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Valganciclovir results in improved oral absorption of ganciclovir in liver transplant recipients.

The pharmacokinetics of an orally administered valine ester of ganciclovir (GCV), valganciclovir (VGC), were studied. These were compared to the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous GCV. Twenty-eight liver transplant recipients received, in an open-label random order with a 3- to 7-day washout, each of the following: 1 g of oral GCV three times a day; 450 mg of VGC per os (p.o.) once a day (q.d.); 900 mg of VGC p.o. q.d.; and 5 mg of intravenous (i.v.) GCV per kg of body weight q.d., given over 1 h. GCV and VGC concentrations were measured in blood over 24 h. One-sided equivalence testing was performed to test for noninferiority of 450 mg of VGC relative to oral GCV (two-sided 90% confidence interval [CI] > 80%) and nonsuperiority of 900 mg of VGC relative to i.v. GCV (two-sided 90% CI < 125%). The exposure of 450 mg of VGC (20.56 microg. h/ml) was found to be noninferior to that of oral GCV (20.15 microg. h/ml; 90% CI for relative bioavailability of 95 to 109%), and the exposure of 900 mg of VGC (42.69 microg. h/ml) was found to be nonsuperior to that of i.v. GCV (47.61 microg. h/ml; 90% CI = 83 to 97%). Oral VGC delivers systemic GCV exposure equivalent to that of standard oral GCV (at 450 mg) or i.v. GCV (at 900 mg of VGC). VGC has promise for effective CMV prophylaxis or treatment with once-daily oral dosing in transplant recipients.

Cloning, expression and pharmacology of a truncated splice variant of the human 5-HT7 receptor (h5-HT7b).

1. The rat 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)7 receptor displays two splice variations, a long form, and a truncated splice isoform, arising from the introduction of a stop codon near the carboxy-terminus. The human-5HT7 receptor gene contains at least two introns and encodes a 445 amino acid 5-HT receptor. 2. A truncated splice variation in the human 5-HT7 receptor was isolated from a human placental cDNA library. In accordance with current NC-IUPHAR nomenclature guidelines, it is suggested that this receptor be donated as the h5-HT7b receptor and the long form of the receptor as h5-HT7a. 3. The h5-HT7b receptor was stably expressed in HEK 293 cells and ligand affinities were determined by displacement of [3H]-5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT; Kd = 0.28 +/- 0.6 nM, Bmax = 7.3 +/- 17 pmol mg-1 protein). The rank order of affinities (pKi) for a series of ligands was: 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT, 9.65) > 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 9.41) > methiothepin (8.87) > mesulergine (7.87) > 8-hydroxy-2 (di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 6.85) > ketanserin (6.44). 4. The h5-HT7b receptor coupled positively to adenylyl cyclase in HEK 293 cells. This response was elicited by a number of agonists with the following order of potency (pEC50): 5-CT (8.7 +/- 0.11) > 5-MeOT (5-methoxytryptamine; 8.1 +/- 0.20) > 5-HT (7.5 +/- 0.13) tryptamine (5.6 +/- 0.36) > 8-OH-DPAT (5.3 +/- 0.28) > 5-methoxytryptamine (5.0 +/- 0.06). This rank order was comparable to that observed in the radioligand binding studies. 5. In a similar fashion to that described for the 5-HT7a receptor, PCR studies suggested that the 5-HT7b receptor mRNA is found in great abundance throughout the brain, in the small intestine and aorta. 6. It is concluded that the h5-HT7 receptor, like the rat receptor, exists as splice variants exhibiting similar pharmacology, signal transduction and distribution. It is thus likely that there exists a complex physiological role for alternate splicing products of the 5-HT7 receptor gene.

Characterization of alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediating contraction of dog saphenous vein: identity with the human alpha 2A subtype.

