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Rufini A, Malisan F, Condò I, Testi R. Drug Repositioning in Friedreich Ataxia. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:814445. [PMID: 35221903 PMCID: PMC8863941 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.814445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by insufficient levels of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. It is a severely debilitating disease that significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients and reduces their life expectancy, however, an adequate cure is not yet available for patients. Frataxin function, although not thoroughly elucidated, is associated with assembly of iron-sulfur cluster and iron metabolism, therefore insufficient frataxin levels lead to reduced activity of many mitochondrial enzymes involved in the electron transport chain, impaired mitochondrial metabolism, reduced ATP production and inefficient anti-oxidant response. As a consequence, neurons progressively die and patients progressively lose their ability to coordinate movement and perform daily activities. Therapeutic strategies aim at restoring sufficient frataxin levels or at correcting some of the downstream consequences of frataxin deficiency. However, the classical pathways of drug discovery are challenging, require a significant amount of resources and time to reach the final approval, and present a high failure rate. Drug repositioning represents a viable alternative to boost the identification of a therapy, particularly for rare diseases where resources are often limited. In this review we will describe recent efforts aimed at the identification of a therapy for Friedreich ataxia through drug repositioning, and discuss the limitation of such strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Rufini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Fratagene Therapeutics, Rome, Italy
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Alessandra Rufini,
| | - Florence Malisan
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Condò
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Testi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Fratagene Therapeutics, Rome, Italy
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Horimatsu T, Blomkalns AL, Ogbi M, Moses M, Kim D, Patel S, Gilreath N, Reid L, Benson TW, Pye J, Ahmadieh S, Thompson A, Robbins N, Mann A, Edgell A, Benjamin S, Stansfield BK, Huo Y, Fulton DJ, Agarwal G, Singh N, Offermanns S, Weintraub NL, Kim HW. Niacin protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm formation via GPR109A independent mechanisms: role of NAD+/nicotinamide. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:2226-2238. [PMID: 31710686 PMCID: PMC7695356 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvz303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Chronic adventitial and medial infiltration of immune cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Nicotinic acid (niacin) was shown to inhibit atherosclerosis by activating the anti-inflammatory G protein-coupled receptor GPR109A [also known as hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2)] expressed on immune cells, blunting immune activation and adventitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Here, we investigated the role of niacin and GPR109A in regulating AAA formation. METHODS AND RESULTS Mice were supplemented with niacin or nicotinamide, and AAA was induced by angiotensin II (AngII) infusion or calcium chloride (CaCl2) application. Niacin markedly reduced AAA formation in both AngII and CaCl2 models, diminishing adventitial immune cell infiltration, concomitant inflammatory responses, and matrix degradation. Unexpectedly, GPR109A gene deletion did not abrogate the protective effects of niacin against AAA formation, suggesting GPR109A-independent mechanisms. Interestingly, nicotinamide, which does not activate GPR109A, also inhibited AAA formation and phenocopied the effects of niacin. Mechanistically, both niacin and nicotinamide supplementation increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels and NAD+-dependent Sirt1 activity, which were reduced in AAA tissues. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of Sirt1 abrogated the protective effect of nicotinamide against AAA formation. CONCLUSION Niacin protects against AAA formation independent of GPR109A, most likely by serving as an NAD+ precursor. Supplementation of NAD+ using nicotinamide-related biomolecules may represent an effective and well-tolerated approach to preventing or treating AAA.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II
- Animals
- Aorta, Abdominal/drug effects
- Aorta, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aorta, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/chemically induced
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/metabolism
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/pathology
- Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/prevention & control
- Calcium Chloride
- Cells, Cultured
- Dilatation, Pathologic
- Disease Models, Animal
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- NAD/metabolism
- Niacin/pharmacology
- Niacinamide/pharmacology
