Effects of phaclofen and the enantiomers of baclofen on cardiovascular responses to intrathecal administration of L- and D-baclofen in the rat

Enantioselective Sequential-Flow Synthesis of Baclofen Precursor via Asymmetric 1,4-Addition and Chemoselective Hydrogenation on Platinum/Carbon/Calcium Phosphate Composites

Continuous-flow synthesis of baclofen precursor (2) was achieved using achiral and chiral heterogeneous catalysts in high yield with high enantioselectivity. The key steps are chiral calcium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of a malonate to a nitroalkene and chemoselective reduction of a nitro compound to the corresponding amino compound by using molecular hydrogen. A dimethylpolysilane (DMPS)-modified platinum catalyst supported on activated carbon (AC) and calcium phosphate (CP) has been developed that has remarkable activity for the selective hydrogenation of nitro compounds.

Nano-liquid chromatography for enantiomers separation of baclofen by using vancomycin silica stationary phase

The chiral separation of baclofen (Bac) was obtained by nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS) using a 100 μm I.D. fused silica capillary column packed with silica particles chemically modified with vancomycin. Various experimental parameters, such as composition (buffer concentration, water content, organic modifier) and pH of the mobile phase and sample solvent were investigated for method optimization. In order to increase the sensitivity an on-column focusing procedure was applied. Acceptable separation of Bac enantiomers was obtained in less than 11 min eluting in isocratic mode, with 90:10 MeOH/water (v/v) containing 10 mM ammonium acetate at pH 4.5. These optimized experimental conditions were applied to the analysis of human plasma samples spiked with racemic mixture of Bac. The use of a Buckypaper disc as sorbent membrane allows one to recover both enantiomers with yields ≥ 65%. The method was fully validated, following the identification criteria of the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC.

Activation of pedunculopontine tegmental PKA prevents GABAB receptor activation-mediated rapid eye movement sleep suppression in the freely moving rat

The pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) GABAergic system plays a crucial role in the regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. I recently reported that the activation of PPT GABA(B) receptors suppressed REM sleep by inhibiting REM-on cells. One of the important mechanisms for GABA(B) receptor activation-mediated physiological action is the inhibition of the intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signaling pathway. Accordingly, I hypothesized that the PPT GABA(B) receptor activation-mediated REM sleep suppression effect could be mediated through inhibition of cAMP-PKA activation. To test this hypothesis, a GABA(B) receptor selective agonist, baclofen hydrochloride (baclofen), cAMP-PKA activator, Sp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate triethylamine (SpCAMPS), and vehicle control were microinjected into the PPT in selected combinations to determine effects on sleep-waking states of chronically instrumented, freely moving rats. Microinjection of SpCAMPS (1.5 nmol) induced REM sleep within a short latency (12.1 +/- 3.6 min) compared with vehicle control microinjection (60.0 +/- 6.5 min). On the contrary, microinjection of baclofen (1.5 nmol) suppressed REM sleep by delaying its appearance for approximately 183 min; however, the suppression of REM sleep by baclofen was prevented by a subsequent microinjection of SpCAMPS. These results provide evidence that the activation of cAMP-PKA within the PPT can successfully block the GABA(B) receptor activation-mediated REM sleep suppression effect. These findings suggest that the PPT GABA(B) receptor activation-mediated REM sleep regulating mechanism involves inactivation of cAMP-PKA signaling in the freely moving rat.

Spontaneous REM Sleep Is Modulated By the Activation of the Pedunculopontine Tegmental GABAB Receptors in the Freely Moving Rat