1. In the dog saphenous vein alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors mediate noradrenaline-induced contractions in vitro. In order to study the alpha 2-adrenoceptor in isolation, alpha 1-adrenoceptors were inactivated by treatment of tissues with the alkylating agent phenoxybenzamine (3.0 microM for 30 min) in the presence of rauwolscine (1 microM) to protect alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 2. Noradrenaline-induced contractions of tissues treated with phenoxybenzamine were antagonized competitively by the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine, pKB = 8.63 +/- 0.07 (means +/- s.e. mean; n = 3), consistent with an interaction at alpha 2-adrenoceptors. 3. Noradrenaline was a full agonist at alpha 2-adrenoceptors in dog saphenous vein. By use of the method of partial receptor alkylation and analysis of concentration-effect curve data by direct, operational model fitting methods, the affinity (pKA) and efficacy (tau) were 5.74 +/- 0.07 and 7.50 +/- 1.05, respectively (n = 6). Nine other agonists which were examined each had affinities higher than noradrenaline, but with the exception of the imidazoline, A-54741 (5,6-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl-imidazoline) had relatively lower efficacies. 4. To compare the alpha 2-adrenoceptor in dog saphenous vein to the human recombinant subtypes, the affinities of twenty-one compounds were estimated in functional studies in the dog saphenous vein and in radioligand binding studies for the human alpha 2A, alpha 2B and alpha 2C receptor subtypes expressed in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells. 5. Of twenty-one compounds examined in ligand binding studies, only nine had greater than ten fold selectivity for one human receptor subtype over either of the other two. These compounds were A-54741, oxymetazoline, guanfacine, guanabenz, prazosin, spiroxatrine, tolazoline, WB 4101 and idazoxan. In dog saphenous vein, their affinities (pKA and pKB for agonists and antagonists respectively) were: A-54741 (pKA = 8.03 +/- 0.05), oxymetazoline (pKA = 7.67 +/- 0.09), guanfacine (pKA = 6.79 +/- 0.03); guanabenz (pKA = 7.02 +/- 0.13); prazosin (pKB = 5.19 +/- 0.08), spiroxatrine (pKB = 6.59 +/- 0.04), tolazoline (pKB = 6.21 +/- 0.07), WB 4101 (pKB = 7.42 +/- 0.09) and idazoxan (pKB = 7.11 +/- 0.08). 6. Comparisons of affinity estimates for these nine compounds at the receptor in dog saphenous vein and at the human recombinant subtypes suggest that the vascular receptor is most similar to the h alpha 2A subtype; correlation coefficients (r) were 0.82 (h alpha 2A), 0.24 (h alpha 2B) and 0.04 (h alpha 2C).

Cloned and native guinea pig 5-ht7 receptors. Characterization using an integrated approach.

Structural criteria, i.e., primary sequence homology, indicates a unique 5-HT subtype. Operational criteria suggest that this is also true, although no selective agonist or antagonist is available to fully define the receptor, and thus its function in vivo. Transductional data provide perhaps the weakest criterion to define the receptor, since at least two other subtypes (5-HT4 and 5-ht6) signal via the same second messenger. These criteria, taken together, suggest that the cloned sequence represents an endogenously expressed 5-HT receptor and should be referred to as "5-HT7" receptors, rather than "5-ht7".

Characterization and distribution of putative 5-ht7 receptors in guinea-pig brain.

1. In the presence of (-)-cyanopindolol (1.0 microM) and sumatriptan (1.0 microM), 0.5 nM [3H]-carboxamidotrytamine ([3H]-5-CT) labelled a single population of receptors in guinea-pig cerebral cortex membranes. 2. 5-HT-displaceable binding was rapid, saturable and reversible. A high affinity binding site was characterized both by equilibrium saturation (Kd = 0.76 +/- 0.28 nM; Bmax = 68.1 +/- 26.7 fmol mg-1 protein) and kinetic (Kd = 0.18 +/- 0.05 nM) analysis. The pharmacological profile of this site was similar to the profile obtained in transfected CHO-K1 cells expressing guinea-pig 5-ht7 receptors. 3. Autoradiographic analysis revealed a discrete localization of binding sites in guinea-pig brain, with the highest density of sites in the medial thalamic nuclei and related limbic and cortical regions. Moderate levels of binding were detected in sensory relay nuclei, substantia nigra, hypothalamus, central grey and dorsal raphe nuclei. This distribution corresponded to that observed using in situ hybridization with [35S]-UTP labelled riboprobes complementary to mRNA encoding the guinea-pig 5-ht7 receptor. 4. In conclusion, under appropriate conditions, [3H]-5-CT labelled a single population of saturable binding sites that corresponded to an endogenous 5-ht7 receptor in guinea-pig brain. The distribution of 5-ht7 receptors in thalamocortical and limbic brain regions suggests a role for these receptors in sensory and affective behaviours.

M3 muscarinic receptors on murine HSDM1C1 cells: further functional, regulatory, and receptor binding studies.

