Analysis of density changes of selected brain receptors after a 14-day supply of chromium(III) and evaluation of chromium(III) affinity to selected receptors and transporters

Chromium(III) is one of the most controversial biometals. Although, it is no longer on the list of minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the human body, and its pharmacological effect is still under discussion. One of the purposes of Cr(III) administration is to use it in patients with mood disorders and it is strictly related to its pharmacological, not dietary effect. This is because its high doses are necessary to obtain the results and additionally, no deficiencies in human population have been noted. In this study, the affinity of chromium(III) to selected receptors and transporters in the rat brain was evaluated, and the effect of the 14-day administration of thismetal was assessed on the density of selected receptors. All analyses were performed in vitro using radioligand binding assays, and the results indicated lack of affinity to β1 and α1 receptors and serotonin transporter (SERT), furthermore very weak affinity to the 5-HT1A receptor (30% inhibition at 10−4 and 10−5 M). Analysis of the α1 and β1 adrenergic receptor density indicated lack of any adaptive effects after 14 days of Cr(III) administration through intraperitoneal injections (doses 6 and 12 mg/kg). The antidepressant activity of chromium(III) indicated in clinical trials concerned patients with atypical, seasonal, or dystonic symptoms. This effect, as it seems based on the presented results, does not depend on direct affinity to serotonin receptors and transporter nor is the result of adaptive changes in the adrenoreceptor system

Serotonin transporter activity of imidazolidine-2,4-dione and imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-dione derivatives in aspect of their acid–base properties

Affinities of arylpiperazinylalkyl derivatives of imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-dione and imidazolidine-2,4-dione for serotonin transporter and their acid–base properties were evaluated. The dissociation constant (pK(a)) of compounds 1–22 were determinated by potentiometric titration and calculated using pKalc 3.1 module of the Pallas system. The data from experimental methods and computational calculations were compared and suitable conclusions were reached

Cytotoxic effect and molecular docking of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide—a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor

The preliminary cytotoxic effect of 4-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-1-(piperidin-4-ylcarbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride (1)—a potent topoisomerase II inhibitor—was measured using a MTT assay. It was found that the compound decreased the number of viable cells in both estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 and estrogen receptor-negative MDA-MB-231breast cancer cells, with IC(50) values of 146 ± 2 and 132 ± 2 μM, respectively. To clarify the molecular basis of the inhibitory action of 1, molecular docking studies were carried out. The results suggest that 1 targets the ATP binding pocket. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00894-012-1679-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Brain biopsy in the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with a history of prodromal psychiatric symptoms and catatonic behavior

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a neurodegenerative disorder belonging to the group of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The transition of physiological, soluble, neuroprotective prion protein PrPc into its insoluble, misfolded isoform PrPSc remains its central pathogenic event. The progressive accumulation of isoform PrPSc within the brain tissue results in spongiform degeneration and a plethora of clinical symptoms. Typically, CJD manifests as progressive dementia with myoclonus, visual or cerebellar dysfunction, pyramidal/extrapyramidal signs or akinetic mutism. However, a growing number of studies indicate that CJD may present with prodromal psychiatric manifestations including anhedonia, anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia, psychosis and catatonic behavior. We present a case of CJD with a history of prodromal psychiatric symptoms and catatonic behavior diagnosed by brain biopsy

Synthesis of new 4-butyl-arylpiperazine-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives and evaluation for their 5-HT1A_{1A} and D2_{2} receptor affinity and serotonin transporter inhibition

A series of novel 4-butyl-arylpiperazine-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their 5-HT$_{1A}$/D2 receptor affinity and serotonin reuptake inhibition. The compounds exhibited high affinity for the 5-HT$_{1A}$ receptor, (especially 4d K$_{i}$ = 0.4 nM) which depended on the substitution pattern at the phenylpiperazine moiety. From this series screen, compound 4c emerged with promising mixed receptor profiles for the 5-HT$_{1A}$/D2 receptors and the serotonin transporter (K$_{i}$ = 1.3 nM, 182 nM and 64 nM, respectively).long-chain arylpiperazinesdepression5-HT$_{1A}$ receptor ligandsschizophreniamulti-target ligand

Evaluation of antiarrythmic activity of novel imidazo[2,1-F]purine-2,4-dione and imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives with aminoalkyl moieties

