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Immediate-early gene responses in the avian song control system: cloning and expression analysis of the canary c-jun cDNA.

Previous studies have shown that song presentation results in a rapid rise in mRNA levels for the ZENK gene (the avian homologue of zif-268, Egr-1, NGFI-A, and Krox-24) in specific parts of the songbird forbrain. Metrazole-induced seizures also cause an increase in ZENK mRNA, even more widely throughout the telencephalon. Surprisingly, however, little or no ZENK induction by either stimulus was observed in several forebrain areas involved in auditory processing and song production. To learn whether this pattern of regulation is specific to ZENK, we examined the response of another 'immediate-early' gene, c-jun. Here we first describe the identification, cloning and sequence analysis of a canary cDNA encoding c-jun. Then, by in situ hybridization we show that c-jun is also induced by song or seizure, and in a pattern mostly similar to ZENK. As with ZENK, no induction of c-jun is observed in the androgen receptor-containing song nuclei or within the primary thalamo-recipient auditory area of the forebrain. Thus common immediate early gene responses appear to be selectively uncoupled from physiological activation in these specific forebrain regions, which are also characterized by tight developmental, hormonal and seasonal regulation.

Animals↗

Long-lasting and sequential increase of c-fos oncoprotein expression in kainic acid-induced status epilepticus.

Increased but transient expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos has been recently reported in metrazol and kindling-induced seizures. Here we tested whether kainic acid-induced status epilepticus may result in a long-term increase of this oncogene. A specific pattern of immunoreactive c-fos material was observed with the development of the seizures. Intense labeling first appeared in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex. Pyramidal cell layer CA3, CA4 and CA1 as well as other limbic structures were then positively stained during status epilepticus. In addition, the duration of c-fos expression was different according to the anatomical sites. In the dentate gyrus labeling did not exceed 4-5 h whereas the pyramidal cell layer CA1 exhibited increased c-fos expression for as long as 24 h. Here we propose that c-fos which has been related to growth and differentiation in previous studies, could be involved in processes inducing long-term plastic alterations in the limbic system.

Animals↗

Pattern of electroencephalographic activity during light induced seizures in genetic epileptic chicken and brain chimeras.

Genetic epilepsy was studied in Fayoumi epileptic (F.Epi) chickens and in neural chimeras obtained by selective substitution of embryonic brain vesicles of F.Epi donors in normal recipient chickens. Typical motor seizures accompanied by convulsions were evoked by intermittent light stimulation in F.Epi and in chimeras having embryonic substitution of the prosencephalon and the mesencephalon. The motor seizure was less severe in chimeras receiving only the prosencephalon. In the F.Epi, as well as in all the chimeras, the EEG during seizures was characterized by a desynchronized (or a flattening) pattern of activity. F.Epi and chimeras had a lower threshold to Metrazol induced seizures than control chickens. The experimental animals show that, in this model, large prosencephalic and mesencephalic areas are involved in the epileptic disease. The epileptic character of this genetic dysfunction is discussed.

Animals↗

Response of rats to seizure stimulus modified by feeding.

Wistar (W) and Sprague-Dawley (S.D.) rats responded differently to electroshock and metrazole test when fed with two diets (A and B). Latency periods of B for male (m) and female (f) were: W.m. greater than W.f. (P less than 0.001); W.m. greater than S.D.m. (P less than 0.05); S.D.f. greater than W.m. (P less than 0.001); S.D.m. B greater than S.D.m. A (P less than 0.001); W.m. B greater than W and S.D.m. A (P less than 0.001). Preconvulsive period for B were: W.f. and m. greater than S.D.f. and m. (P less than 0.001); W.m. greater than S.D.m. (P less than 0.001); W.m. greater than S.D.f. (P less than 0.001); S.D.m. greater than S.D.f. (P less than 0.001) and W.m. greater than W.f. (P less than 0.001). Effects of A were negligible. Phenytoin and phenobarbital protected against electroshock.

Animals↗

Expression of immediate early gene proteins following axotomy and inhibition of axonal transport in the rat central nervous system.

