Nicotinic receptor agonists decrease L-dopa-induced dyskinesias most effectively in partially lesioned parkinsonian rats

L-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease leads to dyskinesias or abnormal involuntary movement (AIMs) for which there are few treatment options. Our previous data showed that nicotine administration reduced L-dopa-induced AIMs in parkinsonian monkeys and rats. To further understand how nicotine mediates its antidyskinetic action, we investigated the effect of nicotinic receptor (nAChR) agonists in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rats with varying striatal damage. We first tested the drugs in L-dopa-treated rats with a near-complete striatal dopamine lesion (>99%), the standard rodent dyskinesia model. Varenicline, an agonist that interacts with multiple nAChRs, did not significantly reduce L-dopa-induced AIMs, while 5-iodo-A-85380 (A-85380), which acts selectively at α4β2* and α6β2* subtypes, reduced AIMs by 20%. By contrast, both varenicline and A-85380 reduced L-dopa-induced AIMs by 40-50% in rats with a partial striatal dopamine lesion. Neither drug worsened the antiparkinsonian action of L-dopa. The results show that selective nicotinic agonists reduce dyskinesias, and that they are optimally effective in animals with partial striatal dopamine damage. These findings suggest that presynaptic dopamine terminal α4β2* and α6β2* nAChRs are critical for nicotine's antidyskinetic action. The current data have important implications for the use of nicotinic receptor-directed drugs for L-dopa-induced dyskinesias, a debilitating motor complication of dopamine replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor efficacy and pharmacological properties of 3-(substituted phenyl)-2β-substituted tropanes

There is a need for different and better aids to tobacco product use cessation. Useful smoking cessation aids, bupropion (2) and varenicline (3), share some chemical features with 3-phenyltropanes (4), which have promise in cocaine dependence therapy. Here we report studies to generate and characterize pharmacodynamic features of 3-phenyltropane analogues. These studies extend our work on the multiple molecular target model for aids to smoking cessation. We identified several new 3-phenyltropane analogues that are superior to 2 in inhibition of dopamine, norepinephrine, and sometimes serotonin reuptake. All of these ligands also act as inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function with a selectivity profile that favors, like 2, inhibition of α3β4*-nAChR. Many of these ligands also block acute effects of nicotine-induced antinociception, locomotor activity, and hypothermia. Importantly, all except one of the analogues tested have better potencies in inhibition of nicotine conditioned place preference than 2. We have identified new compounds that have utility as research tools and possible promise for treatment of nicotine dependence.

1-Substituted 4-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)piperazines Are Pure Opioid Receptor Antagonists

This report describes the discovery that 1-substituted 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperazines are pure opioid receptor antagonists. Compounds in this new series include N-phenylpropyl (3S)-3-methyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperazine and (3R)-3-methyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperazine, both of which diaplay low nanomolar potencies at μ, δ, and κ receptors and pure antagonist properties in a [(35)S]GTPγS assay.

Analogues of (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic). Synthesis and in vitro and in vivo opioid receptor antagonist activity

The synthesis of compounds 6, 7a,b, 8a,b, 9a,b, and 10a,b where the amino -NH- group of JDTic (3) was replaced with an aromatic horizontal lineCH-, CH(2), O, S, or SO group was accomplished and used to further characterize the SAR of the compound 3 class of kappa opioid receptor antagonists. All of the compounds showed subnanomolar to low nanomolar K(e) values at the kappa opioid receptor. The most potent compound was 7a, where the amino -NH- group of 3 was replaced by a methylene (-CH(2)-) group. This compound had a K(e) = 0.18 nM and was 37- and 248-fold selective for the kappa relative to the mu and delta opioid receptors, respectively. Similar to compound 3, compound 7a antagonized selective kappa agonist U50,488-induced diuresis after sc administration in rats. In contrast to 3, where kappa antagonist activity lasted for three weeks, compound 7a did not show any kappa antagonist activity after one week.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel negative allosteric modulator of neuronal nAChRs

