Syntheses of precursors and reference compounds of the melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1) tracers [¹¹C]SNAP-7941 and [¹8F]FE@SNAP for positron emission tomography.

The MCH receptor has been revealed as a target of great interest in positron emission tomography imaging. The receptor's eponymous substrate melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic peptide hormone, which is located predominantly in the hypothalamus with a major influence on energy and weight regulation as well as water balance and memory. Therefore, it is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of adiposity, which is nowadays a big issue worldwide. Based on the selective and high-affinity MCH receptor 1 antagonist SNAP-7941, a series of novel SNAP derivatives has been developed to provide different precursors and reference compounds for the radiosyntheses of the novel PET radiotracers [(11)C]SNAP-7941 and [(18)F]FE@SNAP. Positron emission tomography promotes a better understanding of physiologic parameters on a molecular level, thus giving a deeper insight into MCHR1 related processes as adiposity.

Acute hemodynamic response to propranolol predicts bleeding and nonbleeding decompensation in patients with cirrhosis.

Nonselective beta-blockers are used as prophylaxis for variceal bleeding in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). The acute hemodynamic response to intravenous propranolol (i.e., ≥10% reduction in hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG]) is linked to a decreased risk of variceal bleeding. In this study, we aimed to investigate the overall prognostic value of an acute response in compensated and decompensated ACLD. We analyzed the long-term outcome of prospectively recruited patients with ACLD following a baseline HVPG measurement with an intraprocedural assessment of the acute hemodynamic response to propranolol. Overall, we included 98 patients with ACLD (mean ± SD age, 56.4 ± 11.5 years; 72.4% decompensated; 88.8% varices; mean ± SD HVPG, 19.9 ± 4.4 mm Hg) who were followed for a median of 9.6 (interquartile range, 6.5-18.2) months. Fifty-seven patients (58.2%) demonstrated an acute hemodynamic response to propranolol that was associated with a decreased risk of variceal bleeding (at 12 months, 3.6% vs. 15% in nonresponder; log-rank, p = 0.038) and hepatic decompensation (at 12 months, 23% vs. 33% in nonresponder; log-rank, p = 0.096). On multivariate analysis, the acute response was an independent predictor of first/further hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazards ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.70; p = 0.005). Importantly, there was a tendency toward a prolonged transplant-free survival in acute responders compared to nonresponders (34.2; 95% CI, 29.2-39.2 vs. 25.2; 95% CI, 19.8-30.6 months; log-rank, p = 0.191). Conclusions: Patients with ACLD who achieve an acute hemodynamic response to intravenous propranolol experience a lower risk of variceal bleeding and nonbleeding hepatic decompensation events compared to nonresponders. An assessment of the acute hemodynamic response to intravenous propranolol provides important prognostic information in ACLD.

Heterocyclic analogues of xanthone and xanthione. 1H-pyrano[2,3-c:6,5-c]dipyrazol-4(7H)-ones and thiones: synthesis and NMR data.

The synthesis of the title compounds is described. Reaction of 1-substituted 2-pyrazolin-5-ones with 5-chloro-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride or 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride, respectively, using calcium hydroxide in refluxing 1,4-dioxane gave the corresponding 4-heteroaroylpyrazol-5-ols, which were cyclized into 1H-pyrano[2,3-c:6,5-c]dipyrazol-4(7H)-ones by treatment with K2CO3/DMF. The latter were converted into the corresponding thiones upon reaction with Lawesson's reagent. Detailed NMR spectroscopic investigations (1H, 13C, 15N) of the ring systems and their precursors are presented.

Derivatives of pyrazinecarboxylic acid: 1H, 13C and 15N NMR spectroscopic investigations.

NMR spectroscopic studies are undertaken with derivatives of 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid. Complete and unambiguous assignment of chemical shifts ((1)H, (13)C, (15)N) and coupling constants ((1)H,(1)H; (13)C,(1)H; (15)N,(1)H) is achieved by combined application of various 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Unequivocal mapping of (13)C,(1)H spin coupling constants is accomplished by 2D (delta,J) long-range INEPT spectra with selective excitation. Phenomena such as the tautomerism of 3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid are discussed.