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Chen Q, Wang Q, Bu C, An Z, Jin L, Chi L. Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) by heparin oligosaccharides with specific structures. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 332:121909. [PMID: 38431413 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
COMT inhibitors are commonly used to improve the effectiveness of levodopa in treating Parkinson's disease by inhibiting its conversion to 3-O-methyldopa. Because of the serious side effect of nitrocatechol COMT inhibitors, it is necessary to develop non-nitrocatechol COMT inhibitors with a higher safety profile. Heparin has been observed to bind to COMT. However, the exact functional significance of this interaction is not fully understood. In this study, the contribution of different substitution of heparin to its binding with COMT was investigated. In vitro and in vivo, heparin oligosaccharides can bind to COMT and inhibit its activity. Furthermore, we enriched the functional heparin oligosaccharides that bind to COMT and identified the sequence UA2S-GlcN(S/Ac)6(S/H)-UA2S-GlcNS6(S/H)-UA2(S/H)-GlcNS6S as the characteristic structural domain of these functional oligosaccharides. This study has elucidated the relationship between the structure of heparin oligosaccharides and their activity against COMT, providing valuable insights for the development of non-nitrocatechol COMT inhibitors with improved safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Chen
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China
| | - Qingchi Wang
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China; Xianghu Laboratory, 168 Gongwen Rd, Hangzhou 311231, China
| | - Changkai Bu
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China
| | - Zizhe An
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China
| | - Lan Jin
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China.
| | - Lianli Chi
- National Glycoengineering Research Center and Shandong Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Glycobiology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Rd, Qingdao 266200, China.
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Bonifácio MJ, Sousa F, Soares-da-Silva P. Opicapone enhances the reversal of MPTP-induced Parkinson-like syndrome by levodopa in cynomolgus monkeys. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 892:173742. [PMID: 33220276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Opicapone is a third generation nitrocatechol catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor that has received regional market approval for use as adjunctive therapy to levodopa in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations. This study evaluated the effects of opicapone as adjunct to levodopa in reversing a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced Parkinson's-like syndrome in cynomolgus monkeys in during opicapone preclinical development program. A Parkinson's-like syndrome was induced in cynomolgus monkeys by daily administrations of MPTP. Evaluation of the animals included scoring with the Primate Parkinsonism Motor Rating Scale (PPMRS) and assessment of locomotor activity. MPTP produced a stable Parkinson's-like behavioural syndrome as evidenced by tremor, postural changes, rigidity, impaired movements and balance, (PPMRS scores of 10-15) and decreased locomotor activity (13% of pre-MPTP values). Opicapone treatment alone, for 14 days, did not change Parkinson's-like symptoms nor decreased subject's locomotor behaviour. Ascending combinations of levodopa/benserazide dose-dependently decreased PPMRS and improved locomotor behaviour reaching statistical significance for levodopa/benserazide doses of 18/4.5 mg/kg and those effects were enhanced in opicapone treated subjects. Opicapone treated subjects as compared vehicle-treated, had markedly reduced erythrocyte catechol-O-methyltransferase activity, significantly increased plasma levodopa levels (1.8-fold higher AUC) with no statistically significant changes in Cmax and significantly reduced 3-OMD AUC and Cmax values (7.8- and 6.8-fold respectively). Opicapone potentiated the improvements in Parkinson's-like symptoms produced by levodopa/benserazide combinations with concomitant increase in plasma levodopa exposure, reduction of plasma 3-O-methyldopa levels and erythrocyte catechol-O-methyltransferase activity, results that were later demonstrated in 2 large Phase 3 studies in Parkinson's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria João Bonifácio
- Department of Research, BIAL-Portela & C(a), S.A, 4745-457, Coronado (S. Mamede & S. Romão), Portugal
| | - Filipa Sousa
- Department of Research, BIAL-Portela & C(a), S.A, 4745-457, Coronado (S. Mamede & S. Romão), Portugal
| | - Patrício Soares-da-Silva
- Department of Research, BIAL-Portela & C(a), S.A, 4745-457, Coronado (S. Mamede & S. Romão), Portugal; Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200, Porto, Portugal; MedInUp - Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines, University of Porto, 4200, Porto, Portugal.
