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1.
Mol Pharm ; 21(1): 18-37, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38108281

ABSTRACT

Sartans (angiotensin II receptor blockers, ARBs), drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, play a principal role in addressing the global health challenge of hypertension. In the past three years, their potential use has expanded to include the possibility of their application in the treatment of COVID-19 and neurodegenerative diseases (80 clinical studies worldwide). However, their therapeutic efficacy is limited by their poor solubility and bioavailability, prompting the need for innovative approaches to improve their pharmaceutical properties. This review discusses methods of co-crystallization and co-amorphization of sartans with nonpolymeric, low molecular, and stabilizing co-formers, as a promising strategy to synthesize new multipurpose drugs with enhanced pharmaceutical properties. The solid-state forms have demonstrated the potential to address the poor solubility limitations of conventional sartan formulations and offer new opportunities to develop dual-active drugs with broader therapeutic applications. The review includes an in-depth analysis of the co-crystal and co-amorphous forms of sartans, including their properties, possible applications, and the impact of synthetic methods on their pharmacokinetic properties. By shedding light on the solid forms of sartans, this article provides valuable insights into their potential as improved drug formulations. Moreover, this review may serve as a valuable resource for designing similar solid forms of sartans and other drugs, fostering further advances in pharmaceutical research and drug development.


Subject(s)
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers , Antihypertensive Agents , Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/chemistry , Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists/chemistry , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Antihypertensive Agents/chemistry , Solubility
2.
Cell ; 136(6): 1161-71, 2009 Mar 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19303856

ABSTRACT

The synaptic serine protease neurotrypsin is essential for cognitive function, as its deficiency in humans results in severe mental retardation. Recently, we demonstrated the activity-dependent release of neurotrypsin from presynaptic terminals and proteolytical cleavage of agrin at the synapse. Here we show that the activity-dependent formation of dendritic filopodia is abolished in hippocampal neurons from neurotrypsin-deficient mice. Administration of the neurotrypsin-dependent 22 kDa fragment of agrin rescues the filopodial response. Detailed analyses indicated that presynaptic action potential firing is necessary for the release of neurotrypsin, whereas postsynaptic NMDA receptor activation is necessary for the neurotrypsin-dependent cleavage of agrin. This contingency characterizes the neurotrypsin-agrin system as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activation. As the resulting dendritic filopodia are thought to represent precursors of synapses, the neurotrypsin-dependent cleavage of agrin at the synapse may be instrumental for a Hebbian organization and remodeling of synaptic circuits in the CNS.


Subject(s)
Agrin/metabolism , Dendrites/metabolism , Hippocampus/cytology , Presynaptic Terminals , Pseudopodia/metabolism , Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism , Animals , Cell Line , Exocytosis , Hippocampus/metabolism , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Mutagenesis , Serine Endopeptidases/genetics
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(3)2024 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38339017

ABSTRACT

The reaction of (ortho-acetalaryl)arylmethanols with various phosphines PR1R2R3 (R1 = R2 = R3 = Ph; R1 = R2 = Ph, R3 = Me and R1 = R2 = Me, R3 = Ph) under acidic conditions (e.g., HCl, HBF4, TsOH) unexpectedly led to the formation of (10-hydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthr-9-yl)phosphonium salts instead of the corresponding anthryl phosphonium salts. The cyclization occurred according to the Friedel-Crafts mechanism but without the usually observed Bradsher dehydration, giving cyclic products in the form of cis/trans isomers and their conformers. In case of electron-rich and less-hindered dimethylphenylphosphine, all four stereoisomers were recorded in 31P{1H} NMR spectra, while for the other phosphines, only the two most stable cis/trans stereoisomers were detected. This study was supported by DFT and NCI calculations in combination with FT-IR analysis.


