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Benzamide on chondrocytic differentiation in chick limb bud cell culture.

Benzamide, an inhibitor of (ADP-ribose) transferase, augmented chondrocytic differentiation of chick limb bud mesenchymal cells in micromass cultures; the incorporation of 35SO4(2-) into the trichloroacetic-acid-insoluble constituents of cell masses as well as the formation of cartilage nodules (Nishio, Nakanishi, Doull & Uyeki, 1983) occurred about 24 h earlier than in untreated cultures and continued to be enhanced in benzamide-treated cultures of stage 23- to 24-chick limb bud cells. Benzamide also significantly increased cell proliferation. However, benzamide did not affect DNA and RNA syntheses except for one period: 24 to 30 h after the start of culture, RNA synthesis was stimulated. From 48 h of culture, (ADP-ribose) transferase activity decreased daily in untreated cultures, whereas benzamide treatment diminished (ADP-ribose) transferase activity 24 h earlier. On the other hand, intracellular NAD levels increased daily in untreated cultures, and benzamide significantly increased the NAD levels above untreated cultures. ATP levels did not differ significantly during the culture period, and benzamide did not affect ATP levels.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Cytotoxicity and characterization of an active metabolite of benzamide riboside, a novel inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase.

Benzamide riboside exhibits significant cytotoxicity against a variety of human tumor cells in culture. On the basis of metabolic studies, the primary target of this drug's action appears to be IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH). Incubation of human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells with an IC50 concentration of benzamide riboside resulted in an expansion of IMP pools (5.9-fold), with a parallel reduction in the concentration of GMP (90%), GDP (63%), GTP (55%) and dGTP (40%). On kinetic grounds, it was deduced that benzamide riboside (whose Ki versus IMPDH is 6.4 mM, while that of its 5'-monophosphate is 3.9 mM) or its 5'-monophosphate were unlikely to be responsible for inhibition of this target enzyme, IMPDH, since only micromolar concentrations of benzamide riboside were needed to exert potent inhibition of tumor-cell growth. Studies on the metabolism of this C-nucleoside have revealed the presence of a new peak eluting in the nucleoside diphosphate area on HPLC. Treatment of this peak with venom phosphodiesterase degraded it and concurrently nullified its inhibitory activity versus IMPDH; alkaline phosphatase, on the other hand, totally failed to digest the anabolite. These results suggest that the metabolite in question is the phosphodiester, benzamide adenine dinucleotide (BAD). Evidence that the inhibitor was an analog of NAD, wherein the nicotinamide moiety has been replaced by benzamide, was provided by both NMR and mass spectrometric analysis and confirmed by enzymatic synthesis. Further insight into the nature of the active principle was obtained from kinetic studies, which established that BAD competitively inhibited NAD utilization by partially purified IMPDH from K562 cells with a Ki of 0.118 microM. In concert, these studies establish that benzamide riboside exhibits potent antiproliferative activity by inhibiting IMPDH through BAD.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Comparison of biochemical parameters of benzamide riboside, a new inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase, with tiazofurin and selenazofurin.

