5'-Azido-delta 8-THC: a novel photoaffinity label for the cannabinoid receptor.
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Publications and source records attributed to B R Martin.
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The optical antipodes of N-allyl-N-normetazocine (2; SKF 10047, NANM) were the original compounds used for the classification of the sigma receptor as distinct from other receptors such as the PCP (NMDA), opioid, and dopamine receptors. Later studies showed that (+)-N-(dimethylallyl)-N-normetazocine [(+)-4, (+)-pentazocine] was more potent and selective for the sigma receptor. In order to gain additional structure-activity relationship information, several N-substituted N-normetazocine analogs were prepared and evaluated for their sigma-1 ([3H]-(+)-3-PPP or [3H]-(+)-pentazocine), PCP ([3H]TCP), and mu opioid ([3H]DAMGO) receptor binding affinities. (+)-N-Benzyl-N-normetazocine [(+)-10)] possessed subnanomolar affinities for the sigma site, Ki = 0.67. The analog (+)-10 showed greater than 14,000- and 2400-fold selectivity, respectively, for the sigma receptor relative to the PCP and mu opioid receptors. The N-substituted N-normetazocines were enantioselective for the sigma site. The (+)-N-benzyl analog, (+)-10, showed a 55-fold selectivity relative to (-)-10. Analysis of the data also revealed that (+)-normetazocine [(+)-1] [Ki = 30 nM] possessed the highest affinity for the PCP receptor. However, (+)-metazocine [(+)-5] (Ki = 41 nM) was the most selective compound for the PCP receptor relative to the sigma (51-fold) and mu opioid (greater than 200-fold) sites.
Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to be effective antinociceptive agents when given intravenously. In order to determine whether spinal antinociception can be achieved while minimizing psychotomimetic properties, the pharmacological activity of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was evaluated after intrathecal injection in male ICR mice. Although delta 9-THC produced potent antinociception, it also caused hypoactivity, hypothermia, and catalepsy. Intrathecal administration of delta 9-THC in mice which had their spinal cord transected at T12 also produced potent antinociception suggesting a spinal component to the antinociceptive effect. Biodispositional studies of [3H]delta 9-THC demonstrated that brain levels of the drug following intrathecal injection in spinally transected animals were not sufficient to produce the antinociceptive effect. These studies suggest the involvement of a spinal component in the antinociceptive action of the cannabinoids.
Collagen fibres in suspension have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase in human platelet preparations. Direct inhibition by collagen fibres was observed when intact platelets were used, although secondary events such as ADP secretion or prostanoid formation were important contributors to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase after treatment of platelets with collagen. The nature of the direct inhibition caused by collagen has been investigated in platelet membrane preparations, with the following results. (1) Collagen fibres inhibit platelet membrane adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. (2) Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by thrombin, adrenaline or collagen fibres could be abolished in the presence of guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate; half-maximal inhibition was obtained at about 100 microM for the inhibitory action of thrombin, and at about 500 microM for that of either adrenaline or collagen. (3) The action of each ligand was blocked to a similar extent by pertussis-toxin treatment of the platelet membranes. Taken together, these results indicate that the action of collagen, like that of thrombin and adrenaline, is G-protein-dependent. (4) inhibition of adenylate cyclase by collagen fibres was additive with that caused by adrenaline, but co-operative with that caused by thrombin, suggesting that inhibitory pathways exists for collagen and adrenaline which are distinct from, but interactive with, that for thrombin. (5) Modification of the collagen fibres by pepsin treatment attenuated the effects of collagen, whereas heat-denaturation of the collagen fibres completely abolished their effects. These data suggest that the effects of collagen are specific, and depend on the detailed structure of the collagen fibres.
The cataleptogenic effect of delta 9-THC was compared to its discriminative stimulus effects in rats. The ED50s for the discriminative stimulus and catalepsy were 0.8 and 4.0 mg/kg, respectively, while their time courses were very similar. The ED50 of delta 9-THC for catalepsy in experimentally naive rats was not different from that in rats trained with the drug discrimination procedure, indicating that the cataleptogenic effect was not appreciably attenuated by long-term exposure to low doses of delta 9-THC. Pharmacologically, the catalepsy produced by delta 9-THC more closely resembled that of haloperidol than of morphine, since anticholinergic pretreatment eliminated the delta 9-THC-induced catalepsy while pre-treatment with naloxone had no effect. Although the cataleptogenic effect of delta 9-THC could be pharmacologically manipulated by anticholinergic pre-treatment, its discriminative stimulus effects were not changed in the same animals. These results demonstrate that distinctive mechanisms of action exist for these cannabinoid-induced behaviors.