Subject(s)
Phosphines , Salts , Humans , Molecular Structure , Cyclization , Dehydration , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Phosphines/chemistry
4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(11)2024 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38892452

ABSTRACT

Ovarian cancer (OC) has an unfavorable prognosis. Due to the lack of effective screening tests, new diagnostic methods are being sought to detect OC earlier. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration and diagnostic utility of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as OC markers in comparison with HE4, CA125 and the ROMA algorithm. The study group consisted of 120 patients with OC; the comparison group consisted of 70 patients with benign lesions and 50 healthy women. MMPs were determined via the ELISA method, HE4 and CA125 by CMIA. Patients with OC had elevated levels of MMP-3 and MMP-11, similar to HE4, CA125 and ROMA values. The highest SE, SP, NPV and PPV values were found for MMP-26, CA125 and ROMA in OC patients. Performing combined analyses of ROMA with selected MMPs increased the values of diagnostic parameters. The topmost diagnostic power of the test was obtained for MMP-26, CA125, HE4 and ROMA and performing combined analyses of MMPs and ROMA enhanced the diagnostic power of the test. The obtained results indicate that the tested MMPs do not show potential as stand-alone OC biomarkers, but can be considered as additional tests to raise the diagnostic utility of the ROMA algorithm.


Subject(s)
Algorithms , Biomarkers, Tumor , CA-125 Antigen , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 , Ovarian Neoplasms , WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2 , Humans , Female , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , CA-125 Antigen/blood , WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2/analysis , WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2/metabolism , Middle Aged , Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Adult , Aged , Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/blood , Proteins/metabolism , Proteins/analysis , Matrix Metalloproteinases/blood , Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism , Matrix Metalloproteinase 3/blood , Membrane Proteins/blood , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , ROC Curve , Matrix Metalloproteinase 11/blood , Matrix Metalloproteinase 11/metabolism
5.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37541323

ABSTRACT

In fish, the skin is directly exposed to multiple environmental stressors and provides the first line of defense against harmful external factors. It turned out that cortisol and melatonin (Mel) are involved in fish cutaneous stress response system (CSRS) similar to mammalian. This study investigates the mode of action of CSRS in two teleost species of different biology and skin characteristics, the three-spined stickleback and the European flounder, after exposure to oxidative stress induced by a potassium dichromate solution. The cutaneous stress response system presents different ways of action in two studied species: Mel concentration increases in the skin of both species, but cortisol concentration increases in the skin only in sticklebacks. Data suggest that stickleback skin cells can produce cortisol. However, cortisol is not involved in the response to oxidative stress in flounders. In stickleback skin, two genes encoding AANAT and ASMT/HIOMT (enzymes involved in Mel synthesis), aanat1a and asmt2, are expressed, but in flounder skin, only one, asmtl. Because gene expression does not change in stickleback skin after exposure to stress, the source of increased Mel is probably outside the skin. A lack of expression of the gene encoding AANAT in flounder skin strongly suggests that Mel is transported to the skin by the bloodstream from other sites of synthesis. Pigment dispersion in the skin after exposure to oxidative stress is found only in sticklebacks.


Subject(s)
Flounder , Melatonin , Smegmamorpha , Animals , Flounder/metabolism , Hydrocortisone , Smegmamorpha/genetics , Fishes/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/genetics , Mammals/metabolism
6.
Molecules ; 28(6)2023 Mar 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36985445

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the use of O,S-acetals in a new modification of the oxo-Friedel-Crafts-Bradsher cyclization. In this reaction, under mild reaction conditions (25 °C), three- and four-ring fused RO-acenes (major) and/or HO(CH2)2S-acenes (minor) are formed, the latter products having never been observed before in this type of cyclization. In this way, two electronically different fluorophores could be obtained in a single cyclization reaction, one of them having strong electron donor properties (+M effect of alkoxy groups) and the other having donor-acceptor properties (+M and -I effects of the HO(CH2)2S-group, Hammett's constants). Further increasing the reaction temperature, HCl concentration or prolonging reaction time, surprisingly, yielded a 2:1 mixture of cis and trans dimeric isomers, as the only products of this cyclization. The DFT calculations confirmed a greater stability of the cis isomer compared to the trans isomer. The formation of unexpected dimeric products and HO(CH2)2S-acenes sheds light on the mechanism of oxo-Friedel-Crafts-Bradsher cyclization, involving competitive O/S atom protonation in strained O,S-acetals and in strain-free side groups of intermediate species.

