1.
Ploj, Karolina, et al.
(author)
Basal levels and alcohol-induced changes in nociceptin/orphanin FQ, dynorphin, and enkephalin levels in C57BL/6J mice
2000
In: Brain Research Bulletin. - 0361-9230 .- 1873-2747. ; 53:2, s. 219-226
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
In order to investigate the involvement of the opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) system in alcohol drinking behaviour, N/OFQ and the opioid peptides dynorphin B (DYNB) and Met-enkephalin-Arg(6) Phe(7) (MEAP) were examined in the alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mice. Basal peptide levels were compared in the brain and the pituitary gland with basal levels in the alcohol-avoiding DBA/2J mice. Furthermore, the effects of chronic alcohol self-administration on peptides were studied in the C57BL/6J mice. Compared to the DBA/2J mice, C57BL/6J mice had low immunoreactive (ir) levels of DYNB and MEAP in the nucleus accumbens, the hippocampus, and the substantia nigra, low ir-DYNB levels in the striatum and low ir-MEAP levels in the frontal cortex. Higher ir-DYNB levels in the pituitary gland and in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and higher ir-N/OFQ levels in the frontal cortex and in the hippocampus were detected in C57BL/6J mice compared to the DBA/2J mice. After 4 weeks of voluntary alcohol consumption, only minor changes in steady-state peptide levels were identified. However, 5 days after the alcohol-drinking period, lower levels of all peptides were detected in the ventral tegmental area and ir-DYNB levels were also lower in the amygdala and in the substantia nigra. Twenty-one days after cessation of alcohol self-administration, the opioid peptides in alcohol-consuming C57BL/6J mice were lower in the PAG, the N/OFQ was lower in the frontal cortex and DYNB was higher in the amygdala and substantia nigra as compared to control C57BL/6J mice. This study demonstrates strain differences between C57BL/6J mice and DBA/2J mice that could contribute to divergent drug-taking behaviour, and it also demonstrates time- and structure-specific changes in neuropeptide levels after alcohol self-administration in the C57BL/6J mice.
2.
Graffner-Nordberg, Malin, et al.
(author)
Computational predictions of binding affinities to dihydrofolate reductase: synthesis and biological evaluation of methotrexate analogues
2000
In: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-4804 .- 0022-2623. ; 43:21, s. 3852-3861
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
The relative binding affinities to human dihydrofolate reductase of four new potential antifolates, containing ester linkages between the two aromatic systems, were estimated by free energy perturbation simulations. The ester analogue, predicted to exhibit the highest binding affinity to human dihydrofolate reductase, and a reference ester (more structurally related to methotrexate) were synthesized. As deduced from the measured IC(50) values, the calculated ranking of the ligands was correct although a greater difference in affinity was indicated by the experimental measurements. Among the new antifolates the most potent inhibitor exhibited a similar pharmacokinetic profile to methotrexate but lacked activity in a complex antiarthritic model in rat in vivo.
3.
Annas, Anita, et al.
(author)
Differential response of cultured human umbilical vein and artery endothelial cells to Ah receptor agonist treatment : CYP-dependent activation of food and environmental mutagens
2000
In: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0041-008X .- 1096-0333. ; 169:1, s. 94-101
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
In the present study, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-hydroxylase, and covalent binding of H-3-labeled 3-amino-1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (H-3-Trp-P-1) and H-3-DMBA were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human umbilical artery endothelial cells (HUAEC) exposed to the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonist beta -naphthoflavone (BNF) or vehicle only. The results revealed a marked induction of enzymatic activity in BNF-treated HUVEC compared with vehicle-treated cells, whereas no similar response was observed in BNF-treated HUAEC. EROD, DMBA hydroxylase, and covalent binding of H-3-Trp-P-1 and H-3-DMBA in BNF-treated HUVEC were reduced in the presence of the CYP1A inhibitor ellipticine. Addition of other CYP1A inhibitors ru-naphthoflavone, miconazole, 1-ethynylpyrene, 1-(1-propynyl)pyrene, or the CYP1A substrate ethoyresorufin to the incubation buffer of BNF-treated HUVEC reduced covalent binding of H-3-Trp-P-1 by 93-98%. Western blot analysis confirmed an induction of CYP1A1 in BNF-treated HUVEC, but not in BNF-treated HUAEC. CYP1A1 was, however, detected in both vehicle- and BNF-treated HUAEC. The results showed that BNF exposure induced CYP1A1 and metabolic activation of xenobiotics in HUVEC, whereas the catalytic activity remained low in BNF-treated HUAEC. Our results suggest that endothelial lining of human veins may be a target for adverse effects of xenobiotics activated into reactive metabolites by Ah receptor-regulated enzymes. Several studies have detected CYP1A1 in endothelial linings, whereas expression of CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 seems to be negligible at this site. This suggests that the metabolic activation and covalent binding of H-3-Trp-P-1 and H-3-DMBA in HUVEC are most likely mediated by CYP1A1.