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Receptors, LDL/genetics
- Receptors, LDL/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Sirtuin 1/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Horimatsu
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Andra L Blomkalns
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Mourad Ogbi
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mary Moses
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - David Kim
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Sagar Patel
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Nicole Gilreath
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lauren Reid
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Tyler W Benson
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Jonathan Pye
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Samah Ahmadieh
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Allie Thompson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nathan Robbins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Adrien Mann
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ashlee Edgell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie Benjamin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian K Stansfield
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Yuqing Huo
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - David J Fulton
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Gautam Agarwal
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Nagendra Singh
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Stefan Offermanns
- Department of Pharmacology, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Ludwigstraße, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Neal L Weintraub
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Ha Won Kim
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
- Department of Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, 1459 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
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Kaesler N, Goettsch C, Weis D, Schurgers L, Hellmann B, Floege J, Kramann R. Magnesium but not nicotinamide prevents vascular calcification in experimental uraemia. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2020; 35:65-73. [PMID: 30715488 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfy410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal phosphate control is an unmet need in chronic kidney disease (CKD). High serum phosphate increases calcification burden and is associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease in CKD. Nicotinamide (NA) alone or in combination with calcium-free phosphate binders might be a strategy to reduce phosphate levels and calcification and thus impact cardiovascular disease in CKD. METHODS We studied the effect of NA alone and in combination with magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) as a potential novel treatment strategy. CKD was induced in dilute brown non-agouti/2 mice by subtotal nephrectomy followed by a high-phosphate diet (HP) and 7 weeks of treatment with NA, MgCO3 or their combination. Control mice underwent subtotal nephrectomy and received an HP or underwent sham surgery and received standard chow plus NA. RESULTS CKD mice showed increased serum fibroblast growth factor 23 and calcium-phosphate product that was normalized by all treatment regimes. NA alone increased soft tissue and vascular calcification, whereas any treatment with MgCO3 significantly reduced calcification severity in CKD. While MgCO3 supplementation alone resulted in decreased calcification severity, it resulted in increased intestinal expression of the phosphate transporters type II sodium-dependent phosphate transporter 1 (Pit-1). Combined therapy of MgCO3 and NA reduced tissue calcification and normalized expression levels of intestinal phosphate transporter proteins. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the data indicate that NA increases while MgCO3 reduces ectopic calcification severity. Augmented expression of intestinal phosphate transporters by MgCO3 treatment was abolished by the addition of NA. However, the clinical relevance of the latter remains to be explored. Importantly, the data suggest no benefit of NA regarding treatment of calcification in addition to MgCO3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kaesler
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Claudia Goettsch
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Daniel Weis
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Leon Schurgers
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jürgen Floege
