Dose pipecolic acid interact with the central GABA-ergic system?

Gut Microbiome-Brain Alliance: A Landscape View into Mental and Gastrointestinal Health and Disorders

Gut microbiota includes a vast collection of microorganisms residing within the gastrointestinal tract. It is broadly recognized that the gut and brain are in constant bidirectional communication, of which gut microbiota and its metabolic production are a major component, and form the so-called gut microbiome-brain axis. Disturbances of microbiota homeostasis caused by imbalance in their functional composition and metabolic activities, known as dysbiosis, cause dysregulation of these pathways and trigger changes in the blood-brain barrier permeability, thereby causing pathological malfunctions, including neurological and functional gastrointestinal disorders. In turn, the brain can affect the structure and function of gut microbiota through the autonomic nervous system by regulating gut motility, intestinal transit and secretion, and gut permeability. Here, we examine data from the CAS Content Collection, the largest collection of published scientific information, and analyze the publication landscape of recent research. We review the advances in knowledge related to the human gut microbiome, its complexity and functionality, its communication with the central nervous system, and the effect of the gut microbiome-brain axis on mental and gut health. We discuss correlations between gut microbiota composition and various diseases, specifically gastrointestinal and mental disorders. We also explore gut microbiota metabolites with regard to their impact on the brain and gut function and associated diseases. Finally, we assess clinical applications of gut-microbiota-related substances and metabolites with their development pipelines. We hope this review can serve as a useful resource in understanding the current knowledge on this emerging field in an effort to further solving of the remaining challenges and fulfilling its potential.

Microbiota-derived metabolites as drivers of gut-brain communication

Alterations in the gut microbiota composition have been associated with a range of neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The gut microbes transform and metabolize dietary- and host-derived molecules generating a diverse group of metabolites with local and systemic effects. The bi-directional communication between brain and the microbes residing in the gut, the so-called gut-brain axis, consists of a network of immunological, neuronal, and endocrine signaling pathways. Although the full variety of mechanisms of the gut-brain crosstalk is yet to be established, the existing data demonstrates that a single metabolite or its derivatives are likely among the key inductors within the gut-brain axis communication. However, more research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying how gut microbiota associated metabolites alter brain functions, and to examine if different interventional approaches targeting the gut microbiota could be used in prevention and treatment of neurological disorders, as reviewed herein.Abbreviations:4-EPS 4-ethylphenylsulfate; 5-AVA(B) 5-aminovaleric acid (betaine); Aβ Amyloid beta protein; AhR Aryl hydrocarbon receptor; ASD Autism spectrum disorder; BBB Blood-brain barrier; BDNF Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CNS Central nervous system; GABA ɣ-aminobutyric acid; GF Germ-free; MIA Maternal immune activation; SCFA Short-chain fatty acid; 3M-4-TMAB 3-methyl-4-(trimethylammonio)butanoate; 4-TMAP 4-(trimethylammonio)pentanoate; TMA(O) Trimethylamine(-N-oxide); TUDCA Tauroursodeoxycholic acid; ZO Zonula occludens proteins.

Age-Related Neurometabolomic Signature of Mouse Brain

Neurometabolites are the ultimate gene products in the brain and the most precise biomolecular indicators of brain endophenotypes. Metabolomics is the only "omics" that provides a moment-to-moment "snapshot" of brain circuits' biochemical activities in response to external stimuli within the context of specific genetic variations. Although the expression levels of neurometabolites are highly dynamic, the underlying metabolic processes are tightly regulated during brain development, maturation, and aging. Therefore, this study aimed to identify mouse brain metabolic profiles in neonatal and adult stages and reconstruct both the active metabolic network and the metabolic pathway functioning. Using high-throughput metabolomics and bioinformatics analyses, we show that the neonatal mouse brain has its distinct metabolomic signature, which differs from the adult brain. Furthermore, lipid metabolites showed the most profound changes between the neonatal and adult brain, with some lipid species reaching 1000-fold changes. There were trends of age-dependent increases and decreases among lipids and non-lipid metabolites, respectively. A few lipid metabolites such as HexCers and SHexCers were almost absent in neonatal brains, whereas other non-lipid metabolites such as homoarginine were absent in the adult brains. Several molecules that act as neurotransmitters/neuromodulators showed age-dependent levels, with adenosine and GABA exhibiting around 100- and 10-fold increases in the adult compared with the neonatal brain. Of particular interest is the observation that purine and pyrimidines nucleobases exhibited opposite age-dependent changes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed an enrichment of lipid biosynthesis pathways in metabolites, whose levels increased in adult brains. In contrast, pathways involved in the metabolism of amino acids, nucleobases, glucose (glycolysis), tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) were enriched in metabolites whose levels were higher in the neonatal brains. Many of these pathways are associated with pathological conditions, which can be predicted as early as the neonatal stage. Our study provides an initial age-related biochemical directory of the mouse brain and warrants further studies to identify temporal brain metabolome across the lifespan, particularly during adolescence and aging. Such neurometabolomic data may provide important insight about the onset and progression of neurological/psychiatric disorders and may ultimately lead to the development of precise diagnostic biomarkers and more effective preventive/therapeutic strategies.