7.
Molecules ; 28(18)2023 Sep 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37764366

ABSTRACT

The ecotoxicological impact of pharmaceuticals has received considerable attention, primarily focusing on active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) while largely neglecting the potential hazards posed by pharmaceutical excipients. Therefore, we analyzed the ecotoxicity of 16 commonly used pharmaceutical excipients, as well as 26 API-excipient and excipient-excipient mixtures utilizing the Microtox® test. In this way, we assessed the potential risks that pharmaceutical excipients, generally considered safe, might pose to the aquatic environment. We investigated both their individual ecotoxicity and their interactions with tablet ingredients using concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models to shed light on the often-overlooked ecotoxicological consequences of these substances. The CA model gave a more accurate prediction of toxicity and should be recommended for modeling the toxicity of combinations of drugs with different effects. A challenge when studying the ecotoxicological impact of some pharmaceutical excipients is their poor water solubility, which hinders the use of standard aquatic ecotoxicity testing techniques. Therefore, we used a modification of the Microtox® Basic Solid Phase protocol developed for poorly soluble substances. The results obtained suggest the high toxicity of some excipients, i.e., SLS and meglumine, and confirm the occurrence of interactions between APIs and excipients. Through this research, we hope to foster a better understanding of the ecological impact of pharmaceutical excipients, prompting the development of risk assessment strategies within the pharmaceutical industry.


Subject(s)
Environment , Excipients , Excipients/toxicity , Risk Assessment , Drug Industry , Pharmaceutical Preparations
8.
Molecules ; 28(17)2023 Sep 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37687251

ABSTRACT

The functionalization of the aromatic backbone allows the improvement of the electrical properties of acene molecules in the amorphous layered structures of organic thin films. In the present work, we discuss the electric properties of the stable, amorphous, vacuum-deposited films prepared from five highly substituted 10-RO-acenes of various electronic properties, i.e., two extreme electron-donor (1,3-dioxa-cyclopenta[b]) anthracenes with all RO substituents, two anthracene carbaldehydes and one benzo[b]carbazole carbaldehyde possessing both electron-donor and acceptor substituents. The hole mobility data were obtained using subsequent steady state space charge limited currents (SCLC) and Time of Flight (TOF) measurements, performed on the same sample and these were then compared with the results of theoretical hole mobility calculations obtained using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) quantum-chemical calculations using the Marcus-Hush theory. The study shows a good agreement between the theoretical and experimental values which allows for the quick and quantitative estimation of Einstein's mobility values for highly substituted 10-RO anthracene and benzo[b]carbazole based on chemical calculations. This agreement also proves that the transport of holes follows the hopping mechanism. The theoretical calculations indicate that the reorganization energy plays a decisive role in the transport of holes in the amorphous layers of highly substituted hetero(acenes).

9.
PLoS Genet ; 15(9): e1008358, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31557158

ABSTRACT

Stressful life events are major environmental risk factors for anxiety disorders, although not all individuals exposed to stress develop clinical anxiety. The molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of environmental effects on anxiety are largely unknown. To identify biological pathways mediating stress-related anxiety and resilience to it, we used the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) paradigm in male mice of two inbred strains, C57BL/6NCrl (B6) and DBA/2NCrl (D2), that differ in their susceptibility to stress. Using a multi-omics approach, we identified differential mRNA, miRNA and protein expression changes in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and blood cells after chronic stress. Integrative gene set enrichment analysis revealed enrichment of mitochondrial-related genes in the BNST and blood of stressed mice. To translate these results to human anxiety, we investigated blood gene expression changes associated with exposure-induced panic attacks. Remarkably, we found reduced expression of mitochondrial-related genes in D2 stress-susceptible mice and in exposure-induced panic attacks in humans, but increased expression of these genes in B6 stress-susceptible mice. Moreover, stress-susceptible vs. stress-resilient B6 mice displayed more mitochondrial cross-sections in the post-synaptic compartment after CSDS. Our findings demonstrate mitochondrial-related alterations in gene expression as an evolutionarily conserved response in stress-related behaviors and validate the use of cross-species approaches in investigating the biological mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/genetics , Anxiety/metabolism , Stress, Psychological/metabolism , Animals , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Disease Models, Animal , Genomics , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred DBA , MicroRNAs/genetics , Mitochondria , Proteomics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Septal Nuclei/metabolism , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , Transcriptome/genetics
10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35358732