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.,Division of Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Witt EA, Reissner KJ. The effects of nicotinamide on reinstatement to cocaine seeking in male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:669-680. [PMID: 31811351 PMCID: PMC7039762 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05404-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Interventions for psychostimulant use disorders are of significant need. Nicotinamide (NAM) is a small molecule that can oppose cellular adaptations observed following cocaine exposure in the rodent self-administration and reinstatement model of addiction. In addition, utility of NAM against symptoms of withdrawal and vulnerability to relapse to cocaine use has been suggested by case studies and anecdotal reports. However, the empirical effects of NAM on drug-seeking behaviors have not been examined. OBJECTIVE The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of systemic NAM administration on reinstatement to cocaine seeking, using the rat self-administration/extinction/reinstatement model of cocaine addiction. METHODS Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were trained to self-administer i.v. cocaine or food pellets for 2 hrs per day for 12 days, followed by 14-17 days of extinction, during which i.p. NAM injections (0-120 mg/kg) were given 30 minutes prior to each extinction or reinstatement session. Rats were tested on cue-, cocaine-, or food-primed reinstatement, as well as locomotor activity. RESULTS Chronic NAM administered throughout extinction dose dependently attenuated cue-primed reinstatement in male rats, but not female rats. In contrast, acute NAM given once prior to reinstatement had no effect on reinstatement. Chronic NAM had no effect on locomotor activity or reinstatement to food seeking. CONCLUSIONS The specificity of NAM against cue-primed reinstatement indicates that NAM may influence responsiveness to drug-associated cues, specifically in males. Future studies will examine the mechanism(s) by which NAM may exert this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Witt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, UNC Chapel Hill, CB 3270, 235 E. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, UNC Chapel Hill, CB 3270, 235 E. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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5
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Kikuchi K, Ishimatsu K, Zhang S, Dimitrov IE, Honda H, Sherry AD, Takahashi M. Presaturation Power Adjusted Pulsed CEST: A Method to Increase Independence of Target CEST Signals. CONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING 2018; 2018:3141789. [PMID: 29853805 PMCID: PMC5964408 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3141789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging has been demonstrated to discuss the concentration changes of amide proton, glutamate, creatine, or glucose measured at 3.5, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.0-1.2 ppm. However, these peaks in z-spectra are quite broad and overlap with each other, and thus, the independence of a CEST signal on any specific metabolite is still open to question. Here, we described whether there was interference among the CEST signals and how these CEST signals behave when the power of the presaturation pulse was changed. Based on these results, further experiments were designed to investigate a method to increase the independence of the CEST signal in both phantoms and animals. The result illustrates a clear interference among CEST signals. A presaturation power adjusted pulsed- (PPAP-) CEST method which was designed based on the exchange rates of the metabolites can be used to remove contributions from other exchanging species in the same sample. Further, the method was shown to improve the independence of the glutamate signal in vivo in the renal medulla in mice. The PPAP-CEST method has the potential to increase the independence of any target CEST signals in vivo by choosing the appropriate combination of pulse amplitudes and durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazufumi Kikuchi
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Keisuke Ishimatsu
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shanrong Zhang
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ivan E. Dimitrov
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Philips Healthcare, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Hiroshi Honda
- Department of Clinical Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - A. Dean Sherry
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Masaya Takahashi
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Libri V, Yandim C, Athanasopoulos S, Loyse N, Natisvili T, Law PP, Chan PK, Mohammad T, Mauri M, Tam KT, Leiper J, Piper S, Ramesh A, Parkinson MH, Huson L, Giunti P, Festenstein R. Epigenetic and neurological effects and safety of high-dose nicotinamide in patients with Friedreich's ataxia: an exploratory, open-label, dose-escalation study. Lancet 2014; 384:504-13. [PMID: 24794816 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(14)60382-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Friedreich's ataxia is a progressive degenerative disorder caused by deficiency of the frataxin protein. Expanded GAA repeats within intron 1 of the frataxin (FXN) gene lead to its heterochromatinisation and transcriptional silencing. Preclinical studies have shown that the histone deacetylase inhibitor nicotinamide (vitamin B3) can remodel the pathological heterochromatin and upregulate expression of FXN. We aimed to assess the epigenetic and neurological effects and safety of high-dose nicotinamide in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. METHODS In this exploratory, open-label, dose-escalation study in the UK, male and female patients (aged 18 years or older) with Friedreich's ataxia were given single doses (phase 1) and repeated daily doses of 2-8 g oral nicotinamide for 5 days (phase 2) and 8 weeks (phase 3). Doses were gradually escalated during phases 1 and 2, with individual maximum tolerated doses used in phase 3. The primary outcome was the upregulation of frataxin expression. We also assessed the safety and tolerability of nicotinamide, used chromatin immunoprecipitation to investigate changes in chromatin structure at the FXN gene locus, and assessed the effect of nicotinamide treatment on clinical scales for ataxia. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01589809. FINDINGS Nicotinamide was generally well tolerated; the main adverse event was nausea, which in most cases was mild, dose-related, and resolved spontaneously or after dose reduction, use of antinausea drugs, or both. Phase 1 showed a dose-response relation for proportional change in frataxin protein concentration from baseline to 8 h post-dose, which increased with increasing dose (p=0·0004). Bayesian analysis predicted that 3·8 g would result in a 1·5-times increase and 7·5 g in a doubling of frataxin protein concentration. Phases 2 and 3 showed that daily dosing at 3·5-6 g resulted in a sustained and significant (p<0·0001) upregulation of frataxin expression, which was accompanied by a reduction in heterochromatin modifications at the FXN locus. Clinical measures showed no significant changes. INTERPRETATION Nicotinamide was associated with a sustained improvement in frataxin concentrations towards those seen in asymptomatic carriers during 8 weeks of daily dosing. Further investigation of the long-term clinical benefits of nicotinamide and its ability to ameliorate frataxin deficiency in Friedreich's ataxia is warranted. FUNDING Ataxia UK, Ataxia Ireland, Association Suisse de l'Ataxie de Friedreich, Associazione Italiana per le Sindromi Atassiche, UK National Institute for Health Research, European Friedreich's Ataxia Consortium for Translational Studies, and Imperial Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Libri
- Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre, University College London, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Wellcome Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Cihangir Yandim
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Stavros Athanasopoulos
- National Institute for Health Research Wellcome Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Naomi Loyse
- National Institute for Health Research Wellcome Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Theona Natisvili
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Pui Pik Law
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ping Kei Chan
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tariq Mohammad
- National Institute for Health Research Wellcome Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Marta Mauri
- Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kin Tung Tam
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - James Leiper
- Nitric Oxide Signalling Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sophie Piper
- Nitric Oxide Signalling Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Aravind Ramesh
- Intensive Care Department, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Michael H Parkinson
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Les Huson
- National Institute for Health Research Wellcome Trust Imperial Clinical Research Facility, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paola Giunti
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard Festenstein
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Department of Medicine and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
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Wohlrab J, Kreft D. Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2014; 27:311-5. [PMID: 24993939 DOI: 10.1159/000359974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Niacinamide, an amide of vitamin B3 (niacin), is a hydrophilic endogenous substance. Its effects after epicutaneous application have long been described in the literature. Given a sufficient bioavailability, niacinamide has antipruritic, antimicrobial, vasoactive, photo-protective, sebostatic and lightening effects depending on its concentration. Within a complex metabolic system niacinamide controls the NFκB-mediated transcription of signalling molecules by inhibiting the nuclear poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Niacinamide is a well-tolerated and safe substance often used in cosmetics. Clinical data for its therapeutic use in various dermatoses can increasingly be found in the literature. Although the existing data are not sufficient for a scientifically founded evaluation, it can be stated that the use of niacinamide in galenic preparations for epicutaneous application offers most interesting prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Wohlrab
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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8