The expression of the immediate early gene-encoded proteins c-Jun, Jun B, Jun D, c-Fos, Fos B and Krox-24 in central neurons following transection of, or inhibition of, axonal transport in their axons was investigated in the rat using immunocytochemistry. Transection of the medial forebrain bundle, which produces an essentially complete axotomy of neurons in the ipsilateral mammillary nucleus, substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area and parafascicularis, induced the expression of c-Jun, Jun D and, to a lesser extent, Krox-24, in these nuclei. Microinjection of colchicine into the medial forebrain bundle to chemically inhibit axonal transport similarly induced the expression of these proteins in these areas. The expression of the proteins was first evident 24 h after transection, reached a maximum at 48 h and was still present after 10 days. However, after 30 days the proteins were absent from the substantia nigra, ventral tegmentum and parafascicularis, and were still present only in the mammillary nuclei. The other immediate early genes, Jun B, c-Fos and Fos B, were never expressed above the basal levels seen in untreated rats. Transection of the corpus callosum and the hippocampal commissure, which produces only a partial axotomy of neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, respectively, did not induce the expression of any of the genes in these neurons. Microinjection of colchicine or vinblastine to produce a localized inhibition of axonal transport in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebellum also induced the expression of c-Jun, Jun D and, again to a lesser extent, Krox-24, in neurons surrounding the injection site. In contrast to this selective expression, administration of the neuronal excitant metrazole induced the expression of all six immediate early gene proteins in central nervous system neurons. These results demonstrate that transection of, or inhibition of, transport in the axons of central neurons induces a particular pattern of expression of transcriptionally operating immediate early genes that may be related to the regenerative competency of the neurons.

Animals↗

Anticonvulsant activity of Casimiroa edulis in comparison to phenytoin and phenobarbital.

An aqueous extract of Casimiroa edulis leaves was tested in adult male Wistar rats for anticonvulsant activity utilizing two models of experimental epilepsy: maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneously injected metrazole (METsc). Single dose of 100 mg/kg C. edulis vacuum dried aqueous extracts (VDA) orally administered to experimental animals elicited 50% and 70% abolition of MES and METsc-induced seizures, respectively. Two firmly established antiepileptic drugs in human therapy, phenytoin (PHT) and phenobarbital (PB), abolished 90% of MES-induced seizures, whereas an 80% and 100% absence of clonic seizures was attained in METsc test, correspondingly. The seizure abolition observed in C. edulis VDA treated rats was comparable with the anticonvulsive pattern exhibited by PHT and PB. These results suggest that potencially antiepileptic compounds are present in C. edulis extracts that deserve the study of their identity and mechanism of action.

Administration, Oral↗

Schizophrenia: Emil Kraepelin, Adolph Meyer, and beyond.

Prior to 1800, insane persons often lived on the streets or were incarcerated in asylums, jails, or prisons. The 19th century witnessed progression in the understanding of psychosis, and the hospital management of psychotic patients began. While Kraepelin in Europe described the symptoms of what would later be called schizophrenia, Meyer developed humanistic treatment for the illness in the United States. The early 20th century treatments for schizophrenia included insulin coma, metrazol shock, electro-convulsive therapy, and frontal leukotomy. Neuroleptic medications were first used in the early 1950s. Deinstitutionalization, beginning in the 1960s, resulted in medicated, stable schizophrenics being released from state hospitals. However, lack of stable living arrangements, misuse of funds, poor medical follow-up, and drug use resulted in deterioration of a large segment of this outpatient schizophrenic population. The 1990s have seen the development of newer, more effective antipsychotic agents and managed care. Both have impacted the state of health of schizophrenics in our society.

Europe↗

An evaluation of the anticonvulsant effects of vitamin E.

The anticonvulsant effects of D-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were studied in 4 animal seizure models: the Metrazol threshold model (MET), the maximal electroshock model (MES), the kindling model (well-established seizures), and the ferrous chloride model. Vitamin E failed to antagonize seizures in the MES, MET, or the kindling models. It was, however, able to significantly delay the onset of electrographic seizures in the intracerebral ferrous chloride model. Thus, vitamin E shows activity in the ferrous chloride model, but not in the animal models commonly used to screen for anticonvulsant drug actions.

Animals↗

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of AHR-11748, a new antiepileptic agent, in rodents.

