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C Braestrup

Publications and source records attributed to C Braestrup.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Glycine antagonists structurally related to 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo [5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol inhibit binding of [3H]strychnine to rat brain membranes.

[3H]Strychnine binding to rat pons + medulla membranes was used as a measure of glycine receptors or glycine receptor-coupled chloride channels in vitro. A series of compounds structurally related to 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol (THIP), which previously were shown to antagonize glycine responses in cat spinal cord, inhibited [3H]strychnine binding in micromolar concentrations. The most potent of these glycine antagonists, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-isoxazolo[3,4-d]azepin-3-ol (iso-THAZ), was also the most potent inhibitor of [3H]strychnine binding, with a Ki of 1,400 nM. The Ki value for strychnine was 7.0 nM, whereas the Ki value for the mixed gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycine antagonist 3 alpha-hydroxy-16-imino-5 beta-17-aza-androstan-11-one (RU 5135) was only 4.6 nM. Sodium chloride (1,000 mM) enhanced the affinity of strychnine, brucine, isostrychnine, and the nonselective GABA antagonist pitrazepin for [3H]strychnine binding sites, whereas the affinities of glycine, beta-alanine, and taurine were reduced. These sodium chloride shifts, however, were not predictive of antagonist or agonist properties, since the sodium chloride shift for the glycine antagonist iso-THAZ and of the other THIP-related antagonists were similar to those of the glycine-like agonists. The various sodium chloride shifts show that different groups of ligands bind to glycine receptor sites in different ways.

Animals↗

Evidence for different states of the dopamine D1 receptor: clozapine and fluperlapine may preferentially label an adenylate cyclase-coupled state of the D1 receptor.

It has been shown previously that typical neuroleptics have higher affinities for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) D1 receptors as labeled by (R)-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1-N-3-benzazepine- 7-ol ([3H]SCH 23390) than for inhibiting dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase. We now report that the atypical neuroleptics, clozapine and fluperlapine, exhibit characteristics opposite to typical neuroleptics, i.e., they have higher affinity for inhibiting dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase than [3H]SCH 23390 binding. A variety of compounds, i.e., clozapine, fluperlapine, and dopamine, were tested for their capacity to affect the rate constants of [3H]SCH 23390 binding. Treatment of striatal membranes with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) caused a rapid decrease in the Bmax value of the [3H]SCH 23390 binding with no effect on the KD value. The adenylate cyclase, both the unstimulated, the dopamine-, fluoride-, and forskolin-stimulated activity, was far less sensitive than [3H]SCH 23390 binding to PLA2. Treatment of striatal membranes with filipine and (NH4)2SO4 produced, as did PLA2 treatment, a rapid decline in [3H]SCH 23390 binding. However, opposite to PLA2 treatment, these agents stimulated the adenylate cyclase. In conclusion, a comparison of the pharmacological characteristics of [3H]SCH 23390 binding and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase suggests the existence of two different D1 binding sites. The rate experiments exclude the possibility of allosterically coupled sites. Instead our results favor that the D1 receptor exists in different states/conformations, i.e., both adenylate cyclase-coupled and uncoupled, and further, that the atypical neuroleptics clozapine and fluperlapine may have adenylate cyclase-coupled dopamine D1 receptors as target.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Interaction of pitrazepin with the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex and with glycine receptors.

Pitrazepin (3-(piperazinyl-1)-9H-dibenz(c,f)triazolo(4,5-a)azepin) is a new GABAA receptor antagonist reported to antagonize electrophysiological effects of GABA. We have investigated in some detail the interaction of pitrazepin with the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex. Pitrazepin was found to be a competitive inhibitor of the GABAA receptor which is coupled to [3H]diazepam and [35S]TBPS binding sites; the KI value obtained by Schild analyses was 80 nM. Although pitrazepin interacted weakly with BZ receptors the compound did not affect the chloride gating mechanism (labelled with [35S]TBPS or [3H]avermectin B1a). Further, pitrazepin was a non-selective GABA antagonist since glycine receptors, labelled with [3H]strychnine, were affected at low concentrations (the KI values in rat brain-stem were 71-110 nM).

