Biomedical subjects

M J O'Neill

Publications and source records attributed to M J O'Neill.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Evaluation of glycine site antagonists of the NMDA receptor in global cerebral ischaemia.

In the present studies we have investigated the effects of a range of glycine site antagonists of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia. The compounds tested were (+)-3-amino-1-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidone (HA 966, 15 mg/kg), 7-chloro-4-hydroxy-3-(3-phenoxy)phenyl-2(H)-quinolinone) (L-701,324, 40 mg/kg), 7-chloro-3-(cyclopropylcarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolinone) (L-701, 252, 50 mg/kg), (3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-ynyl 7-chloro-4 hydroxy-2(1H)-quinolone-3-carboxylate) (L-701,273, 50 mg/kg), 5-nitro-6,7-dichloro-2,3-quinoxalinedione (ACEA 1021, 25 mg/kg) and [(E)-3[(phenylcarbamoyl) ethenyl]-4,6-dichloroindole-2-carboxylic acid sodium salt (GV 150526A, 40 mg/kg). All compounds were administered via the i.p. route 30 min before and again at 2 h 30 min after 5 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) in the gerbil. For comparison we also evaluated a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, (5R,10S)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK-801, 2 mg/kg) and an alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) antagonist, (3S,4aR, 6R, 8aR)-6-[2-(1(2)H-tetrazole-5-yl)]decahydroisoquinoline-3-car boxylic acid (LY293558, 20 mg/kg). In the present studies L-701,252, L-701, 324 and L-701,273 provided a small degree of neuroprotection. ACEA 1021, GV 150526A and HA 966 failed to provide any neuroprotection, while MK-801 provided significant (20%) protection. In contrast LY293558 provided good (55%) neuroprotection. These results indicate that glycine site antagonists and competitive NMDA antagonists provide a small degree of neuroprotection in global cerebral ischaemia. In contrast, AMPA receptor antagonists provide more robust neuroprotection in global cerebral ischaemia.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Dopamine D2 receptor agonists protect against ischaemia-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration in global cerebral ischaemia.

To characterise the role played by dopamine receptors in ischaemic brain damage, we have evaluated the effects of pergolide, bromocriptine and lisuride (dopamine D2 receptor agonists), haloperidol (a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist), 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-7,8,dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine (SKF 38393; a dopamine D1 receptor agonist) and (R)-(+)-8-chloro 2,3,4,5-tetra-hydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepin-7-ol (SCH 23390; a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist) in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia. Ischaemia was induced by 5 min of bilateral carotid artery occlusion under halothane anaesthesia. Sham operated animals were used as controls. Pergolide (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg i.p), bromocriptine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg i.p.), lisuride (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg i.p.), SCH 23390 (0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg i.p.), haloperidol (0.5, 1.0 or 2 mg/kg i.p.) and SKF 38393 (1.0 or 2 mg/kg i.p.) were administered 1 h before occlusion. Five-minute-occluded animals had extensive damage in the CA1 region of the hippocampus 5 days after surgery. Pergolide 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg i.p. provided significant (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) neuroprotection against the ischaemia-induced hippocampal damage. Bromocriptine and lisuride also provided significant (P < 0.05) neuroprotection, but only at the higher 1.0 mg/kg dose. In contrast, the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist (haloperidol), the dopamine D1 receptor agonist (SKF 38393) and the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist (SCH 23390) failed to provide any neuroprotection in the model. These results support studies indicating that dopamine is important in ischaemic situations. The results also indicate that dopamine D2 receptor agonists are neuroprotective against ischaemia-induced brain injury and may play a role in neurodegenerative disorders.

2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-ben↗

PubMed1998

Undermethylation associated with retroelement activation and chromosome remodelling in an interspecific mammalian hybrid.

