A Novel Model of Mixed Vascular Dementia Incorporating Hypertension in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mixed dementia (MxD) comprise the majority of dementia cases in the growing global aging population. MxD describes the coexistence of AD pathology with vascular pathology, including cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). Cardiovascular disease increases risk for AD and MxD, but mechanistic synergisms between the coexisting pathologies affecting dementia risk, progression and the ultimate clinical manifestations remain elusive. To explore the additive or synergistic interactions between AD and chronic hypertension, we developed a rat model of MxD, produced by breeding APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenes into the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) background, resulting in the SHRSP/FAD model and three control groups (FAD, SHRSP and non-hypertensive WKY rats, n = 8-11, both sexes, 16-18 months of age). After behavioral testing, rats were euthanized, and tissue assessed for vascular, neuroinflammatory and AD pathology. Hypertension was preserved in the SHRSP/FAD cross. Results showed that SHRSP increased FAD-dependent neuroinflammation (microglia and astrocytes) and tau pathology, but plaque pathology changes were subtle, including fewer plaques with compact cores and slightly reduced plaque burden. Evidence for vascular pathology included a change in the distribution of astrocytic end-foot protein aquaporin-4, normally distributed in microvessels, but in SHRSP/FAD rats largely dissociated from vessels, appearing disorganized or redistributed into neuropil. Other evidence of SVD-like pathology included increased collagen IV staining in cerebral vessels and PECAM1 levels. We identified a plasma biomarker in SHRSP/FAD rats that was the only group to show increased Aqp-4 in plasma exosomes. Evidence of neuron damage in SHRSP/FAD rats included increased caspase-cleaved actin, loss of myelin and reduced calbindin staining in neurons. Further, there were mitochondrial deficits specific to SHRSP/FAD, notably the loss of complex II, accompanying FAD-dependent loss of mitochondrial complex I. Cognitive deficits exhibited by FAD rats were not exacerbated by the introduction of the SHRSP phenotype, nor was the hyperactivity phenotype associated with SHRSP altered by the FAD transgene. This novel rat model of MxD, encompassing an amyloidogenic transgene with a hypertensive phenotype, exhibits several features associated with human vascular or "mixed" dementia and may be a useful tool in delineating the pathophysiology of MxD and development of therapeutics.

A Novel TNF-α Converting Enzyme (TACE) Selective Inhibitor JTP-96193 Prevents Insulin Resistance in KK-Ay Type 2 Diabetic Mice and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 1 Diabetic Mice.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) converting enzyme/a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 (TACE/ADAM17) is a key sheddase that releases TNF-α from its inactive precursor and is thought as a new drug target to inhibit TNF-α production. In the present study, pharmacological effects of a novel TACE selective inhibitor, JTP-96193, on type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) as its major complication was examined. Enzyme inhibitory activity of JTP-96193 on TACE and other ADAMs was measured in in vitro. High fat-induced obese mice and type 2 diabetic KK-Ay mice were used to evaluate the effect of JTP-96193 on insulin resistance. Finally, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were treated with JTP-96193 to evaluate the sciatic motor nerve conduction velocities (MNCV). JTP-96193 selectively inhibited human TACE activity with IC50 value of 5.4 nM and showed more than 1800-fold selectivity against other matrix metalloproteinases. In mouse models of obesity and diabetes, JTP-96193 reduced the TNF-α release from the fat tissue and prevented development of diabetes and improved insulin resistance, respectively. Furthermore, JTP-96193 prevented delay of sciatic MNCV without any effects on blood glucose or insulin levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice. TACE inhibitor is effective on insulin resistance and DPN independent from glucose-lowering effect. These pharmacological properties of JTP-96193 may be helpful to treat type 2 diabetes accompanied by its microvascular complications.

Intrajejunal infusion of 2-monoacylglycerol reduced food intake without inducing diarrhea in rats.

Some nutrients, such as carbohydrate, fat and protein, are known to stimulate satiety. However, the effect of sn-2-monoacylglycerol (2-MG), one of the digestive products of triglycerides, on food intake is still unclear. In the present study, the effects of 2-MG on food intake and diarrhea were evaluated and compared with long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) in rats by intrajejunal infusion. Intrajejunal infusion of 2-MG reduced food intake. In addition, 2-MG did not induce diarrhea at the condition that it comparably reduced food intake as compared with LCFA. These results suggest that 2-MG stimulates satiety without inducing diarrhea, different from LCFA.

