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Löscher W, Gramer M, Römermann K. Heterogeneous brain distribution of bumetanide following systemic administration in rats. Biopharm Drug Dispos 2024; 45:138-148. [PMID: 38823029 DOI: 10.1002/bdd.2390] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Bumetanide is used widely as a tool and off-label treatment to inhibit the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 in the brain and thereby to normalize intra-neuronal chloride levels in several brain disorders. However, following systemic administration, bumetanide only poorly penetrates into the brain parenchyma and does not reach levels sufficient to inhibit NKCC1. The low brain penetration is a consequence of both the high ionization rate and plasma protein binding, which restrict brain entry by passive diffusion, and of brain efflux transport. In previous studies, bumetanide was determined in the whole brain or a few brain regions, such as the hippocampus. However, the blood-brain barrier and its efflux transporters are heterogeneous across brain regions, so it cannot be excluded that bumetanide reaches sufficiently high brain levels for NKCC1 inhibition in some discrete brain areas. Here, bumetanide was determined in 14 brain regions following i.v. administration of 10 mg/kg in rats. Because bumetanide is much more rapidly eliminated by rats than humans, its metabolism was reduced by pretreatment with piperonyl butoxide. Significant, up to 5-fold differences in regional bumetanide levels were determined with the highest levels in the midbrain and olfactory bulb and the lowest levels in the striatum and amygdala. Brain:plasma ratios ranged between 0.004 (amygdala) and 0.022 (olfactory bulb). Regional brain levels were significantly correlated with local cerebral blood flow. However, regional bumetanide levels were far below the IC50 (2.4 μM) determined previously for rat NKCC1. Thus, these data further substantiate that the reported effects of bumetanide in rodent models of brain disorders are not related to NKCC1 inhibition in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Translational Neuropharmacology Laboratory, NIFE, Department of Experimental Otology of the ENT Clinics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina Gramer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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2
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Rahman MS, Islam R, Bhuiyan MIH. Ion transporter cascade, reactive astrogliosis and cerebrovascular diseases. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1374408. [PMID: 38659577 PMCID: PMC11041382 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1374408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebrovascular diseases and their sequalae, such as ischemic stroke, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, and vascular dementia are significant contributors to adult disability and cognitive impairment in the modern world. Astrocytes are an integral part of the neurovascular unit in the CNS and play a pivotal role in CNS homeostasis, including ionic and pH balance, neurotransmission, cerebral blood flow, and metabolism. Astrocytes respond to cerebral insults, inflammation, and diseases through unique molecular, morphological, and functional changes, collectively known as reactive astrogliosis. The function of reactive astrocytes has been a subject of debate. Initially, astrocytes were thought to primarily play a supportive role in maintaining the structure and function of the nervous system. However, recent studies suggest that reactive astrocytes may have both beneficial and detrimental effects. For example, in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, reactive astrocytes can cause oligodendrocyte death and demyelination. In this review, we will summarize the (1) roles of ion transporter cascade in reactive astrogliosis, (2) role of reactive astrocytes in vascular dementia and related dementias, and (3) potential therapeutic approaches for dementing disorders targeting reactive astrocytes. Understanding the relationship between ion transporter cascade, reactive astrogliosis, and cerebrovascular diseases may reveal mechanisms and targets for the development of therapies for brain diseases associated with reactive astrogliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shamim Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
| | | | - Mohammad Iqbal H. Bhuiyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, United States
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3
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Zhang S, Meor Azlan NF, Josiah SS, Zhou J, Zhou X, Jie L, Zhang Y, Dai C, Liang D, Li P, Li Z, Wang Z, Wang Y, Ding K, Wang Y, Zhang J. The role of SLC12A family of cation-chloride cotransporters and drug discovery methodologies. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:1471-1495. [PMID: 38223443 PMCID: PMC10785268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The solute carrier family 12 (SLC12) of cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs) comprises potassium chloride cotransporters (KCCs, e.g. KCC1, KCC2, KCC3, and KCC4)-mediated Cl- extrusion, and sodium potassium chloride cotransporters (N[K]CCs, NKCC1, NKCC2, and NCC)-mediated Cl- loading. The CCCs play vital roles in cell volume regulation and ion homeostasis. Gain-of-function or loss-of-function of these ion transporters can cause diseases in many tissues. In recent years, there have been considerable advances in our understanding of CCCs' control mechanisms in cell volume regulations, with many techniques developed in studying the functions and activities of CCCs. Classic approaches to directly measure CCC activity involve assays that measure the transport of potassium substitutes through the CCCs. These techniques include the ammonium pulse technique, radioactive or nonradioactive rubidium ion uptake-assay, and thallium ion-uptake assay. CCCs' activity can also be indirectly observed by measuring γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity with patch-clamp electrophysiology and intracellular chloride concentration with sensitive microelectrodes, radiotracer 36Cl-, and fluorescent dyes. Other techniques include directly looking at kinase regulatory sites phosphorylation, flame photometry, 22Na+ uptake assay, structural biology, molecular modeling, and high-throughput drug screening. This review summarizes the role of CCCs in genetic disorders and cell volume regulation, current methods applied in studying CCCs biology, and compounds developed that directly or indirectly target the CCCs for disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyao Zhang
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Nur Farah Meor Azlan
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Sunday Solomon Josiah
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Biological Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhou
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Lingjun Jie
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Yanhui Zhang
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Cuilian Dai
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Aurora Discovery Inc., Foshan, Guangdong, 528300, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266021, China
| | - Zhengqiu Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Research Center of Chemical Kinomics, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute of Biological Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ke Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Research Center of Chemical Kinomics, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 363001, China
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Research Center of Chemical Kinomics, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Rao S, Farhat A, Rakshasbhuvankar A, Athikarisamy S, Ghosh S, Nagarajan L. Effects of bumetanide on neonatal seizures: A systematic review of animal and human studies. Seizure 2023; 111:206-214. [PMID: 37690372 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.09.007] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bumetanide, an inhibitor of the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter-1, has been suggested as an adjunct to phenobarbital for treating neonatal seizures. METHODS A systematic review of animal and human studies was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bumetanide for neonatal seizures. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched in March 2023. RESULTS 26 animal (rat or mice) studies describing 38 experiments (28 in-vivo and ten in-vitro) and two human studies (one RCT and one open-label dose-finding) were included. The study designs, methods to induce seizures, bumetanide dose, and outcome measures were heterogeneous, with only 4/38 experiments being in animal hypoxia/ischaemia models. Among 38 animal experiments, bumetanide was reported to have antiseizure effects in 21, pro-seizure in six and ineffective in 11. The two human studies (n = 57) did not show the benefits of bumetanide as an add-on agent to phenobarbital in their primary analyses, but one study reported benefit on post-hoc analysis. Overall, hearing impairment was detected in 5/37 surviving infants in the bumetanide group vs. 0/13 in controls. Four of the five infants with hearing impairment had received aminoglycosides concurrently. Other adverse effects reported were diuresis, mild-to-moderate dehydration, hypotension, and electrolyte disturbances. The studies did not report on long-term neurodevelopment. The certainty of the evidence was very low. CONCLUSION Animal data suggest that bumetanide has inconsistent effects as an antiseizure medication in neonates. Data from human studies are scarce and raise some concerns regarding ototoxicity when given with aminoglycosides. Well conducted studies in animal models of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy are urgently needed. Future RCTs, if conducted in human neonates, should have an adequate sample size, assess neurodevelopment, minimize using aminoglycosides, be transparent about the potential ototoxicity in the parent information sheet, conduct early hearing tests and have trial-stopping rules that include hearing impairment as an outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shripada Rao
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, King Edward Memorial and Perth Children's Hospitals, Perth, Australia; Paediatric Division, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
| | - Asifa Farhat
- General Paediatrics, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Abhijeet Rakshasbhuvankar
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, King Edward Memorial and Perth Children's Hospitals, Perth, Australia; Paediatric Division, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Sam Athikarisamy
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, King Edward Memorial and Perth Children's Hospitals, Perth, Australia; Paediatric Division, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Soumya Ghosh
- Children's Neuroscience Service, Department of Neurology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia; Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Lakshmi Nagarajan
- Paediatric Division, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Children's Neuroscience Service, Department of Neurology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Australia
