Neuromedin B receptor disruption impairs adipogenesis in mice and 3T3-L1 cells.

Neuromedin B, a bombesin-like peptide, and its receptor, are expressed in white adipose tissue with undefined roles. Female mice with disruption of neuromedin B receptor (NB-R) exhibited partial resistance to diet-induced obesity leading to our hypothesis that NB-R is involved in adipogenesis. Here, we showed that adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) from perigonadal fat of female NB-R-knockout mice, exposed to a differentiation protocol in vitro, accumulated less lipid (45%) than wild type, suggesting reduced capacity to differentiate under adipogenic input. To further explore mechanisms, preadipocytes 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in the presence of NB-R antagonist (PD168368) during the first 3 days in culture. Cells were analyzed in the end of the treatment (Day 3) and later when fully differentiated (Day 21). NB-R antagonist induced lower number of cells at day 3 and 21 (33-39%), reduced cell proliferation at day 3 (-53%) and reduced lipid accumulation at day 21 (-86%). The mRNA expressions of several adipocyte differentiation markers were importantly reduced at both days: Cebpb and Pparg and Fabp4, Plin-1 and Adipoq, and additionally Lep mRNA at day 21. The antagonist had no effect when incubated with mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, genetically disruption of NB-R in mice ASC or pharmacological antagonism of NB-R in 3T3-L1 cells impairs adipogenesis. The mechanisms suggested by results in 3T3-L1 cells involve reduction of cell proliferation and of early gene expressions, leading to decreased number of mature adipocytes. We speculate that NB-R antagonism may be useful to limit the increase in adiposity due to pre-adipocyte differentiation.

GRPR antagonist protects from drug-induced liver injury by impairing neutrophil chemotaxis and motility.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of acute liver failure (ALF), where hepatocyte necrotic products trigger liver inflammation, release of CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) ligands (IL-8) and other neutrophil chemotactic molecules. Liver infiltration by neutrophils is a major cause of the life-threatening tissue damage that ensues. A GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor) antagonist impairs IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. We investigated its potential to reduce acetaminophen-induced ALF, neutrophil migration, and mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. We found that acetaminophen-overdosed mice treated with GRPR antagonist had reduced DILI and neutrophil infiltration in the liver. Intravital imaging and cell tracking analysis revealed reduced neutrophil mobility within the liver. Surprisingly, GRPR antagonist inhibited CXCL2-induced migration in vivo, decreasing neutrophil activation through CD11b and CD62L modulation. Additionally, this compound decreased CXCL8-driven neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro independently of CXCR2 internalization, induced activation of MAPKs (p38 and ERK1/2) and downregulation of neutrophil adhesion molecules CD11b and CD66b. In silico analysis revealed direct binding of GRPR antagonist and CXCL8 to the same binding spot in CXCR2. These findings indicate a new potential use for GRPR antagonist for treatment of DILI through a mechanism involving adhesion molecule modulation and possible direct binding to CXCR2.

Histone deacetylase inhibition prevents the impairing effects of hippocampal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonism on memory consolidation and extinction.

Hippocampal gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR) regulate memory formation and extinction, and disturbances in GRPR signaling may contribute to cognitive impairment associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression involved in memory formation, and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) rescue memory deficits in several models. The present study determined whether inhibiting histone deacetylation would prevent memory impairments produced by GRPR blockade in the hippocampus. Male Wistar rats were given an intrahippocampal infusion of saline (SAL) or the HDACi sodium butyrate (NaB) shortly before inhibitory avoidance (IA) training, followed by an infusion of either SAL or the selective GRPR antagonist RC-3095 immediately after training. In a second experiment, the infusions were administered before and after a retention test trial that served as extinction training. As expected, RC-3095 significantly impaired consolidation and extinction of IA memory. More importantly, pretraining administration of NaB, at a dose that had no effect when given alone, prevented the effects of RC-3095. In addition, the combination of NaB and RC-3095 increased hippocampal levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These findings indicate that HDAC inhibition can protect against memory impairment caused by GRPR blockade.

