1
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Olson KM, Hillhouse TM, Burgess GE, West JL, Hallahan JE, Dripps IJ, Ladetto AG, Rice KC, Jutkiewicz EM, Traynor JR. Delta Opioid Receptor-Mediated Antidepressant-Like Effects of Diprenorphine in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 384:343-352. [PMID: 36456196 PMCID: PMC9976798 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder is a highly common disorder, with a lifetime prevalence in the United States of approximately 21%. Traditional antidepressant treatments are limited by a delayed onset of action and minimal efficacy in some patients. Ketamine is effective and fast-acting, but there are concerns over its abuse liability. Thus, there is a need for safe, fast-acting antidepressant drugs. The opioid buprenorphine shows promise but also has abuse liability due to its mu-agonist component. Preclinical evidence indicates that the delta-opioid system contributes to mood disorders, and delta-opioid agonists are effective in preclinical models of depression- and anxiety-like states. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the mu-opioid antagonist diprenorphine by virtue of its partial delta opioid agonist activity may offer a beneficial profile for an antidepressant medication without abuse liability. Diprenorphine was confirmed to bind with high affinity to all three opioid receptors, and functional experiments for G protein activation verified diprenorphine to be a partial agonist at delta- and kappa-opioid receptors and a mu-antagonist. Studies in C57BL/6 mice demonstrated that an acute dose of diprenorphine produced antidepressant-like effects in the tail suspension test and the novelty-induced hypophagia test that were inhibited in the presence of the delta-selective antagonist, naltrindole. Diprenorphine did not produce convulsions, a side effect of many delta agonists but rather inhibited convulsions caused by the full delta agonist SNC80; however, diprenorphine did potentiate pentylenetetrazole-induced convulsions. Diprenorphine, and compounds with a similar pharmacological profile, may provide efficient and safe rapidly acting antidepressants. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The management of major depressive disorder, particularly treatment-resistant depression, is a significant unmet medical need. Here we show that the opioid diprenorphine, a compound with mu-opioid receptor antagonist activity and delta- and kappa-opioid receptor partial agonist activities, has rapid onset antidepressant-like activity in animal models. Diprenorphine and compounds with a similar pharmacological profile to diprenorphine should be explored as novel antidepressant drugs.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology
- Depressive Disorder, Major
- Diprenorphine/pharmacology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Opioid
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Seizures/chemically induced
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith M Olson
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Todd M Hillhouse
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Gwendolyn E Burgess
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Joshua L West
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - James E Hallahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Isaac J Dripps
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Allison G Ladetto
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - Emily M Jutkiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology and Edward F Domino Research Center (K.M.O., T.M.H., G.E.B., J.L.W., J.E.H., I.J.D., A.G.L., E.M.J., J.R.T.) and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (J.R.T.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin (T.M.H.); and Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland (K.C.R.)
