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Crespo MJ, Román M, Tirado G, Martins AH, Ferrer-Acosta Y, Martinez-Jimenez SM. Dantrolene Significantly Improves Cerebral Blood Flow in a Rat Model of Hemorrhagic Vasospasms. Pharmacology 2023; 108:265-273. [PMID: 36878192 DOI: 10.1159/000529243] [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] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A cerebral vasospasm (CVSP) is a potent vasoconstriction of the cerebral vasculature and the primary cause of morbidity and mortality following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is commonly affected by CVSPs. Concomitant administration of dantrolene and nimodipine synergistically reduces vasospasms in aortic rings from Sprague Dawley rats. To determine if the effects observed in the systemic vasculature extend to the cerebral circulation, we investigated the effect of intravenous administration of dantrolene (2.5 mg/kg) and nimodipine (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) on MCA blood flow velocity (BFV) 7 days after the induction of CVSPs. METHODS Vasospasms were induced by bathing the left common carotid artery with autologous whole blood. Age-matched sham rats were used as controls. BFV, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured with a PeriFlux 5000 Laser Doppler System, and a CODA non-invasive blood pressure system, before and after administering the drugs. Morphometric evaluations were also performed to assess vascular alterations. RESULTS BFV was reduced by 37% with dantrolene alone (n = 6, p ≤ 0.05) and by 27% with 2 mg/kg nimodipine (n = 6, p < 0.05), while it was not affected by 1 mg/kg nimodipine. The combination of 1 mg/kg nimodipine with dantrolene, however, decreased BFV by 35% (from 435.70 ± 21.53 to 284.30 ± 23.13 perfusion units, n = 7, p ≤ 0.05). A similar reduction (31%) was obtained with dantrolene and 2 mg/kg nimodipine (from 536.00 ± 32.61 to 367.80 ± 40.93 perfusion units, n = 6, p ≤ 0.05). Neither MAP nor HR was affected by dantrolene or nimodipine alone. The combination of dantrolene with 2 mg/kg nimodipine, however, decreased MAP and increased HR. Furthermore, 7 days after the induction of vasospasms, lumen area of the left common carotid artery decreased, whereas media thickness and the wall-to-lumen ratio increased when compared to contralateral controls. The latter finding suggests that vascular remodeling was present at this stage. CONCLUSION Altogether, our results indicate that 2.5 mg/kg dantrolene significantly reduces BFV in the MCA without altering systemic hemodynamic parameters to a similar extent than the highest dose of nimodipine or the combination of dantrolene and the lowest dose of nimodipine. Therefore, dantrolene may provide a promising alternative to lower the risk, or partially revert, CVSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Crespo
- Department of Physiology, University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Marie Román
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Guillermo Tirado
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Puerto Rico-School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Yancy Ferrer-Acosta
- Department of Neurosciences, Universidad Central del Caribe-School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
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Ferrer-Acosta Y, Rodriguez-Massó S, Pérez D, Eterovic VA, Ferchmin PA, Martins AH. Memantine has a nicotinic neuroprotective pathway in acute hippocampal slices after an NMDA insult. Toxicol In Vitro 2022; 84:105453. [PMID: 35944748 PMCID: PMC10026604 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105453] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Memantine is a non-competitive antagonist with a moderate affinity to the N-methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The present study assessed memantine's neuroprotective activity using electrophysiology of ex-vivo hippocampal slices. Interestingly, a nicotinic component was necessary for memantine's neuroprotection (NP). Memantine demonstrated a bell-shaped dose-response curve of NP against NMDA. Memantine was neuroprotective at concentrations below 3 μM, but the NP declined at higher concentrations (>3 μM) when memantine inhibits the NMDA receptor. Additional evidence that memantine NP is mediated by an alternate mechanism independent of the inhibition of the NMDA receptor is supported by its ability to protect neurons when applied before or after the NMDA insult and in the presence of D(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV), the standard NMDA receptor inhibitor. We found several similarities between the memantine NP mechanism and the neuroprotective nicotinic drug, the 4R cembranoid. Memantine's NP requires the release of acetylcholine, the activation of α4β2, and is independent of MEK/MAPK signaling. Both 4R and memantine require the activation of PI3K/AKT for NP against NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity, although at different concentrations. In conclusion, our studies show memantine is neuroprotective through a nicotinic pathway, similar to the nicotinic drug 4R. This information leads to a better understanding of memantine's mechanisms of action and explains its dose-dependent effectiveness in Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yancy Ferrer-Acosta
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central del Caribe, Laurel Avenue 2U6, Lomas Verdes, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico.
| | - Sergio Rodriguez-Massó
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Los Paseos Avenue, Guillermo Arbona Building, San Juan 00935, Puerto Rico.
| | - Dinely Pérez
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe Laurel Avenue, #100, Santa Juanita, Bayamón 00956, Puerto Rico
| | - Vesna A Eterovic
- Neuroprotection for Life, 480 E Village Dr., Carmel, IN 46032, USA
| | - P A Ferchmin
- Neuroprotection for Life, 480 E Village Dr., Carmel, IN 46032, USA
| | - Antonio Henrique Martins
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Los Paseos Avenue, Guillermo Arbona Building, San Juan 00935, Puerto Rico.