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Graber-Naidich A, Lee J, Younes K, Greicius MD, Le Guen Y, He Z. Loop diuretics association with Alzheimer's disease risk. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1211571. [PMID: 37822457 PMCID: PMC10563814 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1211571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate whether exposure history to two common loop diuretics, bumetanide and furosemide, affects the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) after accounting for socioeconomic status and congestive heart failure. Methods: Individuals exposed to bumetanide or furosemide were identified in the Stanford University electronic health record using the de-identified Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership platform. We matched the AD case cohort to a control cohort (1:20 case:control) on gender, race, ethnicity, and hypertension, and controlled for variables that could potentially be collinear with bumetanide exposure and/or AD diagnosis. Among individuals older than 65 years, 5,839 AD cases and 116,103 matched controls were included. A total of 1,759 patients (54 cases and 1,705 controls) were exposed to bumetanide. Results: After adjusting for socioeconomic status and other confounders, the exposure of bumetanide and furosemide was significantly associated with reduced AD risk (respectively, bumetanide odds ratio [OR] = 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.36; p = 4.0 × 10-11; furosemide OR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.38-0.47; p < 2.0 × 10-16). Discussion: Our study replicates in an independent sample that a history of bumetanide exposure is associated with reduced AD risk while also highlighting an association of the most common loop diuretic (furosemide) with reduced AD risk. These associations need to be additionally replicated, and the mechanism of action remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Graber-Naidich
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Justin Lee
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kyan Younes
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Michael D. Greicius
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Yann Le Guen
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Zihuai He
- Quantitative Sciences Unit, Department of Medicine (Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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Boyarko B, Podvin S, Greenberg B, Momper JD, Huang Y, Gerwick WH, Bang AG, Quinti L, Griciuc A, Kim DY, Tanzi RE, Feldman HH, Hook V. Evaluation of bumetanide as a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1190402. [PMID: 37601062 PMCID: PMC10436590 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1190402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutics discovery and development for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been an area of intense research to alleviate memory loss and the underlying pathogenic processes. Recent drug discovery approaches have utilized in silico computational strategies for drug candidate selection which has opened the door to repurposing drugs for AD. Computational analysis of gene expression signatures of patients stratified by the APOE4 risk allele of AD led to the discovery of the FDA-approved drug bumetanide as a top candidate agent that reverses APOE4 transcriptomic brain signatures and improves memory deficits in APOE4 animal models of AD. Bumetanide is a loop diuretic which inhibits the kidney Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter isoform, NKCC2, for the treatment of hypertension and edema in cardiovascular, liver, and renal disease. Electronic health record data revealed that patients exposed to bumetanide have lower incidences of AD by 35%-70%. In the brain, bumetanide has been proposed to antagonize the NKCC1 isoform which mediates cellular uptake of chloride ions. Blocking neuronal NKCC1 leads to a decrease in intracellular chloride and thus promotes GABAergic receptor mediated hyperpolarization, which may ameliorate disease conditions associated with GABAergic-mediated depolarization. NKCC1 is expressed in neurons and in all brain cells including glia (oligodendrocytes, microglia, and astrocytes) and the vasculature. In consideration of bumetanide as a repurposed drug for AD, this review evaluates its pharmaceutical properties with respect to its estimated brain levels across doses that can improve neurologic disease deficits of animal models to distinguish between NKCC1 and non-NKCC1 mechanisms. The available data indicate that bumetanide efficacy may occur at brain drug levels that are below those required for inhibition of the NKCC1 transporter which implicates non-NKCC1 brain mechansims for improvement of brain dysfunctions and memory deficits. Alternatively, peripheral bumetanide mechanisms may involve cells outside the central nervous system (e.g., in epithelia and the immune system). Clinical bumetanide doses for improved neurological deficits are reviewed. Regardless of mechanism, the efficacy of bumetanide to improve memory deficits in the APOE4 model of AD and its potential to reduce the incidence of AD provide support for clinical investigation of bumetanide as a repurposed AD therapeutic agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Boyarko
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sonia Podvin
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Barry Greenberg
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jeremiah D. Momper
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yadong Huang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - William H. Gerwick
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Anne G. Bang
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Luisa Quinti
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Ana Griciuc
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Doo Yeon Kim
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, McCance Center for Brain Health, Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, United States
| | - Howard H. Feldman
- Department of Neurosciences and Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
- Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Vivian Hook
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosciences and Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
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Flygaard RK, Habeck M, Nissen P. Technical Comment on "Inhibition mechanism of NKCC1 involves the carboxyl terminus and long-range conformational coupling". SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh0821. [PMID: 37436990 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Flygaard, Habeck and Nissen question claims on bumetanide and furosemide binding to sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter NKCC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Kock Flygaard
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Habeck
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Nissen
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience (DANDRITE), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Welzel B, Johne M, Löscher W. Bumetanide potentiates the anti-seizure and disease-modifying effects of midazolam in a noninvasive rat model of term birth asphyxia. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 142:109189. [PMID: 37037061 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Birth asphyxia and the resulting hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are highly associated with perinatal and neonatal death, neonatal seizures, and an adverse later-life outcome. Currently used drugs, including phenobarbital and midazolam, have limited efficacy to suppress neonatal seizures. There is a medical need to develop new therapies that not only suppress neonatal seizures but also prevent later-life consequences. We have previously shown that the loop diuretic bumetanide does not potentiate the effects of phenobarbital in a rat model of birth asphyxia. Here we compared the effects of bumetanide (0.3 or 10 mg/kg i.p.), midazolam (1 mg/kg i.p.), and a combination of bumetanide and midazolam on neonatal seizures and later-life outcomes in this model. While bumetanide at either dose was ineffective when administered alone, the higher dose of bumetanide markedly potentiated midazolam's effect on neonatal seizures. Median bumetanide brain levels (0.47-0.53 µM) obtained with the higher dose were in the range known to inhibit the Na-K-Cl-cotransporter NKCC1 but it remains to be determined whether brain NKCC1 inhibition was underlying the potentiation of midazolam. When behavioral and cognitive alterations were examined over three months after asphyxia, treatment with the bumetanide/midazolam combination, but not with bumetanide or midazolam alone, prevented impairment of learning and memory. Furthermore, the combination prevented the loss of neurons in the dentate hilus and aberrant mossy fiber sprouting in the CA3a area of the hippocampus. The molecular mechanisms that explain that bumetanide potentiates midazolam but not phenobarbital in the rat model of birth asphyxia remain to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Welzel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany
| | - Marie Johne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany.
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Welzel B, Schmidt R, Kirchhoff L, Gramer M, Löscher W. The loop diuretic torasemide but not azosemide potentiates the anti-seizure and disease-modifying effects of midazolam in a rat model of birth asphyxia. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 139:109057. [PMID: 36586153 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Loop diuretics such as furosemide and bumetanide, which act by inhibiting the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC2 at the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, have been shown to exert anti-seizure effects. However, the exact mechanism of this effect is not known. For bumetanide, it has been suggested that inhibition of the NKCC isoform NKCC1 in the membrane of brain neurons may be involved; however, NKCC1 is expressed by virtually all cell types in the brain, which makes any specific targeting of neuronal NKCC1 by bumetanide impossible. In addition, bumetanide only poorly penetrates the brain. We have previously shown that loop diuretics azosemide and torasemide also potently inhibit NKCC1. In contrast to bumetanide and furosemide, azosemide and torasemide lack a carboxylic group, which should allow them to better penetrate through biomembranes by passive diffusion. Because of the urgent medical need to develop new treatments for neonatal seizures and their adverse outcome, we evaluated the effects of azosemide and torasemide, administered alone or in combination with phenobarbital or midazolam, in a rat model of birth asphyxia and neonatal seizures. Neither diuretic suppressed the seizures when administered alone but torasemide potentiated the anti-seizure effect of midazolam. Brain levels of torasemide were below those needed to inhibit NKCC1. In addition to suppressing seizures, the combination of torasemide and midazolam, but not midazolam alone, prevented the cognitive impairment of the post-asphyxial rats at 3 months after asphyxia. Furthermore, aberrant mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampus was more effectively prevented by the combination. We assume that either an effect on NKCC1 at the blood-brain barrier and/or cells in the periphery or the NKCC2-mediated diuretic effect of torasemide are involved in the present findings. Our data suggest that torasemide may be a useful option for improving the treatment of neonatal seizures and their adverse outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Welzel
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany
| | - Ricardo Schmidt
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany
| | - Larsen Kirchhoff
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina Gramer
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany.
