Substrate interaction with 5alpha-reductase enzyme: influence of the 17beta-chain chirality in the mechanism of action of 4-azasteroid inhibitors.

A series of steroidal compounds were synthesized in order to evaluate the possible influence of the configuration of a stereocenter in the 17beta-side chain on the inhibitory activity on the enzyme 5alpha-reductase (5AR). For this purpose diastereomerically pure 4-azasteroids epimers at C-22 were prepared (compounds 1-11) and tested as inhibitors of 5AR in "in vitro" tests. The obtained data showed that in most cases the couples of epimers possess a significant difference in their biological activity. We also considered, for the tested molecules, a series of chemico-physical parameters in order to find a possible correlation with their biological activity. The findings allowed us to propose a model of the binding site of 5AR which comprises also, for 4-azasteroid inhibitors, the configurational aspect of the 17beta-side chain.

Effect of lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and of treatment with posatirelin on cholinergic neurotransmission enzymes in the rat cerebral cortex.

The effect of 4 and 8 weeks of treatment with the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), analogue posatirelin (L-6-ketopiperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-proline amide), on the changes of cholinergic neurotransmission enzymes, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), caused by lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM), was investigated in the rat frontal cortex. ChAT and AChE were demonstrated with immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques, respectively associated with image analysis and microdensitometry. Monolateral and bilateral lesions of NBM area caused a significant loss of ChAT-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies in the NBM, as well as a remarkable decrease of ChAT-immunoreactive fibres and of AChE reactivity in the frontal cortex ipsilateral to the lesion or of both sides, respectively. The number of ChAT-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies in the lesioned NBM was higher in posatirelin-treated rats for 8 weeks in comparison with control NBM-lesioned rats. Moreover, the compound increased the number of ChAT-immunoreactive fibres in the frontal cortex of monolaterally and bilaterally NBM-lesioned rats at 8 weeks after lesion, but was without effect on these fibres in sham-operated rats. The same is true for AChE reactivity, developed in the neuropil of the frontal cortex, which was restored in part by an 8-week treatment with posatirelin in NBM-lesioned rats. These findings suggest that treatment with posatirelin rescues cholinergic neurons of the NBM and cholinergic projections to the cerebral cortex affected by lesioning of the NBM. The functional relevance of these observations and their possible applications should be evaluated in future studies.

Effect of the thyrotropin releasing hormone analogue posatirelin (RGH 2202) on microanatomical changes induced by lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis in the rat.

The effect of 4 and 8 weeks treatment with 10 mg/kg/day of the thyrotropin releasing hormone analogue posatirelin (L-6-ketopiperidine-2-carbonyl-L-leucyl-proline amide) on microanatomical changes induced by monolateral and bilateral lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) were investigated. The following parameters were assessed in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of NBM-lesioned and sham-operated rats: 1) number of nerve cell and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocyte profiles; 2) density of silver-gold impregnated fibres; 3) density of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive fibres; 4) intensity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) staining. In NBM-lesioned untreated rats, no changes in the number of nerve cell or of astrocyte profiles were found either in the frontal cortex or in the hippocampus. The only exception was a decrease in the number of granule neuron profiles in the dentate gyrus at 8 weeks after lesioning. Silver-gold impregnated fibres, which express the width of interneuronal connections, were reduced in the hippocampus but not in the frontal cortex of NBM-lesioned rats. ChAT immunoreactivity and AChE reactivity, which were localised respectively in nerve fibre-like structures and in the neuropil, were decreased in the frontal cortex but not in the hippocampus from the fourth week after NBM lesioning. Lesions did not change the number of ChAT-immunoreactive nerve fibres or intensity of AChE staining in the hippocampus. Treatment with posatirelin was without effect on the number of nerve cell profiles or of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes both at 4 and 8 weeks after NBM lesioning. Treatment with the compound increased the number of silver-gold impregnated fibres in the hippocampus of NBM-lesioned rats and restored in part ChAT immunoreactivity and AChE reactivity in the frontal cortex. These effects were noticeable in NBM-lesioned rats after 8 weeks of treatment. The possible significance of the neuroprotective effect elicited by posatirelin treatment after lesions of the NBM is discussed.