Viability of D283 medulloblastoma cells treated with a histone deacetylase inhibitor combined with bombesin receptor antagonists.

PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises four distinct molecular subgroups, and survival remains particularly poor in patients with Group 3 tumors. Mutations and copy number variations result in altered epigenetic regulation of gene expression in Group 3 MB. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) reduce proliferation, promote cell death and neuronal differentiation, and increase sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy in experimental MB. Bombesin receptor antagonists potentiate the antiproliferative effects of HDACi in lung cancer cells and show promise as experimental therapies for several human cancers. Here, we examined the viability of D283 cells, which belong to Group 3 MB, treated with an HDACi alone or combined with bombesin receptor antagonists. METHODS: D283 MB cells were treated with different doses of the HDACi sodium butyrate (NaB), the neuromedin B receptor (NMBR) antagonist BIM-23127, the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095, or combinations of NaB with each receptor antagonist. Cell viability was examined by cell counting. RESULTS: NaB alone or combined with receptor antagonists reduced cell viability at all doses tested. BIM-23127 alone did not affect cell viability, whereas RC-3095 at an intermediate dose significantly increased cell number. CONCLUSION: Although HDACi are promising agents to inhibit MB growth, the present results provide preliminary evidence that combining HDACi with bombesin receptor antagonists is not an effective strategy to improve the effects of HDACi against MB cells.

RC-3095, a selective gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist, does not protect the lungs in an experimental model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

RC-3095, a selective GRPR antagonist, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in different models of inflammation. However, its protective effect on lungs submitted to lung ischemia-reperfusion injury has not been addressed before. Then, we administrated RC-3095 intravenously before and after lung reperfusion using an animal model of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) by clamping the pulmonary hilum. Twenty Wistar rats were subjected to an experimental model in four groups: SHAM, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), RC-Pre, and RC-Post. The final mean arterial pressure significantly decreased in IR and RC-Pre compared to their values before reperfusion (P < 0.001). The RC-Post group showed significant decrease of partial pressure of arterial oxygen at the end of the observation when compared to baseline (P = 0.005). Caspase-9 activity was significantly higher in the RC-Post as compared to the other groups (P < 0.013). No significant differences were observed in eNOS activity among the groups. The groups RC-Pre and RC-Post did not show any significant decrease in IL-1ß (P = 0.159) and TNF-α (P = 0.260), as compared to IR. The histological score showed no significant differences among the groups. In conclusion, RC-3095 does not demonstrate a protective effect in our LIRI model. Additionally, its use after reperfusion seems to potentiate cell damage, stimulating apoptosis.

Anti-EGFR therapy combined with neuromedin B receptor blockade induces the death of DAOY medulloblastoma cells.

PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant childhood brain tumor for which the development of new molecularly targeted therapies is needed. Novel therapeutic targets under investigation include growth factor receptors. Here, we show that the combined inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and neuromedin B receptor (NMBR, BB1) results in increased cell death in human medulloblastoma cell lines. METHODS: DAOY and D283 human medulloblastoma cells were treated with human recombinant neuromedin B (NMB, an NMBR agonist), the NMBR antagonist BIM-23127, the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab, or BIM-23127 combined with cetuximab. Cell death was examined with trypan blue cell counting. RESULTS: Both cell lines expressed mRNA for EGFR, NMB, and NMBR detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Cetuximab at 10 µg/ml significantly reduced the number of DAOY cells, but did not affect D283 cells. NMB and BIM-23127 did not change cell number when used alone. However, cetuximab, at a dose that did not have an effect by itself, was able to reduce the number of DAOY cells when combined with BIM-23127. CONCLUSION: These results provide preliminary evidence that NMBR blockade can potentiate the antitumor effect of anti-EGFR therapy in medulloblastoma.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonism induces protection from lethal sepsis: involvement of toll-like receptor 4 signaling.