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2
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Lee YS. Peptidomimetics and Their Applications for Opioid Peptide Drug Discovery. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091241. [PMID: 36139079 PMCID: PMC9496382 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite various advantages, opioid peptides have been limited in their therapeutic uses due to the main drawbacks in metabolic stability, blood-brain barrier permeability, and bioavailability. Therefore, extensive studies have focused on overcoming the problems and optimizing the therapeutic potential. Currently, numerous peptide-based drugs are being marketed thanks to new synthetic strategies for optimizing metabolism and alternative routes of administration. This tutorial review briefly introduces the history and role of natural opioid peptides and highlights the key findings on their structure-activity relationships for the opioid receptors. It discusses details on opioid peptidomimetics applied to develop therapeutic candidates for the treatment of pain from the pharmacological and structural points of view. The main focus is the current status of various mimetic tools and the successful applications summarized in tables and figures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Sun Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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3
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Pasquinucci L, Spoto S, Costanzo G, Dichiara M, Piana S, Grasso M, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Parenti C. Novel N-normetazocine Derivatives with Opioid Agonist/Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist Profile as Potential Analgesics in Inflammatory Pain. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165135. [PMID: 36014375 PMCID: PMC9413390 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common drugs used in persistent pain treatment; they have shown many side effects. The development of new analgesics endowed with mu opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) activity represents a promising alternative to MOR-selective compounds. Moreover, new mechanisms, such as sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) antagonism, could be an opioid adjuvant strategy. The in vitro σ1R and σ2R profiles of previous synthesized MOR/DOR agonists (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) were assayed. To investigate the pivotal role of N-normetazocine stereochemistry, we also synthesized the (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) compounds. (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) compounds have Ki values for σ1R ranging between 112.72 and 182.81 nM, showing a multitarget opioid/σ1R profile. Instead, (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) isomers displayed a nanomolar affinity for σ1R, with significative selectivity vs. σ2R and opioid receptors. All isomers were evaluated using an in vivo formalin test. (−)-2S-LP2, at 0.7 mg/kg i.p., showed a significative and naloxone-reversed analgesic effect. The σ1R selective compound (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), at 5.0 mg/kg i.p., decreased the second phase of the formalin test, showing an antagonist σ1R profile. The multitarget or single target profile of assayed N-normetazocine derivatives could represent a promising pharmacological strategy to enhance opioid potency and/or increase the safety margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-738-4273
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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4
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Wullschläger D, Denker L, Frank R. Metal Halide Exchange in Benzylborane NHC‐Adducts: The Effect of Backbone Alkylation in the
N
‐Heterocyclic Carbene. Z Anorg Allg Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/zaac.202200018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Wullschläger
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Technische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Lars Denker
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Technische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - René Frank
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry Technische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
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5
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Henry S, Anand JP, Brinkel AC, McMillan DM, Twarozynski JJ, Loo CE, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. SAR Matrices Enable Discovery of Mixed Efficacy μ-Opioid Receptor Agonist Peptidomimetics with Simplified Structures through an Aromatic-Amine Pharmacophore. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:216-233. [PMID: 33346631 PMCID: PMC9923772 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously described the development of potent μ-opioid receptor (MOR)-agonist/δ-opioid receptor (DOR)-antagonist peptidomimetic ligands as an approach toward effective analgesics with reduced side effects. In this series, a tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) or substituted phenyl is employed to link two key pharmacophore elements, a dimethyltyrosine amino acid and typically an aromatic pendant. Using new and previously reported analogues, we constructed a structure-activity relationship (SAR) matrix that probes the utility of previously reported amine pendants. This matrix reveals that the MOR-agonist/DOR-antagonist properties of these ligands do not change when a tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) pendant is used, despite removal of substituents on the core phenyl ring. Based on this observation, we retained the THIQ pendant and replaced the phenyl core with simpler aliphatic chain structures. These simpler analogues proved to be potent MOR-agonists with high variability in their effects at the DOR and the κ-opioid receptor (KOR). These data show that the amine of the THIQ pendant may be a novel pharmacophore element that favors high MOR-efficacy, whereas the aromatic ring of the THIQ pendant may produce high MOR-potency. Combined, the two pharmacophores within the THIQ pendant may be a structurally efficient means of converting opioid peptides and peptidomimetics into potent and efficacious MOR-agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Henry
