Analytical profile of N-ethyl-N-cyclopropyl lysergamide (ECPLA), an isomer of lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ).

Recent investigations have shown that N-ethyl-N-cyclopropyl lysergamide (ECPLA) produces LSD-like behavioral effects in mice, which suggests that it may act as a hallucinogen in humans. Although the use of ECPLA as a recreational drug has been limited, key analytical data that can be used to detect ECPLA are required for future forensic and clinical investigations. ECPLA is an isomer of (2'S,4'S)-lysergic acid 2,4-dimethylazetidide (LSZ), a lysergamide that emerged as a recreational drug in 2013. Several analytical approaches were examined, including single- and tandem mass spectrometry platforms at low and high resolution, gas- and liquid chromatography (GC, LC), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and GC condensed-phase infrared spectroscopy (GC-sIR). ECPLA and LSZ could be differentiated by NMR, GC-sIR, GC, and LC-based methods. The electron ionization mass spectra of ECPLA and LSZ contained ion clusters typically observed with related lysergamides such as m/z 150-155, m/z 177-182, m/z 191-197, m/z 205-208, and m/z 219-224. One of the significant differences in abundance related to these clusters included ions at m/z 196 and m/z 207/208. The base peaks were detected at m/z 221 in both cases followed by the retro-Diels-Alder fragment at m/z 292. Minor but noticeable differences between the two isomers could also be seen in the relative abundance of m/z 98 and m/z 41. Electrospray ionization mass spectra included lysergamide-related ions at m/z 281, 251, 223, 208, 197, 180, and 140. LSZ (but not ECPLA) showed product ions at m/z 267 and m/z 98 under the conditions used.

Ergot Alkaloid Biosynthesis in the Maize (Zea mays) Ergot Fungus Claviceps gigantea.

Biosynthesis of the dihydrogenated forms of ergot alkaloids is of interest because many of the ergot alkaloids used as pharmaceuticals may be derived from dihydrolysergic acid (DHLA) or its precursor dihydrolysergol. The maize (Zea mays) ergot pathogen Claviceps gigantea has been reported to produce dihydrolysergol, a hydroxylated derivative of the common ergot alkaloid festuclavine. We hypothesized expression of C. gigantea cloA in a festuclavine-accumulating mutant of the fungus Neosartorya fumigata would yield dihydrolysergol because the P450 monooxygenase CloA from other fungi performs similar oxidation reactions. We engineered such a strain, and high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated the modified strain produced DHLA, the fully oxidized product of dihydrolysergol. Accumulation of high concentrations of DHLA in field-collected C. gigantea sclerotia and discovery of a mutation in the gene lpsA, downstream from DHLA formation, supported our finding that DHLA rather than dihydrolysergol is the end product of the C. gigantea pathway.

Paroxetine differentially modulates LPS-induced TNFα and IL-6 production in mouse macrophages.

Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that is clinically used for the treatment of depression in human patients. Because of recent reports on the role of serotonin in modulating inflammation and the link between inflammation and depression, we sought to test the effect of paroxetine directly on macrophage response to an inflammatory stimulus. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of mouse macrophages significantly enhanced TNFα and IL-6 production. Paroxetine treatment of macrophages, however, significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 production. In contrast, paroxetine enhanced LPS-induced TNFα production in macrophages. These effects of paroxetine were mimicked by fluoxetine, another SSRI. To determine if the effects of paroxetine are mediated via modulation of the 5-HT system, we treated macrophages with 5-HT or 5-HT receptor antagonist (LY215840) in the presence of LPS and/or paroxetine. 5-HT treatment by itself did not affect LPS-induced cytokine production. LY215840, however, reversed paroxetine's effect on LPS-induced TNFα production but not IL-6. To understand the signaling mechanisms, we examined paroxetine's effect on MAPK and NFκB pathways. While paroxetine inhibited LPS-induced IκBα phosphorylation, MAPK pathways were mostly unaffected. Together these data demonstrate that paroxetine has critical but differential effects on IL-6 and TNFα production in macrophages and that it likely regulates these cytokines via distinct mechanisms.

