The α2,3-selective potentiator of GABAA receptors, KRM-II-81, reduces nociceptive-associated behaviors induced by formalin and spinal nerve ligation in rats.

Clinical evidence indicates that positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABAA receptors have analgesic benefit in addition to efficacy in anxiety disorders. However, the utility of GABAA receptor PAMs as analgesics is compromised by the central nervous system side effects of non-selective potentiators. A selective potentiator of GABAA receptors associated with α2/3 subunits, KRM-II-81(5-(8-ethynyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepin-3-yl)oxazole), has demonstrated anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and antinociceptive effects in rodents with reduced motoric side effects. The present study evaluated the potential of KRM-II-81 as a novel analgesic. Oral administration of KRM-II-81 attenuated formalin-induced flinching; in contrast, diazepam was not active. KRM-II-81 attenuated nociceptive-associated behaviors engendered by chronic spinal nerve ligation (L5/L6). Diazepam decreased locomotion of rats at the dose tested in the formalin assay (10 mg/kg) whereas KRM-II-81 produced small decreases that were not dose-dependent (10-100 mg/kg). Plasma and brain levels of KRM-II-81 were used to demonstrate selectivity for α2/3- over α1-associated GABAA receptors and to define the degree of engagement of these receptors. Plasma and brain concentrations of KRM-II-81 were positively-associated with analgesic efficacy. GABA currents from isolated rat dorsal-root ganglion cultures were potentiated by KRM-II-81 with an ED50 of 32 nM. Measures of respiratory depression were reduced by alprazolam whereas KRM-II-81 was either inactive or produced effects with lower potency and efficacy. These findings add to the growing body of data supporting the idea that α2/3-selective GABAA receptor PAMs will have efficacy and tolerability as pain medications including those for neuropathic pain. Given their predicted anxiolytic effects, α2/3-selective GABAA receptor PAMs offer an additional inroad into the management of pain.

An antidepressant-related pharmacological signature for positive allosteric modulators of α2/3-containing GABAA receptors.

Data from transgenic animals and novel pharmacological agents has realigned scientific scrutiny on the therapeutic potential of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α2/3-containing GABAA receptors. Evidence for analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic activity of α2/3-selective PAMs has been presented along with the clinical potential for a milder motor-impacting profile compared to non-selective GABAA receptor PAMs. A new series of α2/3-selective PAMs was recently introduced which has anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity in rodent models. These molecules also produce efficacy against pain in multiple animal models. Additionally, co-morbid states of depression are prevalent among patients with pain and patients with anxiety. Compounds were shown to be selective for α2 and α3 constructs over α1 (except KRM-II-82), α4, α5, and α6 proteins in electrophysiological assays in transfected HEK-293T cells. Utilizing the forced-swim assay in mice that detects conventional and novel antidepressant drugs, we demonstrate for the first time that α2/3-selective PAMs are active in the forced-swim assay at anxiolytic-producing doses. In contrast, activity in a related model, the tail-suspension test, was not observed. Diazepam was not active in the forced-swim assay when given alone but produced an antidepressant-like effect in mice when given in conjunction with the α1-preferring antagonist, ß-CCT, that attenuated the motor-impairing effects of diazepam. We conclude that these α2/3-selective PAMs deserve further scrutiny for their potential treatment of major depressive disorder. If effective, such a mechanism could add a beneficial antidepressant component to the anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant spectrum of effects of these compounds.

Bioisosteres of ethyl 8-ethynyl-6-(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-benzo[f]imidazo [1,5-a][1,4]diazepine-3-carboxylate (HZ-166) as novel alpha 2,3 selective potentiators of GABAA receptors: Improved bioavailability enhances anticonvulsant efficacy.