Genetic models predict that genomic rearrangement in hybrids can facilitate reproductive isolation and the formation of new species by preventing gene flow between the parent species and hybrid (sunflowers are an example). The mechanism underlying hybridization-induced chromosome remodelling is as yet unknown, although mobile element activity has been shown to be involved in DNA rearrangement in some dysgenic Drosophila hybrids. It has been proposed that DNA methylation evolved as a means of repressing the movement of mobile elements (the host defence model). If such a protective mechanism were to fail, mobile elements could be activated, and could cause major and rapid genome alterations. Here we demonstrate the occurrence of genome-wide undermethylation, retroviral element amplification and chromosome remodelling in an interspecific mammalian hybrid (Macropus eugenii x Wallabia bicolor). Atypically extended centromeres of Macropus eugenii derived autosomes in the hybrid were composed primarily of an unmethylated, amplified retroviral element not detectable in either parent species. These results, taken with the observation of deficient methylation and de novo chromosome change in other mammalian hybrids, indicate that the failure of DNA methylation and subsequent mobile-element activity in hybrids could facilitate rapid karyotypic evolution.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Neuroprotective effects of a systemically active group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist LY354740 in a gerbil model of global ischaemia.

The neuroprotective effects of a novel Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist, LY354740, have been evaluated in a gerbil model of global ischaemia. When administered at 50 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min and 6 h after a 3 min period of bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO), the compound reduced the damage to CA1 hippocampal neurones to a significant level. However, when the ischaemic insult was made more severe, by increasing the period of occlusion to 4 and 5 min, the neuroprotective effects of LY354740 were reduced. From these findings, it would appear that Group II mGluRs may play a role in ischaemic damage in the gerbil hippocampus and that agonists at these receptors are potential neuroprotective agents.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Isolation of translactone-containing triterpenes with thrombin inhibitory activities from the leaves of Lantana camara.

Methanolic extracts prepared from the leaves of Lantana camara have been found to inhibit human thrombin. An assay, in which thrombin activity is measured as a function of clot formation from fibrinogen, was used to guide the fractionation and purification of five principal active constituents (1-5), which were all characterized as 5,5-trans-fused cyclic lactone-containing euphane triterpenes.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Familial Kallmann syndrome: a novel splice acceptor mutation in the KAL gene.

Kallmann syndrome is an inherited disease which is characterised by anosmia (inability to smell) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism both of which are thought to occur as a result of a failure of correct neuronal migration. To date the only genetic lesions identified are mutations in the X-linked gene, KAL. We conducted a mutation screen of the KAL gene in a family with Kallmann syndrome. This identified a new mutation in the KAL gene which removed an acceptor site at the junction of exon 6/intron 5. Exon 6 of the KAL gene encodes the C-terminal portion of a fibronectin type III domain may be involved in axonal pathfinding. We presume that the described mutation would result in the removal of exon 6 resulting in a frame shift which terminates the protein prematurely. It has been proposed that both mental illness and vesico-ureteric reflux are associated with mutations in the KAL gene. However, results from the family presented here do not show an association between either trait and the KAL gene mutation.

Child↗

PubMed1998

Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 receptor antagonism on the behavioral activation and immediate early gene expression induced by dizocilpine.

The noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists dizocilpine and phencyclidine cause behavioral changes in animals that can be blocked by antipsychotic agents, implicating NMDA receptors in the expression of schizophrenic symptoms. In the present study, we examined the effects of dizocilpine (0.1-3.0 mg/kg s.c.) on locomotor activity and on the expression of c-fos and hsp-70 immediate-early genes (IEGs) in mice. Results indicate that dizocilpine increases locomotor activity and selectively increases the expression of c-fos and hsp-70 in the posterior cingulate cortex. Haloperidol (0.01-0.1 mg/kg) and clozapine (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) block both the locomotor response and the increased IEG immunoreactivity induced by dizocilpine (0.6 mg/kg). The 5-HT2 antagonists ritanserin (0.06-0.25 mg/kg), ketanserin (0.03-0.12 mg/kg) and amesergide (0. 3-1.25 mg/kg) also significantly attenuated the locomotor response to dizocilpine. Haloperidol and clozapine suppressed the head weaving induced by dizocilpine, but ritanserin, as previously reported did not. Although some attenuation of the c-fos and hsp-70 immunoreactivity was seen with the 5-HT2 antagonists it was less pronounced than that induced by haloperidol or clozapine. In conclusion, 5-HT2 antagonists as well as antipsychotic compounds attenuate the locomotor response to dizocilpine in mice. Haloperidol and clozapine appear to be more effective, however, in attenuating the expression of c-fos and hsp-70 in the posterior cingulate gyrus than 5-HT2 antagonists ritanserin, ketanserin or amesergide. We thus have seen a dissociation in the capacity of compounds to alter the effects on behavior and IEG expression after dizocilpine administration.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effects of Ca2+ and Na+ channel inhibitors in vitro and in global cerebral ischaemia in vivo.

