Convulsive liability of bupropion hydrochloride metabolites in Swiss albino mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is known that following chronic dosing with bupropion HCl active metabolites are present in plasma at levels that are several times higher than that of the parent drug, but the possible convulsive effects of the major metabolites are not known.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We investigated the convulsive liability and dose-response of the three major bupropion metabolites following intraperitoneal administration of single doses in female Swiss albino mice, namely erythrohydrobupropion HCl, threohydrobupropion HCl, and hydroxybupropion HCl. We compared these to bupropion HCl. The actual doses of the metabolites administered to mice (n = 120; 10 per dose group) were equimolar equivalents of bupropion HCl 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg. Post treatment, all animals were observed continuously for 2 h during which the number, time of onset, duration and intensity of convulsions were recorded. The primary outcome variable was the percentage of mice in each group who had a convulsion at each dose. Other outcome measures were the time to onset of convulsions, mean convulsions per mouse, and the duration and intensity of convulsions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All metabolites were associated with a greater percentage of seizures compared to bupropion, but the percentage of convulsions differed between metabolites. Hydroxybupropion HCl treatment induced the largest percentage of convulsing mice (100% at both 50 and 75 mg/kg) followed by threohydrobupropion HCl (50% and 100%), and then erythrohydrobupropion HCl (10% and 90%), compared to bupropion HCl (0% and 10%). Probit analysis also revealed the dose-response curves were significantly different (p < 0.0001) with CD₅₀values of 35, 50, 61 and 82 mg/kg, respectively for the four different treatments. Cox proportional hazards model results showed that bupropion HCl, erythrohydrobupropion HCl, and threohydrobupropion HCl were significantly less likely to induce convulsions within the 2-h post treatment observation period compared to hydroxybupropion HCl. The mean convulsions per mouse also showed the same dose-dependent and metabolite-dependent trends.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The demonstration of the dose-dependent and metabolite-dependent convulsive effects of bupropion metabolites is a novelty.</p

Alcohol significantly lowers the seizure threshold in mice when co-administered with bupropion hydrochloride

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bupropion HCl is a widely used antidepressant that is known to cause seizures in a dose-dependent manner. Many patients taking antidepressants will consume alcohol, even when advised not to. Previous studies have not shown any interactions between bupropion HCl and alcohol. However, there have been no previous studies examining possible changes in seizure threshold induced by a combination of alcohol and bupropion HCl.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Experimentally naïve female Swiss albino mice (10 per group) received either single doses of bupropion HCl (ranging from 100 mg/kg to 120 mg/kg) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl) by intraperitoneal (IP) injection in a dose volume of 10 ml/kg, and single-dose ethanol alone (2.5 g/kg), or vehicle, 5 min prior to bupropion dosing. The presence or absence of seizures, the number of seizures, the onset, duration and the intensity of seizures were all recorded for 5 h following the administration of ethanol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results show that administration of IP bupropion HCl alone induced seizures in mice in a dose-dependent manner, with the 120 mg/kg dose having the largest effect. The percentage of convulsing mice were 0%, 20%, 30% and 60% in the 0 (vehicle), 100, 110, and 120 mg/kg dose groups, respectively. Pretreatment with ethanol produced a larger bupropion HCl-induced convulsive effect at all the doses (70% each at 100, 110 and 120 mg/kg) and a 10% effect in the ethanol + vehicle only group. The convulsive dose of bupropion HCl required to induce seizures in 50% of mice (CD₅₀), was 116.72 mg/kg for bupropion HCl alone (CI: 107.95, 126.20) and 89.40 mg/kg for ethanol/bupropion HCl (CI: 64.92, 123.10).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results show that in mice alcohol lowers the seizure threshold for bupropion-induced seizures. Clinical implications are firstly that there may be an increased risk of seizures in patients consuming alcohol, and secondly that formulations that can release bupropion more readily in alcohol may present additional risks to patients.</p

Antimicrobial Activity, Acute Toxicity and Cytoprotective Effect of Crassocephalum Vitellinum (Benth.) S. Moore Extract in a Rat Ethanol-HCl Gastric Ulcer Model.

