recognition task, ZSET1446 (also coded as ST101) enhanced object recognition memory in mice and ameliorated cognitive impairment caused by scopolamine in rats. The enhancement induced by ZSET1446 in mice was abolished by injection of mechamylamine, a nonselective antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors, or dihydro-ß-erythroidine, a selective antagonist against the α4 subunit of nicotinic ACh receptors. These results suggest that the procognitive effect of ZSET146 is probably mediated by stimulation of nicotinic receptors. Memantine was also effective in these tests and concomitant administration of subeffective doses of ZSET1446 and memantine significantly ameliorated the cognitive performance in the novel object recognition task in both mice and rats. Moreover, oral administration of ZSET1446 or memantine increased the extracellular level of ACh in the hippocampus as compared with the control. Further, concomitant administration of subeffective doses of ZSET1446 and memantine significantly increased the extracellular level of ACh as compared with the group of ZSET1446 or memantine alone. These results suggest that these two compounds have a synergistic effect on the cognitive function possibly by synergistic increase in the extracellular level of ACh in the hippocampus, and that the combination therapy of these compounds might be effective in clinical settings.

Effects of ZSET1446/ST101 on cognitive deficits and amyloid ß deposition in the senescence accelerated prone mouse brain.

The senescence accelerated prone mouse strain 8 (SAMP8) develops age-related deficits in learning and memory. Effects of the azaindolizinone derivative ZSET1446/ST101, a newly synthesized cognitive enhancer, on cognitive impairment and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) were assessed in the SAMP8. ZSET1446 was administered in drinking water at estimated doses of 0.002, 0.01, and 0.1 mg/kg per day from the age of 8 months. The SAMP8 at the age of 8 months showed cognitive impairment in a novel object recognition task compared with young SAMP8 at the age of 8 weeks. Further, grading scores were gradually increased from 9 to 12 months and Aβ-like immunoreactivity in the hippocampus was increased at the age of 10 months. ZSET1446 ameliorated cognitive deficits of SAMP8 after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of treatment in a novel object recognition test. ZSET1446 also reduced grading scores of SAMP8 after 16 weeks of treatment. Further, 8-week treatment of ZSET1446 significantly reduced the total number of Aβ-positive granules in the hippocampus. These results suggest that ZSET1446 shows ameliorating effects on SAMP8 partly due to the suppression of an increase of Aβ-deposition in the hippocampus.

A novel cognitive enhancer, ZSET1446/ST101, promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and ameliorates depressive behavior in olfactory bulbectomized mice.

In the adult brain, neurogenesis persistently occurs in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and impaired neurogenesis is implicated in depressive behaviors and poor learning memory. Here, we investigated the effects of oral administration of spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one (ZSET1446/ST101), a novel cognitive enhancer stimulating acetylcholine release, on adult neurogenesis in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice. OBX mice showed significant decreases in the number of newborn cells in the DG by immunohistochemical analysis of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation. Impaired neurogenesis observed in OBX mice was significantly improved by chronic administration with ZSET1446. We confirmed that administration with mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, inhibits ZSET1446-enhanced neurogenesis in the DG. ZSET1446 administration also restored decreased phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the DG of OBX mice. Consistent with restored neurogenesis, chronic but not single ZSET1446 administration promoted significant decreases in immobility in tail suspension tests and improved cognitive behaviors in OBX mice. Taken together, chronic ZSET1446 administration antagonized impaired neurogenesis seen in OBX mice, an effect closely associated with improvement of depressive behavior.

Spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one (ZSET1446/ST101) treatment rescues olfactory bulbectomy-induced memory impairment by activating Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II and protein kinase C in mouse hippocampus.

Olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in mice elicits impaired memory and cognitive functions. Here, we found that chronic oral administration of spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one (ZSET1446/ST101) (0.1-1 mg/kg/day), a novel cognitive enhancer, significantly improved memory deficits as assessed by Y-maze and novel object recognition tasks in OBX mice. Immunostaining of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum by using an anti-choline acetyltransferase antibody indicated that chronic ZSET1446 treatment did not rescue cholinergic neurons. However, chronic treatment significantly restored OBX-induced decreases both in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation without improving decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation in the hippocampal CA1 region. Consistent with enhanced CaMKII and PKC phosphorylation, ZSET1446 treatment improved glutamate receptor 1 (Ser-831) phosphorylation in the hippocampal CA1 region. ZSET1446 treatment also significantly rescued impaired long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region of OBX mice. Taken together, the cognition-enhancing effect of ZSET1446 is probably mediated in part by stimulation of CaMKII and PKC activities, which in turn rescue impaired hippocampal LTP in OBX mice.