Analysis of paspalic acid, lysergic acid, and iso-lysergic acid by capillary zone electrophoresis with UV- and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection.

CZE was investigated for separation of lysergic, iso-lysergic, and paspalic acid. BGEs were optimized regarding separation selectivity and analysis time as well as MS compatibility. BGEs using asparagine, Na-tetraborate, or ammonium acetate yielded satisfactory resolution when 40% of methanol was added and the pH adjusted to 8.3. Applying acidic BGEs also allowed fast separations but the poor stability under acidic conditions of the selected analytes prevented further use. With ultraviolet (UV) detection, LODs were 0.45 and 0.40 mg/L for paspalic acid and lysergic acid, respectively. Run-to-run precision of peak areas was 1.8% for lysergic acid and 1.9% for paspalic acid and day-to-day precision was 2.4 and 4.0%, respectively. When MS detection was used LODs improved to 0.09 mg/L for paspalic acid and 0.07 mg/L for lysergic acid. Repeatability results were excellent for a CZE-MS method without internal standard ranging from 3.4% for the highest standard concentration to 5.8% for the lowest concentration. Recovery and matrix effects were studied with samples taken from different stages of the manufacturing process and yielded an average recovery of 100.8% and a RSD of 5.7%.

Structural basis for the spectral difference in luciferase bioluminescence.

Fireflies communicate with each other by emitting yellow-green to yellow-orange brilliant light. The bioluminescence reaction, which uses luciferin, Mg-ATP and molecular oxygen to yield an electronically excited oxyluciferin species, is carried out by the enzyme luciferase. Visible light is emitted during relaxation of excited oxyluciferin to its ground state. The high quantum yield of the luciferin/luciferase reaction and the change in bioluminescence colour caused by subtle structural differences in luciferase have attracted much research interest. In fact, a single amino acid substitution in luciferase changes the emission colour from yellow-green to red. Although the crystal structure of luciferase from the North American firefly (Photinus pyralis) has been described, the detailed mechanism for the bioluminescence colour change is still unclear. Here we report the crystal structures of wild-type and red mutant (S286N) luciferases from the Japanese Genji-botaru (Luciola cruciata) in complex with a high-energy intermediate analogue, 5'-O-[N-(dehydroluciferyl)-sulfamoyl]adenosine (DLSA). Comparing these structures to those of the wild-type luciferase complexed with AMP plus oxyluciferin (products) reveals a significant conformational change in the wild-type enzyme but not in the red mutant. This conformational change involves movement of the hydrophobic side chain of Ile 288 towards the benzothiazole ring of DLSA. Our results indicate that the degree of molecular rigidity of the excited state of oxyluciferin, which is controlled by a transient movement of Ile 288, determines the colour of bioluminescence during the emission reaction.

The dopamine D1 receptor agonist and D2 receptor antagonist LEK-8829 attenuates reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in rats.

Various dopaminergic drugs have been studied for their efficacy in the treatment of cocaine addiction. Pretreatment with either selective dopamine D1 receptor agonists or selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonists prevents reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in animal models of drug craving and relapse. We tested a novel ergoline derivative with combined D1 agonistic and D2 antagonistic effects, 9,10-didehydro- N-methyl- N-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8beta-aminomethylergoline bimaleate (LEK-8829), for its effects on cocaine-seeking in the intravenous cocaine self-administration model in rats. Pretreatment with systemic injections of LEK-8829 attenuated reinstatement of cocaine-seeking induced by cocaine priming injections and diminished cocaine intake in cocaine self-administration sessions. LEK-8829 itself did not induce reinstatement of cocaine-seeking and did not maintain intravenous self-administration. The results of our study indicate that LEK-8829 is a candidate medication for the treatment of cocaine craving in cocaine addiction.

Modulation of neuroleptic activity of 9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8-aminomethylergoline bimaleinate (LEK-8829) by D1 intrinsic activity in hemi-parkinsonian rats.