In this study, we compared the in vitro and in vivo neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) properties of 1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydro-2-benzyl-6-N,N-dimethylamino-1-methylindeno[1,2,-b]pyrrole (HDMP, 4) to that of negative allosteric modulator (NAM), PCP. Patch-clamp experiments showed that HDMP exhibited an inhibitory functional activity at α7 nAChRs with an IC(50) of 0.07 μM, and was 357- and 414-fold less potent at α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs, with IC(50)s of 25.1 and 29.0 μM, respectively. Control patch-clamp experiments showed that PCP inhibited α7, α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs with IC(50)s of to 1.3, 29.0 and 6.4 μM, respectively. Further, HDMP did not exhibit any appreciable binding affinity to either α7 or α4β2 nAChRs, suggesting its action via a non-competitive mechanism at these neuronal nAChR subtypes. The in vivo study showed that HDMP was a potent antagonist of nicotine-induced analgesia in the tail-flick (AD(50)=0.008 mg/kg), but not in the hot-plate test. All together, our in vitro and in vivo data suggest that HDMP is a novel NAM of neuronal nAChRs with potent inhibitory activity at α7 nAChR subtype at concentrations ≤ 1μM that are not effective for α4β2 and α3β4 nAChRs.

Synthesis and characterization of in vitro and in vivo profiles of hydroxybupropion analogues: aids to smoking cessation

To create potentially superior aids to smoking cessation and/or antidepressants and to elucidate bupropion's possible mechanisms of action(s), 23 analogues based on its active hydroxymetabolite (2S,3S)-4a were synthesized and tested for their abilities to inhibit monoamine uptake and nAChR subtype activities in vitro and acute effects of nicotine in vivo. The 3',4'-dichlorophenyl [(+/-)-4n], naphthyl (4r), and 3-chlorophenyl or 3-propyl analogues 4s and 4t, respectively, had higher inhibitory potency and/or absolute selectivity than (2S,3S)-4a for inhibition of DA, NE, or 5HT uptake. The 3'-fluorophenyl, 3'-bromophenyl, and 4-biphenyl analogues 4c, 4d, and 4l, respectively, had higher potency for antagonism of alpha4beta2-nAChR than (2S,3S)-4a. Several analogues also had higher potency than (2S,3S)-4a as antagonists of nicotine-mediated antinociception in the tail-flick assay. The results suggest that compounds acting via some combination of DA, NE, or 5HT inhibition and/or antagonism of alpha4beta2-nAChR can potentially be new pharmacotherapeutics for treatment of nicotine dependence.

Effects of hydroxymetabolites of bupropion on nicotine dependence behavior in mice

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant that also has utility as a smoking cessation aid. Hydroxybupropions are major metabolites of bupropion and are believed to contribute to antidepressant and perhaps smoking cessation activities. Because bupropion metabolism is more similar in humans and mice than in humans and rats, the present study investigated effects of hydroxybupropion enantiomers in mouse behavioral models measuring various aspects of nicotine dependence. Bupropion and (2S,3S)-hydroxybupropion, but not (2R,3R)-hydroxybupropion, significantly decreased the development of nicotine reward as measured in the conditioned place preference and withdrawal paradigm in mice. Bupropion and both of its metabolites reversed affective and somatic withdrawal signs in nicotine-dependent mice, but the (2S,3S)-hydroxymetabolite had higher potency. Bupropion and (2S,3S)-, but not (2R,3R)-hydroxybupropion, produced partial substitution for nicotine in drug discrimination tests. Our findings support the hypothesis that the effects of bupropion on measures of nicotine dependence reflect actions of bupropion itself, its hydroxymetabolites, or a combination and suggest that the (2S,3S)-hydroxy isomer is the most active principle, making it a potentially better drug candidate for smoking cessation than bupropion.

Kappa opioid mediation of cannabinoid effects of the potent hallucinogen, salvinorin A, in rodents

RATIONALE

Salvinorin A, the primary psychoactive derivative of the hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum, is a potent and highly selective kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. Several recent studies, however, have suggested endocannabinoid system mediation of some of its effects.

OBJECTIVES

This study represents a systematic examination of this hypothesis.