The biochemical and cytotoxic activities of the IMP dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitors benzamide riboside, tiazofurin, and selenazofurin were compared. These three C-nucleosides exert their cytotoxicity by forming an analogue of NAD, wherein nicotinamide is replaced by the C-nucleoside base. The antiproliferative activities of these three agents were compared in a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines. To examine the relationship of benzamide riboside and selenazofurin to tiazofurin, COMPARE computer analysis was performed, and correlation coefficients of 0.761 and 0.815 were obtained for benzamide riboside and selenazofurin, respectively. The biochemical activities of these agents were examined in human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells. Incubation of K562 cells for 4 hr with 10 microM each of benzamide riboside, selenazofurin and tiazofurin resulted in a 49, 71, and 26% decrease in IMPDH activity with a concurrent increase in intracellular IMP pools. As a consequence of IMPDH inhibition, GTP and dGTP concentrations were curtailed. These studies demonstrated that selenazofurin was the most potent of the three agents. To compare the cellular synthesis of NAD analogues of these agents, K562 cells were incubated with 10 microM each of benzamide riboside, tiazofurin and selenazofurin after prelabeling the cells with [2,8-3H]adenosine. The results demonstrated that benzamide riboside produced 2- and 3-fold more of NAD analogue (BAD) than tiazofurin and selenazofurin did. To elucidate the effects of the three compounds on other NAD-utilizing enzymes, the inhibitory activities of purified benzamide adenine dinucleotide (BAD), thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD) and selenazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (SAD) were studied in commercially available purified preparations of lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase. TAD and SAD did not inhibit these three dehydrogenases. Although BAD did not influence lactate and glutamate dehydrogenases, it selectively inhibited 50% of malate dehydrogenase activity at a 3.2 microM concentration. These studies demonstrate similarities and differences in the biochemical actions of the three C-nucleosides, even though they share similar mechanisms of action.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Prokinetic benzamides stimulate peristaltic activity in the isolated guinea pig ileum by activation of 5-HT4 receptors.

Substituted benzamides such as metoclopramide, cisapride, zacopride, renzapride or BRL 20627, stimulate intestinal motility in various species. As they are antagonists at 5-HT3 and agonists at 5-HT4 receptors and as both mechanisms could potentially contribute to their gastrointestinal prokinetic effect, the underlying mechanism is unclear. To clarify this, the effect of some substituted benzamides on gut motility was investigated in the isolated guinea pig ileum using the Trendelenburg technique, in which pressure-induced peristaltic contractions are measured. All benzamides stimulated the peristaltic reflex with the rank order of potency: renzapride greater than cisapride greater than BRL 20627 greater than (+/-)-zacopride greater than metoclopramide. ICS 205-930, granisetron and 2-methyl-5-HT did not change the peristaltic response. 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine potently mimicked the effect of the benzamides. The effect of 5-HT was not blocked by ICS 205-930 (10(-7) M). These results indicate that the Trendelenburg preparation is suitable for the investigation of intestinal prokinetic effects of the substituted benzamides. Furthermore, the results suggest that the intestinal effect of benzamides results from activation of 5-HT4 receptors rather than from blockade of 5-HT3 receptors.

Animals↗

N-substituted benzamides inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB and nuclear factor of activated T cells activity while inducing activator protein 1 activity in T lymphocytes.

N-substituted benzamides are compounds that have recently been reported to inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity and induce apoptosis in a pre-B cell line. In this study, we focused on the effects of N-substituted benzamides on transcriptional regulation in Jurkat T cells. We used a model system where the cells can be stimulated either through TCR/CD28 or by treatment of the cells with PMA and ionomycin to induce transcription factors typical for T lymphocyte activation. Treatment of the Jurkat cells with procainamide did not influence the transcription factor profile of stimulated cells, while treatment with a derivative having an acetyl group in position 4 of the aromatic ring inhibited NF-kappaB and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activity. Declopramide, which contains a chloride in position 3 of the aromatic ring, was inactive in this system, whereas also the acetylated derivative of this compound inhibited NF-kappaB and NFAT activity. In contrast, the transcriptional activity and nuclear expression of activator protein 1 induced by TCR/CD28 stimulation or PMA and ionomycin treatment was enhanced by the acetylated variants of the N-substituted benzamides. Finally, we investigated the effect of N-substituted benzamides on intact promoters for two genes central in immune regulation; the CD40 ligand (CD40L) and IL-2 promoters. The transcriptional activity of the CD40L promoter as well as surface expression of the CD40L induced by signaling through TCR/CD28 was inhibited by addition of acetylated N-substituted benzamides, while the transcriptional activity of the IL-2 promoter was enhanced. Taken together, these data indicate that derivatives of N-substituted benzamides are potential drug candidates for quantitative as well as qualitative modulation of immune functions.