In the present study we have examined the effects of the small organic molecules: NNC 09-0026 ((-)-trans-1-butyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-3-[(4-trifluoromethyl-ph eno xy) methyl] piperidine dihydrochloride); SB 201823-A (4-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)ethyl]-1-pentyl piperidine hydrochloride); NS 649 (2-amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl benzimidazole); CNS 1237 (N-acenaphthyl-N'-4-methoxynaphth-1-yl guanidine) and riluzole on human omega-conotoxin sensitive N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel currents (ICa) expressed in HEK293 cells, on Na+ channel currents (INa) in acutely isolated cerebellar Purkinje neurones in vitro and in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia in vivo. Estimated IC50 values for steady-state inhibition of ICa were as follows; NNC 09-0026, 1.1 microM; CNS 1237, 4.2 microM; SB 201823-A, 11.2 microM; NS 649, 45.7 microM and riluzole, 233 microM. Estimated IC50 values for steady-state inhibition of Na+ channel currents were as follows: NNC 09-0026, 9.8 microM; CNS 1237, 2.5 microM; SB 201823-A, 4.6 microM; NS 649, 36.7 microM and riluzole, 9.4 microM. In the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia the number of viable cells (mean +/- S.E.M.) per 1 mm of the CA1 was 215 +/- 7 (sham operated), 10 +/- 2 (ischaemic control), 44 +/- 15 (NNC 09-0026 30 mg/kg i.p.), 49 +/- 19 (CNS 1237 30 mg/kg i.p.), 11 +/- 2 (SB 201823-A 10 mg/kg i.p.), 17 +/- 4 (NS 649 50 mg/kg i.p.) and 48 +/- 18 (riluzole 10 mg/kg i.p.). Thus NNC 09-0026, CNS 1237 and riluzole provided significant neuroprotection when administered prior to occlusion while SB 201823-A and NS 649 failed to protect. These results indicate that the Ca2+ channel antagonists studied not only inhibited human N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels but were also effective blockers of rat Na+ channels. Both NNC 09-0026 and CNS 1237 showed good activity at both Ca2+ and Na+ channels and this may contribute to the observed neuroprotection.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Isolation of rare transcripts by representational difference analysis.

Representational difference analysis (RDA) is a powerful technique for cloning the differences between genomes, and has recently been adapted for cloning differentially expressed genes. RDA, like other PCR-based differential screening methods, is prone to the production of false positives. We have identified a major source of false positives in RDA of cDNA and have introduced improvements which minimise their production. These modifications also significantly increase sensitivity, allowing for the isolation of rare differential transcripts from nanogram amounts of mRNA.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Neuroprotective effects of the antioxidant LY231617 and NO synthase inhibitors in global cerebral ischaemia.

Recent studies have shown that the novel antioxidant LY231617 protects against ischaemia-induced neuronal damage in rat models of global cerebral ischaemia. In the present studies we have examined the effects of LY231617 in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia. We also examined the effects of four nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (3-bromo-7-nitroindazole, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, aminoguanidine and S-methylisothiourea sulphate) in this model. LY231617 (50 mg/kg p.o. or 30 mg/kg i.p.) was administered either 30 min prior to occlusion or immediately post-occlusion followed by three further doses at 4, 24 and 48 h after the initial dose. 3-Bromo-7-nitroindazole was administered at 40 mg/kg i.p. immediately after occlusion followed by 20 mg/kg i.p. at 3, 6, 24 and 48 h, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester was administered at 10 mg/kg i.p. immediately after occlusion followed by 5 mg/kg i.p. at 3, 6, 24 and 48 h. Aminoguanidine was administered at 80 mg/kg i.p. immediately after occlusion followed by 40 mg/kg i.p. at 3, 6, 24 and 48 h and S-methylisothiourea sulphate was administered at 10 mg/kg i.p. immediately, 3, 6, 24 and 48 h after occlusion. We also examined the effects of aminoguanidine administered at 80 mg/kg i.p. immediately after occlusion followed by 40 mg/kg i.p. at 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h and S-methylisothiourea sulphate administered at 10 mg/kg i.p. immediately, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after occlusion. Control animals were either sham operated or subjected to 5 min bilateral carotid occlusion. Extensive neuronal death was observed in the CA1 layer of the hippocampus in 5-min bilateral carotid artery occluded animals 5 days after surgery. LY231617 provided significant neuroprotection against the ischaemia-induced brain damage when administration was initiated before or after occlusion (P < 0.05). The neuronal NO synthase inhibitors, 3-bromo-7-nitroindazole and a general NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester also provided significant neuroprotection (P < 0.05). In contrast aminoguanidine and S-methylisothiourea sulphate (two inducible NO synthase inhibitors) failed to protect against the ischaemia-induced brain damage. These results indicate that free radicals and nitric oxide are involved in ischaemia-induced brain damage following global cerebral ischaemia. Antioxidants such as LY231617 or neuronal NO synthase inhibitors can prevent the ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration and may be useful as anti-ischaemic agents.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Neuroprotective effects of 7-nitroindazole in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia.