Animals↗

Radiation inactivation of brain [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding sites reveals complicated molecular arrangements of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex.

[35S]t-Butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS), a bicyclic cage convulsant, binds to the anion gating mechanism of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex. Using a carefully calibrated radiation inactivation technique, the molecular weight of [35S]TBPS binding complexes from frozen rat cerebral cortex was estimated to be 137,000 daltons. The GABA agonist muscimol reduced [35S]TBPS binding to 0-10% of the control value, in a way which is independent of the radiation dose. This shows that the GABA receptor (Mw = 55,000 daltons) is included in the 137,000-dalton [35S]-TBPS binding complex; the [35S]TBPS binding protein alone accounts for 137,000-55,000 = 82,000 daltons. The pyrazolopyridazine etazolate (SQ 20.009) and etomidate in appropriate concentrations both reduced specific binding of [35S]TBPS. The ability of SQ 20.009 and etomidate to reduce [35S]TBPS binding was greatly reduced by exposure to low radiation doses, suggesting that SQ 20.009 and etomidate reduce [35S]TBPS binding by an allosteric mechanism requiring a molecular structure of 450,000-500,000 daltons. Benzodiazepine agonists (ethyl 4-methoxymethyl-6-benzyloxy-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, ZK 93423) and inverse agonists (methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, DMCM) enhance and reduce [35S]TBPS binding, respectively, in repeatedly frozen and washed membrane preparations. The effects of ZK 93423 and DMCM on [35S]TBPS binding disappeared upon exposure of membranes to low radiation doses. This suggests that the benzodiazepine receptor site interacts allosterically with the [35S]TBPS binding site, requiring a molecular complex of at least c. 400,000 daltons. The [35S]TBPS site alone in these latter conditions of membrane preparation (repeatedly frozen/washed) revealed a molecular weight of 221,000 daltons (TBPS-site + GABA receptor + unknown structures). The number of binding sites for [35S]TBPS (145 pmol/g tissue) was only slightly higher than for [3H]flunitrazepam (130 pmol/g tissue) in cerebral cortex. These results are all consonant with the conclusion that the GABA/BZ receptor chloride channel complex is composed of highly integrated multimeric subunits, tentatively accounted for by a tetramic complex of molecular weight 548,000 daltons.

Animals↗

Evidence that the anticonflict effect of midazolam in amygdala is mediated by the specific benzodiazepine receptors.

The benzodiazepine midazolam produced an anticonflict effect in rats measured in a water lick paradigm following local injection into the basolateral and lateral complex of the amygdala. This effect of midazolam seems to involve specific benzodiazepine receptors, since the systemic injection of benzodiazepine antagonists Ro 15-1788, ZK 93426, FG 7142 and CGS 8216 produced strong antagonism of the effect of midazolam in doses not affecting the non-punished drinking behaviour.

Amygdala↗

Discriminative stimulus properties of methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM), an inverse agonist at benzodiazepine receptors.