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Konieczna IM, Panuganti S, DeLuca TA, Papoutsakis ET, Eklund EA, Miller WM. Administration of nicotinamide does not increase platelet levels in mice. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2012; 50:171-6. [PMID: 23265740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2012.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Elucidating ways to enhance megakaryopoiesis in vivo would have therapeutic applications for thrombocytopenia and transfusion medicine. Nicotinamide has been shown to enhance endomitosis in megakaryocytes cultured in vitro, suggesting that it may be beneficial for the production of platelets in culture. We hypothesized that regular injections of nicotinamide in mice would also increase platelets in vivo. However, we found that platelet counts were reduced by about 25% with daily injections of nicotinamide. Altering the schedule, duration, or nicotinamide dose did not improve platelet production. Consistent with lower platelet levels, nicotinamide also tended to decrease megakaryocyte frequency in sternum and spleen sections, as well as colony formation in vitro by bone marrow progenitor cells. However, there was no effect on the fraction or ploidy of CD41(+) cells harvested from bone marrow. Together, our results suggest that, although nicotinamide increases polyploidization of megakaryocytes in culture, it does not have translatable effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona M Konieczna
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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9
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Rojas A, Stratford MRL, Bentzen SM, Denekamp J. Is sensitization with nicotinamide and carbogen dependent on nicotinamide concentration at the time of irradiation? Int J Radiat Biol 2004; 80:499-506. [PMID: 15360088 DOI: 10.1080/09553000410001724199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether tumour radiosensitization and the therapeutic benefit of administering carbogen with nicotinamide depend upon irradiating at the time of peak drug concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS Local tumour control of CaNT tumours in CBA mice and acute skin reactions in albino WHT mice were assessed after treatment with 10 X-ray fractions in air, carbogen alone or combined with 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 mg g(-1) nicotinamide, injected 15, 30 or 60 min before irradiation. Plasma and tumour drug pharmacokinetics were performed. RESULTS Nicotinamide was rapidly taken up into tumours; a six- and threefold higher concentration was obtained with 0.5 mg g(-1) compared with 0.1 and 0.2 mg g(-1), respectively. Tumour, but not skin, radiosensitization increased as the dose of nicotinamide increased (p = 0.03), but at each dose level there was no significant difference in radiosensitivity when irradiations were done at or after the time of peak concentration. An almost eightfold increase in plasma levels increased tumour enhancement ratios from 1.74 to 1.92 (p < 0.0001). In tumours all schedules gave significant enhancement relative to carbogen alone (p < or = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Tumour and skin radiosensitivity was independent of time of nicotinamide administration. Higher drug concentrations were not mirrored by proportionally higher enhancement ratios. Lower plasma levels than previously suggested significantly enhanced tumour radiosensitivity relative to carbogen alone. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rojas
- Translational Research Unit of Oncology and Radiobiology, Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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10
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Chan LA, Lyczak JB, Zhang K, Morrison SL, Saxon A. The novel human IgE epsilon heavy chain, epsilon tailpiece, is present in plasma as part of a covalent complex. Mol Immunol 2000; 37:241-52. [PMID: 10930631 DOI: 10.1016/s0161-5890(00)00042-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Several splice variants of the secreted human epsilon heavy chain have previously been identified by reverse transcription-PCR. The heavy chain of one isoform, IgE tailpiece, differs from the originally identified IgE, IgE classic, by the replacement of the 2 carboxy-terminal amino acids by 8 novel amino acids including a carboxy-terminal cysteine residue. Recombinant human epsilon tailpiece and epsilon classic heavy chains were expressed and secreted as H2L2 monomers in Sp2/0 murine myeloma cells. We have investigated the in vitro function and in vivo occurrence of epsilon tailpiece heavy chains using receptor binding assays, granule release assays, flow cytometry, half-life studies, immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, and Western blotting. IgE tailpiece and IgE classic exhibited similar in vivo half-lives in BALB/c mice, bound the human high- and low-affinity IgE receptors with similar affinities and triggered equivalent levels of high affinity IgE receptor induced degranulation. In humans, IgE classic is present as a 190 kD circulating protein in vivo. In contrast, we found that in plasma epsilon tailpiece was primarily present as part of covalent complexes of approximately 300 and 338 kD. Dissociation of the complexes revealed that two species of epsilon tailpiece heavy chains were present therein and surprisingly, these in vivo derived epsilon tailpiece heavy chains were approximately 5 and 10 kD smaller than the recombinant expressed epsilon tailpiece or epsilon classic heavy chains. These results show that epsilon tailpiece is present in novel covalent complexes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Chan