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Rodríguez-Massó SR, Erickson MA, Banks WA, Ulrich H, Martins AH. The Bradykinin B2 Receptor Agonist (NG291) Causes Rapid Onset of Transient Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Without Evidence of Early Brain Injury. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:791709. [PMID: 34975388 PMCID: PMC8715084 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.791709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The blood–brain barrier (BBB) describes the brain’s highly specialized capillaries, which form a dynamic interface that maintains central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. The BBB supports the CNS, in part, by preventing the entry of potentially harmful circulating molecules into the brain. However, this specialized function is challenging for the development of CNS therapeutics. Several strategies to facilitate drug delivery into the brain parenchyma via disruption of the BBB have been proposed. Bradykinin has proven effective in disrupting mechanisms across the blood–tumor barrier. Unfortunately, bradykinin has limited therapeutic value because of its short half-life and the undesirable biological activity elicited by its active metabolites. Objective: To evaluate NG291, a stable bradykinin analog, with selective agonist activity on the bradykinin-B2 receptor and its ability to disrupt the BBB transiently. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats and CD-1 mice were subjected to NG291 treatment (either 50 or 100 μg/kg, intravenously). Time and dose-dependent BBB disruption were evaluated by histological analysis of Evans blue (EB) extravasation. Transcellular and paracellular BBB leakage were assessed by infiltration of 99mTc-albumin (66.5 KDa) and 14C-sucrose (340 Da) radiolabeled probes into the brains of CD-1 mice treated with NG291. NG291 influence on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump activity was evaluated by quantifying the brain accumulation of 3H-verapamil, a known P-gp substrate, in CD-1 mice. Results: NG291-mediated BBB disruption was localized, dose-dependent, and reversible as measured by EB extravasation. 99mTc-albumin leakage was significantly increased by 50 μg/kg of NG291, whereas 100 μg/kg of NG291 significantly augmented both 14C-sucrose and 99mTc-albumin leakage. NG291 enhanced P-gp efflux transporter activity and was unable to increase brain uptake of the P-gp substrate pralidoxime. NG291 did not evoke significant short-term neurotoxicity, as it did not increase brain water content, the number of Fluoro-Jade C positive cells, or astrocyte activation. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest that NG291 increases BBB permeability by two different mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner and increases P-gp efflux transport. This increased permeability may facilitate the penetration into the brain of therapeutic candidates that are not P-gp substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio R Rodríguez-Massó
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
| | - Michelle A Erickson
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Henning Ulrich
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Henrique Martins
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, United States
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Masso SRR, Erickson M, Banks WA, Martins AH. The Bradykinin B2 Receptor Agonist NG291 Causes Rapid, Transient Blood‐Brain Barrier Disruption Without Evidence of Persistent Brain Injury: Implications for Drug Delivery to the Brain. FASEB J 2020. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.02504] [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: 11/11/2022]
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Martins AH, Zayas-Santiago A, Ferrer-Acosta Y, Martinez-Jimenez SM, Zueva L, Diaz-Garcia A, Inyushin M. Accumulation of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Peptide on Blood Vessel Walls in the Damaged Brain after Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9080350. [PMID: 31398804 PMCID: PMC6723874 DOI: 10.3390/biom9080350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides are generated in blood vessels, released into the brain during thrombosis, and temporarily accumulate in this organ after injury. Here we demonstrate that 24 h after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO), one of the standard models of focal ischemic stroke, Aβ peptide accumulates in the brain, concentrating on the blood vessel walls. Because Aβ oligomers are known to induce significant damage to brain cells, they act as an additional damaging factor during ischemic stroke. Considering that they have been shown to form ion channels in cells, affecting osmotic balance, we used an Aβ peptide channel blocker, tromethamine (2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl) propane-1,3-diol), to prevent this additional injury. Tromethamine injected 0.1 g/100 g body weight intraperitoneally at 5 min before tMCAO decreased water content in the damaged hemisphere, as measured by dry brain weight. Congo red staining, which binds only to Aβ oligomer plaques (amyloid), showed that there was no significant presence of plaques. Therefore, we suggest that Aβ peptide oligomers are responsible for some of the brain damage during stroke and that blockage of the ion channels that they form could be beneficial in treating this complex neurological syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Henrique Martins
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Guillermo Arbona, Área de Centro Médico Río Piedras, PR 00935, USA
| | - Astrid Zayas-Santiago
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #100, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
| | - Yancy Ferrer-Acosta
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #U26, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
| | - Solianne M Martinez-Jimenez
- Department of Neuroscience, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #U26, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
| | - Lidia Zueva
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #100, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
| | - Amanda Diaz-Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #100, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
| | - Mikhail Inyushin
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe Ave. Laurel #100, Santa Juanita, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA.
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Ferchmin PA, Andino M, Reyes Salaman R, Alves J, Velez-Roman J, Cuadrado B, Carrasco M, Torres-Rivera W, Segarra A, Martins AH, Lee JE, Eterovic VA. 4R-cembranoid protects against diisopropylfluorophosphate-mediated neurodegeneration. Neurotoxicology 2014; 44:80-90. [PMID: 24928201 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 06/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Many organophosphorous esters synthesized for applications in industry, agriculture, or warfare irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and acute poisoning with these compounds causes life-threatening cholinergic overstimulation. Following classical emergency treatment with atropine, an oxime, and a benzodiazepine, surviving victims often suffer brain neurodegeneration. Currently, there is no pharmacological treatment to prevent this brain injury. Here we show that a cyclic diterpenoid, (1S,2E,4R,6R,7E,11E)-cembra-2,7,11-triene-4,6-diol (4R) ameliorates the damage caused by diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) in the hippocampal area CA1. DFP has been frequently used as a surrogate for the warfare nerve agent sarin. In rats, DFP is lethal at the dose used to cause brain damage. Therefore, to observe brain damage in survivors, the death rate was reduced by pre-administration of the peripherally acting antidotes pyridostigmine and methyl atropine or its analog ipratropium. Pyridostigmine bromide, methyl atropine nitrate, and ipratropium bromide were dissolved in saline and injected intramuscularly at 0.1mg/kg, 20mg/kg, and 23mg/kg, respectively. DFP (9mg/kg) dissolved in cold water was injected intraperitoneally. 4R (6mg/kg) dissolved in DMSO was injected subcutaneously, either 1h before or 5 or 24h after DFP. Neurodegeneration was assessed with Fluoro-Jade B and amino cupric silver staining; neuroinflammation was measured by the expression of nestin, a marker of activated astrocytes. Forty-eight hours after DFP administration, 4R decreased the number of dead neurons by half when injected before or after DFP. 4R also significantly decreased the number of activated astrocytes. These data suggest that 4R is a promising new drug that could change the therapeutic paradigm for acute poisoning with organophosphorous compounds by the implementation of a second-stage intervention after the classical countermeasure treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Ferchmin
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA.
| | - Myrna Andino
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Rebeca Reyes Salaman
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Janaina Alves
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Joyce Velez-Roman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
| | - Brenda Cuadrado
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Marimeé Carrasco
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Wilmarie Torres-Rivera
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Annabell Segarra
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
| | - Antonio Henrique Martins
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
| | - Jae Eun Lee
- RTRN Data Coordinating Center, Jackson State University, Jackson, MI 39204, USA
| | - Vesna A Eterovic
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960, USA
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Torres-Rivera W, Pérez D, Park KY, Carrasco M, Platt MO, Eterović VA, Ferchmin PA, Ulrich H, Martins AH. Kinin-B2 receptor exerted neuroprotection after diisopropylfluorophosphate-induced neuronal damage. Neuroscience 2013; 247:273-9. [PMID: 23735753 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The kinin-B2 receptor (B2BKR) activated by its endogenous ligand bradykinin participates in various metabolic processes including the control of arterial pressure and inflammation. Recently, functions for this receptor in brain development and protection against glutamate-provoked excitotoxicity have been proposed. Here, we report neuroprotective properties for bradykinin against organophosphate poisoning using acute hippocampal slices as an in vitro model. Following slice perfusion for 10min with diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) to initiate the noxious stimulus, responses of pyramidal neurons upon an electric impulse were reduced to less than 30% of control amplitudes. Effects on synaptic-elicited population spikes were reverted when preparations had been exposed to bradykinin 30min after challenging with DFP. Accordingly, bradykinin-induced population spike recovery was abolished by HOE-140, a B2BKR antagonist. However, the kinin-B1 receptor (B1BKR) agonist Lys-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin, inducing the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK/MAPK) and cell death, abolished bradykinin-mediated neuroprotection, an effect, which was reverted by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. In agreement with pivotal B1BKR functions in this process, antagonism of endogenous B1BKR activity alone was enough for restoring population spike activity. On the other hand pralidoxime, an oxime, reactivating acetylcholinesterase (AChE) after organophosphate poisoning, induced population spike recovery after DFP exposure in the presence of bradykinin and Lys-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin. Lys-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin did not revert protection exerted by pralidoxime, however when instead bradykinin and Ly-des-Arg(9)-bradykinin were superfused together, recovery of population spikes diminished. These findings again confirm the neuroprotective feature of bradykinin, which is, diminished by its endogenous metabolites, stimulating the B1BKR, providing a novel understanding of the physiological roles of these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Torres-Rivera
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, PR 00956, USA
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