HZ-166 has previously been characterized as an α2,3-selective GABAA receptor modulator with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and anti-nociceptive properties but reduced motor effects. We discovered a series of ester bioisosteres with reduced metabolic liabilities, leading to improved efficacy as anxiolytic-like compounds in rats. In the present study, we evaluated the anticonvulsant effects KRM-II-81 across several rodent models. In some models we also evaluated key structural analogs. KRM-II-81 suppressed hyper-excitation in a network of cultured cortical neurons without affecting the basal neuronal activity. KRM-II-81 was active against electroshock-induced convulsions in mice, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions in rats, elevations in PTZ-seizure thresholds, and amygdala-kindled seizures in rats with efficacies greater than that of diazepam. KRM-II-81 was also active in the 6 Hz seizure model in mice. Structural analogs of KRM-II-81 but not the ester, HZ-166, were active in all models in which they were evaluated. We further evaluated KRM-II-81 in human cortical epileptic tissue where it was found to significantly-attenuate picrotoxin- and AP-4-induced increases in firing rate across an electrode array. These molecules generally had a wider margin of separation in potencies to produce anticonvulsant effects vs. motor impairment on an inverted screen test than did diazepam. Ester bioisosters of HZ-166 are thus presented as novel agents for the potential treatment of epilepsy acting via selective positive allosteric amplification of GABAA signaling through α2/α3-containing GABA receptors. The in vivo data from the present study can serve as a guide to dosing parameters that predict engagement of central GABAA receptors.

Further evaluation of the potential anxiolytic activity of imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepin agents selective for α2/3-containing GABAA receptors.

Positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors transduce a host of beneficial effects including anxiolytic actions. We have recently shown that bioavailability and anxiolytic-like activity can be improved by eliminating the ester functionality in imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepines. In the present series of experiments, we further substantiate the value of heterocyle replacement of the ester for potential treatment of anxiety. None of three esters was active in a Vogel conflict test in rats that detects anxiolytic drugs like diazepam. Compounds 7 and 8, ester bioisosters, were selective for alpha 2 and 3 over alpha 1-containing GABAA receptors but also had modest efficacy at GABAA alpha 5-containing receptors. Compound 7 was efficacious and potent in this anxiolytic-detecting assay without affecting non-punished responding. The efficacies of the esters and of compound 7 were predicted from their efficacies as anticonvulsants against the GABAA antagonist pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). In contrast, the related structural analog, compound 8, did not produce anxiolytic-like effects in rats despite anticonvulsant efficacy. These data thus support the following conclusions: 1) ancillary pharmacological actions of compound 8 might be responsible for its lack of anxiolytic-like efficacy despite its efficacy as an anticonvulsant 2) esters of imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepines do not demonstrate anxiolytic-like effects in rats due to their low bioavailability and 3) replacement of the ester function with suitable heterocycles markedly improves bioavailability and engenders molecules with the opportunity to have potent and efficacious effects in vivo that correspond to human anxiolytic actions.

Perampanel, an antagonist of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors, for the treatment of epilepsy: studies in human epileptic brain and nonepileptic brain and in rodent models.

Perampanel [Fycompa, 2-(2-oxo-1-phenyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-1,2-dihydropyridin-3-yl)benzonitrile hydrate 4:3; Eisai Inc., Woodcliff Lake, NJ] is an AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor antagonist used as an adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures. We asked whether perampanel has AMPA receptor antagonist activity in both the cerebral cortex and hippocampus associated with antiepileptic efficacy and also in the cerebellum associated with motor side effects in rodent and human brains. We also asked whether epileptic or nonepileptic human cortex is similarly responsive to AMPA receptor antagonism by perampanel. In rodent models, perampanel decreased epileptic-like activity in multiple seizure models. However, doses of perampanel that had anticonvulsant effects were within the same range as those engendering motor side effects. Perampanel inhibited native rat and human AMPA receptors from the hippocampus as well as the cerebellum that were reconstituted into Xenopus oocytes. In addition, with the same technique, we found that perampanel inhibited AMPA receptors from hippocampal tissue that had been removed from a patient who underwent surgical resection for refractory epilepsy. Perampanel inhibited AMPA receptor-mediated ion currents from all the tissues investigated with similar potency (IC50 values ranging from 2.6 to 7.0 µM). Cortical slices from the left temporal lobe derived from the same patient were studied in a 60-microelectrode array. Large field potentials were evoked on at least 45 channels of the array, and 10 µM perampanel decreased their amplitude and firing rate. Perampanel also produced a 33% reduction in the branching parameter, demonstrating the effects of perampanel at the network level. These data suggest that perampanel blocks AMPA receptors globally across the brain to account for both its antiepileptic and side-effect profile in rodents and epileptic patients.