Acecainide↗

Potential antipsychotic agents. 7. Synthesis and antidopaminergic properties of the atypical highly potent (S)-5-bromo-2,3-dimethoxy-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]benzamide and related compounds. A comparative study.

(S)-5-Bromo-2,3-dimethoxy-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]benzamide (6) and some related compounds, i.e. the R isomer 7, the 3-hydroxy analogue 8, the desbromo derivative 9, the monomethoxy compound 10, and the 2,4-dimethoxy analogue 11, have been synthesized from the corresponding benzoic acids. The benzamides, lacking o-hydroxy groups, were evaluated for their affinity for the [3H]spiperone binding site and for their inhibition of apomorphine-induced behavioral responses in relation to the effect of the corresponding salicylamides. Besides the 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzamide 12 and the related 1,4-benzodioxane (13) and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (14), carboxamides were investigated in order to evaluate the stereoelectronic requirements on the 2-methoxy group for the receptor interaction. The study supports the view that the o-methoxy group may adopt coplanar, as well as perpendicular orientations, and maintain the intramolecular hydrogen bonding required in the bioactive conformation. The benzamide 6 was found to be equipotent with the analogous highly active salicylamide 3 (FLB 463) both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, 6 displayed a preferential inhibition of the hyperactivity component of the behavioral syndrome, which is regarded to indicate a low tendency to induce extrapyramidal side effects in man at antipsychotically effective doses. The benzamide class of compounds (6-10) were found to be somewhat more sensitive to the structural modifications than the salicylamide class, i.e. the o-hydroxy-substituted benzamides (2-5). The potent and selective benzamide 6 (FLB 457) is highly suitable for investigations of dopamine D-2 mediated responses and, in radiolabeled form, for receptor binding studies in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗

2-Phenylpyrroles as conformationally restricted benzamide analogues. A new class of potential antipsychotics. 1.

2-Phenylpyrroles were synthesized as conformationally restricted analogues of the substituted benzamide sultopride and the butyrophenones haloperidol and fluanisone. Dopamine antagonistic activity is maintained if the 2-phenylpyrrole side chain is linked to the pharmacophoric N-ethylpyrrolidine moiety of sultopride or to the 4-substituted piperazine moiety of fluanisone but is lost if the 2-phenylpyrrole is combined with the 4-substituted piperidine moiety of haloperidol. The 2-phenylpyrrole analogue 1 of sultopride is in vitro 0.25 and in vivo 3 times as potent as the parent compound. Its binding to the dopamine D-2 receptors is, in analogy to the substituted benzamides, strongly sodium-dependent. The 2-(4-fluorophenyl)pyrrole analogue 5 of fluanisone is superior in vitro as well as in vivo to the corresponding benzamide 7 and the butyrophenone fluanisone. The increase in activity is not only due to a higher affinity for the D-2 receptors but also to an enhanced oral absorption (ratio po/ip = 4.5 vs 40 for the benzamide and 60 for fluanisone). Compound 5 is further characterized by a high selectivity for the D-2 receptors, in contrast to the benzamide and butyrophenone analogues (ratio D-2/alpha 1 = 60, 2.0, and 0.3, respectively). The binding to the D-2 receptors has little dependence on sodium. The 2-phenylpyrrole 5 shares with the benzamide 7 a low potential to induce catalepsy, which is in contrast to haloperidol. So, 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]methyl]pyrrole (5) is the prototype of a new class of sodium-independent dopamine D-2 antagonists, which may be particularly useful as potential antipsychotics with a low propensity to induce acute extrapyramidal side effects.

Animals↗

Radioiodinated N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)benzamide derivatives with high melanoma uptake: structure-affinity relationships, metabolic fate, and intracellular localization.