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Miles KD, Doll CA. Chloride imbalance in Fragile X syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1008393. [PMID: 36312023 PMCID: PMC9596984 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1008393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental changes in ionic balance are associated with crucial hallmarks in neural circuit formation, including changes in excitation and inhibition, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Neuronal excitability is largely mediated by ionic concentrations inside and outside of the cell, and chloride (Cl-) ions are highly influential in early neurodevelopmental events. For example, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the mature central nervous system (CNS). However, during early development GABA can depolarize target neurons, and GABAergic depolarization is implicated in crucial neurodevelopmental processes. This developmental shift of GABAergic neurotransmission from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing output is induced by changes in Cl- gradients, which are generated by the relative expression of Cl- transporters Nkcc1 and Kcc2. Interestingly, the GABA polarity shift is delayed in Fragile X syndrome (FXS) models; FXS is one of the most common heritable neurodevelopmental disorders. The RNA binding protein FMRP, encoded by the gene Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein-1 (Fmr1) and absent in FXS, appears to regulate chloride transporter expression. This could dramatically influence FXS phenotypes, as the syndrome is hypothesized to be rooted in defects in neural circuit development and imbalanced excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission. In this perspective, we summarize canonical Cl- transporter expression and investigate altered gene and protein expression of Nkcc1 and Kcc2 in FXS models. We then discuss interactions between Cl- transporters and neurotransmission complexes, and how these links could cause imbalances in inhibitory neurotransmission that may alter mature circuits. Finally, we highlight current therapeutic strategies and promising new directions in targeting Cl- transporter expression in FXS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caleb Andrew Doll
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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11
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Bialer M, Johannessen SI, Koepp MJ, Levy RH, Perucca E, Perucca P, Tomson T, White HS. Progress report on new antiepileptic drugs: A summary of the Sixteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XVI): II. Drugs in more advanced clinical development. Epilepsia 2022; 63:2883-2910. [PMID: 35950617 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Sixteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XVI) was held in Madrid, Spain on May 22-25, 2022 and was attended by 157 delegates from 26 countries representing basic and clinical science, regulatory agencies, and pharmaceutical industries. One day of the conference was dedicated to sessions presenting and discussing investigational compounds under development for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy. The current progress report summarizes recent findings and current knowledge for seven of these compounds in more advanced clinical development for which either novel preclinical or patient data are available. These compounds include bumetanide and its derivatives, darigabat, ganaxolone, lorcaserin, soticlestat, STK-001, and XEN1101. Of these, ganaxolone was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in March 2022 for the treatment of seizures associated with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 deficiency disorder in patients 2 years of age and older.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Bialer
- Institute for Drug Research, Faculty of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and David R. Bloom Center for Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Svein I Johannessen
- National Center for Epilepsy, Sandvika, Norway.,Department of Pharmacology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Matthias J Koepp
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - René H Levy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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12
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Guidotti I, Lugli L, Ori L, Roversi MF, Casa Muttini ED, Bedetti L, Pugliese M, Cavalleri F, Stefanelli F, Ferrari F, Berardi A. Neonatal seizures treatment based on conventional multichannel EEG monitoring: an overview of therapeutic options. Expert Rev Neurother 2022; 22:623-638. [PMID: 35876114 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2022.2105698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Seizures are the main neurological emergency during the neonatal period and are mostly acute and focal. The prognosis mainly depends on the underlying etiology. Conventional multichannel video-electroencephalographic (cEEG) monitoring is the gold standard for diagnosis, but treatment remains a challenge. AREAS COVERED : This review, based on PubMed search over the last 4 decades, focuses on the current treatment options for neonatal seizures based on cEEG monitoring. There is still no consensus on seizure therapy, owing to poor scientific evidence. Traditionally, the first-line treatments are phenobarbital and phenytoin, followed by midazolam and lidocaine, but their efficacy is limited. Therefore, current evidence strongly suggests the use of alternative antiseizure medications. Randomized controlled trials of new drugs are ongoing. EXPERT OPINION : Therapy for neonatal seizures should be prompt and tailored, based on semeiology, mirror of the underlying cause, and cEEG features. Further research should focus on antiseizure medications that directly act on the etiopathogenetic mechanism responsible for seizures and are therefore more effective in seizure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isotta Guidotti
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Licia Lugli
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Ori
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Federica Roversi
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Della Casa Muttini
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Bedetti
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Marisa Pugliese
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Cavalleri
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Neuroscience, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Stefanelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mothers, Children and Adults, Post Graduate School of Pediatrics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferrari
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
| | - Alberto Berardi
- Division of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Modena, Italy
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13
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Ben-Ari Y, Cherubini E. The GABA Polarity Shift and Bumetanide Treatment: Making Sense Requires Unbiased and Undogmatic Analysis. Cells 2022; 11:396. [PMID: 35159205 PMCID: PMC8834580 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
GABA depolarizes and often excites immature neurons in all animal species and brain structures investigated due to a developmentally regulated reduction in intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl-]i) levels. The control of [Cl-]i levels is mediated by the chloride cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2, the former usually importing chloride and the latter exporting it. The GABA polarity shift has been extensively validated in several experimental conditions using often the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist bumetanide. In spite of an intrinsic heterogeneity, this shift is abolished in many experimental conditions associated with developmental disorders including autism, Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, or maternal immune activation. Using bumetanide, an EMA- and FDA-approved agent, many clinical trials have shown promising results with the expected side effects. Kaila et al. have repeatedly challenged these experimental and clinical observations. Here, we reply to the recent reviews by Kaila et al. stressing that the GABA polarity shift is solidly accepted by the scientific community as a major discovery to understand brain development and that bumetanide has shown promising effects in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezkel Ben-Ari
- Neurochlore, Batiment Beret Delaage, Campus Scientifique de Luminy, 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)-Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Roma, Italy;
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14
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Löscher W, Kaila K. CNS pharmacology of NKCC1 inhibitors. Neuropharmacology 2021; 205:108910. [PMID: 34883135 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 and the neuron-specific K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 are considered attractive CNS drug targets because altered neuronal chloride regulation and consequent effects on GABAergic signaling have been implicated in numerous CNS disorders. While KCC2 modulators are not yet clinically available, the loop diuretic bumetanide has been used off-label in attempts to treat brain disorders and as a tool for NKCC1 inhibition in preclinical models. Bumetanide is known to have anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects under some pathophysiological conditions. However, as shown in several species from neonates to adults (mice, rats, dogs, and by extrapolation in humans), at the low clinical doses of bumetanide approved for diuresis, this drug has negligible access into the CNS, reaching levels that are much lower than what is needed to inhibit NKCC1 in cells within the brain parenchyma. Several drug discovery strategies have been initiated over the last ∼15 years to develop brain-permeant compounds that, ideally, should be selective for NKCC1 to eliminate the diuresis mediated by inhibition of renal NKCC2. The strategies employed to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of NKCC1 blockers include evaluation of other clinically approved loop diuretics; development of lipophilic prodrugs of bumetanide; development of side-chain derivatives of bumetanide; and unbiased high-throughput screening approaches of drug discovery based on large chemical compound libraries. The main outcomes are that (1), non-acidic loop diuretics such as azosemide and torasemide may have advantages as NKCC1 inhibitors vs. bumetanide; (2), bumetanide prodrugs lead to significantly higher brain levels than the parent drug and have lower diuretic activity; (3), the novel bumetanide side-chain derivatives do not exhibit any functionally relevant improvement of CNS accessibility or NKCC1 selectivity vs. bumetanide; (4) novel compounds discovered by high-throughput screening may resolve some of the inherent problems of bumetanide, but as yet this has not been achieved. Thus, further research is needed to optimize the design of brain-permeant NKCC1 inhibitors. In parallel, a major challenge is to identify the mechanisms whereby various NKCC1-expressing cellular targets of these drugs within (e.g., neurons, oligodendrocytes or astrocytes) and outside the brain parenchyma (e.g., the blood-brain barrier, the choroid plexus, and the endocrine system), as well as molecular off-target effects, might contribute to their reported therapeutic and adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kai Kaila