mGlu2/3 agonist-induced hyperthermia: an in vivo assay for detection of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonism and its relation to antidepressant-like efficacy in mice.

An assay to detect the on-target effects of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists in vivo would be valuable in guiding dosing regimens for the exploration of biological effects of potential therapeutic import. Multiple approaches involving blockade of mGlu2/3 receptor agoinist-driven behavioral effects in mice and rats were investigated. Most of these methods failed to provide a useful method of detection of antagonists in vivo (e.g., locomotor activity). In contrast, the mGlu2/3 receptor agonist LY379268 produced dose-dependent increases in body temperature of mice. The hyperthermic effects of LY379268 was abolished in mGlu2 and in mGlu2/3 receptor null mice but not in mGlu3 null mice. Hyperthermia was not produced by an mGlu8 receptor agonist. Agonist-induced hyperthermia was prevented in a dose-dependent manner by structurally-distinct mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists. The blockade was stereo-specific. Moreover, this biological readout was responsive to both orthosteric and to negative allosteric modulators of mGlu2/3 receptors. Antagonism of agonist-induced hyperthermia predicted antidepressant-like efficacy in the mouse forced swim test. As with the hyperthermic response, the antidepressant-like effects of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists were shown to be due to mGlu2 and not to mGlu3 or mGlu8 receptors through the use of receptor knock-out mice. The ability to rapidly assess on-target activity of mGlu2/3 receptor antagonists enables determination of parameters for setting efficacy doses in vivo. In turn, efficacy-related data in the preclinical laboratory can help to set expectations of therapeutic potential and dosing in humans.

In vivo occupancy of dopamine D3 receptors by antagonists produces neurochemical and behavioral effects of potential relevance to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

Dopamine D(3) receptors have eluded definitive linkage to neurologic and psychiatric disorders since their cloning over 20 years ago. We report a new method that does not employ a radiolabel for simultaneously defining in vivo receptor occupancy of D(3) and D(2) receptors in rat brain after systemic dosing using the tracer epidepride (N-[[(2S)-1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl]-5-iodo-2,3-dimethoxybenzamide). Decreases in epidepride binding in lobule 9 of cerebellum (rich in D(3) receptors) were compared with nonspecific binding in the lateral cerebellum. The in vivo occupancy of the dopamine D(3) receptors was dose dependently increased by SB-277011A (trans-N-[4-[2-(6-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)ethyl]cyclohexyl]-4-quinolinecarboxamide) and U99194 (2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy- N,N-dipropyl-1H-inden-2-amine). Both antagonists increased extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh) in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats and modified brain-tissue levels of ACh and choline. Consistent with these findings, the D(3) receptor antagonists enhanced the acquisition of learning of rats either alone or in the presence of the norepinephrine uptake blocker reboxetine as with the attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug methylphenidate. Like reboxetine, the D(3) receptor antagonists also prevented deficits induced by scopolamine in object recognition memory of rats. Mice in which the dopamine transporter (DAT) has been deleted exhibit hyperactivity that is normalized by compounds that are effective in the treatment of ADHD. Both D(3) receptor antagonists decreased the hyperactivity of DAT(-/-) mice without affecting the activity of wild type controls. The present findings indicate that dopamine D(3) receptor antagonists engender cognition-enhancing and hyperactivity-dampening effects. Thus, D(3) receptor blockade could be considered as a novel treatment approach for cognitive deficits and hyperactivity syndromes, including those observed in ADHD.

