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Yuan Y, Xu T, Huang Y, Shi J. Strategies for developing μ opioid receptor agonists with reduced adverse effects. Bioorg Chem 2024; 149:107507. [PMID: 38850778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107507] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Opioids are currently the most effective and widely used painkillers in the world. Unfortunately, the clinical use of opioid analgesics is limited by serious adverse effects. Many researchers have been working on designing and optimizing structures in search of novel μ opioid receptor(MOR) agonists with improved analgesic activity and reduced incidence of adverse effects. There are many strategies to develop MOR drugs, mainly focusing on new low efficacy agonists (potentially G protein biased agonists), MOR agonists acting on different Gα subtype, targeting opioid receptors in the periphery, acting on multiple opioid receptor, and targeting allosteric sites of opioid receptors, and others. This review summarizes the design methods, clinical applications, and structure-activity relationships of small-molecule agonists for MOR based on these different design strategies, providing ideas for the development of safer novel opioid ligands with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yuan
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611756, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China
| | - Yu Huang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan 611756, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China.
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Patocka J, Wu W, Oleksak P, Jelinkova R, Nepovimova E, Spicanova L, Springerova P, Alomar S, Long M, Kuca K. Fentanyl and its derivatives: Pain-killers or man-killers? Heliyon 2024; 10:e28795. [PMID: 38644874 PMCID: PMC11031787 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28795] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fentanyl is a synthetic μ-opioid receptor agonist approved to treat severe to moderate pain with faster onset of action and about 100 times more potent than morphine. Over last two decades, abuse of fentanyl and its derivatives has an increased trend, globally. Currently, the United States (US) faces the most serious situation related to fentanyl overdose, commonly referred to as the opioid epidemic. Nowadays, fentanyl is considered as the number one cause of death for adults aged 18-45 in the US. Synthesis and derivatization of fentanyl is inexpensive to manufacture and easily achievable. Indeed, more than 1400 fentanyl derivatives have been described in the scientific literature and patents. In addition, accessibility and efficacy of fentanyl and its derivatives can play a potential role in misuse of these compounds as a chemical weapon. In this review, the properties, general pharmacology, and overdose death cases associated with fentanyl and selected derivatives are presented. Moreover, current opioid epidemic in the US, Moscow theatre hostage crisis, and potential misuse of fentanyl and its derivatives as a chemical weapon are disclosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Patocka
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Wenda Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Patrik Oleksak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Romana Jelinkova
- NBC Defence Institute, University of Defence, 68201 Vyskov, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Spicanova
- Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Pavlina Springerova
- Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Suliman Alomar
- Doping Research Chair, Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh-11451, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Miao Long
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis of Liaoning Province, College of Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, 50003 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 50005 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Johnson SM, Gumnit MG, Johnson SM, Baker TL, Watters JJ. Disinhibition does not play a role in endomorphin-2-induced changes in inspiratory motoneuron output produced by in vitro neonatal rat preparations. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2024; 320:104186. [PMID: 37944625 PMCID: PMC10843717 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104186] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Low level activation of mu-opioid receptors (MORs) in neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations increases inspiratory burst amplitude recorded on cervical spinal roots. We tested whether: (1) MOR activation with an endogenous ligand, such as endomorphin-2, increases inspiratory burst amplitude, (2) disinhibition of GABAergic or glycinergic inhibitory synaptic transmission is involved, and (3) inflammation alters endomorphin-2 effects. Using neonatal rat (P0-P3) brainstem-spinal cord preparations, bath-applied endomorphin-2 (10-200 nM) increased inspiratory burst amplitude and decreased burst frequency. Blockade of GABAA receptors (picrotoxin), glycine receptors (strychnine), or both (picrotoxin and strychnine) did not abolish endomorphin-2-induced effects. In preparations isolated from neonatal rats injected 3 h previously with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 mg/kg), endomorphin-2 continued to decrease burst frequency but abolished the burst amplitude increase. Collectively, these data indicate that disinhibition of inhibitory synaptic transmission is unlikely to play a role in endomorphin-2-induced changes in inspiratory motor output, and that different mechanisms underlie the endomorphin-2-induced increases in inspiratory burst amplitude and decreases in burst frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Johnson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Maia G Gumnit
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sarah M Johnson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tracy L Baker
