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5,10-dihydroxy-5H,10H-diimidazo[1,2-a:1',2'-d]pyrazine.

Crystallization of the title compound, C8H8N4O2, results in the formation of one-dimensional chains of imidazole (im) molecules linked together by strong hydrogen bonds. The O...N(im) separation and O-H(...N) distance are 2.6906 (17) and 1.74 (2) A, respectively, and the O-H...N angle is 173 (2) degrees. The one-dimensional chains are weakly pi stacked along the b axis, with centroid-to-centroid separations of 3.678 (2) A between five- and six-membered rings and 3.963 (2) A between six-membered rings. Each molecule is arranged around an inversion center.

Journal Article↗

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-arylsulfonyl-3-piperazinone derivatives as factor Xa inhibitors V. A series of new derivatives containing a spiro[imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2(3H),4'-piperidin]-5(1H)-one scaffold.

We have already reported unique compounds containing a N,O-spiro acetal structure as an orally active factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor. This time, we described a N,N-spiro acetal structure as an analogue of the N,O-spiro acetal structure for an orally active FXa inhibitor. The synthesis of these analogues could be achieved in a similar fashion to the N,O-spiro acetal synthesis. Consequently, FXa inhibitory activity was increased and more active compounds could be found (M58163: IC50 = 0.61 nM, M58169: IC50 = 0.58 nM). Additionally, the absolute configuration could be determined by X-ray crystallography analysis (M58169: (R)-config.).

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Mechanisms responsible for the in vitro relaxation of ligustrazine on porcine left anterior descending coronary artery.

In this study, we have evaluated the underlying mechanisms responsible for the relaxation response of ligustrazine (2,3,5,6-tetra-methyl-pyrazine; 2,3,5,6-MP) and its structural analogues (2-methyl-pyrazine (2-MP); ethyl-pyrazine (EP); 2,3-di-methyl-pyrazine (2,3-MP); 2,5-di-methyl-pyrazine (2,5-MP); 2,6-di-methyl-pyrazine (2,6-MP) and 2,3,5-tri-methyl-pyrazine (2,3,5-MP)) in porcine left anterior descending coronary artery (tertiary branch, O.D. </=1 mm). In 5-hydroxytryptamine (3 microM) precontracted preparations, cumulative administration (0.1-300 microM) of all pyrazine analogues caused an endothelium-independent, concentration-dependent relaxation. The relative inhibitory potency, as compared at concentration with which 50% relaxation occurred, was 2,3,5,6-MP>2,3,5-MP>EP>2,5-MP>/=2,6-MP>/=2,3-MP>2-MP. Besides, salbutamol and forskolin caused an endothelium-independent relaxation. The relaxation response of ligustrazine, salbutamol and forskolin was blunted in the presence of cis-N-(2-phenylcyclopentyl) azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine (MDL 12330A) (10 microM, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor) and N-[2-((bromocinnamyl)amino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline-sulphonamide (H-89, a protein kinase A inhibitor, 3 microM). Patch-clamp, whole-cell electrophysiological studies using single smooth muscle cells of the left anterior descending coronary artery revealed that ligustrazine (300 microM), salbutamol (30 microM) and forskolin (1 microM) inhibited the nifedipine-sensitive L-type Ca(2+) channels, and the inhibitory effect was eradicated by MDL 12330A (10 microM) and H-89 (1 microM). However, neither the Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channel nor the ATP-dependent K(+) channel was modified by ligustrazine (300 microM). In conclusion, our results indicate that ligustrazine-mediated left anterior descending coronary artery relaxation is due to the activation of adenylate cyclase/protein kinase A cascade and the subsequent inhibition of nifedipine-sensitive, voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channels. However, opening of K(+) channels seems to play no role in mediating the relaxation effect of ligustrazine.

Animals↗

Novelty effects in a multimodal warning signal.

The warning signals of toxic insects are often 'multimodal', combining bright coloration with sounds or odours (or both). Pyrazine (a common insect warning odour) can elicit an intrinsic avoidance in domestic chicks Gallus gallus domesticus, both against novel coloured food, and also against food colours that are specifically associated with aposematism, namely yellow and red. In three experiments, we investigated the role of novelty in this innate bias against yellow coloured food in the presence of pyrazine. Naive chicks were familiarized either to pyrazine odour or to coloured food before being tested for a bias against yellow (warningly coloured) food as opposed to green (nonwarningly coloured) food. In experiment 1, pyrazine novelty was shown to be vital for eliciting a bias against yellow food. However, experiment 2 suggested that colour novelty was not important: chicks familiarized with coloured crumbs still avoided yellow crumbs when pyrazine was presented. In a third experiment that gave chicks an even greater degree of pre-exposure to coloured crumbs, the bias against yellow food eventually waned, although pyrazine continued to elicit an aversion to yellow even after birds had had experience of up to 24 palatable yellow crumbs. Pyrazine novelty has been an important pressure in the evolution of multimodal warning signals, and can continue to promote the avoidance of warningly coloured food, even when it is relatively familiar. The implications for warning signals are discussed. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗

Recurrence of carboxylic acid-pyridine supramolecular synthon in the crystal structures of some pyrazinecarboxylic acids.

