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Deligianni CI, Sacco S, Ekizoglu E, Uluduz D, Gil-Gouveia R, MaassenVanDenBrink A, Ornello R, Sanchez-Del-Rio M, Reuter U, Versijpt J, de Vries T, Hussain M, Zeraatkar D, Lampl C. European Headache Federation (EHF) critical re-appraisal and meta-analysis of oral drugs in migraine prevention-part 2: flunarizine. J Headache Pain 2023; 24:128. [PMID: 37723437 PMCID: PMC10507915 DOI: 10.1186/s10194-023-01657-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Novel disease-specific and mechanism-based treatments sharing good evidence of efficacy for migraine have been recently marketed. However, reimbursement by insurers depends on treatment failure with classic anti-migraine drugs. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to identify and rate the evidence for efficacy of flunarizine, a repurposed, first- or second-line treatment for migraine prophylaxis. METHODS A systematic search in MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed for trials of pharmacological treatment in migraine prophylaxis, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). Eligible trials for meta-analysis were randomized, placebo-controlled studies comparing flunarizine with placebo. Outcomes of interest according to the Outcome Set for preventive intervention trials in chronic and episodic migraine (COSMIG) were the proportion of patients reaching a 50% or more reduction in monthly migraine days, the change in monthly migraine days (MMDs), and Adverse Events (AEs) leading to discontinuation. RESULTS Five trials were eligible for narrative description and three for data synthesis and analysis. No studies reported the predefined outcomes, but one study assessed the 50% reduction in monthly migraine attacks with flunarizine as compared to placebo showing a benefit from flunarizine with a low or probably low risk of bias. We found that flunarizine may increase the proportion of patients who discontinue due to adverse events compared to placebo (risk difference: 0.02; 95% CI -0.03 to 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Published flunarizine trials predate the recommended endpoints for evaluating migraine prophylaxis drugs, hence the lack of an adequate assessment for these endpoints. Further, modern-day, large-scale studies would be valuable in re-evaluating the efficacy of flunarizine for the treatment of migraines, offering additional insights into its potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona Sacco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L´Aquila, L´Aquila, Italy
| | - Esme Ekizoglu
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Derya Uluduz
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Raquel Gil-Gouveia
- Neurology Department, Hospital da Luz Headache Center, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Health, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Raffaele Ornello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L´Aquila, L´Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Uwe Reuter
- Department of Neurology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany and Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Versijpt
- Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tessa de Vries
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Muizz Hussain
- Department of Anesthesia and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Dena Zeraatkar
- Department of Anesthesia and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Christian Lampl
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit, Konventhospital Barmherzige Brüder Linz, Linz, Austria
- Headache Medical Center Linz, Linz, Austria
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Mokrov GV. Multitargeting in cardioprotection: An example of biaromatic compounds. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2023; 356:e2300196. [PMID: 37345968 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
A multitarget drug design approach is actively developing in modern medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, especially with regard to multifactorial diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. A detailed study of many well-known drugs developed within the single-target approach also often reveals additional mechanisms of their real pharmacological action. One of the multitarget drug design approaches can be the identification of the basic pharmacophore models corresponding to a wide range of the required target ligands. Among such models in the group of cardioprotectors is the linked biaromatic system. This review develops the concept of a "basic pharmacophore" using the biaromatic pharmacophore of cardioprotectors as an example. It presents an analysis of possible biological targets for compounds corresponding to the biaromatic pharmacophore and an analysis of the spectrum of biological targets for the five most known and most studied cardioprotective drugs corresponding to this model, and their involvement in the biological effects of these drugs.
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Popović N, Morales-Delgado N, Vidal Mena D, Alonso A, Pascual Martínez M, Caballero Bleda M, Popović M. Verapamil and Alzheimer's Disease: Past, Present, and Future. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:562. [PMID: 32431612 PMCID: PMC7214748 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Verapamil is a phenylalkylamine class calcium channel blocker that for half a century has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Nowadays, verapamil is also considered as a drug option for the treatment of several neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as cluster headache, bipolar disorders, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review insights into the potential preventive and therapeutic role of verapamil on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on limited experimental and clinical data. Pharmacological studies have shown that verapamil has a wide therapeutic spectrum, including antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative effects, regulation of the blood-brain barrier function, due to its effect on P-glycoprotein, as well as adjustment of cellular calcium homeostasis, which may result in the delay of AD onset or ameliorate the symptoms of patients. However, the majority of the AD individuals are on polypharmacotherapy, and the interactions between verapamil and other drugs need to be considered. Therefore, for an appropriate and successful AD treatment, a personalized approach is more than necessary. A well-known narrow pharmacological window of verapamil efficacy may hinder this approach. It is therefore important to note that the verapamil efficacy may be conditioned by different factors. The onset, grade, and brain distribution of AD pathological hallmarks, the time-sequential appearances of AD-related cognitive and behavioral dysfunction, the chronobiologic and gender impact on calcium homeostasis and AD pathogenesis may somehow be influencing that success. In the future, such insights will be crucial for testing the validity of verapamil treatment on animal models of AD and clinical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Popović
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Nicanor Morales-Delgado
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Department of Histology and Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miguel Hernández, Sant Joan Alacant, Spain
| | - David Vidal Mena
- Neurological Unit, University Hospital "Santa Lucia", Cartagena, Spain
| | - Antonia Alonso