ABSTRACT

The skin being a passive biological barrier that defends the organism against harmful external factors is also a site of action of the system responding to stress. It appears that melatonin (Mel) and its biologically active metabolite AFMK (N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine), both known as effective antioxidants, together with cortisol, set up a local (cutaneous) stress response system (CSRS) of fish, similar to that of mammals. Herein we comment on recent studies on CSRS in fish and show the response of three-spined stickleback skin to oxidative stress induced by potassium dichromate. Our study indicates that exposure of the three-spined stickleback to K2Cr2O7 affects Mel and cortisol levels and pigment dispersion in melanophores in the skin. In our opinion, an increased concentration of Mel and cortisol in the skin may be the strategy to cope with oxidative stress, where both components act locally to prevent damage caused by active oxygen molecules. Furthermore, the pigment dispersion may be a valuable, easy-to-observe mark of oxidative stress, useful in the evaluation of fish welfare.


Subject(s)
Melatonin , Animals , Antioxidants/metabolism , Hydrocortisone , Kynuramine , Mammals/metabolism , Melatonin/metabolism , Oxidative Stress
11.
Molecules ; 27(19)2022 Oct 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36235148

ABSTRACT

This comprehensive review, covering the years 1968-2022, is not only a retrospective investigation of a certain group of linearly fused aromatics, called acenes, but also a presentation of the current state of the knowledge on the synthesis, reactions, and applications of these compounds. Their characteristic feature is substitution of the aromatic system by one, two, or three organophosphorus groups, which determine their properties and applications. The (PIII, PIV, PV) phosphorus atom in organophosphorus groups is linked to the acene directly by a P-Csp2 bond or indirectly through an oxygen atom by a P-O-Csp2 bond.


Subject(s)
Benzene , Phosphorus , Oxygen/chemistry , Phosphorus/chemistry , Retrospective Studies
12.
Mol Pharm ; 18(5): 1970-1984, 2021 05 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33792313

ABSTRACT

Physicochemical properties, in particular solubility and the associated bioavailability, are key factors in determining efficacy of poorly water-soluble drugs, which constitute 40% of new drugs in the market, and improving them is an important challenge for modern pharmacy. A recent strategy to achieve this goal is formation of stable co-amorphous solid dispersions with co-formers of low molecular weight. Here, the amorphization strategy was applied for low-soluble anti-hypertensive valsartan (VAL), an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and nicotinamide, which exhibits lung- and cardio-protective effects. Through interactions with the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system, VAL may be used to treat both hypertension and the current pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. Using mechanochemical and liquid- and solid-state approaches, solvated co-amorphous solid dispersions of VAL with nicotinamide were obtained. They were characterized by spectroscopic, thermal, and X-ray analyses. The density functional theory, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and non-covalent interaction index calculations revealed the presence of two types of hydrogen bonds between VAL and NIC (i.e., N-H···O and O-H···O). One of them had a partially covalent character, which caused conformational changes in the flexible VAL molecule, restricting contribution of the tetrazolyl N-H donor and thus limiting the possibility of co-crystal formation. The recognized VAL/NIC1- and VAL/NIC2-type heterodimeric interactions were responsible for the excellent durability of the solid compositions and up to 24-fold better solubility than VAL alone. The synthesized dispersions constitute a new class of dually acting drugs, containing an active pharmaceutical ingredient (VAL) and supporting nutraceutical (nicotinamide).


