1.
Lindquist, Catarina
(författare)
Physiology and Pharmacology of GABAA receptors: The Brakes in the Brain
2005
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt) abstract
Inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain is mostly mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. These receptors are involved in both phasic inhibition (point-to-point inhibition, synaptic transmission) and tonic inhibition (diffuse form of inhibition, brain homeostasis). In this thesis the functional and pharmacological properties of GABAA receptors expressed in brain slices or in Sf 9 cells were studied. GABAA receptors expressed extrasynaptically are believed to be involved in tonic inhibition. In hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells we identified and characterized three types of extrasynaptic receptor types (GABARex) that varied in their affinity for GABA, maximal single-channel conductance and sensitivity to drugs. For the first time we showed how the GABA concentration determines the conductance of GABAA receptors in brain tissue. There is thus a direct link between the extracellular GABA concentration and the level of the tonic inhibition, providing dynamic control. It is only within the last ten years or so that the tonic inhibition was discovered and only recently has it gained widespread interest. One reason is that it has become quite clear that the first site of action and probably often the most important site of action of drugs are the extrasynaptic receptors. We found that a drug now in clinical trials (THIP) at the clinically relevant concentration activates these extrasynaptic receptors. It has been assumed that spontaneous openings of the receptors are only functionally significant in receptor complexes containing the epsilon-subunit or mutations. We show that alpha/beta and alpha/beta/gamma?receptors can open spontaneously and be modified by drugs. The capacity to open spontaneously may be vital for fast responses such as at synapses. This suggests that the functional properties of receptors located at synapses and outside of synapses (extrasynaptic receptors: GABARex) differ. Those at synapses open rapidly (ms) whereas those at extrasynaptic sites open after a delay of ten to hundreds of seconds. This functional difference is very important in terms of brain function as it ensures fast flow of information (synaptic transmission) but in a controlled way that is set by the gain and the time window for synaptic transmission integration via the tonic inhibition. By using the compound SR95531, we constructed a model that accounts for activation and inhibition of both phasic- and tonic-like currents in an expression system. This model can be used to calculate what concentrations of the inhibitor to use to specifically block certain GABARex receptors in brain tissue to study how a particular population of GABARex contributes to the tonic inhibition and how it affects both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission.
2.
Andersen, Grethe, et al.
(författare)
Quantitative measurement of the levels of melanocortin receptor subtype 1, 2, 3 and 5 and pro-opio-melanocortin peptide gene expression in subsets of human peripheral blood leucocytes
2005
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology. - Oxford : Wiley. - 0300-9475 .- 1365-3083. ; 61:3, s. 279-284
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Levels of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) 1, 2, 3 and 5 subtypes and pro-opio-melanocortin (POMC) protein mRNA were measured by the real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method in CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, CD8+ T cytotoxic cells, CD19+ B cells, CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, CD14+ monocytes and CD15+ granulocytes from healthy donors. We found high levels of all of the MC1, 2, 3 and 5R subtype mRNA in Th cells and moderate levels in NK cells, monocytes and granulocytes. POMC peptide mRNA was found in all examined leucocyte subsets, but only low levels were present in granulocytes. Our findings suggest a co-ordinating role for MCR subtypes and their naturally occurring ligands in the co-operation between innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, our findings are compatible with earlier finding of MCR-mediated tolerance induction in Th cells.
3.
Bazoti, Fotini N, et al.
(författare)
Study of the non-covalent interaction between amyloid-beta-peptide and melatonin using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
2005
Ingår i: Journal of Mass Spectrometry. - : Wiley. - 1076-5174 .- 1096-9888. ; 40:2, s. 182-192:40, s. 182-192
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
Oxidative stress and unregulated immune response are believed to play a key role in the processes inherent to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The fact that free radicals can result in neurodegeneration suggests that actions against reactive oxygen species may be beneficial in treating and preventing AD. In the light of the suggested link between oxidative stress and AD, it is proposed that antioxidants and, even more, endogenous antioxidants may offer a therapeutic regime for protection against the risk of this disease. For this reason, the formation of non-covalent complexes between amyloid-beta-peptide (A beta) or its oxidized forms and melatonin was studied by quadrupole and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The stability of the non-covalent complex was examined under several experimental conditions, such as orifice voltage, pH, presence of organic modifier, concentration and time. Two different digestion protocols combined with mass spectrometric analysis of the resulting peptide fragments were employed in order to locate the binding site of melatonin in A beta.
4.