Effects of dopamine D1 receptor full agonists in rats trained to discriminate SKF 38393.

Although the dopaminergic pharmacology of the D1 receptor full agonists, dinapsoline, dihydrexidine and the prodrug ABT-431 have been studied, no information is available on the ability of these agonists to substitute for the D1 agonist SKF 38393 in rats trained to discriminate this compound from vehicle. The present study was designed to characterize the potential D1 discriminative stimulus effects of these compounds. The selective dopamine D1-receptor agonists dihydrexidine [(+/-)-trans-10,11-dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a] phenanthridine hydrochloride], ABT-431 [(-)-trans-9,10-diacetyloxy-2-propyl-4,5,5a,6,7,11b-hexahydro-3-thia-5-azacyclopent-1-ena[c]phenanthrene hydrochloride], the diacetyl prodrug derivative of A-86929, and dinapsoline [9-dihydroxy-2,3,7,11b-tetrahydro-1H-naph[1,2,3-de]isoquinoline] were studied in rats trained to discriminate racemic SKF 38393 [(+/-)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine-7,8-diol], a selective D1 receptor partial agonist from vehicle. All of the agonists substituted fully for the discriminative stimulus effects of SKF 38393. The rank order of potency for substitution was ABT-431 > dinapsoline > dihydrexidine > SKF 38393. The D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390, blocked the discriminative stimulus effects of SKF 38393. The D3/D2-receptor agonist PD 128,907 [S(+)-(4aR,10bR)-3,4,4a,10b-tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]-benzopyrano[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol] did not substitute up to doses that produced profound rate-suppressant effects. Thus, consistent with their D1 receptor pharmacology, the full D1-receptor agonists substituted completely for the discriminative stimulus of SKF 38393.

m-CPP hypolocomotion is selectively antagonized by compounds with high affinity for 5-HT(2C) receptors but not 5-HT(2A) or 5-HT(2B) receptors.

The ability of m-CPP [1-(m-chlorophenyl)piperazine] to produce hypolocomotion is well documented. This effect has been postulated to be due to activation of the 5-HT(2C) receptor. It is only recently that the tools necessary to clearly delineate which serotonin receptors are involved in the mediation of m-CPP hypolocomotion have become available. We investigated the effects of the selective 5-HT(2A) antagonists, MDL 100,907 and ketanserin, the selective 5-HT(2B) antagonists, LY 202146 and LY 266097, the 5-HT(2B/2C) antagonist, SB 206553, and the selective 5-HT(2C) antagonist, SB 242084 on m-CPP-induced hypolocomotion and spontaneous locomotor activity in mice. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of the non-selective serotonin antagonists, ritanserin, LY 53857, mianserin and cyproheptadine on m-CPP hypolocomotion. Additionally, receptor-binding studies were employed as an in vitro assessment of relative affinities at the 5-HT(2A), 5-HT92B) and 5-HT(2C) receptors. Antagonists tested alone were without effect on spontaneous activity, with the sole exception of ketanserin, which decreased spontaneous activity at the high dose of 1 mg/kg. m-CPP-induced hypolocomotion was not significantly attenuated by various doses of MDL 100,907, ketanserin, LY 202146, LY 266097, ritanserin or cyproheptadine. In contrast, SB 206553, SB 242084, LY 53857 and mianserin were capable of reversing m-CPP-induced hypolocomotion. Consistent with previous suggestions, a detailed pharmacological evaluation with selective antagonists for the 5-HT2 family of receptors supports a primary role for the 5-HT(2C) receptor, and not 5-HT(2A) or 5-HT(2B) receptors, in mediating the hypolocomotion produced by m-CPP.

