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Zhu J, Yang W, Ma J, He H, Liu Z, Zhu X, He X, He J, Chen Z, Jin X, Wang X, He K, Wei W, Hu J. Pericyte signaling via soluble guanylate cyclase shapes the vascular niche and microenvironment of tumors. EMBO J 2024; 43:1519-1544. [PMID: 38528180 PMCID: PMC11021551 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00078-5] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Pericytes and endothelial cells (ECs) constitute the fundamental components of blood vessels. While the role of ECs in tumor angiogenesis and the tumor microenvironment is well appreciated, pericyte function in tumors remains underexplored. In this study, we used pericyte-specific deletion of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), to investigate via single-cell RNA sequencing how pericytes influence the vascular niche and the tumor microenvironment. Our findings demonstrate that pericyte sGC deletion disrupts EC-pericyte interactions, impairing Notch-mediated intercellular communication and triggering extensive transcriptomic reprogramming in both pericytes and ECs. These changes further extended their influence to neighboring cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) through paracrine signaling, collectively suppressing tumor growth. Inhibition of pericyte sGC has minimal impact on quiescent vessels but significantly increases the vulnerability of angiogenic tumor vessels to conventional anti-angiogenic therapy. In conclusion, our findings elucidate the role of pericytes in shaping the tumor vascular niche and tumor microenvironment and support pericyte sGC targeting as a promising strategy for improving anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wu Yang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianyun Ma
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolan Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyang He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhan Chen
- Pathology Department, Cixi People's Hospital, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoliang Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammation Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Kaiwen He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai, China
| | - Wu Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junhao Hu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Aging Studies, Shanghai, China.
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2
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Sumi MP, Westcott R, Stuehr E, Ghosh C, Stuehr DJ, Ghosh A. Regional variations in allergen-induced airway inflammation correspond to changes in soluble guanylyl cyclase heme and expression of heme oxygenase-1. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23572. [PMID: 38512139 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301626rrr] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Asthma is characterized by airway remodeling and hyperreactivity. Our earlier studies determined that the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)-cGMP pathway plays a significant role in human lung bronchodilation. However, this bronchodilation is dysfunctional in asthma due to high NO levels, which cause sGC to become heme-free and desensitized to its natural activator, NO. In order to determine how asthma impacts the various lung segments/lobes, we mapped the inflammatory regions of lungs to determine whether such regions coincided with molecular signatures of sGC dysfunction. We demonstrate using murine models of asthma (OVA and CFA/HDM) that the inflamed segments of these murine lungs can be tracked by upregulated expression of HO1 and these regions in turn overlap with regions of heme-free sGC as evidenced by a decreased sGC-α1β1 heterodimer and an increased response to heme-independent sGC activator, BAY 60-2770, relative to naïve uninflamed regions. We also find that NO generated from iNOS upregulation in the inflamed segments has a higher impact on developing heme-free sGC as increasing iNOS activity correlates linearly with elevated heme-independent sGC activation. This excess NO works by affecting the epithelial lung hemoglobin (Hb) to become heme-free in asthma, thereby causing the Hb to lose its NO scavenging function and exposing the underlying smooth muscle sGC to excess NO, which in turn becomes heme-free. Recognition of these specific lung segments enhances our understanding of the inflamed lungs in asthma with the ultimate aim to evaluate potential therapies and suggest that regional and not global inflammation impacts lung function in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamta P Sumi
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Rosemary Westcott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Eric Stuehr
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Chaitali Ghosh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Dennis J Stuehr
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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3
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Arias-Ortiz J, Vincent JL. Administration of methylene blue in septic shock: pros and cons. Crit Care 2024; 28:46. [PMID: 38365828 PMCID: PMC10870439 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-024-04839-w] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Septic shock typically requires the administration of vasopressors. Adrenergic agents remain the first choice, namely norepinephrine. However, their use to counteract life-threatening hypotension comes with potential adverse effects, so that non-adrenergic vasopressors may also be considered. The use of agents that act through different mechanisms may also provide an advantage. Nitric oxide (NO) is the main driver of the vasodilation that leads to hypotension in septic shock, so several agents have been tested to counteract its effects. The use of non-selective NO synthase inhibitors has been of questionable benefit. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, an important enzyme involved in the NO signaling pathway in the vascular smooth muscle cell, has also been proposed. However, more than 25 years since the first clinical evaluation of MB administration in septic shock, the safety and benefits of its use are still not fully established, and it should not be used routinely in clinical practice until further evidence of its efficacy is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Arias-Ortiz
- Department of Intensive Care, Calderón Guardia Hospital, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Jean-Louis Vincent
- Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, Belgium.
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4
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Mitrokhin VM, Kamkina OV, Kamkin AG, Rodina AS, Zolotareva AD, Zolotarev VI, Kazansky VE, Gorbacheva LR, Bilichenko AS, Shileiko SA, Mladenov MI. Simulated Microgravity and Hypergravity Affect the Expression Level of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase, Adenylate Cyclase, and Phosphodiesterase Genesin Rat Ventricular Cardiomyocytes. Bull Exp Biol Med 2024; 176:359-362. [PMID: 38342810 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-024-06024-z] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Ion channels activity is regulated through soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and adenylate cyclase (AC) pathways, while phosphodiesterases (PDE) control the intracellular levels of cAMP and cGMP. Here we applied RNA transcriptome sequencing to study changes in the gene expression of the sGC, AC, and PDE isoforms in isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes under conditions of microgravity and hypergravity. Our results demonstrate that microgravity reduces the expression of sGC isoform genes, while hypergravity increases their expression. For a subset of AC isoforms, gene expression either increased or decreased under both microgravity and hypergravity conditions. The expression of genes encoding 10 PDE isoforms decreased under microgravity, but increased under hypergravity. However, under both microgravity and hypergravity, the gene expression increased for 7 PDE isoforms and decreased for 3 PDE isoforms. Overall, our findings indicate specific gravity-dependent changes in the expression of genes of isoforms associated with the studied enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Mitrokhin
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Kamkina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - A G Kamkin
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A S Rodina
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - A D Zolotareva
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - V I Zolotarev
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - V E Kazansky
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - L R Gorbacheva
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Bilichenko
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - S A Shileiko
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - M I Mladenov
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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5
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D’Agostino A, Lanzafame LG, Buono L, Crisci G, D’Assante R, Leone I, De Vito L, Bossone E, Cittadini A, Marra AM. Modulating NO-GC Pathway in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:36. [PMID: 38203205 PMCID: PMC10779316 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010036] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of complex diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is entirely rooted in changes in the expression of some vasoactive factors. These play a significant role in the onset and progression of the disease. Indeed, PAH has been associated with pathophysiologic alterations in vascular function. These are often dictated by increased oxidative stress and impaired modulation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway. NO reduces the uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells that leads to occlusion of vessels and an increase in pulmonary vascular resistances, which is the mainstay of PAH development. To date, two classes of NO-pathway modulating drugs are approved for the treatment of PAH: the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PD5i), sildenafil and tadalafil, and the soluble guanylate cyclase activator (sGC), riociguat. Both drugs provide considerable improvement in exercise capacity and pulmonary hemodynamics. PD5i are the recommended drugs for first-line PAH treatment, whereas sGCs are also the only drug approved for the treatment of resistant or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we will focus on the current information regarding the nitric oxide pathway and its modulation in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D’Agostino
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Lorena Gioia Lanzafame
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi Hospital, University of Catania, Via Palermo 636, 95122 Catania, Italy;
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Lorena Buono
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Giulia Crisci
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Roberta D’Assante
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Ilaria Leone
- IRCCS SYNLAB SDN, Via Emanuele Gianturco 113, 80143 Naples, Italy; (A.D.); (L.B.); (I.L.)
| | - Luigi De Vito
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
| | - Eduardo Bossone
- Department of Public Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Cittadini
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
- Gender Interdipartimental Institute of Research (GENESIS), “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alberto Maria Marra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (G.C.); (R.D.); (L.D.V.); (A.C.)