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences and Neuroscience Center (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Finland
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15
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Savardi A, Borgogno M, De Vivo M, Cancedda L. Pharmacological tools to target NKCC1 in brain disorders. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:1009-1034. [PMID: 34620512 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The chloride importer NKCC1 and the chloride exporter KCC2 are key regulators of neuronal chloride concentration. A defective NKCC1/KCC2 expression ratio is associated with several brain disorders. Preclinical/clinical studies have shown that NKCC1 inhibition by the United States FDA-approved diuretic bumetanide is a potential therapeutic strategy in preclinical/clinical studies of multiple neurological conditions. However, bumetanide has poor brain penetration and causes unwanted diuresis by inhibiting NKCC2 in the kidney. To overcome these issues, a growing number of studies have reported more brain-penetrating and/or selective bumetanide prodrugs, analogs, and new molecular entities. Here, we review the evidence for NKCC1 pharmacological inhibition as an effective strategy to manage neurological disorders. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of bumetanide repurposing and the benefits and risks of new NKCC1 inhibitors as therapeutic agents for brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Savardi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy; Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Borgogno
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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16
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Ziobro JM, Eschbach K, Shellhaas RA. Novel Therapeutics for Neonatal Seizures. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1564-1581. [PMID: 34386906 PMCID: PMC8608938 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01085-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal seizures are a common neurologic emergency for which therapies have not significantly changed in decades. Improvements in diagnosis and pathophysiologic understanding of the distinct features of acute symptomatic seizures and neonatal-onset epilepsies present exceptional opportunities for development of precision therapies with potential to improve outcomes. Herein, we discuss the pathophysiology of neonatal seizures and review the evidence for currently available treatment. We present emerging therapies in clinical and preclinical development for the treatment of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures. Lastly, we discuss the role of precision therapies for genetic neonatal-onset epilepsies and address barriers and goals for developing new therapies for clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Ziobro
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1540 E. Hospital Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Krista Eschbach
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neurology, Denver Anschutz School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Renée A Shellhaas
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 1540 E. Hospital Dr, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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17
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Borgogno M, Savardi A, Manigrasso J, Turci A, Portioli C, Ottonello G, Bertozzi SM, Armirotti A, Contestabile A, Cancedda L, De Vivo M. Design, Synthesis, In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of Selective NKCC1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Core Symptoms in Down Syndrome. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10203-10229. [PMID: 34137257 PMCID: PMC8311653 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i is defective in several neurological disorders. In neurons, [Cl-]i is mainly regulated by the action of the Na+-K+-Cl- importer NKCC1 and the K+-Cl- exporter KCC2. Recently, we have reported the discovery of ARN23746 as the lead candidate of a novel class of selective inhibitors of NKCC1. Importantly, ARN23746 is able to rescue core symptoms of Down syndrome (DS) and autism in mouse models. Here, we describe the discovery and extensive characterization of this chemical class of selective NKCC1 inhibitors, with focus on ARN23746 and other promising derivatives. In particular, we present compound 40 (ARN24092) as a backup/follow-up lead with in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of DS. These results further strengthen the potential of this new class of compounds for the treatment of core symptoms of brain disorders characterized by the defective NKCC1/KCC2 expression ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Borgogno
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Savardi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 38123 Rome, Italy
| | - Jacopo Manigrasso
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Turci
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,Università degli Studi di Genova, via Balbi, 5, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Corinne Portioli
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuliana Ottonello
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Sine Mandrup Bertozzi
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Contestabile
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 38123 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
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18
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Pathak S, Gupta G, Thangavelu L, Singh SK, Dua K, Chellappan DK, Gilhotra RM. Recent update on barbiturate in relation to brain disorder. EXCLI JOURNAL 2021; 20:1028-1032. [PMID: 34267614 PMCID: PMC8278211 DOI: 10.17179/excli2021-3687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sachchidanand Pathak
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road-302017, Jagatpura, Jaipur, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road-302017, Jagatpura, Jaipur, India
| | - Lakshmi Thangavelu
- Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Sachin K Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Kamal Dua
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ritu M Gilhotra
- School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Mahal Road-302017, Jagatpura, Jaipur, India
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19
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Ragot A, Luhmann HJ, Dipper-Wawra M, Heinemann U, Holtkamp M, Fidzinski P. Pathology-selective antiepileptic effects in the focal freeze-lesion rat model of malformation of cortical development. Exp Neurol 2021; 343:113776. [PMID: 34058228 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development (MCD) represent a group of rare diseases with severe clinical presentation as epileptic and pharmacoresistant encephalopathies. Morphological studies in tissue from MCD patients have revealed reduced GABAergic efficacy and increased intracellular chloride concentration in neuronal cells as important pathophysiological mechanisms in MCD. Also, in various animal models, alterations of GABAergic inhibition have been postulated as a predominant factor contributing to perilesional hyperexcitability. Along with this line, the NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide has been postulated as a potential drug for treatment of epilepsy, mediating its antiepileptic effect by reduction of the intracellular chloride and increased inhibitory efficacy of GABAergic transmission. In the present study, we focused on the focal freeze-lesion model of MCD to compare antiepileptic drugs with distinct mechanisms of action, including NKCC1 inhibition by bumetanide. For this purpose, we combined electrophysiological and optical methods in slice preparations and assessed the properties of seizure like events (SLE) induced by 4-aminopyridine. In freeze-lesioned but not control slices, SLE onset was confined to the perilesional area, confirming that this region is hyperexcitable and likely triggers pathological activity. Bumetanide selectively reduced epileptic activity in lesion-containing slices but not in slices from sham-treated control rats. Moreover, bumetanide caused a shift in the SLE onset site away from the perilesional area. In contrast, effects of other antiepileptic drugs including carbamazepine, lacosamide, acezatolamide and zonisamide occurred mostly independently of the lesion and did not result in a shift of the onset region. Our work adds evidence for the functional relevance of chloride homeostasis in the pathophysiology of microgyrus formation as represented in the focal freeze-lesion model. Further studies in different MCD models and human tissue will be required to validate the effects across different MCD subtypes and species and to assess the translational value of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliénor Ragot
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology, Department of Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiko J Luhmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Dipper-Wawra
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology, Department of Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Heinemann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Neurophysiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Holtkamp
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology, Department of Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Institute for Diagnostics of Epilepsy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pawel Fidzinski
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Clinical and Experimental Epileptology, Department of Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Epilepsy-Center Berlin-Brandenburg, Institute for Diagnostics of Epilepsy, Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