AHR-11748, the desmethyl metabolite of fluzinamide (an effective antiepileptic), was active in preventing maximal seizures induced in mice or rats by electroshock and threshold seizures induced in mice by Metrazol, bicuculline, and picrotoxin. The compound showed a profile of anticonvulsant activity similar to those of phenobarbital and valproic acid and different from those of phenytoin and ethosuximide. ED50s were less than those of valproic acid, but greater than those of phenobarbital. Analysis of plasma and whole brain homogenates of mice indicated that AHR-11748 has an apparent terminal half-life (t1/2, beta) of 1.0 h. The brain:plasma ratio of AHR-11748 was 3.4:1 from 0.5 h to 6 h.

Administration, Oral↗

N-Substituted amino acid N'-benzylamides: synthesis, anticonvulsant, and metabolic activities.

Amino acid amides (AAA) were prepared and evaluated in seizure models. The AAA displayed moderate-to-excellent activity in the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test and were devoid of activity in the subcutaneous Metrazol-induced (scMet) seizure test. The AAA anticonvulsant activity was neither strongly influenced by the C(2) substituent nor by the degree of terminal amine substitution. An in vitro metabolism study suggested that the structure-activity relationship pattern was due, in part, to metabolic processes that occurred at the N-terminal amine unit.

Amides↗

Opposite effects of a GABA(B) antagonist in two models of epileptic seizures in developing rats.

The action of a GABA(B) antagonist CGP 35348 and a GABA(B) agonist baclofen was studied in two models of epileptic seizures characterized by EEG spike-and-wave rhythm in freely moving immature rats. Rhythmic metrazol activity (RMA, model of human absences) was induced by low systemic dose of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in 18- and 25-day-old rats, epileptic after discharges (ADs, model of human myoclonic seizures) were elicited by electrical stimulation of sensorimotor cortex in rat pups 12, 18, and 25 days old. CGP 35348 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) suppressed RMA in both age groups in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously it increased the incidence of clonic seizures, potentiating thus an effect of PTZ. Baclofen (1, 3 and 6 mg/kg i.p.) augmented markedly RMA in 25-day-old rats. On the contrary, baclofen suppressed RMA in a part of 18-day-old animals. Incidence of seizures was not changed by baclofen in either age group. As ADs are concerned CGP 35348 (100 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) exhibited a proconvulsant action, baclofen (3, 6 or 12 mg/kg i.p.) was anticonvulsant, but again an irregularity of action was found in 18-day-old rats. The role of GABA(B)-mediated inhibition in epileptogenesis depends on the type of seizures and also on the stage of maturation.

Action Potentials↗

Synthesis and biological activities of diflunisal hydrazide-hydrazones.

Several diflunisal hydrazide-hydrazone derivatives namely 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylic acid [(5-nitro-2-furyl/substitutedphenyl)methylene] hydrazide (3a-o) have been synthesised. Methyl 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylate (1) and 2',4'-difluoro-4-hydroxybiphenyl-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide (2) were also synthesised and used as intermediate compounds. All synthesised compounds were screened for their antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37 Rv, antimicrobial activities against various bacteria, fungi and yeast species. Compound 3a have shown activity against Staphylococcus epidermis HE-5 and Staphylococcus aureus HE-9 at 18.75 and 37.5 microg mL(-1), respectively. Compound 3o have exhibited activity against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus IO-16 at a concentration of 37.5 microg mL(-1), whereas Cefepime, the drug used as standard, have been found less active against the microorganisms mentioned above. The synthesised compounds were found to provide 12-34% inhibition of mycobacterial growth of M. tuberculosis H37 Rv in the primary screen at 6.25 microg mL(-1). Anticonvulsant activity of the compounds were also determined by maximal electroshock (MES) and subcutaneous metrazole (scMET) tests in mice and rats following the procedures of antiepileptic drug development (ADD) program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Compound 3k showed 25% protection against MES induced seizures in p.o. rat screening at a dose level of 30 mg kg(-1) whereas 3n and 3o showed neurotoxicity after 4 and 0.5 h at a dose level of 100 and 300 mg kg(-1), respectively.

Animals↗

Synthesis and studies on antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities of some 3-(2-furyl)-pyrazoline derivatives.

