Functional characterization of muscarinic autoreceptors in rat and human neocortex.

Electrically evoked overflow of [(3)H]acetylcholine in slices of rat neocortex and of human neocortex (freshly obtained during neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy or deep-seated tumors) was used to functionally characterize the muscarinic receptor subtype, which mediates autoinhibition of acetylcholine release in these tissues. In the rat neocortex, the following pK(B) values [CI(95)] were calculated from the shifts to the right of the concentration-response curves of the full agonist oxotremorine in presence of subtype preferring muscarinic receptor antagonists: tripitramine: 9.1 [8.

Celecoxib dilates guinea-pig coronaries and rat aortic rings and amplifies NO/cGMP signaling by PDE5 inhibition.

Objective: Celecoxib carries a smaller cardiovascular risk for myocardial infarction and hypertension than other cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs ("coxibs") and may ameliorate endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to determine which mechanism possibly accounts for the beneficial effect by investigating its vascular action in different in vitro preparations in comparison with other coxibs and reference phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors.

Methods: To uncover potential effects on coronary flow, the effects of celecoxib in comparison with other NSAIDs and the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil and zaprinast, were investigated in guinea-pig Langendorff heart.

Montelukast exerts no acute direct effect on NO synthases.

The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) LTC(4), LTD(4) and LTE(4) are potent proinflammatory lipid mediators that play a central role in inflammation, contraction and remodelling of airways observed in asthmatics. Montelukast, a competitive inhibitor of the cysteinyl leukotriene-1 (CysLT(1)) receptor attenuates asthmatic airway inflammation, contraction and remodelling. As a number of studies have shown that montelukast reduced exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels, a marker of inflammation that correlates with the severity of asthma, we investigated whether or not a direct inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) by montelukast takes place.

In vivo characterization of the novel imidazopyridine BYK191023 [2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine], a potent and highly selective inhibitor of inducible nitric-oxide synthase.

Excessive release of nitric oxide from inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) has been postulated to contribute to pathology in a number of inflammatory diseases. We recently identified imidazopyridine derivatives as a novel class of potent nitricoxide synthase inhibitors with high selectivity for the inducible isoform. In the present study, we tested the in vivo potency of BYK191023 [2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine], a selected member of this inhibitor class, in three different rat models of lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic inflammation.

The novel imidazopyridine 2-[2-(4-methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (BYK191023) is a highly selective inhibitor of the inducible nitric-oxide synthase.

We have identified imidazopyridine derivatives as a novel class of NO synthase inhibitors with high selectivity for the inducible isoform. 2-[2-(4-Methoxy-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (BYK191023) showed half-maximal inhibition of crudely purified human inducible (iNOS), neuronal (nNOS), and endothelial (eNOS) NO synthases at 86 nM, 17 microM, and 162 microM, respectively. Inhibition of inducible NO synthase was competitive with l-arginine, pointing to an interaction of BYK191023 with the catalytic center of the enzyme.

Evidence that alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors are involved in noradrenaline-induced contractions of rat tail artery.

The present study characterizes the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating contractions to noradrenaline in isolated ring preparations of rat tail artery. Concentration-response (E/[A]) curves to noradrenaline were apparently monophasic (pEC(50) 6.47) but became biphasic in the presence of the selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist (+/-)-1,3,5-trimethyl-6-[[3-[4-((2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxymethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]amino]-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (B8805-033).

Affinity profile at alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes and in vitro cardiovascular actions of (+)-boldine.

The present study examines the functional and binding affinities of the aporphine alkaloid, (+)-boldine, at different alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes, namely, alpha(1A) (rat vas deferens and kidney) and its L-like state (rabbit spleen), alpha(1B) (guinea pig spleen, mouse spleen and rabbit aorta), alpha(1D) (rat aorta and pulmonary artery), at possible subtypes of prejunctional alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in rat and rabbit vas deferens and rat atrium, alpha(2D) in guinea pig ileum, cloned human alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes A, B and D and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes A, B and C as well as rat alpha(2D)-adrenoceptors. Additionally, we investigated its Ca(2+) channel antagonism in vascular and cardiac preparations. (+)-Boldine had higher affinity at alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype A (pA(2)=7.

