Novel NMDA-receptor antagonists ameliorate vanadium neurotoxicity.

Various NMDA-receptor antagonists have been investigated for their therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease with memantine shown to be safe and with relative efficacy. There is, however, need to develop novel drugs to counter tolerance and with better efficacy in ameliorating neurodegeneration. We have shown neurodegeneration in different models of vanadium-exposed mice. This study was designed to evaluate and ascertain the potency of three novel NMDA-receptor antagonists (Compounds A, B and C) to ameliorate neurodegeneration in vanadium-exposed mice. One-month-old mice (n = 6) received sterile water (control) and another group (n = 6) was treated with vanadium (3 mg/kg sodium metavanadate) intraperitoneally for 1 month. Three other groups (n = 6) received vanadium and compounds A, B and C (4.35 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively) simultaneously for the same period. Assessment of pathologies and neurodegeneration in different brain regions was done to test the ameliorative effects of the 3 antagonists using different immunohistochemical markers. Vanadium exposure resulted in reduced calbindin expression and pyknosis of Purkinje cells, cell loss and destruction of apical dendrites with greater percentage of cytoplasmic vacuolations, morphological alterations characterized by cell clustering and multiple layering patterns in the Purkinje cell layer. In addition, the observed degeneration included demyelination, increased GFAP-immunoreactive cells and microgliosis. Simultaneous administration of the compounds to vanadium-exposed mice resulted in the preservation of cellular integrity in the same anatomical regions and restoration of the cells' vitality with reduced astroglial and microglial activation.

Amlodipine Corrects Changes in Blood Pressure and Baroreceptor Reflex Sensitivity in Sprague Dawley Rats Fed a High Salt Diet.

High dietary salt ingestion causes elevated blood pressure both in humans and in experimental animals.Following reports that Calcium Channel Blockers may exhibit differences in the response of blood vessels to pressor agents,this study sought to test the effects of amlodipine on blood pressure (BP) and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) responsesto high salt ingestion. Three groups of weanling Sprague-Dawley rats i.e. control rats (CR), salt loaded rats (SR) and saltloaded rats concomitantly administered orally with amlodipine (SR+Am) were used. At the end of 6-week experimentalperiod, terminal arterial BP was determined from one femoral artery. BRS was calculated from the change in heart rate perchange in mean arterial BP following bilateral carotid artery occlusion. Plasma sodium and potassium ion concentrationswere also determined. Results show that dietary salt loading in SR significantly increased systolic and diastolic BP and Na+concentration but decreased BRS and K+ concentrations significantly. These changes were abolished in the (SR+Am) rats indicating the ability of amlodipine to ameliorate the increase in blood pressure, reduction in baroreceptor reflex sensitivityand alterations in plasma Na+ and K+ levels that were observed in SD rats fed a high salt diet.

Syntheses and adrenergic activities of ring-fluorinated epinephrines.

The study of chemical and biological effects of fluorine substitution on the aromatic ring of catecholamines has now been extended to epinephrine (Epi). 2- and 6-fluoroepinephrines (2-FEpi and 6-FEpi) have been synthesized. Fluorine substitution on the 2- or 6-carbon of the aromatic ring alters the selectivity of epinephrine toward alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors, similar in manner to the change in selectivity seen with norepinephrine (NE). Thus, 2-FEpi is a relatively selective beta-adrenergic ligand, while 6-FEpi is a relatively selective alpha-adrenergic ligand. Fluorine substitution of Epi also can markedly increase potency at either alpha- or beta-adrenergic receptors.

5-fluoro- and 8-fluorotrimetoquinol: selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists.

The 5-fluoro and 8-fluoro analogues of trimetoquinol, TMQ, have been synthesized and evaluated for beta 2- and beta 1-adrenoceptor activity in guinea pig trachea and atria, respectively. The fluoro analogues of TMQ maintained potent beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist activity but had reduced beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist activity. The changes in beta 1-activity of these compounds were correlated to differences in phenolic pKa's. The beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor actions of 2 and 3 were blocked in a competitive manner by propranolol. The enhanced beta 2/beta 1 selectivity for the analogues was found to be 8-fluoro analogue 3 greater than 5-fluoro analogue 2 greater than trimetoquinol (1).

Syntheses and beta-adrenergic agonist and antiaggregatory properties of N-substituted trimetoquinol analogues.

