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Sciaccaluga M, Ruffolo G, Palma E, Costa C. Traditional and Innovative Anti-seizure Medications Targeting Key Physiopathological Mechanisms: Focus on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1736-1754. [PMID: 37143270 PMCID: PMC10514539 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230504160948] [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: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide range of compounds currently available to treat epilepsy, there is still no drug that directly tackles the physiopathological mechanisms underlying its development. Indeed, antiseizure medications attempt to prevent seizures but are inefficacious in counteracting or rescuing the physiopathological phenomena that underlie their onset and recurrence, and hence do not cure epilepsy. Classically, the altered excitation/inhibition balance is postulated as the mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and seizure generation. This oversimplification, however, does not account for deficits in homeostatic plasticity resulting from either insufficient or excessive compensatory mechanisms in response to a change in network activity. In this respect, both neurodevelopmental epilepsies and those associated with neurodegeneration may share common underlying mechanisms that still need to be fully elucidated. The understanding of these molecular mechanisms shed light on the identification of new classes of drugs able not only to suppress seizures, but also to present potential antiepileptogenic effects or "disease-modifying" properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
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Deng Y, Li RW, Yang YL, Weiss S, Smith PN. Pharmacological prevention of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model. ANZ J Surg 2021; 92:518-525. [PMID: 34820987 DOI: 10.1111/ans.17381] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. It remains a leading cause of acute kidney injury and is therefore an important issue in trauma and renal transplant surgery. Various pharmaceutical agents have been used in an attempt to dampen the harmful effects of IRI but few have been shown to be useful clinically. Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine have been demonstrated to show anti-ischaemic properties in other organs; however, their use has not been tested in the kidneys. We investigated Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine for their preventive effects of renal IRI using a rat model. METHODS Winstar rats (n = 48) were divided into four groups (n = 12 per group)-three treatment groups and one control group. Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine were given prior to renal ischemia only (IO) or IRI. The degree of ischemia was measured by glutathione levels and a TUNEL assay was used to measure DNA fragmentation. RESULTS Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine pre-treatment each resulted in statistically higher glutathione levels compared to controls (P = 0.002; P = 0.007 and P = 0.005, respectively). Riluzole and Lidocaine were also effective at preventing depletion of glutathione following IO (P = 0.007 and P = 0.014 respectively), while Lamotrigine was ineffective in IO (P = 0.71). The degree of DNA fragmentation seen on the TUNEL assay was markedly reduced in all three-drug groups in both IO and IRI. DISCUSSION Riluzole, Lidocaine and Lamotrigine all have anti-ischaemic effects in the rat kidney and can have potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Deng
- Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Rachel W Li
- Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Yong Liang Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shandong Provincial Trauma and Orthopaedics Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Steven Weiss
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Paul N Smith
- Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Canberra Hospital, Yamba Drive, Garran, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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Shamsi Meymandi M, Soltani Z, Sepehri G, Amiresmaili S, Farahani F, Moeini Aghtaei M. Effects of pregabalin on brain edema, neurologic and histologic outcomes in experimental traumatic brain injury. Brain Res Bull 2018; 140:169-175. [PMID: 29730418 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Brain edema and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) are among the main causes of neurological disturbance and mortality following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since pregabalin neuroprotective effects have been shown, this study was performed to evaluate the possible neuroprotective effects of pregabalin in experimental TBI of male rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, vehicle, pregabalin 30 mg/kg and pregabalin 60 mg/kg. TBI was induced in vehicle and pregabalin groups by Marmarou method. Pregabalin was administered 30 min after TBI. Sham and vehicle groups received saline. Brain water and Evans blue content and histopathological changes were evaluated 24, 5 and 24 h after TBI, respectively. The ICP and neurological outcomes (veterinary coma scale, VCS) were recorded before, 1 h and 24 h post TBI. The results showed a significant reduction in brain water content and ICP, and a significant increase in VCS of pregabalin group (60 mg/kg) as compared to vehicle group (P < 0.05). Also, pregabalin reduced brain edema and apoptosis score as compared to vehicle group. Post TBI pregabalin administration revealed a delayed but significant improvement in ICP and neurological outcomes in experimental TBI. The underlying mechanism(s) was not determined and needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manzumeh Shamsi Meymandi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman School of Medical, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Zahra Soltani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,; Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Kerman Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,.
