Analyzing redox balance in a synthetic yeast platform to improve utilization of brown macroalgae as feedstock.

Macroalgae have high potential to be an efficient, and sustainable feedstock for the production of biofuels and other more valuable chemicals. Attempts have been made to enable the co-fermentation of alginate and mannitol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae to unlock the full potential of this marine biomass. However, the efficient use of the sugars derived from macroalgae depends on the equilibrium of cofactors derived from the alginate and mannitol catabolic pathways. There are a number of strong metabolic limitations that have to be tackled before this bioconversion can be carried out efficiently by engineered yeast cells. An analysis of the redox balance during ethanol fermentation from alginate and mannitol by Saccharomyces cerevisiae using metabolic engineering tools was carried out. To represent the strain designed for conversion of macroalgae carbohydrates to ethanol, a context-specific model was derived from the available yeast genome-scale metabolic reconstructions. Flux balance analysis and dynamic simulations were used to determine the flux distributions. The model indicates that ethanol production is determined by the activity of 4-deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronate (DEHU) reductase (DehR) and its preferences for NADH or NADPH which influences strongly the flow of cellular resources. Different scenarios were explored to determine the equilibrium between NAD(H) and NADP(H) that will lead to increased ethanol yields on mannitol and DEHU under anaerobic conditions. When rates of mannitol dehydrogenase and DehRNADH tend to be close to a ratio in the range 1-1.6, high growth rates and ethanol yields were predicted. The analysis shows a number of metabolic limitations that are not easily identified through experimental procedures such as quantifying the impact of the cofactor preference by DEHU reductase in the system, the low flux into the alginate catabolic pathway, and a detailed analysis of the redox balance. These results show that production of ethanol and other chemicals can be optimized if a redox balance is achieved. A possible methodology to achieve this balance is presented. This paper shows how metabolic engineering tools are essential to comprehend and overcome this limitation.

The in vivo synthesis of plant sesquiterpenes by Escherichia coli.

Three plant genes encoding (+)-delta-cadinene, 5-epi-aristolochene, and vetispiradiene cyclases were expressed in Escherichia coli to evaluate the potential of this bacterium to synthesize sesquiterpenes in vivo. Various growth temperatures, carbon sources, and host strains were examined to optimize terpene production. The highest levels of sesquiterpene production occurred when the enzymes were expressed in strain DH5alpha from the trc promoter (Ptrc) of the high-copy plasmidpTrc99A in M9 medium supplemented with 0.2% (v/v) glycerol at 30 degrees C for 5-epi-aristolochene and vetispiradiene and 37 degrees C for (+)-delta-cadinene. The highest concentrations of sesquiterpenes observed were 10.3 microg of (+)-delta-cadinene, 0.24 microg of 5-epi-aristolochene (measured as (+)-delta-cadinene equivalents), and 6.4 microg of vetispiradiene (measured as (+)-delta-cadinene equivalents) per liter of culture. These sesquiterpene production levels are >500-fold lower than carotenoid production, both of which are synthesized from endogenous trans-farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) in E. coli. Based on these results, we conclude that the limiting factor for sesquiterpene synthesis in E. coli is the poor expression of the cyclase enzyme and not supply of the FDP precursor.

Three-dimensional laser microvision.

A three-dimensional (3-D) optical imaging system offering high resolution in all three dimensions, requiring minimum manipulation and capable of real-time operation, is presented. The system derives its capabilities from use of the superstructure grating laser source in the implementation of a laser step frequency radar for depth information acquisition. A synthetic aperture radar technique was also used to further enhance its lateral resolution as well as extend the depth of focus. High-speed operation was made possible by a dual computer system consisting of a host and a remote microcomputer supported by a dual-channel Small Computer System Interface parallel data transfer system. The system is capable of operating near real time. The 3-D display of a tunneling diode, a microwave integrated circuit, and a see-through image taken by the system operating near real time are included. The depth resolution is 40 mum; lateral resolution with a synthetic aperture approach is a fraction of a micrometer and that without it is approximately 10 mum.

N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (MOR-14), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, markedly reduced infarct size in rabbit hearts.