X-ray crystal structures of pyrazinic acid 1 and isomeric methylpyrazine carboxylic acids 2-4 are analyzed to examine the occurrence of carboxylic acid-pyridine supramolecular synthon V in these heterocyclic acids. Synthon V, assembled by (carboxyl)O-H...N(pyridine) and (pyridine)C-H...O(carbonyl) hydrogen bonds, controls self-assembly in the crystal structures of pyridine and pyrazine monocarboxylic acids. The recurrence of acid-pyridine heterodimer V compared to the more common acid-acid homodimer I in the crystal structures of pyridine and pyrazine monocarboxylic acids is explained by energy computations in the RHF 6-31G* basis set. Both the O-H.N and the C-H...O hydrogen bonds in synthon V result from activated acidic donor and basic acceptor atoms in 1-4. Pyrazine 2,3- and 2,5-dicarboxylic acids 10 and 11 crystallize as dihydrates with a (carboxyl)O-H...O(water) hydrogen bond in synthon VII, a recurring pattern in the diacid structures. In summary, the carboxylic acid group forms an O-H...N hydrogen bond in pyrazine monocarboxylic acids and an O-H...O hydrogen bond in pyrazine dicarboxylic acids. This structural analysis correlates molecular features with supramolecular synthons in pyridine and pyrazine carboxylic acids for future crystal engineering strategies.

Journal Article↗

One-, two- and three-dimensional Cu(II) complexes built via new oligopyrazinediamine ligands: from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic coupling.

Six new pyrazine-modulated N,N'-bis(alpha-pyridyl)-2,6-diaminopyridine ligands (PMN5) were synthesized and their complexes studied. Reaction of copper(II) with the ligand that contained one pyrazine ring in its terminal position led to formation of a one-dimensional zigzag complex whereas copper(II) reactions with ligands containing three pyrazine rings or one pyrazine ring in its middle position yielded straight one-dimensional complexes. A 2-D complex was produced from the ligand with two pyrazine rings at both terminals. When nickel(II) was introduced, a 3-D network was obtained from the three-pyrazine-modulated ligand. Researches on variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed excellent Heisenberg chains with weak antiferromagnetic interaction of J values from -2 to -3 cm(-1)viasigma and pi pathways in straight one-dimensional complexes between the Cu(II) centers separated by 6.8-6.9 A. The zigzag one-dimensional complex showed very poor magnetic coupling. The two-dimensional compound showed significant ferromagnetic interaction in spite of the Cu-Cu distance of 7.2 A. Ferromagnetic coupling was discussed and attributed to the unusual coordination mode of in-plane and out-of-plane linkage of bridging pyrazine rings. The three-dimensional heterometal Cu(II)-Ni(II) compound showed weak antiferromagnetic interaction, which was satisfactorily fitted with J=-2.4 cm(-1) following a one-dimensional theoretical model including MFA.

Journal Article↗

Inhibition of cytochrome P4502E1 expression by organosulfur compounds allylsulfide, allylmercaptan and allylmethylsulfide in rats.

Cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) is active in both detoxication and activation of small organic molecules. The effects of organosulfur compounds including allylsulfide (AS), allylmercaptan (AM) and allylmethylsulfide (AMS) on the expression of CYP2E1 were examined in rats. 4-Nitrophenol, aniline hydroxylase and N-nitrosodimethylamine demethylase activities, the rates of which represent the level of CYP2E1, decreased in hepatic microsomes isolated from rats treated with AS in a time-dependent manner by 45% to 90%, as compared to control. Pyrazine-induced hepatic microsomes exhibited approximately 5-fold increases in CYP2E1-catalysed metabolic activities, whereas the hepatic microsomes obtained after treatment of animals with both AS and pyrazine showed rates comparable to or less than those in control microsomes. AM or AMS suppressed constitutive and pyrazine-inducible levels of CYP2E1 similarly to AS. Immunoblot analyses of hepatic microsomes, using an anti-CYP2E1 antibody, showed that AS, AM and AMS significantly suppressed constitutive levels of CYP2E1 apoprotein after 24, 48 and 72 hr. Time-dependent induction of CYP2E1 by pyrazine was also completely blocked by treatment of animals with AS throughout the experimental period, as evidenced by immunoblot analysis. The levels of CYP2E1 apoprotein in the hepatic microsomes isolated from animals treated with both AM and pyrazine, or with both AMS and pyrazine were comparable to those in control hepatic microsomes at days 1-3 post-treatment. Treatment of rats with each of these organosulfur compounds caused no significant changes in the levels of CYP2E1 mRNA, as assessed by slot and northern blot analyses, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation may be associated with the suppression of CYP2E1 apoprotein levels. The results of metabolic activities, immunoblot analyses and RNA blot analyses demonstrated that these organosulfur compounds are effective in suppressing constitutive and inducible expression of CYP2E1.