Parkinsonism, a common unwanted side effect of typical antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drugs, is induced by the blockade of striatal dopamine D2 receptors. In rats with hemi-parkinsonism induced by unilateral lesion of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine, D2 antagonists inhibit contralateral turning induced by D2 agonists and augment the levels of neurotensin mRNA in dopaminergically intact striatum. By contrast, D1 agonists induce contralateral turning and augment neurotensin mRNA levels in dopamine-depleted striatum. These effects could be inhibited by D1 but not by D2 antagonists. Here we used a hemi-parkinsonian model to investigate the effects of putative D1 agonist/D2 antagonist LEK-8829 (9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8-aminomethylergoline bimaleinate), an experimental antipsychotic, on turning behavior and the expression of striatal neurotensin, preprotachykinin and neurotransmitter-induced early gene protein 4 (ania-4) mRNAs. We found that LEK-8829 inhibited contralateral turning induced by D2 agonist quinpirole, but only if the rats were cotreated with D1 antagonist SCH-23390. In situ hybridization showed that LEK-8829 induced the expression of neurotensin and ania-4 mRNAs in dopamine-intact striatum that could be completely blocked only by the combined treatment with SCH-23390 and quinpirole. In addition, LEK-8829 augmented the expression of neurotensin, preprotachykinin and ania-4 mRNAs in dopamine-depleted striatum that could be completely blocked by SCH-23390. This study clearly demonstrates that in hemi-parkinsonian rats D1 agonistic activity of LEK-8829 confers its anti-parkinsonian drug-like properties and modulates its neuroleptic drug-like properties, which are dependent on the blockade of dopamine D2 receptors. These findings imply that atypical antipsychotics with D1 intrinsic activity might have a reduced propensity for the induction of extrapyramidal syndrome.

Role of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(7) receptors in the facilitatory response induced by 8-OH-DPAT on learning consolidation.

The present study further explored the mechanisms involved in the facilitatory effect induced by (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) on learning consolidation. For this purpose, we analyzed in parallel the effects of LY215840 and ritanserin, two 5-HT(2) receptor antagonists with high affinity for the 5-HT(7) receptor, and WAY100635, a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, on the facilitatory effect induced by 8-OH-DPAT on learning consolidation. We also determined whether LY215840 and/or ritanserin could be beneficial in restoring a deficient learning condition. Using the model of autoshaping task, post-training injection of LY215840 or WAY100635 had no effect on learning consolidation. However, both drugs abolished the enhancing effect of 8-OH-DPAT, with LY215840 being slightly more effective than WAY100635 in this respect. Ritanserin produced an increase in performance by itself and also abolished the effect of 8-OH-DPAT. Remarkably, selective blockade of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2B/2C) receptors with MDL100907 and SB200646, respectively, failed to alter the 8-OH-DPAT effect. LY215840 and ritanserin, at the doses that inhibited the 8-OH-DPAT-induced response, reversed the learning deficits induced by scopolamine and dizocilpine. The present results suggest that the enhancing effect produced by 8-OH-DPAT on learning consolidation involves activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors and an additional mechanism, probably related to the 5-HT(7) receptor. Blockade of 5-HT(2) receptors, and perhaps of 5-HT(7) receptors as well, may provide some benefit in reversing learning deficits associated with decreased cholinergic and/or glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Lysophosphatidylcholine and reactive oxygen species mediate the synergistic effect of mildly oxidized LDL with serotonin on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Mild oxidation of LDL enhances its atherogenic potential and induces a synergistic interaction with serotonin (5HT) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Because of its complex chemical nature, the mitogenic components of mildly oxidized LDL (moxLDL) remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined both the effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a donor of reactive oxygen species, as major components of moxLDL and their interactions with 5HT on VSMC proliferation. Growth-arrested VSMCs were incubated with different concentrations of moxLDL, LPC, H(2)O(2), or LPC with H(2)O(2) in the absence or presence of 5HT. DNA synthesis in VSMCs was examined by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. MoxLDL, LPC, H(2)O(2), and 5HT stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. MoxLDL had a maximal stimulatory effect at a concentration of 5 microg/mL (211%), LPC at 15 micromol/L (156%), H(2)O(2) at 5 micromol/L (179%), and 5HT at 50 micromol/L (205%). Added together, moxLDL (50 ng/mL) and 5HT (50 micromol/L) synergistically increased DNA synthesis (443%). Coincubation of LPC (1 micromol/L) with H(2)O(2) (0.5 micromol/L) and 5HT (5 micromol/L) resulted in a synergistic increase in DNA synthesis (439%), which was nearly equal to that of moxLDL with 5HT (443%). The combined effects of LPC, H(2)O(2), and 5HT on DNA synthesis were completely reversed by the combined use of an antioxidant, N:-acetylcysteine (400 micromol/L) or butylated hydroxytoluene (20 micromol/L), with a 5HT(2) receptor antagonist, LY281067 (10 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that both LPC and reactive oxygen species may contribute to the mitogenic effect of moxLDL on VSMCs and its synergistic effect with 5HT.

Lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal acts synergistically with serotonin in inducing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Formation of an atherosclerotic lesion is in part mediated by inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms including lipid peroxidation. To characterize the potential role of lipid peroxidation products in atherogenesis, we assessed the effect of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a component of oxidatively modified lipids on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation, and its interaction with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a known mitogen for VSMCs. Growth-arrested rabbit VSMCs were incubated with different concentrations of HNE in the absence or presence of 5-HT. VSMCs proliferation was examined by increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell number. HNE and 5-HT stimulated DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. HNE had a maximal proliferative effect at a concentration of 1 microM (143% of the control) and 5-HT at 50 microM (211%). When added together, low concentrations of HNE (0.1 microM) and 5-HT (5 microM) synergistically induced DNA synthesis (273%). These effects on DNA synthesis were paralleled by an increase in cell number. A 5-HT2 receptor antagonist LY 281067 (10 microg/ml) and pertussis toxin (10 ng/ml) inhibited the mitogenic effect of 5-HT only. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin A (10 microM) completely inhibited the mitogenic effect of HNE and partially that of 5-HT and the combined effect of HNE+5-HT. Protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (0.1 microM) completely inhibited mitogenic effects of both HNE and 5-HT, and also the combined effect of HNE+5-HT. The synergistic effect of HNE+5-HT on DNA synthesis was completely reversed by the combined use of LY 281067 (10 microg/ml) and antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (400 microM), vitamin C (200 microM), or vitamin E (20 microM). Our results suggest that HNE acts synergistically with 5-HT in inducing VSMCs proliferation. Combined use of both antiplatelet and antioxidant therapies may be useful for the prevention of VSMCs proliferative disorders associated with atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty.

Synergy between thrombin and serotonin in inducing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Previous studies have indicated that apart from playing an important role in hemostasis and thrombosis, thrombin may also contribute to the development of postangioplasty restenosis caused by the stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Because thrombin generation in vivo is accompanied by platelet activation and release of smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth factors such as serotonin, we examined the possible interaction between these two compounds on VSMC proliferation. Thrombin (0.01 to 100 nmol/L), thrombin receptor-activating peptide (0.1 to 1000 micromol/L), and serotonin (5HT; 0.1 to 1000 micromol/L) increased tritiated thymidine incorporation into the DNA of canine aortic VSMCs in a dose-dependent manner. When thrombin and 5HT were added together at sub-threshold concentrations, they acted synergistically in inducing tritiated thymidine incorporation. These findings were paralleled by a 90%+/-5% increase in the cell number at 48 hours, as compared with a 37%+/-2% increase with 50 micromol/L serotonin and a 13%+/-3% increase with 0.1 nmol/L thrombin. We also demonstrated that a brief exposure to thrombin (1 hour) is sufficient to show its potentiating effect on serotonin. The mitogenic effect of serotonin and its synergistic interaction with thrombin on VSMC proliferation was abolished by serotonin type 2 receptor antagonist LY281067. Similarly, gamma-hirudin--a direct thrombin inhibitor--blocked the mitogenic effect of thrombin and its synergistic interaction with serotonin. When LY281067 and gamma-hirudin were used together, they abolished the mitogenic effects of both the agonists. Because clot-bound active thrombin can escape inactivation by anti-thrombin, this thrombin may potentiate the mitogenic effect of serotonin and keep the SMCs in a proliferative state for a long period of time. These findings support the use of 5HT2 receptor antagonists in combination with thrombin inhibitors in the prevention of SMC proliferation after coronary angioplasty.

