Isomers of substituted 3-benzo[b]furyl and 3-thienylaminobutyric acids as potent ligands of the GABA-B receptor: synthesis and preparative liquid chromatographic separation.

Baclofen (4-amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butyric acid) is the only selective agonist for GABA-B receptors. Its R-(-)-enantiomer is about 100 times more active than the S-(+)-enantiomer. In the search for new compounds that bind to GABA-B receptors, it is very important to clarify the structural requirements. The authors report the synthesis and separation of isomers of various 3-heteroaromatic (benzo[b]furan and thiophen) aminobutyric acids. The 4-amino-3-(7-methylbenzo[b]furan-2-yl)butanoic acid is a potent and specific ligand for GABA-B receptors, with an IC50 value of 5.4 microM for the displacement of [3H] GABA.

GABAB receptor antagonism by resolved (R)-saclofen in the guinea-pig ileum.

The GABAB receptor antagonist saclofen (3-amino-2-(4-chlorophenyl)propylsulphonic acid) has been resolved by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography. The enantiomer (R)-saclofen, but not (S)-saclofen, reversibly antagonised the (R,S)-baclofen-induced depression of cholinergic twitch contractions in the guinea-pig ileum with an apparent pA2 of 5.3. Also, 2-hydroxy-saclofen was resolved by the same method, its (S)-enantiomer yielding an apparent pA2 of 5.0. This method provides a convenient resolution of these antagonists.

Thienyl-GABA derivatives as specific baclofen agonists in the rat and cat spinal cord in vivo.

The depression of the amplitude of extracellularly recorded monosynaptic excitatory field potentials in the lumbar spinal cord of pentobarbitone anaesthetised rats and cats by three thienyl derivatives of GABA: 4-amino-3-(2-thienyl)-butanoic acid; 4-amino-3-(2-thienyl-5-methyl)-butanoic acid and 4-amino-3-(2-thienyl-5-chloro)-butanoic acid was reversibly blocked by the (-)-baclofen antagonist 3-aminopropyl-diethoxymethyl-phosphinic acid (CGP 35348). These compounds, of which the most potent, the 5-chloro derivative, was weaker than (-)-baclofen, thus activate baclofen receptors in the cat and rat spinal cord.

Differing actions of beta-(2-thienyl)-gamma-aminobutyric acid in central and peripheral preparations.

In the guinea-pig isolated ileum, beta-(2-thienyl)-gamma-aminobutyric acid (BTG; 100-500 microM) reversibly and competitively (pA2 = 4.3 +/- 0.1) antagonised the baclofen-induced (5-100 microM) depression of cholinergic twitch contractions, but not that to adenosine or morphine. By contrast, in rat neocortical slice preparations, BTG (100-500 microM) acted as an agonist, abolishing the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous discharges, sensitive to 2-hydroxysaclofen (100-500 microM). BTG exhibits differential actions at GABAB receptors in brain and periphery.

Actions of thienyl analogs of baclofen in the guinea-pig isolated ileum.

In guinea-pig isolated ileal preparations, the 5-methylthien-2-yl (5d), 5-bromothien-2-yl (5f) and 5-chlorothien-2-yl (5h) analogs of baclofen depressed twitch responses to field stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. These actions were reversibly and competitively antagonised by 2-hydroxysaclofen but not by naloxone, phentolamine, propranolol or theophylline. The relative potencies (EC50 values) were baclofen (10 microM) greater than 5h (40 microM) greater than 5d (80 microM) greater than 5f (120 microM). These analogs represent a novel class of specific GABAB receptor agonists which, like baclofen, should readily enter the brain.

3-Thienyl- and 3-furylaminobutyric acids. Synthesis and binding GABAB receptor studies.

Baclofen (beta-(p-chlorophenyl)-GABA) is a selective agonist for the bicuculline-insensitive GABAB receptor. The search for new compounds that bind to the GABAB receptor is very important to clarify structural requirements. We report herein the synthesis and the binding studies of variously substituted 3-thienyl- and 3-furylaminobutyric acids. 4-Amino-3-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)butyric acid (5d) and 4-amino-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)butyric acid (5h) are potent and specific ligands for GABAB receptor. The IC50 values for the displacement of (R)-(-)-[3H]baclofen are 1.34 and 0.61 microM for 5d and 5h, respectively, as compared to 0.33 microM for baclofen.

[Preparation of oxime, hydrazone and dichloroacetamide derivatives. Researches of antiparasitic activity]. / Préparation de dérivés d'oximes, d'hydrazones et de dichloroacétamides. Recherches d'activité antiparasitaire.

Several oximes, hydrazones and dichloroacétamides were synthesized. The antiparasitic properties of these compounds were evaluated in vitro against two Protozoaires Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.

[Comparison of refractometric and ultraviolet detection methods in lactulose assay by high performance liquid chromatography]. / Comparaison des méthodes de détection réfractométrique et ultraviolet dans le dosage du lactulose par chromatographie liquide haute performance.

Dosage of lactulose and determination of related sugars (lactose, fructose, galactose, épilactose) were undertaken by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The present note described two modes of detection used simultaneously and compared: refractive index detector (RI) and multiwavelength ultraviolet detector (UV). HPLC is performed with an aminopropylsylil phase as stationary phase and an isocratic mobile phase containing acetonitrile and aqueous sodium phosphate. The results are outlined and discussed.

[Preparation and schistosomicidal activity of vinylogues of 1,3-dithio-3-thione]. / Préparation et activité schistosomicide de vinylogues de dithiole-1,2 thiones-3.

The synthesis of vinylogues of 1,2-dithiol-3-thione is described. The activity in experimental schistosomiasis (schistosomicidal activity and, for the most interesting ones, on the egg-laying) was tested in mice with Schistosoma mansoni in comparison with oltipraz.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of gamma-aminobutyric acid analogues. New ligand for GABAB sites.

Baclofen (beta-p-chlorophenyl-GABA) is the only selective agonist for the bicuculline-insensitive GABAB receptor. We report the synthesis of new GABA analogues and baclofen analogues. In vitro, two compounds, 4-amino-3-benzo[b]furan-2-ylbutanoic acid (9g) and 4-amino-3-(5-methoxybenzo[b]furan-2-yl)butanoic acid (9h), showed an affinity for the GABAB receptor. The results obtained with racemic compounds of benzofuran structure, new for this series, and the surprising inactivity of compound 3a (4-amino-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)butanoic acid) permit the proposal of an hypothesis for the structure-activity relationships with regard to GABAB receptor.