In vitro and in vivo uroselectivity of B8805-033, an antagonist with high affinity at prostatic alpha1A- vs. alpha1B- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors.

We have investigated the pharmacological properties of B8805-033 [(+/-)- 1,3,5-trimethyl-6-[[3-[4-((2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxymethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl] amino]-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione], a new alpha1A-adrenoceptor (AR) selective antagonist. In radioligand binding studies, B8805-033 was 150- to 1200-fold selective for alpha1A-ARs (pKi rat cerebral cortex 8.70, cloned human receptor 7.

Failure of AH11110A to functionally discriminate between alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes A, B and D or between alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenoceptors.

The potency of the putatively alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor selective drug, 1-[biphenyl-2-yloxy]-4-imino-4-piperidin-1-yl-butan-2-ol (AH11110A), to antagonize contraction upon stimulation of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in rat vas deferens and rat perfused kidney, alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig spleen, mouse spleen and rabbit aorta, and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in rat aorta and pulmonary artery was evaluated and compared to that of a number of subtype-discriminating antagonists. N-[3-[4-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-3-methyl-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-8-carboxamide (Rec 15/2739) and (+/-)-1,3,5-trimethyl-6-[[3-[4-((2,3-dihydro-2-hydroxymethyl)-1,4-benzodioxin-5-yl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]amino]-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (B8805-033) were confirmed as selective for alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, 8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione (BMY 7378), 8-[2-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethylamino)ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.

In vivo efficacy in airway disease models of roflumilast, a novel orally active PDE4 inhibitor.

We have investigated the bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory properties of roflumilast (3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxy-N-[3,5-dichloropyrid-4-yl]-benzamide), a novel, highly potent, and selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Additionally, we compared the effects of roflumilast and its N-oxide, the primary metabolite in vivo, with those of the PDE4 inhibitors piclamilast, rolipram, and cilomilast. Roflumilast inhibited the ovalbumin-evoked contractions of tracheal chains prepared from sensitized guinea pigs (EC(50) = 2 x 10(-7) M) but showed no relaxant effect on tissues contracted spontaneously.

Buspirone functionally discriminates tissues endowed with alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes A, B, D and L.

The affinity for functional alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes of buspirone in comparison with its close structural analogs and selective alpha1D-adrenoceptor antagonists, BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]dec ane-7,9-dione) and MDL 73005EF (8-[2-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethylamino)ethyl]-8-azaspiro+ ++[4.5]decane-7,9-dione), was determined, namely at subtype A in rat vas deferens and perfused kidney, at subtype B in guinea-pig and mouse spleen, at subtype L in rabbit spleen, and at subtype D in rat aorta and pulmonary artery against noradrenaline-evoked contractions.

Multiple mechanisms of action: the pharmacological profile of budipine.

Four major components of the mechanism of action have been identified for the antiparkinsonian drug budipine up to now. 1) The primary action of budipine is an indirect dopaminergic effect as shown by facilitation of dopamine (DA) release, inhibition of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) and of DA (re) up-take and stimulation of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), which in sum might be responsible for enhancing the endogenous dopaminergic activity. 2) Radioligand and functional studies at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptor characterize budipine as a low-affinity, uncompetitive antagonist with fast kinetics and moderate voltage-dependency at the phencyclidine (PCP) binding site, comparable to that observed with amantadine, thereby counteracting an increased excitatory glutamatergic activity.

Affinity of the miotic drug, dapiprazole, at alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes A, B and D.

The functional affinities of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, dapiprazole, currently being used to reverse diagnostic pupillary dilation, were determined at subtype A in rat vas deferens, at subtype B in guinea-pig spleen and at subtype D in rat aorta and compared with various alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype-discriminating antagonists. Dapiprazole had relatively high affinity both at rat vas deferens alpha 1A-adrenoceptors (pA2 = 7.93) and at rat aortic alpha 1D-adrenoceptors (pA2 = 8.

Contraction of guinea-pig gallbladder: muscarinic M3 or M4 receptors?

The muscarinic receptor mediating contraction of the guinea-pig isolated gallbladder, currently being disputed to belong either to the M3 or M4 subtype, was characterized by subtype-preferring agonists and discriminating antagonists. Highly significant correlations of agonist potencies to contract the gallbladder, e.g.