Several radioiodinated N-(dialkylaminoalkyl)benzamides have been used for planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of melanoma metastases. In a quest for improved melanoma uptake and tissue selectivity, structure-activity studies for N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)benzamides with variation of phenyl substituents were performed using C57Bl/6 mice bearing B16 melanoma. Compounds 2 (4-amino-5-bromo-N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-[(131)I]iodo-2-methoxybenz amide) and 6 (4-acetamido-N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-5-[(131)I]iodo-2-methoxybenzamid e) showed at 6 h post iv injection, for example, melanoma uptake of 16.6 and 23.2% ID/g, respectively (mean values, n = 3). Uptake was 3-5 times higher (P < 0.01) than observed with benzamides known from the literature and was probably facilitated by the relatively slow urinary excretion of 2 or 6. In contrast, analogues lacking either the MeO, Ac, AcNH, or Br substituents exhibited reduced tumor uptake and high urinary excretion of radioactivity in various benzamide metabolites. Uptake of radioiodinated benzamides in B16 melanoma is not mediated by a specific mechanism such as sigma-receptor binding. 2 and 6 exhibited similar melanoma uptake values but quite different sigma(1)-receptor affinities of K(i) = 0.278 +/- 0.018 and 5.19 +/- 0.40 microM, respectively. Uptake studies with IMBA (N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-3-[(131)I]iodo-4-methoxybenzamide) or BZA (N-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-4-[(131)I]iodobenzamide) showed that with increasing dose of unlabeled compound the measured uptake of label was unchanged (IMBA) or even enhanced (BZA) while receptor binding of label decreased. Differential and equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation revealed that most of the radioactivity from labeled IMBA was associated with fractions containing melanin granules. Thus, structure-activity studies indicate that blood clearance rates and metabolic stability are the main determinants for benzamide uptake in melanoma. The high uptake and slow clearance of 6 offer considerable potential for melanoma imaging in patients, and this compound may also prove to be useful for radionuclide therapy.

Animals↗

The substituted benzamides and their clinical potential on dysthymia and on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

In this paper the historical and scientific background that led to the use of substituted benzamides in two apparently unrelated clinical conditions namely dysthymic disorder and schizophrenia will be reviewed, in order to understand if a common mechanism of action may support this dual therapeutic indication. The dopaminergic antidepressant action of substituted benzamides such as sulpiride, has been proposed, since the late 1970s, by several authors and extensively explored in preclinical experiments by our group. In Italy the first marketing authorization obtained for the new substituted benzamide amisulpride, was with the sole indication of dysthymia and therefore a solid clinical experience exists in the use of substituted benzamides in mild forms of depression, with more than 1 000 000 patients being treated in the last 7 years. The proposed mechanism of action of substituted benzamides implies a selective modulation of the dopaminergic system in the mesocorticolimbic area, important for cognitive processing of internal and external cues, related to survival. The selective antagonism of dopamine D2-D3 receptors has been evoked to explain, in small to moderate doses (ie 50-100 mg day(-1)), the antidepressant effect and, in moderate to medium doses (100-400 mg day(-1)), the reported efficacy on negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Thus, substituted benzamides could represent the first class of atypical antipsychotics successfully employed for both depressive states and schizophrenia. Interestingly, recent evidence in the literature suggests that depressive episodes belonging to the bipolar spectrum are among "alternative indications" of other atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine and risperidone.

Amisulpride↗

Multiple dopamine receptors in brain and the pharmacological action of substituted benzamide drugs.