- Gender Interdipartimental Institute of Research (GENESIS), “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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6
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Nelissen E, Schepers M, Ponsaerts L, Foulquier S, Bronckaers A, Vanmierlo T, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble guanylyl cyclase: A novel target for the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment? Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106970. [PMID: 37884069 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106970] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes neurodegenerative disorders characterized by a vascular component. Pathologically, it involves decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF), white matter lesions, endothelial dysfunction, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairments. Molecularly, oxidative stress and inflammation are two of the major underlying mechanisms. Nitric oxide (NO) physiologically stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to induce cGMP production. However, under pathological conditions, NO seems to be at the basis of oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to a decrease in sGC activity and expression. The native form of sGC needs a ferrous heme group bound in order to be sensitive to NO (Fe(II)sGC). Oxidation of sGC leads to the conversion of ferrous to ferric heme (Fe(III)sGC) and even heme-loss (apo-sGC). Both Fe(III)sGC and apo-sGC are insensitive to NO, and the enzyme is therefore inactive. sGC activity can be enhanced either by targeting the NO-sensitive native sGC (Fe(II)sGC), or the inactive, oxidized sGC (Fe(III)sGC) and the heme-free apo-sGC. For this purpose, sGC stimulators acting on Fe(II)sGC and sGC activators acting on Fe(III)sGC/apo-sGC have been developed. These sGC agonists have shown their efficacy in cardiovascular diseases by restoring the physiological and protective functions of the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, including the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, and improvement of vascular functioning. Yet, only very little research has been performed within the cerebrovascular system and VCI pathology when focusing on sGC modulation and its potential protective mechanisms on vascular and neural function. Therefore, within this review, the potential of sGC as a target for treating VCI is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Laura Ponsaerts
- Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium; Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Foulquier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Annelies Bronckaers
- Department of Cardio & Organ Systems (COS), Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Neuro-immune connect and repair lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Hasselt 3500, Belgium
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
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7
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Lawitz EJ, Reiberger T, Schattenberg JM, Schoelch C, Coxson HO, Wong D, Ertle J. Safety and pharmacokinetics of BI 685509, a soluble guanylyl cyclase activator, in patients with cirrhosis: A randomized Phase Ib study. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0276. [PMID: 37889522 PMCID: PMC10615399 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000276] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal hypertension is a severe complication of cirrhosis. This Phase Ib study (NCT03842761) assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of soluble guanylyl cyclase activator BI 685509 in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh [CP] A or B cirrhosis) and healthy volunteers (HVs). METHODS In this single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study, patients received BI 685509 (maximum doses: 1, 2, or 3 mg, twice daily [BID]) or placebo for 28 days. HVs received one 0.5 mg dose of BI 685509 or placebo. RESULTS In total, 64 participants (CP-A, n=24; CP-B, n=25; HVs, n=15) were included; most commonly with NAFLD (36.7%), alcohol-associated (30.6%), or chronic viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis (28.6%). In patients with CP-A cirrhosis, drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 5.6% of BI 685509-treated patients and 16.7% of placebo recipients. In patients with CP-B cirrhosis, drug-related AEs occurred in 26.3% of BI 685509-treated patients only. No serious AEs occurred in patients with CP-A cirrhosis; in patients with CP-B cirrhosis, serious AEs (not drug-related) occurred in 10.5% of BI 685509-treated patients and 16.7% of patients receiving placebo. BI 685509 was rapidly absorbed; exposure increased with dosage and was similar between etiologies and between patients with CP-A cirrhosis and patients with CP-A cirrhosis but lower in HVs. The mean percentage portal-systemic shunt fraction was measured in patients with CP-A cirrhosis and decreased at the end of treatment in the 2 mg BID (-11.2 ± 11.9%) and 3 mg BID (-14.0 ± 8.4%) BI 685509 dose groups, but not in the placebo group (+1.0 ± 27.3%). CONCLUSION BI 685509 was generally well tolerated, with 3 serious, not drug-related AEs reported in patients with CP-B cirrhosis. In patients with CP-A cirrhosis, portal-systemic shunt fraction in the exploratory efficacy analysis was reduced by 2 mg BID and 3 mg BID BI 685509.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Lawitz
- The Texas Liver Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörn M. Schattenberg
- Metabolic Liver Research Program, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany
| | | | | | - Diane Wong
- Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Judith Ertle
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
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8
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DeMartino AW, Poudel L, Dent MR, Chen X, Xu Q, Gladwin BS, Tejero J, Basu S, Alipour E, Jiang Y, Rose JJ, Gladwin MT, Kim-Shapiro DB. Thiol-catalyzed formation of NO-ferroheme regulates intravascular NO signaling. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1256-1266. [PMID: 37710075 PMCID: PMC10897909 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01413-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenously produced signaling molecule that regulates blood flow and platelet activation. However, intracellular and intravascular diffusion of NO are limited by scavenging reactions with several hemoproteins, raising questions as to how free NO can signal in hemoprotein-rich environments. We explore the hypothesis that NO can be stabilized as a labile ferrous heme-nitrosyl complex (Fe2+-NO, NO-ferroheme). We observe a reaction between NO, labile ferric heme (Fe3+) and reduced thiols to yield NO-ferroheme and a thiyl radical. This thiol-catalyzed reductive nitrosylation occurs when heme is solubilized in lipophilic environments such as red blood cell membranes or bound to serum albumin. The resulting NO-ferroheme resists oxidative inactivation, is soluble in cell membranes and is transported intravascularly by albumin to promote potent vasodilation. We therefore provide an alternative route for NO delivery from erythrocytes and blood via transfer of NO-ferroheme and activation of apo-soluble guanylyl cyclase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony W DeMartino
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Laxman Poudel
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Matthew R Dent
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xiukai Chen
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qinzi Xu
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brendan S Gladwin
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jesús Tejero
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Swati Basu
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Translational Science Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Elmira Alipour
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Yiyang Jiang
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jason J Rose
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark T Gladwin
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Daniel B Kim-Shapiro
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Translational Science Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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9
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Bykov VV, Bykova AV, Motov VS, Larchenko VV, Chernysheva GA, Smol'yakova VI, Aliev OI, Khazanov VA, Vengerovskii AI, Udut VV. Pharmacological Effects of a New Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator in Experimental Ischemic Stroke. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 175:749-752. [PMID: 37978152 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05938-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
We studied the action of a new indolinone derivative GRS, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and their combination on platelet aggregation, vasodilatory endothelial function, neurological status, and cerebral infarction area in experimental focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. GRS compound (10 mg/kg), ASA (10 mg/kg), and their combination in the same doses were administered orally once a day as a suspension in 1% starch solution over 5 days after pathology modeling. Sham-operated and control animals were administered 1% starch solution. On day 5 after pathology modeling, platelet aggregation and brain damage area were studied in a half of rats in each group, and the vasodilatory function of the endothelium was studied in the other half. Neurological deficit was assessed 4 h and 1, 3, and 5 days after pathology modeling. GRS compound and ASA equally effectively prevent platelet aggregation and the development of neurological deficit in rats. GRS compound restores the vasodilatory effects of the endothelium, but only ASA contributes to reduction of the cerebral infarction area. In case of combined administration, GRS and ASA do not exhibit synergy in their antiaggregant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Bykov
- IPHAR (Innovative Pharmacology Research, LLC), Tomsk, Russia.