BACKGROUND: N-methyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (MOR-14), an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, reduces the glycogenolytic rate by inhibiting the alpha-1,6-glucosidase of glycogen-debranching enzyme in the liver, in addition to possessing an antihyperglycemic action by blocking alpha-1,4-glucosidase in the intestine. Because the reduction of the glycogenolytic rate may be one of the mechanisms of myocardial protection in ischemic preconditioning, the compounds inhibiting myocardial alpha-1,6-glucosidase may be protective against ischemic damage. Thus, we investigated whether MOR-14 could inhibit alpha-1,6-glucosidase and reduce the infarct size in rabbit hearts without collateral circulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: MOR-14 dose-dependently decreased the alpha-1,6-glucosidase activity in rabbit heart extract. A tracer study demonstrated the myocardial uptake of a considerable amount of MOR-14 sufficient to fully inhibit alpha-1,6-glucosidase. To assess the infarct size-reducing effect of MOR-14, 54 rabbits were subjected to 30-minute coronary occlusion followed by 48-hour reperfusion. Preischemic treatment with 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg of MOR-14 dose-dependently reduced the infarct size (to 26+/-4%, 19+/-3%, and 14+/-2% of the area at risk, respectively), compared with the saline control (45+/-5%) without altering the blood pressure or heart rate. Another 40 rabbits given 100 mg of MOR-14 or saline 10 minutes before ischemia were euthanized at 10 or 30 minutes of ischemia for biochemical analysis. MOR-14 decreased the alpha-1,6-glucosidase activity to approximately 20% in vivo, reduced the glycogen breakdown, and attenuated the lactate accumulation at both 10 and 30 minutes of ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Preischemic treatment with MOR-14 preserved glycogen, attenuated the accumulation of lactate, and reduced the myocardial infarct size by 69%. This cardioprotective effect was independent of changes of blood pressure and heart rate or regional blood flow. It may be associated with alpha-1,6-glucosidase inhibition, because MOR-14 markedly decreased the alpha-1,6-glucosidase activity in the heart.

Comparison of the effects of NS-21 and terodiline on the QTc interval in dogs.

1. NS-21 [(+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate], its active metabolite, RCC-36, and terodiline, are mixed anticholinergic-Ca2+ antagonistic drugs. Among them, terodiline has been shown to cause torsade de pointes, a serious polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. It remains unknown, however, whether NS-21 or its active metabolite, RCC-36, produces torsade de pointes. 2. In anesthetized dogs, terodiline (10 mg/kg i.v.) significantly prolonged the QTc interval by 6-8%, an effect thought to be associated with torsade de pointes. In contrast, neither NS-21 nor RCC-36 (10 mg/kg i.v.) prolonged the QTc interval; therefore NS-21 is unlikely to cause ventricular tachyarrhythmias, such as those associated with terodiline. 3. The effects of NS-21, RCC-36 and terodiline on the action potential were investigated in guinea pig papillary muscle. However, none of these drugs prolonged the duration of the action potential, although only terodiline caused the muscle preparation to lose its excitability.

Inhibition of depolarization-induced nitric oxide synthase activation by NS-7, a phenylpyrimidine derivative, in primary neuronal culture.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain damage. In the present study, the effect of a novel neuroprotective phenylpyrimidine derivative, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride (NS-7), on depolarization-stimulated NOS activity was examined in cultured neurons of mouse cerebral cortex. Various depolarizing stimuli such as veratridine, KCl, and N-methyl-D-aspartate increased the NOS activity determined by cyclic GMP formation. NS-7 concentration-dependently inhibited both the veratridine- and KCl-induced NOS activation with IC50 values of 9.3 and 9.6 microM, respectively. The reversal of KCl-evoked NOS activity by NS-7 was also observed under blockade of both ionotropic glutamate receptors and the Na+ channel with MK-801, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, and tetrodotoxin. In contrast, NS-7, even at 100 microM, did not affect N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated NOS activity, nor did it have any influence on NOS activity determined in the soluble fraction of rat hippocampus. Because NS-7 has already been shown to block both Na+ and Ca2+ channels, the present findings suggest that this compound inhibits depolarization-induced NOS activation by reducing Ca2+ influx through blockade of Na+ and Ca2+ channels in primary neuronal culture.

Anticholinergic and calcium antagonistic activities of NS-21 contribute to the inhibition of rat urinary bladder contractions.

