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Urotensin II (UII) is a vasomodulatory peptide that was not predicted to elicit CNS activity. However, because we have recently shown that the urotensin II receptor (UII-R) is selectively expressed in rat mesopontine cholinergic (MPCh) neurons, we hypothesize that UII may have a central function. The present study demonstrates that the UII system is able to modulate MPCh neuron activity. Brain slice experiments demonstrate that UII excites MPCh neurons of the mouse laterodorsal tegmentum (LDTg) by activating a slow inward current. Furthermore, microinfusion of UII into the ventral tegmental area produces a sustained increase in dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens, as measured by in vivo chronoamperometry. In agreement with UII activation of MPCh neurons, intracerebroventricular injections of UII significantly modulate ambulatory movements in both rats and mice but do not significantly affect startle habituation or prepulse inhibition. The present study establishes that UII is a neuromodulator that may be exploited to target disorders involving MPCh dysfunction.

In this paper we describe the synthesis of a series of alpha-substituted analogues of the potent and selective group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist (1S,1'S,2'S)-carboxycyclopropylglycine (2, L-CCG 1). Incorporation of a substitutent on the amino acid carbon converted the agonist 2 into an antagonist. All of the compounds were prepared and tested as a series of four isomers, i.e., two racemic diastereomers. On the basis of the improvement in affinity realized for the alpha-phenylethyl analogue 3, in this paper we explored the effects of substitution on the aromatic ring as a strategy to increase the affinity to these compounds for group II mGluRs. Affinity for group II mGluRs was measured using [3H]glutamic acid (Glu) binding in rat forebrain membranes. Antagonist activity was confirmed for these compounds by measuring their ability to antagonize (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-induced inhibition of forskolin stimulated cyclic-AMP in RGT cells transfected with human mGluR2 and mGluR3. Meta substitution on the aromatic ring of 3 with a variety of substituents, both electron donating (e.g., methyl, hydroxy, amino, methoxy, phenyl, phenoxy) and electron withdrawing (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, carboxy, trifluoromethyl) gave from 1.5- to 4.5-fold increases in affinity. Substitution with p-fluorine, as in 97 (IC50 = 0.022 +/- 0.002), was the exception. Here, a greater increase in affinity was realized than for either the ortho- or meta-substituted analogues; 97 was the most potent compound resulting from monosubstitution of the aromatic. At best, only modest increases in affinity were realized for certain compounds bearing either two chlorines or two fluorines, and two methoxy groups gave no improvement in affinity (all examined in a variety of substitution patterns). Three amino acids, 4, 5, and 104, were resolved into their four constituent isomers, and affinity and functional activity for group II mGluRs was found to reside solely in the S,S,S-isomers of each, consistent with 1. With an IC50 = 2.9 +/- 0.6 nM, the resolved xanthylmethyl compound 168 was the most potent compound from this SAR. Amino acid 168 demonstrated high plasma levels following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration and readily penetrated into the brain. This compound, however, had only limited (approximately 5%) oral bioavailability. Systemic administration of 168 protected mice from limbic seizures produced by the mGluR agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine, with an ED50 = 31 mg/kg (i.p., 60 min preinjection). Thus, 168 represents a valuable tool to study the role of group II mGluRs in disease.

LY354740 is a conformationally constrained analog of glutamate with high selectivity and nanomolar agonist activity at Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). This orally active compound is a new drug candidate which is being developed for the treatment of anxiety. In this study, LY354740 was investigated in a model of nicotine withdrawal using the acoustic startle reflex (sensorimotor reactivity) in rats. Nicotine (6 mg/kg/day) was administered for 12 days subcutaneously by osmotic minipumps. After 12 days the pumps were removed and the animals were allowed to go through spontaneous withdrawal. Cessation of chronic nicotine exposure led to increased startle responding for 4 days following withdrawal. Treatment with LY354740 (0.0001–0.1 mg/kg, i.p.; 0.03–3 mg/kg, oral) produced a dosedependent attenuation of the enhanced auditory startle responding following withdrawal of nicotine with intraperitoneal and oral ed 50 values of 0.003 mg/kg and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively. These effects were stereoselective since the (−)-enantiomer of LY354740, LY366563, was without effect in this model. LY354740 produced no changes in the sensorimotor reactivity of rats not exposed to nicotine at oral doses up to 10 mg/kg. These data support the functional role of mGluR agonists in nicotine withdrawal and indicate that LY354740 may be efficacious in reducing the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal during smoking cessation in humans.

