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Biomedical subjects

P A Swift

Publications and source records attributed to P A Swift.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

The renal epithelial sodium channel: genetic heterogeneity and implications for the treatment of high blood pressure.

The renal epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is of fundamental importance in the control of sodium reabsorption through the distal nephron. ENaC is an important component in the overall control of sodium balance, blood volume and thereby of blood pressure. This is clearly demonstrated by rare genetic disorders of sodium channel activity (Liddle's Syndrome and Pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 associated with contrasting effects on blood pressure). Subtle dysregulation of ENaC however may also be important in essential hypertension - a common condition and a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The epithelial sodium channel is formed from three partly homologous subunits. In this review we deals firstly with current views of structural and functional features of the renal epithelial sodium channel with particular emphasis on mechanisms and processes involved in the control of sodium channel activity at the biochemical and cellular levels. We then focus on genetic aspects with reference to the significance of genetic variation in the sodium channel genes in relation to blood pressure. In particular, we review recent investigations on the potential clinical significance of mutations within the genes encoding ENaC subunits in individuals with high blood pressure. Lastly, we also examine the potential value of pharmacological targeting of the renal epithelial sodium channel with the sodium channel inhibitor amiloride for the treatment of hypertension.

Aldosterone↗

Studies on antifungal agents. Novel cis-5-alkyl (or alkenyl)-3-phenyl-3-(1H-azol-1-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-isoxazolidine derivatives.

The preparation and in vitro antifungal activity of a novel series of cis-5-alkyl (or alkenyl)-3-phenyl-3-(1H-azol-1-ylmethyl)-2-methylisoxazol idines are described. The overall activity of the 3-(1H-imidazol-1-ylmethyl) analogues was higher than that of the corresponding 3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl) derivatives. Compound 4b emerged as the most potent derivative. When compared to ketoconazole, several of the analogues tested demonstrated equipotent or superior activity against Trichophyton and Candida sp.

Antifungal Agents↗

Studies on antifungal agents. 20. Effect of the nitrogen substitution on the in vitro activity of novel 3,5-substituted isoxazolidines.

The effect of the nitrogen substitution on the in vitro antifungal activity of a series of novel cis-3,5-substituted isoxazolidine derivatives is investigated. The 2-(N-methyl) analogues 4-6 were found to be the most active compounds when tested in vitro against Trichophyton rubrum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans, with MIC values ranging between 0.7 and 70 micrograms/ml.

Antifungal Agents↗

Drugs which stimulate or facilitate central GABAergic transmission interact synergistically with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to produce marked catalepsy in mice.

In experiments in which mice were placed with their forelegs over a 4 cm high horizontal bar, pretreatment with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 10 mg/kg i.p.) significantly delayed descent from the bar. This response to THC was markedly enhanced by doses of amino-oxyacetic acid, flurazepam, cis(Z)-flupentixol, muscimol, (-)-baclofen and NO-328 having little or no effect when given alone. No synergism was detected between THC and (+)-baclofen or trans(E)-flupentixol. The interactions between THC and flurazepam, amino-oxyacetic acid and NO-328 were attenuated by (+)-bicuculline and by homotaurine, but not by strychnine. The interaction between THC and (-)-baclofen was prevented by homotaurine but not by (+)-bicuculline whereas only (+)-bicuculline reduced the interactions of THC with muscimol and cis(Z)-flupentixol. Flumazenil prevented the interaction between THC and flurazepam but not that between THC and NO-328. The results suggest that the synergistic interactions observed in this study depended on the activation of GABAA and/or GABAB receptors, probably located in extrapyramidal GABAergic pathways.

Aminooxyacetic Acid↗