METHODS

Salvinorin A was isolated from S. divinorum and was evaluated in a battery of in vitro and in vivo procedures designed to detect cannabinoid activity, including CB(1) receptor radioligand and [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding, calcium flux assay, in vivo cannabinoid screening tests, and drug discrimination.

RESULTS

Salvinorin A did not bind to nor activate CB(1) receptors. In vivo salvinorin A produced pronounced hypolocomotion and antinociception (and to a lesser extent, hypothermia). These effects were blocked by the selective KOR antagonist, JDTic, but not by the CB(1) receptor antagonist rimonabant. Interestingly, however, rimonabant attenuated KOR activation stimulated by U69,593 in a [(35)S]GTPgammaS assay. Salvinorin A did not substitute for Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in mice trained to discriminate THC.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that similarities in the pharmacological effects of salvinorin A and those of cannabinoids are mediated by its activation of KOR rather than by any direct action of salvinorin A on the endocannabinoid system. Further, the results suggest that rimonabant reversal of salvinorin A effects in previous studies may be explained in part by rimonabant attenuation of KOR activation.

Role of kappa-opioid receptors in the effects of salvinorin A and ketamine on attention in rats

BACKGROUND

Disruptions in perception and cognition are characteristic of psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. Studies of pharmacological agents that alter perception and cognition in humans might provide a better understanding of the brain substrates of these complex processes. One way to study these states in rodents is with tests that require attention and visual perception for correct performance.

METHODS

We examined the effects of two drugs that cause disruptions in perception and cognition in humans-the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist salvinorin A (salvA; 0.125-4.0 mg/kg) and the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine (0.63-20 mg/kg)-on behavior in rats using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT), a food-motivated test that quantifies attention. We also compared the binding profiles of salvA and ketamine at KORs and NMDA receptors.

RESULTS

SalvA and ketamine produced the same pattern of disruptive effects in the 5CSRTT, characterized by increases in signs often associated with reduced motivation (omission errors) and deficits in processing (elevated latencies to respond correctly). Sessions in which rats were fed before testing suggest that reduced motivation produces a subtly different pattern of behavior. Pretreatment with the KOR antagonist JDTic (10 mg/kg) blocked all salvA effects and some ketamine effects. Binding and function studies revealed that ketamine is a full agonist at KORs, although not as potent or selective as salvA.

CONCLUSIONS

SalvA and ketamine have previously under-appreciated similarities in their behavioral effects and pharmacological profiles. By implication, KORs might be involved in some of the cognitive abnormalities observed in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.

Effectiveness of analogs of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic) to reduce U50,488-induced diuresis and stress-induced cocaine reinstatement in rats

RATIONALE

The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist, JDTic, was reported to prevent stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-maintained responding and to have antidepressant-like effects.

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were to determine whether analogs of JDTic retained KOR antagonist activity and whether an orally effective analog prevented footshock-induced cocaine reinstatement.

METHODS

RTI-194 (i.g. 1-30 mg/kg, s.c. 0.3-10 mg/kg, and i.p. 30 mg/kg), RTI-212 (s.c. 0.3-10 mg/kg and i.p. 30 mg/kg), and RTI-230 (i.g. 3-30 mg/kg and i.p. 1-30 mg/kg) were evaluated for their ability to block diuresis induced by 10-mg/kg U50,488 in rats. RTI-194 was additionally evaluated i.g. (3-100 mg/kg) for its ability to prevent footshock-induced reinstatement of responding previously reinforced with 0.5-mg/kg/inf cocaine.

RESULTS

RTI-194 significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated U50,488-induced diuresis when given i.g., s.c., and i.p. RTI-194s effectiveness increased 1 week following administration. RTI-212 was ineffective. RTI-230 was ineffective when given i.g., but blocked diuresis at 24 h and 8 days (1, 10, and 30 mg/kg), 15 days (10 and 30 mg/kg), 22 and 29 days (30 mg/kg) following i.p. administration. Footshock reinstated responding in vehicle-but not RTI-194 (30 and 100 mg/kg)-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

RTI-194 and RTI-230 are effective KOR antagonists, and RTI-194 is now included with JDTic as the only reported compounds capable of antagonizing the KOR following oral administration. The failure of stress to reinstate cocaine seeking in rats treated with RTI-194 is consistent with results reported with JDTic, although it had less efficacy in lowering response levels than JDTic, suggesting a diminished overall effectiveness relative to it.