Vascular smooth muscle proliferation: synergistic interaction between serotonin and low density lipoproteins.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine whether low density lipoproteins (LDLs) or mildly oxidized LDL (mox-LDL) are mitogens for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and whether they can act synergistically with serotonin (5HT), a known mitogen for VSMC, in potentiating the proliferative effect of 5HT on VSMC. BACKGROUND: Whether LDL or mox-LDL has a mitogenic effect on VSMC has been controversial. It is possible that LDL may not be mitogenic to VSMC but modification of LDL may confer mitogenic properties on LDL. A known mitogen for VSMC is 5HT that is released by aggregating platelets at sites of atherosclerotic changes or endothelial dysfunction. It is possible that LDL may interact with 5HT to enhance VSMC proliferation induced by 5HT. METHODS: Growth arrested primary VSMCs were incubated with different concentrations of LDL or mox-LDL for 24 h followed by incubation with 5HT for another 24 h (mild oxidation of LDL was achieved by incubating LDL with Cu++ which increased the thiobarbituric acid product formation without a change in electrophoretic mobility). The increase in cell number or the amount of 3H-thymidine incorporated into the DNA was then measured. RESULTS: Low density lipoprotein and mox-LDL induced significant VSMC proliferation by themselves and this effect was potentiated by 5HT. The 5HT2 receptor antagonist (LY281067) and pertussis toxin reversed only the proliferative effect of 5HT. Polyinosinic acid (poly-I), an inhibitor of scavenger receptors, did not inhibit the proliferative effect of LDL or mox-LDL or their synergistic interaction with 5HT. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that LDL and mox-LDL act synergistically with 5HT in inducing VSMC proliferation. The synergistic interaction could be blocked by LY281067 and pertussis toxin but not by poly-I acid.

Cycloalkanecarboxylic esters derived from lysergol, dihydrolysergol-I, and elymoclavine as partial agonists and antagonists at rat 5-HT2A receptors: pharmacological evidence that the indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline system of the ergolines is responsible for high 5-HT2A receptor affinity.

Three series of cycloalkanecarboxylic esters derived from the naturally occurring clavine alkaloids lysergol, dihydrolysergol-I, and elymoclavine were synthesized to study their interaction with 5-HT2A receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors in rat tail artery and aorta, respectively. Especially cycloalkanecarboxylic esters derived from lysergol showed complex behavior as partial agonists and antagonists of the contractile effect of 5-HT. Within this group, partial 5-HT2A receptor agonist activity was most potent for cyclopropanecarboxylic ester 6a (pKP = 7.67, alpha = 0.21) and decreased as the volume requirement of the alicyclic ring increased. This tendency was echoed in experiments where the compounds were used as antagonists of the contractile effect of 5-HT. From the structure-activity study, the N-1-isopropyl homologue of 6a, compound 6b, emerged as the ligand with the highest affinity for rat 5-HT2A receptors (pA2 = 8.74). For cycloalkanecarboxylic esters derived from dihydrolysergol-I and elymoclavine, no clear structure-affinity relationship could be deduced, although those compounds that had smaller cycloalkyl rings in the acyl portion and an isopropyl substituent at N-1 showed the highest 5-HT2A receptor affinity. On the other hand, cycloalkanecarboxylic esters derived from lysergol, dihydrolysergol-I, and elymoclavine displayed low or marginal affinity at alpha1-adrenoceptors. A further aim of the study was to examine to what extent the complete removal of the acyl portion of the esters would affect 5-HT2A receptor affinity. The parent alcohols of the three series of N-1-isopropyl homologues, 1-isopropyllysergol (1b), 1-isopropyldihydrolysergol-I (2b), and 1-isopropylelymoclavine (3b), displayed higher affinity for 5-HT2A receptors (pA2 = 9.15, 8.50, 9.14) than the corresponding esters. Compounds 1b-3b had no contractile effects by themselves and displayed low affinity at guinea-pig 5-HT1B receptors and rat alpha1-adrenoceptors. The high affinity for rat 5-HT2A receptors was retained when clavines even more simple in structure than 1b-3b, compounds 4b and 5b, were examined as 5-HT2A receptor antagonists. The nanomolar antagonist activity of simple clavines (1b-5b) in the rat suggests that the indolo[4,3-fg]quinoline system of the ergolines is the molecular fragment that is responsible for 5-HT2A receptor affinity, and not the substituent at position C-8.