In the present studies, the pharmacology and regulation of the functional muscarinic receptors on HSDM1C1 cells were probed using phosphoinositide (PI) turnover assays. In addition, the receptor binding of the putative M3-selective radioligand, [3H]4-DAMP, to cell homogenates was characterized. Carbachol (EC50 = 9 microM), (+)muscarine (EC50 = 4.5 microM) and cis-dioxolane (EC50 = 0.72 microM) were full agonists which stimulated PI turnover by 13.3 +/- 1.0 fold above basal values. The potencies of numerous agonists in this assay system were relatively similar to their affinities in receptor binding assays. Exposure of HSDM1C1 cells to 10 nM-10 microM muscarine during the last 24h of [3H]myo-inositol-labeling resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in the cis-dioxolane affinity and maximal PI response induced by subsequent treatment with cis-dioxolane. Pertussis toxin (5-2000 ng/ml) caused a partial reduction in the cis-dioxolane-induced PI turnover. Likewise, exposure of the HSDM1C1 cells to an active phorbol ester (TPA) resulted in a partial inhibition of the cis-dioxolane-induced (100 microM) PI turnover. The half-maximal effect of TPA was produced at 1.8 +/- 0.3 nM. [3H]4-DAMP binding to cell homogenates was of high affinity (Kd = 0.19 +/- 0.04 nM) and moderate capacity (Bmax = 201 +/- 22 fmol/mg protein). The pharmacological specificity (4-DAMP > p-FHHSiD > dicyclomine > pirenzepine > methoctramine > AFDX-116 > gallamine) resembled that for [3H]NMS binding and correlated well with that observed for inhibition of PI turnover. These studies further support the identification of M3 receptors on HSDM1C1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[3H]RS-23597-190, a potent 5-hydroxytryptamine4 antagonist labels sigma-1 but not sigma-2 binding sites in guinea pig brain.

Recent findings have suggested a relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)4 receptors and sigma binding sites. To test this idea, the affinity of 5-HT4 receptor ligands for sigma binding sites was examined. In contrast to the 5-HT4 receptor ligands BIMU-1 [endo-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-2,3- dihydro-3-ethyl-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazole-1-carboxamide hydrochloride] and BIMU-8 [endo-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3- yl)-2,3-dihydro-(1-methyl)ethyl-2-oxo-1H-benzamidazole-1-carbox ami de hydrochloride], DAU 6215 ]N-(endo-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1.]oct-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H- benzimidazole-1-carboxamide hydrochloride], 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine had low affinity for sigma binding sites (pKi < 6). Conversely, the sigma ligands haloperidol and pentazocine had low affinity for 5-HT4 receptors. Thus, no relationship was found between the affinity of ligands at 5-HT4 receptors and sigma binding sites. However, one potent 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, RS-23597-190 [3-(piperidine-1-yl)propyl-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoate hydrochloride], had high affinity for sigma-1 (pKi = 8.4) but not sigma-2 (pKi = 6.2) binding sites. [3H]RS-23597-190 bound to a saturable site with the pharmacology of a sigma-1 binding site: (pIC50) haloperidol (9.0) > (+)-pentazocine (8.8) > (+)-3-(hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (8.2) > 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine (8.0) > (-)-pentazocine (7.8) = (+)-SKF 10,047 [N-allylnormetazocine] > (-)-SKF 10,047 (6.2) > BIMU-1 (5.3) > 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine. The distribution of [3H]RS-23597-190 binding sites was similar to that described for other sigma radioligands, with the greatest binding densities in cranial nerve nuclei, the tegmental nucleus and in the mamillary nucleus. In contrast to (+)-3-(hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine, [3H]RS-23597-190 binding was not allosterically modulated by phenytoin. These studies do not support the notion of an obvious relationship between sigma and 5-HT4 receptors, but they provide additional insight into the structure/affinity relationship of ligands at specific sigma binding sites, and they uncover a novel sigma-1 receptor ligand whose binding is insensitive to the action of phenytoin.

Quantitative autoradiography of 5-HT4 receptors in brains of three species using two structurally distinct radioligands, [3H]GR113808 and [3H]BIMU-1.

Recent radioligand binding studies have demonstrated the presence of 5-HT4 receptors throughout the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems of mammalian brain. In many regions, the binding has not yet been correlated with functional responses. The present study was carried out to fully characterize the regional distribution of 5-HT4 receptors in brain sections from three species using two structurally distinct radioligands, [3H]GR113808, and [3H]BIMU-1. The highest density of 5-HT4 receptors labeled with [3H]GR113808 was found in the olfactory tubercle, substantia nigra, ventral pallium and striatum of rat and guinea pig, and similar regions of pig-tail macaque monkey. A similar distribution of 5-HT4 receptors was observed in guinea pig brain using [3H]BIMU-1. With either ligand, the binding was saturable and of high affinity (Kd = 0.08-0.53 nM for [3H]GR113808; 1.4-3.0 nM for [3H]BIMU-1). These results extend previous distribution studies, confirm the heterogenous distribution of 5-HT4 receptors throughout the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic systems of three species, and demonstrate a similar distribution using two structurally distinct 5-HT4 radioligands.