Functional evidence for an alpha 1B-adrenoceptor mediating contraction of the mouse spleen.

alpha 1-Adrenoceptor agonists ((-)-adrenaline = (-)-noradrenaline > > L-phenylephrine > methoxamine > (-)-(4a R, 10a R)-3,4,4a,5,10,10a-hexahydro-6-methoxy-4-methyl-9-methylthio-2 H-naphth[2,3-b]-1,4-oxazine (SDZ NVI 085) > cirazoline) evoked contraction of isolated mouse spleen strips, whereas oxymetazoline and indanidine were nearly inactive. Splenic contractions elicited by (-)-noradrenaline were inhibited by chloroethylclonidine (3 x 10(-6) - 6 x 10(-5) M) and partially attenuated by SZL-49 (10(-7) -10(-6) M), but remained resistant to (+/-)-isradipine (10(-9) -10(-7) M). The contractions were competitively antagonized by low concentrations of the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist, spiperone (pA2 = 8.

Characterization of vascular P2 purinoceptors in the rat isolated perfused kidney.

In isolated, constant-pressure perfused rat kidneys at basal vascular tone, injected P2 purinoceptor agonists evoked vasoconstriction (alpha, beta-methylene ATP > beta, gamma-methylene ATP > ATP-gamma-S > 2-methylthio ATP > ATP > ADP = UTP). In kidneys with raised tone, the nucleotides produced vasodilatation at low doses (2-methylthio ATP > ADP = ATP = ATP-gamma-S > UTP; alpha, beta-methylene ATP and beta, gamma-methylene ATP, inactive), and constriction at high doses (alpha, beta-methylene ATP > beta, gamma-methylene ATP > ATP-gamma-S > 2-methylthio ATP > ADP = ATP > UTP). Removal of the endothelium abolished the dilator responses to the agonists.

In functional experiments, risperidone is selective, not for the B, but for the A subtype of alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

The potency of the antipsychotic drug, risperidone, to antagonize alpha 1A-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction in rat vas deferens and vasoconstriction in rat perfused kidney, and alpha 1B-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions in spleen from guinea-pig and mouse was evaluated and compared to that of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype-discriminating antagonists. Prazosin was found to be unselective; 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane (WB 4101), 5-methyl-urapidil, indoramin and (+)-niguldipine were confirmed as selective for the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor, whereas spiperone was weakly alpha 1B-selective. Risperidone was equipotent to prazosin at alpha 1A-adrenoceptors in rat vas deferens and kidney.

Pathways involved in muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor stimulation in rabbit vas deferens.

Pretreatment of the field-stimulated rabbit isolated vas deferens for 30 min with LiCl (2 x 10(-2) and 4 x 10(-2) M) attenuated the inhibition of neurogenic twitch contractions due to muscarinic M1 receptor stimulation by 4-(4-chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium iodide (4-Cl-McN-A-343), and enhanced the muscarinic M2 receptor-mediated potentiation of contractions evoked by carbachol. When the tissues were preincubated for 5 min with the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin (3 x 10(-8)-3 x 10(-7) M), the response to carbachol was attenuated whereas that to 4-Cl-McN-A-343 remained unchanged. 1,9-Dideoxy-forskolin (3 x 10(-7) and 10(-6) M), which fails to activate cyclase, did not abolish the carbachol effect.

Characterization of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype mediating contraction of guinea-pig spleen.

A series of alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists evoked concentration-dependent contraction of isolated guinea-pig spleen strips ((-)-adrenaline > (-)-noradrenaline >> L-phenylephrine > (-)-(4aR, 10aR)-3, 4,4a,5,10,10a-hexahydro-6-methoxy-4-methyl-9-methylthio-2H-naphth [2,3-b]-1,4-oxazine (SDZ NVI 085) > cirazoline), whereas indanidine, methoxamine, oxymetazoline and UK-14.304 were ineffective. (-)-Noradrenaline-induced contractions were inhibited by chloroethylclonidine (3 x 10(-6)-6 x 10(-5) M) and partially attenuated by SZL-49 (10(-7)-10(-6) M), but remained resistant to (+/-)-isradipine (10(-9)-10(-7) M).