An investigation of bupropion substitution for the interoceptive stimulus effects of nicotine

Although the exact mechanism that makes bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban) effective as a smoking cessation aid has not been fully elucidated, studies have found that bupropion and nicotine share behavioural and neurophysiological properties suggesting that bupropion might serve as a substitute for nicotine. In fact, bupropion prompts nicotine-appropriate responding in operant and Pavlovian drug discrimination studies with rats. A majority of the literature examining this substitution pattern has been done with an operant paradigm. The present research extended this literature by further characterising the behavioural and neuropharmacological properties underlying the substitution for a nicotine conditioned stimulus (CS). Examination of the dose-effect function and temporal dynamics of this substitution pattern showed that bupropion (20 mg/kg) produced conditioned responding similar to nicotine (0.4 mg base/kg) (ED(50) = 9.9 mg/kg) at 15 and 30 min after injection and partially substituted 5 and 60 min post-injection. Bupropion produced a pattern of conditioned responding similar to nicotine during a 60-min extinction test. Additionally, it has been hypothesised that bupropion and nicotine have an overlapping dopaminergic mechanism. We tested the effects of bupropion pretreatment, the nicotine dose-effect function and the ability of dopamine antagonist to block the substitution of bupropion for nicotine. Pretreatment with doses of bupropion that did not substitute for the nicotine stimulus (5 and 10 mg/kg) did not affect nicotine-conditioned responding; pretreatment with 20 mg/kg attenuated nicotine-evoked responding. Pretreatment with the dopamine antagonists SCH-23390 and eticlopride blocked the substitution. Finally, S,S-hydroxybupropion, the major metabolite of bupropion in humans, did not substitute for the nicotine CS.

Lower reinforcing strength of the phenyltropane cocaine analogs RTI-336 and RTI-177 compared to cocaine in nonhuman primates

Drugs that inhibit brain dopamine transporters (DAT) have been developed as potential agonist medications for cocaine abuse and dependence. Because the mechanism of action of such drugs is similar to cocaine, one concern regarding their use is the abuse potential of the medications themselves. The present study compared the reinforcing strength of cocaine (0.003-0.3mg/kg) and two 3-phenyltropane analogs of cocaine, RTI-336 (3beta-(4-chlorophenyl)-2beta-[3-(4'-methylphenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane hydrochloride; 0.003-0.1mg/kg) and RTI-177 (3beta-(4-chlorophenyl)-2beta-[3-phenylisoxazol-5-yl]tropane hydrochloride; 0.003-0.1mg/kg), using a progressive-ratio (PR) schedule in rhesus monkeys (n=4). PR schedules of reinforcement are frequently used to measure reinforcing strength of drugs. Earlier research using limited-access conditions reported that cocaine was a stronger reinforcer than either RTI-336 or RTI-177. Because the 3-phenyltropanes have longer durations of action, one purpose of the present study was to examine reinforcing strength using longer experimental sessions. Under these conditions, cocaine functioned as a reinforcer in all monkeys, and RTI-336 and RTI-177 functioned as a reinforcer in three of four subjects. Consistent with their documented slower onset of neurochemical and pharmacological effects, RTI-336 and RTI-177 were weaker reinforcers, resulting in fewer injections than cocaine. On average, the potencies of the two RTI compounds were not different than that of cocaine. These results support the view that slow-onset DA-selective uptake inhibitors have lower abuse liability than cocaine. In addition, the present findings suggest that changes in PR session length can influence potency comparisons between drugs, but not measures of reinforcing strength.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of bupropion analogues as potential pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation

Bupropion (2a) analogues were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit monoamine uptake and to antagonize the effects of human alpha3beta4*, alpha4beta2, alpha4beta4, and alpha1* nAChRs. The analogues were evaluated for their ability to block nicotine-induced effects in four tests in mice. Nine analogues showed increased monoamine uptake inhibition. Similar to 2a, all but one analogue show inhibition of nAChR function selective for human alpha3beta4*-nAChR. Nine analogues have higher affinity at alpha3beta4*-nAChRs than 2a. Four analogues also had higher affinity for alpha4beta2 nAChR. Analogues 2r, 2m, and 2n with AD(50) values of 0.014, 0.015, and 0.028 mg/kg were 87, 81, and 43 times more potent than 2a in blocking nicotine-induced antinociception in the tail-flick test. Analogue 2x with IC(50) values of 31 and 180 nM for DA and NE, respectively, and with IC(50) of 0.62 and 9.8 microm for antagonism of alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta2 nAChRs had the best overall in vitro profile relative to 2a.

Synthesis, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding, and antinociceptive properties of 3'-(substituted phenyl)epibatidine analogues. Nicotinic partial agonists

In 1992, John Daly et al. reported the isolation and structure determination of epibatidine. Epibatidine's unique structure and its potent nicotinic agonist activity have had a tremendous impact on nicotine receptor research. This research has led to a better understanding of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) pharmacophore and to epibatidine analogues with potential as pharmacotherapies for treating various CNS disorders. In this study, we report the synthesis, receptor binding ([(3)H]epibatidine and [(125)I]iodoMLA), and in vivo pharmacological properties (mouse tail flick, hot plate, hypothermia, and spontaneous activity) of a series of 3'-(substituted phenyl)epibatidine analogues (5a-m). Results from these studies have added to the understanding of the nAChR pharmacophore and led to nicotinic partial agonists that may have potential for smoking cessation. All the analogues had affinities for the alpha4beta2 nAChR similar to epibatidine (1). 3'-(3-Dimethylaminophenyl)epibatidine (5m) has a nicotinic partial agonist pharmacological profile similar to the smoking cessation drug varenicline. Other analogues are partial agonists with varying degrees of nicotinic functional agonist and antagonist activity. 3'-(3-Aminophenyl)epibatidine (5j) is a more potent functional agonist and antagonist in all tests than varenicline. 3'-(3-Fluorophenyl)epibatidine and 3'-(3-chlorophenyl)epibatidine (5c and 5e) are more potent than varenicline when tested as agonists in four pharmacological tests and antagonists when evaluated against nicotine in the analgesia hot-plate test.

Synthesis and in vitro opioid receptor functional antagonism of methyl-substituted analogues of (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic)

In previous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic, 3) was identified as the first potent and selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist from the trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine class of opioid antagonists. In the present study, we report the synthesis of analogues 8a-p of 3 and present their in vitro opioid receptor functional antagonism using a [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assay. Compounds 8a-p are analogues of 3 containing one, two, or three methyl groups connected to the JDTic structure at five different positions. All the analogues with one and two added methyl groups with the exception of 8k had subnanomolar K(e) values at the kappa receptor. The three most potent analogues were the monomethylated (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S,2S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylpiperidine-1-yl]methyl}-2-methylbutyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (8a) and (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl]methyl}-(2-methylpropyl)]-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (8e) with K(e) values of 0.03 nM at the kappa receptor and (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (8d) with K(e) = 0.037 nM at the kappa receptor. All three compounds were selective for the kappa receptor relative to the micro and delta receptors. Overall, the results from this study highlight those areas that are tolerant to substitution on 3.

The synthesis of haptens and their use for the development of monoclonal antibodies for treating methamphetamine abuse

In addition to addiction, the repeated use of (+)-methamphetamine [(+)-METH], (+)-amphetamine [(+)-AMP], or (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ((+/-)-MDMA, commonly called ecstasy) can lead to life-threatening medical problems including cardiovascular injury, severe depression, and psychosis. Currently, there are no specific pharmacotherapies to treat these medical problems. In this study, we report the design and synthesis of two haptens, (S)-(+)-3-(9-carboxynonyloxy)methamphetamine (3a, (+)-METH MO10) and (S)-(+)-3-(5-carboxypentyloxy)methamphetamine (3b, (+)-METH MO6), and their use in generating high affinity (low K(D) value) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against (+)-METH, (+)-AMP, and/or (+)-MDMA. On the basis of results from the determination of mAb K(D) values and ligand specificity, the mAbs generated from hapten 3a showed the greatest promise for generating active and passive immunotherapies for treating overdose or addiction from (+)-METH-like stimulants.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 3beta-(4-alkylthio, -methylsulfinyl, and -methylsulfonylphenyl)tropane and 3beta-(4-alkylthiophenyl)nortropane derivatives for monoamine transporters