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Chan HH, Tse MK, Kumar S, Zhuo L. A novel selective MAO-B inhibitor with neuroprotective and anti-Parkinsonian properties. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 818:254-262. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Xia Y, Pang H, Dou T, Wang P, Ge G. Interspecies comparison in the COMT-mediated methylation of 3-BTD. RSC Adv 2018; 8:16278-16284. [PMID: 35542223 PMCID: PMC9080226 DOI: 10.1039/c8ra01938j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a druggable biological target and COMT modulators have been widely applied in the treatment of various central and peripheral nervous system disorders. The interspecies differences of COMT were carefully investigated using 3-BTD (a newly developed fluorescent probe of COMT) methylation as the probe reaction, and liver S9 from humans and seven experimental animals including monkeys, dogs, mice, rats, minipigs, guinea pigs and New Zealand rabbits as the enzyme source. Metabolite profiling demonstrated that all the tested liver S9 samples from the different animals could catalyse 3-BTD methylation but displayed significant differences in reaction rate. Also, the differential effects of tolcapone (a potent inhibitor against COMT) on 3-BTD methylation among various species were observed. The apparent kinetic parameters and the maximum intrinsic clearances (Clint) for 3-BTD methylation in liver S9 from the different animals were determined, and the order of the Clint values for the formation of 3-BTD was RLS9 > DLS9 ≈ PLS9 > MLS9 > CyLS9 > RaLS9 > GpLS9 > HLS9. These findings are helpful for further exploring COMT-associated biological processes in animal models, as well as for developing therapeutic molecules that target COMT. The methylation behaviour of 3-BTD in liver S9 from eight different species was characterized with respect to the similarities and differences of their metabolic profiles, catalytic efficacy and inhibitory potency by a known chemical inhibitor.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangliu Xia
- Laboratory of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- School of Life Science and Medicine
- Dalian University of Technology
- Panjin 124221
- China
| | - Huilin Pang
- Laboratory of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- School of Life Science and Medicine
- Dalian University of Technology
- Panjin 124221
- China
| | - Tongyi Dou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology & Toxicology
- School of Life Science and Medicine
- Dalian University of Technology
- Panjin 124221
- China
| | - Ping Wang
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicines
- Shanghai
- China
| | - Guangbo Ge
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicines
- Shanghai
- China
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Solís O, García-Montes JR, Garcia-Sanz P, Herranz AS, Asensio MJ, Kang G, Hiroi N, Moratalla R. Human COMT over-expression confers a heightened susceptibility to dyskinesia in mice. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 102:133-139. [PMID: 28315782 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) degrades dopamine and its precursor l-DOPA and plays a critical role in regulating synaptic dopamine actions. We investigated the effects of heightened levels of COMT on dopamine-regulated motor behaviors and molecular alterations in a mouse model of dyskinesia. Transgenic mice overexpressing human COMT (TG) and their wildtype (WT) littermates received unilateral 6-OHDA lesions in the dorsal striatum and were treated chronically with l-DOPA for two weeks. l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia was exacerbated in TG mice without altering l-DOPA motor efficacy as determined by contralateral rotations or motor coordination. Inductions of FosB and phospho-acetylated histone 3 (molecular correlates of dyskinesia) were potentiated in the lesioned striatum of TG mice compared with their WT littermates. The TG mice had lower basal levels of dopamine in the striatum. In mice with lesions, l-DOPA induces a greater increase in the dopamine metabolite 3-methoxytyramine in the lesioned striatum of dyskinetic TG mice than in WT mice. The levels of serotonin and its metabolite were similar in TG and WT mice. Our results demonstrate that human COMT overexpression confers a heightened susceptibility to l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia and alters molecular and neurochemical responses in the lesioned striatum of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Solís
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose-Rubén García-Montes
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Garcia-Sanz
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio S Herranz
- Servicio de Neurobiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid 28034, Spain
| | - Maria-José Asensio
- Servicio de Neurobiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (IRYCIS), Madrid 28034, Spain
| | - Gina Kang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Noboru Hiroi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, and Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rosario Moratalla
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid 28002, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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Devos D, Moreau C. Opicapone for motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease. Lancet Neurol 2016; 15:127-128. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00346-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mursaleen LR, Stamford JA. Drugs of abuse and Parkinson's disease. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2016; 64:209-17. [PMID: 25816790 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The term "drug of abuse" is highly contextual. What constitutes a drug of abuse for one population of patients does not for another. It is therefore important to examine the needs of the patient population to properly assess the status of drugs of abuse. The focus of this article is on the bidirectional relationship between patients and drug abuse. In this paper we will introduce the dopaminergic systems of the brain in Parkinson's and the influence of antiparkinsonian drugs upon them before discussing this synergy of condition and medication as fertile ground for drug abuse. We will then examine the relationship between drugs of abuse and Parkinson's, both beneficial and deleterious. In summary we will draw the different strands together and speculate on the future merit of current drugs of abuse as treatments for Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah R Mursaleen
- The Cure Parkinson's Trust, 120 Baker Street, London W1U 6TU, United Kingdom; Parkinson's Movement, 120 Baker Street, London W1U 6TU, United Kingdom; The University of Sussex, Life Sciences, Brighton BN1 9RH, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan A Stamford
- The Cure Parkinson's Trust, 120 Baker Street, London W1U 6TU, United Kingdom; Parkinson's Movement, 120 Baker Street, London W1U 6TU, United Kingdom.
