Thyroid hormone deiodinases response in brain of spontaneausly hypertensive rats after hypotensive effects induced by mandibular extension.

Purpose: The deiodinases activate or inactivate the thyroid hormones (TH) in virtually all tissues in both physiological and pathological conditions. The three deiodinases, DIO1, DIO2, and DIO3, have different catalytic functions and regulate TH tissue distribution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modulation of gene expression of the deiodinases and TH transporters and protein levels of DIO1 in parietal and frontal areas of cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), after two successive mandibular extensions (ME).

Renin-Angiotensin System Responds to Prolonged Hypotensive Effect Induced by Mandibular Extension in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

There is an ongoing interest in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) contribution either to pathological mechanisms leading to hypertension (mainly regarding the ACE/AngII/AT1R axis), or, to RAS protective and pro-regenerative actions, primarily ascribed to the mediation of the AT2R and the MAS1 receptor. In the present study, we evaluated the modulation of gene expression and protein levels of "deleterious" (ACE/AngII/AT1R) and "protective" [ACE/AngII/AT2R and ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MAS1 arms] RAS components in parietal and frontal areas of cerebral cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), after two periods of mandibular extensions (MEs). Blood pressure, BP and heart rate, HR were also measured.

A new class of pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazines as γ-aminobutyric type A (GABA) receptor subtype ligand: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation.

A comparison between compounds with pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine structure (series 4-6) and pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine core (series 9) as ligands at GABA-receptor subtype, was evaluated. Moreover, for pyrazolotriazine derivatives having binding recognition, the interaction on recombinant rat α(1-3,5) GABA receptor subtypes, was performed. Among these latter, emerge compounds 9c, 9k, 9l, 9m and 9n as α1-selective and 9h as α2-selective ligands.

3-Hydroxy-1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives as new antagonists at ionotropic glutamate receptors: molecular modeling and pharmacological studies.

Based on our 3-hydroxy-7-chloroquinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives, previously reported as antagonists at ionotropic glutamate receptors, we synthesized new 3-hydroxyquinazoline-2,4-diones bearing a trifluoromethyl group at the 7-position and different groups at position 6. Glycine/NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptor binding data showed that the 7-trifluoromethyl residue increased AMPA and kainate receptor affinity and selectivity, with respect to the 7-chlorine atom. Among the probed 6-substituents, the 6-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) group (compound 8) was the most advantageous for AMPA receptor affinity and selectivity.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new set of pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines as glycine/N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonists.

Previous studies have shown that 8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-5-oxo-pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline-2-carboxylates (PQZ series) represent a family of glycine/N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and/or (R,S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) and/or kainic acid (KA) receptor antagonists. Moreover, some groups have been identified that introduced in suitable positions of the PQZ 2-carboxylate framework shift affinity and selectivity toward glycine/NMDA receptor. These substituents are a carboxylate function at position-1 and/or a chlorine atom at position-9.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 9-heteroaryl substituted 7-chloro-4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-2-carboxylates (TQX) as (R,S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists.

In this paper, we report a study on some new 4,5-dihydro-4-oxo-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-2-carboxylate derivatives (TQXs), bearing a nitrogen-containing heterocycle at position-9, and designed as (R,S)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists. These compounds ensue from the structural modification of previously reported 8-heteroaryl-TQXs which were endowed with high affinity and selectivity for the AMPA receptor. All the newly synthesized compounds were biologically evaluated for their binding at the AMPA receptor.

On the reactivity of 6-acetyl-7-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with 1,3- and 1,4-bisnucleophiles.

Reaction of 6-acetyl-7-(2-dimethylaminovinyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 1 with 1,3- and 1,4-bisnucleophiles has been investigated; obtainment of new polycyclic heterocyclic derivatives is reported. A convenient procedure leading to new pyrazolo[1,5-a]quinazolines is described; a modest bioactivity of these compounds against two human tumor cell lines was also ascertained.

Novel AMPA and kainate receptor antagonists containing the pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline ring system: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

This paper reports the synthesis and AMPA, Gly/NMDA, and KA receptor binding affinities of a new set of 1,9-disubstituted-8-chloro-pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline-2-carboxylates 2-34. Binding data show that, in general, compounds 2-34 bind to the AMPA receptor with good affinity and selectivity. In particular, the obtained results indicate that the contemporary presence of a 1,2-dicarboxylic acid moiety and suitable benzo-substituents on the PQZ system is important to gain selective AMPA receptor antagonists.

Tandem 3D-QSARs approach as a valuable tool to predict binding affinity data: design of new Gly/NMDA receptor antagonists as a key study.

Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) represent a very well consolidated computational approach to correlate structural or property descriptors of chemical compounds with their chemical or biological activities. We have recently reported that autocorrelation Molecular Electrostatic Potential (autoMEP) vectors in combination to Partial Least-Square (PLS) analysis or to Response Surface Analysis (RSA) can represent an interesting alternative 3D-QSAR strategy. In the present paper, we would like to present how the applicability of in tandem linear and nonlinear 3D-QSAR methods (autoMEP/PLS&RSA) can help to predict binding affinity data of a new set of N-methyl-d-aspartate (Gly/NMDA) receptor antagonists.

Synthesis of novel N1-substituted bicyclic pyrazole amino acids and evaluation of their interaction with glutamate receptors.

N1-substituted bicyclic pyrazole amino acids (S)-9a-9c and (R)-9a-9c, which are conformationally constrained analogues of glutamic acid, were prepared via a strategy based on a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. The new amino acids were tested for activity at ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Some of them turned out to be selective for the NMDA receptors, where they behaved as weak antagonists.

Structural investigation of the 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione scaffold to obtain AMPA and kainate receptor selective antagonists. Synthesis, pharmacological, and molecular modeling studies.

In this paper, the study of new 7-chloro-3-hydroxy-1H-quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives, designed as AMPA and kainate (KA) receptor antagonists, is reported. Some derivatives bear different carboxy-containing alkyl chains on the 3-hydroxy group, while various heterocyclic rings or amide moieties are present at the 6-position of other compounds. Binding data at Gly/NMDA, AMPA, and high-affinity KA receptors showed that the presence of the free 3-hydroxy group is of paramount importance for a good affinity at all three investigated receptors, while introduction of some 6-heterocyclic moieties yielded AMPA-selective antagonists.

A novel selective GABA(A) alpha1 receptor agonist displaying sedative and anxiolytic-like properties in rodents.

In our pursuit to identify selective ligands for Bz/GABA(A) receptor subtypes, a novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative (4), the azaisostere of zolpidem, was synthesized and evaluated in vitro on bovine brain homogenate and on recombinant benzodiazepine receptors (alphaxbeta2/3gamma2, x = 1-3, 5) expressed in HEK293 cells. Compound 4 displayed affinity only for alpha1beta2gamma2 subtype (K(i) = 31 nM), and in an in-depth, in vivo study it revealed sedative and anxiolytic-like properties without any amnesic and myorelaxant effects in rodents.

Benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 8: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new pyrazolo[5,1-c] [1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 3- and 8-disubstituted: high affinity ligands endowed with inverse-agonist pharmacological efficacy.

The synthesis and the binding study of new 3-arylesters and 3-heteroarylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 8-substituted are reported. The nature of these substituents (in terms of lipophilic and electronic features) seems to influence the binding affinity. High-affinity ligands were studied in mice in vivo for their pharmacological effects, considering six potential benzodiazepine actions: anxiolytic-like effects, muscle relaxant effects, motor coordination, anticonvulsant action, spontaneous motor activity, and ethanol-potentiating action.

1-Substituted pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazolines as novel Gly/NMDA receptor antagonists: synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling study.

A new set of 5,6-dihydro-pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline-2-carboxylates (2-18), bearing different substituents (COOEt, Cl, Br, CH(3), and COOH) at position-1, were synthesized in order to investigate the influence of various groups at this specific position on Gly/NMDA receptor affinity and/or selectivity. All the herein reported compounds were evaluated for their binding at the Gly/NMDA, AMPA, and KA receptors. Some selected compounds were also tested for their functional antagonistic activity at both the AMPA and NMDA receptor-ion channels.

Insight into 2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl acetamides as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands: synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR investigation.

The present paper reports the synthesis and binding studies of new 2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl acetamides as selective Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR) ligands. The variability of substituents at the 3-position was investigated and a 3D-QSAR model was proposed to evaluate the effect of different substitutions on the acetamide moiety. In addition, a subset of the novel compounds showing high affinity for PBR was tested for their ability to modulate the steroid biosynthesis in C6 glioma cells.

Synthesis and pharmacological studies at the Gly/NMDA, AMPA and Kainate receptors of new oxazolo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-one derivatives bearing different substituents at position-2 and on the fused benzo ring.

The synthesis and biological evaluation at the Gly/NMDA, AMPA and Kainate receptors of new oxazolo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-one derivatives are reported. Different substituents were introduced at the 2-position (mercapto, carbonyl and methyl groups) and on the fused benzo ring (chlorine atom(s) and trifluoromethyl group). Among the herein reported compounds, the 2-mercapto-derivatives 1-4 showed the highest Gly/NMDA affinities, comparable to that of 5,7-dichlorokynurenic acid.