Rats (N = 8) were trained to discriminate the stimulus properties of the potent benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor inverse agonist methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM) from saline in a two-lever operant task. The initial training dose of DMCM was 0.4 mg/kg at which the discrimination developed slowly; increasing the dose to 0.8 mg/kg resulted in rapid acquisition. However, since convulsions eventually developed during further training (sensitization), the training dose was finally individualized below the convulsive threshold (0.4-0.7 mg/kg). The DMCM cue was mimicked by FG 7142 (10 mg/kg), a non-convulsant anxiogenic beta-carboline, by pentylenetrazol (20-30 mg/kg), and by the GABA antagonist bicuculline (2 mg/kg). The DMCM cue was not, or marginally, blocked by diazepam (2.5 mg/kg) or pentobarbital (10-15 mg/kg). Furthermore, the BZ receptor antagonists CGS 8216 (2.5 mg/kg), ZK 93426 (20 mg/kg), and Ro 15-1788 (20-80 mg/kg) also did not, or only marginally, block the DMCM cue. However, the receptor antagonists (alone) substituted for DMCM although Ro 15-1788 was less effective. The partial BZ receptor agonist ZK 91296 (25 mg/kg), which is structurally similar to DMCM, blocked completely the DMCM stimulus effect. THIP (4 mg/kg) did not block the DMCM cue. To explain these results, we suggest that the repeated DMCM treatment, necessary for maintaining the discrimination, shifts the balancing point ("set-point") for positive (i.e., BZ-like) agonist efficacy versus inverse agonist efficacy, towards inverse action. This hypothesis was supported by the finding of an enhanced ability of GABA to reduce 3H-DMCM binding to cortical neuronal membranes of animals treated chronically with DMCM in a regimen similar to that used to maintain the DMCM discrimination. Furthermore, this treatment did not affect baseline 3H-DMCM binding, baseline or GABA stimulated 3H-diazepam binding, or 35S-TBPS binding (to chloride channels).

Animals↗

Effects of the beta-carboline, FG 7142, in the social interaction test of anxiety and the holeboard: correlations between behaviour and plasma concentrations.

The behavioural effects of the beta-carboline FG 7142 were investigated in the social interaction test of anxiety and the holeboard test of exploration and locomotor activity. FG 7142 (5-20 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in the time spent in social interaction by pairs of rats, without an accompanying decrease in motor activity. This anxiogenic effect was highly correlated with the plasma concentrations of FG 7142 for the rats receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg doses, but not for those receiving the 20 mg/kg dose. In the holeboard, FG 7142 had no effect on exploratory head-dipping at the doses tested, but selectively reduced locomotor activity and the number of rears. The profile of FG 7142 in these tests is compared with those of the beta-carbolines, B-CCE and B-CCP.

Animals↗

Specific 3H-DMCM binding to a non-benzodiazepine binding site after silver ion treatment of rat brain membranes.

Specific binding of the BZ-receptor ligand 3H-DMCM to rat cortical membranes was dramatically enhanced by preincubation of the homogenate with 0.1 mM silver (Ag+) nitrate. The binding was completely inhibited by midazolam. Nevertheless, the pharmacological specificity of the Ag+-enhanced 3H-DMCM binding was different from that of BZ-receptors. Furthermore, the Bmax value, the regional distribution and the molecular target size determined by radiation inactivation analysis of the Ag+-enhanced binding site were different from those of BZ-receptors. The results indicate that Ag+-enhanced 3H-DMCM binding represent a high affinity metal complex formation between 3H-DMCM and an unknown brain specific protein of approximately 100,000 daltons molecular weight.

Animals↗

Barbiturate shift as a tool for determination of efficacy of benzodiazepine-receptor ligands.

The change in benzodiazepine(BZ)-receptor affinity for selected BZ receptor ligands, induced by pentobarbital at 30 degrees C in the presence of 200 mM NaCl (barbiturate shift) was investigated. The affinity for benzodiazepines (e.g. flunitrazepam) was increased approximately two-fold by the presence of pentobarbital (1 mM) whereas the affinity for convulsive BZ-receptor ligands (e.g. DMCM ) was reduced approximately two-fold. The affinity for BZ-receptor antagonists (e.g. Ro 15-1788) was unaltered by pentobarbital. The results obtained suggest that barbiturate shifts have predictive value in determining the pharmacological efficacies of BZ-receptor ligands. However, compounds such as CL 218.872 and ZK 93423 would not have been recognized as agonists, notwithstanding their clear agonistic profile in pharmacological tests.

Animals↗

ZK 91296, a partial agonist at benzodiazepine receptors.