| | - Gholamreza Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Farahani
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Kerman Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Neuroprotection as a Potential Therapeutic Perspective in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Focus on Antiepileptic Drugs. Neurochem Res 2015; 41:340-52. [PMID: 26721507 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1809-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neuroprotection is conceived as one of the potential tool to prevent or slow neuronal death and hence a therapeutic hope to treat neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Increase of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, excitotoxicity, inflammatory changes, iron accumulation, and protein aggregation have been identified as main causes of neuronal death and adopted as targets to test experimentally the putative neuroprotective effects of various classes of drugs. Among these agents, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), both the old and the newer generations, have shown to exert protective effects in different experimental models. Their mechanism of action is mediated mainly by modulating the activity of sodium, calcium and potassium channels as well as the glutamatergic and GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) synapses. Neurological pathologies in which a neuroprotective action of AEDs has been demonstrated in specific experimental models include: cerebral ischemia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Although the whole of experimental data indicating that neuroprotection can be achieved is remarkable and encouraging, no firm data have been produced in humans so far and, at the present time, neuroprotection still remains a challenge for the future.
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Mango D, Barbato G, Piccirilli S, Panico MB, Feligioni M, Schepisi C, Graziani M, Porrini V, Benarese M, Lanzillotta A, Pizzi M, Pieraccini S, Sironi M, Blandini F, Nicoletti F, Mercuri NB, Imbimbo BP, Nisticò R. Electrophysiological and metabolic effects of CHF5074 in the hippocampus: protection against in vitro ischemia. Pharmacol Res 2014; 81:83-90. [PMID: 24630950 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
CHF5074 is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory derivative holding disease-modifying potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of the present study was to characterize the electrophysiological and metabolic profile of CHF5074 in the hippocampus. Electrophysiological recordings show that CHF5074 inhibits in a dose-dependent manner the current-evoked repetitive firing discharge in CA1 pyramidal neurons. This result is paralleled by a dose-dependent reduction of field excitatory post-synaptic potentials with no effect on the paired-pulse ratio. The effects of CHF5074 were not mediated by AMPA or NMDA receptors, since the inward currents induced by local applications of AMPA and NMDA remained constant in the presence of this compound. We also suggest a possible activity of CHF5074 on ASIC1a receptor since ASIC1a-mediated current, evoked by application of a pH 5.5 solution, is reduced by pretreatment with this compound. Moreover, we demonstrate that CHF5074 treatment is able to counteract in hippocampal slices the OGD-induced increase in alanine, lactate and acetate levels. Finally, CHF5074 significantly reduced the apoptosis in hippocampal neurons exposed to OGD, as revealed by cleaved-caspase-3 immunoreactivity and TUNEL staining. Overall, the present work identifies novel mechanisms for CHF5074 in reducing metabolic acidosis, rendering this compound potentially useful also in conditions of brain ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mango
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - G Barbato
- European Brain Research Institute, Rita-Levi Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M B Panico
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - M Feligioni
- European Brain Research Institute, Rita-Levi Montalcini Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - C Schepisi
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Graziani
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - V Porrini
- University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - M Pizzi
- University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; IRCCS San Camillo, Venice, Italy
| | | | - M Sironi
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - F Blandini
- IRCCS Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - N B Mercuri
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - B P Imbimbo
- Research and Development Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy
| | - R Nisticò
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Sandalon S, Könnecke B, Levkovitch-Verbin H, Simons M, Hein K, Sättler MB, Bähr M, Ofri R. Functional and structural evaluation of lamotrigine treatment in rat models of acute and chronic ocular hypertension. Exp Eye Res 2013; 115:47-56. [PMID: 23810807 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Revised: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Voltage gated sodium channels (Nav), are proposed mediators of neuronal damage in ischemic and excitotoxicity disease models. We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of lamotrigine, a Nav blocker, in the acute and chronic rat ocular hypertension models. Additionally, expression of the main Nav subtypes in the optic nerve (ON) was assessed to test whether their upregulation plays a role in the pathogenesis of ocular hypertension induced optic neuropathy. Unilateral intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation was induced for 60 min (80 mmHg) and 14-21 days (670-859 mmHg*day) in the acute and chronic models, respectively. Lamotrigine was administered at dosages of 10 mg/kg twice daily and 12.5 mg/kg once daily in the acute (n = 9) and chronic (n = 11) trials, respectively. Treatment began 2 days prior to IOP elevation until sacrifice. Outer and inner retinal function was evaluated with dark- and light-adapted flash electroretinography and pattern