Allyl Compounds↗

Enhanced expression of rat microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene by organosulfur compounds.

The effects of organosulfur compounds including allylsulfide (AS), allylmercaptan (AM) and allylmethylsulfide (AMS) on the expression of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) protein and its mRNA were examined in rats. The levels of mEH induction were examined with or without concomitant treatment of animals with pyrazine, a strong inducer of mEH, in order to establish whether a common molecular basis exists for mEH induction between these structurally different xenobiotics. Immunoblot analyses using anti-rat mEH antibody showed that treatment with AS caused an approximately 4-fold increase in hepatic mEH protein levels relative to controls whereas treatment with both AS and pyrazine resulted in only minimal additive increases in the elevation of mEH. Administration of AM to rats resulted in a comparable increase in mEH levels to that caused by AS, whereas an approximately 2-fold increase was noted after AMS treatment, as compared to control. mEH levels in the hepatic microsomes isolated from animals treated with both AMS and pyrazine were, however, approximately 50% less than those from pyrazine-treated rats. Thus, AS and AM appeared to be more effective than AMS in elevating mEH, as evidenced by immunoblot analyses. The levels of mEH mRNA were increased 10-16-fold following treatment with either AS or AM, while AMS caused a 3-7-fold increase relative to control, as assessed by slot blot analysis probed with a 1.3 kb mEH cDNA. Time-dependent increases in mRNA levels by each of these organosulfur compounds were consistent with those in mEH protein levels at 3 days. A marginal additive increase in mEH mRNA levels was noted following co-administration of either AS or AM with pyrazine, whereas treatment with both AMS and pyrazine decreased mEH mRNA levels by 55%. Significant mEH mRNA increases in poly(A)+ RNA fractions were confirmed by northern blot analysis. The results demonstrate that these organosulfur compounds are inducers of mEH and that the induction involves increases in its mRNA.

Allyl Compounds↗

Testing olfactory foraging strategies in an Antarctic seabird assemblage.

Procellariiform seabirds (petrels, albatrosses and shearwaters) forage over thousands of square kilometres for patchily distributed prey resources. While these birds are known for their large olfactory bulbs and excellent sense of smell, how they use odour cues to locate prey patches in the vast ocean is not well understood. Here, we investigate species-specific responses to 3-methyl pyrazine in a sub-Antarctic species assemblage near South Georgia Island (54 degrees 00 ' S, 36 degrees 00 ' W). Pyrazines are scented compounds found in macerated Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), a primary prey item for many seabird species in this region. To examine behavioural attraction to this odour, we presented birds with either scented or 'unscented' vegetable oil slicks at sea. As a positive control for our experiments, we also compared birds' responses to a general olfactory attractant, herring oil. Responses to pyrazine were both highly species specific and consistent with results from earlier studies investigating responses to crude krill extracts. For example, Cape petrels (Daption capense), giant petrels (Macronectes sp.) and white-chinned petrels (Procellaria aequinoctialis) were sighted at least 1.8-4 times as often at pyrazine-scented slicks than at control slicks. Black-browed albatrosses (Diomedea melanophris) were only sighted at pyrazine-scented slicks and never at control slicks. Wilson's storm-petrels (Oceanites oceanicus), black-bellied storm-petrels (Fregetta tropica), great shearwaters (Puffinus gravis) and prions (Pachyptila sp.) were sighted with equal frequency at control and pyrazine-scented slicks. As expected, responses to herring oil were more common. With the exception of great shearwaters (Puffinus gravis), each of these species was sighted up to five times as often at slicks scented with herring oil compared with control slicks. Together, the results support the hypothesis that Antarctic procellariiforms use species-specific foraging strategies that are inter-dependent and more complex than simply tracking prey by scent.

Animals↗