Influence of light cycle on response to 5-HT1A ligands in punished responding in rats.

Since the introduction of buspirone, the 5-HT1A receptor has been a focal point for serotonergic research into the treatment of anxiety. Two of the more commonly used methodologies for evaluating potential anxiolytics are the Geller-Seifter model and the elevated plus maze. In the Geller-Seifter model, administration of 5-HT1A agonists produce an anxiolytic-like profile consisting of an increase in the number of responses made during the punished component. An anxiolytic-like response in the elevated plus maze consists of an increase in the number of entries and/or time spent in the open arms of the maze. Recently, there have been reports of differential drug effects with 5-HT1A ligands in the elevated plus maze depending on when in the diurnal cycle the 5-HT1A agents were administered. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the response to 5-HT1A compounds in normal and reverse light cycle animals in the Geller-Seifter model. 8-OH-DPAT [(+/-)-2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronapthalene] produced a decrease in unpunished responding and an increase in punished responding during both the light and dark phase. The administration of WAY 100,635 [N-¿2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] ethyl¿-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloridel alone was without effect in both the light and dark phase. Furthermore, pre-treatment with WAY 100,635 completely antagonized both the rate-decreasing effects in the unpunished component and the increase in punished responding observed with 8-OH-DPAT during both the light and dark phase. The results of the current study diverge from previous findings of sensitivity to the diurnal cycle in other models reflective of modulation of the 5-HT1A receptor. The robustness of the response, in this case punished lever pressing, may be less sensitive than other more naturalistic or ethological methods (i.e. elevated plus maze) in detecting the subtle changes in receptor function due to the diurnal cycle.

Meta-chlorophenylpiperazine induced changes in locomotor activity are mediated by 5-HT1 as well as 5-HT2C receptors in mice.

1-(Meta-chloro)phenylpiperazine (m-CPP) is a 5-HT receptor agonist which has been purported to be relatively selective for the 5-HT2C receptor. In particular, the hypolocomotion produced by m-CPP has been suggested to be mediated by 5-HT2C receptors. m-CPP binds with high affinity to 5-HT1 as well as 5-HT2 receptors, thus effects of m-CPP on locomotor activity may be due to the physiologic summation of the actions of m-CPP at 5-HT1 as well as 5-HT2 receptors. The present study investigated the effects of m-CPP alone and in the presence of the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist 6-methyl-1-(-methyethyl)-ergoline-8beta-carboxylic acid 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl ester maleate (LY53857), the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-ethyl]-N-(2pyridinyl)c yclohexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride (WAY 100,635), and the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist 2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-4-corbox ylic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]amide (GR 127935) on locomotor activity. Administration of m-CPP alone (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-related decrease in locomotor activity. The 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist GR 127935 (3.0 mg/kg) in combination with m-CPP produced a slight leftward shift of the dose-response curve of m-CPP. The 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100,635 (1.0 mg/kg) in combination with m-CPP did not alter the m-CPP dose-response curve. The non-selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY53857 (1.0 mg/kg) in combination with m-CPP unmasked a hyperlocomotion produced by m-CPP. Furthermore, the hyperlocomotion produced by m-CPP in the presence of LY53857 (1.0 mg/kg) was blocked by both the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist GR 127935 (3.0 mg/kg) and the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100,635 (1.0 mg/kg). The present results demonstrate that the hyperlocomotion seen with the combination of m-CPP and LY53857 is mediated by 5-HT1 receptors. Taken together the data indicate that m-CPP affects locomotor activity by the physiologic summation of agonist activity at the 5-HT2C receptor as well as the 5-HT1 receptor family.

Blockade of phencyclidine-induced hyperlocomotion by olanzapine, clozapine and serotonin receptor subtype selective antagonists in mice.

