A meta-analysis of the relationship between brain dopamine receptors and obesity: a matter of changes in behavior rather than food addiction?

Addiction to a wide range of substances of abuse has been suggested to reflect a ‘Reward Deficiency Syndrome'. That is, drugs are said to stimulate the reward mechanisms so intensely that, to compensate, the population of dopamine D(2) receptors (DD2R) declines. The result is that an increased intake is necessary to experience the same degree of reward. Without an additional intake, cravings and withdrawal symptoms result. A suggestion is that food addiction, in a similar manner to drugs of abuse, decrease DD2R. The role of DD2R in obesity was therefore examined by examining the association between body mass index (BMI) and the Taq1A polymorphism, as the A1 allele is associated with a 30–40% lower number of DD2R, and is a risk factor for drug addiction. If a lower density of DD2R is indicative of physical addiction, it was argued that if food addiction occurs, those with the A1 allele should have a higher BMI. A systematic review found 33 studies that compared the BMI of those who did and did not have the A1 allele. A meta-analysis of the studies compared those with (A1/A1 and A1/A2) or without (A2/A2) the A1 allele; no difference in BMI was found (standardized mean difference 0.004 (s.e. 0.021), variance 0.000, Z=0.196, P<0.845). It was concluded that there was no support for a reward deficiency theory of food addiction. In contrast, there are several reports that those with the A1 allele are less able to benefit from an intervention that aimed to reduce weight, possibly a reflection of increased impulsivity

Synthesis and structural features of 5-(4-(tert-butyl) phenyl)-4-((R)amino)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiols

Chemistry of heterocyclic compounds is one of the most popular sector in organic chemistry. Scientists allocate among them a class of derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole. This class of compounds attracts attention his broad spectrum of biological activity. There are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tubercular, antimicrobial, antioxidant, actoprotective, anti-cancer and other activities. The derivatives of 1,2,4-triazole have one more important advantage. It is low toxicity. This properties do this class of derivatives promising for researches their chemical structure and biological activity and purposeful search of biologically active substances. The purpose of the work is synthesis of 5-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-4-((R)amino)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles-3-thiols from appropriate ylidene derivatives of 4-amino-5-(4 (tert-butyl)phenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles-3-thiol and research of their physical and chemical properties. The objects of research were 10 new compounds, derivatives of 4-amino-5-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles-3-thiol. These compounds are the crystal substances which are odorless, insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents. Investigation of the physical and chemical properties of this compounds was carried out according to the methods listed in the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine. The melting temperature of synthesized compounds was determined by device OptiMelt Stanford Research Systems MPA100. The structure of the compound was confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy (Mercury 400) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Agilent 1260 Infinity HPLC). 10 new compounds, derivatives of 4-amino-5-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles-3-thiol, were synthesized in a study. The chemical structure of the new compounds was confirmed by modern instrumental methods of analysis. Results of the done work can be use in the future search of biologically active substances