A consensus panel review of central nervous system effects of the exposure to low-intensity extremely low-frequency magnetic fields

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies explored the biological effects of extremely low-frequency (0-300 Hz) magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on nervous system both at cellular and at system level in the intact human brain reporting several functional changes. However, the results of different studies are quite variable and the mechanisms of action of ELF-MFs are still poorly defined. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the effects of ELF-MFs on nervous system. METHODS: We convened a workgroup of researchers in the field to review and discuss the available data about the nervous system effects produced by the exposure to ELF-MFs. MAIN FINDINGS/DISCUSSION: We reviewed several methodological, experimental and clinical studies and discussed the findings in five sections. The first section analyses the devices used for ELF-MF exposure. The second section reviews the contribution of the computational methods and models for investigating the interaction between ELF-MFs and neuronal systems. The third section analyses the experimental data at cellular and tissue level showing the effects on cell membrane receptors and intracellular signaling and their correlation with neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The fourth section reviews the studies performed in the intact human brain evaluating the changes produced by ELF-MFs using neurophysiological and neuropsychological methods. The last section shows the limits and shortcomings of the available data, evidences the key challenges in the field and tracks directions for future research

Psychostimulant effect of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 and AKB48: Behavioral, neurochemical, and dopamine transporter scan imaging studies in mice

JWH-018 and AKB48 are two synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) belonging to different structural classes and illegally marketed as incense, herbal preparations, or chemical supply for theirs psychoactive cannabis-like effects. Clinical reports from emergency room reported psychomotor agitation as one of the most frequent effects in people assuming SCBs. This study aimed to investigate the psychostimulant properties of JWH-018 and AKB48 in male CD-1 mice and to compare their behavioral and biochemical effects with those caused by cocaine and amphetamine. In vivo studies showed that JWH-018 and AKB48, as cocaine and amphetamine, facilitated spontaneous locomotion in mice. These effects were prevented by CB1 receptor blockade and dopamine (DA) D1/5 and D2/3 receptors inhibition. SPECT-CT studies on dopamine transporter (DAT) revealed that, as cocaine and amphetamine, JWH-018 and AKB48 decreased the [123I]-FP-CIT binding in the mouse striatum. Conversely, in vitro competition binding studies revealed that, unlike cocaine and amphetamine, JWH-018 and AKB48 did not bind to mouse or human DAT. Moreover, microdialysis studies showed that the systemic administration of JWH-018, AKB48, cocaine, and amphetamine stimulated DA release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell of freely moving mice. Finally, unlike amphetamine and cocaine, JWH-018 and AKB48 did not induce any changes on spontaneous [3H]-DA efflux from murine striatal synaptosomes. The present results suggest that SCBs facilitate striatal DA release possibly with different mechanisms than cocaine and amphetamine. Furthermore, they demonstrate, for the first time, that JWH-018 and AKB48 induce a psychostimulant effect in mice possibly by increasing NAc DA release. These data, according to clinical reports, outline the potential psychostimulant action of SCBs highlighting their possible danger to human health

Recettori e Trasduzione del segnale

Vengono descritti i recettori e la trasduzione del segnale cellulare

Sixth International symposium on adenosine and adenine nucleotides: new frontiers in the third millennium

Editoria

Adenosine receptors in inflammatory disorders

Adenosine interacts with four G-proteins coupled receptors named as A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptors (ARs). A1 and A3ARs inhibit adenylate cyclase activity and decrease cAMP production whilst A2A and A2BARs exert an increase of cAMP accumulation. It has been accepted that A2A and/or A3 ARs are highly expressed in inflammatory and tumor cells showing a pivotal role in the inflammatory disorders

CRYSTALLINE AND CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES ON HISTAMINE H1-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS .2. CYCLIZINE HYDROCHLORIDE

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Adenosine receptors in health and disease

The adenosine receptors A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3) are important and ubiquitous mediators of cellular signaling, which play vital roles in protecting tissues and organs from damage. In particular, adenosine triggers tissue protection and repair by different receptor-mediated mechanisms, including an increase of oxygen supply/demand ratio, preconditioning, anti-inflammatory effects, and stimulation of angiogenesis. Considerable advances have been recently achieved in the pharmacological and molecular characterization of adenosine receptors, which have been proposed as targets for drug design and discovery. At the present time, it can be speculated that adenosine A(1), A(2A), A(2B), and A(3) receptor-selective ligands may show utility in the treatment of pain, ischemic conditions, glaucoma, asthma, arthritis, cancer, and other disorders in which inflammation is a feature. This chapter documents the present state of knowledge of adenosine receptors' role in health and disease

CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC AND CONFORMATIONAL STUDIES ON HISTAMINE H-1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS .1. STRUCTURE OF CARBINOXAMINE MALEATE

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7-CHLORO-2,3-DIHYDRO-1-METHYL-5-PHENYL-1H-1,4-BENZODIAZEPINE (MEDAZEPAM)

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