Considerable evidence suggests that the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic system and pedunculopontine tegmentum (PPT) in the brain stem are critically involved in the regulation of rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. GABA and its various receptors are normally present in the PPT cholinergic cell compartment. The aim of this study was to identify the role of GABA and its receptors in the regulation of REM sleep. To achieve this aim, specific receptors were activated differentially by local microinjection of selective GABA receptor agonists into the PPT while quantifying its effects on REM sleep in freely moving chronically instrumented rats ( n = 21). The results demonstrated that when GABAB receptors were activated by local microinjection of a GABAB receptor selective agonist, baclofen, spontaneous REM sleep was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. The optimum dose for REM sleep reduction was 1.5 nmol. In contrast, when GABAA and GABAC receptors were activated by microinjecting their receptor selective agonists, isoguvacine (ISGV) and cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA), respectively, the total percentages of REM sleep did not change compared with the control values. In another eight freely moving rats, effects of baclofen application was tested on firing rates of REM-on cells ( n = 12). Of those 12 neurons, 11 stopped firing immediately after application of baclofen [latency: 50 ± 14 s (SD)] and remained almost silent for 130 ± 12 min. Findings of the present study provide direct evidence that the PPT GABAB receptors and REM-on cells are involved in the regulation of REM sleep.

Optimization of the chiral resolution of baclofen by capillary electrophoresis using beta-cyclodextrin as the chiral selector

The chiral resolution of baclofen was achieved by capillary electrophoresis using a fused-silica capillary (60 cm x 75 microm ID). The background electrolyte (BGE) was phosphate buffer (pH 7.0, 50 mM)-acetonitrile (95:5 v/v) containing 10 mM beta-cyclodextrin. The applied voltage was 15 kV. The values of alpha and R(s) were 1.06 and 1.00, respectively. The electrophoretic conditions were optimized varying the pH and the ionic strength of the BGE, concentrations of beta-cyclodextrin and acetonitrile and the applied voltage.

Evidence for a GABA(B) receptor component in the spinal action of Substance P (SP) on arterial blood pressure in the awake rat

1 The activation of tachykinin NK(1) receptors in the rat spinal cord produced a transient drop in arterial blood pressure followed by a more prolonged pressor effect which is mediated by the stimulation of the sympatho-adrenal system. This study aims at characterizing the spinal mechanism of that initial hypotension occurring in awake unrestrained rats. 2 The initial hypotension (-18+/-2.0 mmHg at 1 min) and the tachycardia (110+/-10 b.p.m.) produced by the intrathecal (i.t.) injection of the stable NK(1) receptor agonist [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]-SP (Sar9, 0.65 nmol) at T-9 spinal cord level was inhibited by the prior injection of 65 nmol LY306740 or LY303870 (NK(1) receptor antagonists). No inhibition was seen when a similar dose of antagonists was given intravenously. 3 The prior i.t. injection of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist CGP52432 (100 nmol) reduced the hypotension evoked by Sar9 (0.65 nmol) and by the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (100 nmol). The GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (25 nmol, i.t.) was without effect against Sar9, and the GABA(A) agonist muscimol (100 nmol, i.t.) had no cardiovascular effect. 4 The putative involvement of other mediators (dopamine, serotonine, glycine and glutamate) in Sar9-induced hypotension was made unlikely on the basis of various pharmacological treatments. Thus data, suggest that the transient hypotension which occurs upon the activation of NK(1) receptors in the spinal cord is due to the release of GABA which in turn activates GABA(B) receptors to inhibit sympathetic pre-ganglionic fibres. This mechanism may have a physiological significance in the spinal reflex autonomic control of arterial blood pressure.

A physiological role for GABAB receptors and the effects of baclofen in the mammalian central nervous system

The inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA acts in the mammalian brain through two different receptor classes: GABAA and GABAB receptors. GABAB receptors differ fundamentally from GABAA receptors in that they require a G-protein. GABAB receptors are located pre- and/or post-synaptically, and are coupled to various K+ and Ca2+ channels presumably through both a membrane delimited pathway and a pathway involving second messengers. Baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, as well as GABA itself have pre- and post-synaptic effects. Pre-synaptic effects comprise the reduction of the release of excitatory and inhibitory transmitters. GABAergic receptors on GABAergic terminals may regulate GABA release, however, in most instances spontaneous inhibitory synaptic activity is not modulated by endogenous GABA. Post-synaptic GABAB receptor-mediated inhibition is likely to occur through a membrane delimited pathway activating K+ channels, while baclofen, in some neurons, may activate K+ channels through a second messenger pathway involving arachidonic acid. Some, but not all GABAB receptor-gated K+ channels have the typical properties of those G-protein-activated K+ channels which are also gated by other endogenous ligands of the brain. New, high affinity GABAB antagonists are now available, and some pharmacological evidence points to a receptor heterogeneity. The pharmacological distinction of receptor subtypes, however, has to await final support from a characterization of the molecular structure. The function importance of post-synaptic GABAB receptors is highlighted by a segregation of GABAA and GABAB synapses in the mammalian brain.