Involvement of muscarinic M2 and M3, but not of M1 and M4 receptors in vagally stimulated contractions of rabbit bronchus/trachea.

The inhibition of preganglionic and postganglionic contractions of the rabbit isolated bronchus/trachea by antagonists with selectivity for different muscarinic receptor subtypes was compared with their affinities at M1, M2, M3 and M4 receptors. Neither M1/M3 receptor-unselective antagonists (atropine, hexahydro-siladifenidol, thiazinamium, p-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-difenidol) nor antagonists with selectivity for the M1 over M3 subtype ((+)-biperiden, UH-AH 37, telenzepine, o-methoxy-sila-hexocyclium, pirenzepine) consistently showed a preferential inhibition of the response to preganglionic over postganglionic stimulation. Potencies for inhibition of contraction to preganglionic stimulation by antagonists discriminating more than threefold both between M1 and M3, and between M3 and M2 receptors (hexocyclium, (+)-biperiden, UH-AH 37, telenzepine, o-methoxy-silahexocyclium, p-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-difenidol, pirenzepine) are most consistent with affinities at smooth muscle M3 receptors as determined on methacholine-contracted rabbit trachea.

Characterization of muscarinic receptors mediating vasodilation in rat perfused kidney.

The muscarinic receptor mediating vasodilation of resistance vessels in the rat isolated, constant-pressure perfused kidney (preconstriction by 10(-7) M cirazoline) was characterized by subtype-preferring agonists and selective antagonists. The agonists produced vasodilation with the following rank order of potency: arecaidine propargyl ester (APE) > 5-methylfurtrethonium = methacholine = oxotremorine > (S)-aceclidine > arecaidine 2-butyne-1,4-diyl bisester > 4-Cl-McN-A-343 = (R)-nipecotic acid ethyl ester = N-ethyl-guvacine propargyl ester approximately (R)-aceclidine = (S)-nipecotic acid ethyl ester > McN-A-343. Agonist-induced vasodilation disappeared after destruction of the endothelium with detergent.

The adrenoceptor agonist, SDZ NVI 085, discriminates between alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptor subtypes in vas deferens, kidney and aorta of the rat.

The potency of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist (-)-(4aR, 10aR)-3,4,4a,5,10,10a-hexahydro-6-methoxy-4-methyl-9-methylthio-2H -naphth [2,3-b]-1,4-oxazine (SDZ NVI 085) was investigated both in isolated vas deferens and perfused kidney of the rat, two tissues with alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype characteristics, and in the rat thoracic aorta, in which the contribution of different alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating contraction is controversial. In vas deferens and kidney, SDZ NVI 085 evoked smooth muscle contraction and vascular constriction and was of similar potency to L-phenylephrine. Contractions of vas deferens in response to (-)-noradrenaline and SDZ NVI 085 were resistant to chloroethylclonidine treatment (3 x 10(-5) M), sensitive to (+/-)-isradipine (10(-8) M) and competitively antagonized by 5-methyl-urapidil (pA2 = 9.

External ATP antagonizes the effect of potassium channel openers in guinea-pig ventricular papillary muscle.

Right ventricular papillary muscles of the guinea-pig heart were electrically stimulated. Cromakalim 10-100 microM and Ro 31-6930 3 microM depressed the contractile force and shortened the duration of action potentials. Glibenclamide 0.

Affinity profiles of pizotifen, ketotifen and other tricyclic antimuscarinics at muscarinic receptor subtypes M1, M2 and M3.

The affinity of pizotifen, ketotifen and other tricyclic antimuscarinic drugs for different muscarinic receptor subtypes was investigated in vitro in functional experiments with field-stimulated vas deferens of the rabbit (M1 and M2 receptors) and with ileum and trachea of the guinea-pig (M3 receptors). All compounds were competitive antagonists in the three tissues. Like the close analogue cyproheptadine (pA2 = 7.

Is field (vagal) stimulation of gastric acid secretion mediated by M1 or non-M1 muscarinic receptors? A methodical problem exemplified in the mouse stomach in vitro.

1. Highly controversial claims have been put forward in the literature as to the involvement of either M1 or non-M1 muscarinic receptors in the field (vagal) stimulation of gastric acid secretion. This mini-review considers three available sets of data obtained in the mouse isolated, lumen-perfused stomach.