Posthypoxic treatment with felbamate is neuroprotective in a rat model of hypoxia-ischemia.

Felbamate, a novel dicarbamate anticonvulsant that blocks the glycine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and protects the hippocampal slice from hypoxic damage, shows remarkably low toxicity in animals and in humans. Since most treatment of human cerebral ischemia will have to be delivered after the insult, we investigated the neuroprotective potency of post hoc felbamate in rat pups with bilateral carotid ligations exposed to an atmosphere of 6.5% O2 for 1 hour. Brain temperature was unaffected by surgery, hypoxia, or felbamate. Neuroprotection was greatest at 300 mg/kg, less effective at 200 and 400 mg/kg, and ineffective at 100 mg/kg. Post hoc felbamate (300 mg/kg) reduced the volume of infarction from 67% +/- 7% of neocortex in unmedicated rats to 32% +/- 8%, 51% +/- 12%, 38% +/- 19%, and 53% +/- 10% when given 0, 1, 2, and 4 hours after hypoxic exposure, respectively. By 6 hours, post hoc protection was no longer significant. Delayed neuronal necrosis in hippocampal granule cells was reduced from 156 +/- 33 neurons to 12 +/- 7 (0 hours, p < 0.01) and 37 +/- 17 (1 hour, p < 0.05). These effects were obtained at plasma concentrations (60 to 120 mg/ml) that have occasionally been reached without serious toxicity in human anticonvulsant trials. These data suggest that, in this animal model, felbamate given after a hypoxic-ischemic insult is effective in reducing cerebral infarction and extremely effective in preventing delayed neuronal necrosis, but that the window of opportunity for post hoc treatment is only 1 to 4 hours.

Meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid. Comparison of their effects on in vitro and ex vivo platelet aggregation.

Meseclazone and its major metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid (5-CSA) have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity. The comparative effects of these compounds on pletelet aggregation were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In vitro, meseclazone and ASA exhibited almost identical inhibitory potency of secondary phase ADP aggregation while 5-CSA was less effective. Moreover, collagen aggregation was inhibited by all three agents: ASA greater than meseclazone greater than 5-CSA. Thrombin-induced aggregation was inhibited to approximately the same extent by 5-CSA and ASA while meseclazone was inactive. The in vitro effects on the release-inducing aggregants were confirmed by ex vivo experiments in rats. These demonstrated that ASA and meseclazone inhibited collagen-induced aggregation 1 and 4 hr after oral administration although ASA was three to four times more active. ASA, but not meseclazone, was still effective 24 hr after administration. Bleeding times in rats 1 and 4 hr following oral administration of meseclazone and ASA were not altered. It is concluded that meseclazone and/or 5-CSA inhibit in vitro and ex vivo platelet aggregation initiated by the release reaction similar to ASA and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Modulation of in vitro anaphylaxis of guinea-pig isolated tracheal segments by azelastine, inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism and selected antiallergic drugs.

The ability of azelastine to influence antigen-induced contractile responses (Schultz-Dale phenomenon) in isolated tracheal segments of the guinea-pig was investigated and compared with selected antiallergic drugs and inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism. Indomethacin produced a significant leftward shift of the antigen concentration-effect curve. The inhibitory activity of azelastine on anaphylactic responses in guinea-pig trachea was dependent on the duration of exposure (preincubation period). The relative order of potency (antianaphylactic activity) at calculated IC50 level was as follows: FPL 55712 (a leukotriene receptor antagonist) greater than nordihydroguaiaretic acid (a lipoxygenase inhibitor) greater than p-bromophenacyl bromide (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) greater than BW 755c (a dual inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase) greater than theophylline (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) greater than azelastine greater than diphenhydramine (H1 histamine-receptor antagonist) greater than ketotifen greater than disodium cromoglycate. FPL 55712 (added 5 min before antigen challenge) was about 12 times as potent as azelastine (added 2 h before antigen challenge). The incubation of tracheal segments with azelastine and BW 755c for a period of 30 min was found to inhibit indomethacin-augmented anaphylactic responses. These observations seem to suggest that azelastine and BW 755c interfere with the synthesis/release of the products of lipoxygenase/leukotriene synthetase pathway (e.g., leukotrienes) in the mediation of allergic responses in airway smooth muscles.