To evaluate the role played by nitric oxide in global cerebral ischaemia we examined the effects of 7-nitroindazole and a sodium salt of 7-nitroindazole (inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase) and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (a more general inhibitor of NO synthase) in the gerbil model of cerebral ischaemia. Four experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, animals were either sham-operated, subjected to 5 min bilateral carotid occlusion (BCAO) or administered 7-nitroindazole or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester immediately after occlusion followed by three further doses at 3, 6 and 24 h post-occlusion. In the second experiment, we examined the effects of a sodium salt of 7-nitroindazole, which is more soluble than 7-nitroindazole, using the same protocol. In the third experiment, the effects of the sodium salt of 7-nitroindazole administered at 10 mg/kg at 0, 3, 6, 24, 27, 30, 33, 52, 55, 72, 75 and 78 h post-occlusion or at 0.05 mg/h for 72 h via mini-pumps were evaluated. In separate experiments, we examined the effects of three reference compounds dizocilpine (MK-801), 2, 3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl-benz(F)-quinoxaline (NBQX) and eliprodil using the same model. Extensive neuronal death was observed in the CA1 layer of the hippocampus in 5 min bilateral carotid occluded animals 5 days after surgery. Both 7-nitroindazole and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester provided significant neuroprotection (P < 0.01) against this neuronal death. The sodium salt of 7-nitroindazole showed no protection when administered up to 12 times post-occlusion, but did provide significant (P < 0.01) neuroprotection when administered via mini-pump. The neuroprotection was similar to that provided by MK-801 and eliprodil, but not as good as that observed with NBQX. These results indicate that nitric oxide plays a role in ischaemic cell death and that selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors can protect against ischaemic brain damage.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The effects of ifenprodil and eliprodil on voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and in gerbil global cerebral ischaemia.

Ifenprodil and eliprodil are both non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists which have been shown to inhibit neuronal Ca2+ channel currents. We have examined the effects of these agents on two defined subtypes of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and in the gerbil model of global cerebral ischaemia. Recombinantly expressed human alpha 1B-1 alpha 2b beta 1-3 Ca2+ subunits in HEK293 cells, which results in an omega-conotoxin-sensitive neuronal N-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel and omega-Aga IVA sensitive Ca2+ channels (P-type) in acutely isolated cerebellar Purkinje neurones were reversibly inhibited by ifenprodil and eliprodil. Human N-type Ca2+ channel currents were inhibited by ifenprodil and eliprodil with IC50 values of 50 microM and 10 microM respectively whereas P-type Ca2+ channel currents were inhibited reversibly by ifenprodil and eliprodil with approximate IC50 values of 60 microM and 9 microM respectively. Maximum current block observed for both channel subtypes was approximately 80% for both ifenprodil and eliprodil. For neuroprotection studies, animals were subjected to 5 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion with or without administration of either ifenprodil or eliprodil (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg i.p.) immediately after surgery followed by two further doses (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg, respectively) at 3 and 6 h post-occlusion. Both compounds provided significant protective effects against ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. These results indicate that both ifenprodil and eliprodil protect against ischaemia-induced neurodegeneration when administered post-occlusion and that they also block N and P-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Stereoselective effects-of 2,3-benzodiazepines in vivo: electrophysiology and neuroprotection studies.