A decoction of Crassocephallum vitellinum (Benth.) S. Moore (Asteraceae) is used in Kagera Region to treat peptic ulcers. This study seeks to evaluate an aqueous ethanol extract of aerial parts of the plant for safety and efficacy. An 80% ethanolic extract of C. vitellinum at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body wt was evaluated for ability to protect Sprague Dawley rats from acidified ethanol gastric ulceration in comparison with 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. The extract and its dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions were also evaluated for acute toxicity in mice, brine shrimp toxicity, and antibacterial activity against four Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella typhi (NCTC 8385), Vibrio cholera (clinical isolate), and Streptococcus faecalis (clinical isolate). The groups of phytochemicals present in the extract were also determined. The ethanolic extract of C. vitellinum dose-dependently protected rat gastric mucosa against ethanol/HCl insult to a maximum of 88.3% at 800 mg/kg body wt, affording the same level of protection as by 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. The extract also exhibited weak antibacterial activity against S. typhi and E. coli, while its ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and aqueous fractions showed weak activity against K. pneumonia, S.typhi, E. coli and V. cholera. The extract was non-toxic to mice up to 5000 mg/kg body wt, and the total extract (LC50 = 37.49 μg/ml) and the aqueous (LC50 = 87.92 μg/ml), ethyl acetate (LC50 = 119.45 μg/ml) and dichloromethane fractions (88.79 μg/ml) showed low toxicity against brine shrimps. Phytochemical screening showed that the extract contains tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and terpenoids. The results support the claims by traditional healers that a decoction of C.vitellinum has antiulcer activity. The mechanism of cytoprotection is yet to be determined but the phenolic compounds present in the extract may contribute to its protective actions. However, the dose conferring gastro-protection in the rat is too big to be translated to clinical application; thus bioassay guided fractionation to identify active compound/s or fractions is needed, and use of more peptic ulcer models to determine the mechanism for the protective action

Pharmacological Investigations of N-Substituent Variation in Morphine and Oxymorphone: Opioid Receptor Binding, Signaling and Antinociceptive Activity

Morphine and structurally related derivatives are highly effective analgesics, and the mainstay in the medical management of moderate to severe pain. Pharmacological actions of opioid analgesics are primarily mediated through agonism at the mopioid peptide (MOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. Position 17 in morphine has been one of the most manipulated sites on the scaffold and intensive research has focused on replacements of the 17-methyl group with other substituents. Structural variations at the N-17 of the morphinan skeleton led to a diversity of molecules appraised as valuable and potential therapeutics and important research probes. Discovery of therapeutically useful morphine-like drugs has also targeted the C-6 hydroxyl group, with oxymorphone as one of the clinically relevant opioid analgesics, where a carbonyl instead of a hydroxyl group is present at position 6. Herein, we describe the effect of N-substituent variation in morphine and oxymorphone on in vitro and in vivo biological properties and the emerging structure-activity relationships. We show that the presence of a N-phenethyl group in position 17 is highly favorable in terms of improved affinity and selectivity at the MOP receptor, potent agonism and antinociceptive efficacy. The N-phenethyl derivatives of morphine and oxymorphone were very potent in stimulating G protein coupling and intracellular calcium release through the MOP receptor. In vivo, they were highly effective against acute thermal nociception in mice with marked increased antinociceptive potency compared to the lead molecules. It was also demonstrated that a carbonyl group at position 6 is preferable to a hydroxyl function in these N-phenethyl derivatives, enhancing MOP receptor affinity and agonist potency in vitro and in vivo. These results expand the understanding of the impact of different moieties at the morphinan nitrogen on ligand-receptor interaction, molecular mode of action and signaling, and may be instrumental to the development of new opioid therapeutics

Measurements of neutrino oscillation in appearance and disappearance channels by the T2K experiment with 6.6 x 10(20) protons on target

111 pages, 45 figures, submitted to Physical Review D. Minor revisions to text following referee comments111 pages, 45 figures, submitted to Physical Review D. Minor revisions to text following referee comments111 pages, 45 figures, submitted to Physical Review D. Minor revisions to text following referee commentsWe thank the J-PARC staff for superb accelerator performance and the CERN NA61/SHINE Collaboration for providing valuable particle production data. We acknowledge the support of MEXT, Japan; NSERC, NRC, and CFI, Canada; CEA and CNRS/IN2P3, France; DFG, Germany; INFN, Italy; National Science Centre (NCN), Poland; RSF, RFBR and MES, Russia; MINECO and ERDF funds, Spain; SNSF and SER, Switzerland; STFC, UK; and the U. S. Deparment of Energy, USA. We also thank CERN for the UA1/NOMAD magnet, DESY for the HERA-B magnet mover system, NII for SINET4, the WestGrid and SciNet consortia in Compute Canada, GridPP, UK, and the Emerald High Performance Computing facility in the Centre for Innovation, UK. In addition, participation of individual researchers and institutions has been further supported by funds from ERC (FP7), EU; JSPS, Japan; Royal Society, UK; and DOE Early Career program, USA

