Antinociceptive effect of alpha-trinositol, a novel D-myo-inositol phosphate derivative, in the formalin test in rats

Effect of α-trinositol on secretion induced by Escherichia coli ST-toxin in rat jejunum

AIM

d-myo-inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate (alpha-trinositol, PP56), is a synthetic isomer of the intracellular second messenger, d-myo-inositol-1,4,5-trisphospahate. The pharmacological actions of alpha-trinositol include potent anti-inflammatory properties and inhibition of the secretion induced by cholera toxin and obstructive ileus. In the present study, we investigated whether alpha-trinositol was able to influence the secretion induced by heat-stable ST-toxin from Escherichia coli in the rat jejunum.

METHODS

A midline abdominal incision was performed in anaesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats and a 6-7 cm long jejunal segment was isolated with intact vascular supply and placed in a chamber suspended from a force displacement transducer connected to a Grass(R) polygraph. Intestinal net fluid transport was continuously monitored gravimetrically. Crystalline ST-toxin (120 mouse units) was introduced into the intestinal lumen and left there for the rest of the experiment. When a stable secretion was observed, alpha-trinositol (60 mg kg-1 h-1) or saline were infused during 2 h, followed by a 2-h control period.

RESULTS

alpha-Trinositol induced a significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of ST-toxin secretion within 30 min, lasting until 2 h after infusion had stopped. The agent also moderately increased (P < 0.05) net fluid absorption in normal jejunum. Mean arterial pressure (P < 0.001) and heart rate (P < 0.001) were reduced by alpha-trinositol.

CONCLUSION

The inhibition by alpha-trinositol of ST-toxin induced intestinal secretion is primarily secondary to inhibition of secretory mechanisms and only to lesser extent due to increased absorption. The detailed mechanisms of action have not been clarified but may involve suppression of inflammation possibly by means of cellular signal transduction.

Stereo- and regiospecificity of yeast phytases-chemical synthesis and enzymatic conversion of the substrate analogues neo- and L-chiro-inositol hexakisphosphate

Phytases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate esters in myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytic acid). The precise routes of enzymatic dephosphorylation by phytases of the yeast strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia rhodanensis have been investigated up to the myo-inositol trisphosphate level, including the absolute configuration of the intermediates. Stereoselective assignment of the myo-inositol pentakisphosphates (D-myo-inositol 1,2,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and D-myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5-pentakisphosphate) generated was accomplished by a new method based on enantiospecific enzymatic conversion and HPLC analysis. Via conduritol B or E derivatives the total syntheses of two epimers of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate, neo-inositol hexakisphosphate and L-chiro-inositol hexakisphosphate were performed to examine the specificity of the yeast phytases with these substrate analogues. A comparison of kinetic data and the degradation pathways determined gave the first hints about the molecular recognition of inositol hexakisphosphates by the enzymes. Exploitation of the high stereo- and regiospecificity observed in the dephosphorylation of neo- and L-chiro-inositol hexakisphosphate made it possible to establish enzyme-assisted steps for the synthesis of D-neo-inositol 1,2,5,6-tetrakisphosphate, L-chiro-inositol 1,2,3,5,6-pentakisphosphate and L-chiro-inositol 1,2,3,6-tetrakisphosphate.

Effects of 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors on the modulation of nociceptive transmission in rat spinal cord according to the formalin test

We used the formalin test to clarify the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtypes involved in the modulation of spinal nociceptive transmission in rats. Intrathecal administration of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetraline (8-OH-DPAT; 1, 10, and 30 microg), or a 5-HT1B receptor agonist, 1, 4-dihydro-3-(1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-5H-pyrrol (3, 2-b) pyridin-5-one (CP 93129; 1 and 10 microg), produced no significant change in the number of flinches. A 5-HT(2) receptor agonist, (+/-)-2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI; 10, 30, and 100 microg), and a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT (100 and 300 microg), produced dose-dependent decreases in the number of flinches in phases 1 (1 to 6 min) and 2 (10 to 61 min) of the test. The antinociceptive effects of DOI and 2-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by intrathecal pretreatment with a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, and a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 3-tropanyl-3, 5-dichlorobenzoate (MDL-72222), respectively. These results suggest that 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the spinal cord mediate antinociception to chemical stimuli.