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jyoti J Watters
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Kelly E, Conibear A, Henderson G. Biased Agonism: Lessons from Studies of Opioid Receptor Agonists. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:491-515. [PMID: 36170657 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-052120-091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In ligand bias different agonist drugs are thought to produce distinct signaling outputs when activating the same receptor. If these signaling outputs mediate therapeutic versus adverse drug effects, then agonists that selectively activate the therapeutic signaling pathway would be extremely beneficial. It has long been thought that μ-opioid receptor agonists that selectively activate G protein- over β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathways would produce effective analgesia without the adverse effects such as respiratory depression. However, more recent data indicate that most of the therapeutic and adverse effects of agonist-induced activation of the μ-opioid receptor are actually mediated by the G protein-dependent signaling pathway, and that a number of drugs described as G protein biased in fact may not be biased, but instead may be low-intrinsic-efficacy agonists. In this review we discuss the current state of the field of bias at the μ-opioid receptor and other opioid receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Alexandra Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom;
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Marwari S, Kowalski C, Martemyanov KA. Exploring pharmacological inhibition of G q/11 as an analgesic strategy. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:5196-5208. [PMID: 35900909 PMCID: PMC9633401 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Misuse of opioids has greatly affected our society. One potential solution is to develop analgesics that act at targets other than opioid receptors. These can be used either as stand-alone therapeutics or to improve the safety profile of opioid drugs. Previous research showed that activation of Gq/11 proteins by G-protein coupled receptors has pro-nociceptive properties, suggesting that blockade of Gq/11 signalling could be beneficial for pain control. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis pharmacologically by using potent and selective Gq/11 inhibitor YM-254890. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used a series of behavioural assays to evaluate the acute responses of mice to painful thermal stimulation while administering YM-254890 alone and in combination with morphine. We then used electrophysiological recordings to evaluate the effects of YM-254890 on the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) nociceptor neurons. KEY RESULTS We found that systemic administration of YM-254890 produced anti-nociceptive effects and also augmented morphine analgesia in both hotplate and tail flick paradigms. However, it also caused substantial inhibition of locomotion, which may limit its therapeutic utility. To circumvent these issues, we explored the local administration of YM-254890. Intrathecal injections of YM-254890 produced lasting analgesia in a tail flick test and greatly augmented the anti-nociceptive effects of morphine without any significant effects on locomotor behaviour. Electrophysiological studies showed that YM-254890 reduced the excitability of DRG nociceptors and augmented their opioid-induced inhibition. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These findings indicate that pharmacological inhibition of Gq/11 could be explored as an analgesic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhi Marwari
- Department of NeuroscienceThe Scripps Research InstituteJupiterFloridaUSA
| | - Cody Kowalski
- Department of NeuroscienceThe Scripps Research InstituteJupiterFloridaUSA
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Gumnit MG, Watters JJ, Baker TL, Johnson SM, Johnson SM. Mu-opioid receptor-dependent transformation of respiratory motor pattern in neonates in vitro. Front Physiol 2022; 13:921466. [PMID: 35936900 PMCID: PMC9353126 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.921466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous opioid peptides activating mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are part of an intricate neuromodulatory system that coordinates and optimizes respiratory motor output to maintain blood-gas homeostasis. MOR activation is typically associated with respiratory depression but also has excitatory effects on breathing and respiratory neurons. We hypothesized that low level MOR activation induces excitatory effects on the respiratory motor pattern. Thus, low concentrations of an MOR agonist drug (DAMGO, 10–200 nM) were bath-applied to neonatal rat brainstem-spinal cord preparations while recording inspiratory-related motor output on cervical spinal roots (C4-C5). Bath-applied DAMGO (50–200 nM) increased inspiratory motor burst amplitude by 40–60% during (and shortly following) drug application with decreased burst frequency and minute activity. Reciprocal changes in inspiratory burst amplitude and frequency were balanced such that 20 min after DAMGO (50–200 nM) application, minute activity was unaltered compared to pre-DAMGO levels. The DAMGO-induced inspiratory burst amplitude increase did not require crossed cervical spinal pathways, was expressed on thoracic ventral spinal roots (T4-T8) and remained unaltered by riluzole pretreatment (blocks persistent sodium currents associated with gasping). Split-bath experiments showed that the inspiratory burst amplitude increase was induced only when DAMGO was bath-applied to the brainstem and not the spinal cord. Thus, MOR activation in neonates induces a respiratory burst amplitude increase via brainstem-specific mechanisms. The burst amplitude increase counteracts the expected MOR-dependent frequency depression and may represent a new mechanism by which MOR activation influences respiratory motor output.
