Partial protection from organophosphate-induced cholinesterase inhibition by metyrapone treatment

Background: Organophosphates are cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors with worldwide use as insecticides. Stress response, evidenced by a dramatic and relatively long-lasting (several hours) rise in the plasma glucocorticoid concentration is an integral element of the organophosphate (OP) poisoning symptomatology. In rodents, corticosterone (CORT) is the main glucocorticoid. There are several reports suggesting a relationship between the stressor-induced rise in CORT concentraion (the CORT response) and the activity of the cerebral and peripheral ChE. Thus, it seems reasonable to presume that, in OP intoxication, the rise in plasma CORT concentration may somehow affect the magnitude of the OP-induced ChE inhibition. Metyrapone (MET) [2-methyl-1,2-di(pyridin-3-yl)propan-1-one] blocks CORT synthesis by inhibiting steoid 11β-hydroxylase, thereby preventing the CORT response. Chlorfenvinphos (CVP) [2-chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) ethenyl diethyl phosphate] is an organophosphate insecticide still in use in some countries. Material and Methods: The purose of the present work was to compare the CVP-induced effects - the rise of the plasma CORT concentration and the reduction in ChE activity - in MET-treated and MET-untreated rats. Chlorfenvinphos was administered once at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg i.p. Metyrapone, at 100 mg/kg i.p., was administered five times, at 24-h intervals. The first MET dose was given two hours before CVP. Conclusion: The following was observed in the MET-treated rats: i) no rise in plasma CORT concentration after the CVP administration, ii) a reduced inhibition and a faster restitution of blood and brain ChE activities. The results suggest that MET treatment may confer significant protection against at least some effects of OP poisoning. The likely mechanism of the protective MET action has been discussed

Tissue reaction to the nickel implants in the guinea pigs

Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of local tolerance to nickel implants during 9 months observation in guinea pigs sensitized to nickel before implantation and non-sensitized ones. Materials and Methods: Three groups of guinea pigs were included in the study: 10 sensitized to nickel by the guinea pig maximization test; 10 previously nonsensitized and 10 in control group. In 20 animals (except control group) the nickel implants were inserted in the muscle of the back. After 9 months of observation, the animals were patch-tested with 5% nickel sulfate. Also percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood was examined. Next, the tissue surrounding the implant and skin from the area of patch tests were collected for the histological examination. Results: In 70% of previously sensitized animals, the patch test confirmed the sensitivity to nickel. In 60% of previously non-sensitized animals, a positive reaction to nickel occurred. The results of patch tests in control group were negative. Percentage of eosinophils in peripheral blood was fourfold higher in animals sensitized to nickel than in control group. In histological examination, in the tissue surrounding the implant a dissimilarity concerning the intensity of cellular infiltration was observed between animals previously allergic and non-allergic to nickel. In the 2 of 10 previously sensitized guinea pigs quite severe inflammatory reactions in the inside of connective tissue capsule were noted which may indicate a local allergic reaction. The histological images of skin collected from the positive patch test site corresponded with the typical allergic contact dermatitis. Conclusions: Nickel implants may cause primary sensitization to nickel. The nature of the histological changes in the tissues around the implants in guinea pigs sensitized to nickel may correspond to an allergic reaction. The examination of percentage of eosinophils in blood of guinea pigs may be useful in assessing the allergenic activity of metal alloys containing nickel

Immunological determinants in a murine model of toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma

Objectives: Diisocyanates (DIC) are highly reactive, low-molecular-weight chemicals which are the leading cause of occupational asthma (OA). The aim of the study was to analyze certain aspects of the pathogenesis of allergic infl ammation in the airways induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in an experimental model in mice. Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out on 50 female BALB/cJ/Han/IMP mice, which were exposed by inhalation (intranasal and in the inhalation chamber) to toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI). After the experiment, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected from the animals, and the composition of the induced infl ammatory cells, and the concentrations of certain cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α) were evaluated. Results: The total number of cells in BALF of the examined group of mice was signifi cantly higher compared to the control mice. There was also a signifi cant increase in neutrophils and eosinophils in the study group compared to the controls. The number of lymphocytes and macrophages did not differ signifi cantly between the two groups. A statistically signifi cant increase in the level of TNF-α was shown to occur in the group exposed to toluene diisocyanate in comparison to the control group. The concentration of IL-4 increased in the study group, compared to the control one, but the differences did not reach the level of signifi cance, p > 0.05. Such difference was not observed for IL-5. Conclusions: We developed a murine model of TDI-induced asthma which caused the infl ux of infl ammatory cells like eosinophils and neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fl uid (BALF) in the TDI-treated mice. The increase of the concentration of some proinfl ammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-4) in BALF from the exposed mice was also observed