Trimetoquinol [1-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-6,7- dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, TMQ] is a potent beta-adrenergic receptor agonist and inhibitor of human platelet aggregation. Selective cleavage of O-benzyl groups in the presence of an N-benzyl group using HCl and formation of a cyclic sulfite ester from the reaction of a catechol with thionyl chloride were achieved. The N-substituents included methyl, benzyl, and beta-hydroxy- and beta-chloroethyl groups. Each N-substituted TMQ caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of beta 2 (trachea) and beta 1 (atria) adrenoceptor tissues and inhibition of 15(S)-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13(E)-dienoic acid (U46619, a thromboxane A2 mimetic) mediated human platelet activation. TMQ remained the most potent in the series. Structure-activity results indicated that the larger the N-substituent, the lower the beta-adrenergic activity but the higher the inhibition of platelet aggregatory activity. Thus, the structural requirements of these TMQ analogues for the two types of biological activity are different.

Effect of fluorine substitution on the adrenergic properties of 3-(tert-butylamino)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-propanol.

The 2- and 6-fluoro derivatives of the potent beta-adrenergic agonist 3-(tert-butylamino)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenoxy)-2-propanol were prepared and their adrenergic properties examined. The order of potency was as follows: beta-adrenergic activity (simulation of cyclic AMP formation in C6 glioma cells), 2-F = parent much greater than 6-F; beta 1-activity (rate of contraction, guinea pig atria), parent greater than 2-F much greater than 6-F; beta 2-activity (relaxation of guinea pig tracheal strip), 2-F greater than parent much greater than 6-F. The affinity of the 2-fluoro analogue for beta 1-adrenergic receptors (inhibition of the specific binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol, rat cerebral cortical membranes) was 2 times greater, while the 6-fluoro analogue was 1450 times less than the parent. These results suggest that the aromatic rings of phenoxypropanolamine adrenergic agonists and phenylethanolamine adrenergic agonists bind in similar fashion to the adrenergic receptor, and that if interactions between fluorine and the side-chain hydroxyl group are critical in defining beta-adrenergic selectivity, the interactions are similar in both phenoxypropanolamines and phenylethanolamines.

Synthesis and alpha 2-adrenoceptor effects of substituted catecholimidazoline and catecholimidazole analogues in human platelets.

It is known that the steric requirements for the interactions of catecholamines and catecholimidazolines with alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors are different. New analogues of desoxycatecholimidazoline (1), desoxycatecholimidazole (3), benzylic hydroxyl substituted imidazole (4), and the aromatic fluorine substitution analogues of 1 at the 2 (5), 5 (6), and 6 (7) positions, and a set of asymmetric 4-substituted catecholimidazolines, S-8 and R-8, were prepared and tested for interaction with alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human platelets. With the exception of 3, all compounds were selective for alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated responses in human platelets. Introduction of a double bond in imidazoline 1 to give an imidazole 3 or the introduction of a benzylic hydroxyl group to 3, as in 4, reduced the inhibition of platelet aggregation with a rank order potency of 1 greater than 3 greater than 4. Fluorine atom substitution at the 2-, 5-, or 6-positions only slightly modified the inhibitory activity of 1. Each analogue (1, 3-7) produced alpha 2-mediated inhibition of platelet adenylate cyclase and can be classified as a partial agonist. The inhibition potency of S-8 and R-8 against epinephrine-induced aggregatory responses were greatly different, and only R-8 and 4 were alpha 2-agonists on human platelet function. Our studies provide further evidence for the differential interaction of catecholamines and catecholimidazolines in alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor systems.

Halogen-substituted trimetoquinol analogs as thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists in platelets and aorta.

Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a non-prostanoid compound that blocks prostaglandin H2/thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor-mediated responses initiated by a prostaglandin (PG) H2 analog, U46619, in human platelets and rat aorta. Ring fluorine-substituted TMQ analogs selectively antagonized PG-dependent human platelet activation induced by U46619, arachidonic acid, collagen, ADP or epinephrine; and were about 300-fold less potent as inhibitors of PG-independent responses mediated by thrombin or bacterial phospholipase C. For each inducer of the PG-dependent pathway, the rank order of inhibitory potency was identical (TMQ > 8-fluoro-TMQ > 5-fluoro- TMQ). Iodine substitution yielded a similar rank order of antagonism against U46619-induced platelet activation (TMQ > 8-iodo-TMQ > 5-iodo-TMQ), and all TMQ analogs inhibited platelet aggregation in whole blood as well as in platelet-rich plasma. Inhibition of specific [3H]SQ 29,548 binding by TMQ analogs was highly correlated with inhibition of functional responses to U46619. Radioligand binding experiments using TMQ analogs with rat platelets showed no interspecies difference in comparison with human platelets. The rank order of inhibitory potencies for the fluorinated (but not iodinated) TMQ analogs changed in rat thoracic aorta with 8-fluoro-TMQ > TMQ > or = 5-fluoro-TMQ as antagonists of U46619-induced vascular contraction. These findings demonstrate that the primary mechanism of antiplatelet action of TMQ analogs is related to a blockade of TXA2 receptor sites, and ring-halogenated TMQ analogs distinguish between TXA2-mediated functional responses in vascular smooth muscle and platelets.

Pharmacological evaluation of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist and thromboxane antagonist properties of N-substituted trimetoquinol analogues.

The beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist and U46619 (a thromboxane A2 agonist) antagonist properties of trimetoquinol (TMQ, I) and its optical isomers, and N-substituted TMQ analogues (methyl, II; 2-hydroxyethyl, III; cyclic sulfite N-2-chloroethyl, IV; 2-chloroethyl, V; benzyl, VI) were studied in guinea pig atria and trachea and rat aorta, respectively. All compounds gave concentration-dependent responses in atria and trachea, and the rank order of beta-adrenoceptor agonist potency was I greater than II greater than III greater than IV greater than V greater than VI. Whereas N-substitution reduced potency for beta-agonism, the beta 2/beta 1-selectivity ratio was enhanced by increasing the size of the N-substituent. All analogues possessed equal or greater (up to 41-fold more) beta 2-selectivity than I. Propranolol was a competitive antagonist of selected TMQ analogues in guinea pig trachea and atria, thus confirming the beta-adrenoceptor actions of these drugs. The optical isomers of TMQ gave a rank order of agonist potency of S(-)-TMQ greater than R(+)-TMQ, and a beta 2/beta 1-selectivity equal to or greater than racemic-TMQ. Each TMQ analogue also blocked the contractile responses of U46619 in rat aorta in a competitive manner, and the rank order of inhibition of U46619-induced contraction in rat aorta was I greater than VI greater than II = III greater than IV greater than V. N-Benzyl TMQ (VI) possessed the greatest potency for U46619 blockade and beta 2/beta 1-selectivity ratio of the N-substituted analogues. The results show that varying the N-substituents on TMQ produces compounds which retain beta 2-selectivity and give a different activity profile for beta-adrenoceptor activation vs. endoperoxide/thromboxane A2 antagonism.

Effect of ring fluorination of epinephrine on its cardiovascular adrenoceptor activities.

Effects of fluorine (F) substitution on the 2- and 6-positions of the catechol ring of epinephrine (Epi) on its alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor agonist activities were studied in anesthetized dogs. Increments in heart rate and contractile force were used as measures of beta 1-adrenoceptor activity, while increases and decreases in blood pressure and decreases and increases in femoral blood flow were used as measures of alpha- and beta 2-adrenoceptor activities, respectively. F substitution on the 2- and 6-positions of the catechol ring yielded compounds with opposite receptor selectivities: 2-FEpi was a selective beta-adrenoceptor agonist with little agonist activity at alpha-adrenoceptors, while the 6-F analog was a selective a-adrenoceptor agonist with no significant beta-adrenoceptor effects. Of added significance, 2-FEpi was more potent than Epi as a beta 1-adrenoceptor agonist, while 6-F Epi was more potent than the parent compound as an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist. The possible mechanisms for the effects of ring fluorination on the adrenoceptor activities of Epi and other sympathomimetic amines are discussed.

Syntheses and in-vitro evaluation of novel adamantane based γ-secretase inhibitors.

Abnormal processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by ß - and γ -secretases to produce excess amyloid-ß-peptide is believed to contribute to the pathophysiological cascade that results in Alzheimer's disease. γ -Secretase inhibition or modulation therefore represents a rational approach to the prevention and/or management of AD. Here, we present the discovery and SAR of a class of novel adamantanyl sulfonamide based γ -secretase inhibitors. Activity evaluation was conducted on cell lines overexpressing APP (wild type and Swedish mutation). Our results suggest size threshold and hydrogen bond formation are necessary for inhibitory activity. There was no correlation between compound activity, Log P, and the electronic effect of substituents on the aromatic ring. These compounds possess desirable drug like properties and results of the study can guide a pharmacophore based design of γ -secretase inhibitors.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soils and water from the vicinity of Agbabu bitumen field of Southwestern Nigeria.

