Gastric tolerability and prolonged prostaglandin inhibition in the brain with a nitric oxide-releasing flurbiprofen derivative (NCX 2216, [3-[4-(2-fluoro-a-methyl[1,1-biphenyl]-4-acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid 4-nitrooxybutyl

ABSTRACT NCX-2216 [3-[4-(2-fluoro-␣-methyl-[1,1Ј-biphenyl]-4-acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-propenoic acid 4-nitrooxy butyl ester] is an NO-releasing flurbiprofen derivative that also contains a ferulic acid (antioxidant) moiety. NCX-2216 has been shown to be effective in reducing ␤-amyloid deposition in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The tolerability of this compound in the stomach and its ability to suppress prostaglandin synthesis in the brain are not known. The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) and ferulic acid to the pharmacological properties of NCX-2216 versus flurbiprofen; thus, we compared their gastric tolerability and suppression of prostaglandin synthesis, peripherally and centrally. Oral flurbiprofen produced extensive gastric damage and suppressed gastric prostaglandin synthesis. In contrast, while suppressing prostaglandin production, equimolar doses of NCX-2216 did not cause detectable gastric injury. The NO-releasing moiety of NCX-2216 (but not the ferulic acid moiety) was crucial for the gastric safety of this compound. NCX-2216 substantially inhibited prostanoid synthesis despite not being detectable in plasma and despite producing only low amounts of flurbiprofen in plasma and in the brain. Inhibition of brain prostaglandin synthesis by NCX-2216 (22 mg/ kg) persisted for a much longer period of time (up to 48 h) than was seen with flurbiprofen (Յ12 h). These results demonstrate that a single administration of NCX-2216 can produce prolonged suppression of brain prostaglandin synthesis without causing gastric injury. It is likely that an active metabolite of NCX-2216 contributes to the suppression of cyclooxygenase activity. NCX-2216 may represent an attractive alternative to conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for long-term treatment of a variety of inflammatory disorders, especially those occurring in the central nervous system

An aging Interventions Testing Program: study design and interim report

The National Institute on Aging's Interventions Testing Program (ITP) has developed a plan to evaluate agents that are considered plausible candidates for delaying rates of aging. Key features include: (i) use of genetically heterogeneous mice (a standardized four-way cross), (ii) replication at three test sites (the Jackson Laboratory, TJL; University of Michigan, UM; and University of Texas, UT), (iii) sufficient statistical power to detect 10 changes in lifespan, (iv) tests for age-dependent changes in T cell subsets and physical activity, and (v) an annual solicitation for collaborators who wish to suggest new interventions for evaluation. Mice in the first cohort were exposed to one of four agents: aspirin, nitroflurbiprofen (NFP), 4-OH- -phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone (4-OH-PBN), or nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA). An interim analysis was conducted using survival data available on the date at which at least 50 of the male control mice had died at each test site. Survival of control males was significantly higher, at the interim time-point, at UM than at UT or TJL; all three sites had similar survival of control females. Males in the NDGA group had significantly improved survival ( P 0.0004), with significant effects noted at TJL ( P < 0.01) and UT ( P < 0.04). None of the other agents altered survival, although there was a suggestion ( P 0.07) of a beneficial effect of aspirin in males. More data will be needed to determine if any of these compounds can extend maximal lifespan, but the current data show that NDGA reduces early life mortality risks in genetically heterogeneous mice at multiple test sites.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74625/1/j.1474-9726.2007.00311.x.pd

Gastrointestinal-Sparing Effects of Novel NSAIDs in Rats with Compromised Mucosal Defence

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the most commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications, but they often produce significant gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, particularly in elderly patients and patients with certain co-morbidities. Novel anti-inflammatory drugs are seldom tested in animal models that mimic the high risk human users, leading to an underestimate of the true toxicity of the drugs. In the present study we examined the effects of two novel NSAIDs and two commonly used NSAIDs in models in which mucosal defence was expected to be impaired. Naproxen, celecoxib, ATB-346 (a hydrogen sulfide- and naproxen-releasing compound) and NCX 429 (a nitric oxide- and naproxen-releasing compound) were evaluated in healthy, arthritic, obese, and hypertensive rats and in rats of advanced age (19 months) and rats co-administered low-dose aspirin and/or omeprazole. In all models except hypertension, greater gastric and/or intestinal damage was observed when naproxen was administered in these models than in healthy rats. Celecoxib-induced damage was significantly increased when co-administered with low-dose aspirin and/or omeprazole. In contrast, ATB-346 and NCX 429, when tested at doses that were as effective as naproxen and celecoxib in reducing inflammation and inhibiting cyclooxygenase activity, did not produce significant gastric or intestinal damage in any of the models. These results demonstrate that animal models of human co-morbidities display the same increased susceptibility to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal damage as observed in humans. Moreover, two novel NSAIDs that release mediators of mucosal defence (hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide) do not induce significant gastrointestinal damage in these models of impaired mucosal defence

Nitric Oxide (NO): An Emerging Target for the Treatment of Glaucoma

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Nitric oxide prevents atorvastatin-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction and alterations in mice

Introduction: Myopathy is the most common side effect of statins. Since nitric oxide (NO) has a key role in regulating skeletal muscle function, we studied whether the NO-donating atorvastatin NCX 6560 could show a better profile on skeletal muscle function and structure compared to atorvastatin. Methods: C57BL/6 mice received atorvastatin 40 mg/kg/day or an equivalent dose of NCX 6560 for 2 months. Muscle function was assessed treadmill test, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, citrate synthase (CS) activity, and muscle histology. Results: Atorvastatin significantly (P<0.001) reduced muscle endurance, increased serum CK 6-fold, and induced muscle fiber atrophy. Conversely, NCX 6560 preserved muscle function, prevented CK increase and did not modify muscle structure. Interestingly, atorvastatin reduced CS activity, a marker for mitochondrial function, in gastrocnemius, diaphragm and heart, whereas NCX 6560 prevented such decrease. Conclusion: These findings suggest that NO may prevent statin-induced myopathy

The non-xanthine heterocyclic compound SCH 58261 is a new potent and selective A2a adenosine receptor antagonist

We have characterized the in vitro pharmacological profile of the new potent and selective A2a adenosine receptor antagonist SCH 58261 [7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3-e]-1,2, 4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine]. In binding studies on rat and bovine brain tissues, SCH 58261 showed affinity in the low nanomolar range at A2a adenosine striatal receptors and good A2a adenosine vs. A1 adenosine selectivity (about 50- to 100-fold in rat and bovine brain, respectively). SCH 58261 did not show affinity for either the A3 adenosine receptor or other receptors at concentrations up to 1 microM. Saturation experiments on rat A1 and A2a adenosine receptors indicated the competitive nature of the antagonism. SCH 58261 antagonized competitively the effects induced by the A2a adenosine-selective agonist CGS 21680 (2-[4-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethyl-amino]-5'-N- ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) in two functional assays, such as inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation and porcine coronary artery relaxation. Specifically, the compound showed pA2 values of 7.9 and 9.5, respectively. SCH 58261 (300 nM) failed to antagonize 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine-induced vasorelaxation in the isolated guinea pig aorta, a response mediated by A2b adenosine receptors. Likewise, at the same concentration, the compound weakly inhibited the A1 adenosine-mediated negative chronotropic effect induced by 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine in the isolated rat atria. These data show that SCH 58261 is a potent and selective non-xanthine A2a adenosine antagonist which has competitive properties in biological responses mediated by this receptor subtype. The compound is of interest for investigating the biological role of A2a adenosine receptors and deserves further attention to clarify the therapeutic potential of A2a antagonists