Ergoline derivative LEK-8829-induced turning behavior in rats with unilateral striatal ibotenic acid lesions: interaction with bromocriptine.

LEK-8829 [9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8- aminomethylergoline bimaleinate] is an antagonist of dopamine D2 receptors and serotonin (5-HT)2 and 5-HT1A receptors in intact animals and a D1 receptor agonist in dopamine-depleted animals. In the present study, we used rats with unilateral striatal lesions with ibotenic acid (IA) to investigate the dopamine receptor activities of LEK-8829 in a model with innervated dopamine receptors. The IA-lesioned rats circled ipsilaterally when challenged with apomorphine, the mixed agonist on D1/D2 receptors. LEK-8829 induced a dose-dependent contralateral turning that was blocked by D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390. The treatment with D1 receptor agonist SKF-82958 induced ipsilateral turning, whereas the treatment with D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol induced contralateral posture. The combined treatment with SKF-82958 and haloperidol resulted in a weak contralateral turning, indicating the possible receptor mechanism of contralateral turning induced by LEK-8829. Bromocriptine induced a weak ipsilateral turning that was blocked by haloperidol. The ipsilateral turning induced by bromocriptine was significantly potentiated by the coadministration of a low dose but not by a high dose of LEK-8829. The potentiation of turning was blocked either by SCH-23390 or by haloperidol. The potentiation of ipsilateral turning suggests the costimulation of D2 and D1 receptors by bromocriptine and LEK-8829, respectively, whereas the lack of potentiation by the highest dose of LEK-8829 may be explained by the opposing activity of LEK-8829 and bromocriptine at D2 receptors. We propose that the D2 and 5HT2 receptor-blocking and D1 receptor-stimulating profile of LEK-8829 is promising for the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Antiparkinsonian potential of interaction of LEK-8829 with bromocriptine.

The ergoline derivative, LEK-8829 (9,10-didehydro-N-methyl-(2-propynyl)-6-methyl-8-aminomethylerg oline), has been proposed as a potential atypical antipsychotic drug with antagonistic actions at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 and 5-HT1A receptors (Krisch et al., 1994, 1996). LEK-8829 also induces contralateral turning in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced unilateral lesion of dopamine nigrostriatal neurons. Turning is blocked by SCH-23390 (R(+)-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzaze pine), a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist. It has been suggested that LEK-8829 could have beneficial effects in parkinsonian patients suffering from psychotic episodes induced as a side-effect of antiparkinsonian treatment with dopamine D2 receptor agonists. Therefore, we now investigated the interaction of LEK-8829 with the dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine (2-bromo-alpha-ergokryptine) in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Treatment with either LEK-8829 (3 mg kg(-1)) or bromocriptine (3 mg kg(-1)) induced a vigorous contralateral turning response. The cumulated number of turns induced by the treatment with both drugs combined was not significantly different from the cumulated number of turns induced by single-drug treatment. The pretreatment with SCH-23390 (1 mg kg(-1)) did not have a significant effect on the bromocriptine-induced turning but significantly decreased the turning observed after the combined LEK-8829/bromocriptine treatment. We conclude that in the 6-hydroxydopamine model, the turning behaviour mediated by the LEK-8829/bromocriptine combination may be the result of opposing activity of both drugs at dopamine D2 receptors with concomitant stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors by LEK-8829. Therefore, LEK-8829 may have a potential for the therapy of parkinsonism complicated by dopamine D2 receptor agonist drug-induced psychosis.