4.
Bertozzi, Fabio, et al.
(author)
Temporary in situ aluminum and zinc tethering in Diels-Alder reactions
2000
In: Organic Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1523-7060 .- 1523-7052. ; 2:9, s. 1283-1286
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
(formula presented) Temporary tethering using aluminum or zinc in Diels-Alder reactions made possible the use of otherwise "noncompatible" combinations of dienes and dienophiles, resulting in the one-step formation of substituted cyclohexene 1,2-bis-methanols. Excellent regioselectivity and also significant stereoselectivity were obtained.
5.
Claeson, Ubonwan Pongprayoon, et al.
(author)
Adhatoda vasica : a critical review of ethnopharmacological and toxicological data
2000
In: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. - 0378-8741 .- 1872-7573. ; 72:1-2, s. 1-20
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Adhatoda vasica (L.) Nees is a well-known plant drug in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. It has been used for the treatment of various diseases and disorders, particularly for the respiratory tract ailments. During the last 20 years, several scientific reports on oxytocic and abortifacient effects of vasicine and alkaloid derived from the plant have appeared. This leads to questions concerning the safety of A. vasica as a herbal medicine. In this article, the major data on traditional uses as well as ethnopharmacological and toxicological studies, both published and unpublished, are reviewed and commented upon. The data have been evaluated from the point of view of correctness, reliability, relevance and importance for the overall evaluation of the safety of A. vasica.
6.
Dahlin, Maria, et al.
(author)
Transfer of dopamine in the olfactory pathway following nasal administration in mice
2000
In: Pharmaceutical research. - 0724-8741 .- 1573-904X. ; 17:6, s. 737-742
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether dopamine is transferred along the olfactory pathway to the brain following nasal administration to mice. METHODS: [3H]-Dopamine was administered nasally or intravenously to female mice. Brain tissue samples were excised and the radioactive content was measured. The precise localisation of dopamine radioactivity in the brain was studied using autoradiography. The presence of dopamine or its metabolites in the olfactory bulb and mucosa was ascertained using thin layer chromatography (TLC). RESULTS: After administration of [3H]-dopamine into the right nostril, the amount of dopamine in the right bulb increased with time until. after 4 h, it was 27 times higher than in the left bulb. Among the other brain tissue samples, significantly higher amount of radioactivity was detected in the lateral olfactory tract. Radioactivity in the right olfactory bulb was shown by autoradiography to be selectively located in the peripheral layers 1 to 4 h after administration. Selective uptake of radioactivity was not seen in other regions of the brain. TLC data indicated that approximately 75% and 10% of the radioactivity in the olfactory bulb and mucosa, respectively, coeluted with dopamine. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that unchanged dopamine is transferred into the olfactory bulb following nasal administration of [3H]-dopamine.
7.
Hosseinpour, Fardin, et al.