Neuroleptic drugs are believed to control schizophrenia by blocking brain dopamine receptors, although most act also on a number of other neuronal systems in brain. Substituted benzamide drugs in general, are more specific for the dopamine system. Brain dopamine receptors, however, are not a single entity. They can be divided on the basis of their linkage to adenylate cyclase. Substituted benzamide drugs are selective antagonists of the adenylate cyclase independent dopamine receptor population. They may be selective antagonists of one sub-population of these adenylate cyclase independent receptors, for unlike typical neuroleptics the receptor interaction of substituted benzamide drugs with brain dopamine receptors depends upon the presence of sodium ions. The specificity of substituted benzamide drugs for brain dopamine receptors is reflected in their behavioural profile. Typical substituted benzamide drugs do not cause catalepsy and, in general, only weakly inhibit motor phenomena. This inability to act in vivo cannot be entirely explained by the poor penetration of these drugs into brain. The unique properties of the substituted benzamide drugs might explain their clinical value in the treatment of schizophrenia and in the treatment of dyskinesias.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Potent lipophilic substituted benzamide drugs are not selective D-1 dopamine receptor antagonists in the rat.

The substituted benzamide drugs YM 09151-2 and clebopride potently inhibited apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviour in the rat and caused displacement of the specific binding of [3H]spiperone to D-2 binding sites on striatal membranes in low nanomolar concentrations. Other substituted benzamide drugs including metoclopramide, sultopride and flubepride also inhibited stereotyped behaviour to a greater or lesser degree, but were less potent in displacing [3H]spiperone from D-2 sites. YM 09151-2 and clebopride only weakly displaced specific binding of [3H]piflutixol to D-1 sites on rat striatal membranes, and only weakly inhibited striatal dopamine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, when compared with cis-flupenthixol. The other substituted benzamide drugs did not displace [3H]piflutixol or inhibit dopamine stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in the concentration range used. Clebopride and YM 09151-2 were highly lipophilic with apparent partition coefficient (log P') values equivalent to those of classical neuroleptic compounds, such as cis-flupenthixol. In contrast, the other substituted benzamide drugs were markedly less lipophilic. A log P' value of approximately 2 was required before inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity or displacement of [3H]piflutixol binding occurred. However, in excess of this value there was no correlation between either inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity or displacement of [3H]piflutixol binding and the lipophilicity of the various compounds. We conclude that potent lipophilic substituted benzamide drugs, like other members of the substituted benzamide series, are selective D-2 receptor antagonists. Inherent steric factors within the drug series would appear to dictate activity at D-1 and D-2 sites, although lipophilicity may contribute to actions in these environments.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The use of benzamide derivatives of secondary amines for stereochemical studies by circular dichroism.

The benzamide chromophore is widely used as a Cottonogenic derivative of primary amines for stereochemical studies by circular dichroism. The assignments based on the exciton chirality method are reliable since the benzamide group has well-defined geometry and conformation. A recent report (J.D. Chisholm, J. Golik, B. Krishnan, J.A. Matson, D.L. Van Vranken, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121: 3801-3802) claimed a caveat in the application of the exciton chirality method to benzamides derived from secondary amines. By the use of benzoyl derivatives of amino alcohols (1-4) and diamines (5, 6) of known absolute configuration we demonstrate that the 250-210 nm range exciton Cotton effects due to secondary and tertiary benzamides are generally of opposite sign. The origin of such disparity is traced to different conformational equilibria of the amide C-N bond in secondary and tertiary benzamides, as shown by semiempirical molecular modelling and NMR data. This feature can be useful in the determination of absolute configuration by analysis of the CD spectra due to exciton coupling of tertiary benzamides.

Journal Article↗

The gastrointestinal prokinetic benzamide derivatives are agonists at the non-classical 5-HT receptor (5-HT4) positively coupled to adenylate cyclase in neurons.