Water and soil samples from the vicinity of Agbabu bitumen field of Southwestern Nigeria, were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively for 10 parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography coupled by flame ionization detector (GC-FID), in order to gather information on the degree of contamination by bitumen exploration and processing in this area. The total concentrations of 10 PAHs varied from 11.2 to 341.5 microg L(- 1) in water and from 101.5 to 209.7 ng g(- 1) dry weight in soils. The total PAH levels in water samples from all the sampling stations (except at station WB 11), were sufficiently high (> 10 microg/L) to cause acute toxicity to the exposed organisms. Special PAH compound ratios, such as phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/pyrene, were calculated to evaluate the relative importance of different origins. The collected data indicate pyrolytic and petrogenic sources. The anthropogenic PAHs, i.e., pyrene and benzanthracene exhibited similar distribution patterns in the studied area, implying that these compounds possess identical sources. Also, dibenzothiophene, a sulfur heterocyclic aromatic compound was determined in this study and it was not detected in all the samples analyzed.

Synthesis and beta-adrenergic activities of R-fluoronaphthyloxypropanolamine.

PURPOSE: Many biogenic amines where an aromatic proton is substituted with fluorine have exhibited pharmacological properties that are dependent on the position of fluorine on the aromatic ring. For example, 6-fluoroepinephrine is selective for alpha-adrenergic receptors whereas the 2-fluoroisomer is selective for beta-receptors. Aryloxypropanolamines are beta-receptor agonists or antagonists, depending on the aryl group and its substituents. We therefore hypothesized that fluorine substitution on the atomatic ring could lead to significant biological effects in this class. A target with fluorine on naphthyl group of a known beta-antagonist was chosen for investigation. METHODS: Synthesis of the target compound began with fluoronaphthalene and involved introduction of 4-hydroxy group by Friedel-Crafts acylation followed by Baeyer Villiger oxidation. The side chain was introduced stereoselectively using the chiral synthon (2R)-glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate, a Sharpless epoxidation technique. The epoxide was opened with t-butyl amine. HPLC methods were used to characterize %ee of the enantiomer. RESULTS: The target compound was synthesized in several hundred milligram quantity, and in good yield and high enantiomeric excess, showing practicality of the synthetic scheme. It exhibited potent binding activities on beta-adrenergic receptors, and was found to be two times selective for beta 2-receptors over beta 1. CONCLUSIONS: The current report demonstrates that aromatic fluorine substitution on beta-adrenergic ligands can be achieved, and that such can be used to obtain binding selectivity between beta receptors.

Syntheses and beta-adrenergic binding affinities of (R)- and (S)-fluoronaphthyloxypropanolamines.

The beta-adrenergic receptors mediate several physiological processes including heart rate (beta 1), bronchodilation (beta 2), and lipolysis (beta 3). Therefore, selectivity is important for a possible therapeutic agent acting via these receptors. Aryloxypropanolamines are beta-receptor agonists or antagonists, depending on the aryl group and its substituents. We therefore hypothesized that fluorine substitution on the aromatic ring in this class could lead to significant biological effects because of the unique chemical characteristics of fluorine. Because the target compound has a chiral center, we set out to synthesize the two enantiomers so that effects of stereochemistry on biological activity could be evaluated. Syntheses of the enantiomers were performed starting with commercially available fluoronaphthalene and subsequent use of the chiral synthon (2R)- or (2S)-glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate, depending on the desired enantiomer. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were used to characterize %ee. Each enantiomer was synthesized. They exhibited nanomolar binding activities on beta-adrenergic receptors. The (S)-enantiomer was found to be up to 310 times more potent than the (R). It was also found to be about five-fold more selective for beta 2- than for beta 1-receptors. The current report demonstrates the importance of stereochemistry for the fluoroaromatic beta-receptor ligands.

Activation of alpha-1 adrenoreceptors of rat aorta by analogs of imidazoline.