[3H]BIMU-1, a 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor ligand in NG-108 cells, selectively labels sigma-2 binding sites in guinea pig hippocampus.

The binding of [3H]endo-N-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1.]oct-3-yl)- 2,3-dihydro-3-ethyl-2-oxo-1H-benzimidazole-1-carboxamide hydrochloride ([3H]BIMU-1) a benzimidazolone with high affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)3 and 4 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors, was characterized in NG-108 cells and guinea pig hippocampus. Specific, heat-sensitive, binding of [3H]BIMU-1 was detected in both NG-108 cells and guinea pig hippocampus. In NG-108 cell membranes, a portion of the specific binding was displaced by 5-HT3 receptor ligands with affinities and specificity consistent with the labeling of 5-HT3 receptors. The residual specific binding was insensitive to serotonin (Ki > 1 mM) but was displaced by haloperidol (Ki of 50 nM). In guinea pig hippocampal membranes [3H]BIMU-1 binding was insensitive to serotonin but was displaced by haloperidol, and 1,3-di-o-tolyl-guanidine with affinities appropriate for the labeling of a sigma binding site (Ki of 6.3 and 31 nM, respectively). The affinity profile of ligands displacing [3H] BIMU-1 binding in guinea pig hippocampus was consistent with the selective labeling of a sigma-2 binding site because the sigma-1 selective benzomorphans, (+)-pentazocine and (+)-N-allylnormetazocine, only weakly displaced the binding (Ki greater than 1 microM). The affinity of BIMU-1 for sigma-2 binding sites (Ki = 32 nM) was 200-fold greater than that for sigma-1 binding sites (Ki = 6.3 microM), dopamine (D1 and D2), other serotonin (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C) and muscarinic (M1, M2, M3 and M4) receptors (Ki > 10 microM). The distribution of haloperidol-sensitive [3H]BIMU-1 binding was also consistent with the labeling of sigma-2 binding sites. These data suggest that [3H]BIMU-1 selectively labels sigma-2 binding sites in guinea pig hippocampus. [3H]BIMU-1, under appropriate experimental conditions, is thus the first sigma-2 binding site radioligand to be characterized.

Muscarinic M3 receptors mediate total inositol phosphates accumulation in murine HSDM1C1 fibrosarcoma cells.

Muscarinic receptors in murine fibrosarcoma HSDM1C1 cells were characterized using both radioligand binding and total inositol phosphates accumulation (IPs). Muscarinic agonists elicited a concentration-dependent enhancement of IPs accumulation with a maximum of 14-fold stimulation above basal level. The following potencies (-log EC50) were observed for the full agonists: (+)-cis-dioxolane 5.4, oxotremorine-M 5.3, (+)-muscarine 5.2 and carbachol 5.0. Bethanechol (4.1) and arecoline (5.0) were partial agonists, evoking 43 and 55%, respectively of the maximum level of stimulation to (+)-cis-dioxolane, whereas pilocarpine and McN-A-343 were inactive as agonists (1 mumol/l-1 mmol/1). The apparent affinities for muscarinic antagonists (-log KB) estimated by Schild regression were: 4-DAMP (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide) 9.2, dicyclomine 7.0, pirenzepine 6.9, (+/-)-p-F-HHSiD (para-fluoro-hexahydro-siladifenidol) 7.0, AF-DX 116 6.2, methoctramine 5.7. In saturation binding studies using [3H]N-methylscopolamine a homogeneous population of sites was identified, with a density of 145 pmol/mg protein. In competition radioligand binding studies, the following apparent affinities (-log Ki) were observed: 4-DAMP 9.7, dicyclomine 8.3, (+/-)-p-F-HHSiD 7.6, AF-DX 116 6.8, methoctramine 6.6 and gallamine 6.8. In binding studies all antagonists studied recognized a single population of sites, as judged by the Hill coefficients from the displacement isotherms. These data are consistent with HSDM1C1 cells expressing an apparent homogeneous muscarinic M3 population that mediates a large level of total IPs accumulation. This clonal line may provide a useful model to further elucidate relationship between endogenous muscarinic M3 receptor stimulation and IPs accumulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analogs of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH): receptor affinities in brains, spinal cords, and pituitaries of different species.