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20
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Parrini M, Naskar S, Alberti M, Colombi I, Morelli G, Rocchi A, Nanni M, Piccardi F, Charles S, Ronzitti G, Mingozzi F, Contestabile A, Cancedda L. Restoring neuronal chloride homeostasis with anti-NKCC1 gene therapy rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Down syndrome. Mol Ther 2021; 29:3072-3092. [PMID: 34058387 PMCID: PMC8531145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A common feature of diverse brain disorders is the alteration of GABA-mediated inhibition because of aberrant, intracellular chloride homeostasis induced by changes in the expression and/or function of chloride transporters. Notably, pharmacological inhibition of the chloride importer NKCC1 is able to rescue brain-related core deficits in animal models of these pathologies and in some human clinical studies. Here, we show that reducing NKCC1 expression by RNA interference in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) restores intracellular chloride concentration, efficacy of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition, and neuronal network dynamics in vitro and ex vivo. Importantly, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated, neuron-specific NKCC1 knockdown in vivo rescues cognitive deficits in diverse behavioral tasks in Ts65Dn animals. Our results highlight a mechanistic link between NKCC1 expression and behavioral abnormalities in DS mice and establish a molecular target for new therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy, to treat brain disorders characterized by neuronal chloride imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Parrini
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Shovan Naskar
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Micol Alberti
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Colombi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Morelli
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Rocchi
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16132 Genoa, Italy; IRCSS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marina Nanni
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Federica Piccardi
- Animal Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Severine Charles
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; Paris-Saclay University, University Evry, Inserm, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Giuseppe Ronzitti
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; Paris-Saclay University, University Evry, Inserm, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Federico Mingozzi
- Genethon, 91000 Evry, France; Paris-Saclay University, University Evry, Inserm, Integrare research unit UMR_S951, 91000 Evry, France
| | - Andrea Contestabile
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Johne M, Käufer C, Römermann K, Gailus B, Gericke B, Löscher W. A combination of phenobarbital and the bumetanide derivative bumepamine prevents neonatal seizures and subsequent hippocampal neurodegeneration in a rat model of birth asphyxia. Epilepsia 2021; 62:1460-1471. [PMID: 33955541 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Bumetanide was suggested as an adjunct to phenobarbital for suppression of neonatal seizures. This suggestion was based on the idea that bumetanide, by reducing intraneuronal chloride accumulation through inhibition of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1, may attenuate or abolish depolarizing γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) responses caused by birth asphyxia. However, a first proof-of-concept clinical trial failed. This could have had several reasons, including bumetanide's poor brain penetration, the wide cellular NKCC1 expression pattern in the brain, and problems with the general concept of NKCC1's role in neonatal seizures. We recently replicated the clinical failure of bumetanide to potentiate phenobarbital's effect in a novel rat model of birth asphyxia. In this study, a clinically relevant dose (0.3 mg/kg) of bumetanide was used that does not lead to NKCC1-inhibitory brain levels. The aim of the present experiments was to examine whether a much higher dose (10 mg/kg) of bumetanide is capable of potentiating phenobarbital in this rat model. Furthermore, the effects of the two lipophilic bumetanide derivatives, the ester prodrug N,N-dimethylaminoethylester of bumetanide (DIMAEB) and the benzylamine derivative bumepamine, were examined at equimolar doses. METHODS Intermittent asphyxia was induced for 30 min by exposing male and female P11 rat pups to three 7 + 3 min cycles of 9% and 5% O2 at constant 20% CO2 . All control pups exhibited neonatal seizures after the asphyxia. RESULTS Even at 10 mg/kg, bumetanide did not potentiate the effect of a submaximal dose (15 mg/kg) of phenobarbital on seizure incidence, whereas a significant suppression of neonatal seizures was determined for combinations of phenobarbital with DIMAEB or, more effectively, bumepamine, which, however, does not inhibit NKCC1. Of interest, the bumepamine/phenobarbital combination prevented the neurodegenerative consequences of asphyxia and seizures in the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE Both bumepamine and DIMAEB are promising tools that may help to develop more effective lead compounds for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Johne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Käufer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Gailus
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Gericke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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22
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Ben-Ari Y, Delpire E. Phenobarbital, midazolam, bumetanide, and neonatal seizures: The devil is in the details. Epilepsia 2021; 62:935-940. [PMID: 33534145 PMCID: PMC8035263 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Kaila, Löscher, and colleagues report that phenobarbital (PHB) and midazolam (MDZ) attenuate neonatal seizures following birth asphyxia, but the former only when applied before asphyxia and the latter before or after the triggering insult. In contrast, the NKCC1 chloride importer antagonist bumetanide (BUM) had no effect whether applied alone or with PHB. The observations are compelling and in accord with earlier studies. However, there are several general issues that deserve discussion. What is the clinical relevance of these data and the validity of animal models of encephalopathic seizures? Why is it that although they act on similar targets, these agents have different efficacy? Are both PHB and MDZ actions restricted to γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) mechanisms? Why is BUM inefficient in attenuating seizures but capable of reducing the severity of other brain disorders? We suggest that the relative failure of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to treat this severe life-threatening condition is in part explicable by the recurrent seizures that shift the polarity of GABA, thereby counteracting their effects on their target. AEDs might be efficient after a few seizures but not recurrent ones. In addition, PHB and MDZ actions are not limited to GABA signals. BUM efficiently attenuates autism symptomatology notably in patients with tuberous sclerosis but does not reduce the recurrent seizures, illustrating the uniqueness of epilepsies. Therefore, the efficacy of AEDs to treat babies with encephalopathic seizures will depend on the history and severity of the seizures prior to their administration, challenging a universal common underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezkel Ben-Ari
- Neurochlore, Fundamental Research Department, Ben-Ari Institute of Neuroarcheology (IBEN), Marseille, France.,Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Yehezkel Ben-Ari, , Address: Neurochlore, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Bâtiment Beret-Delaage, Zone Luminy Biotech Entreprises, Case 922, 163 avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9. Phone number: +33 (0)4 86 94 85 02
| | - Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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23
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Löscher W, Kaila K. Reply to the commentary by Ben-Ari and Delpire: Bumetanide and neonatal seizures: Fiction versus reality. Epilepsia 2021; 62:941-946. [PMID: 33764535 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this response to a commentary by Ben-Ari and Delpire on our recent study on the pharmacology of neonatal seizures in a novel, physiologically validated rat model of birth asphyxia, we wish to rectify their inaccurate descriptions of our model and data. Furthermore, because Ben-Ari and Delpire suggest that negative data on bumetanide from preclinical and clinical trials of neonatal seizures have few implications for (alleged) bumetanide actions on neurons in other brain disorders, we will discuss this topic as well. Based on the poor brain penetration of bumetanide, combined with the extremely wide cellular expression patterns of the target protein NKCC1, it is obvious that the numerous actions of systemically applied bumetanide described in the literature are not mediated by the drug's effects on central neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai Kaila
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Neuroscience Center (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Hampel P, Johne M, Gailus B, Vogel A, Schidlitzki A, Gericke B, Töllner K, Theilmann W, Käufer C, Römermann K, Kaila K, Löscher W. Deletion of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 results in a more severe epileptic phenotype in the intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 152:105297. [PMID: 33581254 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased neuronal expression of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 has been implicated in the generation of seizures and epilepsy. However, conclusions from studies on the NKCC1-specific inhibitor, bumetanide, are equivocal, which is a consequence of the multiple potential cellular targets and poor brain penetration of this drug. Here, we used Nkcc1 knockout (KO) and wildtype (WT) littermate control mice to study the ictogenic and epileptogenic effects of intrahippocampal injection of kainate. Kainate (0.23 μg in 50 nl) induced limbic status epilepticus (SE) in both KO and WT mice with similar incidence, latency to SE onset, and SE duration, but the number of intermittent generalized convulsive seizures during SE was significantly higher in Nkcc1 KO mice, indicating increased SE severity. Following SE, spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) were recorded by continuous (24/7) video/EEG monitoring at 0-1, 4-5, and 12-13 weeks after kainate, using depth electrodes in the ipsilateral hippocampus. Latency to onset of electrographic SRS and the incidence of electrographic SRS were similar in WT and KO mice. However, the frequency of electrographic seizures was lower whereas the frequency of electroclinical seizures was higher in Nkcc1 KO mice, indicating a facilitated progression from electrographic to electroclinical seizures during chronic epilepsy, and a more severe epileptic phenotype, in the absence of NKCC1. The present findings suggest that NKCC1 is dispensable for the induction, progression and manifestation of epilepsy, and they do not support the widely held notion that inhibition of NKCC1 in the brain is a useful strategy for preventing or modifying epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hampel