New analogs of desoxycatecholimidazoline were synthesized for elucidating the steric requirements for the activation of alpha-1 adrenoreceptors. The compounds tested on rat thoracic aorta in this study were: desoxycatecholimidazole with and without bridge carbon hydroxyl group, analogs of desoxycatecholamidazoline with fluorine substitution at position 2, 5 or 6 of the catechol ring and hydroxybenzyl group at carbon-4 of the imidazoline part of the molecule. The addition of a double bond in the imidazoline to give an imidazole results in a decrease in potency and the introduction of benzylic hydroxyl group also reduces its activity by 4- and 6-fold, respectively. 2-Fluoro and 5-fluoro catecholimidazoline possess full agonist activity; their potencies being even higher than the parent molecule. The 6-fluoro analog is a partial agonist inasmuch as it produces a response that is only 30% of the maximum response produced by other analogs of imidazoline. In the present study, 4-substituted imidazolines retain their agonist activity, although weaker than desoxycatecholimidazoline. The potency of R- and S-isomers of 4-substituted catecholbenzyl imidazoline were similar. Although these isomers exhibit apparent chemical similarity to catecholamines, small differences between the activity of stereoisomers indicate that the mode of interaction of these molecules at alpha adrenoreceptor may differ from that of stereoisomers of epinephrine.

Effect of aromatic fluorine substitution on the alpha and beta adrenoceptor-mediated effects of 3,4-dihydroxytolazoline in the pithed rat.

The alpha and beta adrenoceptor-mediated effects of the catecholimidazoline, 3,4-dihydroxytolazoline, and its 2-, 5- and 6-aromatic fluorine-substituted derivatives have been studied in the cardiovascular system of the pithed rat. All four compounds produced vasopressor responses in beta adrenoceptor blocked (propranolol, 3 mg/kg i.v.) animals. The pressor responses produced by all four compounds were antagonized by the selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (0.1 mg/kg i.v.), and were relatively unaffected by the selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist, rauwolscine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), indicating that vasoconstriction produced by the fluorinated imidazolines was mediated exclusively by postjunctional vascular alpha-1 adrenoceptors. The rank order of potency at the alpha-1 adrenoceptor was: 5-fluoro greater than 2-fluoro greater than desfluoro greater than 6-fluoro. At higher doses, 3,4-dihydroxytolazoline and its fluorinated derivatives produced an alpha-2 adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of neurogenic tachycardia in animals pretreated with prazosin, with all four compounds being equipotent. In rats with complete alpha adrenoceptor blockade [phenoxybenzamine (3 mg/kg i.v.), prazosin (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) and rauwolscine (1 mg/kg i.v.)] whose blood pressure was elevated by constant infusion of angiotensin II (150 ng/kg/min i.v.), high doses of the 2-fluoro-, but not the 5-, 6- or desfluoro catecholimidazoline derivatives, produced a beta-2 adrenoceptor-mediated vasodepressor response. All four compounds produced a beta-1 adrenoceptor-mediated positive chronotropic response in pithed rats with the rank order of potency being: 2-fluoro = 5-fluoro greater than desfluoro greater than 6-fluoro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological properties of novel bicyclic isoquinoline analogs in isolated guinea pig atria, trachea and in human platelets: relationship to trimetoquinol.

1. Antiplatelet and beta-adrenoceptor activities of a set of secondary and tertiary N-methyl substituted amine analogs of trimetoquinol (TMQ, I and II, respectively) and 5,8-ethano-l-(p-methoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroisoquin oline (bicyclic isoquinoline compounds III and IV, respectively) were examined. 2. Compounds III and IV induced relaxations of guinea pig trachea which were blocked by propranolol whereas neither compound acted as an agonist nor antagonist of beta-adrenoceptors (chronotropy) in guinea pig atria. TMQ analogs (I and II) were agonists in both beta-adrenoceptor systems. 3. When tested in human platelets, compounds III and IV, like the TMQ analogs, blocked several inducers of the prostaglandin-dependent and -independent pathways, and the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated pathway of platelet activation. 4. The bicyclic isoquinoline analogs (III and IV) possessed more selective beta 2-adrenoceptor stimulatory activity and equal or greater inhibitory activity against inducers of the prostaglandin-independent pathways of platelet function than the corresponding TMQ analogs (I and II). 5. These chemically novel lipophilic bicyclic compounds provide a new lead to the development of agents useful for the treatment of asthma and thrombotic disorders.