- The Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA
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Walker DL, Reid JM, Svingen PA, Rios R, Covey JM, Alley MC, Hollingshead MG, Budihardjo II, Eckdahl S, Boerner SA, Kaufmann SH, Ames MM. Murine pharmacokinetics of 6-aminonicotinamide (NSC 21206), a novel biochemical modulating agent. Biochem Pharmacol 1999; 58:1057-66. [PMID: 10509758 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-2952(99)00179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The pyridine nucleotide 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN) was shown recently to sensitize a number of human tumor cell lines to cisplatin in vitro. The present studies were undertaken to compare the drug concentrations and length of exposure required for this sensitization in vitro with the drug exposure that could be achieved in mice in vivo. Human K562 leukemia cells and A549 lung cancer cells were incubated with 6AN for various lengths of time, exposed to cisplatin for 1-2 hr, and assayed for Pt-DNA adducts as well as the ability to form colonies. K562 cells displayed progressive increases in Pt-DNA adducts and cisplatin sensitivity during the first 10 hr of 6AN exposure. An 18-hr 6AN exposure was likewise more effective than a 6-hr 6AN exposure in sensitizing A549 cells to cisplatin. HPLC analysis of 6AN and its metabolite, 6-amino-NAD+, permitted assessment of exposures achieved in vivo after i.v. administration of 10 mg/kg of 6AN to CD2F1 mice. 6AN reached peak serum concentrations of 80-90 microM and was cleared rapidly, with T1/2alpha and T1/2beta values of 7.4 and 31.3 min, respectively. Bioavailability was 80-100% with identical plasma pharmacokinetics after i.p. administration. At least 25% of the 6AN was excreted unchanged in the urine. The metabolite 6-amino-NAD+ was detected in perchloric acid extracts of brain, liver, kidney, and spleen, but not in serum. Efforts to prolong systemic 6AN exposure by administering multiple i.p. doses or using osmotic pumps resulted in lethal toxicity. These results demonstrated that 6AN exposures required to sensitize tumor cells to cisplatin in vitro are difficult to achieve in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Walker
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Bussink J, Kaanders JH, Rijken PF, Peters JP, Hodgkiss RJ, Marres HA, van der Kogel AJ. Vascular architecture and microenvironmental parameters in human squamous cell carcinoma xenografts: effects of carbogen and nicotinamide. Radiother Oncol 1999; 50:173-84. [PMID: 10368041 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(99)00010-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A better understanding of the vascular architecture and the microenvironmental parameters (VAMP) will allow the identification of tumours that can be more effectively treated by intensified fractionated radiotherapy or modifiers of blood flow and oxygenation or combinations of these approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS Proliferation (BrdUrd), vascular architecture (endothelial marker), perfusion (Hoechst 33342) and oxygenation (NITP) were studied in two human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumour lines grown as xenografts in nude mice. The effects of carbogen and nicotinamide on these parameters were evaluated. RESULTS Carbogen treatment resulted in a decrease of the number of perfused blood vessels from 66% to 55% in one of the two tumour lines. In this tumour line nicotinamide prevented this reduction of tumour blood flow by carbogen. In both tumour lines the labelling index (LI) decreased after treatment with carbogen for 1 h, from 11-13% to 5-7%. Both tumour lines showed a drastic reduction of hypoxia by carbogen alone or by carbogen plus nicotinamide. CONCLUSIONS In both laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma xenograft tumour lines carbogen was very effective in reducing diffusion limited hypoxia. Only in one of the two tested tumour lines carbogen also caused a reduction of tumour blood perfusion, which could be compensated for by nicotinamide. In addition, carbogen reduced tumour cell proliferation. The fact that differences in response to nicotinamide and carbogen were observed and that they can be studied in vivo provides a basis for further development of a 'predictive profile' which will guide the clinician to select the optimal treatment for individual patients or groups of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bussink