The obligatory role of calcium in the development of antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation in the rat isolated trachea.

The effect of antigen challenge on cold provocation (30-10 degrees C) in isolated tracheal segments from control (normal) and ovalbumin-sensitized rats was studied. Sensitization alone or acute cold provocation (10 degrees C) alone was not sufficient to cause contraction of tracheal smooth muscle preparation. Following recovery from antigen-induced responses (Schultz-Dale phenomenon) in sensitized rat segments, cold provocation induced strong contractile responses. Both the antigen-induced contractions and the subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold were dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by verapamil. The data in this study indicate that extracellular Ca2+ plays an obligatory role in the mediation of antigen-induced contractile responses as well as the subsequent development of hyperreactivity to cold provocation in rat tracheal smooth muscle.

Induction of non-specific airway hyperreactivity by potassium channel blockade in rat isolated trachea.

1. The exposure of rat isolated tracheal segment to the K(+)-channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 mM) for a period of 10-15 min generally produced little or no contractile response. 2. Cooling (10 C) provocation alone usually produced small (10 +/- 3% acetylcholine maximum) contractile responses. 3. In the presence of TEA (10 mM, 10-15 min exposure), rat trachea exhibited airway hyperreactivity to acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and cooling. It also increased the peak tension induced by 5-HT. 4. TEA-induced airway hyperreactivity to cooling was significantly inhibited in Ca2(+)-free Krebs solution suggesting an important role for extracellular Ca2+ influx. 5. We conclude that the blockade of potassium channels with TEA induces non-specific airway hyperreactivity to cooling, 5-HT and acetylcholine in rat isolated tracheal segments.

Phospholipase A2 induced airway hyperreactivity to cooling and acetylcholine in rat trachea: pharmacological modulation.

1. Rat isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations respond to phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and phospholipase C (PLC) with contractile responses of highly variable magnitudes. Rat tracheae exposed to PLA2 or PLC for a period of 10-30 min, exhibit airway hyperreactivity (AH) to cooling (10 degrees C), i.e., respond with strong contractile responses. Phospholipase D neither contracted rat tracheae nor induced AH to cooling. 2. PLA2-induced AH to cooling was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ in the physiological solution. 3. Verapamil, azelastine, diltiazem and TMB-8 (each 10 microM) significantly attenuated PLA2-induced AH. This effect was not shared by nifedipine (10 microM). 4. Bepridil (10 microM), a Ca2+ and calmodulin antagonist, also significantly attenuated AH induced by PLA2. 5. Indomethacin (a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor), AA-861 (a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor), FPL 55712 (a leukotriene receptor antagonist), methysergide (a 5-hydroxytryptamine D-receptor antagonist) and pyrilamine (a histamine H1-receptor antagonist) exerted little or no effect on PLA2-induced AH to cooling. 6. Atropine significantly attenuated PLA2-induced AH suggesting the participation of acetylcholine. 7. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (an antioxidant; 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor) and BW 755C (an antioxidant; a dual inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase) significantly attenuated PLA2-induced AH to cooling. 8. In conclusion, these data show that PLA2 (an enzyme involved in the synthesis of Paf-acether, prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, diacylglycerol, superoxide free radicals and lipid peroxides, etc.) induces AH to cooling and acetylcholine in rat trachea. The induction of AH to cooling is dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and is significantly attenuated by verapamil, diltiazem, bepridil, atropine and azelastine (an antiallergic/antiasthmatic drug).

Inhibition of allergic and non-allergic histamine secretion from rat peritoneal mast cells by calcium antagonists.