JTT-553, a novel Acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 1 inhibitor, improves glucose metabolism in diet-induced obesity and genetic T2DM mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) arises primarily due to lifestyle factors and genetics. A number of lifestyle factors are known to be important in the development of T2DM, including obesity. JTT-553, a novel Acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 inhibitor, reduced body weight depending on dietary fat in diet-induced obesity (DIO) rats in our previous study. Here, the effect of JTT-553 on glucose metabolism was evaluated using body weight reduction in T2DM mice. JTT-553 was repeatedly administered to DIO and KK-A(y) mice. JTT-553 reduced body weight gain and fat weight in both mouse models. In DIO mice, JTT-553 decreased insulin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), total cholesterol (TC), and liver triglyceride (TG) plasma concentrations in non-fasting conditions. JTT-553 also improved insulin-dependent glucose uptake in adipose tissues and glucose intolerance in DIO mice. In KK-A(y) mice, JTT-553 decreased glucose, NEFA, TC and liver TG plasma concentrations in non-fasting conditions. JTT-553 also decreased glucose, insulin, and TC plasma concentrations in fasting conditions. In addition, JTT-553 decreased TNF-α mRNA levels and increased GLUT4 mRNA levels in adipose tissues in KK-A(y) mice. These results suggest that JTT-553 improves insulin resistance in adipose tissues and systemic glucose metabolism through reductions in body weight.

JTP-103237, a monoacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitor, prevents fatty liver and suppresses both triglyceride synthesis and de novo lipogenesis.

AIM: Monoacyglycerol acyltransferases (MGATs) are known to play important roles in intestinal TG absorption. In contrast, the role of MGATs in the liver is still unclear. We investigated the effects of JTP-103237, a novel MGAT inhibitor, on hepatic MGAT activity and hepatic lipid metabolism. RESULTS: JTP-103237 reduced hepatic triglyceride content and hepatic MGAT activity in a high sucrose very low fat (HSVLF) diet induced fatty liver model. Interestingly, JTP-103237 suppressed not only triglyceride (TG) and diacylglycerol (DG) synthesis, but also fatty acid (FA) synthesis (de novo lipogenesis) in this model. JTP-103237 also suppressed lipogenesis-related gene expression, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c. Moreover, JTP-103237 decreased plasma glucose levels and total cholesterol and reduced the accumulation of epididymal fats in HSVLF diet fed mice. CONCLUSION: In the present study, JTP-103237 prevented carbohydrate-induced fatty liver and suppressed both TG synthesis and de novo lipogenesis, suggesting MGAT inhibitor may prevent carbohydrate-induced metabolic disorders, including NAFLD, obesity and diabetes.

JTP-103237, a novel monoacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitor, modulates fat absorption and prevents diet-induced obesity.

Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MGAT2) plays an important role in intestinal fat absorption. We discovered the novel MGAT2 inhibitor, JTP-103237, and evaluated its pharmacological profile. JTP-103237 selectively inhibited MGAT2 without remarkable species differences and reduced absorbed lipids in circulation. After lipid administration, JTP-103237 slightly but significantly decreased triglyceride content in proximal small intestine and significantly increased the lipids content in the distal small intestine. In addition, JTP-103237 significantly increased MGAT substrate (monoacylglycerol and fatty acid) content in the small intestine. JTP-103237 increased plasma peptide YY levels after lipid loading and reduced food intake in a dietary fat-dependent manner. After chronic treatment, JTP-103237 significantly decreased body weight and increased O2 consumption in the early dark phase in high fat diet induced obese (DIO) mice. Moreover, JTP-103237 improved glucose tolerance and decreased fat weight and hepatic triglyceride content in DIO mice. Our findings indicate that JTP-103237 prevents diet-induced obesity by inhibiting intestinal MGAT2 and has unique properties as a drug for the treatment of obesity.

Pharmacological characterization of [trans-5'-(4-amino-7,7-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-7H-pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-2',3'-dihydrospiro(cyclohexane-1,1'-inden)-4-yl]acetic acid monobenzenesulfonate (JTT-553), a novel acyl CoA:diacylglycerol transferase (DGAT) 1 inhibitor.

Acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 1 is an enzyme that catalyzes the final step in triglyceride (TG) synthesis. This enzyme is considered to be a potential therapeutic target for obesity and diabetes. Here, results of an investigation of the pharmacological effects of JTT-553 [trans-5'-(4-amino-7,7-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-7H-pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-2',3'-dihydrospiro(cyclohexane-1,1'-inden)-4-yl]acetic acid monobenzenesulfonate, a novel DGAT1 inhibitor, are reported. To measure the inhibitory activity of JTT-553 against DGAT1, TG synthesis using [(14)C]-labeled oleoyl-CoA was evaluated. Similarly, the inhibitory activity of JTT-553 against DGAT2, an isozyme of DGAT1, and acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) 1, which is highly homologous to DGAT1, were evaluated. JTT-553 selectively inhibited human DGAT1 and showed comparable inhibitory effects on the activity of human, rat, and mouse DGAT. In vivo, JTT-553 suppressed plasma TG and chylomicron TG levels after olive oil loading in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. JTT-553 also inhibited TG synthesis in epididymal fat after [(14)C] oleic acid injection in C57BL/6J mice. Food intake was evaluated in SD rats fed 3.1%, 13%, or 35% (w/w) fat diets. In rats fed the 35% fat diet, JTT-553 reduced food intake. This reduction of food intake was observed 2 h after feeding, lasted for 24 h, and correlated with dietary fat content. Furthermore, JTT-553 reduced daily food intake and body weight gain in diet-induced obese rats after 4-week repeated administration. JTT-553 exerted multiple effects on intestinal fat absorption, adipose fat synthesis, and food intake, and consequently induced body weight reduction. Therefore, JTT-553 is expected to be an effective novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity.

Discovery of 6-phenylpyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazines as potent and selective acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibitors with in vivo efficacy in rodents.

The discovery and optimization of a series of acyl CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibitors based on a pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]oxazine scaffold is described. The SAR of a moderately potent HTS hit was investigated resulting in the discovery of phenylcyclohexylacetic acid 1, which displayed good DGAT1 inhibitory activity, selectivity, and PK properties. During preclinical toxicity studies a metabolite of 1 was observed that was responsible for elevating the levels of liver enzymes ALT and AST. Subsequently, analogues were synthesized to preclude the formation of the toxic metabolite. This effort resulted in the discovery of spiroindane 42, which displayed significantly improved DGAT1 inhibition compared to 1. Spiroindane 42 was well tolerated in rodents in vivo, demonstrated efficacy in an oral triglyceride uptake study in mice, and had an acceptable safety profile in preclinical toxicity studies.

Development of amygdaloid kindling in histidine decarboxylase-deficient and histamine H1 receptor-deficient mice.

PURPOSE: This study attempted to clarify the role of histamine or histamine H1 receptors in the development of amygdaloid kindling by using histidine decarboxylase (HDC)-deficient and histamine H1 receptor (H1R)-deficient mice. METHODS: Under pentobarbital anesthesia, mice were fixed to a stereotaxic apparatus, and bipolar electrodes were implanted into the right amygdala. Electrodes were connected to a miniature receptacle, which was embedded in the skull with dental cement. A bipolar electroencephalogram was recorded; bipolar stimulation of the amygdala was applied every day with a constant-current stimulator and continued until a generalized convulsion was obtained. RESULTS: The development of amygdaloid kindling in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice was significantly accelerated compared with that in their respective wild-type mice. In addition, the afterdischarge (AD) duration and generalized seizure duration in HDC-deficient and H1R-deficient mice were prolonged. Intraperitoneal injection of histidine resulted in an inhibition of amygdaloid kindled seizures in wild-type mice at doses that caused an increase in the histamine contents of the brain. However, no significant effect was observed with histidine in H1R-deficient mice at the same dose. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that histaminergic mechanisms through H1 receptors play a crucial role not only in amygdaloid kindled seizures but also in the development of amygdaloid kindling.

Effects of short-acting hypnotics on sleep latency in rats placed on grid suspended over water.

The present study was performed to develop a new sleep disturbance model for evaluating hypnotic potencies by placing rats on a grid suspended over water up to 1 cm under the grid surface. When rats were placed on the grid, significant increases in sleep latency and amount of wakefulness were observed compared with those of rats placed on sawdust. However, the amounts of non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep of rats placed on the grid were significantly decreased compared with those of rats placed on sawdust. Four short-acting hypnotics (triazolam, zopiclone, brotizolam, lormetazepam) caused significant decreases in sleep latency, and the effects of hypnotics in rats placed on the grid were more potent than those in rats placed on sawdust. In conclusion, the present model can serve as a new sleep disturbance model and may also be useful for evaluating the sleep-inducing effects of short-acting hypnotics.