tabczar

Combination of doxorubicin (DOX) and docetaxel (DTX) is clinically effective against many drug-refractory cancers, nevertheless, enhanced side effects, e.g. cardiotoxicity related to oxidative damage of tissue macromolecules is observed. Nitroxides represent an attractive class of synthetic compounds to ameliorate DOX-DTX toxicity in nontargeted tissues due to their antioxidant and iron-oxidizing properties. The aim of the study was to define the ability of 3-carbamoylpyrroline nitroxyl derivative pirolin (PL) to mitigate oxidative damage to blood plasma proteins and lipids induced by DOX-DTX chemotherapy in Sprague-Dawley rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary tumor. Additionally we also evaluated: i) pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity of pirolin administered as a single agent according to different regimens and ii) differences in biomarkers of the oxidative stress between healthy rats and rats with DMBA-induced mammary tumors. The extent of oxidative stress was evaluated on the basis of its foremost biomarkers: thiol and carbonyl groups, lipid peroxidation products (hydroperoxides, TBARS), activity of antioxidant defense enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC). We have found that pirolin alone displayed dual, antioxidant and pro-oxidant activity depending on the regimen of treatment. Daily treatment for 2 weeks increased the amount of thiols, and decreased the protein carbonyl groups. Three administrations of pirolin at 3-week intervals did not influence thiol content but increased hydroperoxides, TBARS and carbonyl groups. Chemotherapy employing DOX-DTX combination caused considerable oxidative stress in the plasma. Significant and dose-dependent oxidative damage to lipids and proteins with concomitant thiol depletion were evident in treated animals. Drugs also increased SOD activity and NEAC. Association of pirolin with DOX-DTX chemotherapy resulted in a partial amelioration of oxidative stress generated by anticancer drugs. This study indicates that a nitroxyl compound pirolin applied as a single agent in vivo can display both antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties but in conjunction with DOX-DTX it is able to protect partially blood plasma against oxidative stress generated by chemotherapy. The outcome, however, seems to be highly dependent on the ratio between the doses of employed anticancer drugs and the nitroxide. K e y w o r d s : chemotherapy, docetaxel, doxorubicin, nitroxide, pirolin, oxidative stress, superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen specie

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Hybrids Targeting Opioid and Neurokinin Receptors

Morphine, which acts through opioid receptors, is one of the most ecient analgesics for the alleviation of severe pain. However, its usefulness is limited by serious side eects, including analgesic tolerance, constipation, and dependence liability. The growing awareness that multifunctional ligands which simultaneously activate two or more targets may produce a more desirable drug profile than selectively targeted compounds has created an opportunity for a new approach to developing more eective medications. Here, in order to better understand the role of the neurokinin system in opioid-induced antinociception, we report the synthesis, structure–activity relationship, and pharmacological characterization of a series of hybrids combining opioid pharmacophores with either substance P (SP) fragments or neurokinin receptor (NK1) antagonist fragments. On the bases of the in vitro biological activities of the hybrids, two analogs, opioid agonist/NK1 antagonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Asn-d-Trp-Phe-d-Trp-Leu-Nle-NH2 (2) and opioid agonist/NK1 agonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (4), were selected for in vivo tests. In the writhing test, both hybrids showed significant an antinociceptive eect in mice, while neither of them triggered the development of tolerance, nor did they produce constipation. No statistically significant dierences in in vivo activity profiles were observed between opioid/NK1 agonist and opioid/NK1 antagonist hybrids

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Hybrids Targeting Opioid and Neurokinin Receptors

Morphine, which acts through opioid receptors, is one of the most ecient analgesics for the alleviation of severe pain. However, its usefulness is limited by serious side eects, including analgesic tolerance, constipation, and dependence liability. The growing awareness that multifunctional ligands which simultaneously activate two or more targets may produce a more desirable drug profile than selectively targeted compounds has created an opportunity for a new approach to developing more eective medications. Here, in order to better understand the role of the neurokinin system in opioid-induced antinociception, we report the synthesis, structure\u2013activity relationship, and pharmacological characterization of a series of hybrids combining opioid pharmacophores with either substance P (SP) fragments or neurokinin receptor (NK1) antagonist fragments. On the bases of the in vitro biological activities of the hybrids, two analogs, opioid agonist/NK1 antagonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Asn-d-Trp-Phe-d-Trp-Leu-Nle-NH2 (2) and opioid agonist/NK1 agonist Tyr-[d-Lys-Phe-Phe-Asp]-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (4), were selected for in vivo tests. In the writhing test, both hybrids showed significant an antinociceptive eect in mice, while neither of them triggered the development of tolerance, nor did they produce constipation. No statistically significant dierences in in vivo activity profiles were observed between opioid/NK1 agonist and opioid/NK1 antagonist hybrids

In vitro and in vivo activity of cyclopeptide Dmt-c[D-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2, a mu opioid receptor agonist biased toward β-arrestin

Morphine and related drugs, which are the most effective analgesics for the relief of severe pain, act through activating opioid receptors. The endogenous ligands of these receptors are opioid peptides which cannot be used as antinociceptive agents due to their low bioactivity and stability in biological fluids. The major goal of opioid research is to understand the mechanism of action of opioid receptor agonists in order to improve therapeutic utility of opioids. Analgesic effects of morphine are mediated mostly through activation of the mu opioid receptor. However, in the search for safer and more effective drug candidates, analogs with mixed opioid receptor profile gained a lot of interest. Recently, the concept of biased agonists able to differentially activate GPCR downstream pathways, became a new approach in the design of novel drug candidates. It is hypothesized that compounds promoting G-protein signaling may produce analgesia while β-arrestin recruitment may be responsible for opioid side effects. In this report we showed that replacement of the tyrosine residue in the mu-selective ligand Tyr-c[D-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2with 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt) produced a cyclopeptide Dmt-c[D-Lys-Phe-Asp]NH2with mu/delta opioid receptor agonist profile. This analog showed improved antinociception in the hot-plate test, probably due to the simultaneous activation of mu and delta receptors but also significantly inhibited the gastrointestinal transit. Using the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay it was shown that this analog was a mu receptor agonist biased toward β-arrestin. β-Arrestin-dependent signaling is most likely responsible for the observed inhibition of gastrointestinal motility exerted by the novel cyclopeptide