Bepridil, TMB-8 (8-(diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride), diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine exerted concentration-dependent inhibition of antigen and calcium ionophore A23187-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. The inhibitory effects of verapamil and bepridil against calcium ionophore A23187-induced histamine secretion were antagonized by increased Ca2+ concentrations in the extracellular medium. These observations suggest that both agents act by interfering with the influx of Ca2+ into the mast cells. The inhibitory activities of five different Ca2+ channel blockers on allergic and non-allergic histamine secretion from rat peritoneal mast cells varied considerably depending upon the nature of the secretagogue as well as concentration and type of Ca2+-antagonist examined.

Oncogenic studies with felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate).

Felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate, is a novel anticonvulsant that is effective against both chemically and electrically induced seizures in laboratory animals. Oncogenic studies were conducted in mice and rats to establish a preclinical safety profile for this drug. There was an increased incidence of hepatic cell adenoma in male and female mice and in female rats. There was an increased incidence of interstitial cell tumors of the testes in the male rat.

Acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity studies with felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate.

Felbamate, 2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate, is a novel anticonvulsant that is effective against both chemically and electrically induced seizures in laboratory animals. Acute, subchronic, and chronic studies were conducted in mice, rats, and dogs to establish a preclinical safety profile for this drug. Clinical signs following single intraperitoneal doses included hypoactivity, tremors, decreased muscle tone, ataxia, prostration, and labored breathing. Death was observed after intraperitoneal but not oral administration. A consistent drug-related effect noted in all multiple-dose studies with this compound was decreased body weight and food consumption. The only other consistent change noted in multiple-dose studies with felbamate was an increase in liver weight (relative and absolute) in the rat and dog which was accompanied in some cases by increases in serum enzyme levels. No histopathological changes were observed in the liver that could explain these elevated serum enzyme levels. Based on the results of these studies it was concluded that long-term administration of felbamate in human clinical trials was warranted.

Effect of paf-acether on isoprenaline-induced relaxation in isolated tracheal segments of rats and guinea pigs.

Platelet activating factor (paf-acether) was found to contract rat and guinea pig tracheal segments. It does not cause down regulation of beta-adrenoceptor in guinea pig trachea. In addition, paf-contracted rat tracheal segments lose their ability to relax in response to isoprenaline.

Anticonvulsant activity of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol compared with three other drugs.

Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was compared with diphenylhydantoin (DPH), phenobarbital (PB) and chlordiazepoxide (CDP) using several standard laboratory procedures to determine anticonvulsant activity in mice, i.e., the maximal electroshock test (MES), and seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and nicotine. In the MES test, THC was the least potent and DPH the most potent blocker of hind limb tonic extensor convulsions whereas THC was the most potent and DPH the least potent in increasing the latency to this response and in preventing mortality. Seizures and mortality induced by pentylenetetrazol or by strychnine were enhanced by THC and DPH and were blocked by PB and CDP. In the test with nicotine, none of the four anticonvulsant agents prevented seizures; DPH was the only one which failed to increase latency; THC and DPH were less potent than PB and CDP in preventing mortality. THC most closely resembled DPH in the tests with chemical convulsant agents, but a sedative action of THC, resembling that of PB and CDP, was indicated by low ED5 0 for increased latency and for prevention of mortality in the MES test.

Pharmacological modulation of bradykinin-, acetylcholine- and calcium ionophore A23187-induced relaxation of rabbit pulmonary arterial segments.