Involvement of both GABAA and GABAB receptors in tonic inhibitory control of blood pressure at the rostral ventrolateral medulla of the rat

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) contains vasopressor neurons which increase vasomotor tone. Endogenous GABA is suggested to be involved in mediation of the tonic inhibition of vasopressor neurons in the RVLM. To obtain more precise information about GABAergic mechanisms in the RVLM, we microinjected GABA agonists and antagonists unilaterally into the RVLM and examined their effects on blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, involvement of the other inhibitory amino acids glycine, beta-alanine and taurine in blood pressure regulation in the rat RVLM was also investigated. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane, paralyzed and artificially ventilated. The GABAA agonist muscimol (3-30 pmol) and the GABAB agonist baclofen (10-100 pmol) microinjected into the RVLM produced a decrease in blood pressure. The GABAA antagonist bicuculline (300 pmol) abolished the depressor response to muscimol (10 pmol) but not to baclofen (30 pmol) whereas the GABAB antagonist 2-hydroxysaclofen (1 nmol) abolished the depressor response to baclofen (30 pmol) but not to muscimol (10 pmol). Either bicuculline or 2-hydroxysaclofen alone produced a pressor response. Both antagonists inhibited depressor responses to nipecotic acid (7.7 nmol) and GABA (0.3 nmol). Glycine (0.13-4.0 nmol), beta-alanine (0.11-3.4 nmol) and taurine (0.08-2.4 nmol) microinjected into the RVLM also produced decreases in blood pressure. The glycine antagonist strychnine (0.58 nmol) abolished the depressor response to glycine, beta-alanine and taurine but not to GABA. The taurine antagonist 6-aminomethyl-3-methyl-4H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxide) (1.3 nmol) inhibited the depressor response to beta-alanine and taurine but not to glycine and GABA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glutamate, NMDA and NMDA receptor antagonists: cardiovascular effects of intrathecal administration in the rat

Selected excitatory amino acids and antagonists were tested for their effects on arterial pressure and heart rate when administered intrathecally at the second (T2) or ninth (T9) thoracic spinal levels in urethane-anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with spontaneous or artificial respiration. Intrathecal administration of glutamate (1 mumol) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA; 2 nmol) at T9 increased arterial pressure and heart rate. The response began within 1 min, peaked at 2-3 min and persisted for 8-15 min. The maximum changes were 20-25 mm Hg for arterial pressure and 40-50 beats/min for heart rate. These responses were prevented by systemic administration of hexamethonium (10 mg/kg). Responses to administration of NMDA at the two spinal levels were essentially the same. Effects elicited by NMDA but not by glutamate were blocked by pretreatment with the NMDA receptor antagonists, D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV; 10 nmol, intrathecal administration) and ketamine (7 mg/kg, i.v.). Intrathecal administration of APV (10, 50 and 200 nmol) at T2 produced dose-dependent decreases in arterial pressure without changing heart rate. The results support the hypothesis that NMDA receptors are involved in regulation of sympathetic output at the spinal level. They also indicate that in this preparation there is a tonic activation of NMDA receptors in sympathetic pathways to the vessels but not to the heart. Finally, the persistence of the response to glutamate in the presence of NMDA receptor antagonists suggests the involvement of non-NMDA receptors in spinal control of sympathetic output.

