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Martinovic J, Samardzic J, Zaric Kontic M, Ivkovic S, Dacic S, Major T, Radosavljevic M, Svob Strac D. Prolonged Zaleplon Treatment Increases the Expression of Proteins Involved in GABAergic and Glutamatergic Signaling in the Rat Hippocampus. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1707. [PMID: 38137155 PMCID: PMC10741523 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Zaleplon is a positive allosteric modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Previous publications on zaleplon have not addressed the proteins involved in its mechanism of action but have mostly referred to behavioral or pharmacological studies. Since both GABAergic and glutamatergic signaling have been shown to regulate wakefulness and sleep, we examined the effects of prolonged zaleplon treatment (0.625 mg/kg for 5 days) on these systems in the hippocampus of male Wistar rats. Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses showed that the upregulated components of GABAergic signaling (glutamate decarboxylase, vesicular GABA transporter, GABA, and α1 subunit of the GABAA receptor) were accompanied by increased protein levels in the glutamatergic system (vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and NR1, NR2A, and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor). Our results, showing that zaleplon enhances GABA neurotransmission in the hippocampus, were not surprising. However, we found that treatment also increased glutamatergic signaling. This could be the result of the downregulation of adenosine A1 receptors, important modulators of the glutamatergic system. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of the zaleplon-induced increase in hippocampal glutamatergic neurotransmission and the possible involvement of the adenosine system in zaleplon's mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Martinovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522-090, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.K.); (S.I.)
| | - Janko Samardzic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Marina Zaric Kontic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522-090, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.K.); (S.I.)
| | - Sanja Ivkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINCA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522-090, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.Z.K.); (S.I.)
| | - Sanja Dacic
- Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry “Ivan Djaja”, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Tamara Major
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milica Radosavljevic
- Institute of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
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Orzelska J, Talarek S, Listos J, Fidecka S. Divergent effects of L-arginine-NO pathway modulators on diazepam and flunitrazepam responses in NOR task performance. Behav Brain Res 2015; 284:179-86. [PMID: 25698597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the study was an evaluation of the degree, in which nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the benzodiazepines (BZs)-induced recognition memory impairment in rats. The novel object recognition (NOR) test was used to examine recognition memory. The current research focused on the object memory impairing effects of diazepam (DZ; 0.5 and 1mg/kg, sc) and flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.1 and 0.2mg/kg; sc) in 1-hour delay periods in rats. It was found that acute ip injection of L-arginine (L-arg; 250 and 500 mg/kg; ip), 5 min before DZ administration (0.5mg/kg, sc) prevented DZ-induced memory deficits. On the other hand, it was also proven that L-arg (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; ip) did not change the behaviour of rats in the NOR test, following a combined administration with FNZ at a threshold dose (0.05 mg/kg; sc). It was also found that 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg; ip) induced amnesic effects in DZ in rats, submitted to the NOR test, following a combined administration of 7-NI with a threshold dose of DZ (0.25mg/kg; sc). However, following a combined administration of 7-NI (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg; ip) with FNZ (0.1mg/kg; sc), it was observed that 7-NI inhibited the amnesic effects of FNZ on rats in the NOR test. Those findings led us to hypothesize that NO synthesis suppression may induce amnesic effects of DZ, while preventing FNZ memory impairment in rats, submitted to NOR tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Orzelska
- Chair and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Sylwia Talarek
- Chair and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Listos
- Chair and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sylwia Fidecka
- Chair and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Fonck C, Easter A, Pietras MR, Bialecki RA. CNS Adverse Effects: From Functional Observation Battery/Irwin Tests to Electrophysiology. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2015; 229:83-113. [PMID: 26091637 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-46943-9_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This chapter describes various approaches for the preclinical assessment of drug-induced central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects. Traditionally, methods to evaluate CNS effects have consisted of observing and scoring behavioral responses of animals after drug is administered. Among several behavioral testing paradigms, the Irwin and the functional observational battery (FOB) are the most commonly used assays for the assessment of CNS effects. The Irwin and FOB are considered good first-tier assays to satisfy the ICH S7A guidance for the preclinical evaluation of new chemical entities (NCE) intended for humans. However, experts have expressed concern about the subjectivity and lack of quantitation that is derived from behavioral testing. More importantly, it is difficult to gain insight into potential mechanisms of toxicity by assessing behavioral outcomes. As a complement to behavioral testing, we propose using electrophysiology-based assays, both in vivo and in vitro, such as electroencephalograms and brain slice field-potential recordings. To better illustrate these approaches, we discuss the implementation of electrophysiology-based techniques in drug-induced assessment of seizure risk, sleep disruption, and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fonck