Antinociception in rat by sarpogrelate, a selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, is peripheral

The antinociceptive effect of sarpogrelate, a new selective 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptor antagonist, in the formalin test was examined in rats. Sarpogrelate was administered intraperitoneally, locally (subcutaneously at the formalin test site) or intrathecally 10 min before formalin injection. Intraperitoneal (1-100 mg/kg) and local (0.01-1 mg) administration of sarpogrelate suppressed flinching behavior in both phases 1 (0-9 min) and 2 (10-60 min) in a dose-dependent manner. Intraperitoneal (100 mg/kg) and local (1 mg) injection 7 min after formalin injection reduced phase 2 flinches to the same degree as with the pre-treatment. Intrathecal administration (1-100 microg) showed no antinociceptive action, and facilitated phase 2 flinches at 10 microg. The plasma concentration of sarpogrelate after local administration of 1 mg was lower than after intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg, although local administration produced more potent antinociception. The data imply that the antinociceptive effect of sarpogrelate results mainly from an action at peripheral sites.

D-myo inositol 1,2,6, triphosphate (alpha-trinositol, pp56): selective antagonist at neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y-receptors or selective inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol cell signaling?

1. D-myo inositol 1,2,6 trisphosphate (alpha-trinositol, pp56), an isomer of the second messenger substance, D-myo inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate, has an interesting pharmacological profile that includes anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and antagonism of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-mediated cellular responses. 2. However, not all responses elicited by this neuropeptide are sensitive to antagonism by pp56. Evidence is emerging, at least in certain tissues, that other receptor populations, in addition to those for NPY, are also sensitive to inhibition by pp56. 3. A direct or allosteric interaction of pp56 at receptors for NPY is now considered unlikely and it is more probable that pp56 might interfere at some point in the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, possibly at the level of the plasmalemmal inositol 1,3,4,5, tetrakisphosphate receptor. 4. Full realization of the therapeutic potential of this novel compound, however, must await a thorough characterization of the cellular mechanism(s) associated with the various pharmacological effects of pp56.

Postoperative analgesia by D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate in patients undergoing cholecystectomy

D-myo-inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate (1,2,6-IP3) possesses antiinflammatory properties, such as reduced eicosanoid synthesis and inhibition of inflammation-induced edema. These properties suggest possible analgesic effects. The analgesic effect of 1,2,6-IP3 was evaluated in a double-blind, randomized study in 24 patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Ten patients received 1,2,6-IP3 as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus dose of 240 mg, followed by a continuous i.v. infusion at 90 mg/h for 24 h. The placebo group (n = 14) received corresponding volumes of isotonic saline. Postoperative pain (visual analog pain scale; VAS) and opiate analgesic requirements (ketobemidon) were evaluated during five postoperative days. Results showed significantly reduced pain during the first five postoperative days in patients treated with 1,2,6-IP3, as measured by using a VAS (P < 0.05). The requirements of opioid analgesics were significantly reduced during the first three postoperative days (P < 0.05). No drug-related side effects were observed. Results of the present study demonstrate a potent and long-lasting analgesic effect of 1,2,6-IP3, possibly related to its antiinflammatory properties.

IMPLICATIONS

A new antiinflammatory drug under investigation, inositol-1,2,6-trisphosphate, was evaluated as a possible analgesic in a pilot study during the postoperative period in cholecystectomized patients. Results showed significantly lower pain assessment and opioid consumption, which should encourage further studies.

The effect of alpha-trinositol (D-myo-inositol 1,2,6-trisphosphate) on formalin-evoked spinal amino acid and prostaglandin E2 levels

The effect of the inositol trisphosphate analog alpha-trinositol on noxious-evoked behavior, amino acid and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release was examined in unanesthetized rats using intrathecal microdialysis probes. Subcutaneous injection of 50 microliters 5% formalin solution produced two phases of pain-like behavior and significant elevation of glutamate, aspartate, glycine, taurine and serine during phase 1. PGE2 concentrations were increased during both phases 1 and 2. Intraperitoneal delivery of 300 mg/kg alpha-trinositol significantly suppressed both phases 1 and 2 of formalin-induced behavior and the associated elevation of amino acids and PGE2. These data demonstrate that the antinociceptive effect of alpha-trinositol corresponds to suppression of noxious-evoked release of amino acids and PGE2 from the spinal cord.