- Siberian State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - A V Bykova
- IPHAR (Innovative Pharmacology Research, LLC), Tomsk, Russia
| | - V S Motov
- IPHAR (Innovative Pharmacology Research, LLC), Tomsk, Russia
| | - V V Larchenko
- IPHAR (Innovative Pharmacology Research, LLC), Tomsk, Russia
- Siberian State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Tomsk, Russia
| | - G A Chernysheva
- E. D. Goldberg Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - V I Smol'yakova
- E. D. Goldberg Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - O I Aliev
- E. D. Goldberg Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
| | - V A Khazanov
- IPHAR (Innovative Pharmacology Research, LLC), Tomsk, Russia
| | - A I Vengerovskii
- Siberian State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Tomsk, Russia
| | - V V Udut
- E. D. Goldberg Research Institute of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
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10
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Wunder F, Stasch JP, Knorr A, Mondritzki T, Brockschnieder D, Becker-Pelster EM, Sandner P, Tinel H, Redlich G, Hartung IV, Vakalopoulos A, Follmann M. Identification and characterization of the new generation soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator BAY-747 designed for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2500-2513. [PMID: 37170767 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16142] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE First-generation soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators have shown clinical benefit in pulmonary hypertension (riociguat) and chronic heart failure (vericiguat). However, given the broad therapeutic opportunities for sGC stimulators, tailored molecules for distinct indications are required. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We report the high-throughput screening (HTS)-based discovery of a second generation of sGC stimulators from a novel imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine lead series. An intense medicinal chemistry programme resulted in the discovery of the sGC stimulator BAY 1165747 (BAY-747). The pharmacokinetic profile of BAY-747 was determined in different species, and it was broadly characterized in pharmacological model systems relevant for vasodilatation and hypertension. KEY RESULTS BAY-747 is a highly potent sGC stimulator in vitro. In addition, BAY-747 showed an excellent pharmacokinetic profile with long half-life and low peak-to-trough ratio. BAY-747 was investigated in experimental in vivo models of malignant and resistant hypertension (rHT). In spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats, BAY-747 caused a dose-related and long-lasting decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Oral treatment over 12 days resulted in a persistent decrease. BAY-747 provided additional benefit when dosed on top of losartan, amlodipine or spironolactone and even on top of triple combinations of frequently used antihypertensive drugs. In a new canine model of rHT, BAY-747 caused a dose-related and long-lasting (>6 h) MAP decrease. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS BAY-747 is a potent, orally available sGC stimulator. BAY-747 shows long-acting pharmacodynamic effects with a very low peak-to-trough ratio. BAY-747 could be a treatment alternative for patients with hypertension, especially those not responding to standard-of-care therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Wunder
- Lead Identification & Characterization, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Johannes-Peter Stasch
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, University of Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Andreas Knorr
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Thomas Mondritzki
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Damian Brockschnieder
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Peter Sandner
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Hanna Tinel
- Cardiovascular Research, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Gorden Redlich
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ingo V Hartung
- Synthetic Modalities, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Markus Follmann
- Synthetic Modalities, Pharma Research and Development Center, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
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11
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Wölkart G, Kollau A, Russwurm M, Koesling D, Schrammel A, Mayer B. Varied effects of tobacco smoke and e-cigarette vapor suggest that nicotine does not affect endothelium-dependent relaxation and nitric oxide signaling. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15833. [PMID: 37739972 PMCID: PMC10517138 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42750-6] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic smoking causes dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells, evident as a reduction of flow-mediated dilation in smokers, but the role of nicotine is still controversial. Given the increasing use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine products, it appears essential to clarify this issue. We studied extracts from cigarette smoke (CSE) and vapor from e-cigarettes (EVE) and heated tobacco (HTE) for their effects on vascular relaxation, endothelial nitric oxide signaling, and the activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase. The average nicotine concentrations of CSE, EVE, and HTE were 164, 800, and 85 µM, respectively. At a dilution of 1:3, CSE almost entirely inhibited the relaxation of rat aortas and porcine coronary arteries to acetylcholine and bradykinin, respectively, while undiluted EVE, with a 15-fold higher nicotine concentration, had no significant effect. With about 50% inhibition at 1:2 dilution, the effect of HTE was between CSE and EVE. Neither extract affected endothelium-independent relaxation to an NO donor. At the dilutions tested, CSE was not toxic to cultured endothelial cells but, in contrast to EVE, impaired NO signaling and inhibited NO stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase. Our results demonstrate that nicotine does not mediate the impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation caused by smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald Wölkart
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universität Graz, Humboldtstraße 46, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Kollau
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universität Graz, Humboldtstraße 46, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Russwurm
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, MA N1-39, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Doris Koesling
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, MA N1-39, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Astrid Schrammel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universität Graz, Humboldtstraße 46, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Bernd Mayer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universität Graz, Humboldtstraße 46, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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12
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Olivencia MA, Gil de Biedma-Elduayen L, Giménez-Gómez P, Barreira B, Fernández A, Angulo J, Colado MI, O'Shea E, Perez-Vizcaino F. Oxidized soluble guanylyl cyclase causes erectile dysfunction in alcoholic mice. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2361-2376. [PMID: 37021655 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16087] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Alcohol abuse has been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), but the implicated molecular mechanisms are unresolved. This study analyses the role of alterations in soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in ED. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH ED was analysed in adult male C57BL/6J mice subjected to the Chronic Intermittent Ethanol (CIE) paradigm. Erectile function was assessed in anaesthetised mice in vivo by evaluating intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and in vitro in isolated mice corpora cavernosa (CC) mounted in a myograph. Protein expression and reactive oxygen species were analysed by western blot and dihydroethidium staining, respectively. KEY RESULTS In CIE mice, we observed a significant decrease in the relaxant response of the CC to stimulation of NO release from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation, to NO release from endothelial cells by acetylcholine, to the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil, and to the sGC stimulator riociguat. Conversely, the response to the sGC activator cinaciguat, whose action is independent of the oxidation state of sGC, was significantly enhanced in these CC. The responses to adenylyl cyclase stimulation with forskolin were unchanged. We found an increase in reactive oxygen species in the CC from CIE mice as well as an increase in CYP2E1 and NOX2 protein expression. In vivo pre-treatment with tempol prevented alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that alcoholic mice show ED in vitro and in vivo due to an alteration in the redox state of sGC and suggest that sGC activators may be effective in ED associated with alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Olivencia
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leticia Gil de Biedma-Elduayen