First report of field evolved resistance to agrochemicals in dengue mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae), from Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Agrochemicals have been widely used in Pakistan for several years. This exposes mosquito populations, particularly those present around agricultural settings, to an intense selection pressure for insecticide resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the toxicity of representative agrochemicals against various populations of <it>Aedes albopictus </it>(Skuse) collected from three different regions from 2008-2010.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For organophosphates and pyrethroids, the resistance ratios compared with susceptible Lab-PK were in the range of 157-266 fold for chlorpyrifos, 24-52 fold for profenofos, 41-71 fold for triazofos, and 15-26 fold for cypermethrin, 15-53 fold for deltamethrin and 21-58 fold for lambdacyhalothrin. The resistance ratios for carbamates and new insecticides were in the range of 13-22 fold for methomyl, 24-30 fold for thiodicarb, and 41-101 fold for indoxacarb, 14-27 fold for emamectin benzoate and 23-50 fold for spinosad. Pair wise comparisons of the log LC_50sof insecticides revealed correlation among several insecticides, suggesting a possible cross resistance mechanism. Moreover, resistance remained stable across 3 years, suggesting field selection for general fitness had also taken place for various populations of <it>Ae. albopictus</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Moderate to high level of resistance to agrochemicals in Pakistani field populations of <it>Ae. albopictus </it>is reported here first time. The geographic extent of resistance is unknown but, if widespread, may lead to problems in future vector control.</p

Measurement of the electron neutrino charged-current interaction rate on water with the T2K ND280 pi(0) detector

10 pages, 6 figures, Submitted to PRDhttp://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.91.112010© 2015 American Physical Society11 pages, 6 figures, as accepted to PRD11 pages, 6 figures, as accepted to PRD11 pages, 6 figures, as accepted to PR

Avaliação do efeito do eucaliptol nas convulsões induzidas por pentilenotetrazol em camundongos