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Scott JA, Soto-Velasquez M, Hayes MP, LaVigne JE, Miller HR, Kaur J, Ejendal KFK, Watts VJ, Flaherty DP. Optimization of a Pyrimidinone Series for Selective Inhibition of Ca 2+/Calmodulin-Stimulated Adenylyl Cyclase 1 Activity for the Treatment of Chronic Pain. J Med Chem 2022; 65:4667-4686. [PMID: 35271288 PMCID: PMC9390083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Adenylyl cyclase type 1 (AC1) is involved in signaling for chronic pain sensitization in the central nervous system and is an emerging target for the treatment of chronic pain. AC1 and a closely related isoform AC8 are also implicated to have roles in learning and memory signaling processes. Our team has carried out cellular screening for inhibitors of AC1 yielding a pyrazolyl-pyrimidinone scaffold with low micromolar potency against AC1 and selectivity versus AC8. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies led to analogues with cellular IC50 values as low as 0.25 μM, selectivity versus AC8 and other AC isoforms as well as other common neurological targets. A representative analogue displayed modest antiallodynic effects in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. This series represents the most potent and selective inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated AC1 activity to date with improved drug-like physicochemical properties making them potential lead compounds for the treatment of inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Scott
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Monica Soto-Velasquez
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Michael P Hayes
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Justin E LaVigne
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Heath R Miller
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jatinder Kaur
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Karin F K Ejendal
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Val J Watts
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, 207 South Martin Jischke Dr. West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Daniel P Flaherty
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, 207 South Martin Jischke Dr. West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Gadelha MR, Karavitaki N, Fudin J, Bettinger JJ, Raff H, Ben-Shlomo A. Opioids and pituitary function: expert opinion. Pituitary 2022; 25:52-63. [PMID: 35066756 DOI: 10.1007/s11102-021-01202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Opioids are highly addictive potent analgesics and anti-allodynics whose use has dramatically increased in recent decades. The precipitous rise in opioid dependency and opioid use disorder is an important public health challenge given the risks for severely adverse health outcomes. The long-term opioid impact on hypothalamic-pituitary axes is particularly underappreciated among both endocrinologists and primary care physicians. We review the effects of opioids on hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland function and their implications for clinical practice. METHODS Experts in hypothalamic-pituitary disorders and opioid pharmacology reviewed recently published literature and considered strategies for diagnosing and managing these opioid-induced endocrine effects. RESULTS Opioid suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary axes can lead to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, central adrenal insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia. These important clinical manifestations are often under-estimated, poorly evaluated, and typically either untreated or not optimally managed. Data on biochemical testing for diagnosis and on the effect of hormone replacement in these patients is limited and prospective randomized controlled studies for guiding clinical practice are lacking. CONCLUSIONS Patients should be informed about risks for hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency, and hyperprolactinemia, and encouraged to report associated symptoms. Based on currently available evidence, we recommend clinical and biochemical evaluation for potential central adrenal insufficiency, central hypogonadism, and/or hyperprolactinemia in patients chronically treated with opioids as well as the use of current expert guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica R Gadelha
- Endocrine Unit and Neuroendocrinology Research Center, Medical School and Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neuroendocrine Unit - Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neuropathology and Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer, Secretaria Estadual de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Niki Karavitaki
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, UK
- Department of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeffrey Fudin
- President, Remitigate Therapeutics, Delmar, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Western New England University College of Pharmacy, Springfield, MA, USA
- Department of Pharmacy and Pain Management, Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey J Bettinger
- Pain Management and Addiction Medicine, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Hershel Raff
- Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Departments of Medicine, Surgery, and Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
- Endocrine Research Laboratory, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, Advocate Aurora Research Institute, 2801 W KK River Pky Suite 260, Milwaukee, WI, 53215, USA.
| | - Anat Ben-Shlomo
- Pituitary Center, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Multidisciplinary Adrenal Program, Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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