Negative modulation of nitric oxide production by neurotensin as a putative mechanism of the diuretic action of SR 48692 in rats

The potential anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of rat hemopressin (PVNFKFLSH) in experimental arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stands out as one of the main sources of pain and impairment to the quality of life. The use of hemopressin (PVNFKFLSH; Hp), an inverse agonist of type 1 cannabinoid receptor, has proven to be effective in producing analgesia in pain models, but its effect on neuro-inflammatory aspects of RA is limited. In this study, antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) was evoked by the intraarticular (i.art.) injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) in male Sprague Dawley rats. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-injected ipsilateral knee joints or AIA contralateral were used as control. Nociceptive and inflammatory parameters such as knee joint oedema and leukocyte influx and histopathological changes were carried out in addition to the local measurement of interleukins (IL) IL-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α and the immunoreactivity of the neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the spinal cord (lumbar L3-5 segments) of AIA rats. For 4 days, AIA rats were treated daily with a single administration of saline, Hp injected (10 or 20 μg/day, i.art.), Hp given orally (20 μg/Kg, p.o.) or indomethacin (Indo; 5 mg/Kg, i.p.). In comparison to the PBS control group, the induction of AIA produced a significant and progressive mono-arthritis condition. The degree of AIA severity progressively compromised the normal walking pattern and impaired mobility over the next four days in relation to PBS-injected rats or contralateral knee joints. In AIA rats, the reduction of the distance between footprints and disturbances of gait evidenced signs of nociception. This response worsened at day 4, and a loss of footprint from the ipsilateral hind paw was evident. Daily treatment of the animals with Hp either i.art. (10 and 20 μg/knee) or p.o. (20 μg/Kg) as well as Indo (5 mg/Kg, i.p.) ameliorated the impaired mobility in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In parallel, the AIA-injected ipsilateral knee joints reach a peak of swelling 24 h after AIA induction, which persisted over the next four days in relation to PBS-injected rats or contralateral knee joints. There was a significant but not dose-dependent inhibitory effect produced by all dosages and routes of Hp treatments on AIA-induced knee joint swelling (P < 0.05). In addition, the increased synovial levels of MPO activity, total leukocytes number and IL-6, but not IL-1β, were significantly reduced by the lower i.art. dose of Hp. In conclusion, these results successfully demonstrate that Hp may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to treat RA, an effect which is unrelated to the proinflammatory actions of the neuropeptides CGRP and SP.

The Synthesis of α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acids via Ichikawa Rearrangement

An approach to α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids is reported. The key step is allyl cyanate-to-isocyanate rearrangement. As demonstrated, the resultant allyl isocyanates can be directly trapped with various nucleophiles, for instance, alcohols, amines, and organometallic reagents, to provide a broad range of N-functionalized allylamines. The developed method has been successfully applied in the synthesis of two bioactive peptides: 2-aminoadamantane-2-carboxylic acid derived P2X7-evoked glutamate release inhibitor and 4-amino-tetrahydropyranyl-4-carboxylic acid derived dipeptide GSK-2793660, which is currently in clinical trials as cathepsin C inhibitor for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, ANCA-associated vasculitis and bronchiectasis.

Importance of nitric oxide in the regulation of burn oedema, proteinuria and urine output

Burn injuries trigger a pronounced inflammatory response in the burned skin, resulting in oedema formation and impaired circulation. This response involves activation of the nitric oxide (NO) synthetic pathway, which could play a key role in the complex hemodynamic and hemostatic changes occurring as a result of a burn trauma. The results presented in full-thickness skin burns of rats show that the NO-precursor, L-arginine (n = 10), inhibit burn-induced plasma extravasation as compared to saline-treated burned controls (n = 10) (p<0.001) to a level not significantly different from nonburned animals. Administration of the NO-synthase inhibitor. NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (n = 10), did not significantly influence burn extravasation compared to burned controls. Accumulated urine volume 90 min post-burn increased ten-fold in burned animals treated with L-arginine compared to saline-treated burned controls (p<0.001) and nonburned animals (p<0.001), while L-NNA had no significant effect on diuresis. A significantly increased proteinuria occurred in L-arginine treated burned animals as compared to burned controls and nonburned controls (p<0.001), whereas L-NNA did not significantly influence the leakage of protein in the urine. Activation of NO synthesis significantly suppresses burn edema and strongly increases diuresis along with increased proteinuria.