The developmental process of epilepsies involves diverse mechanisms that culminate in the hyperactivity of a population of neurons, resulting in a pattern of repeated and rhythmic depolarizations. Antiepileptic drugs act by increasing GABAergic neurotransmission, reducing the effects of glutamate, or blocking ion channels, and are endowed with serious adverse effects that make it difficult for patients to adhere to treatment. This fact has encouraged the search for compounds of natural origin with potential anticonvulsant effect. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of eucalyptol in seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). For this, male Swiss mice, orally treated with monotrepene, were used. The first protocol evaluated the toxicity and the estimated LD50 of the compound. Based on the value of LD50, the doses of terpene used in the behavioral and neurochemical tests were selected. For the behavioral tests, groups of mice were pretreated with saline (10 mL/kg, vol), diazepam (2 mg/kg, ip) and eucalyptol (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, vol) and then with pentylenetetrazole 80 mg/kg, ip) and evaluated for the following parameters: seizure intensity, latency for first seizure and time of death. For neurochemical tests, groups of mice were pretreated with saline (10 mL/kg, v.o.) and eucalyptol (400 mg/kg, i.p.) and subsequently with pentylenetetrazole (80 mg/kg, i.p.); The determination of the concentration of neurotransmitters (monoamines - dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin) and oxidative stress markers (nitrite and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARs) were the parameters evaluated. The results were analyzed by ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls, and Dunns, respectively. Values of p <0.05 were considered significant. The results showed that oral administration of eucalyptol had low toxicity and the estimated LD50 was greater than 2000 mg / kg. In the PTZ-induced seizure test, only the higher dose of monoterpene (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced seizure intensity by 60%, increased latency for onset of the first seizure by 85% and time of death of the animals in 75% in relation to the control. Similarly, treatment with eucalyptol (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the concentration of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin by 50%, 33% and 70%, respectively, in relation to the PTZ-treated group (80 mg/kg). In addition, treatment with eucalyptol (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the concentration of TBARs by 33%, but not nitrite, relative to the PTZ treated group (80 mg/kg). Taken together, the results show that the monoterpene studied has low oral toxicity and an important anticonvulsant effect, since its administration is capable of attenuating the convulsions chemically induced by pentylenetetrazol with consequent reduction of the concentration of monoamines and the reactive substances of thiobarbituric acid, elements whose increase is associated with the epileptogenesis phenomenon.O processo de desenvolvimento das epilepsias envolve mecanismos diversos que culminam na hiperatividade de uma população de neurônios, resultando em um padrão de despolarizações repetidas e rítmicas. Os fármacos antiepilépticos agem através do aumento da neurotransmissão GABAérgica, da redução dos efeitos do glutamato, ou do bloqueio de canais iônicos, sendo dotados de efeitos adversos sérios que dificultam a adesão do paciente ao tratamento. Este fato tem incentivado a busca por compostos de origem natural com potencial efeito anticonvulsivante. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do eucaliptol nas convulsões induzidas por pentilenotetrazol (PTZ). Para tanto, foram utilizados camundongos Swiss machos, tratados oralmente com o monotrepeno. O primeiro protocolo realizado avaliou a toxicidade e a DL50 estimada do composto. Com base no valor da DL50, foram selecionadas as doses do terpeno utilizadas nos testes comportamentais e neuroqímicos. Para os testes comportamentais, grupos de camundongos foram previamente tratados com salina (10 mL/kg, v.o.), diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.) e eucaliptol (100, 200 e 400 mg/kg, v.o.) e posteriormente com pentilenotetrazol (80 mg/kg, i.p.) e avaliados quanto aos seguintes parâmetros: intensidade das convulsões, latência para primeira convulsão e tempo de morte. Para os testes neuroquímicos, grupos de camundongos foram previamente tratados com salina (10 mL/kg, v.o.) e eucaliptol (400 mg/kg, i.p.) e posteriormente com pentilenotetrazol (80 mg/kg, i.p.); a determinação da concentração de neurotransmissores (monoaminas – dopamina, noradrenalina e serotonina) e dos marcadores de estresse oxidativo (nitrito e substâncias reativas do ácido tiobarbitúrico – TBARs) foram os parâmetros avaliados. Os resultados foram analisados por ANOVA ou Kruskal-Wallis, seguido dos testes de Student-Newman-Keuls, e Dunns, respectivamente. Foram considerados significativos os valores de p < 0,05. Os resultados mostraram que a administração oral do eucaliptol apresentou baixa toxicidade e a DL50 estimada foi superior a 2000 mg/kg. No teste das convulsões induzidas por PTZ apenas a dose maior do monoterpeno (400 mg/kg) reduziu de forma significativa a intensidade das convulsões em 60%, aumentou a latência para aparecimento da primeira convulsão em 85% e o tempo de morte dos animais em 75% em relação ao controle. De forma semelhante, o tratamento com eucaliptol (400 mg/kg) reduziu de forma significativa a concentração de noradrenalina, dopamina e serotonina, em 50%, 33% e 70%, respectivamente, em relação ao grupo tratado com PTZ (80 mg/kg). Além disso, o tratamento com eucaliptol (400 mg/kg) reduziu de forma significativa a concentração de TBARs em 33%, mas não de nitrito, em relação ao grupo tratado com PTZ (80 mg/kg). Tomados em conjunto, os resultados mostram que o monoterpeno estudado apresenta baixa toxicidade oral e importante efeito anticonvulsivante, visto que sua administração é capaz de atenuar as convulsões quimicamente induzidas por pentilenotetrazol com consequente redução da concentração de monoaminas e das substâncias reativas do ácido tiobarbitúrico, elementos cujo aumento está associado ao fenômeno da epileptogênese

Inhibition of Casein kinase-2 induces p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and sensitizes glioblastoma cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNFα)-induced apoptosis through SIRT1 inhibition

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are resistant to TNFα-induced apoptosis and blockade of TNFα-induced NF-κB activation sensitizes glioma cells to apoptosis. As Casein kinase-2 (CK2) induces aberrant NF-κB activation and as we observed elevated CK2 levels in GBM tumors, we investigated the potential of CK2 inhibitors (CK2-Is) - DRB and Apigenin in sensitizing glioma cells to TNFα-induced apoptosis. CK2-Is and CK2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced glioma cell viability, inhibited TNFα-mediated NF-κB activation, and sensitized cell to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Importantly, CK2-Is activated p53 function in wild-type but not in p53 mutant cells. Activation of p53 function involved its increased transcriptional activation, DNA-binding ability, increased expression of p53 target genes associated with cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Moreover, CK2-Is decreased telomerase activity and increased senescence in a p53-dependent manner. Apoptotic gene profiling indicated that CK2-Is differentially affect p53 and TNFα targets in p53 wild-type and mutant glioma cells. CK2-I decreased MDM2-p53 association and p53 ubiquitination to enhance p53 levels. Interestingly, CK2-Is downregulated SIRT1 activity and over-expression of SIRT1 decreased p53 transcriptional activity and rescued cells from CK2-I-induced apoptosis. This ability of CK2-Is to sensitize glioma to TNFα-induced death via multiple mechanisms involving abrogation of NF-κB activation, reactivation of wild-type p53 function and SIRT1 inhibition warrants investigation