Early studies led to the identification of 3beta-(4-methoxyphenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (5) with high affinity at the DAT (IC(50)=6.5nM) and 5-HTT (K(i)=4.3nM), while having much less affinity at the NET (K(i)=1110nM). In the present study, we replaced the 4'-methoxy group of the 3beta-phenyl ring with a bioisosteric 4'-methylthio group to give 7a. We also synthesized a number of 3beta-(4-alkylthiophenyl)tropanes 7b-e, 3beta-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl) and 3beta-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)tropane analogues 7f-h as well as the 3beta-(4-alkylthiophenyl)nortropane derivatives 8-11 to further characterize the structure-activity relationship of this type of compound for binding at monoamine transporters. With exception of the 4'-methylsulfonyl analogue 7h, all the tested compounds possessed high binding affinities at the 5-HTT. The K(i) values ranged from 0.19nM to 49nM. The 3beta-(4-methylthiophenyl)tropane 7a and its N-(3-fluoropropyl) analogue 9a and N-allyl analogue 10a are the most selective compounds for the 5-HTT over the NET (NET/5-HTT=314-364) in the series. However, none of the compounds showed selectivity similar to 5 for both the DAT and 5-HTT relative to the NET. This study provided useful SAR information for rational design of potent and selective monoamine transporter inhibitors.

Some effects of dopamine transporter and receptor ligands on discriminative stimulus, physiologic, and directly observable indices of opioid withdrawal in rhesus monkeys

RATIONALE

Some monoamine uptake inhibitors (e.g., cocaine) attenuate the subjective and discriminative stimulus effects of opioid withdrawal.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined a role for dopamine transporters and receptors as targets for drugs to modify the discriminative stimulus effects of opioid withdrawal and further examined a subset of these drugs for their capacity to modify some directly observable and physiologic indices of withdrawal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rhesus monkeys receiving 2 mg/kg/day of L: -alpha-acetylmethadol discriminated the opioid antagonist naltrexone (0.0178 mg/kg s.c.).

RESULTS

The naltrexone discriminative stimulus was attenuated not only by the mu agonist morphine but also by the dopamine D(2)-like receptor agonists bromocryptine and quinpirole. In contrast, the naltrexone discriminative stimulus was not consistently modified by the non-selective, D(1)- and D(2)-like agonist apomorphine or by uptake inhibitors with high selectivity for dopamine transporters (GBR 12909, RTI 113, and RTI 177). In the same monkeys, naltrexone dose dependently decreased body temperature, increased breathing frequency, and induced directly observable signs (grimacing, salivation, and unusual posture). Hypothermia, hyperventilation, and signs of withdrawal were significantly attenuated by morphine and not by quinpirole.

CONCLUSIONS

Attenuation of opioid withdrawal by D(2)-like receptor agonists that have lower efficacy than dopamine, and not by uptake inhibitors with selectivity for dopamine transporters, suggests that magnitude of receptor stimulation (e.g., efficacy) and selectivity at dopamine receptors are important factors in the modulation of opioid withdrawal. Attenuation of the naltrexone discriminative stimulus by drugs that inhibit both dopamine and serotonin uptake (e.g., cocaine) could result from an inhibitory effect of serotonin on dopamine. The role of dopamine in opioid withdrawal appears to be restricted to subjective (i.e., not somatic) indices [corrected]

Positive allosteric modulation of the human cannabinoid (CB) receptor by RTI-371, a selective inhibitor of the dopamine transporter