In humans, phencyclidine (PCP) is known to produce a syndrome of behavioral effects which have many characteristics in common with schizophrenia. Therefore, antagonism of PCP effects might be evidence for antipsychotic efficacy of a compound. In the present studies, the effects of the D2-like antagonist haloperidol, the mixed D2-like/5-HT2 antagonists olanzapine and clozapine, and a series of 5-HT receptor subtype selective antagonists on the hyperlocomotion produced by PCP were evaluated in mice. PCP (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-related increase in locomotor activity, with a peak effect at 3.0 mg/kg. The D2-like antagonist haloperidol produced a dose-related decrease in locomotor activity when administered alone, and blocked the hyperactivity effects of PCP over the same dose-range (minimal effective dose, MED = 0.3 mg/kg for both effects). In contrast, olanzapine and clozapine reversed the hyperlocomotion effects of PCP at doses (MED = 0.03 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively) approximately 30- and 10-fold, respectively, below those that decreased activity when administered alone (MED = 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively). The selective 5-HT2 antagonist LY53857 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) administered alone had no effect on locomotor activity but reversed (MED = 0.1 mg/kg) the effects of PCP. Similarly, the selective 5-HT2A/2C antagonist ritanserin (0.001-1.0 mg/kg) alone had no effect on locomotor activity, but reversed (MED = 0.01 mg/kg) the effects of PCP. The selective 5-HT2A antagonists ketanserin (MED = 3.0 mg/kg) and MDL 100,907 (MED = 0.3 mg/kg) produced dose-related decreases in locomotor activity and ketanserin (MED = 0.1 mg/kg) and MDL 100,907 (MED = 0.003 mg/kg) reversed the effects of PCP. The selective 5-HT3 antagonist zatosetron (0.01-10 mg/kg) and the selective 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100,635 (0.001-3 mg/kg) were without effects on spontaneous locomotor activity. Zatosetron reversed the effects of 3.0 mg/kg PCP at the nonselective dose of 10 mg/kg whereas WAY 100,635 (0.001-1 mg/kg) did not affect PCP-induced hyperlocomotion. The present results indicate that PCP increases locomotor activity, at least in part, due to actions at 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT3 or 5-HT1A, receptors. Further, the present findings support the hypothesis that antagonism at 5-HT2A receptors contributes to the in vivo actions of atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine and clozapine.

Behavioral pharmacology of olanzapine: a novel antipsychotic drug.

BACKGROUND: In this paper, we review the behavioral pharmacology of olanzapine and compare it to its in vitro profile and to clozapine and a number of other antipsychotic agents, and we estimate the likelihood that olanzapine will be an effective and safe antipsychotic with fewer side effects. METHOD: Since there is no model of schizophrenia, per se, a battery of behavioral assays was used. RESULTS: Behavioral assays confirmed the in vitro results that olanzapine interacts with dopamine, serotonin, and muscarinic receptor subtypes. Moreover, olanzapine appears to have a clozapine-like atypical profile based on (1) mesolimbic selectivity, (2) blocking 5-HT receptors at a lower dose than dopamine receptors, and (3) inhibiting the conditioned avoidance response (indicative of antipsychotic efficacy) at doses that are lower than those required to induce catalepsy (indicative of extrapyramidal side effects). No only is this profile similar to that of clozapine, but olanzapine has other similarities: olanzapine substitutes for clozapine in a drug discrimination assay; like clozapine and unlike "typical" antipsychotics, olanzapine increases responding in a conflict procedure; and olanzapine, like clozapine, reverses changes induced by antagonists of the NMDA receptor. CONCLUSION: On the basis of these findings, we predict that olanzapine will be an efficacious antipsychotic, active against both positive and negative symptoms, while producing fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than existing treatments.

Nutrient, waste management, and hygiene systems for chemical protective suits.