electroretinography, respectively, 6 and 14 days post acute IOP elevation and 13, 28 and 48 days post chronic IOP elevation. Retinal ganglion cell and axon densities and inflammatory reaction were evaluated through Fluorogold, Bielschowsky's silver impregnation and ED1 labeling respectively. Immunohistochemistry for Nav1.1, 1.2 and 1.6 was performed in ONs of untreated rats 7 and 15 days post IOP elevation in the acute model and after 7, 28 and 50 days in the chronic model. In the acute model, no differences were found in the a-wave amplitudes between lamotrigine-treated and vehicle-treated rats. B-wave amplitudes decreased by 40-66% in both treatment groups 6 days post IOP elevation, with no significant difference between groups (p = 0.38). However, a partial recovery of b-wave amplitudes was found in lamotrigine-treated rats between day 6 and day 14 post procedure (p < 0.05). No differences were found in any other parameter tested in this model. Similarly, lamotrigine treatment did not result in any beneficial effect in structural parameters of the chronic model. Functional evaluation of this model was inconclusive due to super-normal values in the hypertensive eyes. Up-regulation of Nav1.1 and 1.2 expression was found in both models, beginning by day 7; an increase of the former continued in a time-dependent manner in the chronic model. Nav1.6 labeling was inconclusive. In conclusion we found lamotrigine treatment to be mostly ineffective in both acute and chronic ocular hypertension models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai Sandalon
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The R.H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Srivastava AK, Alex AB, Wilcox KS, White HS. Rapid loss of efficacy to the antiseizure drugs lamotrigine and carbamazepine: a novel experimental model of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Epilepsia 2013; 54:1186-94. [PMID: 23750799 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Kindling is a well-established model of secondarily generalized partial seizures that is widely employed in the search for novel antiseizure drugs. During the kindling and postkindling acquisition phase, an active process of neuronal remodeling occurs. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to the voltage-gated sodium channel blockers lamotrigine (LTG) and carbamazepine (CBZ) during the period of active remodeling will lead to a diminished therapeutic effect. METHODS Two days after the last kindling stimulation, fully kindled rats were randomized to receive either 0.5% methyl cellulose (MC), LTG (30 mg/kg), or CBZ (40 mg/kg). The effect of LTG and CBZ on behavioral seizure severity and electrographic afterdischarge duration (ADD) was recorded. One week after this treatment, rats in both groups were rechallenged with LTG 30 or CBZ 40 mg/kg and their seizure score and ADD recorded. In vitro efficacy of LTG on neuronal action potentials was also evaluated using whole cell current clamp recording in hippocampal brain slices obtained from kindled control rats, LTG-sensitive kindled rats, and LTG-resistant kindled rats. KEY FINDINGS When acutely administered 48 h after the last kindling stimulation, LTG and CBZ blocked the expression of behavioral seizures and reduced the ADD. In contrast, a second challenge dose of LTG or CBZ administered after a 7-day "no drug, no stimulation" period did not result in reduction of either the seizure score or the ADD. Interestingly, the potassium channel opener, ezogabine, also known as retigabine (EZG; 40 mg/kg), blocked the expression of behavioral seizures at both time points evaluated (i.e., 2 days and 9 days after last stimulation). In vivo resistance to LTG was associated with a similar reduction in the ability of LTG to limit action potential firing in CA1 neurons. LTG (50 μm) significantly decreased the number of action potentials generated by a depolarizing current pulse in neurons recorded from slices obtained from kindled control and LTG-sensitive rats, but not in slices obtained from LTG-resistant rats. SIGNIFICANCE Collectively, results obtained from both in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that even a single exposure to the sodium channel blockers LTG, or CBZ, during the postkindling remodeling phase leads to an altered pharmacologic response to these two ASDs, but not to EZG. The LTG- and CBZ-resistant amygdala kindled rats may serve as a useful model of therapy-resistant epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay K Srivastava
- Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA
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Yi YH, Guo WC, Sun WW, Su T, Lin H, Chen SQ, Deng WY, Zhou W, Liao WP. Neuroprotection of lamotrigine on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats: Relations to administration time and doses. Biologics 2011; 2:339-44. [PMID: 19707366 PMCID: PMC2721363 DOI: 10.2147/btt.s2752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Lamotrigine (LTG), an antiepileptic drug, has been shown to be able to improve cerebral ischemic damage by limiting the presynaptic release of glutamate. The present study investigated further the neuroprotective effect of LTG on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats and its relations to administration time and doses. The HIBD model was produced in 7-days old SD rats by left common carotid artery ligation followed by 2 h hypoxic exposure (8% oxygen). LTG was administered intraperitoneally with the doses of 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg 3 h after operation and the dose of 20 mg/kg 1 h before and 3 h, 6 h after operation. Blood and brain were sampled 24 h after operation. Nissl staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) immunohistochemical staining were used for morphological studies. Water content in left cortex and NSE concentration in serum were determined. LTG significantly reduced water content in the cerebral cortex, as well as the number of TUNEL staining neurons in the dentate gyrus and cortex in hypoxic-ischemia (HI) model. Furthermore, LTG significantly decreased the NSE level in serum and increased the number of NSE staining neurons in the cortex. These effects, except that on water content, were dose-dependent and were more remarkable in the pre-treated group than in the post-treated groups. These results demonstrate that LTG may have a neuroprotective effect on acute HIBD in neonates. The effect is more prominent when administrated with higher doses and before HI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Yi