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In our search for an indirect dopamine agonist as therapy for cocaine addiction, several selective inhibitors of the dopamine transporter (DAT), which are 3-phenyltropane analogues, were assayed for their effect on locomotor activity in mice. Interestingly, several of the compounds showed a poor correlation between stimulation of locomotion and DAT inhibition. One of the compounds, 3beta-(4-methylphenyl)-2beta-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane (RTI-371), was shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, by binding studies in vivo, and block cocaine-induced locomotor stimulation. As poor pharmacokinetics could not explain the behavioural effects of RTI-371, this compound was screened through our functional assays for activity at other CNS receptors. Initial screening identified RTI-371 as a positive allosteric modulator of the human CB(1) (hCB(1)) receptor.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The effect of RTI-371 and other DAT-selective inhibitors on CP55940-stimulated calcium mobilization was characterized in a calcium mobilization-based functional assay for the hCB(1) receptor. Selected compounds were also characterized in a similar assay for human mu opioid receptor activation to assess the specificity of their effects.

KEY RESULTS

RTI-371 and several other DAT-selective inhibitors with atypical actions on locomotor behaviour increased the efficacy of CP55940 in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These results suggest that the lack of correlation between the DAT-binding affinity and locomotor stimulation of RTI-371 could be due at least in part to its activity as a positive modulator of the hCB(1) receptor.

Neutral antagonist activity of naltrexone and 6beta-naltrexol in naïve and opioid-dependent C6 cells expressing a mu-opioid receptor

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Adenylyl cyclase sensitization occurs on chronic agonist activation of mu-opioid receptors and is manifested by an increase in cAMP levels (overshoot) on challenge with antagonist. It has been proposed that a long lasting constitutively active receptor is formed on chronic mu-opioid exposure and that antagonists with inverse agonist activity rapidly return the receptor to a basal state causing a cAMP overshoot and a more severe withdrawal response in vivo. This hypothesis depends on an accurate characterization of neutral and inverse agonist properties of opioid antagonists.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

C6 glioma and HEK293 cells expressing mu-opioid receptors were used. Opioid antagonists were examined for their ability to induce a cAMP overshoot following chronic treatment with the agonist DAMGO ([D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Glyol(5)]-enkephalin). The compounds were also characterized as agonists, inverse agonists or neutral antagonists by using assays for competitive binding, [(35)S]GTPgammaS (guanosine-5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate) binding and changes in cell surface receptor expression.

KEY RESULTS

Naltrexone, 6beta-naltrexol and naloxone were indistinguishable to the mu-opioid receptor in the opioid-naïve or dependent state and acted as neutral antagonists. The delta-opioid receptor inverse agonist RTI-5989-25 [(+)-N-[trans-4'-(2-methylphenyl)-2'-butenyl]-(3R,4R)-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine], a 3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-piperidine, was an inverse agonist at the mu-opioid receptor, and the peptide antagonist CTAP (H-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2)) showed variable, assay-dependent properties. All the antagonists precipitated the same degree of cAMP overshoot in opioid-dependent cells.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Antagonists at the mu-opioid receptor may be neutral or show inverse agonist activity. Formation of a constitutively active mu-opioid receptor is not a requirement for the development or expression of adenylyl cyclase sensitization.

Development of 3-phenyltropane analogues with high affinity for the dopamine and serotonin transporters and low affinity for the norepinephrine transporter

Previous studies showed that the mixed monoamine transporter inhibitor (6, RTI-112) reduced cocaine self-administration at a high level of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) occupancy with no detectable dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy. In this study, a series of 3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl esters (7a-g), 3beta-(4-methoxyphenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid esters (8a-j), and 3beta-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2beta-[3-(4'-methylphenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane (9) were synthesized and evaluated for their monoamine transporter binding affinities to identify potent and selective compounds for both the DAT and 5-HTT relative to the norepinephrine transporter (NET). A number of compounds showed high binding affinities for both the DAT and 5-HTT and low affinity for the NET. 3Beta-(4-methoxyphenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid 2-(3-iodo-4-aminophenyl)ethyl ester (8i) with an IC(50) value of 2.5 nM for the DAT and K(i) values of 3.5 and 2040 nM for the 5-HTT and NET, respectively, is the most potent and selective compound for the DAT and 5-HTT relative to the NET in this study.