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Giménez-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bianca Barreira
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argentina Fernández
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Histología-Investigación, Unidad de Investigación Traslacional en Cardiología (IRYCIS-UFV), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Angulo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Histología-Investigación, Unidad de Investigación Traslacional en Cardiología (IRYCIS-UFV), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Colado
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther O'Shea
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Perez-Vizcaino
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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13
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Hsich EM. "We Are the Champions": Victory for VICTORIA Trial. JACC Heart Fail 2023; 11:1258-1261. [PMID: 37565980 PMCID: PMC10881274 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Hsich
- Heart and Vascular Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
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14
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Yang J, Sundqvist ML, Zheng X, Jiao T, Collado A, Tratsiakovich Y, Mahdi A, Tengbom J, Mergia E, Catrina SB, Zhou Z, Carlström M, Akaike T, Cortese-Krott MM, Weitzberg E, Lundberg JO, Pernow J. Hypoxic erythrocytes mediate cardioprotection through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and release of cyclic GMP. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167693. [PMID: 37655658 PMCID: PMC10471167 DOI: 10.1172/jci167693] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBCs) mediate cardioprotection via nitric oxide-like bioactivity, but the signaling and the identity of any mediator released by the RBCs remains unknown. We investigated whether RBCs exposed to hypoxia release a cardioprotective mediator and explored the nature of this mediator. Perfusion of isolated hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion with extracellular supernatant from mouse RBCs exposed to hypoxia resulted in improved postischemic cardiac function and reduced infarct size. Hypoxia increased extracellular export of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) from mouse RBCs, and exogenous cGMP mimicked the cardioprotection induced by the supernatant. The protection induced by hypoxic RBCs was dependent on RBC-soluble guanylate cyclase and cGMP transport and was sensitive to phosphodiesterase 5 and activated cardiomyocyte protein kinase G. Oral administration of nitrate to mice to increase nitric oxide bioactivity further enhanced the cardioprotective effect of hypoxic RBCs. In a placebo-controlled clinical trial, a clear cardioprotective, soluble guanylate cyclase-dependent effect was induced by RBCs collected from patients randomized to 5 weeks nitrate-rich diet. It is concluded that RBCs generate and export cGMP as a response to hypoxia, mediating cardioprotection via a paracrine effect. This effect can be further augmented by a simple dietary intervention, suggesting preventive and therapeutic opportunities in ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangning Yang
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michaela L. Sundqvist
- Department of Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tong Jiao
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aida Collado
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yahor Tratsiakovich
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ali Mahdi
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Tengbom
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Evanthia Mergia
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sergiu-Bogdan Catrina
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhichao Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mattias Carlström
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Takaaki Akaike
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Molecular Toxicology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Miriam M. Cortese-Krott
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Myocardial Infarction Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Pneumology and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eddie Weitzberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon O. Lundberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Pernow
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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van Kraaij SJW, Gal P, Borghans LGJM, Klaassen ES, Dijkstra F, Winrow C, Glasser C, Groeneveld GJ. First-in-human trial to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of zagociguat (CY6463), a CNS-penetrant soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulator. Clin Transl Sci 2023; 16:1381-1395. [PMID: 37118895 PMCID: PMC10432884 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13537] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and its product, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, play a role in learning and memory formation. Zagociguat (CY6463) is a novel stimulator of sGC being developed for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Single zagociguat doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 20, 30, and 50 mg were administered once to healthy participants in a single-ascending-dose phase; then zagociguat 2, 5, 10, and 15 mg was administered q.d. for 14 days in a multiple-ascending-dose phase; and, finally, zagociguat 10 mg was administered once in both fed and fasted state in a food-interaction phase. Safety of zagociguat was evaluated by monitoring treatment-emergent adverse events, suicide risk, vital signs, electrocardiography, and laboratory tests. Pharmacokinetics of zagociguat were assessed through blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Pharmacodynamic effects of zagociguat were evaluated with central nervous system (CNS) tests and pharmaco-electroencephalography. Zagociguat was well-tolerated across all doses evaluated. Zagociguat exposures increased in a dose-proportional manner. Median time to maximum concentration ranged from 0.8 to 5 h and mean terminal half-life from 52.8 to 67.1 h. CNS penetration of the compound was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid sampling. Zagociguat induced up to 6.1 mmHg reduction in mean systolic and up to 7.5 mmHg reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure. No consistent pharmacodynamic (PD) effects on neurocognitive function were observed. Zagociguat was well-tolerated, CNS-penetrant, and demonstrated PD activity consistent with other sGC stimulators. The results of this study support further development of zagociguat.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pim Gal
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Francis Dijkstra
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Geert Jan Groeneveld
- Centre for Human Drug ResearchLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
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16
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Atteia HH, Alamri ES, Sirag N, Zidan NS, Aljohani RH, Alzahrani S, Arafa MH, Mohammad NS, Asker ME, Zaitone SA, Sakr AT. Soluble guanylate cyclase agonist, isoliquiritigenin attenuates renal damage and aortic calcification in a rat model of chronic kidney failure. Life Sci 2023; 317:121460. [PMID: 36716925 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing fatal health problem worldwide associated with vascular calcification. Therapeutic approaches are limited with higher costs and poor outcomes. Adenine supplementation is one of the most relevant CKD models to human. Insufficient Nitric Oxide (NO)/ cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) signaling plays a key role in rapid development of renal fibrosis. Natural products display proven protection against CKD. Current study therefore explored isoliquiritigenin, a bioflavonoid extracted from licorice roots, potential as a natural activator for soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) in a CKD rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS 60 male Wistar rats were grouped into Control group (n = 10) and the remaining rats received adenine (200 mg/kg, p.o) for 2 wk to induce CKD. They were equally sub-grouped into: Adenine untreated group and 4 groups orally treated by isoliquiritigenin low or high dose (20 or 40 mg/kg) with/without a selective sGC inhibitor, ODQ (1-H(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)-quinoxalin-1-one, 2 mg/kg, i.p) for 8 wk. KEY FINDINGS Long-term treatment with isoliquiritigenin dose-dependently and effectively amended adenine-induced chronic renal and endothelial dysfunction. It not only alleviated renal fibrosis and apoptosis markers but also aortic calcification. Additionally, this chalcone neutralized renal inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Isoliquiritigenin beneficial effects were associated with up-regulation of serum NO, renal and aortic sGC, cGMP and its dependent protein kinase (PKG). However, co-treatment with ODQ antagonized isoliquiritigenin therapeutic impact. SIGNIFICANCE Isoliquiritigenin seems to exert protective effects against CKD and vascular calcification by activating sGC, increasing cGMP and its downstream PKG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hebatallah Husseini Atteia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt.