Twelve 1-phenyl-, 1-thiocarbamoyl- and 1-N-substituted thiocarbamoyl-3-(2-furyl)-5-phenyl/(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized. The chemical structures of the compounds were proved by IR, (1)H NMR, Mass spectrometric data and microanalyses. The antidepressant activities of the compounds were investigated by Porsolt's behavioural despair (forced swimming) test on albino mice. 1-N-Ethylthiocarbamoyl-3-(2-furyl)-5-phenyl-2-pyrazoline (6) and 1-N-allylthiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (11) reduced 33.80-31.42% duration of immobility times at 10 mg kg(-1) dose level. Anticonvulsant activities of the compounds were determined by maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (metrazol) (scMet.) tests, neurotoxicities were determined by rotarod toxicity test on albino mice. 1,5-Diphenyl-3-(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (2), 1-N-allylthiocarbamoyl-3-(2-furyl)-5-phenyl-2-pyrazoline (7), 1-N-allylthiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (11) and 1-N-phenylthiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (12) were active at 100-300 mg kg(-1) dose levels. 1-Thiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (4), 1-N-methylthiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (9) and 1-N-ethylthiocarbamoyl-3,5-di(2-furyl)-2-pyrazoline (10) were found protective against MES and scMet. at 30-300 mg kg(-1) dose levels.

Animals↗

Metabolism of a new antiepileptic drug, N-methyl-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide, and anticonvulsant activity of its metabolites.

N-methyl-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (MTMCD) is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) structurally related to valproic acid (VPA) that has a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity including models of therapy-resistant epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to identify in vivo metabolites of MTMCD that could contribute to its anticonvulsant efficacy. The metabolism of MTMCD was studied in mice, in human liver microsomes (HLM), and in recombinant human CYP isoforms with focus on formation of the hydroxylation product, N-hydroxymethyl-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (OH-MTMCD) and the N-demethylation product tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxamide (TMCD). The anticonvulsant activity of MTMCD's metabolites was evaluated in the maximal electroshock (MES), subcutaneous metrazole (s.c. Met), and in the 6Hz model in mice. In mice, OH-MTMCD was identified as a phase I metabolite of MTMCD and detected in plasma and brain after administration of MTMCD. In human liver microsomes MTMCD was biotransformed to OH-MTMCD but not to TMCD. Chemical inhibition studies suggested that MTMCD hydroxylation is mainly mediated by CYP 2A6 and CYP 2C19, which was confirmed using cDNA-expressed P450 isozymes. OH-MTMCD was a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant and possessed significant anticonvulsant activity in mouse models of partial and generalized seizures (ED50 values 75-220mg/kg), but was less potent than MTMCD. As OH-MTMCD was also present at lower concentrations than MTMCD in mouse brain, it is likely that MTMCD itself and not one of its metabolites is responsible for its activity in therapy-resistant epilepsy.

Amides↗

Synthesis, crystal structures, and anti-convulsant activities of ternary [Zn(II)(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)(2)], [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)] and [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)] complexes.

Following observations that bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)diaquazinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], had anti-convulsant activity, bis(acetylsalicylate)diaquazinc(II), [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], and the Zn(II) ternary 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine, NC) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) complexes of Zn(II)3,5-diisopropylsalicylate, salicylate, and acetylsalicylate were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. Anti-convulsant and Rotorod toxicity activities of these complexes were determined to examine their anti-convulsant and undesirable central nervous stimulant or depressant activities of these Zn(II) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent complexes. Bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(phen)], (1) has one bidentate phen ligand and two mono-deprotonated 3,5-DIPS ligands. One of the carboxylates bonds in an asymmetric chelating mode. The Zn(II) atom exhibits a distorted bicapped rectangular pyramidal environment N(2)O(2)OO (4+1+1 *). In the neocuproine complex, bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(NC)] (2), the Zn(II) atom has a much more distorted bicapped rectangular pyramidal environment, N(2)O(2)O(2) (4+2 *), compared to 1. The two carboxylate ligands exhibit the same asymmetric coordinating mode with longer metalloelement-oxygen bond distances compared to 1. The space group of [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (3), which has been reported as Cc is corrected to C2/c. The zinc atom exhibits a (4+2 *) bicapped square pyramidal environment. While the two ternary phenanthroline-containing complexes, 1 and 2, evidenced weak protection against maximal electroshock (MES)- and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) induced seizures, [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(DMSO)(2)], [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], and bis(salicylato)-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)(phen)], were found to be particularly useful in protecting against MES and scMET seizures and [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)(phen)] were found to have activity in protecting against Psychomotor seizures, without causing Rotorod toxicity. Activities of these and other Zn(II) complexes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are consistent with the well-known anti-inflammatory responses of Zn(II)-dependent enzymes. There was also some evidence of Rotorod toxicity consistent with a mechanism of action involving sedative-hypnotic activity of recognized anti-epilepticdrugs.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Low-temperature (180 K) crystal structures of tetrakis-mu-(niflumato)di(aqua)dicopper(II) N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide solvates, their EPR properties, and anticonvulsant activities of these and other ternary binuclear copper(II)niflumate complexes.