- Institute of Radiotherapy, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Horsman MR, Siemann DW, Chaplin DJ, Overgaard J. Nicotinamide as a radiosensitizer in tumours and normal tissues: the importance of drug dose and timing. Radiother Oncol 1997; 45:167-74. [PMID: 9424008 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(97)00127-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nicotinamide is a radiation sensitizer currently undergoing clinical testing. This was an experimental study to determine the importance of drug dose and time interval between drug administration and irradiation for radiosensitization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nicotinamide (50-500 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into CDFI or C3H mice and drug plasma pharmacokinetics were determined by HPLC. Radiosensitization was measured in tumours and normal tissues after local irradiation. The tumours were a C3H mammary carcinoma, the KHT sarcoma and the SCCVII carcinoma. Tumour response was assessed using either growth delay (C3H) or clonogenic survival (KHT/SCCVII). Normal tissue toxicities evaluated included early responding skin (development of moist desquamation of the foot) and late responding bladder (reservoir function estimated by cystometry) and lung (ventilation rate measured by plethysmography). RESULTS All nicotinamide peak plasma concentrations were seen within 30 min after injection. Irradiating tumours at peak times resulted in enhancement ratios (ERs) of 1.27 (C3H), 1.75 (KHT) and 1.45 (SCCVII) with high nicotinamide doses and 1.27 (C3H), 1.28 (KHT) and 1.36 (SCCVII) after giving clinically relevant doses (100-200 mg/kg). Lower ERs were observed when the time interval between drug injection and irradiation was increased beyond the peak time. Irradiating normal tissues at peak times after injecting 100-200 mg/kg nicotinamide gave ERs of 1.20 (skin), 0.90 (bladder) and 1.02 (lung). CONCLUSIONS Clinically achievable doses of nicotinamide will enhance tumour radiation damage while having minimal effects in normal tissues, but for the best tumour effect radiation should be given at the time of peak plasma drug concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Horsman
- Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Danish Cancer Society, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C
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Rojas A, Hirst VK, Calvert AS, Johns H. Carbogen and nicotinamide as radiosensitizers in a murine mammary carcinoma using conventional and accelerated radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1996; 34:357-65. [PMID: 8567336 DOI: 10.1016/0360-3016(95)02087-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the radiosensitivity of mouse tumors treated in air with conventional and accelerated radiotherapy with that of tumors treated in carbogen alone or carbogen combined with nicotinamide. METHODS AND MATERIALS CaNT mammary tumors were irradiated with either 30 x-ray fractions in 6 weeks or 40 fractions in 26 days in air, carbogen alone, or carbogen combined with 120 mg/kg of nicotinamide (NAM), the latter given intraperitonealy 30 min before each fraction. The response to treatment was assessed using local control, weight loss, and metastasis-free survival. RESULTS Both carbogen and carbogen plus nicotinamide significantly increased tumor radiosensitivity; enhancement ratios (ERs) in the 6-week regimen were similar to those seen in the accelerated schedule. The majority of the effect was achieved by carbogen alone but the addition of NAM further enhanced tumor radiosensitization (ERs of 1.5 and 1.4 for carbogen in the conventional and accelerated schedule, respectively, were significantly lower than ERs of 1.7 and 1.6 obtained with carbogen plus nicotinamide; p < or = 0.005). Treatment protraction significantly increased radioresistance, especially when tumors were treated under air. An extra 1.5 Gy per day was required in air to counterbalance proliferation; in carbogen alone and carbogen plus nicotinamide a dose loss of 0.9 and 0.6 Gy per day was observed, respectively. Compared with treatments in air alone delivered in 6 weeks, acceleration of treatment combined with carbogen and nicotinamide gave the greatest increase in tumor radiosensitization (ER = 1.9). No toxic side effects and no detrimental changes in body weight were encountered when the sensitizers were administered 30 times (one fraction per day) or 40 times (two fractions per day). In both regimens, the incidence of metastases in mice treated with carbogen or carbogen plus nicotinamide was similar to that seen in animals treated in air. There was, however, a nonsignificant trend of a higher proportion of mice with metastasis in the accelerated schedule compared with the 6-week schedule. CONCLUSIONS In both conventional and accelerated experimental radiotherapy, carbogen alone or combined with a small clinically relevant dose of NAM were well tolerated, achieved large and significant increases in radiosensitization, and did not affect the incidence of metastases. The sparing of damage, resulting from extending the overall treatment time, was less when the sensitizers were administered than when irradiations were performed in air. The study suggests that clinical radiotherapy regimens, which aim to reduce hypoxic and/or tumor clonogen proliferation, would benefit from the use of carbogen, especially if the gas is combined with nicotinamide and treatment acceleration.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Rojas
- Gray Laboratory, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex, UK
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