Hippocampal Sector-Specific Metabolic Profiles Reflect Endogenous Strategy for Ischemia-Reperfusion Insult Resistance

The gerbil is a well-known model for studying cerebral ischemia. The CA1 of the hippocampus is vulnerable to 5 min of ischemia, while the CA2–4 and dentate gyrus (DG) are resistant to it. Short-lasting ischemia, a model of transient ischemic attacks in men, results in CA1 neuron death within 2–4 days of reperfusion. Untargeted metabolomics, using LC-QTOF-MS, was used to enrich the knowledge about intrinsic vulnerability and resistance of hippocampal regions and their early post-ischemic response (IR). In total, 30 significant metabolites were detected. In controls, taurine was significantly lower and guanosine monophosphate was higher in CA1, as compared to that in CA2–4,DG. LysoPG and LysoPE were more abundant in CA1, while LysoPI 18:0 was detected only in CA2–4,DG. After IR, a substantial decrease in the citric acid level in CA1, an accumulation of pipecolic acid in both regions, and opposite changes in the amount of PE and LysoPE were observed. The following metabolic pathways were identified as being differentially active in control CA1 vs. CA2–4,DG: metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine, glycerophospholipid, and purine. These results may indicate that a regulation of cell volume, altered structure of cell membranes, and energy metabolism differentiate hippocampal regions. Early post-ischemia, spatial differences in the metabolism of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and amino acids and their metabolites with a predominance of those which upkeep their well-being in CA2–4,DG are shown. Presented results are consistent with genetic, morphological, and functional data, which may be useful in further study on endogenous mechanisms of neuroprotection and search for new targets for therapeutic interventions.

Plasma metabolic profiling after cortical spreading depression in a transgenic mouse model of hemiplegic migraine by capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry

Cortical spreading depression-induced brain metabolic changes have been captured in the plasma of a transgenic migraine mouse model using CE-MS.

A concise diastereoselective approach to enantioenriched substituted piperidines and their in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation

A library of diversely stereo-oriented, highly substituted 2,6-cis piperidine derivatives were synthesized, and evaluated for their anticancer activity in cancer cells that included A549 (lung cancer, CCL-185), MCF7 (breast cancer (HTB-22), DU145 (prostate cancer (HTB-81), and HeLa (cervical cancer, CCL-2). One stereo-variant emerged as a promising candidate for further design based structure-activity studies.

Recent advances in asymmetric synthesis of pipecolic acid and derivatives

This review covers the literature relating to asymmetric syntheses of pipecolic acid derivatives from 1997 to present. This review is organized according to the position and the degree of substitution of the piperidinic cycle. In a first section, syntheses of pipecolic acid itself are described. Then, successively, syntheses of C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6 substituted pipecolic acid derivatives are reported. Finally, syntheses of unsaturated pipecolic acid derivatives are presented before the last part devoted to the polysubstituted pipecolic acid derivatives.