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Segura-Aguilar J, Paris I, Muñoz P, Ferrari E, Zecca L, Zucca FA. Protective and toxic roles of dopamine in Parkinson's disease. J Neurochem 2014; 129:898-915. [PMID: 24548101 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms causing the loss of dopaminergic neurons containing neuromelanin in the substantia nigra and responsible for motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease are still unknown. The discovery of genes associated with Parkinson's disease (such as alpha synuclein (SNCA), E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (parkin), DJ-1 (PARK7), ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1 (UCHL-1), serine/threonine-protein kinase (PINK-1), leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), cation-transporting ATPase 13A1 (ATP13A), etc.) contributed enormously to basic research towards understanding the role of these proteins in the sporadic form of the disease. However, it is generally accepted by the scientific community that mitochondria dysfunction, alpha synuclein aggregation, dysfunction of protein degradation, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in neurodegeneration. Dopamine oxidation seems to be a complex pathway in which dopamine o-quinone, aminochrome and 5,6-indolequinone are formed. However, both dopamine o-quinone and 5,6-indolequinone are so unstable that is difficult to study and separate their roles in the degenerative process occurring in Parkinson's disease. Dopamine oxidation to dopamine o-quinone, aminochrome and 5,6-indolequinone seems to play an important role in the neurodegenerative processes of Parkinson's disease as aminochrome induces: (i) mitochondria dysfunction, (ii) formation and stabilization of neurotoxic protofibrils of alpha synuclein, (iii) protein degradation dysfunction of both proteasomal and lysosomal systems and (iv) oxidative stress. The neurotoxic effects of aminochrome in dopaminergic neurons can be inhibited by: (i) preventing dopamine oxidation of the transporter that takes up dopamine into monoaminergic vesicles with low pH and dopamine oxidative deamination catalyzed by monoamino oxidase (ii) dopamine o-quinone, aminochrome and 5,6-indolequinone polymerization to neuromelanin and (iii) two-electron reduction of aminochrome catalyzed by DT-diaphorase. Furthermore, dopamine conversion to NM seems to have a dual role, protective and toxic, depending mostly on the cellular context. Dopamine oxidation to dopamine o-quinone, aminochrome and 5,6-indolequinone plays an important role in neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease since they induce mitochondria and protein degradation dysfunction; formation of neurotoxic alpha synuclein protofibrils and oxidative stress. However, the cells have a protective system against dopamine oxidation composed by dopamine uptake mediated by Vesicular monoaminergic transporter-2 (VMAT-2), neuromelanin formation, two-electron reduction and GSH-conjugation mediated by Glutathione S-transferase M2-2 (GSTM2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Segura-Aguilar
- Faculty of Medicine, Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, ICBM, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Bonifácio MJ, Sutcliffe JS, Torrão L, Wright LC, Soares-da-Silva P. Brain and peripheral pharmacokinetics of levodopa in the cynomolgus monkey following administration of opicapone, a third generation nitrocatechol COMT inhibitor. Neuropharmacology 2013; 77:334-41. [PMID: 24148813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of opicapone, a third generation nitrocatechol catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, on the systemic and central bioavailability of 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine (levodopa) and related metabolites in the cynomolgus monkey. METHODS Four monkeys, implanted with guiding cannulas for microdialysis probes, in the substantia nigra, dorsal striatum and prefrontal cortex, were randomized in two groups that received, in a crossover design, vehicle or 100 mg/kg opicapone for 14 days. Twenty-three hours after last administration of vehicle or opicapone, animals were challenged with levodopa/benserazide (12/3 mg/kg). Extracellular dialysate and blood samples were collected over 360 min (at 30 min intervals) for the assays of catecholamine and COMT activity. RESULTS Opicapone increased levodopa systemic exposure by 2-fold not changing Cmax values and reduced both 3-O-methyldopa (3-OMD) exposure and Cmax values by 5-fold. These changes were accompanied by ∼76-84% reduction in erythrocyte COMT activity. In dorsal striatum and substantia nigra, opicapone increased levodopa exposure by 1.7- and 1.4-fold, respectively, reducing 3-OMD exposure by 5- and 7-fold respectively. DOPAC exposure was increased by 4-fold in the substantia nigra. In the prefrontal cortex, opicapone increased levodopa exposure and reduced 3-OMD levels by 2.3- and 2.4-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Opicapone behaved as long-acting COMT inhibitor that markedly increased systemic and central levodopa bioavailability. Opicapone is a strong candidate to fill the unmet need for COMT inhibitors that lead to more sustained levodopa levels in Parkinson's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Bonifácio
- Department of Research & Development, BIAL, 4745-457 São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal
| | - J S Sutcliffe
- Maccine Pte Ltd., 10 Science Park Road, #01-05 The Alpha, Singapore Science Park II, Singapore
| | - L Torrão
- Department of Research & Development, BIAL, 4745-457 São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal
| | - L C Wright
- Department of Research & Development, BIAL, 4745-457 São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal
| | - P Soares-da-Silva
- Department of Research & Development, BIAL, 4745-457 São Mamede do Coronado, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Jatana N, Sharma A, Latha N. Pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening studies to design potential COMT inhibitors as new leads. J Mol Graph Model 2012; 39:145-64. [PMID: 23280413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2012.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 09/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/08/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the methylation of catecholamines, including neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, leading to their degradation. COMT has been a subject of study for its implications in numerous neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD), schizophrenia, and depression. The COMT gene is associated with many allelic variants, the Val108Met polymorphism being the most clinically significant. Availability of crystal structure of both 108V and 108M forms of human soluble-COMT (S-COMT) facilitated us to use structure-based virtual screening approach to obtain new hits by screening a library of CNS permeable compounds from ZINC database. In this study, E-pharmacophore was also used to generate pharmacophore models based on a series of known COMT inhibitors. A five-point pharmacophore model consisting of one hydrogen-bond acceptor (A), two hydrogen bond donors (D), and two aromatic rings (R) was generated for both the polymorphic forms of COMT. These models were then used for filtering ZINC-CNS permeable library to obtain new hits. Physicochemical properties were also calculated for all the hits obtained from both the approaches for favorable ADME properties. These identified hits maybe of interest for further structural optimization and biological evaluation assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Jatana
- Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility, Sri Venkateswara College (University of Delhi), Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India
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Abstract
In patients with Parkinson disease, pulsatile administration of dopaminergic drugs is associated with motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. By contrast, treatments that provide more continuous dopaminergic stimulation are associated with less intense motor complications. This can be achieved by using drugs with longer half-lives, delayed release formulations, and routes of administration that permit continuous delivery. The mechanisms by which different modes of dopaminergic treatment (pulsatile or continuous) determine the motor response are not fully understood. However, the use of experimental models of parkinsonism has helped understand the motor complications associated with pulsatile dopamine replacement. These studies have provided important insights into the biochemical and molecular changes in the basal ganglia in response to continuous stimulation. In addition, these models have facilitated the development of new treatments that may stabilize the motor response and the biochemical alterations in the basal ganglia to provide more efficient forms of continuous dopaminergic stimulation in patients with Parkinson disease.
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Polak PE, Kalinin S, Braun D, Sharp A, Lin SX, Feinstein DL. The vincamine derivative vindeburnol provides benefit in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis: effects on the Locus coeruleus. J Neurochem 2012; 121:206-16. [PMID: 22288774 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07673.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous neurotransmitter noradrenaline (NA) plays several roles in maintaining brain homeostasis, including exerting anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The primary source of NA in the CNS are tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons located in the Locus coeruleus (LC) which send projections throughout the brain and spinal cord. We recently demonstrated that dysregulation of the LC:Noradrenergic system occurs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis as well as in MS patients, associated with damage occurring to LC neurons. Vindeburnol, a structural analog of the cerebral vasodilator vincamine, was previously reported to increase TH expression and activity in LC neurons. Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)(35-55) peptide, and treated with vindeburnol at the first appearance of clinical signs. Clinical signs continued to increase for about 1 week, at which point mice in the vehicle group continued to worsen while vindeburnol-treated mice showed improvement. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production from splenic T cells was not reduced by vindeburnol suggesting primarily central actions of treatment. In the cerebellum, vindeburnol decreased astrocyte activation and reduced the number of demyelinated regions. Vindeburnol reduced astrocyte activation in the LC, reduced TH+ neuronal hypertrophy, increased expression of several genes involved in LC survival and maturation, and increased NA levels in the spinal cord. These results suggest that treatments with drugs such as vindeburnol which target LC survival or function could be of benefit in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Polak
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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