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - María Caballero Bleda
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Miroljub Popović
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.,Institute of Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB), Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Giménez De Béjar V, Caballero Bleda M, Popović N, Popović M. Verapamil Blocks Scopolamine Enhancement Effect on Memory Consolidation in Passive Avoidance Task in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:566. [PMID: 28878678 PMCID: PMC5572412 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Our recent data have indicated that scopolamine, a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, improves memory consolidation, in a passive avoidance task, tested in rats. It has been found that verapamil, a phenylalkylamine class of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist, inhibits [3H] N-methyl scopolamine binding to M1 muscarinic receptors. However, there are no data about the effect of verapamil on memory consolidation in the passive avoidance task, in rats. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of verapamil (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg i.p.) as well as the interaction between scopolamine and verapamil on memory consolidation in the step-through passive avoidance task, in Wistar rats. Our results showed that verapamil (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg) administered immediately after the acquisition task significantly increased the latency of the passive avoidance response, on the 48 h retested trial, improving memory consolidation. On the other hand, verapamil in a dose of 5 mg/kg, that per se does not affect memory consolidation, significantly reversed the memory consolidation improvement induced by scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p., administered immediately after verapamil treatment) but did not change the passive avoidance response in rats treated by an ineffective dose of scopolamine (30 mg/kg). In conclusion, the present data suggest that (1) the post-training administration of verapamil, dose-dependently, improves the passive avoidance response; (2) verapamil, in ineffective dose, abolished the improvement of memory consolidation effect of scopolamine; and (3) exists interaction between cholinergic muscarinic receptors and calcium homeostasis-related mechanisms in the consolidation of emotional memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Giménez De Béjar
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Quirónsalud MurciaMurcia, Spain.,Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain
| | - María Caballero Bleda
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
| | - Natalija Popović
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
| | - Miroljub Popović
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria Virgen de la ArrixacaMurcia, Spain.,Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of MurciaMurcia, Spain
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Lai KL, Niddam DM, Fuh JL, Chen SP, Wang YF, Chen WT, Wu JC, Wang SJ. Flunarizine versus topiramate for chronic migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial. Acta Neurol Scand 2017; 135:476-483. [PMID: 27306581 DOI: 10.1111/ane.12626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chronic migraine (CM) is a prevalent and devastating disorder with limited therapeutic options. This study explored the efficacy of 10 mg/d flunarizine for CM prophylaxis as compared with 50 mg/d topiramate. METHODS We conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint trial. Patients with CM were randomized to flunarizine and topiramate treatment. The primary outcomes assessed were the reductions in the total numbers of headache days and migraine days after 8 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes were reductions in the numbers of days of acute abortive medication intake and acute abortive medication tablets taken, and the 50% responder rate. RESULTS Sixty-two subjects were randomized (n=31/group). Patients treated with flunarizine showed significant reductions in the numbers of total headache days (-4.9 vs -2.3, P=.012) and migraine days (-4.3 vs -1.4, P=.001) compared with those treated with topiramate. Patients treated with flunarizine also showed significant reductions in the numbers of days of acute abortive medication intake (-2.3 vs -0.2, P=.005) and acute abortive medication tablets taken (-4.6 vs -0.5, P=.005) and had a higher 50% responder rate in terms of total headache days (58.6% vs 25.9%, P=.013) and migraine days (75.9% vs 29.6%, P=.001), compared with topiramate-treated patients. Flunarizine was generally well tolerated and had a safety profile comparable to that of topiramate. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that, in an 8-week study, 10 mg/d flunarizine is more effective than 50 mg/d topiramate for CM prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.-L. Lai
- Department of Neurology; Taipei Municipal Gandau Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - D. M. Niddam
- Institute of Brain Science; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - J.-L. Fuh
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - S.-P. Chen
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Y.-F. Wang
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - W.-T. Chen
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - J.-C. Wu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
- Division of Gastroenterology; Department of Internal Medicine; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
| | - S.-J. Wang
- Department of Neurology; Neurological Institute; Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
- Institute of Brain Science; School of Medicine; National Yang-Ming University; Taipei Taiwan
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Fiermonte G, Annulli A, Pierelli F. Transcranial Doppler evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics in migraineurs during prophylactic treatment with flunarizine. Cephalalgia 1999; 19:492-6. [PMID: 10403064 DOI: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1999.019005492.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) recording was used to evaluate the mean flow velocity (MFV) and cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2 in 21 migraineurs during the interictal phase. Nine were affected by migraine with aura (MwA) and 12 by migraine without aura (MwoA). During each session the middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow velocity was examined in basal conditions, in hypocapnia after a 3-min period of hyperventilation, in basal conditions a second time, and in hypercapnia after breath-holding. The same procedure was followed in a group of 21 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Recordings were performed before (T1), during (T2), and after (T3) prophylactic treatment with flunarizine (10 mg/day for 2 months) to assess the possible effect of this drug on cerebral hemodynamics. In basal condition, increased MFV values were found in both MwA and MwoA patients. In MwA patients the reactivity index (RI) to hypocapnia was significantly increased in T1 (p < 0.05). This abnormal cerebrovascular reactivity disappeared during flunarizine treatment (T2) and in the post-therapy period (T3).
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Affiliation(s)
- G Fiermonte
- Istituto di Clinica delle Malattie Nervose e Mentali Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
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