Two pseudopolymorphs, solvates, of [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] of unknown structure were obtained following solution of [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Low-temperature crystal structures obtained for these solvates revealed that they were ternary aqua DMA and DMF solvates: [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMA and [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMF. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions account for the formation of these stable DMA and DMF solvates. These pseudopolymorphs contain a centrosymmetric binuclear center with Cu-Cu bond distances ranging from 2.6439(7) to 2.6452(9) A; the coordination sphere of Cu(II) is characterized by one long Cu-O (water) bond length of 2.128(3)-2.135(3) A and four short Cu-O (carboxylate) bonds of 1.949(3)-1.977(3) A. Crystal parameters for the DMA pseudopolymorph: a=10.372(1), b=19.625(2), c=17.967(2) A, beta=97.40(1) degrees , V=3626.8(6) A(3); monoclinic system; space group: P2(1)/a and for the DMF pseudopolymorph: a=10.125(2), b=18.647(3), c=19.616(4) A, alpha=74.38(2)(o), beta=88.18(2)(o), gamma=79.28(2)(o), V=3504(1) A(3); triclinic system; space group: P1. EPR spectra of these solids are identical and show strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper atoms, similar to the spectrum obtained for [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMSO)(2)]. The [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)], [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMA, [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMF, [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMF)(2)], and[Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMSO)(2)] evidenced protection against maximal electroshock-induced seizures and Psychomotor seizures at various times after treatment, consistent with the well known antiinflammatory activities of Cu chelates, but failed to protect against Metrazol-induced seizures while evidencing some Rotorod Toxicity consistent with a mechanism of action involving sedative activity.

Animals↗

Benzodiazepine anticonvulsant action: gamma-aminobutyric acid-dependent modulation of the chloride ionophore.

Brain-specific benzodiazepine receptors are allosterically coupled to chloride ionophore-associated binding sites for sulfur-35-labeled t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate. The specific binding of t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate to fresh unwashed rat cortical membranes is inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of five benzodiazepine agonists but not by the antagonist Ro 15-1788. Their inhibitory potencies in this assay are closely related to their antimetrazol activities. Studies with solubilized receptor-complex preparations establish an absolute requirement for gamma-aminobutyric acid (3 to 10 microM), strongly suggesting that the antagonism of metrazol-induced seizures by the benzodiazepines involves an action on the chloride ionophore mediated through the low affinity gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor.

Animals↗

Synthesis and anticonvulsant properties of new N-[(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-methyl] derivatives of 3-aryl pyrrolidine-2,5-dione and 2-aza-spiro[4.4]nonane-1,3-dione.

A series of N-[(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)-methyl] derivatives of 3-arylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione and 2-aza-spiro[4.4]nonane-1,3-dione were synthesized and tested for anticonvulsant activity in the maximum electroshock seizure (MES) and metrazole seizure threshold (sc.MET) tests. The most potent in the series were N-[[4-(3-chlorophenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-methyl]-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (ED50=14.18 mg/kg) and N-[[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-methyl]-3-(3-bromophenyl)-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione (ED50=33.64 mg/kg). Structures of the novel compounds were confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses.

Animals↗