5-benzyloxy-4-methoxymethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate) is a potent and selective ligand for benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors. Biochemical investigations indicate that ZK 91296 may be a partial agonist at BZ receptors. Such partial agonism may explain to some extent why ZK 91296 needs higher BZ receptor occupancy than diazepam for the same effect against chemical convulsants and for behavioural effects. The lack of sedative effects, and the very potent inhibition of reflex epilepsy, spontaneous epilepsy and DMCM-induced seizures suggest, furthermore, that ZK 91296 may possess pharmacological selectivity for a particular type of BZ receptor interaction, perhaps including topographic as well as receptor subtype differentiation.

Animals↗

Evaluation of the beta-carboline ZK 93 426 as a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist.

We describe here biochemical and pharmacological effects of the beta-carboline ZK 93426 was compared with Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216, two compounds previously described as BZ receptor antagonists. Certain effects of ZK 93426, Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 were quite similar (e.g., 3H-FNM displacement, "GABA ratio", "photo-shift"). In most pharmacological tests ZK 93426 and Ro 15-1788 lacked overt effects; Ro 15-1788 was a weak agonist in some paradigms, while ZK 93426 exhibited a potent proconflict effect but also a weak anticonvulsant effect. This interesting finding with ZK 93426 suggests that BZ receptor ligands may possess differential efficacy at BZ receptor subtypes. In contrast, CGS 8216 exhibited potent proconvulsant effects in several paradigms in addition to proconflict and pentylenetetrazol generalizing effects. ZK 93426, Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 were almost equally potent as antagonists of the effects of BZ receptor agonists, such as diazepam and lorazepam. However, ZK 93426 was the most potent inhibitor of the convulsions produced by the BZ receptor inverse agonist DMCM.

Animals↗

A study on benzodiazepine receptor binding in audiogenic seizure-susceptible rats.

Benzodiazepine receptors were investigated in the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, the brainstem, and the cerebellum of audiogenic seizure (AGS)-susceptible and seizure-resistant (ER) control rats. In AGS-susceptible rats of Sprague-Dawley descent, muscimol (10-6 M and 3 x 10-5 M) activated the binding of 3H-diazepam (0.4 nM) significantly less than in ER-rats. This finding may be strain selective, since it was not observed in AGS-susceptible rats of Wistar descent. Specific binding of the convulsant benzodiazepine receptor ligand methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl carboline-3-carboxylate (3H-DMCM), the benzodiazepine receptor ligand 3H-diazepam and the chloride channel directed cage convulsant t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate 35S-TBPS were not significantly changed in AGS-susceptible as compared to control rats. Our findings indicate that a disturbance at the level of the benzodiazepine receptor/GABA receptor/chloride channel complex is not a likely general aetiological factor for audigenic seizures in rats.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice discriminate sensitively between low efficacy benzodiazepine receptor agonists and inverse agonists.

In experiments with audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice, we observed that several socalled benzodiazepine receptor antagonists exhibited either anticonvulsive (Ro 15-1788, PrCC) or proconvulsive (FG 7142, beta-CCE, CGS 8216) effects at high receptor occupancy (17-85%), as compared to benzodiazepines and DMCM which had anticonvulsive and proconvulsive actions, respectively, at very low receptor occupancy (less than 10%). Sensitive distinction between benzodiazepine receptor ligands with low anticonvulsive efficacy (partial agonists) and ligands with low proconvulsive, and maybe anxiogenic, efficacy (partial inverse agonists) can thus be obtained in sound seizure susceptible mice.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Anticonvulsant action in the photosensitive baboon, Papio papio, of a novel beta-carboline derivative, ZK 91296.

The anticonvulsant action of ethyl-5-benzyloxy-4-methoxymethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (ZK 91296) has been studied in Senegalese baboons, Papio papio, with photosensitive epilepsy. Myoclonic and paroxysmal electroencephalographic responses to stroboscopic stimulation are diminished or abolished for 2-4 h after ZK 91296, 0.25-4 mg/kg, i.v. Radioreceptor assay of plasma ZK 91296 indicates rapid clearance (t 1/2 alpha, 5-20 min and beta, 60-90 min). In this model of generalised epilepsy ZK 91296 is similar to diazepam in potency but has a longer duration of action.

Animals↗