In sepsis, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 modulates the migration of neutrophils to infectious foci, favoring bacteremia and mortality. In experimental sepsis, organ dysfunction and cytokines released by activated macrophages can be reduced by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095. Here we report a link between GRPR and TLR-4 in experimental models and in sepsis patients. RAW 264.7 culture cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and RC-3095 (10 ng/mL). Male Wistar rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and RC-3095 was administered (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously); after 6 h, we removed the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, peritoneal lavage and lung. Human patients with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis received a continuous infusion with RC-3095 (3 mg/kg, intravenous) over a period of 12 h, and plasma was collected before and after RC-3095 administration and, in a different set of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis, GRP plasma levels were determined. RC-3095 inhibited TLR-4, extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2, Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt and decreased activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-κB and interleukin (IL)-6 in macrophages stimulated by LPS. It also decreased IL-6 release from macrophages stimulated by TNF-α. RC-3095 treatment in CLP rats decreased lung TLR-4, reduced the migration of cells to the lung and reduced systemic cytokines and bacterial dissemination. Patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome have elevated plasma levels of GRP, which associates with clinical outcome in the sepsis patients. These findings highlight the role of GRPR signaling in sepsis outcome and the beneficial action of GRPR antagonists in controlling the inflammatory response in sepsis through a mechanism involving at least inhibition of TLR-4 signaling.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) mediates chemotaxis in neutrophils.

Neutrophil migration to inflamed sites is crucial for both the initiation of inflammation and resolution of infection, yet these cells are involved in perpetuation of different chronic inflammatory diseases. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a neuropeptide that acts through G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) involved in signal transmission in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Its receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), is expressed by various cell types, and it is overexpressed in cancer cells. RC-3095 is a selective GRPR antagonist, recently found to have antiinflammatory properties in arthritis and sepsis models. Here we demonstrate that i.p. injection of GRP attracts neutrophils in 4 h, and attraction is blocked by RC-3095. Macrophage depletion or neutralization of TNF abrogates GRP-induced neutrophil recruitment to the peritoneum. In vitro, GRP-induced neutrophil migration was dependent on PLC-ß2, PI3K, ERK, p38 and independent of Gαi protein, and neutrophil migration toward synovial fluid of arthritis patients was inhibited by treatment with RC-3095. We propose that GRPR is an alternative chemotactic receptor that may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders.

Rescue of social behavior impairment by clozapine and alterations in the expression of neuronal receptors in a rat model of neurodevelopmental impairment induced by GRPR blockade.

We have previously shown that pharmacological blockade of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) during the neonatal period in rats produces behavioral features of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we show that social interaction deficits in this model are reversed by the atypical antipsychotic clozapine given in the adulthood. In addition, we analyzed the mRNA expression of three neuronal receptors potentially involved in the etiology of disorders of the autism spectrum. Rats were injected with the GRPR antagonist RC-3095 or saline (SAL) from postnatal days 1-10, and tested for social behavior and recognition memory in the adulthood. One hour prior to the behavioral testing, rats were given a systemic injection of clozapine or saline. The mRNA expression of the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and GRPR was measured in the hippocampus and cortex of a separate set of rats given RC-3095 or SAL neonatally. Rats given neonatal RC-3095 showed decreased social interaction and impaired object recognition memory. Clozapine rescued the social interaction impairment. Neonatal treatment with RC-3095 also resulted in dose-dependent decreases in the expression of GRPR, NR1, and EGFR in the cortex, whereas all three receptor mRNAs were increased in the hippocampus in rats treated with the lower dose of RC-3095. The results contribute to further validate the novel rat model of neurodevelopmental disorders induced by GRPR blockade, and shows alterations in the expression of neuronal receptors in this model.