Effect of serotonin and thromboxane A2 on endothelial cell proliferation: effect of specific receptor antagonists.

Platelet aggregation at sites of vascular injury releases both peptide growth factors and vasoactive compounds. Although significant attention has been focused on peptide growth factors, very little is known about the mitogenic effect of vasoactive compounds. We evaluated the effect of serotonin (5-HT) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) mimetic U46619 alone and in combination on aortic endothelial cells. Stimulation of endothelial cells by 5-HT resulted in an increase in tritiated thymidine uptake and an increase in cell number, whereas U46619 did not have any significant effect. However, when endothelial cells were exposed to both compounds, U46619 potentiated the mitogenic effect of 5-HT on endothelial cells. When endothelial cells were preincubated with LY281067 (a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) or ridogrel (a combined TXA2 synthase inhibitor and receptor antagonist), LY281067 blocked the mitogenic effect of 5-HT and ridogrel blocked the potentiating effect of U46619 on 5-HT2-induced tritiated thymidine incorporation. When endothelial cells were preincubated with both antagonists, the effects of both 5-HT and U46619 were blocked. Recent studies have indicated that regenerating endothelial cells at sites of vascular injury may release growth factors for vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to smooth muscle cell proliferation and development of neointima. This study suggests that the combined use of 5-HT and TXA2 receptor antagonists may inhibit the growth of endothelial cells at sites of vascular injury and attenuate the formation of neointima.

Effect of serotonin, thromboxane A2, and specific receptor antagonists on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Restenosis is a major complication that limits the long-term efficacy of coronary angioplasty. Migration and proliferation of activated medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is considered an important mechanism in this process. Because at sites of vascular injury, aggregating platelets release both serotonin (5-HT) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), we examined whether 5-HT and TXA2 can induce SMC proliferation and whether there is synergistic interaction between these two mediators. METHODS AND RESULTS: The mitogenic effects of 5-HT and TXA2 either alone or in combination was examined in serum-free medium on canine aortic SMCs by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and by cell counting. 5-HT induced SMC proliferation at a concentration of 100 nmol/L, whereas the effect of TXA2 (U46619, a stable TXA2 mimetic) on inducing proliferation of SMCs was observed at a concentration of 100 nmol/L. When these two mediators were added together, there was a synergistic interaction on inducing SMC proliferation even at subthreshold concentrations. The mitogenic effect of 5-HT and its synergistic interaction with TXA2 on SMC proliferation was abolished by a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, LY281067, without affecting the contribution of TXA2. Similarly, the TXA2 synthase inhibitor/receptor antagonist ridogrel abolished the mitogenic effect of TXA2 and the interaction between 5-HT and TXA2 without affecting the response to 5-HT. When LY281067 and ridogrel were used together, they abolished the mitogenic effects of 5-HT and TXA2. CONCLUSIONS: At sites of vascular injury, platelet-induced SMC proliferation may also be modulated by nonpeptide growth mediators. A combination of a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist and TXA2 synthase inhibitor/receptor may be useful for attenuation of restenosis after angioplasty.

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of two novel ergoline compounds in human plasma.

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of the novel ergoline derivatives sergolexole (compound I), its acid metabolite (compound II) and cis-n-(2-hydroxycyclopentyl)-6-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)ergoline-8- carboxamide (LY215840, compound III) in human plasma is reported. The compounds were extracted from plasma by automated solid-phase extraction and analysed on a reversed-phase C8 column with fluorescence detection. The limit of quantification for all compounds was 10 ng/ml and the response was linear over the range 10-1000 ng/ml. Validation studies showed the method to be both repeatable and reproducible with no interference from human plasma. The method has been used to support pharmacokinetic studies and has proved to be robust and effective.