Mandibular reconstruction using autologous iliac bone and titanium mesh reinforced by laser welding for implant placement.

Segmental mandibulectomy is a treatment option for benign and malignant neoplasms of the mandible. Although reconstructing the mandible of a patient with a missing segment is difficult, it is essential to improve the postoperative course of the patient. Mandibular reconstruction using titanium mesh is a useful technique for dental implant placement because the morphology of the mandible can be easily reproduced. However, fitting titanium mesh to the remaining mandible is not an easy task during surgery. The present report introduces a method in which a 3-dimensional skull model fabricated by means of stereolithography is prepared, based on computerized tomography (CT) scans, to construct a titanium mesh cage matching the shape of the mandible, preoperatively. Furthermore, the load-bearing area of the titanium mesh cage is reinforced by laser welding another layer of titanium mesh to reduce the incidence of metal fatigue during jaw movement.

Effects of a novel cognitive enhancer, spiro[imidazo-[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one (ZSET1446), on learning impairments induced by amyloid-beta1-40 in the rat.

We have previously shown that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of amyloid-beta (Abeta)1-40 produces oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction, as well as learning and memory deficits, in rats. In the present study, effects of a newly synthesized azaindolizinone derivative, spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3,2-indan]-2(3H)-one (ZSET1446), were assessed in rats with learning deficits induced by Abeta1-40 or scopolamine. The i.c.v. infusion of Abeta1-40 caused impairments in spontaneous alternation behavior in a Y-maze task, spatial reference and short-term memory in a water-maze task, and retention of passive-avoidance learning. Abeta1-40-infused rats also showed reduction in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the medial septum and hippocampus, but not in the basal forebrain and cortex, and a decrease in glutathione S-transferase (GST)-like immunoreactivity in the cortex. Nicotine-stimulated acetylcholine (ACh) release in Abeta1-40-infused rats was lower than that in vehicle-infused rats. Oral administration of ZSET1446 at the dose range of 0.01 to 1 mg/kg ameliorated Abeta1-40-induced learning impairment in Y-maze, water-maze, and passive-avoidance tasks. ZSET1446 reversed the decrease of ChAT activity in the medial septum and hippocampus, GST-like immunoreactivity in the cortex, and nicotine-stimulated ACh release of Abeta1-40-treated rats to the levels of vehicle-infused control rats. Furthermore, 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg ZSET1446 showed ameliorative effects on learning impairments caused by scopolamine in a passive-avoidance task. These results suggest that ZSET1446 may be a potential candidate for development as a therapeutic agent to manage cognitive impairment associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Antiamnesic effects of azaindolizinone derivative ZSET845 on impaired learning and decreased ChAT activity induced by amyloid-beta 25-35 in the rat.

Antiamnesic effects of a newly synthesized azaindolizinone derivative ZSET845 were assessed in rats made learning ability deficient by amyloid-beta (Abeta)25-35 treatment. Intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta25-35 induced a marked decrease in step-through latency in passive avoidance task and reduction in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the medial septum and hippocampus, but not in the basal forebrain and cortex. The number of ChAT-immunoreactive cells was decreased in the medial septum. Oral administration of ZSET845 at a dose of 1 or 10 mg/kg ameliorated learning impairment in passive avoidance task and enhanced ChAT activity in the basal forebrain, medial septum and hippocampus, and increased in the number of ChAT-immunoreactive cells in the medial septum in Abeta-treated rats to the levels of vehicle-injected control rats. These results suggest that ZSET845 is worth testing for further preclinical study aimed for the treatment of senile dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.

Marked Alteration at Midblastula Transition in the Effect of Lithium on Formation of the Larval Body Pattern of Xenopus laevis: (midblastula transition/LiCl/pattern formation/half-egg fragment/Xenopus laevis).

Embryos of Xenopus laevis were exposed to 0.4 M LiCl for 5 min at various stages of development. The effect of lithium on the larval body pattern could be detected from the 2-cell to the late gastrula stage, but changed from reduction of posterior structures ("anteriorization") to reduction of anterior structures ("posteriorization") just after the 12th cleavage, the time of midblastula transition (MBT). Temporal coincidence of MBT with alteration of the effect of lithium was observed even with embryos derived from half-egg fragment, in which MBT occurs just after the 11th cleavage. These results suggest the existence of a mechanism for formation of the basic plan of the larval body whose function changes at MBT. Combinations of the pre- and post-MBT exposures to lithium induced marked posteriorization in most larvae, indicating that the basic plan is not irreversibly determined until MBT, but is fixed during post-MBT stages.