Catalepsy is usually defined as a behavioral state in which an animal maintains an unnatural posture for an extended period of time. While numerous laboratory models have been developed for assessing catalepsy, a common problem encountered with most procedures is the difficulty in quantitating immobility. Measurement of catalepsy is still frequently subjective in nature. To eliminate this subjectivity, a computer-based technique was developed for quantitating catalepsy in mice and rats as measured on the elevated ring. The system consisted of a video camera that was focused on either three mice or two rats. Their behavior was recorded during a 5-min session on videotape that was subsequently transmitted to a Macintosh II microcomputer via a Scion Image-Capture 2 board. A modification of the NIH Image 1.17 public domain program allowed the image of the rat to be transformed to a purely black or white image by assigning pixel values of either 0 or 256. The subsequent captured image was preprocessed in an identical manner and each pixel was subtracted from its corresponding pixel in the previous frame. Thus, changes in animal posture between the two frames can be quantitated. One subtraction cycle (acquisition, bilevel processing, and subtraction) was repeated at an average rate of approximately one per second. To quantitate immobility by image analysis, each frame was subtracted from the previous frame during a 5-min session. The resulting data were sorted according to the magnitude of movement (number of changed pixels) and plotted vs. time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The acute and chronic effects of cocaine were evaluated on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-receptor 5-HT2 mediated behavioral function, the head-twitch response (HTR), in mice. In a recent study, we reported that the (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane HCl (DOI)-induced HTR was dose dependently reduced by cocaine via indirect stimulation of serotonergic 5-HT1A and adrenergic alpha 2 receptors. In the present investigation, the HTR was evoked by the nonselective 5-HT agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine hydrogen oxolate (5-MeO-DMT). Cocaine by itself failed to produce HTR but dose dependently inhibited the 5-MeO-DMT-induced behavior. Cocaine's effects were not due to 5-HT3 antagonism since acute administration of the more potent 5-HT3 antagonist (ICS-205,930) failed to produce or modify the 5-MeO-DMT-induced behavior. During withdrawal from chronic cocaine treatment (5-20 mg/kg), 5-MeO-DMT-induced HTR was enhanced. Depending upon the cocaine dose used, the induced supersensitivity persisted up to 172 h following cessation of cocaine treatment. The mechanisms of cocaine-induced supersensitivity were further investigated using the more selective 5-HT2 agonist DOI. Withdrawal from a low-dose (0.03-1.25 mg/kg) chronic cocaine treatment caused the DOI-induced HTR to increase, whereas withdrawal from a 5- and 10-mg/kg cocaine regimen had no significant effect. The maximal effect persisted up to 36 h following termination of cocaine treatment. Relative to vehicle-exposed controls, withdrawal from cocaine treatment enhanced the inhibitory potency of the 5-HT1A agonist (+-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin HBr (8-OH-DPAT) on DOI-induced HTR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Marijuana has a long history of abuse yet, as described here by Mary Abood and Billy Martin, there is little evidence that animals will self-administer the primary psychoactive constituent, tetrahydrocannabinol, or that marijuana stimulates brain reward pathways. While marked tolerance develops to marijuana, it has been difficult to demonstrate physical dependence, and until recently the mechanisms by which cannabinoids produced their behavioral effects were poorly defined. The development of new synthetic analogs played a critical role in the characterization and cloning of the cannabinoid receptor. Insight into cannabinoid receptors may lead to a better understanding of marijuana abuse in humans and provide new therapeutic strategies for several disorders.
Fractional absorption of calcium from bread made either from intrinsically or extrinsically labeled whole-wheat flour was compared in 11 healthy adult women. The intrinsic label was provided by 45Ca injected individually into stems of wheat plants during growth. The extrinsic tag was introduced by adding 45Ca to unlabeled flour via the water used in dough making. The two labeled breads were tested in a randomized crossover design using a standardized breakfast administered after an overnight fast. Approximately 80 g labeled bread was consumed by each subject, providing a total calcium load of 13.3 mg. Fractional absorption from the intrinsically labeled bread averaged 0.812 +/- 0.130 (mean +/- SE) and from the extrinsically labeled bread 0.792 +/- 0.113. The mean difference, within subject, was only 0.025 +/- 0.016 and was not significantly different from zero. Extrinsic labeling of the calcium of whole-wheat flour results in a degree of labeling homogeneity equivalent to that of intrinsic labeling, at least for a leavened bread product.