The stereoselectivity and potency of 3N-substituted 2,3-benzodiazepines were examined in vivo against excitation of spinal neurones induced by electrophoretic ejection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) and kainate in anaesthetised rats. AMPA receptor antagonist activity resided in the (-) isomers, LY300164 and LY303070, which were effective given electrophoretically, intravenously (2.5-5 mg/kg) or orally (10 mg/kg). The same stereoselectivity was observed in neuroprotection studies. Thus, systemic administration of the (-) isomer, but not the (+) isomer, of these 2,3-benzodiazepines before or immediately after bilateral carotid artery occlusion in the gerbil was neuroprotective. For example, 10 mg/kg of LY300164 intraperitoneally or orally provided survival of up to 25% of hippocampal CA1 neurones.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Lupane derivatives from Lophopetalum wallichii with farnesyl protein transferase inhibitory activity.

Chloroform-soluble extracts of the stems and of the mixed stems and stem bark of Lophopetalum wallichii were found to be inhibitory in a farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase) bioassay system. During the course of activity-guided fractionation, the known lupane-type triterpenes, ochraceolide A (1), ochraceolide B (2), betulin, and lupeol and the new lupane lactone, dihydro ochraceolide A (4), were isolated. The stereochemistry of the epoxide group of ochraceolide B (2) was determined by preparation of both epoxide isomers [2, and the new semisynthetic derivative, 20-epi-ochraceolide B (3)] from 1. The structure of 4 was established by reduction of 1 with sodium borohydride. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited significant inhibitory activity in the FPTase assay (IC50 values of 1.0 and 0.7 microgram/mL, respectively). Lupeol was found to be weakly active (IC50 65.0 micrograms/mL) in this test system, whereas no significant inhibition was detected for betulin or compounds 3 or 4. When evaluated against a panel of human cancer cells in culture, compounds 1 and 4 were modestly cytotoxic. Compounds 2 and 3 were not active in the panel.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

PubMed1995

Identification of a germ-cell-specific transcriptional repressor in the promoter of Tctex-1.

The Tctex-1 gene family maps to the t complex of the mouse and consists of four copies on chromosome 17 in both wild-type and t-haplotypes. Tctex-1 mRNA is eightfold overexpressed in male and female germ cells in t-haplotype compound heterozygotes (tx/ty). In order to determine the cause of this aberrant expression and the role of this gene family in spermatogenesis and oogenesis it was subjected to extensive molecular analysis. We find that Tctex-1 protein is present in sperm tails and oocytes and that it is present at equal levels in wild-type and t-haplotype testis. Surprisingly, the excess message in t-haplotypes is not translated. Sequence analysis of the gene family reveals that one copy in t-haplotypes has a mutated start codon. This same copy is deleted for a protein-binding motif in its promoter. This motif, GIM (Germ cell Inhibitory Motif) has strong homology to the Xenopus AP-2-binding site but does not appear to be a binding site for mammalian AP-2. A factor(s) present in testis and ovary, but absent in other mouse tissues binds specifically to this site. Transfection assays using Tctex-1 promoter constructs suggest that GIM functions as a transcriptional repressor. The possible role of Tctex-1 in t complex transmission ratio distortion and sterility is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography: imaging findings.

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is commonly used in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic disorders. The aim of this pictorial essay is to provide an overview of the common appearances of normal anatomy, anatomic variants, and pancreatic diseases at ERP.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

PubMed1995

Benefits of specular microscopy in evaluating eye donors aged 66 and older.

In the United States of America and worldwide, supplies of quality donor corneas continue to lag behind the demand. Some of what appears to be a shortage in the U.S.A. is really due to the custom of many surgeons to use only tissue from younger donors, thus creating an unnecessary waiting list. In reality, we do have a sizable pool of good donors in the older age group. With improved evaluation techniques, it is possible to identify these donors and to add their tissue to the supply of available corneas. This study shows that large numbers of corneas from donors over the age of 65 can be used successfully to restore vision. Specular microscopy provides valuable quantitative data to the surgeon, who ultimately makes the decision about the suitability of the donor tissue. For an eye bank, specular microscopy makes it easier to place older tissue, resulting in shorter waiting lists.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Delayed-onset paraplegia from improper seat belt use.

Presented is the case report of a toddler who suffered delayed-onset paraplegia after a motor vehicle accident. An improperly used adult lap belt is postulated as the etiology causing a probable vascular event with ischemic injury to the distal cord; however, recurrent cord injury from presumed occult spinal instability was a possible explanation. This case highlights that the syndrome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality can present subtly (in this case, foot "pain"), that full neurologic manifestations can be delayed, and that good neurologic recovery is possible.

Accidents, Traffic↗