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jessica P. Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ashley C. Brinkel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Douglas M. McMillan
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jack. J. Twarozynski
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Christian E. Loo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - John R. Traynor
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Henry I. Mosberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Edward F Domino Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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6
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Wtorek K, Piekielna-Ciesielska J, Janecki T, Janecka A. The search for opioid analgesics with limited tolerance liability. Peptides 2020; 130:170331. [PMID: 32497566 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Reducing the well-known side effects of opioids prescribed to treat chronic pain remains unresolved, despite extensive research in this field. Among several options to tackle this problem the synthesis of multifunctional compounds containing hybridized structures gained a lot of interest. Recently, extensively investigated are combinations of opioid agonist and antagonist pharmacophores embodied in a single molecule. To this end, agonism at the μ opioid receptor (MOR) with simultaneous antagonism at the δ opioid receptor (DOR) emerged as a promising avenue to obtaining novel analogs devoid of serious adverse effects associated with morphine-based analgesics. In this review we covered up-to-date research on the synthesis of peptide-based ligands with MOR agonist/DOR antagonist profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Wtorek
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Tomasz Janecki
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Janecka
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
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7
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Pasquinucci L, Parenti C, Ruiz-Cantero MC, Georgoussi Z, Pallaki P, Cobos EJ, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Prezzavento O, Arena E, Dichiara M, Salerno L, Turnaturi R. Novel N-Substituted Benzomorphan-Based Compounds: From MOR-Agonist/DOR-Antagonist to Biased/Unbiased MOR Agonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:678-685. [PMID: 32435370 PMCID: PMC7236032 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Modifications at the basic nitrogen of the benzomorphan scaffold allowed the development of compounds able to segregate physiological responses downstream of the receptor signaling, opening new possibilities in opioid drug development. Alkylation of the phenyl ring in the N-substituent of the MOR-agonist/DOR-antagonist LP1 resulted in retention of MOR affinity. Moreover, derivatives 7a, 7c, and 7d were biased MOR agonists toward ERK1,2 activity stimulation, whereas derivative 7e was a low potency MOR agonist on adenylate cyclase inhibition. They were further screened in the mouse tail flick test and PGE2-induced hyperalgesia and drug-induced gastrointestinal transit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - M. Carmen Ruiz-Cantero
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience,
Biomedical Research Center, University of
Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Teófilo Hernando
Institute for Drug Discovery, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory
of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences
and Applications, National Center for Scientific
Research “Demokritos″, Ag. Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalina Pallaki
- Laboratory
of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences
and Applications, National Center for Scientific
Research “Demokritos″, Ag. Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece
| | - Enrique J. Cobos
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience,
Biomedical Research Center, University of
Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Teófilo Hernando
Institute for Drug Discovery, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuela Arena
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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8
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Henry S, Anand JP, Twarozynski JJ, Brinkel AC, Pogozheva ID, Sears BF, Jutkiewicz EM, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. Aromatic-Amine Pendants Produce Highly Potent and Efficacious Mixed Efficacy μ-Opioid Receptor (MOR)/δ-Opioid Receptor (DOR) Peptidomimetics with Enhanced Metabolic Stability. J Med Chem 2020; 63:1671-1683. [PMID: 31986033 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported a novel SAR campaign that converted a metabolically unstable series of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist/δ-opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist bicyclic core peptidomimetics with promising analgesic activity and reduced abuse liabilities into a more stable series of benzylic core analogues. Herein, we expanded the SAR of that campaign and determined that the incorporation of amines into the benzylic pendant produces enhanced MOR-efficacy in this series, whereas the reincorporation of an aromatic ring into the pendant enhanced MOR-potency. Two compounds, which contain a piperidine (14) or an isoindoline (17) pendant, retained the desired opioid profile in vitro, possessed metabolic half-lives of greater than 1 h in mouse liver microsomes (MLMs), and were active antinociceptive agents in the acetic acid stretch assay (AASA) at subcutaneous doses of 1 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Henry
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Jessica P Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Jack J Twarozynski
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Ashley C Brinkel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Irina D Pogozheva
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Bryan F Sears
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Emily M Jutkiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology, Medical School , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Henry I Mosberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States.,Edward F. Domino Research Center , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