Effect of treatment with the neuroactive peptide posatirelin on microanatomical changes of frontal cortex and hippocampus caused by lesions of the locus coeruleus.

The influence of monolateral and bilateral lesions of the Locus coeruleus (LC) on the number of nerve cell and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocyte profiles, on silver-gold impregnated fibres and on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity was assessed in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. The influence of treatment for 4 and 8 weeks with a 10 mg/kg/day dose of the neuroactive peptide posatirelin on the above parameters was also investigated. Lesions of the LC decreased the number of nerve cell profiles in the frontal cortex 8 weeks after lesioning and were without effect on nerve cell profiles in the frontal cortex 4 weeks after lesioning and in the hippocampus at both 4 and 8 weeks after LC lesioning. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactive astrocytes were not affected by lesions of LC. Silver-gold impregnated fibres were decreased in the frontal cortex but not in the hippocampus of LC-lesioned rats at 8 weeks after lesioning. TH immunoreactivity, which was localized in nerve fibre-like structures both in the frontal cortex and in the hippocampus was decreased in the frontal cortex and in the hippocampus from the 4th week after LC lesioning. Treatment with posatirelin was without effect on the number of nerve cell and of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocyte profiles at both 4 and 8 weeks after LC lesioning, with the exception of nerve cells of the frontal cortex in monolaterally-lesioned rats which were increased 8 weeks after lesioning. The compound increased silver-gold impregnated fibres in the frontal cortex of monolaterally lesioned rats after 8 weeks of treatment, but did not affect TH immunoreactivity both in the frontal cortex or in the hippocampus. The above results suggest that treatment with posatirelin exerts a neuroprotective effect on the frontal cortex consisting of the partial restoration of some microanatomical changes caused by lesions of LC. The possible significance of this effect is discussed.

Metabolism study of dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine,9,10-[9,10-3H(N)] in rat and human hepatocyte cultures and rat, monkey, and human microsomes.

An in vitro approach was undertaken to investigate the metabolite profile of dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine,9,10-[9,10 ( -3 ) H(N)] in humans by comparison with two species, rat and monkey, for toxicological studies. Hepatocytes (rat and human) and microsomes (rat, monkey, and human) were used in this study, and a high-performance liquid chromatography system was developed to determine the metabolic profiles. From the two in vitro metabolizing systems it was concluded that the compound was extensively metabolized in all species, with a similar overall rate of 4.5 ng/min/mg protein in the microsomal system. The human metabolite profile in hepatocytes showed an intersubject variability that was not confirmed with microsomes. The more complex human pattern consisted of eight metabolites (based on chromatographic properties) that were produced in rats (major part) or in monkeys. Of these eight metabolites, seven were produced by rat microsomes and six by the monkey microsomes. Because of qualitative and quantitative differences, it was not possible to show that the human metabolite profile was closer to the rat's or to the monkey's. The conclusion is that all the observed metabolites in human are produced either in rats (for a major part) or in monkeys, so that these two species cover the human metabolic pattern for toxicological studies.

High affinity and selectivity on 5-HT1A receptor of 1-aryl-4-[1-tetralin)alkyl]piperazines. 2.

Several 4-alkyl-1-arylpiperazines that present a tetralin moiety on the terminal part of the side chain were synthesized in order to increase the selectivity on the 5-HT1A versus D-2, alpha 1, sigma, and other 5-HT receptors. Many changes have been effected on previous structures of type 3(1-aryl-4-[3-(1,2-dihydronaphthalen-4-yl)-n-propyl]piperazines). Several synthetic procedures were followed to obtain the final products, depending on the presence or absence of a double bond, as well as of a heteroatom on the side chain. In the first case versatile use of Grignard reaction was made, whereas in the second one usual synthetic ways were applied. Final compounds were evaluated for in vitro activity on dopamine D-1 and D-2, serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C, and 5-HT2, alpha 1 adrenergic, and sigma receptors by radioreceptor binding assay. For the 2-MeO-Ph, 2-pyridyl, and unsubstituted phenyl N-piperazine derivatives, low IC50 values (0.3 nM) on 5-HT1A receptors and high selectivity values were observed.

