6,3'-Dinitroflavone is a low efficacy modulator of GABA(A) receptors.

6,3'-Dinitroflavone (6,3'-DNF) is a synthetic flavone derivative that exerts anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze. Based on the finding that this effect is blocked by Ro15-1788 (ethyl-8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate) which is a specific antagonist at the benzodiazepine binding site of GABA(A) receptors we investigated the interaction of 6,3'-DNF with several recombinant GABA(A) receptor subtypes. Inhibition of [(3)H]flunitrazepam binding to recombinant GABA(A) receptors in transiently transfected HEK293 cells indicated that 6,3'-DNF exhibited the highest affinity for GABA(A) receptors composed of alpha1beta2gamma2 subunits and a 2-20 fold lower affinity for homologous receptors containing alpha2, alpha3, or alpha5 subunits.

Total serum homocysteine--a predictor of extracranial carotid artery stenosis in male patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

High total serum homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are associated with an increased risk of carotid artery disease in the general population. Since patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a threefold risk of cerebrovascular morbidity compared to individuals free of PAD, and since the total neurological event rate is associated with a > or = 50% lumen reduction in extracranial carotid arteries, it was tested whether tHcy is a predictor of internal carotid artery stenosis in patients with symptomatic PAD. A total of 443 consecutive male PAD patients without previous carotid surgery/stenting were studied.