| | - Eman Saad Alamri
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nizar Sirag
- Department of Natural Products and Alternative Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nahla Salah Zidan
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Department of Home Economics, Faculty of Specific Education, Kafr ElSheikh University, Kafr ElSheikh, Egypt
| | | | - Sharifa Alzahrani
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manar Hamed Arafa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Nanies Sameeh Mohammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Mervat Elsayed Asker
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Sharkia Gov., Egypt
| | - Sawsan A Zaitone
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amr Tawfik Sakr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City (USC), Menoufia, Egypt
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17
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Grześk G, Witczyńska A, Węglarz M, Wołowiec Ł, Nowaczyk J, Grześk E, Nowaczyk A. Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activators-Promising Therapeutic Option in the Pharmacotherapy of Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020861. [PMID: 36677920 PMCID: PMC9862932 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vascular relaxation plays a leading role in the homeostasis of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and vascular systems and organs, such as the kidneys, brain, and liver. The mechanism of the intracellular action of NO in blood vessels involves the stimulation of the activity of the soluble cytosolic form of guanylyl cyclase (soluble guanylyl cyclase, sGC), increasing the level of cyclic 3'-5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle and subsequent vasodilation. In recent years, a new group of drugs, soluble guanylyl cyclase stimulators, has found its way into clinical practice. Based on the CHEST-1 and PATENT-1 trials, riociguat was introduced into clinical practice for treating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In January 2021, the FDA approved the use of another drug, vericiguat, for the treatment of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Grześk
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ludwik Rydygier Colle-gium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 75 Ujejskiego St., 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Adrianna Witczyńska
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Byd-goszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 2 dr. A. Jurasza St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Magdalena Węglarz
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ludwik Rydygier Colle-gium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 75 Ujejskiego St., 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Łukasz Wołowiec
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ludwik Rydygier Colle-gium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 75 Ujejskiego St., 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jacek Nowaczyk
- Physical Chemistry and Chemistry of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 7 Gagarina St., 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Grześk
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 9 Skłodowskiej-Curie St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Alicja Nowaczyk
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Byd-goszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 2 dr. A. Jurasza St., 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Patel R, Fu Y, Khang S, Benardeau AM, Thomson SC, Vallon V. Responses in Blood Pressure and Kidney Function to Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Stimulation or Activation in Normal and Diabetic Rats. Nephron Clin Pract 2022; 147:281-300. [PMID: 36265461 PMCID: PMC10115913 DOI: 10.1159/000526934] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Agonists of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) are being developed as treatment for cardiovascular disease. Most effects of nitric oxide (NO) on glomerular and tubular function are mediated through sGC but whether sGC agonists mimic these effects is unknown. Methods: Renal clearance and micropuncture studies were performed in Wistar-Froemter rats (WF), with or without streptozotocin diabetes (STZ-WF), and in Goto-Kakizaki rats (GK) with mild type-2 diabetes to test for acute effects of the sGC “stimulator” BAY 41-2272, which synergizes with endogenous NO, and the “activator” runcaciguat, which generates cGMP independent of NO. Results: Both sGC agonists reduced arterial blood pressure (MAP). For MAP reductions <10% the drugs increased GFR in WF and STZ-WF but not in GK. Larger MAP reductions outweighed this effect and GFR declined, with better preserved GFR in STZ-WF. Changes in GFR could not be accounted for by changes in RBF, suggesting parallel changes in ultrafiltration pressure and/or ultrafiltration coefficient. The doses chosen for micropuncture in WF and GK reduced MAP by 2–10% and the net effect on single nephron GFR and ultrafiltration pressure was neutral. Effects of the drugs on tubular reabsorption were dominated by declining MAP and no natriuretic effect observed at any dose. Discussion/Conclusion: sGC agonists impact kidney function directly and because they reduce MAP. The direct tendency to increase GFR is most apparent for MAP reductions <10%. The direct effect is otherwise subtle and overridden when MAP declines more. Effects of sGC agonists on tubular reabsorption are dominated by effects on MAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Patel
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA & VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA
| | - Yiling Fu
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA & VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA
| | - Ser Khang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA & VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA
| | | | - Scott C. Thomson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA & VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA
| | - Volker Vallon
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA & VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
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Russell TM, Richardson DR. Glutathione-S-Transferases as Potential Targets for Modulation of Nitric Oxide-Mediated Vasodilation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091292. [PMID: 36139130 PMCID: PMC9496536 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are highly promiscuous in terms of their interactions with multiple proteins, leading to various functions. In addition to their classical detoxification roles with multi-drug resistance-related protein-1 (MRP1), more recent studies have indicated the role of GSTs in cellular nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. Vasodilation is classically induced by NO through its interaction with soluble guanylate cyclase. The ability of GSTs to biotransform organic nitrates such as nitroglycerin for NO generation can markedly modulate vasodilation, with this effect being prevented by specific GST inhibitors. Recently, other structurally distinct pro-drugs that generate NO via GST-mediated catalysis have been developed as anti-cancer agents and also indicate the potential of GSTs as suitable targets for pharmaceutical development. Further studies investigating GST biochemistry could enhance our understanding of NO metabolism and lead to the generation of novel and innovative vasodilators for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany M. Russell
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Des R. Richardson
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-3735-7549
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20
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Agarwal S, Schaefer ML, Krall C, Johns RA. Isoflurane Disrupts Postsynaptic Density-95 Protein Interactions Causing Neuronal Synapse Loss and Cognitive Impairment in Juvenile Mice via Canonical NO-mediated Protein Kinase-G Signaling. Anesthesiology 2022; 137:212-231. [PMID: 35504002 PMCID: PMC9332139 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004264] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhalational anesthetics are known to disrupt PDZ2 domain-mediated protein-protein interactions of the postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 protein. The aim of this study is to investigate the underlying mechanisms in response to early isoflurane exposure on synaptic PSD-95 PDZ2 domain disruption that altered spine densities and cognitive function. The authors hypothesized that activation of protein kinase-G by the components of nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway constitutes a mechanism that prevents loss of early dendritic spines and synapse in neurons and cognitive impairment in mice in response to disruption of PDZ2 domain of the PSD-95 protein. METHODS Postnatal day 7 mice were exposed to 1.5% isoflurane for 4 h or injected with 8 mg/kg active PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide or soluble guanylyl cyclase activator YC-1 along with their respective controls. Primary neurons at 7 days in vitro were exposed to isoflurane or PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide for 4 h. Coimmunoprecipitation, spine density, synapses, cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity, and novel object recognition memory were assessed. RESULTS Exposure of isoflurane or PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide relative to controls causes the following. First, there is a decrease in PSD-95 coimmunoprecipitate relative to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B precipitate (mean ± SD [in percentage of control]: isoflurane, 54.73 ± 16.52, P = 0.001; and PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide, 51.32 ± 12.93, P = 0.001). Second, there is a loss in spine density (mean ± SD [spine density per 10 µm]: control, 5.28 ± 0.56 vs. isoflurane, 2.23 ± 0.67, P < 0.0001; and PSD-95 mutant PDZ2 peptide, 4.74 ± 0.94 vs. PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide, 1.47 ± 0.87, P < 0.001) and a decrease in synaptic puncta (mean ± SD [in percentage of control]: isoflurane, 41.1 ± 14.38, P = 0.001; and PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide, 50.49 ± 14.31, P < 0.001). NO donor or cyclic guanosine monophosphate analog prevents the spines and synapse loss and decline in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity, but this prevention was blocked by soluble guanylyl cyclase or protein kinase-G inhibitors in primary neurons. Third, there were deficits in object recognition at 5 weeks (mean ± SD [recognition index]: male, control, 64.08 ± 10.57 vs. isoflurane, 48.49 ± 13.41, P = 0.001, n = 60; and female, control, 67.13 ± 11.17 vs. isoflurane, 53.76 ± 6.64, P = 0.003, n = 58). Isoflurane-induced impairment in recognition memory was preventable by the introduction of YC-1. CONCLUSIONS Activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase or protein kinase-G prevents isoflurane or PSD-95 wild-type PDZ2 peptide-induced loss of dendritic spines and synapse. Prevention of recognition memory with YC-1, a NO-independent activator of guanylyl cyclase, supports a role for the soluble guanylyl cyclase mediated protein kinase-G signaling in countering the effects of isoflurane-induced cognitive impairment. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Agarwal