[3H](3-Me-His2) thyrotropin-releasing hormone ([3H]MeTRH) bound to TRH receptors in rodent, rabbit and dog brain and spinal cord (SC), and in rat, sheep, bovine and dog anterior pituitary (PIT) glands, with high affinity (dissociation constants, KdS = 5-9 nM; n = 3-4) but to different densities of these sites (Bmax range 6-145 fmol/mg protein) (rabbit SC greater than sheep PIT much greater than G.pig brain greater than dog brain greater than rat brain greater than bovine and dog PIT). Various TRH analogs competitively inhibited [3H]MeTRH binding in these tissues with a similar rank order of potency: MeTRH greater than TRH greater than CG3703 greater than or equal to RX77368 greater than or equal to MK-771 greater than TRH Glycinamide greater than Glu1-TRH much greater than CG3509 greater than or equal to NVal2-TRH much much greater than TRH free acid much much greater than and cyclo-His-Pro, indicating a pharmacological similarity of CNS and pituitary TRH receptors. While most TRH analogs displaced [3H]MeTRH binding with a similar potency in the different species, TRH exhibited a 2-fold lower affinity in the rat and G.pig brain than in other tissues of other species. Similarly, CG3703 was 2.4-4.5 times more active in the rabbit brain than in the rodent and dog brain, and also more potent in the rabbit brain as compared to the sheep PIT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential affinities of TRH analogs at the mammalian spinal cord TRH receptor: implications for therapy in spinal injuries.

The equilibrium receptor binding properties and the pharmacological specificity of the spinal receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) were determined. [3H]MeTRH bound to a single class of high-affinity (dissociation constant, KdS = 5.0; 6.0 and 5.5 nM), saturable (Bmax = 21.5, 32.6 and 130.7 fmol/mg protein) binding sites for TRH in homogenates of the rat, guinea pig and rabbit spinal cord respectively. [3H]MeTRH receptor binding was competitively but differentially inhibited by TRH analogs. The inhibition constants (Kis) in the three spinal cord preparations were: MeTRH (4.2-5.9 nM); TRH (14.2-33.9 nM); RX77368 (113-122 nM); CG3703 (117-142 nM); MK-771 (122-140 nM); CG3509 (10-32 microM); NVal2-TRH (32-56 microM) and TRH free acid (37-73 microM). These data have shown that the parent tripeptide. TRH, and its methylated analog. MeTRH, are the most potent displacers of [3H]MeTRH receptor binding, and that N-terminus modifications (as in CG3703, CG3509). C-terminus modifications (as in RX77368, TRH free acid) and both N- and C-terminus modifications (as in MK-771) of TRH result in markedly reduced affinity for the TRH receptor. Although, CG3703 and CG3509 have been previously found to be almost equally effective in the treatment of spinal cord injury, we have found that CG3703 has a significantly higher (70- to 283-fold) affinity than CG3509 for spinal TRH receptors. Interestingly, although RX77368 and MK-771 appear to have similar TRH receptor affinities to CG3703, the former analogs have shown less beneficial effects in animal models of spinal injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

First pharmacological characterization of TRH receptors linked to phosphoinositide hydrolysis in GH3 pituitary cells using agonist specificity of eight TRH analogs.

The agonist/antagonist properties of TRH and 8 TRH analogs were ascertained in GH3 cells using accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs) as an index of receptor activation. All TRH analogs, except diketopiperazine (DKP), were full agonists producing similar maximum stimulation (6.5 +/- 1.1-fold) of [3H]IP production. Concentrations of peptides producing half-maximal stimulation of phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis were (nM; means +/- SEM): MeTRH (2.4 +/- 0.4); MK-771 (7.3 +/- 0.6); TRH (26.6 +/- 9.2); RX77368 (90.2 +/- 13.9); CG3703 (274.5 +/- 104.4); N-Val2-TRH (2400 +/- 870); CG3509 (16500 +/- 3400); TRH free acid (17.3, 11.0 microM), DKP (greater than 1 mM). The rank order of potency of TRH analogs at inducing PI turnover was similar to that for competition of [3H]MeTRH binding to brain and pituitary homogenates reported previously, thus indicating the identification of functional TRH receptors. These data suggest that while the modifications of the C- and N-termini of the TRH molecule (resulting in MK-771, RX77368, CG3703, CG3509) reduce the apparent affinities of these compounds, the latter still retain considerable agonist activity, and in the case of MK-771 remain equipotent or become slightly more potent than TRH. This study, therefore, constitutes the first to demonstrate the biological activity of the 8 peptide analogs of TRH using the PI turnover technique in cultured clonal cells.