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Gholizadeh R, Eslami F, Dejban P, Ghasemi M, Rahimi N, Dehpour AR. Additive Anticonvulsive Effects of Sumatriptan and Morphine on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizures in Mice. J Epilepsy Res 2024; 14:9-16. [PMID: 38978533 PMCID: PMC11227926 DOI: 10.14581/jer.24002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Sumatriptan protects the brain from damage and enhance the anti-seizure effect of morphine. There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO) may mediate these effects of both drugs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of sumatriptan (0.1-20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and morphine (0.1-20 mg/kg, i.p.) alone or in combination on seizure thresholds in an in vivo model of seizure in mice. Using various NO synthase inhibitors as well as the NO precursor, we assessed possible involvement of NO signaling in these effects. Methods Clonic seizures were induced in male Naval Medical Research Institute mice by intravenous administration of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). Results Acute sumatriptan administration exerted anti-convulsive effects at 0.5 (p<0.01) and 1 mg/kg (p<0.05), but pro-convulsive effects at 20 mg/kg (p<0.05). Morphine had anti-convulsive effects at 0.5 (p<0.05) and 1 mg/kg (p<0.001), but exerted pro-convulsive effect at 20 mg/kg (p<0.05). Combination treatment with sub-effective doses of sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) exerted an anti-convulsive effect. Co-administration of the NO precursor L-arginine (60 mg/kg) with sub-effective doses of sumatriptan and morphine significantly (p<0.05) increased seizure threshold compared with sumatriptan alone, but not sumatriptan+morphine group. While concomitant administration of either the non-selective NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (5 mg/kg) or the selective inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (50 mg/kg) with combined sub-effective doses of morphine and sumatriptan produced significant anticonvulsive effects, concomitant administration with the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (30 mg/kg) inhibited this effect. Conclusions Our data suggest a possible role for the NO signaling in the anticonvulsive effects of combined sumatriptan and morphine on the PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramtin Gholizadeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY,
USA
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj,
Iran
| | - Faezeh Eslami
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL,
USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Pegah Dejban
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN,
USA
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Burlington, MA,
USA
| | - Nastaran Rahimi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
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Cumbres-Vargas IM, Zamudio SR, Pichardo-Macías LA, Ramírez-San Juan E. Thalidomide Attenuates Epileptogenesis and Seizures by Decreasing Brain Inflammation in Lithium Pilocarpine Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076488. [PMID: 37047461 PMCID: PMC10094940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide (TAL) has shown potential therapeutic effects in neurological diseases like epilepsy. Both clinical and preclinical studies show that TAL may act as an antiepileptic drug and as a possible treatment against disease development. However, the evidence for these effects is limited. Therefore, the antiepileptogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of TAL were evaluated herein. Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to one of five groups (n = 18 per group): control (C); status epilepticus (SE); SE-TAL (25 mg/kg); SE-TAL (50 mg/kg); and SE-topiramate (TOP; 60mg/kg). The lithium-pilocarpine model was used, and one day after SE induction the rats received pharmacological treatment for one week. The brain was obtained, and the hippocampus was micro-dissected 8, 18, and 28 days after SE. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β concentrations were quantified. TOP and TAL (50 mg/kg) increased the latency to the first of many spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and decreased SRS frequency, as well as decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations in the hippocampus. In conclusion, the results showed that both TAL (50 mg/kg) and TOP have anti-ictogenic and antiepileptogenic effects, possibly by decreasing neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irán M Cumbres-Vargas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Sergio R Zamudio
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Luz A Pichardo-Macías
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Ramírez-San Juan
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico
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Jourian S, Rahimi M, Manavi MA, Pahlevan-Fallahy MT, Mohammad Jafari R, Amini A, Dehpour AR. Possible Interaction of Opioidergic and Nitrergic Pathways in the Anticonvulsant Effect of Ivermectin on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizures in Mice. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:885-894. [PMID: 36383324 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03804-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ivermectin (IVM) is an antiparasitic drug that primarily works by the activation of GABAA receptors. The potential pharmacological pathways behind the anti-convulsant effect of IVM haven't yet been identified. In this study, intravenous injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced clonic seizure in mice was investigated in order to assess the possible influence of IVM on clonic seizure threshold (CST). We also look at the function of the Opioidergic and nitrergic pathways in IVM anticonvulsant action on clonic seizure threshold. IVM (0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) raised the PTZ-induced CST, according to our findings. Furthermore, the ineffective dose of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors (L-NAME 10 mg/kg, i.p.), and (7-NI 30 mg/kg, i.p.) or opioidergic system agonist (morphine 0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) were able to amplify the anticonvulsive action of IVM (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.). Moreover, the anticonvulsant effect of IVM was reversed by an opioid receptor antagonist (naltrexone 1 mg/kg, i.p.). Furthermore, the combination of the ineffective dose of morphine as an opioid receptor agonist with either L-NAME (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or 7-NI (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and with an ineffective dose of IVM (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) had a significant anticonvulsant effect. Taken together, IVM has anticonvulsant activity against PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice, which may be mediated at least in part through the interaction of the opioidergic system and the nitric oxide pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Jourian
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rahimi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Manavi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Taha Pahlevan-Fallahy
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Razieh Mohammad Jafari
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ali Amini
- The Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP), Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Andrews PL, Williams RS, Sanger GJ. Anti-emetic effects of thalidomide: Evidence, mechanism of action, and future directions. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 3:100138. [PMID: 36568268 PMCID: PMC9780081 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2022.100138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The rationale for using thalidomide (THD) as a treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in the late 1950s appears to have been based on its sedative or hypnotic properties. In contrast to contemporaneous studies on the anti-emetic activity of phenothiazines, we were unable to identify publications reporting preclinical or clinical evaluation of THD as an anti-emetic. Our survey of the literature revealed a clinical study in 1965 showing THD reduced vomiting in cancer chemotherapy which was substantiated by similar studies from 2000, particularly showing efficacy in the delayed phase of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. To identify the mechanism(s) potentially involved in thalidomide's anti-emetic activity we reviewed its pharmacology in the light of nausea and vomiting mechanisms and their pharmacology with a particular emphasis on chemotherapy and pregnancy. The process identified the following potential mechanisms: reduced secretion of Growth Differentiation Factor 15, suppression of inflammation/prostaglandin production, downregulation of cytotoxic drug induced upregulation of iNOS, and modulation of BK (KCa1.1) channels and GABAA/glutamate transmission at critical points in the emetic pathways (nucleus tractus solitarius, area postrema). We propose ways to investigate these hypothesized mechanisms and discuss the associated challenges (e.g., objective quantification of nausea) in addition to some of the more general aspects of developing novel drugs to treat nausea and vomiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L.R. Andrews
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin S.B. Williams
- Centre for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J. Sanger
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
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Amanlou A, Eslami F, Shayan M, Mortazavi P, Dehpour AR. Anticonvulsive evaluation and histopathological survey of thalidomide synthetic analogs on lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in rats. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:586-595. [PMID: 34760007 PMCID: PMC8562405 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.327505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: Status epilepticus is a severe neurological disorder that can be life-threatening. Thalidomide and its analogs have shown promising results to confront pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of three synthesized thalidomide derivatives on lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Experimental approach: To induce status epilepticus, rats received lithium chloride (127 mg/kg, i.p.) and pilocarpine HCl (60 mg/kg, i.p.) 20 h after lithium chloride injection. Thirty min before pilocarpine HCl administration, rats received hyoscine N-butyl bromide (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and concurrently one of the test compounds (5B, 5C, and 5D), diazepam, thalidomide, or vehicle (4% DMSO) to evaluate their anti-epileptic effects. Epileptic seizures scores were assessed through the Racine scale. Twenty-four h after injection of pilocarpine, brain samples were extracted for further histopathological evaluation. Findings/Results: Results revealed that among tested compounds (5B, 5C, and 5D), only compound 5C (1 mg/kg) exhibited excellent anti-epileptic activity comparable to diazepam (10 mg/kg). Compound 5D (100 mg/kg) only demonstrated comparable anti-epileptic activity to thalidomide (1 mg/kg). Compound 5B did not have any anti-epileptic activity even at the dose of 100 mg/kg. The histopathological survey showed that compound 5C has more neuroprotective effects than diazepam and thalidomide in the cortex of the brain. In the cornu ammonis 1 region, thalidomide had higher protective properties and in the cornu ammonis 3 and dentate gyrus areas, diazepam had higher efficacy to prevent necrosis. Conclusion and implications: Compound 5C is a good candidate for further studies regarding its potency, compared to thalidomide and diazepam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Amanlou
- Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Faezeh Eslami
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Maryam Shayan
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Pejman Mortazavi
- Faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, I.R. Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran
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Acupuncture Attenuates Blood Pressure via Inducing the Expression of nNOS. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:9945277. [PMID: 34239595 PMCID: PMC8235963 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9945277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Sympathetic activation leads to elevated blood pressure. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibits sympathetic nervous system activity, thereby decreasing blood pressure (BP). nNOS is highly expressed in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), which play essential roles in the regulation of the cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems. Objective This study was designed to verify the hypothesis that acupuncture exerts an antihypertensive effect via increasing the expression of nNOS in ARC and vlPAG of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Methods Rats without anesthesia were subject to daily acupuncture for 2 weeks. BP was monitored by the tail-cuff method. nNOS expressions in the ARC and vlPAG were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. BP was measured after 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI), a specific nNOS inhibitor, was microinjected into ARC or vlPAG in SHR rats treated with acupuncture. Results Acupuncture for 14 days significantly attenuated BP, and the Taichong (LR3) acupoint was superior to Zusanli (ST36) and Fengchi (GB20) in lowering BP. In addition, acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) induced an increase of nNOS expression in ARC and vlPAG, whereas microinjection of 7-NI into ARC or vlPAG reversed the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture. Conclusions This study indicates that acupuncture at Taichong (LR3) induces a better antihypertensive effect than at Zusanli (ST36) or at Fengchi (GB20) in SHR rats, and enhancement of nNOS in ARC and vlPAG probably contributes to the antihypertensive effect of acupuncture.
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Dafe EA, Rahimi N, Javadian N, Dejban P, Komeili M, Modabberi S, Ghasemi M, Dehpour AR. Effect of Lenalidomide on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizure Threshold in Mice: A Role for N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor/Nitric Oxide Pathway. J Epilepsy Res 2021; 11:6-13. [PMID: 34395218 PMCID: PMC8357552 DOI: 10.14581/jer.21002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Accumulating evidence suggest that lenalidomide, a structural analog of thalidomide, has neuro-modulatory and neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we investigated effects of acute administration of lenalidomide on clonic seizure threshold in mice induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and possible role of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) and nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Methods We have utilized a clonic model of seizure in NMRI mice induced by PTZ to evaluate the potential effect of lenalidomide on seizure threshold. Different doses of lenalidomide (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) were administered 1 hour before PTZ. To evaluate probable role of NMDAR/NO signaling, the non-selective NO synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.p.), neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 30 mg/kg, i.p.), selective inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG; 100 mg/kg, i.p.), selective NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.), and selective NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected 15 minutes before lenalidomide. Results Lenalidomide at 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly elevated the PTZ-induced seizure thresholds. Interestingly, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p), 7-NI (30 mg/kg, i.p), and AG (100 mg/kg, i.p) reversed the anticonvulsive effect of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg). Moreover, treatment with the NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter the anticonvulsive properties of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg, i.p). However, the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p) significantly reversed the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg). Conclusions Our study demonstrated a role for the NMDAR/NO pathway in the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide on the PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Asgari Dafe
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Rahimi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nina Javadian
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pegah Dejban
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Monika Komeili
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Modabberi
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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