Subject(s)
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers/chemistry , Antihypertensive Agents/chemistry , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Chemistry, Pharmaceutical/methods , Drug Carriers/chemistry , Niacinamide/chemistry , Valsartan/chemistry , Antihypertensive Agents/chemical synthesis , Biological Availability , Calorimetry, Differential Scanning , Drug Compounding , Humans , Hydrogen Bonding , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Quantum Theory , Solubility , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , X-Ray Diffraction
13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31841711

ABSTRACT

Melatonin synthesis is controlled by aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT: EC 2.3.1.87) acetylating serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) to N-acetylserotonin (NAS), and N-acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT: EC 2.1.1.4) methylating NAS to melatonin (Mel; N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine). We examined the levels of expression of the aanat and asmt genes, Mel concentrations as well as AANAT isozyme activity in the eyeball (with retina) and skin of the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), at noon and midnight. We found mRNA of four genes (aanat1a, snat, asmt and asmt2) in the eyeball, and two (aanat1a and asmt2) in the skin. The presence of two transcripts of genes encoding AANAT and two of ASMT in the eyeball at noon and midnight, suggests activity of AANAT and ASMT isozymes in metabolic pathways besides "the way to melatonin", all the more so because day/night changes in Mel concentration do not follow the changes in either the expression of genes or the activity of AANAT. The high effectiveness of noon NAS synthesis in the eyeball at low substrate concentrations, which is not reflected in high Mel production, suggests the function of eye NAS beyond that of a precursor to the biosynthesis of Mel. The inhibition of AANAT isozyme activity by product observed in the eyeball may be one of the mechanisms of 5-HT husbanding in the eye (retina). The presence of transcripts of genes encoding both AANAT and ASMT and the activity of AANAT, at noon and midnight, supports a local Mel synthesis in the sticklebacks' skin.


Subject(s)
Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase/metabolism , Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/metabolism , Melatonin/metabolism , Smegmamorpha/metabolism , Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase/genetics , Animals , Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/genetics , Eye/metabolism , Skin/metabolism , Smegmamorpha/genetics , Smegmamorpha/growth & development
14.
Fish Physiol Biochem ; 46(2): 641-652, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31834553

ABSTRACT

On the wild spawning grounds, the round gobies Neogobius melanostomus are subjected to different social cues, such as sex-separation and high fish density. We designed an experiment to stimulate natural social stress when fish are separated from opposite sex individuals and exposed to close proximity of same-sex conspecifics. We examined the effects of different sex compositions on aggressiveness and brain concentrations of arginine vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT), as AVT and IT are known to be involved in aggressive interactions during reproduction. The round gobies were kept in three experimental groups: same-sex groups broken down into male-only and female-only groups and mixed-sex groups. In this study, males and females from same-sex groups showed overt aggression and competition. Separation stress stimulated aggressive responses in both sexes, but the link between brain AVT and IT concentration and aggressive behavior was evident only in male-only group. In the male-only group, AVT and IT levels were the highest. This study shows that sex composition of the social environment can affect aggressive behavior as well as AVT and IT concentration in the whole brain of the round goby.


Subject(s)
Behavior, Animal/physiology , Brain/metabolism , Oxytocin/analogs & derivatives , Perciformes/physiology , Vasotocin/metabolism , Aggression , Animals , Female , Male , Oxytocin/metabolism , Reproduction , Social Environment , Stress, Psychological
15.
Chemistry ; 25(62): 14148-14161, 2019 Nov 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31432602