The main goal of this study was to assess antiarrhythmic activity of novel aminoalkyl derivatives of imidazo[2,1-f]purine-2,4-dione and imidazolidine-2,4-dione exerting α1 and 5-HT1A receptors affinity. Tested compounds produced prophylactic and therapeutic antiarrhythmic activity in an adrenaline-induced model of arrhythmia. The strongest antiarrhythmic activity as well as the highest α1-adrenoreceptor affinity (Ki = 13.9 nM) was found for 5-methyl-5-phenyl-3-[3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)propyl]-imidazolidine-2,4- dione (12). The results indicated a correlation between α1-adrenoreceptor affinities and antiarrhythmic activity

Study of a mechanism responsible for potential antidepressant activity of EMD 386088, a 5-HT_6 partial agonist in rats

It was shown that 5-HT(6) receptor agonists can exert pharmacological activity due to various modifications in monoamines’ level and metabolism activity in rats’ brain structures. This finding was correlated with antidepressant- or anxiolytic-like properties of these compounds. The study was designed to establish a possible mechanism of the antidepressant-like activity of the partial 5-HT(6) receptor agonist EMD386088 (5-chloro-2-methyl-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole hydrochloride) in rats. The concentrations of monoamines (dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), and serotonin (5-HT)) and the rate of their metabolism were measured ex vivo in the brain structures (hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, striatum) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The rats were killed after the forced swim test (FST); the collected tissue samples were used to ex vivo experiments. The potency of EMD386088 to blockade dopamine transporter (DAT) was tested in a functional in vitro study. FST was used to assess the involvement of D(1)- and D(2)-like receptor subfamilies in antidepressant-like properties of EMD386088. Neurochemical data from ex vivo experiments showed that antiimmobility activity of EMD386088 may be connected with the activation of dopaminergic system, while neither noradrenergic nor serotonergic ones are involved in its effect. EMD386088 also possesses a significant affinity for DAT which may be a mechanism in the abovementioned effect. Behavioral data seem to confirm the importance of dopaminergic system activation in antidepressant-like activity of EMD386088, since this effect, observed in the FST, was abolished by the preferential D(1)- and D(2)-like receptor subfamily antagonists SCH23390 and sulpiride, respectively. Dopaminergic system is involved in antidepressant-like activity of EMD386088

Burnout, neurotic symptoms and coping strategies in medical students

the early stages of a medical career - as early as in medical college. Medical studies are considered one of the most stressful majors, leading to early burnout and other related symptoms such as neurotic symptoms. Our aim was to examine this topic by assessing burnout and neurotic symptoms as well as strategies of coping with stress experienced during each year of studies. Method: We used a web-based questionnaire, consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Symptom Checklist S-III, and invited medical students at various stages of a 6-year medical course to fill it in online. Questionnaire was filled by 781 students in total. Results: Statistical analysis revealed an interesting pattern of symptoms severity in students, with highest scores at the beginning and at the end of the medical course and the lowest score during the 3rd year of studies. This pattern was clearly visible for MBI-SS Exhaustion, and somewhat less pronounced for MBI-SS Cynicism and S-III scores, where only the decrease of symptoms was significant. Coping strategies seemed to be similar for all medical students with a higher score for the Distraction scale among the 3rd - year students compared with the 2nd-year students. Discussion: These results, however unexpected, seem to be consistent with available literature, emphasizing higher levels of stress experienced during great changes regarding expectations in students at the beginning of their course and in soon-to-be doctors. Conclusions: The results prompt to reflect on ways of countering emerging symptoms of burnout not only in experienced students, but also among those starting medical college

Evaluation of antiplatelet activity of novel guanidine derivatives in the aspects of their adrenergic receptor activity

Designed acetamide derivatives based on guanidine and various heteroaryl carboxylic acids, were preliminary in vitro study of their adrenergic receptor affinity and anti-plateled effects. The obtained results have showed that exchange of 2,6-dichloro-phenyl substituent of guanidine into heteroaryl moieties, caused the decrease of receptor affinity, especially for α1-adrenoceptors. The observed receptor profile of activity for α2BAR was not changed compared to α1-ARs. Moreover, the observed effects on platelet aggregation induced by sub-threshold concentration of collagen and adrenaline strongly suggested that antiaggregant effect of N- (diaminomethylene)-2-(pyridin-3-yl)acetamide and N-(diaminomethylene)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)acetamide depends on their α2B-ARs antagonistic activity