OBJECTIVE: To review the potential for anaphylactoid reactions to intravenously administered acetylcysteine when used in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose. This case is unique in that electrocardiographic changes, including ST segment depression and T-wave inversion were associated with the episode and complicated the diagnosis. DATA SOURCES: Reference articles and letters are identified in the text. DATA SYNTHESIS: Intravenous administration of acetylcysteine has been used in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose. This route may be considered in some clinical situations where oral therapy is complicated. Anaphylactoid reactions, including cutaneous eruptions, flushing, chest pain, tachycardia, and fever have been reported in up to three percent of patients receiving intravenous acetylcysteine. The nature of these reactions and evidence concerning their etiology suggest a histamine-release phenomenon. Response to intervention with antihistamines and the safety of further acetylcysteine administration are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates a variant anaphylactoid reaction to intravenously administered acetylcysteine and emphasizes the need for practitioners to consider the potential for these reactions prior to initiation of therapy and indicates appropriate treatment of these reactions.
Extensive behavioral and biochemical characterization of cannabinoid-mediated effects on the central nervous system has revealed at least three lines of evidence supporting the role of a putative guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor for cannabimimetic effects, (i) stereoselectivity, (ii) inhibition of the adenylate cyclase/cAMP second messenger system, and (iii) radioligand-binding studies with the synthetic cannabinoid [3H]CP-55,940 indicating a high degree of specific binding to brain tissue preparations. Based on recent findings from our laboratory demonstrating that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol markedly inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in mouse spleen cells, the presence of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor associated with mouse spleen cells and its functional role in immune modulation were investigated. In the present studies, stereoselective immune modulation was observed with the synthetic bicyclic cannabinoid (-)-CP-55,940 versus (+) CP-56,667 and with 11-OH-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol-dimethylheptyl, (-)-HU-210 versus (+)-HU-211. In both cases, the (-)-enantiomer demonstrated greater immunoinhibitory potency than the (+)-isomer, as measured by the in vitro sheep red blood cell antibody-forming cell response. Radioligand binding studies produced a saturation isotherm exhibiting approximately 45-65% specific binding to mouse spleen cells. Scatchard analysis demonstrated a single binding site on spleen cells, possessing a Kd of 910 pM and a Bmax of approximately 1000 receptors/spleen cell. RNA polymerase chain reaction of isolated splenic RNA using specific primers for the cannabinoid receptor resulted in the amplification of a 854-kilobase predicted product that hybridized with cannabinoid receptor cDNA, demonstrating the presence of cannabinoid receptor mRNA in mouse spleen. Together, these findings strongly support the role of a cannabinoid receptor in immune modulation by cannabimimetic agents.
Opening of the pyran ring of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces cannabidiol, a bicyclic cannabinoid devoid of many pharmacological properties produced by delta 8-THC or delta 9-THC. Interestingly, the bicyclic compound CP-47,497 (VI) has been described as producing many of the pharmacological effects produced by delta 9-THC, and another related bicyclic analog CP-55,940 (XIV) has been used to successfully define a cannabinoid binding site. A series of 16 bicyclic analogs of VI and XIV were evaluated and compared with the pharmacological profile of cannabidiol, delta 8-THC and delta 9-THC. The goals of the studies described herein were to determine whether these bicyclic analogs possess similar pharmacological properties of delta 9-THC, to compare pharmacological activity after s.c. and i.v. administration, and to evaluate the structure-activity relationship of this series of analogs for further insight into cannabinoid mechanism of action. Each analog was evaluated for its ability to produce hypoactivity, hypothermia, antinociception and catalepsy in mice. The ED50 values generated from these assays were averaged to provide an index of activity. The ED50 values for delta 9-THC varied from 1.0 to 1.5 mg/kg, giving an overall index of activity of 1.3. The index for delta 8-THC was 6.0, making this isomer 4-fold less potent. Although several bicyclic analogs (V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XII, XIV and XVI) proved to be truly cannabimimetic, three (IV, IX and X) were sufficiently unique to be classified as noncannabimimetic. The index of activity of cannabimimetic bicyclic analogs varied