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences and the Second Affiliated Hospital
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Armogida M, Giustizieri M, Zona C, Piccirilli S, Nisticò R, Mercuri NB. N-ethyl lidocaine (QX-314) protects striatal neurons against ischemia: an in vitro electrophysiological study. Synapse 2010; 64:161-8. [PMID: 19852070 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we have investigated the neuroprotective actions of the membrane impermeable, lidocaine analog, N-ethyl lidocaine (QX-314) in the striatum. The effects of this drug were compared with those caused by the strictly-related-compound and sodium channel blocker lidocaine. To address this issue, electrophysiological recordings were performed in striatal slices, in control condition (normoxia) and during combined oxygen and glucose deprivation (in vitro ischemia). Either QX-314 or lidocaine induced, to some extent, a protection of the permanent electrophysiological alteration (field potential loss) caused by a period (12 min) of ischemia. Thus, both compounds permitted a partial recovery of the ischemic depression of the corticostriatal transmission and reduced the amplitude of the ischemic depolarization in medium spiny neurons. However, while QX-314, at the effective concentration of 100 microM, slightly reduced the amplitude of the excitatory field potential and did not affect the current-evoked spikes discharge of medium spiny striatal neurons, equimolar lidocaine depressed the field potential and eliminated repetitive spikes on a depolarizing step. On the basis of these observations, our results suggest the use of QX-314 as a neuroprotective agent in ischemic brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Armogida
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Seçkin H, Yigitkanli K, Besalti O, Kosemehmetoglu K, Ozturk E, Simsek S, Belen D, Bavbek M. Lamotrigine attenuates cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rabbits. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 70:344-51; discussion 351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.surneu.2007.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2007] [Accepted: 07/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Papazisis G, Kallaras K, Kaiki-Astara A, Pourzitaki C, Tzachanis D, Dagklis T, Kouvelas D. Neuroprotection by lamotrigine in a rat model of neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2008; 11:321-9. [PMID: 17897482 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145707008012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) encephalopathy is a severe complication of perinatal asphyxia and remains a frequent cause of a variety of brain disorders with long-term effects on the patients' life. The associated brain damage is strongly related to the toxic action of excitatory amino acids, especially glutamate and aspartate. Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic drug that blocks the voltage-gated sodium channels of the presynaptic neuron and inhibits the release of glutamate. In the present study a well-established model of perinatal asphyxia in 7-d-old rats was used to investigate the effect of lamotrigine on HI-induced damage to different hippocampal brain structures, since disruption of this brain area is thought to play a key role in schizophrenia and epilepsy. Therefore, a combination of ischaemia, induced by unilateral occlusion of the left common carotid artery, followed by exposure to a 1-h period of hypoxia, was carried out in neonatal 7-d-old rats. Immediately after the insult, lamotrigine was given i.p. The histological outcome in the hippocampus was conducted and the tissue levels of glutamate, aspartate, GABA, and glutamine in the same area were determined. A remarkable reduction of HI-evoked damaged neurons in most of the investigated hippocampal regions was noted after lamotrigine administration. Furthermore, lamotrigine decreased the asphyxia-induced hippocampal tissue levels of glutamate and aspartate. Immediately after perinatal asphyxia GABA levels were enhanced, while levels of glutamine were decreased. Lamotrigine administration did not affect either GABA or glutamine levels. These results suggest a neuroprotective effect of lamotrigine in this particular animal model of neonatal HI encephalopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Papazisis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Neuroprotective Effects of Oral Lamotrigine Administration on Rabbit Retinas After Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Silicone Oil Injection. Retina 2008; 28:638-44. [DOI: 10.1097/iae.0b013e31815ec2da] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
I/R injury of the intestine is a life-threatening emergency with mortality rates still more than 60%. We have investigated the protective effect of lamotrigine (LTG), an antiepileptic drug, which has an established neuroprotective effect, on intestinal I/R injury in rats. Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no I/R injury; n = 16), an ischemic control group (I/R, n = 16), and an LTG-treated group (pretreatment 5 mg kg-1 LTG + IR; n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels, an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and mucosal damage were investigated. Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the LTG group. Moreover, in the LTG group, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the I/R group. The pretreatment of rats with LTG before intestinal ischemia ameliorates the mucosal damage in intestinal I/R injury probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation, and antioxidant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Barut
- Department of General Surgery, Suleyman Demirel University Medical Center, 32900-Isparta, Turkey.