Mixed 5-HT1A/D-2 activity of a new model of arylpiperazines: 1-aryl-4-[3-(1,2-dihydronaphthalen-4-yl)-n-propyl]piperazines. 1. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

A new model of 4-alkyl-1-arylpiperazines containing a terminal dihydronaphthalene fragment on the alkyl chain was synthesized in order to have mixed serotonergic and dopaminergic activity and to pursue the recent alternative approaches to the discovery of novel antipsychotic and anxiolytic agents. Title compounds were evaluated for in vitro activity on dopamine D-2 and serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors by radioreceptor binding assays. They show high nanomolar affinity for 5-HT1A, moderate affinity for D-2, and low affinity for 5-HT2 receptors, and in particular, two compounds, 4-[3-(1,2-dihydro-6-methoxynaphthalen-4-yl)-n-propyl]-1-(2- methoxyphenyl)piperazine (8) and 4-[3-(1,2-dihydro-8-methoxynaphthalen-4-yl)-n-propyl]-1-(2- pyridyl)piperazine (15), show values (nM) of IC50 = 2.0 and 1.4 for 5-HT1A and IC50 = 90.6 and 119.3 for D-2, respectively. Some in vivo behavioral studies show compound 8 to be an antagonist on 5-HT1A receptors. These first findings place the new arylpiperazines on the same level as that of the azaspirone class, e.g., 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)-n-butyl]piperazine (NAN-190) and buspirone.

Effects of the novel antidepressant S-adenosyl-methionine on alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors in rat brain.

alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors were studied ex vivo in the brains of rats receiving repeated daily treatment with the standard antidepressant imipramine or the atypical antidepressant S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), which has minimal effects on monoamine reuptake or turnover. Consistent with past studies, a decrease in the density of beta receptors at three weeks and an increase in the affinity of alpha 1 receptors for the agonist phenylephrine at one week of treatment was observed with imipramine. By comparison, an increase in the density of beta receptors and a decrease in the affinity of alpha 1 receptors for phenylephrine was observed at one week of treatment with SAM. These changes were no longer apparent at three weeks of treatment. The results suggest that treatment with SAM does lead to changes in adrenergic neurotransmission, but that down regulation of beta receptors or increased agonist affinity of alpha 1 receptors may not be necessary for the production of antidepressant effects.

Biochemical and behavioural indices of striatal dopaminergic activity after 6-methyltetrahydropterin.

The biochemical effects of 6-methyltetrahydropterin (6-MPH4), a synthetic analogue of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), the hydroxylase cofactor, were investigated on striatal dopaminergic neurons in the rat. Although a single parenteral dose of 6-MPH4 (18 or 54 mg/kg) did not significantly increase the content of dopamine (DA) or its acidic metabolites, L-didrohyphenylanine (L-DOPA) accumulation after decarboxylase inhibition was evident in rats receiving 54 mg/kg of 6-MPH4. On the other hand, 6-MPH4 (18 mg/kg) potentiated the reserpine-induced DA metabolism as demonstrated by increased HVA levels. In a behavioural test, 6-MPH4 partially prevented haloperidol-induced catalepsy. BH4 concentrations could thus be subsaturating with respect to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), particularly when the enzyme activity is stimulated and the results suggest that cofactor supply may have pharmacological significance.

Role of catecholamines in calcitonin-induced analgesia.

The possibility that the catecholaminergic (CA) system might be involved in calcitonin (CT)-induced analgesia was examined. The administration of the neurotoxin for CA neurons, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) significantly reduced salmon CT (sCT) analgesia as measured in rats by the hot-plate test. Pretreatment with an alpha- and beta-blocker (phentolamine and propranolol) was also effective in lowering significantly the activity of sCT. When the two drugs were administered alone, propranolol, but not phentolamine, reduced the analgesic effect of sCT. A more pronounced and long-lasting inhibitory effect on sCT-analgesia was obtained using atenolol (selective beta 1-receptor blocker). The present data support the role of the CA system in sCT-induced analgesic activity.

Failure of somatostatin antiserum to reverse histamine-induced inhibition of pulsatile growth hormone secretion.