Bradykinin (BK; 10(-10)-10(-7) M) relaxes phenylephrine-contracted rabbit isolated pulmonary arterial rings. The mechanical destruction of the endothelial layer obliterates acetylcholine (ACh) and A23187-induced relaxation without influencing BK-, isoproterenol-, sodium nitroprusside- and papaverine-induced relaxations. Atropine and propranolol selectively antagonized ACh- and isoproterenol-induced relaxation, respectively, without influencing BK-induced relaxation. Indomethacin (1.4 X 10(-5) M, a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 30-60 min) and p-bromophenacylbromide (5 X 10(-6) M, p-BPB, a potent phospholipase A2 inhibitor, 30-60 min) selectively inhibited BK-induced relaxation without influencing relaxation to isoproterenol, sodium nitroprusside and papaverine. These data suggest that BK stimulates PLA2 and releases arachidonic acid (AA), which is further metabolized via cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin synthetase to prostacyclin (PGI2), causing relaxation of rabbit pulmonary arterial segments. The inhibition of ACh- and A23187-induced relaxation by p-BPB, but not by indomethacin, suggest that initial activation of PLA2 causes the release of AA, which is subsequently metabolized to endothelial-derived relaxant factor (EDRF; lipid peroxides, ROOH, ROO-?).

Allergic responses and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation in the rat trachea: pharmacological modulation.

An in vitro model of airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation was developed. Cold provocation (10 degrees C) alone was not sufficient to cause contraction of rat isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparations. However, following recovery from antigen-induced responses in sensitized rat tracheal segments, cold provocation resulted in marked contractile responses. L-652,731 (a Paf-acether antagonist) and atropine significantly attenuated antigen-induced responses and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation. Indomethacin augmented allergic responses and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold challenge. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, FPL 55712 and theophylline did not exert any effect. The data obtained in this study showed that (i) Paf-acether and acetylcholine may play an important role in the mediation of allergic responses and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation; (ii) the significant attenuation of antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation by Ca2+ channel blockers (nifedipine, bepridil and TMB-8) suggests an increase in Ca2+ influx/permeability following antigen challenge which appears to be responsible for the development of airway hyperreactivity to cold provocation; and (iii) 5-HT, prostaglandins or thromboxanes and leukotrienes play little or no role in the mediation of allergic responses and subsequent development of airway hyperreactivity to cold exposure in rat trachea.

In vitro inhibition of allergic histamine release by calcium antagonists.

The ability of calcium entry blockers to inhibit allergic histamine release from rabbit leukocytes was studied. Bepridil, verapamil, nifedipine, diltiazem and TMB-8 produced concentration-dependent inhibition of allergic histamine release from rabbit leukocytes. The calculated IC50s (microM) were as follows: verapamil = 1.3; bepridil = 2.3; TMB-8 = 3.0; nifedipine = 3.3; and diltiazem = 5.3. Verapamil also exerted concentration-dependent inhibition of allergic histamine release from human basophils with an IC50 of 3.7 microM. These agents may act by interfering with the influx of Ca2+ into the leukocytes as well as calcium-dependent steps (e.g., activation of calmodulin, phospholipase A2 and/or 5-lipoxygenase etc.) in the process of histamine secretion.

Effect of meseclazone and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on isolated tracheal chain tone.

Meseclazone, 5-CSA and several representative NSAIDs caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the tracheal ring preparation and are listed in order of descending potency: isoproterenol greater than naproxen greater than ibuprofen greater than diflunisal greater than tolmetin approximately equal to fenoprofen approximately equal to indomethacin greater than phenylbutazone greater than meseclazone greater than 5-CSA greater than aspirin. This relaxation may be related to inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase, but relative potencies of NSAIDs in this test do not necessarily correspond to their potency in inhibiting PG synthethase in other tissue. Thus other factors may play a role.

Inhibition of calcium ionophore (A23187)-stimulated histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells by azelastine: implications for its mode of action.

Azelastine is a novel, orally effective, long-acting, antiallergic agent. The ability of azelastine to influence calcium ionophore A23187-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated and compared with selected antiallergic drugs. The concentrations of drugs required to inhibit A23187 (0.2 microM)-stimulated histamine release by 50% (IC50S, microM) were as follows: azelastine 5; diphenhydramine 52; and ketotifen 200. Theophylline and sodium cromoglycate in a concentration range of 0.1-1000 microM failed to exert any significant inhibition of histamine release. The inhibitory effects of azelastine on A23187-stimulated histamine release were antagonized by high concentrations of exogenous Ca2+ ions. These data suggest that azelastine inhibits A23187-stimulated histamine release by interfering with the influx of Ca2+ into the mast cells.

Anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody inhibits allergic late phase bronchial eosinophilia in guinea pigs: a therapeutic approach.

In this study the effect of purified rat anti-mouse IL-5 monoclonal antibody on aeroallergen-induced infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of guinea pigs was studied. The i.p. injection of anti-IL-5 antibody 4 h after aeroallergen challenge inhibited eosinophil infiltration in a dose-dependent fashion. The resulting ED50 was 10 (3.4-32.8) micrograms/kg. The clinical therapeutic usefulness of anti-IL-5 or anti-IL-5-producing cells in asthma/allergy treatment remains to be an intriguing possibility.

Use of [3H]5,7 dichlorokynurenic acid to identify strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors in human postmortem brain.

[3H]5,7 Dichlorokynurenic acid ([3H]DCKA) was used to define conditions for obtaining selective binding to strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors. The parameters were established in sections of human brain prior to localizing the receptors sites by autoradiography. The binding of [3H]DCKA was of high affinity (Kd = 14.5 nM), readily reversible (K-1 = 0.216 min-1), and specific (60% specific binding determined by inhibition with 100 microM glycine or D-serine). High levels of strychnine-insensitive glycine receptors were identified in several brain areas including portions of the cerebral cortex (Bmax in middle temporal gyrus: 174.0 fmol/mg tissue), basal ganglia, hippocampal formation, and midbrain. These results identify regions where glycine receptors may be involved in modulating NMDA-mediated channel activity.

Felbamate modulates the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor.

Felbamate (2-phenyl-1,3-propanediol dicarbamate) is a novel anticonvulsant substance whose mechanism of action is not clearly understood. The present investigation examined its ability to modulate the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Felbamate decreased the magnitude of glycine (100 microM)-enhanced NMDA (100 microM)-induced intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) transients in mouse cerebellar granule cells which had been loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe indo-1 acetoxymethyl ester (indo-1/AM). This effect of felbamate was concentration dependent, with a maximal effect observed at 300 microM (65 +/- 4% of control). In the Frings audiogenic seizure-susceptible mouse model of reflex epilepsy, the glycine agonist D-serine (150 nmol, i.c.v.) completely blocked the anticonvulsant activity of a maximally effective dose of felbamate (19 mg/kg, i.p.). This effect of D-serine could be reversed by increasing the administered dose of felbamate to 29 mg/kg. Furthermore, administration of D-serine (300 nmol, i.c.v.) to felbamate-treated Frings mice produced a parallel right shift in felbamate's anticonvulsant dose-response curve (ED50s: 9.4 mg/kg for felbamate vs. 17.7 mg/kg for felbamate + D-serine). The results obtained in this investigation suggest that the ability of felbamate to modulate the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor may be physiologically and behaviorally relevant to its anticonvulsant mechanism of action.

Comparative anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of 7-chloro-3,3a-dihydro-2-methyl-2H,9H-isoxazolo-(3,2-b)(1,3)-benzoxazin-9-one and 5-chlorosalicylic acid in rats.

Evidence is presented which indicates that 7-chloro-3,3a-dihydro-2-methyl-2H,9H-isoxazolo-(3,2-b) (1,3)-benzoxazin-9-one (I) and 5-chlorosalicylic acid, its major metabolic end-product, are equally effective as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents, while the former is a somewhat more effective analgesic than its metabolite in the rat. However, at the equimolar doses used in this study, I is not ulcerogenic, while 5-chlorosalicylic acid does possess this untoward effect in the fasted rat. Moreover, the LD50 for 5-chlorosalicylic acid (261.0 mg/kg) is approximately 6.5 times less than that of I (1710.0 mg/kg) in the nonfasted rat. These results support the postulation that 5-chlorosalicylic acid is most likely responsible for the pharmacological activity displayed by I; i.e., the latter acts as a carrier or delivery system, allowing attenuation of the toxic properties of its active metabolite.