from 0.2 to 2.2, although some minor differences between the bicyclics and delta 9-THC exist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CP 55,940 [(-)-cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-trans-4-(3- hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol] is a potent bicyclic analog of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which has been used as a probe for a cannabinoid recognition site in neural tissue. In the present study, CP 55,490 was evaluated for delta 9-THC-like effects in rats and rhesus monkeys trained to discriminate delta 9-THC from vehicle. Rats trained to discriminate delta 9-THC (3.0 mg/kg i.p.) from vehicle were tested with various doses of delta 9-THC and CP 55,940 at both 30 and 90 min postinjection. Catalepsy was measured immediately after these operant tests using an adaptation of the mouse ring-test. In rats, CP 55,940 substituted for delta 9-THC at both 30 and 90 min postinjection at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg that had minimal effects on rates of responding. Doses of delta 9-THC (greater than 3.0 mg/kg) and CP 55,940 (greater than 0.1 mg/kg) that reduced response rates by greater than 50% also produced substantial increases in catalepsy. CP 55,940 and delta 9-THC had a similar time course for discriminative stimulus effects, but CP 55,940 was about 30 times more potent. In monkeys, the training dose of delta 9-THC ranged from 0.04 to 0.16 mg/kg i.m., adjusted individually to minimize response-rate disruption. After training, monkeys were tested with various doses of delta 9-THC and CP 55,940 at 30 min postinjection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Six novel aminoalkylindole analogs, related structurally to the dual cyclooxygenase inhibitor and nonopioid analgesic pravadoline, were evaluated in the mouse to determine whether their pharmacological profile of activity was similar to that exhibited by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Analog I (C2-H; C3-methoxy-benzoyl) reduced locomotion, but had no other effects (hypothermia, antinociception or ring-immobility) up to 21 mumol/kg. Analogs II and III (C3-naphthoyl; C2-H and C2-methyl, respectively) possessed all properties exhibited by delta 9-THC with ED50 values ranging from 0.68 to 18 mumol/kg. Analog IV (C2-methyl; C3-anthroyl) was devoid of activity. Stereoselectivity was demonstrated by the fact that (+)-WIN-55,212 (one isomer of a semirigid derivative possessing C2-H and C3-naphthoyl substituents) was moderately potent in all tests (ED50 values ranging from 0.25-23 mumol/kg), but (-)-WIN-55,212 was inactive up to 57 mumol/kg. Active aminoalkylindole compounds were generally least effective in the production of hypothermia. Analogs were also evaluated for their ability to produce delta 9-THC-like discriminative stimulus effects in rats. The ED50 for delta 9-THC as a discriminative stimuli for this model was 1.9 mumol/kg. Analog II and III and (+)-WIN-55,212 produced delta 9-THC-like discriminative effects with ED50 values ranging from 0.33 to 4.3 mumol/kg, whereas analogs I, IV and (-)-WIN-55,212 did not. Although reported to be cannabinoid receptor antagonists in vitro, neither analog I, analog IV nor (-)-WIN-55,212 (at 20 mumol/kg) antagonized the in vivo pharmacological effects of delta 9-THC in the mouse or rat.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The binding of [3H]11-OH-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-1, 1-dimethyl-heptyl (THC-DMH), a recently synthesized cannabinoid analog, was characterized in an in vitro brain slice binding assay and compared to that obtained with [3H]CP-55,940, the radiolabeled ligand used originally to characterize cannabinoid binding sites. The binding of both [3H]CP-55,940 and [3H]11-OH-delta 9-THC-DMH exhibited high affinity (Kd of 19 +/- 3 and 29 +/- 9 nM, respectively), and was saturable, reversible and specific. Values of maximal concentration of receptors determined for [3H]11-OH-delta 9-THC-DMH and [3H]CP-55,940 were 4.0 +/- 0.3 and 3.0 +/- 0.5 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. The distribution of [3H]11-OH-delta 9-THC-DMH and [3H]CP-55,940 binding in 30-microns rat brain sections was then compared by autoradiographic analysis. The binding of both ligands was densest in the basal ganglia (substantia nigra pars reticulata, globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus and regions of the caudate putamen) and cerebellum (molecular layer). Low levels of binding were observed in discrete brain regions including the brain stem (medulla and pons), thalamic nuclei, hypothalamus, corpus callosum and the deep nuclear layer of the cerebellum. Intermediate levels of binding were seen in layers I and VI of the cortex, and the dentate gyrus and CA pyramidal cell regions of the hippocampus. The ability of selected cannabinoid analogs to compete with [3H]11-OH-delta 9-THC-DMH binding was determined. The Ki's were correlated to the in vivo potencies for producing catalepsy, antinociception, hypothermia and decreasing spontaneous locomotor activity in mice (correlation coefficients > 0.86).