3-hydroxy-quinazoline-2,4-dione as a useful scaffold to obtain selective Gly/NMDA and AMPA receptor antagonists.

The synthesis and Gly/NMDA, AMPA and KA receptor binding activities of some 3-hydroxy-quinazoline-2,4-dione derivatives are reported. The binding data, together with functional antagonism studies, showed that the 3-hydroxy-quinazoline-2,4-dione moiety can be considered a useful scaffold to obtain selective Gly/NMDA and AMPA receptor antagonists. In fact, introduction of chlorine atom(s) on precise position(s) of the benzofused moiety yielded Gly/NMDA selective antagonists, while the presence of the 6-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) group shifted the affinity and selectivity towards the AMPA receptor.

Behavioural disorders in adolescents with early-treated congenital hypothyroidism.

This study analyses the possible risk factors for the on-set of behavioural disorders and psychiatric disturbances in a group of 30 early-treated congenital hypothyroidism (CH) subjects (12 children and 18 adolescents) compared with a control group of 116 age-matched normal subjects (58 children and 58 adolescents). The study also allowed us to evaluate the possible age at onset of behavioural disorders. Both the sample's and the controls' behaviours were assessed using a specific diagnostic instrument: Achenbach's and Edelbrock's Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL).

Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogues of 7-chloro-4,5-dihydro-4- oxo-8-(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (TQX-173) as novel selective AMPA receptor antagonists.

In recent papers (Catarzi, D.; et al. J.

Characterization of the mechanism of anticonvulsant activity for a selected set of putative AMPA receptor antagonists.

A selected set of 1-aryl-7,8-methylenedioxy-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-ones and their analogues were evaluated for their ability to bind the competitive and noncompetitive sites of the AMPA receptors complex as well as to the glycine site of the NMDA receptors. The results put in evidence that most of the test compounds, despite a close structural similarity with GYKI 52466, possess a significantly different pharmacological profile.

Synthesis and benzodiazepine receptor affinity of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. 3. New 6-(3-thienyl) series as alpha 1 selective ligands.

New 3-aryl-6-(3-thienyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones (2a-j) are synthesized and evaluated in vitro on Bz/GABA(A) receptors and on recombinant benzodiazepine receptors (alpha x beta 2/3 gamma 2; x = 1-3, 5) expressed in HEK293 cells. SAR studies on the new compounds are conducted and molecular modeling is accomplished to better investigate requirements leading to subtype selectivity. Some of the synthesized compounds are tested in vivo to explore their pharmacological effect as a consequence of their high alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 subtype selectivity observed in vitro.

Benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 7. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new 3-esters of the 8-chloropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide. 3-(2-Thienylmethoxycarbonyl) derivative: an anxioselective agent in rodents.

The synthesis and binding study of new 8-chloropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 3-ester compounds are reported. A pharmacological evaluation of the high-affinity ligands 1-4 belonging to the 3-heteroarylester series is made. The 3-(2-thienylmethoxycarbonyl) derivative 4 stands out from the other heteroarylesters and is found, using nine different behavioral methods, to be a functionally selective ligand in vivo: it shows anxiolytic-like activity in the conflict models (light-dark box and plus maze test) similarly to diazepam, without any sedative and amnesic properties or interference from alcohol.

Effect of subchronic administration of metrifonate, rivastigmine and donepezil on brain acetylcholine in aged F344 rats.

The changes in extracellular acetylcholine levels were investigated by microdialysis in the cortex and hippocampus of aging rats after administration of metrifonate (80 mg/kg), rivastigmine (0.75 mg/kg), donepezil (1.5 mg/kg) or vehicle for 21 days (twice daily p.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new set of pyrazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline-2-carboxylates as novel excitatory amino acid antagonists.

In recent papers (Catarzi, D.; et al. J.

2-Arylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl acetamides. New potent and selective peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands.

A new class of N,N-diethyl-(2-arylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl)acetamides (3f-y), as azaisosters of Alpidem, was prepared following a novel synthetic method and their affinities for both the peripheral (PBR) and the central (CBR) benzodiazepine receptors were evaluated. Binding assays were carried out using both [3H]PK 11195 and [3H]Ro 5-4864 as radioligands for PBR, whereas [3H]Ro 15-1788 was used for CBR, in rat kidney and rat cortex, respectively. The tested compounds exhibited a broad range of binding affinities from as low as 0.