Protective effect of RC-3095, an antagonist of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, in experimental arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antiinflammatory effects of RC-3095 in 2 experimental models of arthritis, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), and to determine the mechanisms of action involved. METHODS: RC-3095 was administered daily to mice with CIA and mice with AIA, after induction of disease with methylated bovine serum albumin. Disease incidence and severity were assessed using a clinical index and evaluation of histologic features, respectively. In mice with CIA, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) was detected by immunohistochemical analysis, while in mice with AIA, migration of neutrophils, presence of glycosaminoglycans, and lymphocyte proliferation, determined using the MTT assay, were assessed. Expression of cytokines interleukin-17 (IL-17), IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was evaluated in all mouse knees using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treg cell production was assessed by flow cytometry in the joints of mice with AIA. RESULTS: In mice with AIA, administration of RC-3095 reduced neutrophil migration, mechanical hypernociception, and proteoglycan loss. These findings were associated with inhibition of the levels of all 3 proinflammatory cytokines, decreased lymphocyte proliferation, and increased Treg cell numbers. In the CIA model, treatment with RC-3095 led to a significant reduction in arthritis clinical scores and the severity of disease determined histologically. Synovial inflammation, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation, and extensive erosive changes were all dramatically reduced in the arthritic mice treated with RC-3095. Furthermore, arthritic mice treated with RC-3095 showed a significant reduction in the concentrations of IL-17, IL-1ß, and TNFα, and showed a diminished expression of GRPR. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the GRP pathway has a significant role in chronic arthritis, and its inhibition can be explored as a possible therapeutic strategy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist or N-acetylcysteine combined with omeprazol protect against mitochondrial complex II inhibition in a rat model of gastritis.

The pathophysiology of gastritis involves an imbalance between gastric acid attack and mucosal defence. In addition, the gastric mucosal injury results in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Several studies have shown the association of mitochondrial disorders with gastrointestinal dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes activity in the stomach of rats with gastritis induced by indomethacin (IDM) and treated with omeprazole (OM), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095. Adult male Wistar rats were pre-treated for 7 days with OM, NAC, RC-3095, combination of OM plus RC-3095, OM plus NAC and water (control). The animals were then submitted to fasting for 24 hr; IDM was administered. The rats were killed 6 hr later, and the stomachs were used for evaluation of macroscopic damage and respiratory chain activity. Our results showed that complex I and IV activities were not affected by administration of IDM. On the other hand, complex II and III activities were inhibited. In addition, OM plus RC-3095 and OM plus NAC did not reverse complex II activity inhibition. However, the complex III activity inhibition was reversed only with the combined use of OM plus RC-3095 and OM plus NAC. Our results are in agreement with previous studies indicating mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal tract disease and we suggest that GRPR antagonism might be a novel therapeutic strategy in gastritis.

Neonatal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor blockade reduces maternal odor preference in rats.

Alterations in attachment behavior might play a role in the dysfunction in social behavior displayed by autistic infants. Here we show that neonatal gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) blockade induces a reduction in maternal odor preference, a task involving attachment behavior, in infant rats. These findings provide the first evidence that the GRPR regulates odor preference, supporting the view that the GRPR is involved in attachment and social behaviors.

Protective effect of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist in carrageenan-induced pleural inflammation in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We report the effects of the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor antagonist RC-3095 in an acute inflammation model induced by carrageenan. METHODS: Male Wistar rats received saline or saline containing 2% lambda-carrageenan into the pleural cavity, with some also receiving RC-3095 3 mg/kg subcutaneously, immediately after surgery. Four hours later, the rats were killed and pleural exudate was obtained for evaluation of total cell count, lactate dehydrogenase activity, total protein, cytokines analysis and nitrite/nitrate concentrations; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and oxidative stress were evaluated in the lung. RESULTS: RC-3095 exhibited pronounced anti-inflammatory actions by inhibition of leukocyte influx and blockade of MPO, nitrite/nitrate and cytokine levels. Moreover, the results showed that RC-3095 elicits action against oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, as well as increasing cell viability. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that GRP plays a role in acute inflammation that can be related with the reduction of oxidative damage and that it could be effective in therapeutic applications.