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michele L Schaefer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Caroline Krall
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Roger A Johns
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Zabbarova IV, Ikeda Y, Kozlowski MG, Tyagi P, Birder L, Chakrabarty B, Perera S, Dhir R, Straub AC, Sandner P, Andersson KE, Drake M, Fry CH, Kanai A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia/obstruction ameliorated using a soluble guanylate cyclase activator. J Pathol 2022; 256:442-454. [PMID: 34936088 PMCID: PMC8930559 DOI: 10.1002/path.5859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a feature of ageing males. Up to half demonstrate bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) with associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) including bladder overactivity. Current therapies to reduce obstruction, such as α1-adrenoceptor antagonists and 5α-reductase inhibitors, are not effective in all patients. The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5I) tadalafil is also approved to treat BPH and LUTS, suggesting a role for nitric oxide (NO• ), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and cGMP signalling pathways. However, PDE5I refractoriness can develop for reasons including nitrergic nerve damage and decreased NO• production, or inflammation-related oxidation of the sGC haem group, normally maintained in a reduced state by the cofactor cytochrome-b5-reductase 3 (CYB5R3). sGC activators, such as cinaciguat (BAY 58-2667), have been developed to enhance sGC activity in the absence of NO• or when sGC is oxidised. Accordingly, their effects on the prostate and LUT function of aged mice were evaluated. Aged mice (≥24 months) demonstrated a functional BPH/BOO phenotype, compared with adult animals (2-12 months), with low, delayed voiding responses and elevated intravesical pressures as measured by telemetric cystometry. This was consistent with outflow tract histological and molecular data that showed urethral constriction, increased prostate weight, greater collagen deposition, and cellular hyperplasia. All changes in aged animals were attenuated by daily oral treatment with cinaciguat for 2 weeks, without effect on serum testosterone levels. Cinaciguat had only transient (1 h) cardiovascular effects with oral gavage, suggesting a positive safety profile. The benefit of cinaciguat was suggested by its reversal of an overactive cystometric profile in CYB5R3 smooth muscle knockout mice that mirrors a profile of oxidative dysfunction where PDE5I may not be effective. Thus, the aged male mouse is a suitable model for BPH-induced BOO and cinaciguat has a demonstrated ability to reduce prostate-induced obstruction and consequent effects on bladder function. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Zabbarova
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Youko Ikeda
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mark G. Kozlowski
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Pradeep Tyagi
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Urology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Lori Birder
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Basu Chakrabarty
- University of Bristol, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Bristol, UK
| | - Subashan Perera
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Geriatrics Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rajiv Dhir
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pathology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adam C. Straub
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Karl-Erik Andersson
- Lund University, Division of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marcus Drake
- University of Bristol, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Bristol, UK
| | - Christopher H. Fry
- University of Bristol, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Bristol, UK
| | - Anthony Kanai
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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22
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Zagorski J, Neto‐Neves E, Alves NJ, Fisher AJ, Kline JA. Modulation of soluble guanylate cyclase ameliorates pulmonary hypertension in a rat model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension by stimulating angiogenesis. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15156. [PMID: 35001565 PMCID: PMC8743875 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15156] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) does not always resolve after treatment and can progress to chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) or the more severe chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The mechanisms surrounding the likelihood of PE resolution or progress to CTED/CTEPH remain largely unknown. We have developed a rat model of CTEPH that closely resembles the human disease in terms of hemodynamics and cardiac manifestations. Embolization of rats with polystyrene microspheres followed by suppression of angiogenesis with the inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) SU5416 results in transient, acute pulmonary hypertension that progresses into chronic PE with PH with sustained right ventricular systolic pressures exceeding 70 mmHg (chronic pulmonary embolism [CPE] model). This model is similar to the widely utilized hypoxia/SU5416 model with the exception that the "first hit" is PE. Rats with CPE have impaired right heart function characterized by reduced VO2 Max, reduced cardiac output, and increased Fulton index. None of these metrics are adversely affected by PE alone. Contrast-mediated CT imaging of lungs from rats with PE minus SU5416 show large increases in pulmonary vascular volume, presumably due to an angiogenic response to acute PE/PH. Co-treatment with SU5416 suppresses angiogenesis and produces the CTEPH-like phenotype. We report here that treatment of CPE rats with agonists for soluble guanylate cyclase, a source of cGMP which is in turn a signal for angiogenesis, markedly increases angiogenesis in lungs, and ameliorates the cardiac deficiencies in the CPE model. These results have implications for future development of therapies for human CTEPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Zagorski
- Department of Emergency MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Present address:
Department of MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineRiley R2 435, 950 W. Walnut St.IndianapolisIndiana46202USA
| | - Evandro Neto‐Neves
- Department of Emergency MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Present address:
Department of PharmacologyRiberiao Proto Medical SchoolUniversity of San PauloSau PauloBrazil
| | - Nathan J. Alves
- Department of Emergency MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Amanda J. Fisher
- Department of AnesthesiaIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Jeffrey A. Kline
- Department of Emergency MedicineIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
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Maratha S, Sharma V, Walia V. Possible involvement of NO-sGC-cGMP signaling in the antidepressant like effect of pyridoxine in mice. Metab Brain Dis 2022; 37:173-183. [PMID: 34739660 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00858-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to determine the antidepressant like effect of pyridoxine in mice. Pyridoxine (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the mice and depression related behavioral and neurochemical alterations were determined. It was observed that pyridoxine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment decreased the immobility period in tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) significantly as compared to control. Pyridoxine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment increased the level of serotonin (5-HT) and decreased the level of nitrite in the brain of mice significantly as compared to control. Pyridoxine thus confer antidepressant like effect by increasing the level of 5-HT and by decreasing the level of nitrite in the brain of mice. Further the influence of nitric oxide (NO)/ soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/ cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in antidepressant-like effect of pyridoxine was studied. It was observed that the pretreatment of NO donor (i.e. L-Arginine) and cGMP modulator (i.e. sildenafil) counteracted while the pretreatment of NO/sGC inhibitor (i.e. methylene blue) potentiated the effect of pyridoxine in TST and FST. Pretreatment of NO donor did not influence, pretreatment of NO/sGC inhibitor decreased while the pretreatment of cGMP modulator increased the level of brain nitrite in pyridoxine treated mice. Further the pretreatment of NO donor and cGMP modulator decreased while the pretreatment of NO/sGC inhibitor increased the level of brain serotonin in pyridoxine treated mice. Pyridoxine thus exerted antidepressant like effect and NO-sGC-cGMP signaling modulated the antidepressant like effect of pyridoxine in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Maratha
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India
| | - Vijay Sharma
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India
| | - Vaibhav Walia
- SGT College of Pharmacy, SGT University, Gurugram, India.