We attempted to determine whether the suppression by histamine of spontaneous episodic growth hormone (GH) secretion is mediated by an augmented release of somatostatin (SS). Adult male rats were passively immunized against SS by the injection of a specific goat anti-SS antibody. Plasma GH levels in rats bearing indwelling catheters were measured at 15-min intervals for 4 h. Histamine (0.1 mumol/rat) was administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) 1 h after the start of the experiment and once an hour for the next 2 h. Anti-SS serum (2 ml) was injected 2 h after the beginning of the experiment to two groups of rats, one given saline i.c.v. and the other histamine i.c.v. Histamine was able to suppress not only spontaneous GH secretion but also the antiserum-stimulated GH release. These data suggest that histamine inhibiton of GH is not mediated by SS but probably by a reduction of GH-releasing hormone or some other stimulatory signal.

Presence of opiate receptors on striatal serotoninergic nerve terminals.

After degeneration of serotoninergic neurons induced by either transection of the ascending neuronal pathways originating from the nucleus raphe dorsalis or intraventricular 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine administration, the number of binding sites for [3H]D-Ala2, Met5-enkephalinamide was significantly reduced. This decrease in binding sites does not seem to be related to the opiate receptors present on dopaminergic terminals, nor is it due to a simple decrease in serotoninergic neuronal tone, since after p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg X 4 days) the number of striatal binding sites for the opiate ligand was not diminished. On the other hand, shortly after mechanical interruption of the raphe-striatal serotoninergic fibers, at a time when the metabolic processes are still functioning in the lesioned neurons, morphine still increased the striatal content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These results suggest the presence of opiate receptors on striatal serotoninergic terminals, where they may modulate the presynaptic activity of these neurons.

Comparison of the effects of histamine H2-receptor antagonists on prolactin secretion in the rat.

Various compounds with different blocking potencies on histamine H2-receptors were administered to rats both into the carotid (ia) and into the brain ventricles (icv) and their effects on PRL release were evaluated. The drugs were cimetidine, as reference compound, ranitidine, 5 to 7 times as potent, and oxmetidine, 8 to 10 times as potent. PRL was measured in blood samples collected at -15, 0 and +5, +10, +20 and +40 min after treatment. Cimetidine (80 mg/kg) and ranitidine (30 mg/kg), when injected ia as a single bolus, induced prompt increases (P less than 0.01) in PRL. On the contrary, oxmetidine (the most potent H2 antagonist), even at the high dose of 80 mg/kg ia, had no effect on PRL release. When the drugs were given icv (0.2 mumol/rat or 0.8 mumol/rat), none of them caused any significant PRL release. These results suggest that histamine H2-blocking potency is not correlated with PRL release. Furthermore, the PRL-releasing activity of the drugs seems not to be due to any action on the central neural control of PRL secretion. This comparative study shows that it is possible (as with oxmetidine) to achieve complete dissociation of the H2-receptor blocking action from the unwanted PRL-release stimulating effect.

Localization of calcitonin binding sites in rat central nervous system: evidence of its neuroactivity.

The distribution of calcitonin (CT) binding sites in serial sections of the rat brain and spinal cord has been examined by an 'in vitro' autoradiographic technique using a radioisotope-sensitive sheet film and [125]salmon CT. Autoradiograms of the diencephalic region had the highest grain density throughout the entire hypothalamus, with the exception of the nuclei ventromedialis, posterior and mammillaris, which were not labeled at all. In the brainstem, large amounts of grains were found in the ventrolateral division of the periaqueductal gray, in the locus coeruleus, in the nucleus tractus spinalis nervi trigemini and in the raphe obscurus, pallidus and magnus, while a widespread and lower grain density was observed in the reticular formation. In the spinal cord the labeling was discretely localized in laminae IV, V and VI of the dorsal horn. The observed distribution of CT binding sites is closely related to the neuroendocrine and analgesic effects of exogenous CT and reinforces the concept of a possible neuromodulatory role proposed for the peptide at brain level.

Induction of estrus in cows by a new analogue of PGF2 alpha (alfaprostol).