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9
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Senese NB, Kandasamy R, Kochan KE, Traynor JR. Regulator of G-Protein Signaling (RGS) Protein Modulation of Opioid Receptor Signaling as a Potential Target for Pain Management. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:5. [PMID: 32038168 PMCID: PMC6992652 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid drugs are the gold standard for the management of pain, but their use is severely limited by dangerous and unpleasant side effects. All clinically available opioid analgesics bind to and activate the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), a heterotrimeric G-protein-coupled receptor, to produce analgesia. The activity of these receptors is modulated by a family of intracellular RGS proteins or regulators of G-protein signaling proteins, characterized by the presence of a conserved RGS Homology (RH) domain. These proteins act as negative regulators of G-protein signaling by serving as GTPase accelerating proteins or GAPS to switch off signaling by both the Gα and βγ subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins. Consequently, knockdown or knockout of RGS protein activity enhances signaling downstream of MOR. In this review we discuss current knowledge of how this activity, across the different families of RGS proteins, modulates MOR activity, as well as activity of other members of the opioid receptor family, and so pain and analgesia in animal models, with particular emphasis on RGS4 and RGS9 families. We discuss inhibition of RGS proteins with small molecule inhibitors that bind to sensitive cysteine moieties in the RH domain and the potential for targeting this family of intracellular proteins as adjuncts to provide an opioid sparing effect or as standalone analgesics by promoting the activity of endogenous opioid peptides. Overall, we conclude that RGS proteins may be a novel drug target to provide analgesia with reduced opioid-like side effects, but that much basic work is needed to define the roles for specific RGS proteins, particularly in chronic pain, as well as a need to develop newer inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas B Senese
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Ram Kandasamy
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Psychology, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Kelsey E Kochan
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - John R Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, Edward F. Domino Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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10
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Montgomery D, Anand JP, Baber MA, Twarozynski JJ, Hartman JG, Delong LJ, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. Structure-Activity Relationships of 7-Substituted Dimethyltyrosine-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Opioid Peptidomimetics. Molecules 2019; 24:E4302. [PMID: 31779072 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The opioid receptors modulate a variety of biological functions, including pain, mood, and reward. As a result, opioid ligands are being explored as potential therapeutics for a variety of indications. Multifunctional opioid ligands, which act simultaneously at more than one type of opioid receptor, show promise for use in the treatment of addiction, pain, and other conditions. Previously, we reported the creation of bifunctional kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist/mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist ligands from the classically delta opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist selective dimethyltyrosine-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Dmt-Tiq) scaffold through the addition of a 7-benzyl pendant on the tetrahydroisoquinoline ring. This study further explores the structure–activity relationships surrounding 7-position pendants on the Dmt-Tiq scaffold. Some analogues maintain a KOR agonist/MOR partial agonist profile, which is being explored in the development of a treatment for cocaine addiction. Others display a MOR agonist/DOR antagonist profile, which has potential to be used in the creation of a less addictive pain medication. Ultimately, we report the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel opioid ligands with a variety of multifunctional profiles.
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11
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Salerno L, Rescifina A, Pittalà V, Cantarella G, Tomarchio E, Parenti C, Pasquinucci L. Progress in the development of more effective and safer analgesics for pain management. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111701. [PMID: 31550662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics have been used for thousands of years in the treatment of pain and related disorders, and have become among the most widely prescribed medications. Among opioid analgesics, mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are the most commonly used and are indicated for acute and chronic pain management. However, their use results in a plethora of well-described side-effects. From selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists to multitarget MOR/DOR and MOR/KOR ligands, medicinal chemistry provided different approaches aimed at the development of opioid analgesics with an improved pharmacological and tolerability fingerprint. The emergent medicinal chemistry strategy to develop ameliorated opioid analgesics is based upon the concept that functional selectivity for G-protein signalling is necessary for the therapeutic effect, whether β-arrestin recruitment is mainly responsible for the manifestation of side effects, including the development of tolerance after repeated administrations. This review summarises most relevant biased MOR, DOR, KOR and multitarget MOR/DOR ligands synthesised in the last decade and their pharmacological profile in "in vitro" and "in vivo" studies. Such biased ligands could have a significant impact on modern drug discovery and represent a new strategy for the development of better-tolerated drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug Sciences, Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
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12