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2 agonist (+/- )-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and antagonist ketanserin were evaluated for acute and chronic effects on the 5-HT2 receptor-mediated head-twitch response (HTR) in mice. A single dose of DOI resulted in tolerance to the DOI-induced HTR at 24 hr but supersensitivity at 48 hr. This apparent supersensitivity persisted up to 144 hr after the first DOI injection. Chronic once daily DOI administration significantly reduced the HTR frequency (days 2-6), which then returned slowly to control levels by treatment day 13. A 48-hr withdrawal from this chronic regimen produced a similar supersensitivity to that observed after a single DOI injection upon a 48-hr challenge. This effect also persisted up to 144 hr after cessation of chronic treatment. Acute pretreatment with a single injection of ketanserin significantly reduced the DOI-induced HTR frequency when tested 24 and 48 hr, but not 120 hr, after injection of the antagonist. After withdrawal from chronic ketanserin treatment, the DOI-induced HTR was significantly reduced at 24 hr but significantly increased at 48 hr. This enhanced effect subsided when mice were tested with DOI 72 hr after cessation of chronic antagonist treatment. These data suggest that the serotonergic system adapts to chronic exposure of either agonists or antagonists in a fashion distinctly different from that exhibited by other monoamine neurotransmitter systems.
The present study examined whether descending noradrenergic and serotonergic systems mediate the antinociceptive effect of the prototypical cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Rats were administered vehicle or delta 9-THC (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and subsequently given an intrathecal (i.t.) injection of either the alpha 2-noradrenergic antagonist yohimbine, or the non-specific serotonin (5-HT) antagonist, methysergide, through chronically implanted spinal catheters. Whereas yohimbine significantly reversed the cannabinoid-induced elevation of tail-flick latencies, methysergide had no effect. To examine whether yohimbine was indeed blocking the antinociceptive effects of delta 9-THC through a spinal mechanism, it was administered i.t. at either the lumbar or the upper thoracic level of the spinal cord. Antinociception was significantly reduced when yohimbine was administered in the lumbar region; however, administration in the upper thoracic region failed to have an effect. In addition, the effect of i.t. administered yohimbine and methysergide was assessed on two other indices sensitive to cannabinoids, hypothermia and ring immobility. As previously reported, i.v. administration of delta 9-THC led to hypothermia as well as immobility in the ring test which were not blocked by i.t. administration of either monoamine antagonist. To the contrary, methysergide potentiated the hypothermic effect of delta 9-THC. These findings indicate that cannabinoids activate descending noradrenergic neurons resulting in antinociception via the stimulation of spinal alpha 2-adrenoceptors.
1. Incubation of human platelet membranes with guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) causes a time-dependent increase in the activation of adenylate cyclase due to Gs (the stimulatory GTP-binding protein). Forskolin enhances adenylate cyclase activity but does not interfere with the process of activation. The activation follows first-order kinetics in both the presence and the absence of the assay components. 2. ATP in the presence or the absence of an ATP-regenerating system of phosphocreatine and creatine kinase inhibits activation. 3. Hydrolysis of ATP to ADP does not lead to receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase acting via Gi (the inhibitory GTP-binding protein). The ADP analogue adenosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (ADP[S]) does not inhibit the activation process. 4. Phosphocreatine alone inhibits adenylate cyclase activation at concentrations above 1 mM. 5. Inhibition by phosphocreatine is not due to the chelation of free Mg2+ ions. 6. Inhibition by ATP and the other assay components occurs throughout the activation process, decreasing both the rate of activation and the maximum activity obtained. 7. Maximal activation of adenylate cyclase after prolonged incubation with p[NH]ppG slowly reverses in the presence of the assay components. 8. A 10-fold excess of the GDP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[S]) over p[NH]ppG inhibits the activation process completely, at all stages of the time course. 9. Preincubations in the presence and absence of ATP, cyclic AMP, phosphocreatine and creatine kinase show equal sensitivity to increasing GDP[S] concentration. These data show that the inhibition observed in the presence of ATP is not due to endogenous or contaminating guanine nucleotides, and suggest that phosphoryl transfer may regulate adenylate cyclase activity.