1. Pharmacological characteristics of NS-21 and its main metabolite, RCC-36, in the inhibition of rat urinary bladder contractions were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. 2. NS-21 and RCC-36 inhibited muscarinic receptor bindings to rat bladder membranes with [3H]3-quinuclidinyl bezilate (pKi 6.19 and 7.24, respectively), whereas they failed to inhibit the following receptor bindings: adrenergic (alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta), dopaminergic (D1 and D2), adenosine (A1 and A2), histaminergic (H1) and opioid (mu, delta and kappa) receptors. 3. NS-21 and RCC-36 suppressed carbachol-induced contractions of isolated rat detrusor strips in competitive (pA2 6.80 and 7.93, respectively) and noncompetitive (pD'2 5.93 and 5.77, respectively) manners. 4. NS-21 and RCC-36 inhibited CaCl2-induced contractions of rat detrusor strips in the presence of 100 mM K+ (pIC50 6.54 and 5.76, respectively), as well as the 100 mM K(+)-induced 45Ca influx into the isolated bladder strips at > or = 1 microM. 5. Electrical stimulation of the peripheral end of the pelvic nerve in anesthetized rats induced bladder contractions composed of two phases: an initial phasic contraction that was weakly suppressed by atropine, and a tonic contraction that was strongly suppressed by atropine. NS-21 suppressed both contractions to the same degree (ID50 2.65 and 2.19 mg/kg, i.v., respectively). RCC-36 suppressed the tonic contraction (ID50 1.20 mg/kg, i.v.) more markedly than the initial contraction (ID50 7.43 mg/kg, i.v.). 6. These results suggest that NS-21 and RCC-36 suppressed bladder contractions owing to their anticholinergic and calcium antagonistic activities.

A novel cognition enhancer NS-105 modulates adenylate cyclase activity through metabotropic glutamate receptors in primary neuronal culture.

The effect of (+)-5-oxo-D-prolinepiperidinamide monohydrate (NS-105), a novel cognition enhancer, on adenylate cyclase activity was investigated in cultured neurons of the mouse cerebral cortex. NS-105 (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) inhibited forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation, an action that was dependent on pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Conversely, in pertussis toxin-pretreated neurons, NS-105 (10(-7)-10(-5) M) significantly enhanced the forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation, and this action was completely reversed by cholera toxin. A metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist (1S, 3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S, 3R-ACPD) produced similar bi-directional actions on the cyclic AMP formation. Both of these inhibitory and facilitatory actions of NS-105 and 1S, 3R-ACPD were blocked by L(+)-2-amino-3-phosphopropinoic acid (L-AP3). NS-105 (10(-6) M) and 1S, 3R-ACPD (10(-4) M) significantly enhanced isoproterenol- and adenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. The enhancement of such Gs-coupled receptor agonists-stimulated cyclic AMP formation was also produced by quisqualate but not by L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutanoate (L-AP4). The phosphoinositides hydrolysis was enhanced by 1S, 3R-ACPD (10(-4) M) but not by NS-105 (10(-6) M), however, 1S, 3R-ACPD-induced increase in phosphoinositides turnover was attenuated by NS-105. These findings suggest that NS-105 stimulates metabotropic glutamate receptor subclasses that are coupled both negatively and positively to adenylate cyclase, but it acts as an antagonist at the receptor subclasses that are linked to phosphoinositides hydrolysis.

Effect of NS-21, an anticholinergic drug with calcium antagonistic activity, on lower urinary tract function in a rat model of urinary frequency.