Effects of a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist on D-amphetamine-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain.

Previous studies have suggested that bipolar disorder may be associated with oxidative stress. Administration of D: -amphetamine (AMPH) has been put forward as an animal model of mania, and has shown to increase oxidative stress parameters in the rat brain. Thus, we have used the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist [D-Tpi(6)Leu(13)psi (CH(2)NH)-Leu(14)] bombesin (RC-3095) as a pharmacological tool to investigate the role of bombesin-like peptides in the redox balance in the hippocampus and cortex of rats treated with AMPH. Rats were given a single 10 ml/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of saline (SAL) or RC-3095 (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg) followed by an i.p. injection of SAL or amphetamine (AMPH 2.0 mg/kg) 30 min later. Locomotor activity was evaluated 2 h after the last drug injection. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl formation, superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) activity were measured in hippocampus, striatum and cortex as markers of oxidative stress. The results show that RC-3095 blocks AMPH-induced hyperlocomotion. Moreover, specific doses of RC-3095 alone increased the levels of oxidative stress in the dorsal hippocampus and cortex. However, when AMPH was subsequently administrated, RC-3095 decreased TBARS and protein carbonyls formation and increased the superoxide dismutase and CAT activity in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex. The effects of GRPR antagonist seemed to be region and dose specific. In conclusion, the results suggest that GRPR antagonists might display antioxidant properties in the brain.

BDNF/TrkB content and interaction with gastrin-releasing peptide receptor blockade in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Neurotrophin and neuropeptide pathways are emerging targets in cancer. Here we show that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, are present in colorectal cancer and that BDNF levels are increased in tumors compared to nontumor tissue. In addition, we investigate the role of BDNF in influencing the response of colorectal cancer cells to inhibition of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPR). METHODS: Fresh-frozen sporadic colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens and adjacent nonneoplastic tissue from 30 patients, as well as paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer samples from 21 patients, were used in this study. Cell proliferation and mRNA and protein levels were examined in HT-29 or SW620 cells treated with a GRPR antagonist, human recombinant BDNF (hrBDNF), a Trk antagonist K252a, or cetuximab. RESULTS: Expression of BDNF and TrkB was detected in tumor samples and cell lines. BDNF levels were higher in tumor samples compared to nonneoplastic tissue. BDNF expression and secretion were increased by GRPR blockade in HT-29 cells through a mechanism dependent on epidermal growth factor receptors. Treatment with hrBDNF prevented the effect of GRPR blockade on cell proliferation, whereas a Trk inhibitor reduced proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF and TrkB are present in colorectal cancer and might contribute to resistance to GRPR antagonists.

Reduced NGF secretion by HT-29 human colon cancer cells treated with a GRPR antagonist.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is a therapeutic target in colon cancer. Here we show that the GRPR antagonist RC-3095 (10(-3), 10(-6), or 1 microM) decreases nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. The results suggest that decreased secretion of neurotrophins might be a novel mechanism by which GRPR antagonists exert their antiproliferative effects in cancer cells.

Effects of an antagonist of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor in an animal model of uveitis.

PURPOSE: Some studies have shown the role of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on the production and release of cytokines both in animal models and in humans with inflammatory diseases, but there are no reports on the effects of GRP in ocular inflammatory disease, mainly uveitis. The authors report on the effects of the GRP receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095 in a well-established model for uveitis induced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), comparing its effects with those of glucocorticoids. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats (weight range, 250-300 g; n = 6 per group) were randomly divided into four groups: saline, LPS + saline, LPS + dexamethasone, LPS + RC-3095. Two hours after LPS administration, RC-3095 (0.3 mg/kg, single dose, subcutaneously) or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg, each 6 hours, subcutaneously) was administered. After 24 and 48 hours, rats were anesthetized, aqueous humor was sampled, and the irides were removed. Aqueous humor tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentration, myeloperoxidase activity were determined. In addition, oxidative damage to the irides was determined by the measure of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl content. RESULTS: The acute administration of RC-3095 exhibited anti-inflammatory actions, characterized by a reduction of myeloperoxidase activity and a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels, to a greater extent than dexamethasone. In addition, RC-3095 elicits important action against irides oxidative damage. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that GRP participates in the inflammatory response in an animal model of uveitis, making GRPR a target for new therapeutic options in the treatment of uveitis.