ABSTRACT

The highly substituted mono-aryl/alkylthio-(hetero)acenes prepared in this study have been found to be thermally more stable (Tdecomp. =331-354 °C) than the known di-aryl/alkylthio-substituted acenes by an average of 25 °C. They are also much more photostable at 254 and 365 nm (in both argon and air) than the parent anthracene and other reported anthracenes. The most photostable aryl/alkylthio-anthracenes at 254 nm were found to be 60-70 (in air) and 130 (in argon) times more stable in solution than the unsubstituted anthracene, and much more stable than known EDG/EWG-substituted anthracenes (EDG=electron-donating group, EWG=electron-withdrawing group) with an extended aromatic core. Furthermore, the acenes showed significantly higher photostability at 365 nm in both air and argon. The anthracenes were obtained by the novel thio-Friedel-Crafts/Bradsher cyclization reaction of hitherto unknown [o-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)aryl](aryl)methyl thioethers. The developed approach provides a general access to mono-aryl/alkylthio-substituted (hetero)acene frameworks containing at least three fused (hetero)aromatic rings. The characteristic feature of this approach, which leads to highly substituted acenes, is that the substituents, unlike in other methods, may be introduced at an early stage of the synthesis. DFT and TD-DFT calculations confirmed the stabilizing role of the aryl/alkylthio substituent in the mono-aryl/alkylthio-substituted anthracenes, which are the most stable anthracenes prepared to date. Their high photostability is mainly due to the quenching of singlet oxygen by the acene and the quenching of the acene S1 state by molecular oxygen.

16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29355753

ABSTRACT

The stress hormone cortisol, together with antioxidants, melatonin (Mel) and its biologically active metabolites, 5-methoxykynuramines, including AFMK, set up a local stress response system in mammalian skin. Our in vitro study of the European flounder (Platichthys flesus) was designed to examine whether Mel and AFMK would respond to cortisol while a glucocorticoid is added to the incubation medium. The concentrations of cortisol in the incubation medium mimic plasma cortisol levels seen in fish exposed to different types of stresses such as handling, confinement, high density, food-deprivation or air-exposure. We measured Mel and AFMK in skin explants and culture media using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. We also analysed melanosome response (dispersion/aggregation) in the explants subjected to the different treatments. Cortisol stimulated the release of Mel and AFMK from skin explants in a dose-dependent manner. Melanosome dispersion and a darkening of the skin explants were observed after incubation with cortisol. This study is the first to demonstrate the interrelationship between cortisol and Mel/AFMK in fish skin. Our data strongly suggest that the cutaneous stress response system (CSRS) is present in fish. The question remains whether Mel, AFMK or cortisol are synthetized locally in fish skin and/or transported by the bloodstream. The presence of the CSRS should be taken into account during elaboration of new indicators of fish welfare both in aquaculture and in the wild.


Subject(s)
Flounder/physiology , Hydrocortisone/physiology , Melatonin/physiology , Skin Physiological Phenomena , Stress, Physiological , Animals , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Culture Media , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Hydrocortisone/blood , Hydrocortisone/metabolism , Kynuramine/analogs & derivatives , Kynuramine/metabolism , Male , Melanosomes/metabolism , Spectrometry, Fluorescence
17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28315773

ABSTRACT

In vertebrates, aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT; EC 2.3.1.87) is a time-keeping enzyme in melatonin (Mel) biosynthesis. Uniquely in fish, there are several AANAT isozymes belonging to two AANAT subfamilies, AANAT1 and AANAT2, which are encoded by distinct genes. The different substrate preferences, kinetics and spatial expression patterns of isozymes indicate that they may have different functions. In the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), there are three genes encoding three AANAT isozymes. In this study, for the first time, the levels of aanat1a, aanat1b and aanat2 mRNAs are measured by absolute RT-qPCR in the brain, eye, skin, stomach, gut, heart and kidney collected at noon and midnight. Melatonin levels are analysed by HPLC with fluorescence detection in homogenates of the brain, eye, skin and kidney. The levels of aanats mRNAs differ significantly within and among organs. In the brain, eye, stomach and gut, there are day/night variations in aanats mRNAs levels. The highest levels of aanat1a and aanat1b mRNAs are in the eye. The extremely high expressions of these genes which are reflected in the highest Mel concentrations at this site at noon and midnight strongly suggest that the eye is an important source of the hormone in the three-spined sticklebacks. A very low level of aanat2 mRNA in all organs may suggest that AANAT1a and/or AANAT1b are principal isozymes in the three-spine sticklebacks. A presence of the isozymes of defined substrate preferences provides opportunity for control of acetylation of amines by modulation of individual aanat expression and permits the fine-tuning of indolethylamines and phenylethylamines metabolism to meet the particular needs of a given organ.