Withdrawal from the chronic administration of nicotine has previously been shown to lead to an enhanced auditory startle response in rats. In order to explore the neuropharmacology and neurophysiology underlying this phenomenon, we examined the effects of various 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-1A antagonists and agonists on the nicotine-withdrawal-enhanced auditory startle response in male rats. Animals were treated with nicotine (6 mg/kg/day nicotine base, via subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps) for 12 days. After 12 days the pumps were removed and the animals allowed to undergo spontaneous withdrawal for several days. In agreement with previous results, nicotine withdrawal led to a significant elevation of the auditory startle response. Pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A agonists (+)8-OH-DPAT (0.001–0.1 mg/kg) and LY274600 (0.3–3.0 mg/kg) either had no affect or exacerbated the nicotine-withdrawal-enhanced startle response. Pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A antagonists NAN-190 (1–3 mg/kg), LY206130 (1–10 mg/kg), or WAY-100635 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg) blocked the increase in the startle response caused by nicotine withdrawal at doses that had no effect on baseline startle responses. These data indicate that 5-HT-1A receptors play a role in the neurophysiology of nicotine withdrawal. In addition, 5-HT-1A antagonists may be able to relieve some nicotine withdrawal symptoms in man and may represent a novel pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Synapse 27:145–152, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

2-Aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (9) was designed as a conformationally constrained analog of glutamic acid. For 9, the key torsion angles (tau 1 and tau 2) which determine the relative positions of the alpha-amino acid and distal carboxyl functionalities are constrained where tau 1 = 166.9 degrees or 202 degrees and tau 2 = 156 degrees, respectively. We hypothesized that 9 would closely approximate the proposed bioactive conformation of glutamate when acting at group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The racemic target molecule (+/-)-9, its C2-diastereomer (+/-)-16, and its enantiomers (+)-9 (LY354740) and (-)-9 (LY366563) were prepared by an efficient, stereocontrolled, and high-yielding synthesis from 2-cyclopentenone. Our hypothesis that 9 could interact with high affinity and specificity at group 2 mGluRs has been supported by the observation that (+/-)-9 (EC50 = 0.086 +/- 0.025 microM) and its enantiomer (+)-9 (EC50 = 0.055 +/- 0.017 microM) are highly potent agonists for group 2 mGluRs in the rat cerebral cortical slice preparation (suppression of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation) possessing no activity at other glutamate receptor sites (iGluR or group 1 mGluR) at concentrations up to 100 microM. Importantly, the mGluR agonist effects of (+)-9 are evident following oral administration in mice in both the elevated plus maze model of anxiety (ED50 = 0.5 mg/kg) and in the ACPD-induced limbic seizure model (ED50 = 45.6 mg/kg). Thus, (+)-9 is the first orally active group 2 mGluR agonist described thus far and is an important tool for studying the effects of compounds of this class in humans.

The effects of single and multiple (5, 10, or 15 days) administration of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (3 mg kg−1, i.p.) or 5-HT (3 mg kg−1, i.p.) in-vivo on the response of selected isolated smooth muscles to 5-HT in-vitro were investigated. Single dosing with 8-OH-DPAT did not alter the responses of the isolated tissues (rat aorta, uterus or fundus, or guinea-pig trachea) to 5-HT, while multiple dosing with 8-OH-DPAT produced rightward shifts and a suppression of the maximum response of all these tissues to 5-HT, with the exception of the rat stomach fundus. Multiple administration of 5-HT had no effect on the in-vitro response of the tissues to 5-HT. These data indicate that multiple administration of 8-OH-DPAT desensitizes or down-regulates the peripheral 5-HT2 receptors found on the rat aorta and uterus, and guinea-pig trachea.

Three different behavioral measures were used to assess the effects of abrupt cessation of chronic nicotine treatment. Nicotine (0, 3, or 6 mg/kg per day) was continuously administered for 12 days in rats by surgically implanting Alzet osmotic mini-pumps subcutaneously. Experiment 1 employed a light/dark discrimination task. There were no significant effects on number of responses or percent correct responding either during nicotine administration, or following cessation of nicotine. Experiment 2 examined ambulatory (locomotor) and nonambulatory activity. Chronic nicotine administration produced significant dose-dependent increases in both ambulatory and nonambulatory activity during the first 3 days of exposure. However, no significant alterations were seen in activity levels following nicotine cessation. Experiment 3 examined sensorimotor reactivity using the auditory startle response. During nicotine withdrawal, significant increases were seen in startle amplitude in both nicotine groups for 4 days. Nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, IP) administered before startle testing during the withdrawal phase attenuated the increased reactivity seen during nicotine cessation. These studies indicate that 1) rats display increased sensorimotor reactivity after cessation of chronic nicotine exposure, and 2) the expression of nicotine dependence and withdrawal is dependent on the behavioral task employed.