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Neurona Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marie Johne
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Gailus
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Vogel
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alina Schidlitzki
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Gericke
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kathrin Töllner
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wiebke Theilmann
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Käufer
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai Kaila
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences and Neuroscience Center (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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25
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Hampel P, Römermann K, Gailus B, Johne M, Gericke B, Kaczmarek E, Löscher W. Effects of the NKCC1 inhibitors bumetanide, azosemide, and torasemide alone or in combination with phenobarbital on seizure threshold in epileptic and nonepileptic mice. Neuropharmacology 2021; 185:108449. [PMID: 33450274 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The sodium-potassium-chloride (Na-K-Cl) cotransporter NKCC1 is found in the plasma membrane of a wide variety of cell types, including neurons, glia and endothelial cells in the brain. Increased expression of neuronal NKCC1 has been implicated in several brain disorders, including neonatal seizures and epilepsy. The loop diuretic and NKCC inhibitor bumetanide has been evaluated as an antiseizure agent alone or together with approved antiseizure drugs such as phenobarbital (PB) in pre-clinical and clinical studies with varying results. The equivocal efficacy of bumetanide may be a result of its poor brain penetration. We recently reported that the loop diuretic azosemide is more potent to inhibit NKCC1 than bumetanide. In contrast to bumetanide, azosemide is not acidic, which should favor its brain penetration. Thus, azosemide may be a promising alternative to bumetanide for treatment of brain disorders such as epilepsy. In the present study, we determined the effect of azosemide and bumetanide on seizure threshold in adult epileptic mice. A structurally related non-acidic loop diuretic, torasemide, which also blocks NKCC1, was included in the experiments. The drug effects were assessed by determing the maximal electroshock seizure threshold (MEST) in epileptic vs. nonepileptic mice. Epilepsy was induced by pilocarpine, which was shown to produce long-lasting increases in NKCC1 in the hippocampus, whereas MEST did not alter NKCC1 mRNA in this region. None of the three loop diuretics increased MEST or the effect of PB on MEST in nonepileptic mice. In epileptic mice, all three diuretics significantly increased PB's seizure threshold increasing efficacy, but the effect was variable upon repeated MEST determinations and not correlated with the drugs' diuretic potency. These data may indicate that inhibition of NKCC1 by loop diuretics is not an effective means of increasing seizure threshold in adult epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hampel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Gailus
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marie Johne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Gericke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Edith Kaczmarek
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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26
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Hampel P, Römermann K, Gramer M, Löscher W. The search for brain-permeant NKCC1 inhibitors for the treatment of seizures: Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of NKCC1 inhibition by azosemide, torasemide, and bumetanide in mouse brain. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 114:107616. [PMID: 33279441 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Because of its potent inhibitory effect on the Na+-K+-2Cl- symporter isotype 1 (NKCC1) in brain neurons, bumetanide has been tested with varying results for treatment of seizures that potentially evolve as a consequence of abnormal NKCC1 activity. However, because of its physicochemical properties, bumetanide only poorly penetrates into the brain. We previously demonstrated that NKCC1 can be also inhibited by azosemide and torasemide, which lack the carboxyl group of bumetanide and thus should be better brain-permeable. Here we studied the brain distribution kinetics of azosemide and torasemide in comparison with bumetanide in mice and used pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling to determine whether the drugs reach NKCC1-inhibitory brain concentrations. All three drugs hardly distributed into the brain, which seemed to be the result of probenecid-sensitive efflux transport at the blood-brain barrier. When fractions unbound in plasma and brain were determined by equilibrium dialysis, only about 6-17% of the brain drug concentration were freely available. With the systemic doses (10 mg/kg i.v.) used, free brain concentrations of bumetanide and torasemide were in the NKCC1-inhibitory concentration range, while levels of azosemide were slightly below this range. However, all three drugs exhibited free plasma levels that would be sufficient to block NKCC1 at the apical membrane of brain capillary endothelial cells. These data suggest that azosemide and torasemide are interesting alternatives to bumetanide for treatment of seizures involving abnormal NKCC1 functionality, particularly because of their longer duration of action and their lower diuretic potency, which is an advantage in patients with seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Hampel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina Gramer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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27
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Pisani F, Fusco C, Nagarajan L, Spagnoli C. Acute symptomatic neonatal seizures, brain injury, and long-term outcome: The role of neuroprotective strategies. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 21:189-203. [PMID: 33176104 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1848547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neonatal seizures are frequent but underdiagnosed manifestations of acute brain dysfunction and an important contributor to unfavorable outcomes. Etiology and severity of brain injury are the single strongest outcome determinants. AREAS COVERED The authors will discuss the prognostic role of acute symptomatic seizures versus brain injury and the main neuroprotective and neurorestorative strategies for full-term and preterm infants. EXPERT OPINION Prolonged acute symptomatic seizures likely contribute to long-term outcomes by independently adding further brain injury to initial insults. Correct timing and dosing of therapeutic interventions, depending on etiology and gestational ages, need careful evaluation. Although promising strategies are under study, the only standard of care is whole-body therapeutic hypothermia in full-term newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Pisani
- Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Medicine and Surgery Department, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia , Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Lakshmi Nagarajan
- Department of Neurology, Perth Children's Hospital, University of Western Australia , Perth, Australia
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia , Reggio Emilia, Italy
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Virtanen MA, Uvarov P, Hübner CA, Kaila K. NKCC1, an Elusive Molecular Target in Brain Development: Making Sense of the Existing Data. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122607. [PMID: 33291778 PMCID: PMC7761970 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ionotropic GABA transmission is mediated by anion (mainly Cl−)-permeable GABAA receptors (GABAARs). In immature neurons, GABA exerts depolarizing and sometimes functionally excitatory actions, based on active uptake of Cl− by the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1. While functional evidence firmly shows NKCC1-mediated ion transport in immature and diseased neurons, molecular detection of NKCC1 in the brain has turned out to be extremely difficult. In this review, we describe the highly inconsistent data that are available on the cell type-specific expression patterns of the NKCC1 mRNA and protein in the CNS. We discuss the major technical caveats, including a lack of knock-out-controlled immunohistochemistry in the forebrain, possible effects of alternative splicing on the binding of antibodies and RNA probes, and the wide expression of NKCC1 in different cell types, which make whole-tissue analyses of NKCC1 useless for studying its neuronal expression. We also review novel single-cell RNAseq data showing that most of the NKCC1 in the adult CNS may, in fact, be expressed in non-neuronal cells, especially in glia. As future directions, we suggest single-cell NKCC1 mRNA and protein analyses and the use of genetically tagged endogenous proteins or systematically designed novel antibodies, together with proper knock-out controls, for the visualization of endogenous NKCC1 in distinct brain cell types and their subcellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari A. Virtanen
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (M.A.V.); (P.U.)
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pavel Uvarov
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (M.A.V.); (P.U.)
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Christian A. Hübner
- Institute of Human Genetics, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller Universität, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Kai Kaila
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (M.A.V.); (P.U.)