Subject(s)
Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/genetics , Circadian Rhythm/genetics , Melatonin/genetics , Smegmamorpha/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence/genetics , Animals , Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase/biosynthesis , Cloning, Molecular , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Melatonin/biosynthesis , Smegmamorpha/physiology
18.
Org Biomol Chem ; 14(5): 1822-30, 2016 Feb 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26750755

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we have described the first total synthesis of (±)-epithuriferic acid methyl ester from non-natural sources, in four steps (20% overall yield). The key step involves the Diels-Alder reaction of isobenzofuran with methyl 3-(dimethoxyphosphoryl)acrylate which is controlled by "ortho" regio- and endo stereoselectivities due to the COOMe group.


Subject(s)
Benzofurans/chemistry , Carbazoles/chemical synthesis , Cycloaddition Reaction , Naphthalenes/chemical synthesis , Carbazoles/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Naphthalenes/chemistry , Stereoisomerism
19.
Front Comput Neurosci ; 18: 1390208, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38808222

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Novel technologies based on virtual reality (VR) are creating attractive virtual environments with high ecological value, used both in basic/clinical neuroscience and modern medical practice. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of VR-based training in an elderly population. Materials and methods: The study included 36 women over the age of 60, who were randomly divided into two groups subjected to balance-strength and balance-cognitive training. The research applied both conventional clinical tests, such as (a) the Timed Up and Go test, (b) the five-times sit-to-stand test, and (c) the posturographic exam with the Romberg test with eyes open and closed. Training in both groups was conducted for 10 sessions and embraced exercises on a bicycle ergometer and exercises using non-immersive VR created by the ActivLife platform. Machine learning methods with a k-nearest neighbors classifier, which are very effective and popular, were proposed to statistically evaluate the differences in training effects in the two groups. Results and conclusion: The study showed that training using VR brought beneficial improvement in clinical tests and changes in the pattern of posturographic trajectories were observed. An important finding of the research was a statistically significant reduction in the risk of falls in the study population. The use of virtual environments in exercise/training has great potential in promoting healthy aging and preventing balance loss and falls among seniors.

20.
Heliyon ; 10(8): e29530, 2024 Apr 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38655312

ABSTRACT

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, which, if untreated, leads to multi-organ failure. One of the severe possible complications is sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE), a neurological dysfunction occurring secondary to a severe inflammatory response. It manifests as acute cognitive dysfunction and sudden-onset dysfunctions in mental state. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is the most common pathogen causing bacteremia, responsible for 80% of uncomplicated outpatient urinary tract infections and 40% of nosocomial infections. The study aimed to assess the difference in the severity and the course of urosepsis caused by E. coli in patients with and without septic encephalopathy. Materials and methods: This study presents a retrospective analysis of the population of urosepsis patients admitted to the Emergency Department between September 2019 and June 2022. Inflammatory parameters, urinalysis and blood cultures were performed, along with a clinical evaluation of sepsis severity and encephalopathy. The patients were then stratified into SAE and non-SAE groups based on neurological manifestations and compared according to the collected data. Results: A total of 199 septic patients were included in the study. E. coli-induced urosepsis was diagnosed in 84 patients. In this group, SAE was diagnosed in 31 (36.9%) patients (33.3% in males, 40.5% females). Patients with SAE were found to be hypotensive (p < 0,005), with a higher respiratory rate (p < 0,017) resulting in a higher mortality rate (p = 0.002) compared to non-SAE septic patients. The APACHE II score was an independent risk factor associated with a higher mortality rate. Biochemical parameters between the groups did not show any statistical importance related to the severity of urosepsis. Conclusions: The severity of urosepsis and risk of SAE development increase according to the clinical condition and underlying comorbidities. Urosepsis patients with SAE are at a higher risk of death. Patients should undergo more careful screening for the presence of SAE on admission, and more intense monitoring and treatment should be provided for patients with SAE. This study indicates the need to develop projects aiming to further investigate neuroprotective interventions in sepsis.

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