(author)
Porcine microsomal vitamin D-3 25-hydroxylase (CYP2D25) : Catalytic properties, tissue distribution, and comparison with human CYP2D6
2000
In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 275:44, s. 34650-34655
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
The metabolic activation of the prohormone vitamin D(3) requires a 25-hydroxylation that has been reported to be catalyzed by both mitochondrial CYP27A and a microsomal vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase in the liver. CYP27A has been extensively studied, but its role as a physiologically important vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase has been questioned. The present paper reports that the microsomal vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase, purified from pig liver, converted vitamin D(3) into 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) in substrate concentrations which are within the physiological range (apparent K(m) = 0.1 microm). The enzyme 25-hydroxylated vitamin D(3), 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(3) and vitamin D(2) and also converted tolterodine, a substrate for human CYP2D6, into its 5-hydroxymethyl metabolite. Tolterodine inhibited the microsomal 25-hydroxylation, whereas quinidine, an inhibitor of CYP2D6, did not markedly inhibit the reaction. The primary structure of the microsomal vitamin D(3) 25-hydroxylase, designated CYP2D25, shows 77% identity with that of human CYP2D6. Northern blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments revealed that CYP2D25 mRNA is expressed in higher levels in liver than in kidney and in small amounts in adrenals, brain, heart, intestine, lung, muscle, spleen, and thymus. Experiments with human liver microsomes and recombinantly expressed CYP2D6 strongly indicate that the microsomal 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D(3) in human liver is catalyzed by an enzyme different from CYP2D6.
8.
Hämäläinen, Markku D., et al.
(author)
Characterization of a set of HIV-1 protease inhibitors using binding kinetics data from a biosensor-based screen
2000
In: Journal of Biomolecular Screening. - : Elsevier BV. - 1087-0571 .- 1552-454X. ; 5:5, s. 353-359
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
The interaction between 290 structurally diverse human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitors and the immobilized enzyme was analyzed with an optical biosensor, Although only a single concentration of inhibitor was used, information about the kinetics of the interaction could be obtained by extracting binding signals at discrete time points. The statistical correlation between the biosensor binding data, inhibition of enzyme activity (K-i), and viral replication (EC50) revealed that the association and dissociation rates for the interaction could be resolved and that they were characteristic for the compounds. The most potent inhibitors, with respect to K-i and EC50 values, including the clinically used drugs, all exhibited fast association and slow dissociation rates. Selective or partially selective binders for HIV-1 protease could be distinguished from compounds that showed a general protein-binding tendency by using three reference target proteins. This biosensor-based direct binding assay revealed a capacity to efficiently provide high-resolution information on the interaction kinetics and specificity of the interaction of a set of compounds with several targets simultaneously.
9.
Johansson, Pia, et al.
(author)
The effect on opioid peptides in the rat brain, after chronic treatment with the anabolic androgenic steroid, nandrolone decanoate
2000
In: Brain Research Bulletin. - 0361-9230 .- 1873-2747. ; 51:5, s. 413-418
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
In recent years, an increase in abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has been seen among individuals not directly connected to sports. Clinical evidence suggests that abuse of these steroids may result in profound changes in personality, expressed by depressive symptoms, irritability and increased aggression. It is still unknown whether these alterations are related to changes in any particular transmitter system or whether they are persistent or reversible. In this study we focused on AAS effect on the endogenous dynorphin and enkephalin system in the brain. Male rats were given intramuscular injections of the AAS nandrolone decanoate (15 mg/kg), once daily for 2 weeks. The levels of the opioid peptide immunoreactivities (ir) were assessed by radioimmunoassay in two groups immediately after the treatment and in two other groups after additional 3 weeks without any drug treatment (recovery period). The result indicates that chronic AAS treatment increased the activity in the dynorphin B- and Met-enkephalin-Arg6Phe7-ir in the hypothalamus, striatum and periaqueductal gray (PAG) compared to controls. In addition, the steroid induced an imbalance between the dynorphin and the enkephalin opioid system in the nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus and PAG. This imbalance remained after the recovery period. Since increased peptide activity was found in brain regions regulating emotions, dependence, defensive reactions and aggression, it was suggested that the actual endogenous opioid systems are involved in previously reported AAS-induced changes in these behaviours.
10.
Kettis, Åsa, et al.
(author)
Pharmacists´ attitudes towards importance of compounding to their profession
2000
In: J Social and Administrative Pharmacy. - 0281-0662. ; 17:3, s. 143-150
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
Results of a questionnaire mailed to a random sample of 661 Swedish pharmacists in Nov 1991. 486 usable replies were received (74% response). 85% of respondents worked for the Swedish national pharmacy corporation, of whom 75% were in community pharmacies and 20% in hospital pharmacies. 60% thought that extemporaneous compounding is an important part of the pharmacy profession. The results are discussed, and compared with attitudes to the pharmacist's role found in other countries.