A new analogue of PGF2 alpha, alfaprostol, was used to induce estrus in normally cycling and anestrous cows. Five groups of six animals were treated with single injections of different doses of the drug (4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 mg/animal) on day 10-11 of the estrous cycle. Six cows in anestrus, with palpable corpora lutea, were treated i.m. with 8 mg/animal. The luteolytic properties of alfaprostol were assessed by measuring milk progesterone by RIA for 96 h after treatment and by checking for the subsequent signs of estrus. The dose of 4 mg caused a slight fall in progesterone but did not induce heat; the 5 and 6 mg doses induced estrus in 3/6 animals and the 7 mg dose was effective in 4/6 animals. The 8 mg dose produced a sharp reduction in milk progesterone within 24 h, followed by estrus in both the normally cycling and the anestrous groups in 6/6 animals. No clinical signs of drug intolerance were seen. The present results show that alfaprostol might be of great use for both cycle synchronization in normally cycling cows and for treatment of anestrus caused by a persistent corpus luteum.

Characterization of type 2 opiate receptors.

Recent evidence suggests that the Type 1 opiate receptor (in rat striatal patches) is a mobile receptor which is able to adopt a mu, delta, or kappa opiate receptor ligand selectivity pattern under appropriate conditions. In this paper, we have investigated such a possibility for Type 2 opiate receptors which are visualized diffusely over rat striatum. Ligand selectivity analysis suggested that the Type 2 opiate binding site is equivalent to a delta opiate receptor. The auto-radiographic distribution of Type 2 opiate binding sites is diffuse over most areas of rat brain. Thus, Type 2 opiate binding sites are different from Type 1 opiate receptors which are very discretely distributed in rat brain. Our results suggest that Type 2 opiate receptors, unlike Type 1 opiate receptors, are receptors locked in a delta-like ligand selectivity conformation.

High sensitivity to calcitonin of prolactin-secreting control in lactating rats.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (icv;25ng/rat) or iv (10 micrograms/kg) salmon calcitonin (sCT) on PRL secretion were determined in lactating rats and compared to the effects in intact or ovariectomized-estrogen-treated female rats. The icv or iv injections of sCT 9 days after estrogen treatment did not significantly lower the PRL levels in intact rats. In ovariectomized-estrogen-primed animals, sCT (icv or iv) did not modify the afternoon surge of PRL secretion when injected during the surge, nor did it delay or attenuate the increasing secretory activity when administered (iv) before the afternoon surge had begun. On the contrary, 30 or 60 min after the icv or iv administration of sCT to lactating rats, suckling-induced PRL secretion was prevented. These results and our previous evidence that a greater dose of sCT is needed to decrease the less intense morphine- or stress-induced PRL secretion indicate differential hypoprolactinemic properties of sCT, which are particularly striking during lactation. While the mechanisms underlying these selective activities deserve further investigation, the proposed participation of PRL in the regulation of calcium metabolism during lactation suggests that the potent PRL inhibitory effect of CT in this condition should be regarded as one factor in the complex mechanism that prevents bone loss and protects the maternal skeleton.

Influence of brain histaminergic system on episodic growth hormone secretion in the rat.

The effects of histamine and amodiaquine (a drug known to inhibit histamine-N-methyltransferase) on pulsatile growth hormone (GH) secretion were determined in unanaesthetized male rats. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of histamine (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 mumol/rat) caused a dose-related suppression of spontaneous pulses of rat GH (rGH) secretion. Amodiaquine (0.16 mumol/rat i.c.v.) also inhibited the pulses, but to a lesser degree. The results, which show the inhibitory effects of both exogenous histamine and increased levels of endogenous histamine on pulsatile rGH secretion, support the hypothesis that the histaminergic system also plays a role in physiological CNS control of rGH secretion.

Histamine agonist and antagonist drugs: interference with CNS control of GH release in rats.

The effects of the administration into the brain ventricle of histamine, selective H1- and H2-receptor agonists and antagonists and chemically similar substances with nonspecific activity on basal and morphine-stimulated growth hormone (GH) secretion in normal male rats were studied. None of the drugs had any significant effect on baseline rat GH levels, but histamine and H1 agonists were able to decrease the rat GH release evoked by morphine. Mepyramine (H1 antagonist) had no consistent effect by itself but was effective in preventing the inhibitory action of 2-methylhistamine (H1 agonist). H2 agonists and antagonists and their chemical analogues were all inhibitory, but by a mechanism which is nonspecific and must be interpreted cautiously. These results confirm the inhibitory effect of histamine on rat GH release and indicate that H1 receptors in the CNS are responsible for this effect.