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Picconi B, Barone I, Pisani A, Nicolai R, Benatti P, Bernardi G, Calvani M, Calabresi P. Acetyl-l-carnitine protects striatal neurons against in vitro ischemia: The role of endogenous acetylcholine. Neuropharmacology 2006; 50:917-23. [PMID: 16500685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2006.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2005] [Revised: 01/03/2006] [Accepted: 01/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal death after ischemia is closely linked to the essential role of mitochondrial metabolism. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain reduces ATP generation leading to a dysregulation of ion metabolism. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) influences the maintenance of key mitochondrial proteins for maximum energy production and it may play a neuroprotective role in some pathological conditions. In this study we have analyzed ALC-mediated neuroprotection on an in vitro model of brain ischemia. Field potential recordings were obtained from a rat corticostriatal slice preparation. In vitro ischemia (oxygen and glucose deprivation) was delivered by switching to a solution in which glucose was omitted and oxygen was replaced with N2. Ten minutes of in vitro ischemia caused an irreversible loss of the field potential amplitude. Pretreatment with ALC produced a progressive and dose-dependent recovery of the field potential amplitude following in vitro ischemia. The neuroprotective effect of ALC was stereospecific since the pretreatment with two different carnitine-related compounds did not cause neuroprotection. The choline transporter inhibitor hemicholinium-3 blocked the neuroprotective effect of ALC. ALC-mediated neuroprotection was also prevented either by the non-selective muscarinic antagonist scopolamine, or by the putative M2-like receptor antagonist methoctramine. Conversely, the effect of ALC was not altered by the M1-like receptor antagonist pirenzepine. These findings show that ALC exert a neuroprotective action against in vitro ischemia. This neuroprotective effect requires the activity of choline uptake system and the activation of M2 muscarinic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Picconi
- Laboratorio di Neurofisiologia, Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Costa C, Martella G, Picconi B, Prosperetti C, Pisani A, Di Filippo M, Pisani F, Bernardi G, Calabresi P. Multiple mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of antiepileptic drugs against in vitro ischemia. Stroke 2006; 37:1319-26. [PMID: 16574927 DOI: 10.1161/01.str.0000217303.22856.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The possible neuroprotective effects of classic and new antiepileptic drugs on the electrophysiological changes induced by in vitro ischemia on striatal neurons were investigated. In particular, the aim of the study was to correlate the putative neuroprotective effects with the action of these drugs on fast sodium (Na+) and high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium (Ca2+) currents. METHODS Extracellular field potentials were recorded from rat corticostriatal brain-slice preparations. In vitro ischemia was delivered by switching to an artificial cerebrospinal fluid solution in which glucose and oxygen were omitted. Na+ and HVA Ca2+ currents were analyzed by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from acutely isolated rat striatal neurons. Excitatory postsynaptic potential was measured following synaptic stimulation in corticostriatal slices by sharp intracellular microelectrodes. RESULTS Neuroprotection against in vitro ischemia was observed in slices treated with carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), and topiramate (TPM), whereas it was not achieved by using levetiracetam (LEV). Fast Na+ conductances were inhibited by CBZ and TPM, whereas VPA and LEV showed no effect. HVA Ca2+ conductances were reduced by CBZ, TPM, and LEV. VPA had no effect on this current. All antiepileptic drugs induced a small reduction of excitatory postsynaptic potential amplitude at concentrations higher than 100 microm without changes of paired-pulse facilitation. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant inhibition of fast Na+ and HVA Ca2+ conductances is critically important for the neuroprotection, whereas the presynaptic inhibition on glutamate transmission does not seem to play a major role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Costa
- Clinica Neurologica, Università di Perugia, Ospedale Silvestrini, S. Andrea delle Fratte, Perugia, Italy
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