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Montgomery D, Anand JP, Griggs NW, Fernandez TJ, Hartman JG, Sánchez-Santiago AA, Pogozheva ID, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. Novel Dimethyltyrosine-Tetrahydroisoquinoline Peptidomimetics with Aromatic Tetrahydroisoquinoline Substitutions Show in Vitro Kappa and Mu Opioid Receptor Agonism. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3682-3689. [PMID: 31199621 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dimethyltyrosine-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Dmt-Tiq) scaffold was originally developed in the production of selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) antagonists. Installation of a 7-benzyl pendant on the tetrahydroisoquinoline core of this classic opioid scaffold introduced kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonism. Further modification of this pendant resulted in retention of KOR agonism and the addition of mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonism, a bifunctional profile with potential to be used in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna Montgomery
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jessica P. Anand
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nicholas W. Griggs
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Thomas J. Fernandez
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Joshua G. Hartman
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Ashley A. Sánchez-Santiago
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Irina D. Pogozheva
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - John R. Traynor
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Henry I. Mosberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Edward F. Domino Research Center, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Böser
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical ChemistryTechnische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Lars Denker
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical ChemistryTechnische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - René Frank
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical ChemistryTechnische Universität Braunschweig Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
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14
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Henry SP, Fernandez TJ, Anand JP, Griggs NW, Traynor JR, Mosberg HI. Structural Simplification of a Tetrahydroquinoline-Core Peptidomimetic μ-Opioid Receptor (MOR) Agonist/δ-Opioid Receptor (DOR) Antagonist Produces Improved Metabolic Stability. J Med Chem 2019; 62:4142-4157. [PMID: 30924650 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported a series of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist/δ-opioid receptor (DOR) antagonist ligands to serve as potential nonaddictive opioid analgesics. These ligands have been shown to be active in vivo, do not manifest withdrawal syndromes or reward behavior in conditioned-place preference assays in mice, and do not produce dependence. Although these attributes are promising, these analogues exhibit poor metabolic stability in mouse liver microsomes, likely due to the central tetrahydroquinoline scaffold in this series. As such, a structure-activity relationship (SAR) campaign was pursued to improve their metabolic stability. This resulted in a shift from our original bicyclic tetrahydroquinoline core to a monocyclic benzylic-core system. By eliminating one of the rings in this scaffold and exploring the SAR of this new core, two promising analogues were discovered. These analogues (5l and 5m) had potency and efficacy values at MOR better or comparable to morphine, retained their DOR-antagonist properties, and showed a 10-fold improvement in metabolic stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Henry
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | | | | | | | - John R Traynor
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Henry I Mosberg
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy , University of Michigan , 428 Church Street , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
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15
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Pasquinucci L, Turnaturi R, Montenegro L, Caraci F, Chiechio S, Parenti C. Simultaneous targeting of MOR/DOR: A useful strategy for inflammatory pain modulation. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 847:97-102. [PMID: 30690004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Development of new analgesics endowed with mu/delta opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) activity represents a promising alternative to MOR selective compounds because of their better therapeutic and tolerability profile. Lately, we have synthetized the MOR/DOR agonist LP2 that showed a long lasting antinociceptive activity in the tail flick test, an acute pain model. Here, we investigate whether LP2 is also effective in the mouse formalin test, a model of inflammatory pain sustained by mechanisms of central sensitization. Moreover, we evaluated a possible peripheral component of LP2 analgesic activity. Different doses of LP2 were tested after either intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intraplantar (i.pl.) administration. LP2 (0.75-1.00 mg/kg, i.p.), dose-dependently, counteracted both phases of the formalin test after i.p. administration. The analgesic activity of LP2 (0.75-1.00 mg/kg) was completely blocked by a pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Differently, the pretreatment with naloxone methiodide (5 mg/kg, i.p.), a peripherally restricted opioid antagonist, completely blocked the lower analgesic dose of LP2 (0.75 mg/kg) but only partially relieved the antinociceptive effects of LP2 at the dose of 1.00 mg/kg, thus revealing a peripheral analgesic component of LP2. I.pl. injections of LP2 (10-20 μg/10 μl) were also performed to investigate a possible effect of LP2 on peripheral nerve terminals. Nociceptive sensitization, which occur both at peripheral and central level, is a fundamental step for pain chronicization, thus LP2 is a promising drug for pain conditions characterized by nociceptive sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
| | - Lucia Montenegro
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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