BACKGROUND: NS-21 is under development for the treatment of urinary frequency and urinary incontinence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of NS-21 and its active metabolite, RCC-36, on lower urinary tract function in an experimental rat model of urinary frequency. METHODS: Cystometrograms were recorded in anesthetized rats with bilaterally transected hypogastric nerves. All drugs were administered intraduodenally. RESULTS: In sham-operated rats, NS-21 (> or = 50 mg/kg) significantly increased the bladder capacity without significantly decreasing micturition pressure, while RCC-36 (100 mg/kg) significantly increased bladder capacity, and at a dose of > or = 30 mg/kg, also caused a decrease in micturition pressure. This increase in bladder capacity appeared at lower doses of both NS-21 and RCC-36 in the hypogastric nerve-transected rats. Propiverine (100 mg/kg) increased bladder capacity and at > or = 30 mg/kg, decreased micturition pressure in both sham-operated and nerve-transected rats. Oxybutynin (100 mg/kg) and atropine (30 mg/kg) decreased the micturition pressure in both sham-operated and nerve-transected rats without increasing the bladder capacity, while a similar anticholinergic calcium antagonist, terodiline (100 mg/kg) had no effect on bladder capacity in either sham-operated or nerve-transected rats. Flavoxate (500 mg/kg) significantly increased bladder capacity without significantly decreasing micturition pressure in both sham-operated and nerve-transected rats, while 50 mg/kg of verapamil significantly increased bladder capacity without significantly decreasing the micturition pressure in nerve-transected rats. CONCLUSIONS: NS-21 and RCC-36 increased bladder capacity at lower doses in hypogastric nerve-transected rats than in sham-operated rats. Furthermore, NS-21 increased the bladder capacity without suppressing micturition pressure, suggesting that NS-21 may be a more effective therapeutic drug than propiverine, oxybutynin or flavoxate for the treatment of urinary frequency and urinary incontinence.

Inhibition of ischemia-induced fodrin breakdown by a novel phenylpyrimidine derivative NS-7: an implication for its neuroprotective action in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion.

The effect of a novel neuroprotective compound, NS-7 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride], on ischemia-induced fodrin breakdown was examined both in vitro and in vivo. The fodrin breakdown was measured by western blot followed by a densitometric analysis. In slices of the rat cerebral cortex, a pronounced fodrin breakdown was observed under hypoxic and hypoglycemic conditions. The enhancement of fodrin breakdown was completely blocked by omission of extracellular Ca2+ and significantly inhibited by calpain inhibitors such as E-64 and calpain inhibitor-I, thereby suggesting that the fodrin breakdown induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia is due to the activation of Ca2+-stimulated neutral protease calpain. NS-7 (1-30 microM) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of hypoxia/hypoglycemia-induced fodrin breakdown. In rats with unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a pronounced fodrin breakdown was observed in the cerebral cortex and striatum, although the time course for the development of the fodrin breakdown was much slower in the cerebral cortex than in the striatum. NS-7 (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), when injected immediately after MCAO, suppressed not only the fodrin breakdown but also the infarction in the cerebral cortex. From these results it is suggested that inhibition of calpain activation is implicated in the neuroprotective action of NS-7.

Blockade of voltage-sensitive sodium channels by NS-7, a novel neuroprotective compound, in the rat brain.

The effects of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride (NS-7), a novel neuroprotective compound, on the voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSC) were examined in the rat brain and cardiac myocytes. NS-7 inhibited [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20 alpha-benzoate (BTX) binding (neurotoxin receptor site 2) in brain membranes with a Ki value of 1 microM, while the compound was less effective in the cardiac myocytes (Ki = 13 microM). Aconitine, on the other hand, inhibited [3H]BTX binding to brain membranes and cardiac myocytes with the same potency. In contrast. NS-7 had no affinity for [3H]saxitoxin binding in brain (neurotoxin receptor site 1). In superfused slices of the rat cerebral cortex, NS-7 inhibited the veratridine (5 microM)-evoked glutamate release in a concentration-dependent manner, the IC50 value of which was 7.7 microM, whereas the compound showed a weak and not significant suppression of KCl-evoked glutamate release. The tissue concentrations of NS-7 in the rat cerebral cortex and heart were 89 and 28 nmole/g tissue, respectively, 5 min after its intravenous injection (8 mg/kg). Furthermore, in the cerebral cortex, NS-7 distributed preferentially to the membrane-enriched synaptosomal fraction. Since neurotoxin receptor site 2 is located in the transmembrane region of the VSSC moiety, the channel function may be substantially inhibited by a peripheral administration of NS-7. These results suggest that the blockade of neurotoxin receptor site 2 of VSSC in the brain contributes to the neuroprotective action of NS-7.

Cardiac electrophysiological actions of NS-21 and its active metabolite, RCC-36, compared with terodiline.