2-Aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (9) was designed as a conformationally constrained analog of glutamic acid. For 9, the key torsion angles (τ1 and τ2) which determine the relative positions of the α-amino acid and distal carboxyl functionalities are constrained where τ1 = 166.9° or 202° and τ 2 = 156°, respectively. We hypothesized that 9 would closely approximate the proposed bioactive conformation of glutamate when acting at group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). The racemic target molecule (±)-9, its C2-diastereomer (±)-16, and its enantiomers (+)-9 (LY354740) and (−)-9 (LY366563) were prepared by an efficient, stereocontrolled, and high-yielding synthesis from 2-cyclopentenone. Our hypothesis that 9 could interact with high affinity and specificity at group 2 mGluRs has been supported by the observation that (±)-9 (EC50 = 0.086 ± 0.025 μM) and its enantiomer (+)-9 (EC50 = 0.055 ± 0.017 μM) are highly potent agonists for group 2 mGluRs in the rat cerebral cortical slice pre...

The side-effect profile of quinolone antibiotics in man includes CNS disturbances such as dizziness, insomnia and convulsions. Although it has been suggested that the proconvulsive liability of quinolones involves an interaction with GABA receptors in the central nervous system, no animal model has been described to evaluate or confirm the mechanism of this effect. The proconvulsive activity of the quinolone antibiotics, nalidixic (NAL) and oxolinic (OXO) acid were tested in male mice following oral doses of 10-100 mg/kg utilizing the convulsive stimuli pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), picrotoxin, strychnine or electroshock. While NAL and OXO did not alter the threshold for convulsions induced by PTZ, strychnine or picrotoxin, both agents lowered the threshold for electroshock-induced seizures. Furthermore, the proconvulsive actions of NAL and OXO were completely blocked by the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, MK-801 and 2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (AP-4). These data indicate that the mechanism of convulsive liability of quinolone antibiotics does not involve GABA receptor interactions as previously thought, but appears to involve activation of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors, possibly located in the optic region of the central nervous system.

IN order to explore the potential clinical utility of CCK-B antagonists for the treatment of nicotine withdrawal symptoms, the auditory startle reflex was examined in rats undergoing withdrawal from the chronic administration of nicotine. Rats were exposed to nicotine continuously for 12 days (6mg kg -1 day -1 ) via osmotic minipumps. After 12 days the pumps were removed and the animals allowed to go through spontaneous withdrawal for several days. Acute treatment with the CCK-B antagonist LY288513, at doses that have no effect on startle responses in naive rats, blocked the nicotine withdrawal-induced increase in the acoustic startle reflex. These results indicate that CCK-B antagonists may be an efficacious treatment for some nicotine withdrawal symptoms in man and may represent a novel pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation.

The activity of LY288513, an investigational cholecystokinin (CCK)B antagonist, was evaluated in a wide range of pharmacological tests in mice and rats. The anxiolytic benzodiazepine, diazepam, served as a reference standard for LY288513 in many of the tests. In the elevated plus-maze, LY288513 (3, 10 mg/kg, IP; 10, 30 mg/kg, PO) produced an anxiolytic-like action in mice with a magnitude of effect similar to that of diazepam. However, unlike diazepam, LY288513 produced no overt clinical signs and did not affect muscle tone, neuromuscular coordination, or sensorimotor reactivity. Also, in contrast to diazepam, LY288513 did not produce changes in the thresholds for electroshock- or pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions. High doses of LY288513 (1000 mg/kg, PO) were required to reduce spontaneous activity levels, decrease body temperature, or potentiate the CNS-depressant effects of hexobarbital. LY288513 had no analgesic activity in mouse writhing or tail-flick tests. Electrophysiological studies in anesthetized rats showed that acute administration of LY288513 decreased the number of spontaneously active dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. However, LY288513 did not produce catalepsy. These data indicate that LY288513 possess both anxiolytic and antipsychotic potential.

In order to explore the potential clinical utility of CCK-B antagonists for the treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, the auditory startle reflex was examined in rats undergoing withdrawal from the chronic administration of diazepam. Animals were exposed to diazepam continuously for 12 days (20 mg kg-1 per day) via osmotic minipumps. After 12 days the pumps were removed and the animals were allowed to go through spontaneous withdrawal for 4 days. Acute pretreatment with either diazepam or the selective CCK-B antagonist LY288513 dose-dependently blocked withdrawal-induced increases in the auditory startle response. These results support the hypothesis that the selective CCK-B antagonist LY288513 may be an effective treatment for alleviating at least some benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms in man.

The functional role of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation was investigated following intracerebral administration of 1S,3R-ACPD in mice. Injections of 1S,3R-ACPD (50-800 nmol in 5 microliters) into the thalamus produced a dose-dependent increase in limbic seizures. These effects were stereoselective since 1R,3S-ACPD, did not elicit seizure activity. Pharmacologically, limbic seizures were attenuated by the mGluR partial agonist/antagonist L-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate (L-AP3) and dantrolene, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium mobilization, but not by D-AP3 or ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists (MK-801 or GYKI-52466). Thus, activation of mGluRs by 1S,3R-ACPD in mice, induces limbic seizures that may involve the mobilization of intracellular calcium stores.