Intracerebroventricular administration of GABA-A and GABA-B receptor antagonists attenuate feeding and sleeping-like behavior induced by L-pipecolic acid in neonatal chicks

It has been demonstrated that L-pipecolic acid (L-PA), a major metabolic intermediate of L-lysine (L-Lys) in the mammalian and chicken brain, is involved in the functioning of the GABAergic system. A previous study has shown that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of L-PA suppressed feeding and induced sleep-like behavior in neonatal chicks; however, the precise relationship between the GABAergic system and L-PA has not been clarified. In the present study, the role of the GABA-A or GABA-B receptors in the suppression of food intake and induction of sleeping-like behavior by L-PA was investigated. Chicks were injected i.c.v. with the GABA-A antagonist picrotoxin or GABA-B antagonist CGP54626 along with L-PA. Although suppression of food intake by L-PA was restored partially by co-injection with CGP54626, but not picrotoxin, sleep-like behavior induced by L-PA was suppressed significantly by both antagonists. These results suggested that L-PA activated both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, and GABA-B receptors alone contributed to food intake whereas both receptors contributed to sleep-like behavior.

Dietary L-lysine deficiency increases stress-induced anxiety and fecal excretion in rats

Little is known about the psychobehavioral consequences of a dietary deficiency of the amino acid, L-lysine. This report demonstrates that a 4-d long L-lysine deficiency in rats interfered with the normal circadian release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but not dopamine, measured by in vivo microdialysis in the central nucleus of the amygdala. L-Lysine deficiency was induced by feeding rats a L-lysine-deficient diet. Controls were pair-fed a L-lysine-sufficient diet. Footshock stress-induced anxiety, measured in an elevated plus-maze paradigm, and wrap-restraint stress-stimulated fecal excretion were significantly greater in the L-lysine-deficient rats than in the controls. We conclude that a severe deficiency of dietary L-lysine enhances serotonin release in the amygdala, with subsequent changes in psychobehavioral responses to stress.

Binding characteristics of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as a weak but selective GABAB receptor agonist

The aim of this study was to reexamine the concept that gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a weak but selective agonist at gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) receptors, using binding experiments with several radioligands. Ki values of GHB were similar (approximately equal to 100 microM) in three agonist radioligand assays for GABAB receptors, [3H]baclofen (beta-para-chlorophenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid), [3H]CGP 27492 (3-aminopropyl-phosphinic acid) and [3H]GABA, in the presence of the GABAA receptor agonist isoguvacine with rat cortical, cerebellar and hippocampal membranes. In competition experiments between GHB and the GABAB receptor antagonist, [3H]CGP 54626 (3-N [1-{(S)-3,4-dichlorophenyl}-ethylamino]-2-(S)-hydroxypropyl cyclo-hexylmethyl phosphinic acid), the IC50 values were significantly increased with 300 microM of 5'-guanyl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), which suggested that guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) modulate GHB binding on GABAB receptors. The inhibition by GHB of [3H]CGP 27492 binding in cortical membranes was not altered in the presence of 0.3 or 3 mM of the two GHB dehydrogenase inhibitors, valproate and ethosuximide. Thus, GHB is not reconverted into GABA by GHB dehydrogenase. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrated that GHB is an endogenous weak but selective agonist at GABAB receptors.

Experimental absence seizures: potential role of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and GABAB receptors

We have investigated whether the pathogenesis of spontaneous generalized non-convulsive seizures in rats with genetic absence epilepsy is due to an increase in the brain levels of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) or in the rate of its synthesis. Concentrations of GHB or of its precursor gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) were measured with a new GC/MS technique which allows the simultaneous assessment of GHB and GBL. The rate of GHB synthesis was estimated from the increase in GHB levels after inhibition of its catabolism with valproate. The results of this study do not indicate significant differences in GHB or GBL levels, or in their rates of synthesis in rats showing spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) as compared to rats without SWD. Binding data indicate that GHB, but not GBL, has a selective, although weak affinity for GABAB receptors (IC50 = 150 microM). Similar IC50 values were observed in membranes prepared from rats showing SWD and from control rats. The average GHB brain levels of 2.12 +/- 0.23 nmol/g measured in the cortex and of 4.28 +/- 0.90 nmol/g in the thalamus are much lower than the concentrations necessary to occupy a major part of the GABAB receptors. It is unlikely that local accumulations of GHB reach concentrations 30-70-fold higher than the average brain levels. After injection of 3.5 mmol/kg GBL, a dose sufficient to induce SWD, brain concentrations reach 240 +/- 31 nmol/g (Snead, 1991) and GHB could thus stimulate the GABAB receptor. Like the selective and potent GABAB receptor agonist R(-)-baclofen, GHB causes a dose-related decrease in cerebellar cGMP. This decrease and the increase in SWD caused by R(-)-baclofen were completely blocked by the selective and potent GABAB receptor antagonist CGP 35348, whereas only the increase in the duration of SWD induced by GHB was totally antagonized by CGP 35348. The decrease in cerebellar cGMP levels elicited by GHB was only partially antagonized by CGP 35348. These findings suggest that all effects of R(-)-baclofen are mediated by the GABAB receptor, whereas only the induction of SWD by GHB is dependent on GABAB receptor mediation, the decrease in cGMP being only partially so. Taken together with the observations of Marescaux et al. (1992), these results indicate that GABAB receptors are of primary importance in experimental absence epilepsy and that GABAB receptor antagonists may represent a new class of anti-absence drugs.