NMDA receptor antagonists block cardiovascular responses to intrathecal administration of D-baclofen in the rat

In previous studies we found that D and L-baclofen have different effects on sympathetic output when administered intrathecally, yet the actions of both enantiomers are blocked by intrathecal administration of phaclofen. The present experiments were done to determine the mechanism by which D-baclofen expresses its effects. In urethane-anaesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, when D-baclofen was given intrathecally at the T9 spinal level following pretreatment with 2 nmol of the NMDA receptor antagonist, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), it increased systolic and diastolic arterial pressures (n = 7), as in the previous studies. However, after intrathecal administration of 10 nmol of APV, administration of D-baclofen had no effect on these parameters (n = 7). Intravenous administration of ketamine (7.5 mg/kg), another NMDA receptor antagonist, also blocked the effect of D-baclofen (n = 6) but it had no effect on the pressor responses produced by intrathecal administration of carbachol (27.4 nmol; n = 6). In additional experiments, L-baclofen (70 nmol) had no effect on the increases in heart rate and arterial pressure produced by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) (2 nmol; n = 8). These results indicate that D-baclofen increases arterial pressure via an NMDA receptor-mediated mechanism, perhaps by provoking the release of an endogenous ligand which activates these receptors.

Effect of the GABAB antagonist, phaclofen, on baclofen-induced inhibition of micturition reflex in urethane-anesthetized rats

The effect of intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration of the GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, on rhythmic contractions induced by distension of the urinary bladder (micturition reflex) was evaluated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Baclofen inhibited bladder motility acting at central nervous system sites (spinal and supraspinal) with a comparable potency. The inhibitory effect of i.t. baclofen (0.1-10 nmol) was blocked by i.t. phaclofen (200 nmol) while i.c.v. phaclofen did not affect i.c.v. baclofen (0.1-1 nmol). The inhibition of the micturition reflex induced by bladder distension observed after i.t. administration of baclofen was unaffected by systemic capsaicin pretreatment (50 mg/kg s.c., four days before). On the other hand, i.t. baclofen suppressed, in a phaclofen-sensitive manner, the reflex bladder contraction evoked by chemical stimulation (topical capsaicin) of capsaicin-sensitive bladder afferents. Intrathecal baclofen did not affect the hexamethonium-resistant tonic contraction produced by topical application of capsaicin on to the urinary bladder, which is ascribable to local peptide release from sensory nerves. Bladder motility inhibition by i.t. or i.c.v. baclofen (1 nmol) was unchanged by previous administration of p-chlorophenylalanine, indicating that the serotonergic pathways do not play a role in its action. Baclofen (100 microM) suppressed the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity evoked by electrical field stimulation from the dorsal half of the rat spinal cord. This response was also abolished by in vitro capsaicin desensitization or tetrodotoxin, indicating that baclofen suppresses transmitter release from central endings of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents. The present findings indicate that baclofen acts at both spinal and supraspinal sites to inhibit, with different mechanisms, the micturition reflex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phaclofen-reversible effects of GABA in the spinal cord of the rat

Our earlier observation that intrathecal administration of L- and D-baclofen had different effects on sympathetic output regulating arterial pressure and heart rate in the rat prompted the present study which was designed to determine whether intrathecal administration of GABA elicits a phaclofen-reversible effect on arterial pressure and/or heart rate and whether this effect mimics that of L-baclofen or that of D-baclofen. Following intrathecal administration of the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline (10 nmol), at the T9 level, administration of GABA at a dose of 5 mumol (n = 8) decreased arterial pressure and heart rate by about 25 mm Hg and 45 bpm, respectively. The responses started at 1-2 min and lasted 3-20 min; comparison was made with rats given NaCl (5 mumol; n = 5), which was without effect on arterial pressure and heart rate. In rats pretreated with both bicuculline and the GABAB antagonist, phaclofen (5 mumol intrathecally; n = 9), the effect of GABA on arterial pressure was attenuated and the effect of GABA on heart rate was absent; comparisons were made with rats given bicuculline, phaclofen and NaCl (n = 5) and with rats given bicuculline, NaCl and GABA (n = 6). These data suggest that there is a phaclofen-reversible effect of GABA in spinal pathways regulating sympathetic output and that this effect of GABA resembles that L-baclofen reported in our earlier study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)