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-407256759
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29
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Johne M, Römermann K, Hampel P, Gailus B, Theilmann W, Ala-Kurikka T, Kaila K, Löscher W. Phenobarbital and midazolam suppress neonatal seizures in a noninvasive rat model of birth asphyxia, whereas bumetanide is ineffective. Epilepsia 2020; 62:920-934. [PMID: 33258158 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neonatal seizures are the most frequent type of neurological emergency in newborn infants, often being a consequence of prolonged perinatal asphyxia. Phenobarbital is currently the most widely used antiseizure drug for treatment of neonatal seizures, but fails to stop them in ~50% of cases. In a neonatal hypoxia-only model based on 11-day-old (P11) rats, the NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide was reported to potentiate the antiseizure activity of phenobarbital, whereas it was ineffective in a human trial in neonates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinically relevant doses of bumetanide as add-on to phenobarbital on neonatal seizures in a noninvasive model of birth asphyxia in P11 rats, designed for better translation to the human term neonate. METHODS Intermittent asphyxia was induced for 30 minutes by exposing the rat pups to three 7 + 3-minute cycles of 9% and 5% O2 at constant 20% CO2 . Drug treatments were administered intraperitoneally either before or immediately after asphyxia. RESULTS All untreated rat pups had seizures within 10 minutes after termination of asphyxia. Phenobarbital significantly blocked seizures when applied before asphyxia at 30 mg/kg but not 15 mg/kg. Administration of phenobarbital after asphyxia was ineffective, whereas midazolam (0.3 or 1 mg/kg) exerted significant antiseizure effects when administered before or after asphyxia. In general, focal seizures were more resistant to treatment than generalized convulsive seizures. Bumetanide (0.3 mg/kg) alone or in combination with phenobarbital (15 or 30 mg/kg) exerted no significant effect on seizure occurrence. SIGNIFICANCE The data demonstrate that bumetanide does not increase the efficacy of phenobarbital in a model of birth asphyxia, which is consistent with the negative data of the recent human trial. The translational data obtained with the novel rat model of birth asphyxia indicate that it is a useful tool to evaluate novel treatments for neonatal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Johne
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Römermann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philip Hampel
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Gailus
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wiebke Theilmann
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tommi Ala-Kurikka
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences and Neuroscience Center (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kai Kaila
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences and Neuroscience Center (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
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Zhang Y, Zhao J, Afzal O, Kazmi I, Al-Abbasi FA, Altamimi ASA, Yang Z. Neuroprotective role of chrysin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle against kindling-induced epilepsy through Nrf2/ARE/HO-1 pathway. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2020; 35:e22634. [PMID: 32991785 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chrysin is the major bioactive compound of blue passionflower, an important medicinal plant used in traditional herbal formulations since ancient times. In the present study, we report that chrysin nanoparticles (chrysin NPs) protect Wistar rats against kindling-induced epilepsy. Nanoparticles of sizes less than 150 nm with a spherical shape were prepared using poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) and polyvinyl alcohol, respectively, as polymer and stabilizer. Rats were injected with subconvulsive doses of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) every second day, with 22 injections in total, and on the same days, they received protective doses of the chrysin NPs (5 and 10 µg/mL, PO), respectively, 45 min before each PTZ injection. After the last PTZ injection, an average of thirteen seizure scores was recorded. Animals were killed by decapitation 24 h after a seizure. The cortex and hippocampus were removed and stored in liquid nitrogen for determining oxidative stress terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assay, histopathology, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA expression. The result showed chrysin NPs treatment has counteracted oxidative stress, reduced neuronal apoptosis, and upregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the neuroprotective effect of chrysin NPs against kindling-induced epilepsy might be escorted by the alleviation of oxidative stress through the Nrf2/antioxidant response element/HO-1 pathway signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Ninth Hospital of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan City, Shandong, China.,Department of Neurology, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan City, Shandong, China
| | - Obaid Afzal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad A Al-Abbasi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmalik S A Altamimi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xi'an Central Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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31
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Savardi A, Borgogno M, Narducci R, La Sala G, Ortega JA, Summa M, Armirotti A, Bertorelli R, Contestabile A, De Vivo M, Cancedda L. Discovery of a Small Molecule Drug Candidate for Selective NKCC1 Inhibition in Brain Disorders. Chem 2020; 6:2073-2096. [PMID: 32818158 PMCID: PMC7427514 DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2020.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant expression ratio of Cl− transporters, NKCC1 and KCC2, is implicated in several brain conditions. NKCC1 inhibition by the FDA-approved diuretic drug, bumetanide, rescues core symptoms in rodent models and/or clinical trials with patients. However, bumetanide has a strong diuretic effect due to inhibition of the kidney Cl− transporter NKCC2, creating critical drug compliance issues and health concerns. Here, we report the discovery of a new chemical class of selective NKCC1 inhibitors and the lead drug candidate ARN23746. ARN23746 restores the physiological intracellular Cl− in murine Down syndrome neuronal cultures, has excellent solubility and metabolic stability, and displays no issues with off-target activity in vitro. ARN23746 recovers core symptoms in mouse models of Down syndrome and autism, with no diuretic effect, nor overt toxicity upon chronic treatment in adulthood. ARN23746 is ready for advanced preclinical/manufacturing studies toward the first sustainable therapeutics for the neurological conditions characterized by impaired Cl− homeostasis. NKCC1 is a promising target for the treatment of brain disorders The newly discovered ARN23746 presents selective NKCC1 versus NKCC2 and KCC2 inhibition ARN23746 restores altered neuronal chloride homeostasis in vitro ARN23746 rescues core behaviors in DS and ASD mice with no diuretic effect or toxicity
In the last few decades, drug development for brain disorders has struggled to deliver effective small molecules as novel breakthrough classes of drugs. Discovery of effective chemical compounds for brain disorders has been greatly hampered by the fact that the few currently clinically used drugs were identified by serendipity, and these drugs’ mechanism of action is often poorly understood. Here, by leveraging drug repurposing as a means to quickly and safely evaluate the new pharmacological target NKCC1 and its implications in brain disorders in animal models and patients, we report an integrated strategy for the rational design and discovery of a novel, selective, and safe NKCC1 inhibitor, active in vivo. This compound has the potential to become a clinical drug candidate to treat several neurological conditions in patients. Eventually, this integrated drug-discovery strategy has the prospective to revive the appeal of drug-discovery programs in the challenging field of neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Savardi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
- Università degli Studi di Genova, Via Balbi, 5, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Borgogno
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Roberto Narducci
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Sala
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jose Antonio Ortega
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Summa
- In Vivo Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- Analytical Chemistry Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalia Bertorelli
- In Vivo Pharmacology Facility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Contestabile
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
- Corresponding author
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
- Dulbecco Telethon Institute, Via Orus 2, 35129 Padova, Italy
- Corresponding author
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32
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Luo L, Wang J, Ding D, Hasan MN, Yang SS, Lin SH, Schreppel P, Sun B, Yin Y, Erker T, Sun D. Role of NKCC1 Activity in Glioma K + Homeostasis and Cell Growth: New Insights With the Bumetanide-Derivative STS66. Front Physiol 2020; 11:911. [PMID: 32848856 PMCID: PMC7413028 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter isoform 1 (NKCC1) is important in regulating intracellular K+ and Cl− homeostasis and cell volume. In this study, we investigated a role of NKCC1 in regulating glioma K+ influx and proliferation in response to apoptosis inducing chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide (TMZ). The efficacy of a new bumetanide (BMT)-derivative NKCC1 inhibitor STS66 [3-(butylamino)-2-phenoxy-5-[(2, 2, 2-trifluoroethylamino) methyl] benzenesulfonamide] in blocking NKCC1 activity was compared with well-established NKCC1 inhibitor BMT. Methods: NKCC1 activity in cultured mouse GL26 and SB28-GFP glioma cells was measured by Rb+ (K+) influx. The WNK1-SPAK/OSR1-NKCC1 signaling and AKT/ERK-mTOR signaling protein expression and activation were assessed by immunoblotting. Cell growth was determined by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, MTT proliferation assay, and cell cycle analysis. Impact of STS66 and BMT on cell Rb+ influx and growth was measured in glioma cells treated with or without TMZ. Results: Rb+ influx assay showed that 10 μM BMT markedly decreased the total Rb+ influx and no additional inhibition detected at >10 μM BMT. In contrast, the maximum effects of STS66 on Rb+ influx inhibition were at 40–60 μM. Both BMT and STS66 reduced TMZ-mediated NKCC1 activation and protein upregulation. Glioma cell growth can be reduced by STS66. The most robust inhibition of glioma growth, cell cycle, and AKT/ERK signaling was achieved by the TMZ + STS66 treatment. Conclusion: The new BMT-derivative NKCC1 inhibitor STS66 is more effective than BMT in reducing glioma cell growth in part by inhibiting NKCC1-mediated K+ influx. TMZ + STS66 combination treatment reduces glioma cell growth via inhibiting cell cycle and AKT-ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanxin Luo
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dawei Ding
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Md Nabiul Hasan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sung-Sen Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hua Lin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Philipp Schreppel
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Baoshan Sun
- Pólo Dois Portos, Instituto National de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, I.P., Quinta da Almoinha, Dois Portos, Portugal
| | - Yan Yin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Thomas Erker
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dandan Sun