Current United States military chemical protective ensembles do not provide for feeding, removing body wastes, or ensuring the hygiene of troops operating in a contaminated environment. As part of a nuclear-biological-chemical life support demonstration program, systems were developed to provide these capabilities. The nutrient system consisted of foods packaged in tube dispensers and a delivery system compatible with North Atlantic Treaty Organization respirators. The waste management/hygiene systems consisted of waste collection and hygiene items incorporated into a retractable-arm suit design with integrated airlock. A field demonstration of the systems resulted in successful use by armored vehicle personnel, high, positive user feedback, and only minor functional problems.

Dietary sodium intake: a determinant of postprandial plasma sodium concentration in the dog.

1. The effect of dietary sodium intake on pre- and post-prandial plasma sodium concentrations and on the pattern of sodium and potassium excretion was determined in conscious female dogs, who were allowed free access to water and were fed on commercial low sodium diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100 or 250 mmol of sodium chloride/day for 6 days. 2. The preprandial plasma sodium concentration was not altered by the dietary sodium intake. However, the 4 h postprandial plasma sodium concentration was linearly related to the magnitude of dietary sodium intake, whereas the 8 h postprandial plasma sodium concentration was elevated only in dogs receiving 250 mmol of sodium/day. 3. The (0-8 h/0-24 h) ratio for urinary sodium excretion was significantly correlated with both the dietary sodium intake and the postprandial increase in plasma sodium concentration. 4. The 24 h excretion of potassium was not markedly affected by the dietary sodium intake; however, the (0-8 h/0-24 h) ratio for potassium excretion was significantly correlated with both the dietary sodium intake and the (0-8/0-24 h) ratio for sodium excretion. 5. These data indicate that: (a) postprandial increases in plasma sodium concentration need to be considered when evaluating the mechanisms involved in the daily regulation of sodium balance; (b) the daily pattern of potassium excretion is closely linked to the dietary sodium intake.

Renal and endocrine response to water deprivation in dog.

Plasma and urine sodium, potassium, osmolality, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured in time controls and during control dehydration and rehydration periods in conscious dogs fed a 50 mmol NaCl diet. During 4 days of water restriction, plasma sodium and osmolality and PRA were elevated, whereas plasma potassium and aldosterone were not affected. Urinary potassium excretion was elevated above intake levels during the entire dehydration period, whereas Na excretion was only elevated during the first 2 days of dehydration. Unrestricted rehydration was associated with a marked fall in plasma sodium and osmolality, a decrease in PRA, and no change in plasma potassium or aldosterone. In addition, during the 1st day of rehydration, there was marked retention of sodium and potassium. Thus, in the dog, dehydration and subsequent rehydration cause significant alterations in sodium and potassium balance and marked alterations in PRA that are not associated with changes in either plasma aldosterone concentration or urinary aldosterone excretion.

Lack of evidence for gastrointestinal control of sodium excretion in unanesthetized rabbits.

Experiments were performed to determine whether unanesthetized rabbits exhibit a greater natriuresis after oral administration of a hypertonic sodium chloride solution (1.5 mmol NaCl/kg) than after the intravenous administration of the same solution. Male rabbits (New Zealand) were placed on a low sodium diet for 4 days, and on the fifth day a hypertonic NaCl solution (616 mM) was given either by stomach tube (GI) or intravenously (IV), while an equal volume of a hypotonic NaCl solution (31 mM) was given by the alternate route. The studies were repeated on each rabbit so that paired observations were obtained. No differences in plasma Na concentration, peripheral hematocrit, or urinary sodium excretion were observed between the GI and IV groups after administration of the hypertonic NaCl solution. In seven rabbits that were permitted access to food and water following NaCl administration by either route, urinary sodium excretion tended to be reduced (P = 0.08), but, again, no significant differences in plasma sodium concentration, peripheral hematocrit, or urinary sodium excretion were observed between the GI and IV routes of sodium administration. Accordingly, we could find no evidence to support the existence of a GI or portal Na receptor system that regulates urinary sodium excretion in the unanesthetized rabbit.