Effect of a gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist and a proton pump inhibitor association in an animal model of gastritis.

It has been proposed that reactive oxygen species play a causative role of gastric mucosal damage induced by increased gastric secretion. Gastrin-releasing peptide is a typical neuropeptide that stimulates acid secretion by release of gastrin. In the present work we have investigated the mechanism of indomethacin (IDM)-induced gastric ulcer caused by ROS and determined the effects of a selective gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist, RC-3095, alone and in association with omeprazole (OM) and compared it with an established antioxidant compound N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Adult male Wistar rats were pre-treated for 7 days with OM, RC-3095, NAC, both drugs and water (control). The animals were then submitted to fasting for 24h; IDM was administered. Rats were killed 6h after that and the stomachs were used for evaluation of macroscopic damage and oxidative stress parameters. Our results showed that IDM increased mitochondrial superoxide production; OM and RC-3095 alone did not prevent such effect, but the combination of these drugs was effective. TBARS assay revealed that IDM-induced lipid peroxidation in gastric tissue and that OM and RC-3095, alone or in combination, prevented this effect with superior action that NAC. Finally, we verified that IDM increased protein carbonyl content and that this effect was prevented RC-3095, alone or in combination with OM, being similar to standard antioxidant. The present results support the view that, besides the inhibition of acid secretion, the protective effects exerted by OM and RC-3095 against IDM-induced gastric damage can be ascribed to a reduction of gastric oxidative injury.

A gastrin-releasing peptide receptor antagonist stimulates Neuro2a neuroblastoma cell growth: prevention by a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) acts as an autocrine growth factor for neuroblastoma and other types of cancer, and its cell-surface receptor, GRPR, is overexpressed in advanced-stage human neuroblastoma. GRPR knockdown and GRPR antagonism inhibit the growth of experimental neuroblastoma. Here we show that a GRPR antagonist promotes rather than inhibits the growth of neuroblastoma cells. The GRPR antagonist, RC-3095, at 0.1 nM inhibited, whereas at 100 nM stimulated proliferation of Neuro2a murine neuroblastoma cells in vitro. The stimulatory effects were prevented by the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), sodium butyrate (NaB). Expression of GRPR mRNA in Neuro2a cells was analyzed by RT-PCR. These findings provide evidence that a GRPR antagonist can stimulate the growth of cancer cells, and suggest that GRPR might interact with epigenetic mechanisms in regulating neuroblastoma cell growth.

Anti-proliferative effect of the gastrin-release peptide receptor antagonist RC-3095 plus temozolomide in experimental glioblastoma models.

Malignant gliomas have a dismal prognosis despite multi-modality treatments like neurosurgical resection, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Evidence has indicated that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRPR) play a role in the development of a variety of cancers including gliomas. In the present study, we investigated the effects of RC-3095, a selective GRPR antagonist, alone or in combination with temozolomide (TMZ), a DNA alkylating agent, in in vitro and in vivo experimental rat C6 glioma models. Cellular proliferation was significantly reduced by all treatments with the combined administration of TMZ and RC-3095 being the most effective treatment. In in vivo experiments, the control group displayed the largest tumors (52 +/- 15.5 mm(3)), whereas RC-3095 reduced the tumor size, with the most significant effect at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg (21 +/- 9.7 mm(3)). The combined therapy produced further reduction in tumor size (10 +/- 7.5 mm(3)). Our results show that the combination of RC-3095 with TMZ produced an important reduction in in vitro and in vivo glioma growth therefore making RC-3095 a candidate drug to potentiate the effects of the DNA alkylating agent TMZ in the treatment of glioma.