Bengtsson, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
On-line desalting and determination of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in microdialysis and plasma samples using column switching and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
2005
Ingår i: Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0951-4198 .- 1097-0231. ; 19:15, s. 2116-2122
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
A sensitive and reproducible method for the determination of morphine and the metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) was developed. The method was validated for perfusion fluid used in microdialysis as well as for sheep and human plasma. A C18 guard column was used to desalt the samples before analytical separation on a ZIC HILIC (hydrophilic interaction chromatography) column and detection with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The mobile phases were 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) for desalting and acetonitrile/5 mM ammonium acetate (70:30) for separation. Microdialysis samples (5 microL) were directly injected onto the system. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) for morphine, M3G and M6G were 0.50, 0.22 and 0.55 ng/mL, respectively, and the method was linear from LLOQ to 200 ng/mL. For plasma, a volume of 100 microL was precipitated with acetonitrile containing internal standards (deuterated morphine and metabolites). The supernatant was evaporated and reconstituted in 0.05% TFA before the desalting process. The LLOQs for sheep plasma were 2.0 and 3.1 ng/mL and the ranges were 2.0-2000 and 3.1-3100 ng/mL for morphine and M3G, respectively. For human plasma, the LLOQs were 0.78, 1.49 and 0.53 ng/mL and the ranges were 0.78-500, 1.49-1000 and 0.53-500 ng/mL for morphine, M3G and M6G, respectively.
5.
Berggard, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
Brainstem levels of transcription factor AP-2 in rat are changed after treatment with phenelzine, but not with citalopram
2005
Ingår i: BMC Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2210. ; 5, s. 1-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
BACKGROUND: Before therapeutic effect is obtained after treatment with antidepressant drugs, like serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-Is) there is an initial lag-period of a few weeks. Neuronal adaptations on a molecular level are supposed to be involved in the initiation of the antidepressant effect. Transcription factor AP-2 is essential for neuronal development and many genes involved in the brainstem monoaminergic systems have binding sites for AP-2 in their regulatory regions. The genotype of the AP-2beta isoform has been associated with e.g. anxiety-related personality traits and with platelet MAO activity. In addition, previous studies have shown that the levels of AP-2alpha and AP-2beta in rat whole brain were decreased after 10 days of treatment with citalopram (SSRI) and imipramine (TCA), and were increased with phenelzine (MAO-I). RESULTS: In the present study, we report that treatment with citalopram for 1, 7 or 21 days did not have effect on the AP-2 levels in rat brainstem. However, after treatment with phenelzine for 1, 7 or 21 days the levels of AP-2alpha and AP-2beta had increased after 7 days, but had returned to control levels at day 21. CONCLUSION: The decrease in AP-2 levels in rat whole brain previously seen after treatment with citalopram does not seem to be localised to the brainstem, it may rather occur in the monoaminergic terminal projection areas. The present data suggest that the increase in AP-2 levels previously seen in rat whole brain after subchronic treatment with phenelzine is located in the brainstem. It cannot, however, be excluded that other brain regions are involved.
6.
Bergström, Christel, 1973-
(författare)
Computational models to predict aqueous drug solubility, permeability and intestinal absorption
2005
Ingår i: Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1742-5255 .- 1744-7607. ; 1:4, s. 613-627
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
In the last decade, poor intestinal absorption of candidate drugs intended for oral administration has been identified as a major bottleneck in drug development. Poor intestinal absorption can often be related to poor aqueous solubility and/or poor permeability across the intestinal wall. Other factors, such as poor stability and the metabolism of the compounds, can also decrease the amount of compound absorbed. In an effort to design compounds with enhanced absorption profile, theoretical predictions of solubility and permeability, among other factors, have gained increased interest, and a large number of papers have been published. In this review, the databases and techniques used for the development of in silico absorption models will be discussed. The focus is on aqueous drug solubility, which has become a major problem in drug development.
7.
8.
Boström, Emma, et al.
(författare)
Oxycodone Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in the Rat in the Presence of the P-Glycoprotein Inhibitor PSC833
2005
Ingår i: Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3549 .- 1520-6017. ; 94:5, s. 1060-1066
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat) abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the in vivo influence of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor PSC833 on the plasma pharmacokinetics, total brain concentrations and tail-flick latency of oxycodone in rats. Eight rats each received an infusion of PSC833 or vehicle without PSC833. One hour later, all animals received 0.3 mg/kg oxycodone as a 1-h infusion. Plasma samples were taken, and tail-flick latency was monitored during the infusion and for 2 h thereafter. The brains were collected at the end of the experiment. There were no differences between the two groups in area under the plasma oxycodone concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity, or oxycodone plasma clearance, volume of distribution at steady-state, or half-life. There were no differences in average total brain oxycodone concentrations at 180 min, nor were there any differences in average tail-flick latency for the PSC833 and control groups. In conclusion, coadministration of PSC833 did not alter the plasma pharmacokinetics, brain concentrations, or associated tail-flick latency of oxycodone, indicating that oxycodone is not a P-gp substrate in the rat. This has important clinical implications, as it indicates that oxycodone, unlike some other opioids, will not interact at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with concomitantly administered P-gp substrates.
9.
Collin, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
Monitor – biology
2005
Ingår i: Drug Discovery Today. - : Elsevier. - 1878-5832. ; 10:15, s. 1073-1073
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
10.
Collin, Mattias, et al.
(författare)
Monitor – biology
2005
Ingår i: Drug Discovery Today. - : Elsevier. - 1878-5832. ; 10:1, s. 75-77
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