- Global Safety Pharmacology, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, MA, 02451, USA
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Makaron L, Moran CA, Namjoshi O, Rallapalli S, Cook JM, Rowlett JK. Cognition-impairing effects of benzodiazepine-type drugs: role of GABAA receptor subtypes in an executive function task in rhesus monkeys. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 104:62-8. [PMID: 23290931 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The present studies evaluated the role of α1 and α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors (α1GABAA and α5GABAA receptors, respectively) in the ability of benzodiazepine (BZ)-type drugs to alter performance in the cognitive domain of executive function. Five adult female rhesus monkeys (ages of 9-17years old) were trained on the object retrieval with detours (ORD) task of executive function. For the ORD task, the monkeys were required to retrieve food items from a clear box with one open end that was rotated to different positions along with varying placements of food. When the non-selective BZ triazolam and the α1GABAA-preferring agonists zolpidem and zaleplon were evaluated in the ORD task, deficits in performance occurred at doses that did not increase the latency of monkeys to initiate responding and/or increase the percentage of reaches that were incorrect (i.e., reaches in which food was not obtained). Cognition-impairing effects of triazolam and zolpidem in ORD were blocked by the α1GABAA-preferring antagonist, βCCT, whereas the α5GABAA-preferring antagonist XLi-093 blocked the effects of triazolam but not zolpidem. While these findings suggest a role for both α1GABAA and α5GABAA receptor mechanisms, α1GABAA receptor mechanisms appear to be sufficient for impairments in executive function induced by BZ-type drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Makaron
- Division of Neuroscience, New England Primate Research Center, Harvard Medical School, Box 9102, 1 Pine Hill Drive, Southborough, MA 01772, USA.
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Wegner F, Deuther-Conrad W, Scheunemann M, Brust P, Fischer S, Hiller A, Diekers M, Strecker K, Wohlfarth K, Allgaier C, Steinbach J, Hoepping A. GABAA receptor pharmacology of fluorinated derivatives of the novel sedative-hypnotic pyrazolopyrimidine indiplon. Eur J Pharmacol 2008; 580:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2007] [Revised: 10/08/2007] [Accepted: 10/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Takiguchi A, Masuoka T, Yamamoto Y, Mikami A, Kamei C. Potentiation of Ethanol in Spatial Memory Deficits Induced by Some Benzodiazepines. J Pharmacol Sci 2006; 101:325-8. [PMID: 16891765 DOI: 10.1254/jphs.fpj06008x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Triazolam caused no significant increase in the total error at 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg. However, at 0.2 mg/kg, it caused a significant increase in total error. Almost the same findings were observed with brotizolam and rilmazafone. That is, at 0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg of brotizolam, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg of rilmazafone caused no significant increase in the total error. However, brotizolam at 1.0 mg/kg and rilmazafone at 2.0 mg/kg caused a significant increase in total error. Triazolam (0.05 mg/kg) and ethanol (1.0 g/kg) showed no significant effect on the numbers of errors when used alone separately, but the simultaneous use of triazolam and ethanol caused a significant increase in total error. Almost the same findings were observed with the coadministration of brotizolam (0.2 mg/kg) or rilmazafone (0.5 mg/kg) with ethanol. These results clearly indicate that all the short-acting benzodiazepines used in the study showed potentiation by ethanol in spatial memory deficits in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Takiguchi
- Department of Medicinal Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Noguchi H, Kitazumi K, Mori M, Shiba T. Electroencephalographic properties of zaleplon, a non-benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic, in rats. J Pharmacol Sci 2005; 94:246-51. [PMID: 15037809 DOI: 10.1254/jphs.94.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The encephalographic (EEG) properties of zaleplon were investigated in comparison with those of other sedative hypnotics in conscious rats with chronically implanted electrodes. The oral administration of zaleplon (0.25-1.0 mg/kg), triazolam (0.0625-0.25 mg/kg), zopiclone (1.0-4.0 mg/kg), brotizolam (0.0625-0.25 mg/kg), and nitrazepam (0.125-0.5 mg/kg) lengthened the total sleep in a dose-dependent manner. On distribution of sleep-wakefulness stages, zaleplon, in particular, increased the slow wave deep sleep (SWDS), whereas triazolam, brotizolam, and nitrazepam increased the slow wave light sleep (SWLS) in a dose-dependent manner. Zopiclone significantly increased the SWDS at a dose of 2 mg/kg and both the SWLS and the SWDS at a dose of 4 mg/kg. All tested hypnotics caused no influence on fast wave sleep (FWS) at doses tested. The appearance of the sleep-inducing activity of zaleplon was more rapid than those of any compounds tested, and zaleplon significantly increased the relative EEG power density in the delta frequency band over that of triazolam at 20 and 30 min after the administration in the spectral analysis. Therefore, the present findings suggest that the non-benzodiazepine zaleplon can be expected to exhibit high practical potential as a hypnotic and is characterized by an increase in SWDS with rapid onset of hypnotic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Noguchi
- Medical Research Laboratories, Wyeth Lederle (Japan), Ltd, Saitama, Japan.
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