CGP 37849 and CGP 39551: novel and potent competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists with oral activity

1. The pharmacological properties of CGP 37849 (DL-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid; 4-methyl-APPA) and its carboxyethylester, CGP 39551, novel unsaturated analogues of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate (AP5), were evaluated in rodent brain in vitro and in vivo. 2. Radioligand binding experiments demonstrated that CGP 37849 potently (Ki 220 nM) and competitively inhibited NMDA-sensitive L-[3H]-glutamate binding to postsynaptic density (PSD) fractions from rat brain. It inhibited the binding of the selective NMDA receptor antagonist, [3H]-((+/-)-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate (CPP), with a Ki of 35 nM, and was 4, 5 and 7 fold more potent than the antagonists [+/-)-cis-4-phosphonomethylpiperidine-2-carboxylic acid) (CGS 19755), CPP and D-AP5, respectively. Inhibitory activity was associated exclusively with the trans configuration of the APPA molecule and with the D-stereoisomer. CGP 39551 showed weaker activity at NMDA receptor recognition sites and both compounds were weak or inactive at 18 other receptor binding sites. 3. CGP 37849 and CGP 39551 were inactive as inhibitors of L-[3H]-glutamate uptake into rat brain synaptosomes and had no effect on the release of endogenous glutamate from rat hippocampal slices evoked by electrical field stimulation. 4. In the hippocampal slice in vitro, CGP 37849 selectively and reversibly antagonized NMDA-evoked increases in CA1 pyramidal cell firing rate. In slices bathed in medium containing low Mg2+ levels, concentrations of CGP 37849 up to 10 microM suppressed burst firing evoked in CAl neurones by stimulation of Schaffer collateral-commissural fibres without affecting the magnitude of the initial population spike; CGP 39551 exerted the same effect but was weaker. In vivo, oral administration to rats of either CGP 37849 or CGP 39551 selectively blocked firing in hippocampal neurones induced by ionophoreticallyapplied NMDA, without affecting the responses to quisqualate or kainate. 5. CGP 37849 and CGP 39551 suppressed maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice with ED50 s of 21 and 4 mg kg'- p.o., respectively. 6. CGP 37849 and CGP 39551 are potent and competitive NMDA receptor antagonists which show significant central effects following oral administration to animals. As such, they may find value as tools to elucidate the roles of NMDA receptors in brain function, and potentially as therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and ischaemic brain damage in man.

CGP 31358 binds to a site on the NMDA receptor that is coupled to both the transmitter recognition site and the channel domain

CGP 31358, a novel triazole, inhibited the binding of L-[3H]glutamate and [3H]MK-801 to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex in rat brain synaptic membrane fractions, and showed anticonvulsant activity in mice. It had no effect on the strychnine-insensitive binding of [3H]glycine. Saturation and Hill analyses indicated that CGP 31358 binds to a site on the NMDA receptor which is separate from, but coupled to, both the transmitter recognition site and the channel domain. Available data indicate that this site is distinct from those with which tricyclic antidepressants and ifenprodil interact. CGP 31358 is a new chemical entity with a novel mechanism of action at the NMDA receptor, and as such may form a tool for understanding the molecular pharmacology of this receptor-channel complex.