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Tchernychev B, Li H, Lee S, Gao X, Ramanarasimhaiah R, Liu G, Hall KC, Bernier SG, Jones JE, Feil S, Feil R, Buys ES, Graul RM, Frenette PS, Masferrer JL. Olinciguat, a stimulator of soluble guanylyl cyclase, attenuates inflammation, vaso-occlusion and nephropathy in mouse models of sickle cell disease. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:3463-3475. [PMID: 33864386 PMCID: PMC8453770 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Reduced bioavailability of NO, a hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), contributes to intravascular inflammation, vasoconstriction, vaso-occlusion and organ damage observed in SCD patients. Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) catalyses synthesis of cGMP in response to NO. cGMP-amplifying agents, including NO donors and phosphodiesterase 9 inhibitors, alleviate TNFα-induced inflammation in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and in 'humanised' mouse models of SCD. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Effects of the sGC stimulator olinciguat on intravascular inflammation and renal injury were studied in acute (C57BL6 and Berkeley mice) and chronic (Townes mice) mouse models of TNFα-induced and systemic inflammation associated with SCD. KEY RESULTS Acute treatment with olinciguat attenuated increases in plasma biomarkers of endothelial cell activation and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in TNFα-challenged mice. Co-treatment with hydroxyurea, an FDA-approved SCD therapeutic agent, further augmented the anti-inflammatory effect of olinciguat. In the Berkeley mouse model of TNFα-induced vaso-occlusive crisis, a single dose of olinciguat attenuated leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, improved blood flow and prolonged survival time compared to vehicle-treated mice. In Townes SCD mice, plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial cell activation were lower in olinciguat- than in vehicle-treated mice. In addition, kidney mass, water consumption, 24-h urine excretion, plasma levels of cystatin C and urinary excretion of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were lower in Townes mice treated with olinciguat than in vehicle-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Our results suggest that the sGC stimulator olinciguat attenuates inflammation, vaso-occlusion and kidney injury in mouse models of SCD and systemic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huihui Li
- Departments of Medicine and Cell BiologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Sung‐Kyun Lee
- Departments of Medicine and Cell BiologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Xin Gao
- Departments of Medicine and Cell BiologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Guang Liu
- Cyclerion Therapeutics Inc.BostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | - Susanne Feil
- Interfaculty Institute of BiochemistryUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Robert Feil
- Interfaculty Institute of BiochemistryUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | | | | | - Paul S. Frenette
- Departments of Medicine and Cell BiologyAlbert Einstein College of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Yamamoto Y, Okano T, Yamada H, Akashi K, Sendo S, Ueda Y, Morinobu A, Saegusa J. Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator reduced the gastrointestinal fibrosis in bleomycin-induced mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:133. [PMID: 33941248 PMCID: PMC8091711 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02513-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated connective tissue disorder. Although the etiology of the disease remains undetermined, SSc is characterized by fibrosis and proliferative vascular lesions of the skin and internal organs. SSc involves the gastrointestinal tract in more than 90 % of patients. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator is used to treat pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and has been shown to inhibit experimental skin fibrosis. METHODS Female C57BL/6J mice were treated with BLM or normal saline by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipump. These mice were sacrificed on day 28 or day 42. Gastrointestinal pathologies were examined by Masson Trichrome staining. The expression of fibrosis-related genes in gastrointestinal tract was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the levels of collagen in the tissue were measured by Sircol collagen assay. To evaluate peristaltic movement, the small intestinal transport (ITR%) was calculated as [dyeing distance × (duodenum - appendix)] - 1 × 100 (%). We treated BLM-treated mice with sGC stimulator or DMSO orally and analyzed them on day 42. RESULTS Histological examination revealed that fibrosis from lamina propria to muscularis mucosa in the esophagus was significantly increased in BLM-treated mice, suggesting that BLM induces esophageal hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response in C57BL/6J mice. In addition, the gene expression levels of Col3a1, CCN2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the esophagus were significantly increased in BLM-treated mice. More severe hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response was observed in the mice sacrificed on day 42 than the mice sacrificed on day 28. The ITR% was found to be significantly lower in BLM-treated mice, suggesting that gastrointestinal peristaltic movement was reduced in BLM-treated mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sGC stimulator treatment significantly reduced hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response of esophagus and intestine in BLM-treated mice, by histological examination and Sircol collagen assay. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that BLM induces gastrointestinal hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response in C57BL/6J mice, and treatment with sGC stimulator improves the BLM-induced gastrointestinal lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Yamamoto
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takaichi Okano
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yamada
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kengo Akashi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Sho Sendo
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yo Ueda
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akio Morinobu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jun Saegusa
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
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Makrynitsa GI, Argyriou AI, Dalkas G, Georgopoulou DA, Bantzi M, Giannis A, Papapetropoulos A, Spyroulias GA. Backbone and side chain NMR assignments of the H-NOX domain from Nostoc sp. in complex with BAY58-2667 (cinaciguat). Biomol NMR Assign 2021; 15:53-57. [PMID: 33128204 DOI: 10.1007/s12104-020-09982-3] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) enzyme is activated by the gaseous signaling agent nitric oxide (NO) and triggers the conversion of GTP (guanosine 5'-triphosphate) to cGMP (cyclic guanylyl monophosphate). It contains the heme binding H-NOX (heme-nitric oxide/oxygen binding) domain which serves as the sensor of NO and it is highly conserved across eukaryotes and bacteria as well. Many research studies focus on the synthesis of chemical compounds bearing possible therapeutic action, which mimic the heme moiety and activate the sGC enzyme. In this study, we report a preliminary solution NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) study of the H-NOX domain from Nostoc sp. cyanobacterium in complex with the chemical sGC activator cinaciguat (BAY58-2667). An almost complete sequence-specific assignment of its 1H, 15N and 13C resonances was obtained and its secondary structure predicted by TALOS+.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgios Dalkas
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Marina Bantzi
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Athanassios Giannis
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Universität Leipzig, Johannisallee 29, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Papapetropoulos
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Boettcher M, Thomas D, Mueck W, Loewen S, Arens E, Yoshikawa K, Becker C. Safety, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic characterization of vericiguat: results from six phase I studies in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 77:527-537. [PMID: 33125516 PMCID: PMC7935833 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-020-03023-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the safety, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of vericiguat in healthy males. METHODS Six phase I studies were conducted in European, Chinese, and Japanese males. Subjects received oral vericiguat as a single dose (0.5-15.0 mg solution [for first-in-human study] or 1.25-10.0 mg immediate release [IR tablets]) or multiple doses (1.25-10.0 mg IR tablets once daily [QD] or 5.0 mg IR tablets twice daily for 7 consecutive days). Bioavailability and food effects on vericiguat PK (IR tablets) were also studied in European subjects. RESULTS Overall, 255 of 265 randomized subjects completed their respective studies. There were no deaths or serious adverse events. Vericiguat was generally well tolerated at doses ≤ 10.0 mg. In the first-in-human study, the most frequent drug-related adverse events were headache and postural dizziness (experienced by five subjects each [7.2%]). Three of four subjects who received vericiguat 15.0 mg (oral solution, fasted) experienced orthostatic reactions. Vericiguat (≤ 10.0 mg, IR tablets) was rapidly absorbed (median time to reach maximum plasma concentration ≤ 2.5 h [fasted]) with a mean half-life of about 22.0 h (range 17.9-27.0 h for single and multiple doses). No evidence for deviation from dose proportionality or unexpected accumulation was observed. Administration of vericiguat 5.0 mg IR tablets with food increased bioavailability by 19% (estimated ratio 119% [90% confidence interval]: 108; 131]), reduced PK variability, and prolonged vericiguat absorption relative to the fasted state. CONCLUSION In general, vericiguat was well tolerated. These results supported further clinical evaluation of vericiguat QD in patients with heart failure. REGISTRY NUMBERS EudraCT: 2011-001627-21; EudraCT: 2012-000953-30.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Boettcher
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical PD CV, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Dirk Thomas
- Experimental Medicine, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Mueck
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical PK CV, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Erich Arens
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical PD CV, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Im Straesschen, Monheim, Germany
| | - Kenichi Yoshikawa
- Clinical Sciences, Research & Development Japan, Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd, Osaka, Japan
| | - Corina Becker
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical PD CV, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany.
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals, Clinical PK CV, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany.