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Geriatric Research, Educational and Clinical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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33
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Toft-Bertelsen TL, Larsen BR, Christensen SK, Khandelia H, Waagepetersen HS, MacAulay N. Clearance of activity-evoked K + transients and associated glia cell swelling occur independently of AQP4: A study with an isoform-selective AQP4 inhibitor. Glia 2020; 69:28-41. [PMID: 32506554 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian brain consists of 80% water, which is continuously shifted between different compartments and cellular structures by mechanisms that are, to a large extent, unresolved. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is abundantly expressed in glia and ependymal cells of the mammalian brain and has been proposed to act as a gatekeeper for brain water dynamics, predominantly based on studies utilizing AQP4-deficient mice. However, these mice have a range of secondary effects due to the gene deletion. An efficient and selective AQP4 inhibitor has thus been sorely needed to validate the results obtained in the AQP4-/- mice to quantify the contribution of AQP4 to brain fluid dynamics. In AQP4-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes monitored by a high-resolution volume recording system, we here demonstrate that the compound TGN-020 is such a selective AQP4 inhibitor. TGN-020 targets the tested species of AQP4 with an IC50 of ~3.5 μM, but displays no inhibitory effect on the other AQPs (AQP1-AQP9). With this tool, we employed rat hippocampal slices and ion-sensitive microelectrodes to determine the role of AQP4 in glia cell swelling following neuronal activity. TGN-020-mediated inhibition of AQP4 did not prevent stimulus-induced extracellular space shrinkage, nor did it slow clearance of the activity-evoked K+ transient. These data, obtained with a verified isoform-selective AQP4 inhibitor, indicate that AQP4 is not required for the astrocytic contribution to the K+ clearance or the associated extracellular space shrinkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine Lisberg Toft-Bertelsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Brian Roland Larsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sofie Kjellerup Christensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Himanshu Khandelia
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Helle S Waagepetersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nanna MacAulay
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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34
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Tao D, Liu F, Sun X, Qu H, Zhao S, Zhou Z, Xiao T, Zhao C, Zhao M. Bumetanide: A review of its neuroplasticity and behavioral effects after stroke. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2020; 37:397-407. [PMID: 31306143 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-190926] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Stroke often leads to neuronal injury and neurological functional deficits. Whilst spontaneous neurogenesis and axon regeneration are induced by ischemic stroke, effective pharmacological treatments are also essential for the improvement of neuroplasticity and functional recovery after stroke. However, no pharmacological therapy has been demonstrated to be able to effectively improve the functional recovery after stroke. Bumetanide is a specific Na+-K+-Cl- co-transporter inhibitor which can maintain chloride homeostasis in neurons. Therefore, many studies have focused on this drug's effect in stroke recovery in recent years. Here, we first review the function of Na+-K+-Cl- co-transporter in neurons, then how bumetanide's role in reducing brain damage, promoting neuroplasticity, leading to functional recovery after stroke, is elucidated. Finally, we discuss current limitations of bumetanide's efficiency and their potential solutions. These results may provide new avenues for further exploring mechanisms of post-stroke functional recovery as well as promising therapeutic targets for functional disability rehabilitation after ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongxia Tao
- Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fangxi Liu
- Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Sun
- Neurology, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Huiling Qu
- Neurology, The People's Hospital of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhike Zhou
- Geriatrics, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ting Xiao
- Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Shenyang, China
| | - Chuansheng Zhao
- Neurology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- Cardiology, The Shengjing Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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35
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Auer T, Schreppel P, Erker T, Schwarzer C. Impaired chloride homeostasis in epilepsy: Molecular basis, impact on treatment, and current treatment approaches. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 205:107422. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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36
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Auer T, Schreppel P, Erker T, Schwarzer C. Functional characterization of novel bumetanide derivatives for epilepsy treatment. Neuropharmacology 2020; 162:107754. [PMID: 31476353 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of focal epilepsies, affecting approximately 35 million people worldwide. Despite the introduction of numerous novel antiepileptic drugs during the last decades, the proportion of patients with therapy-resistant TLE is still high. As an impaired cellular chloride homeostasis appears involved in disease pathophysiology, bumetanide, an antagonist to Na-K-Cl cotransporters, gained interest as potential therapeutic option. However, bumetanide induces a strong diuretic effect and displays poor penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To reduce these unwanted effects, we modified the already described BUM690 by exchanging the allyl-into a trifluoro-ethyl group to yield BUM532. Furthermore, we exchanged the nitrogen for oxygen in the trifluoro-ethyl group to yield BUM97. In the intrahippocampal kainic acid mouse model of TLE BUM532 ± phenobarbital (PB), bumetanide ± PB and PB alone significantly reduced hippocampal paroxysmal discharges (HPDs) but not spike trains. By contrast, treatment with BUM97 suppressed HPDs as well as spike trains dose-dependently, more pronounced compared to the other tested compounds and exerted a synergistic anticonvulsant effect with PB. Moreover, at higher doses BUM97 achieved long-lasting reduction of spike trains. In pentylenetetrazole-induced acute seizures only BUM532 combined with a sub-effective dose of PB increased the seizure threshold. No diuretic effects were observed at any dose of the three derivatives. Our data demonstrate the successful optimization of the pharmacological profile of bumetanide and the potential of the improved derivative BUM97 for the treatment of therapy-resistant TLE, in particular in combinatorial drug regimens with a GABA mimetic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Auer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Str. 1a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Philipp Schreppel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Thomas Erker
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Str. 1a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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37
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Kharod SC, Kang SK, Kadam SD. Off-Label Use of Bumetanide for Brain Disorders: An Overview. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:310. [PMID: 31068771 PMCID: PMC6491514 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bumetanide (BTN or BUM) is a FDA-approved potent loop diuretic (LD) that acts by antagonizing sodium-potassium-chloride (Na-K-Cl) cotransporters, NKCC1 (SLc12a2) and NKCC2. While NKCC1 is expressed both in the CNS and in systemic organs, NKCC2 is kidney-specific. The off-label use of BTN to modulate neuronal transmembrane Cl− gradients by blocking NKCC1 in the CNS has now been tested as an anti-seizure agent and as an intervention for neurological disorders in pre-clinical studies with varying results. BTN safety and efficacy for its off-label use has also been tested in several clinical trials for neonates, children, adolescents, and adults. It failed to meet efficacy criteria for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) neonatal seizures. In contrast, positive outcomes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), autism, and schizophrenia trials have been attributed to BTN in studies evaluating its off-label use. NKCC1 is an electroneutral neuronal Cl− importer and the dominance of NKCC1 function has been proposed as the common pathology for HIE seizures, TLE, autism, and schizophrenia. Therefore, the use of BTN to antagonize neuronal NKCC1 with the goal to lower internal Cl− levels and promote GABAergic mediated hyperpolarization has been proposed. In this review, we summarize the data and results for pre-clinical and clinical studies that have tested off-label BTN interventions and report variable outcomes. We also compare the data underlying the developmental expression profile of NKCC1 and KCC2, highlight the limitations of BTN’s brain-availability and consider its actions on non-neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani C Kharod
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Seok Kyu Kang
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Shilpa D Kadam
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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38
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Löscher W. The holy grail of epilepsy prevention: Preclinical approaches to antiepileptogenic treatments. Neuropharmacology 2019; 167:107605. [PMID: 30980836 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A variety of acute brain insults can induce epileptogenesis, a complex process that results in acquired epilepsy. Despite advances in understanding mechanisms of epileptogenesis, there is currently no approved treatment that prevents the development or progression of epilepsy in patients at risk. The current concept of epileptogenesis assumes a window of opportunity following acute brain insults that allows intervention with preventive treatment. Recent results suggest that injury-induced epileptogenesis can be a much more rapid process than previously thought, suggesting that the 'therapeutic window' may only be open for a brief period, as in stroke therapy. However, experimental data also suggest a second, possibly delayed process ("secondary epileptogenesis") that influences the progression and refractoriness of the epileptic state over time, allowing interfering with this process even after onset of epilepsy. In this review, both methodological issues in preclinical drug development and novel targets for antiepileptogenesis will be discussed. Several promising drugs that either prevent epilepsy (antiepileptogenesis) or slow epilepsy progression and alleviate cognitive or behavioral comorbidities of epilepsy (disease modification) have been described in recent years, using diverse animal models of acquired epilepsy. Promising agents include TrkB inhibitors, losartan, statins, isoflurane, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative drugs, the SV2A modulator levetiracetam, and epigenetic interventions. Research on translational target validity and on prognostic biomarkers that can be used to stratify patients (or experimental animals) at high risk of developing epilepsy will hopefully soon lead to proof-of-concept clinical trials with the most promising drugs, which will be essential to make prevention of epilepsy a reality. This article is part of the special issue entitled 'New Epilepsy Therapies for the 21st Century - From Antiseizure Drugs to Prevention, Modification and Cure of Epilepsy'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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