Gamma-vinyl GABA: comparison of neurochemical and anticonvulsant effects in mice

Biochemical and pharmacological effects of gamma-vinyl GABA (Vigabatrin, GVG), and irreversible enzyme-activated inhibitor of 4-aminobutyrate: 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.19; GABA-T), were measured in mice. This anticonvulsant produced a time- and dose-dependent elevation of the GABA, phenylalanine and lysine contents of cortical tissue and simultaneously decreased glutamate, aspartate and alanine levels. In addition, GVG caused a biphasic change in glutamine concentrations (a decline 1-4 hours after administration, followed 20 hours later by an increase). Moreover, we found a new, as yet unidentified amino acid in the brain eluting with the same retention time as alpha-aminoadipic acid from an HPLC cation-exchange column. The level of this novel chemical entity was greatly increased by GVG 20 hours after injection of the drug. At all tested intervals between 1 and 60 hours after injection, GVG was ineffective against maximal electroshock. The GABA-T inhibitor dose-dependently protected mice against isoniazid-induced seizures, simultaneously causing an increase in brain GABA concentrations. However, this apparent correlation applied only until 4 hours after treatment. To better define the anticonvulsant profile of GVG, groups of mice were treated, 1, 2, 4, and 24 hours prior to challenge with convulsant doses of strychnine, pentetrazole (PTZ), and picrotoxin, and brain amino acid levels, including brain concentrations of GVG, were measured. In all instances, the time dependency of the anticonvulsant effects of GVG and of increases in brain GABA levels differed. Amino acid concentrations in animals treated only with GVG were similar to those in animals given GVG and a chemical convulsant. GVG showed no selectivity for seizures produced by impairment of GABA-ergic neurotransmission. Although GVG is an effective GABA-T inhibitor, it apparently affects several other pyridoxal-phosphate-dependent cerebral enzymes and/or interacts with other neurotransmitter systems as well.

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant and biochemical activity of CGS 8216 and CGS 9896 in animal models

CGS 8216, a benzodiazepine-receptor ligand with inverse agonistic properties, and CGS 9896, which possesses partial agonistic or mixed agonist-antagonist properties were compared in a number of epilepsy models. The effect of CGS 9896 on the decrease in GABA levels induced by isoniazid was also investigated. CGS 9896 inhibited the kindling process in rats in that it delayed the development of overt seizures and the increase in the duration of afterdischarges. In a genetic rat model characterized by absence-like EEG patterns, CGS 9896 dose-dependently suppressed these spontaneously occurring discharges, while CGS 8216 had no effect. However, CGS 8216 antagonized the anticonvulsant action of CGS 9896. CGS 9896 protected mice against seizures induced by beta-vinyllactic acid, whereas CGS 8216 shortened the latency period before convulsions occurred. CGS 9896 retarded the onset of convulsive fits caused by isoniazid without preventing the decrease in GABA levels produced by that drug. These results confirm the anticonvulsant activity of CGS 9896 and demonstrate the inverse agonistic activity of CGS 8216. The profile of CGS 9896 in the above tests suggests that it might be an effective anticonvulsant, primarily in absence-type seizures.

Modulation of benzodiazepine by lysine and pipecolic acid on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures

L-lysine, an essential amino acid for man and animals, and its metabolite pipecolic acid (PA) have been studied for their effects on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice. L-Lysine or L-PA i.p. significantly increased clonic and tonic latencies in a dose-dependent manner against 90 mg/kg PTZ-induced seizures. L-Lysine but not L-PA enhanced the anticonvulsant effect of diazepam (DZ) (0.2 mg/kg). L-PA (0.1 mmol/kg) i.c.v. showed a slight decrease in clonic latency; it did not enhance the antiseizure activity of DZ; it caused seizures at 0.6 mmol/kg. D-PA (0.1 mmol/kg) i.c.v. displayed an opposite effect compared to its L-isomer. The anticonvulsant effect of L-lysine in terms of increase in seizure latency and survival was even more amplified when tested with a submaximal PTZ concentration (65 mg/kg). L-Lysine showed an enhancement of specific 3H-flunitrazepam (FZ) binding to mouse brain membranes both in vitro and in vivo. The possibility of L-lysine acting as a modulator for the GABA/benzodiazepine receptors was demonstrated. Since L-PA showed enhancement of 3H-FZ binding only in vitro but not in vivo, the anticonvulsant effect of L-PA may not be linked to the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor.