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Amirali AS, Hecker JC, Figueroa HM, Effinger DP, Montoro RA, Jedema HP, Vogt CD, Newman AH, Schindler CW, Bradberry CW. Effects of buprenorphine, methadone, and cariprazine on economic choice between remifentanil and food in squirrel monkeys. Addict Neurosci 2023; 5:100065. [PMID: 36873095 PMCID: PMC9979865 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100065] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported an economic choice task in which squirrel monkeys chose between differing amounts of remifentanil, a fast-acting opioid, or a food reward to develop a preclinical screen for evaluating potential pharmacotherapies for opioid dependence. Herein, two known opioid addiction treatments are evaluated using this task, as well as a potential new agent, cariprazine, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor partial agonist currently used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Preclinical rodent studies suggest this class of compounds may reduce opiate self-administration. Squirrel monkeys were pretreated daily with clinically relevant doses of each compound during the five days of treatment evaluation using the economic choice task. Shifts in drug preference were measured as changes in subjects' indifference values, where the probability of drug and milk choice are equivalent. Buprenorphine produced a significant shift in indifference value between baseline and treatment weeks, indicating a decrease in drug preference. Subjects treated with methadone and cariprazine did not show any significant shift in drug preference. Differences between the buprenorphine and methadone results likely reflect a lack of opioid dependence in the subjects. The cariprazine results suggest that it does not alter opioid reward in non-dependent primates over a five day period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alishan S. Amirali
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacquelin C. Hecker
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hector M. Figueroa
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Devin P. Effinger
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Rodrigo A. Montoro
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MTSP) at UW-Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Hank P. Jedema
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caleb D. Vogt
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles W. Schindler
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Charles W. Bradberry
- Behavioral Neuroscience Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural research Program, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Gogarnoiu ES, Vogt CD, Sanchez J, Bonifazi A, Saab E, Shaik AB, Soler-Cedeño O, Bi GH, Klein B, Xi ZX, Lane JR, Newman AH. Dopamine D 3/D 2 Receptor Ligands Based on Cariprazine for the Treatment of Psychostimulant Use Disorders That May Be Dual Diagnosed with Affective Disorders. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1809-1834. [PMID: 36661568 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01624] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Highly selective dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) partial agonists/antagonists have been developed for the treatment of psychostimulant use disorders (PSUD). However, none have reached the clinic due to insufficient potency/efficacy or potential cardiotoxicity. Cariprazine, an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is a high-affinity D3R partial agonist (Ki = 0.22 nM) with 3.6-fold selectivity over the homologous dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). We hypothesized that compounds that are moderately D3R/D2R-selective partial agonists/antagonists may be effective for the treatment of PSUD. By systematically modifying the parent molecule, we discovered partial agonists/antagonists, as measured in bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based assays, with high D3R affinities (Ki = 0.14-50 nM) and moderate selectivity (<100-fold) over D2R. Cariprazine and two lead analogues, 13a and 13e, decreased cocaine self-administration (FR2; 1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) in rats, suggesting that partial agonists/antagonists with modest D3R/D2R selectivity may be effective in treating PSUD and potentially comorbidities with other affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma S Gogarnoiu
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Caleb D Vogt
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Julie Sanchez
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.,Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands NG2 7AG, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Bonifazi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Elizabeth Saab
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Anver Basha Shaik
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Omar Soler-Cedeño
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Guo-Hua Bi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Benjamin Klein
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
| | - J Robert Lane
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom.,Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, Midlands NG2 7AG, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Hauck Newman
- Medicinal Chemistry Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse─Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 333 Cassell Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, United States
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Galliger Z, Vogt CD, Helms HR, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A. Extracellular Matrix Microparticles Improve GelMA Bioink Resolution for 3D Bioprinting at Ambient Temperature. Macromol Mater Eng 2022; 307:2200196. [PMID: 36531127 PMCID: PMC9757590 DOI: 10.1002/mame.202200196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Current bioinks for 3D bioprinting, such as gelatin-methacryloyl, are generally low viscosity fluids at room temperature, requiring specialized systems to create complex geometries. Methods and Results Adding decellularized extracellular matrix microparticles derived from porcine tracheal cartilage to gelatin-methacryloyl creates a yield stress fluid capable of forming self-supporting structures. This bioink blend performs similarly at 25°C to gelatin-methacryloyl alone at 15°C in linear resolution, print fidelity, and tensile mechanics. Conclusion This method lowers barriers to manufacturing complex tissue geometries and removes the need for cooling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Galliger
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Caleb D. Vogt
- Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Haylie R. Helms
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cell Therapy, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Angela Panoskaltsis-Mortari
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cell Therapy; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St. SE., Minneapolis, MN
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Vogt CD, Bart AG, Yadav R, Scott EE, Aubé J. Effects of fluorine substitution on substrate conversion by cytochromes P450 17A1 and 21A2. Org Biomol Chem 2021; 19:7664-7669. [PMID: 34524336 PMCID: PMC10042386 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob01178b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cytochromes P450 17A1 (CYP7A1) and 21A2 (CYP21A2) catalyze key reactions in the production of steroid hormones, including mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. With the ultimate goal of designing probes that are selectively metabolized to each of these steroid types, fluorinated derivatives of the endogenous substrates, pregnenolone and progesterone, were prepared to study the effects on CYP17A1 and CYP21A2 activity. In the functional assays, the hydroxylase reactions catalysed by each of these enzymes were blocked when fluorine was introduced at the site of metabolism (positions 17 and 21 of the steroid core, respectively). CYP17A1, furthermore, performed the 17,20-lyase reaction on substrates with a fluorine installed at the 21-position. Importantly, none of the substitutions examined herein prevented compound entry into the active sites of either CYP17A1 or CYP21A2 as demonstrated by spectral binding assays. Taken together, the results suggest that fluorine might be used to redirect the metabolic pathways of pregnenolone and progesterone to specific types of steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb D Vogt
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
| | - Aaron G Bart
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
| | - Rahul Yadav
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
| | - Emily E Scott
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
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Vogt CD, Panoskaltsis-Mortari A. Tissue engineering of the gastroesophageal junction. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2020; 14:855-868. [PMID: 32304170 DOI: 10.1002/term.3045] [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: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The gastroesophageal junction has been of clinical interest for some time due to its important role in preventing reflux of caustic stomach contents upward into the esophagus. Failure of this role has been identified as a key driver in gastroesophageal reflux disease, cancer of the lower esophagus, and aspiration-induced lung complications. Due to the large population burden and significant morbidity and mortality related to reflux barrier dysfunction, there is a pressing need to develop tissue engineering solutions which can replace diseased junctions. While good progress has been made in engineering the bodies of the esophagus and stomach, little has been done for the junction between the two. In this review, we discuss pertinent topics which should be considered as tissue engineers begin to address this anatomical region. The embryological development and adult anatomy and histology are discussed to provide context about the native structures which must be replicated. The roles of smooth muscle structures in the esophagus and stomach, as well as the contribution of the diaphragm to normal anti-reflux function are then examined. Finally, engineering considerations including mechanics and current progress in the field of tissue engineering are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb D Vogt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Abstract
Three-dimensional bioprinting has been gaining attention as a potential method for creating biological tissues, supplementing the current arsenal of tissue engineering techniques. 3D bioprinting raises the possibility of reproducibly creating complex macro- and microscale architectures using multiple different cell types. This is promising for creation of multilayered hollow organs, which has been challenging using more traditional tissue engineering techniques. In this review, the state of the field in bioprinting of epithelialized hollow and tubular organs is discussed. Most of the progress for the pulmonary system has been restricted to the trachea. Due to the gross structural similarities and common engineering challenges when creating any epithelialized hollow organ, this review also covers current progress in printing within the gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems, as well as applications of traditional plastic printing in engineering these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Galliger
- University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Caleb D Vogt
- University of Minnesota, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Fehl C, Vogt CD, Yadav R, Li K, Scott EE, Aubé J. Structure-Based Design of Inhibitors with Improved Selectivity for Steroidogenic Cytochrome P450 17A1 over Cytochrome P450 21A2. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4946-4960. [PMID: 29792703 PMCID: PMC6367708 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of androgen biosynthesis is clinically effective for treating androgen-responsive prostate cancer. Abiraterone is a clinical first-in-class inhibitor of cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) required for androgen biosynthesis. However, abiraterone also causes hypertension, hypokalemia, and edema, likely due in part to off-target inhibition of another steroidogenic cytochrome P450, CYP21A2. Abiraterone analogs were designed based on structural evidence that B-ring substituents may favorably interact with polar residues in binding CYP17A1 and sterically clash with residues in the CYP21A2 active site. The best analogs increased selectivity of CYP17A1 inhibition up to 84-fold compared with 6.6-fold for abiraterone. Cocrystallization with CYP17A1 validated the intended new contacts with CYP17A1 active site residues. Docking these analogs into CYP21A2 identified steric clashes that likely underlie decreased binding and CYP21A2 inhibition. Overall, these analogs may offer a clinical advantage in the form of reduced side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Fehl
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of
Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, United States
| | - Caleb D. Vogt
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal
Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Rahul Yadav
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Kelin Li
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal
Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Emily E. Scott
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal
Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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Hillard CJ, Huang H, Vogt CD, Rodrigues BE, Neumann TS, Sem DS, Schroeder F, Cunningham CW. Endocannabinoid Transport Proteins: Discovery of Tools to Study Sterol Carrier Protein-2. Methods Enzymol 2017; 593:99-121. [PMID: 28750817 PMCID: PMC6904209 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) neurotransmitter system regulates diverse neurological functions including stress and anxiety, pain, mood, and reward. Understanding the mechanisms underlying eCB regulation is critical for developing targeted pharmacotherapies to treat these and other neurologic disorders. Cellular studies suggest that the arachidonate eCBs, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are substrates for intracellular binding and transport proteins, and several candidate proteins have been identified. Initial evidence from our laboratory indicates that the lipid transport protein, sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP-2), binds to the eCBs and can regulate their cellular concentrations. Here, we present methods for evaluating SCP-2 binding of eCBs and their application to the discovery of the first inhibitor lead molecules. Using a fluorescent probe displacement assay, we found SCP-2 binds the eCBs, AEA (Ki=0.68±0.05μM) and 2-AG (Ki=0.37±0.02μM), with moderate affinity. A series of structurally diverse arachidonate analogues also bind SCP-2 with Ki values between 0.82 and 2.95μM, suggesting a high degree of tolerance for arachidonic acid head group modifications in this region of the protein. We also report initial structure-activity relationships surrounding previously reported inhibitors of Aedis aegypti SCP-2, and the results of an in silico high-throughput screen that identified structurally novel SCP-2 inhibitor leads. The methods and results reported here provide the basis for a robust probe discovery effort to fully elucidate the role of facilitated transport mediated by SCP-2 in eCB regulation and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huan Huang
- Texas A&M University, TVMC, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Caleb D Vogt
- Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, WI, United States
| | - Beatriz E Rodrigues
- Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, WI, United States
| | - Terrence S Neumann
- Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, WI, United States; Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Daniel S Sem
- Concordia University Wisconsin School of Pharmacy, Mequon, WI, United States
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Liedhegner ES, Vogt CD, Sem DS, Cunningham CW, Hillard CJ. Sterol carrier protein-2: binding protein for endocannabinoids. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:149-58. [PMID: 24510313 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8651-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, consisting of eCB ligands and the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R), subserves retrograde, activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the brain. eCB signaling occurs "on-demand," thus the processes regulating synthesis, mobilization and degradation of eCBs are also primary mechanisms for the regulation of CB1R activity. The eCBs, N-arachidonylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are poorly soluble in water. We hypothesize that their aqueous solubility, and, therefore, their intracellular and transcellular distribution, are facilitated by protein binding. Using in silico docking studies, we have identified the nonspecific lipid binding protein, sterol carrier protein 2 (SCP-2), as a potential AEA binding protein. The docking studies predict that AEA and AM404 associate with SCP-2 at a putative cholesterol binding pocket with ∆G values of -3.6 and -4.6 kcal/mol, respectively. These values are considerably higher than cholesterol (-6.62 kcal/mol) but consistent with a favorable binding interaction. In support of the docking studies, SCP-2-mediated transfer of cholesterol in vitro is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of AEA; and heterologous expression of SCP-2 in HEK 293 cells increases time-related accumulation of AEA in a temperature-dependent fashion. These results suggest that SCP-2 facilitates cellular uptake of AEA. However, there is no effect of SCP-2 transfection on the cellular accumulation of AEA determined at equilibrium or the IC50 values for AEA, AM404 or 2-AG to inhibit steady state accumulation of radiolabelled AEA. We conclude that SCP-2 is a low affinity binding protein for AEA that can facilitate its cellular uptake but does not contribute significantly to intracellular sequestration of AEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sabens Liedhegner
- Neuroscience Research Center and Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
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Reh H, Haarhoff K, Vogt CD. [The estimation of the time of death of corpses recovered from water (author's transl)]. Z Rechtsmed 1977; 79:261-6. [PMID: 878665 DOI: 10.1007/bf00201166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Putrefaction, autolysis and maceration of water corpses follow a regular sequence depending on the water temperature and the interval in the water, the socalled water period. We have determined the beginning of characteristic exterior and interior changes in 395 water corpses of adult persons with known immersion intervals and water temperatures at the place of discovery at the time of recovery. The corpses had been kept in a cooling-rrom at 4 degrees C for 2 to 3 days until they were studied. Altogether 10 parameters have been considered and plotted (Fig. 1-3): intensive dyscoloration of the skin, gasformation, loosening of hair, loss of hair, putridity transsudate of more than 500 ml into the pleural cavitiesn, bloodlessness of heart, softening and liquefaction of the brain, loosening of fingernails, loss of washer-woman's skin from the hands and loss of fingernails. Several parameters are synchronous (Fig. 1,2). The studied intervals of exposure to water were from 2 to 47 days at water temperatures between 22 and 3 degrees C. - By means of the three diagrams it can be found out how many days at the minimum a corpse had been submerged, if the water temperature at the place of discovery is known and storage in a cooling-room has taken place for 2 to 3 days. Also statements are possible about the maximal period of time. - Corpses found in the Rhine will develop washer-woman's skin on hands and feet after no less than 5 hours, even at summer temperatures, and adipocere after no less than 2.5 to 3 months. There is no difference between running and stagnant water in the chronological developments of the parameters investigated. Also the degree of water pollution does not affect the estimation of the time of death.
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