Terodiline, an anticholinergic drug with a Ca2+ blocking action, is thought to be associated with torsade de pointes, a serious ventricular tachycardia. NS-21 is a newly developed drug for the treatment of urinary frequency and urinary incontinence and it has pharmacological properties similar to those of terodiline. It remains unknown, however, whether NS-21 and its active metabolite, RCC-36, have any proarrhythmic activity. The electrophysiological properties of NS-21 and RCC-36 were examined in guinea pig ventricular myocytes and were compared with those of terodiline using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. NS-21, RCC-36 and terodiline inhibited L-type Ca2+ currents in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 27.0, 27.0 and 33.5 microM, respectively. At a concentration of 10 microM, terodiline inhibited both the time-dependent current and the tail current of the delayed rectifier K+ current, with the latter being significantly inhibited at voltages more positive than +10 mV. In contrast, NS-21 and RCC-36 had almost no effect on either of these currents. Terodiline also inhibited the inward rectifier K+ current significantly at voltages more negative than -100 mV, whereas NS-21 and RCC-36 had little effect. If the proarrhythmic activity of terodiline resulted primarily from the combined inhibition of K+ and Ca2+ currents, one might expect that NS-21 and RCC-36, which inhibit L-type Ca2+ currents without affecting either the delayed rectifier K+ current or the inward rectifier K+ current, would not share the proarrhythmic activities of terodiline.

Inhibitory effects of NS-21, a novel drug for urinary incontinence, and its active metabolite, RCC-36, on L-type calcium currents in isolated guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle cells.

The inhibitory effects of NS-21, a newly developed drug for the treatment of urinary frequency and urinary incontinence, and its active metabolite, RCC-36, on L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa) in guinea pig detrusor smooth muscle cells have been compared to those of terodiline by a whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Like terodiline (10 microM), both NS-21 (10 microM) and RCC-36 (10 microM) induced a sizeable decrease in ICa elicited from a holding potential of -60 mV without changing the current-voltage relationship. The three drugs shifted the inactivation curves for ICa in the hyperpolarizing direction by 13 to 20 mV but had no effect on the activation curves for ICa resulting in a decrease in the calcium window current. The inhibitory effects of NS-21 and RCC-36 were greater than those of terodiline. The three drugs inhibited ICa in a concentration- and holding-potential-dependent manner. The IC50 values at a holding potential of -60 mV were 7.9 microM for NS-21, 6.4 microM for RCC-36, and 5.9 microM for terodiline, and at -40 mV they were 1.3, 1.2, and 3.5 microM, respectively. The ratio calculated by dividing the IC50 value at -60 mV by the value at -40 mV was 6.1, 5.3 and 1.7, respectively, indicating that the inhibitory effects of NS-21 and RCC-36 on ICa were more sensitive to voltage than those of terodiline. These results suggest that NS-21 and RCC-36 could be more effective in the treatment of urinary bladder ailments, such as urinary frequency and urinary incontinence.

Involvement of metabotropic glutamate receptors in Gi- and Gs-dependent modulation of adenylate cyclase activity induced by a novel cognition enhancer NS-105 in rat brain.

The effect of a novel cognition enhancer [(+)-5-oxo-D-prolinepiperidinamide monohydrate] (NS-105) on cAMP formation was investigated in both slices and membranes of the rat cerebral cortex. NS-105 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation in membranes, however, the compound significantly enhanced the cAMP formation in pertussis toxin-pre-treated membranes, an action that was abolished by cholera toxin. In contrast, in digitonin-permeabilized membranes, NS-105 had no influence on Mn2+-stimulated cAMP formation. Both of the inhibitory and facilitatory actions of NS-105 on cAMP formation were mimicked by a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD) and an adrenergic alpha2 agonist UK-14,304, and blocked by a mGluR antagonist 2-amino-3-phosphonopropanoate but not by an alpha2 antagonist yohimbine. In cortical slices, NS-105 (10(-8)-10(-7) M) inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation but enhanced isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation, as did by a GABA(B) agonist (-)baclofen. On the other hand, (-)baclofen, while it significantly inhibited cAMP accumulation in slices, did no longer inhibit cAMP accumulation, when treated with NS-105 (10(-8)-10(-5) M). Similarly, (-)baclofen-induced inhibition of the cAMP accumulation was reversed by 1S,3R-ACPD and UK-14,304. NS-105 (10(-6)) increased [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the intact but not digitonin-permeabilized cortical membranes, as produced by UK-14,304, although the compound (10(-9)-10(-3) M) had no influence on various neurotransmitter receptor bindings, including alpha2 receptors. These results suggest that NS-105 modulates adenylate cyclase activity by stimulating mGluRs which might coupled to both Gi/Go and Gs.