We have previusly shown that a non-classical 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT4) receptor mediates the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in mouse embryo colliculi neurons in primary culture. The pharmacological characteristics of this receptor exclude the possibility that it belongs to the known 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptor types. Here we report that this 5-HT receptor can be stimulated by 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy substituted benzamide derivatives. All these compounds have been reported to be potent stimulants of gastrointestinal motility and some of them are 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The rank order of potency of these substituted benzamide derivatives in stimulating cAMP formation was: cisapride greater than BRL 24924 greater than 5-HT greater than zacopride greater than BRL 20627 greater than metoclopramide. The non-additivity of benzamide and 5-HT activities suggests that 5-HT and the substituted benzamide derivatives act on the same receptor. Only ICS 205930, a recognized 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, competitively antagonized the stimulatory effect of cisapride, zacopride and BRL 24924. However, its pKi (6-6.3) for this new receptor was very different from its pKi for 5-HT3 receptors (pKi = 8-10). Other selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists with an indole group (BRL 43694 and GR 38032F), with a benzoate group (cocaïne, MDL 72222) or with a piperazine group (quipazine) were ineffective in reversing the stimulatory effect of benzamide derivatives. Exposure of neuronal cells to potent agonists at this receptor such as BRL 24924 rapidly reduces its capacity to stimulate cAMP production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The PARP inhibitor benzamide protects against kainate and NMDA but not AMPA lesioning of the mouse striatum in vivo.

Overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in response to genotoxic insults can cause cell death by energy deprivation. We previously reported that neurotoxic amounts of kainic acid (KA) injected into the rat striatum produce time-dependent changes in striatal PARP activity in vivo. Here, we have investigated the time-course of KA-induced toxicity and the effects of the PARP inhibitor benzamide on KA, AMPA and NMDA neurotoxicities in vivo, by measuring changes in the volume of the lesion and in NAD+ and ATP levels induced by the intra-striatal injection of these excitotoxins in C57Bl/6N mice. The KA-induced lesion volume was dependent on the amount of toxin injected and the survival time. The lesion was well developed at 48 h and was almost undetectable after one week. KA produced an extensive astrogliosis at one week. Benzamide partially prevented both KA- and NMDA- but not AMPA-induced lesions when measured at 48 h after the treatment. The effects of benzamide appeared to be in part related to changes in energy metabolism, since KA produced decreases in striatal levels of NAD+ and ATP that were partially prevented by benzamide at 48 h and which returned to control levels at one week. NMDA did not affect NAD+ and induced little alteration in ATP levels. Benzamide had no effect on AMPA-induced decreases in either NAD+ or ATP levels at 48 h. These results (1) indicate that PARP overactivation and energy depletion could be responsible in part for the cellular demise during the development of the lesion induced by KA; (2) confirm that PARP is involved in NMDA but not AMPA toxicities; (3) suggest the existence of differences between KA and AMPA-mediated toxicities; and (4) provide further evidence supporting PARP as a novel target for new drug treatments against neurodegenerative disorders.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Synthesis of some new 5-(2-substituted-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-2-hydroxy benzamides and their 2-alkoxy derivatives as possible antifungal agents.

The 2-hydroxy-5-(1,3-thiazol-5-yl) benzamide (4a), 5-(2-amino-1, 3-thiazol-5-yl)-2-hydroxy benzamide (4b), 2-hydroxy-5-(2-alkyl-1,3-Thiazol-5-yl) benzamide (4c and 4d), 5-(2-[(N-substituted aryl)amino]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)2-hydroxy benzamides (6a-j) were prepared by reacting 5-(bromoacetyl) salicylamide (2) with thiourea, thioformamide, thioalkylamide (3c-d) and substituted thioureas (5a-j) in absolute ethanol. These compounds were converted to 5-(2-substituted-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-2-alkoxybenzamides and 5-(2-N-(substituted aryl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)-2-alkoxy benzamides (8a-g) by reacting with n-alkylbromides (7a-b) in presence of a base. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H-NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds were also screened for their antifungal activity.

Antifungal Agents↗

Decreases in mouse brain NAD+ and ATP induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP): prevention by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor, benzamide.

Inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), including benzamide, protect against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopamine neurotoxicity in vivo [Cosi et al., Brain Res. 729 (1996) 264-269]. In vitro, the activation of PARP by free radical damaged DNA has been shown to be correlated with rapid decreases in the cellular levels of its substrate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), and ATP. Here, we investigated in vivo whether MPTP acutely caused region- and time-dependent changes in brain levels of NAD+, ATP, ADP and AMP in C57BL/6N mice killed by head-focused microwave irradiation, and whether such effects were modified by treatments with neuroprotective doses of benzamide. At 1 h after MPTP injections (4x20 mg/kg i.p.), NAD+ was reduced by 11-13% in the striatum and ventral midbrain, but not in the frontal cortex. The ATP/ADP ratio was reduced by 10% and 32% in the striatum and cortex, respectively, but was unchanged in the midbrain. All of these regional changes were prevented by co-treatment with benzamide (2x160 mg/kg i.p.), which by itself did not alter regional levels of NAD+, ATP, ADP or AMP in control mice. In a time-course study, a single dose of MPTP (30 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in maximal and transient increases in striatal levels of MPP+ and 3-methoxytyramine (+540%) at 0.5-2 h, followed by maximal and coincidental decreases in NAD+ (-10%), ATP (-11%) and dopamine content (-39%) at 3 h. Benzamide (1x640 mg/kg i. p., 30 min before MPTP) partially reduced MPP+ levels by 30% with little or no effect on MPTP or MPDP+ levels, did not affect or even slightly potentiated the increase in 3-methoxytyramine, and completely prevented the losses in striatal NAD+, ATP and dopamine content, without by itself causing any changes in these latter parameters in control mice. These results (1) confirm that MPTP reduces striatal ATP levels [Chan et al., J. Neurochem. 57 (1991) 348-351.]; (2) show that MPTP causes a regionally-dependent (striatal and midbrain) loss of NAD+; (3) indicate that the PARP inhibitor benzamide can prevent these losses without interfering with MPTP-induced striatal dopamine release; and (4) provide further evidence to suggest an involvement of PARP in MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in vivo.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Conformational analysis of dopamine D-2 receptor antagonists of the benzamide series in relation to a recently proposed D-2 receptor-interaction model.

Conformational analysis using molecular mechanics calculations (MM2(87)) has been performed for four different types of benzamides which display high affinity for the dopamine D-2 receptor. In order to elucidate the conformation of the receptor-bound molecules, a previously described dopamine D-2 receptor-interaction model has been employed. We conclude that all four types of benzamides accommodated in the proposed receptor-interaction model are in low-energy conformations. An acyclic amide side chain is concluded to adopt an extended conformation in the receptor-bound benzamide. A phenylpyrrole analogue of the benzamides could similarly be fitted to the model. Using the receptor-interaction model, the enantioselectivity of benzamides with an N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinylmethyl side chain could be rationalized in terms of different conformational energies of the receptor-bound enantiomers. Two different receptor sites for N-alkyl substituents are suggested.

Benzamides↗

N-substituted benzamides inhibit NFkappaB activation and induce apoptosis by separate mechanisms.

Benzamides have been in clinical use for many years in treatment against various disorders. A recent application is that as a sensitizer for radio- or chemotherapies. We have here analysed the mechanism of action of N-substituted benzamides using an in vitro system. We found that while procainamide was biologically inert in our system, the addition of a chloride in the 3' position of the benzamide ring created a compound (declopramide) that induced rapid apoptosis. Furthermore, declopramide also inhibited NFkappaB activation by inhibition of IkappaBbeta breakdown. An acetylated variant of declopramide, N-acetyl declopramide, showed no effect with regard to rapid apoptosis induction but was a potent inhibitor of NFkappaB activation. In fact, the addition of an acetyl group to procainamide in the 4' position was sufficient to convert this biologically inactive substance to a potent inhibitor of NFkappaB activation. These findings suggest two potential mechanisms, induction of early apoptosis and inhibition of NFkappaB mediated salvage from apoptosis, for the biological effect of N-substituted benzamides as radio- and chemo-sensitizers. In addition it suggests that N-substituted benzamides are potential candidates for the development of anti-inflammatory compounds using NFkappaB as a drug target.

Apoptosis↗