Org 2766 prevents disruption of vestibular compensation by an NMDA receptor antagonist

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis following vestibular deafferentation in pigmented guinea pig

Twelve male pigmented guinea pigs underwent either a unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) (n=6) or sham operation (n=6). Compared to the pre-operated salivary cortisol concentrations, the UVD operation resulted in a significant increase in night cortisol concentrations (P<0.05) and a significant interaction between the night cortisol concentration and time (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the pre- and post-UVD morning salivary cortisol concentrations; nor between the pre- and post-sham morning or night salivary cortisol concentrations. This study suggests that the ocular-motor and postural syndrome is causing the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

The effect of the adrenocorticotropin-(4-9) analogue, ORG 2766, and of dizolcipine (MK-801) on infarct volume in rat brain

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the synthetic adrenocorticotropin-(4-9) (ACTH-(4-9)) analogue ORG 2766, HMet(O2)-Glu-His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe-OH, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on both the recovery from experimentally induced lesions of the central nervous system and peripheral nerve degeneration, has a protective effect on focal ischemic neuronal damage. The NMDA receptor antagonist dizolcipine (MK-801), a very potent neuroprotective drug, was used as positive reference compound. Isoflurane-anesthetized rats had the middle cerebral artery occluded using either an intravasal or an extravasal technique, because pilot experiments had shown differences in the severity of ischemia for the two middle cerebral artery occlusion techniques. MK-801, 500 microg kg(-1) min(-1), or saline was administered i.v. 30 min after occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. In the ACTH-(4-9) analogue/saline group, 10 and 150 microg/kg of the analogue, or saline was injected s.c. both directly after and 24 h after occlusion. The ACTH-(4-9) analogue treatment had no effect on the infarction volume in either model of middle cerebral artery occlusion, whereas MK-801 caused a significant reduction in the volume of cortical infarction in both models. We conclude that, although ORG 2766 is known to enhance the recovery from experimentally induced lesions of the central nervous system through a neurotrophic action and has proven to have significant beneficial effects on peripheral nerve regeneration, it did not prevent ischemic neuronal damage after intravasal or extravasal middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. The results with MK-801, which caused significant reductions in the volume of cortical infarction in both models of middle cerebral artery occlusion, with clearly the largest reduction in the intravasal middle cerebral artery occlusion model, again indicate that there are differences in the severity of the cerebral ischemia which the two models produce in the rat brain.

Chronic administration of ORG 2766 for 6 months produces a subtle impairment in strategic learning by rats

Rats were administered saline or 10 micrograms of the ACTH4-9 analog ORG 2766 on alternate days for 160 days (i.e. 80 injections total). Behavioral assessments began 1 week later. Locomotor competence was assessed by examining the number of slips and falls made by the animals on a rotating rod. The rats were also trained on a position task and 10 subsequent position reversals in a 'T' shaped water maze. Exposure to ORG 2766 failed to affect either locomotor competence or the overall number of errors committed while learning the original position habit and 10 reversals. However, the response accuracy of the ORG 2766-treated animals on trial 2 of the reversals was equivalent to that expected by chance (58% correct choices), whereas saline-treated animals effectively altered their behavior after experiencing nonreinforcement on the initial trial of a reversal (77% correct choices). This result is consistent with other observations revealing that ORG 2766 can influence attention and, therefore, some cognitive functions.

The ACTH(4-9) analog ORG 2766 and recovery after brain damage in animal models--a review

Treatment with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), as well as with ACTH fragments and analogues, can influence behaviour of animals and humans. Furthermore it facilitates recovery of damaged peripheral nervous tissue. The question whether ACTH/MSH peptides affect recovery processes after injury to the central nervous system as well is addressed in the present review. The effects of administration of the ACTH(4-9) analog ORG 2766 after brain lesions has been studied frequently. However, the interpretation of the available data is confused by the variability of the results. Several factors can be identified which influence the efficacy of the peptide: (i) not all behavioural tests are equally suitable to reveal a peptide effect on behavioural recovery; (ii) the affected brain area; (iii) whether cell bodies or terminals are affected; (iv) the post-operative housing conditions; and (v) the onset and duration of peptide administration. Two possible explanations of peptide efficacy on functional recovery are considered: first, the peptide may accelerate spontaneously occurring recovery processes and second, the peptide may induce compensatory mechanisms underlying functional recovery without recuperation of the damaged neurons. These compensatory mechanisms seem to rely mainly on enhanced non-selective attention by activation of limbic structures. It is as yet unknown to which receptor system ORG 2766 binds; the analog lacks affinity for the known melanocortin (MC) receptors in brain, yet ORG 2766 is able to modulate the activity of endogenous opioids and the NMDA-receptor. A modulating influence of the peptide on NMDA-receptor activity might indirectly account for both enhanced attention--with ensuing behavioural recovery--and the acceleration of spontaneous recovery.

An in vitro investigation of the effects of the ACTH/MSH(4-9) analogue, Org 2766, on guinea pig medial vestibular nucleus neurons

Vestibular compensation is a process of CNS plasticity that is correlated to a return of resting activity in medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons ipsilateral to a peripheral vestibular deafferentation. Systemic administration of melanocortin peptides accelerates the compensation process; the ACTH/MSH(4-9) analogue, Org 2766, accelerates this process at smaller doses than ACTH/MSH(4-10). The present study investigated the effect of Org 2766 on MVN neurons in vitro using extracellular single-cell recording. Org 2766 was less potent at the neuronal level than ACTH/MSH(4-10). When Org 2766 and ACTH/MSH (4-10) were tested consecutively on the same neuron, the response was often different. Org 2766 and ACTH/MSH (4-10) may have a different mode and/or site of action.

ACTH-related peptides: receptors and signal transduction systems involved in their neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions

ACTH-related peptides are promising neurotrophic and neuroprotective agents, as demonstrated in many in vivo and in vitro studies. They accelerate nerve repair after injury, improving both sensor and motor function. Furthermore, ACTH-related peptides have neuroprotective properties against cisplatin- and taxol-induced neurotoxicity, they improve neuronal function in animals with neuropathy due to experimental diabetes, and they prevent degeneration of myelinated axons in rats suffering from experimental allergic neuritis, a model of peripheral demyelinating neuropathy. Studies in neuronal cultures have corroborated these clinical observations and serve to investigate the mechanism of action of the ACTH-related peptide effects. This paper reviews both in vitro and in vivo effects and emphasizes the mechanism of action. Recent data on melanotrophic receptors and signal transduction systems will be discussed in this context.