Effect of the anticholinergic drug with calcium antagonistic activity, (+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate, on lower urinary tract function in decerebrated dogs.

NS-21 ((+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate, CAS 129927-33-4) is a novel compound designed for the treatment of bladder dysfunction. The effects of NS-21 and its active metabolite, RCC-36 ((+/-)-4-ethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride), on the urodynamics of decerebrated dogs are reported. Dogs were decerebrated at the precollicular-postmamillary level and the urodynamic effects of intravenously administered NS-21, RCC-36, and various reference drugs were compared by cystometry. NS-21 (0.3-1 mg/kg) and RCC-36 (0.1 mg/kg) caused an increase in bladder capacity without affecting the micturition pressure or residual volume, and thus caused a significant increase in functional bladder capacity. Oxybutynin caused a dose-dependent increase in bladder capacity at 0.1 mg/ kg and higher doses; however, the associated decrease in micturition pressure resulted in a significant increase in residual volume and a decrease in functional bladder capacity. These effects of oxybutynin were similar to those of atropine. Propiverine (0.1-10 mg/kg) and terodiline (0.1-10 mg/kg) caused no significant increase in bladder capacity. In conclusion, in decerebrated dogs, NS-21 and RCC-36 increased the bladder capacity without increasing the residual volume. NS-21 thus had more favorable therapeutic effects than any of the reference drugs tested and is therefore a promising candidate drug for the treatment of pollakiuria and urinary incontinence.

Effect of the anticholinergic drug with calcium antagonistic activity, (+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate, on lower urinary tract function in rhesus monkeys.

NS-21 ((+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate, CAS 129927-33-4) and its active metabolite, RCC-36 ((+/-)-4-ethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride), have both anticholinergic and calcium antagonistic activities. NS-21 is under development for the treatment of bladder dysfunction. This study was designed to compare the effects of NS-21 and RCC-36 on the bladder function of monkeys with the effects of various reference drugs. Male rhesus monkeys were anesthetized with a mixture of enflurane and nitrous oxide, a transurethral catheter was inserted into the urinary bladder from the external urethral orifice, and cystometrograms were recorded. Drugs were administered intravenously. NS-21 at doses of 0.3 and 1 mg/kg caused an increase in bladder capacity without affecting the micturition pressure. RCC-36 also caused an increase in bladder capacity, but it was accompanied by a significant decrease in micturition pressure. Oxybutynin, atropine and verapamil all caused decreases in micturition pressure at doses which caused an increase in bladder capacity. Of the drugs examined, only NS-21 caused an increase in the bladder capacity of rhesus monkeys without affecting the micturition pressure. This drug is therefore a promising candidate for the clinical treatment of pollakiuria and urinary incontinence.

Permeability of a neuroprotective compound NS-7 into brain: comparison between normal and middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.

The pharmacokinetics of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy) pyrimidine hydrochloride (NS-7), a novel neuroprotective compound, in brains of normal and ischemic rats were investigated. In normal rats, the concentrations of NS-7 in the cerebral cortex and striatum were more than 10-folds higher than those in plasma during 5 min and 12 h after intravenous injection. The time course changes in plasma concentration of NS-7 were fitted to the two-compartment open model, in which elimination half-life (t(1/2)beta) was 6.0 h and distribution volume (V1) was 4.4. The estimated striatal interstitial concentration of NS-7 measured by microdialysis was unexpectedly low and almost constant after intravenous injection. Subsequently, the level of NS-7 in brain was compared between sham-operated and middle cerebral artery (MCA)-occluded rats. In MCA-occluded rats, the concentrations of NS-7 in the ischemic cerebral cortex and striatum were 64-71% of those in sham-operated group at 1 h after injection, although the initial concentrations (at 2-5 min) were much lower (about 20%) in MCA-occluded rats. The t(max) was observed at 1 h after injection, which was later than that (5 min) determined in sham-operated rats. Moreover, its elimination half-life was longer in MCA-occluded rats than in sham-operated animals. From these results it is suggested that peripherally administered NS-7 readily penetrates into brain, in which it exists for the most part in parenchymal fraction. In addition, substantial amount of NS-7 may distribute to the ischemic brain regions when it was injected after MCA occlusion.

Na+ and high-voltage-activated Ca2+ channel blocking actions of NS-7, a novel neuroprotective agent, in NG108-15 cells.

The actions of a novel neuroprotective compound, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-(5-piperidinopentyloxy)pyrimidine hydrochloride (NS-7), on voltage-gated Na+, Ca2+ and K+ channels were investigated in a mouse neuroblastoma and rat glioma hybrid cell line, NG108-15, using a whole-cell voltage clamp technique. NG108-15 cells have a tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channel, three types of Ca2+ channel (L, N and T) and voltage-gated K+ channels, all of which were inhibited by NS-7 in a concentration-dependent manner. However, there was a considerable difference in its potency: the IC50 values for the tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channel, L-type Ca2+ channel and N-type Ca2+ channel were similar (7.8, 4.5 and 7.3 microM, respectively), lower than the IC50 value for the T-type Ca2+ channel (17.1 microM), and much lower than the IC50 value for the voltage-gated K+ channel (160.5 microM). NS-7 altered neither the shape nor the reversal potential of the current-voltage curves for Na+, L-type or N-type Ca2+ channels, although the currents were reduced at every potential tested. These results indicate that NS-7 is a Na+ and high-voltage-activated (L- and N-type) Ca2+ channel blocker, and its channel-blocking properties may contribute to its neuroprotective action.

Effect of a novel cognition enhancer NS-105 on learned helplessness in rats: possible involvement of GABA(B) receptor up-regulation after repeated treatment.

We have previously found that a cognition enhancer [(+)-5-oxo-D-prolinepiperidinamide monohydrate] (NS-105) reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP formation induced by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen. The GABA(B) receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive illness. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the antidepressant activity of NS-105 in the forced swimming and learned helplessness tests in rats. NS-105 (1-100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test, an effect similar to that of desipramine. Repeated administration of NS-105 also reversed the failure to escape in the shuttle-box test of rats previously exposed to inescapable footshock. Biochemical data showed that repeated administration of NS-105 increased the number of GABA(B) receptors in rat cerebral cortex without affecting the binding properties of beta-adrenoceptors and 5-HT2 receptors. In contrast to other antidepressants, NS-105 did not inhibit monoamine uptake in vitro, nor did it change monoamine concentrations in brain tissues or extracellular fluids. These findings suggest that NS-105, which lacks an effect on monoaminergic systems, has potent antidepressant activity, which may involve up-regulation of GABA(B) receptors after repeated administration.

NS-49, an alpha 1A-adrenoceptor agonist, selectively increases intraurethral pressure in dogs.

The effects of NS-49 ((R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethane sulfonanilide hydrochloride), an alpha 1A-adrenoceptor-selective agonist, on intraurethral pressure and blood pressure were investigated in anesthetized dogs. In addition, the contractile effects of NS-49 on the isolated dog urethra and carotid artery were compared with those of non-selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists. Intravenously (i.v.) administered NS-49 at 0.3 microgram/kg or more significantly increased intraurethral pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Much higher doses of NS-49 were needed to increase blood pressure. In contrast, ST-1059 (1-(2',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminoethanol) (an active metabolite of midodrine) at 30 micrograms/kg or more significantly increased both intraurethral pressure and blood pressure. NS-49 was 11-fold more selective for intraurethral pressure than ST-1059, NS-49, ST-1059, phenylephrine and noradrenaline caused concentration-dependent contraction of the isolated dog urethra. NS-49 caused only a slight contraction of the dog carotid artery even at high concentrations, whereas the reference drugs caused contractions of the artery with high efficacy. The alpha 1A-adrenoceptor-selective antagonists 5-methyl-urapidil and WB-4101 also showed high affinity for alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the dog urethra in inhibiting [3H]prazosin binding. In conclusion, the alpha 1A-selective agonist NS-49 selectively increased intraurethral pressure in dogs, and produced selective contraction of the dog urethra. These results suggest that the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype is responsible for the contraction of the urethra and the regulation of intraurethral pressure, and that NS-49 might be useful for the treatment of stress incontinence with little effect on the cardiovascular system.