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Neves KB, Morris HE, Alves-Lopes R, Muir KW, Moreton F, Delles C, Montezano AC, Touyz RM. Peripheral arteriopathy caused by Notch3 gain-of-function mutation involves ER and oxidative stress and blunting of NO/sGC/cGMP pathway. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:753-773. [PMID: 33681964 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Notch3 mutations cause Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), which predisposes to stroke and dementia. CADASIL is characterised by vascular dysfunction and granular osmiophilic material (GOM) accumulation in cerebral small vessels. Systemic vessels may also be impacted by Notch3 mutations. However vascular characteristics and pathophysiological processes remain elusive. We investigated mechanisms underlying the peripheral vasculopathy mediated by CADASIL-causing Notch3 gain-of-function mutation. We studied: (i) small arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from TgNotch3R169C mice (CADASIL model), (ii) VSMCs from peripheral arteries from CADASIL patients, and (iii) post-mortem brains from CADASIL individuals. TgNotch3R169C vessels exhibited GOM deposits, increased vasoreactivity and impaired vasorelaxation. Hypercontractile responses were normalised by fasudil (Rho kinase inhibitor) and 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA; endoplasmic-reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor). Ca2+ transients and Ca2+ channel expression were increased in CADASIL VSMCs, with increased expression of Rho guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) and ER stress proteins. Vasorelaxation mechanisms were impaired in CADASIL, evidenced by decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation and reduced cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) levels, with associated increased soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) oxidation, decreased sGC activity and reduced levels of the vasodilator hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In VSMCs from CADASIL patients, sGC oxidation was increased and cGMP levels decreased, effects normalised by fasudil and 4-PBA. Cerebral vessels in CADASIL patients exhibited significant oxidative damage. In conclusion, peripheral vascular dysfunction in CADASIL is associated with altered Ca2+ homoeostasis, oxidative stress and blunted eNOS/sGC/cGMP signaling, processes involving Rho kinase and ER stress. We identify novel pathways underlying the peripheral arteriopathy induced by Notch3 gain-of-function mutation, phenomena that may also be important in cerebral vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla B Neves
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Hannah E Morris
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Rhéure Alves-Lopes
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Keith W Muir
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Fiona Moreton
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Christian Delles
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Augusto C Montezano
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Rhian M Touyz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
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Boettcher M, Loewen S, Gerrits M, Becker C. Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Interaction Profile of Vericiguat: Results from Three Randomized Phase I Studies in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Pharmacokinet 2021; 60:337-351. [PMID: 33030703 PMCID: PMC7932970 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-020-00935-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vericiguat, a direct stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, has been developed as a first-in-class therapy for symptomatic chronic heart failure (HF) and ejection fraction < 45%. METHODS Safety, pharmacodynamic (PD), and pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between vericiguat and drugs used in HF (sacubitril/valsartan [SV] and aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid]) or with a narrow therapeutic index (warfarin) were evaluated in three phase I studies. RESULTS Vericiguat 15 mg (single dose [SD]) had no effect on bleeding time or platelet aggregation when coadministered with aspirin 1000 mg versus aspirin alone: estimated differences in least squares means 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] - 90.4 to 95.8) and 2.4% (95% CI - 7.0 to 11.8) turbidimetry, respectively. Vericiguat 10 mg (once daily) had no effect on coagulation inhibition elicited by warfarin 25 mg (SD; mean ratios of area under the concentration-time curve from time zero to 96 h for clotting parameter treatment comparisons approximated 100.0%). There were no clinically relevant PD changes whether SV 97/103 mg was administered with single or multiple doses of vericiguat 2.5 mg or placebo (differences in systolic blood pressure [BP] - 1.66 mmHg [90% CI - 4.22 to 0.90]; diastolic BP - 1.80 mmHg [90% CI - 3.24 to - 0.36]; heart rate - 0.33 beats/min [90% CI - 2.25 to 1.60]). Vericiguat demonstrated no PK interactions when coadministered with aspirin, warfarin, or SV at steady state. Treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Coadministration of vericiguat with SV, aspirin, or warfarin was well tolerated. No clinically relevant PD or PK interactions were observed, supporting concomitant use of these drugs, commonly used by patients with HF, with vericiguat and no dose adjustment. EUDRACT NUMBER 2014-000765-52; 2014-004880-19; 2015-004809-16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Boettcher
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Aprather Weg 18a, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Mireille Gerrits
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Corina Becker
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals, Aprather Weg 18a, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany.
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Veres G, Bai Y, Stark KA, Schmidt H, Radovits T, Loganathan S, Korkmaz-Icöz S, Szabó G. Pharmacological activation of soluble guanylate cyclase improves vascular graft function. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021; 32:803-811. [PMID: 33515043 DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivaa329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ischaemia-reperfusion injury impairs the nitric oxide/soluble guanylate cyclase/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling pathway and leads to vascular dysfunction. We assessed the hypothesis that the soluble guanylate cyclase activator cinaciguat would protect the vascular graft against ischaemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS In the treatment groups, rats (n = 8/group) were pretreated with either intravenous saline or intravenous cinaciguat (10 mg/kg) 2 h before an aortic transplant. Aortic grafts were stored for 2 h in saline and transplanted into the abdominal aorta of the recipients. Two hours after the transplant, the grafts were harvested and mounted in an organ bath. Vascular function of the grafts was investigated in the organ bath. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling, cluster of differentiation 31, caspase-3, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cGMP, nitrotyrosine and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 immunochemical reactions were also investigated. RESULTS Pretreatment with cinaciguat significantly improved endothelium-dependent maximal relaxation 2 h after reperfusion compared with the saline group (maximal relaxation control: 96.5 ± 1%, saline: 40.4 ± 3% vs cinaciguat: 54.7 ± 2%; P < 0.05). Pretreatment with cinaciguat significantly reduced DNA fragmentation and nitro-oxidative stress; decreased the caspase-3 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 scores; and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase, cGMP and cluster of differentiation 31 scores. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that enhancement of cGMP signalling by pharmacological activation of the soluble guanylate cyclase activator cinaciguat might represent a beneficial therapy for treating endothelial dysfunction of arterial bypass graft during cardiac surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Veres
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klára Aliz Stark
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Harald Schmidt
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Sivakkanan Loganathan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sevil Korkmaz-Icöz
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gábor Szabó
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Boettcher M, Gerisch M, Lobmeyer M, Besche N, Thomas D, Gerrits M, Lemmen J, Mueck W, Radtke M, Becker C. Metabolism and Pharmacokinetic Drug-Drug Interaction Profile of Vericiguat, A Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator: Results From Preclinical and Phase I Healthy Volunteer Studies. Clin Pharmacokinet 2020; 59:1407-1418. [PMID: 32458378 PMCID: PMC7658073 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-020-00895-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vericiguat is a stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase currently under investigation as a first-in-class therapy for worsening chronic heart failure (NCT02861534). Patients with heart failure often require polypharmacy because of comorbidities. Hence, understanding the clearance mechanisms, elimination, and potential for pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions of vericiguat is important for dose recommendations in this patient population. METHODS Biotransformation and perpetrator properties of vericiguat were characterized in vitro using human hepatocytes, liver microsomes, and recombinant enzymes. This was complemented by a human mass balance study and ten drug-drug interaction studies in healthy volunteers wherein vericiguat was co-administered orally with omeprazole, magnesium/aluminum hydroxide, ketoconazole, rifampicin, mefenamic acid, midazolam, warfarin, digoxin, sacubitril/valsartan, aspirin, or sildenafil. RESULTS In the human mass balance study, mean total radioactivity recovered was 98.3% of the dose administered (53.1% and 45.2% excreted via urine and feces, respectively). The main metabolic pathway of vericiguat is glucuronidation via uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A9 and 1A1. In vitro studies revealed a low risk of vericiguat acting as a perpetrator by inhibiting cytochrome P450s, uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms, or major transport proteins, or by inducing cytochrome P450s. These observations were supported by phase I drug-drug interaction studies. Phase I studies that assessed the propensity of vericiguat as a victim drug showed changes in the range that did not warrant recommendations for dose adjustment in phase III. CONCLUSIONS A low pharmacokinetic interaction potential of vericiguat was estimated from in vitro data and confirmed in vivo. Thus, vericiguat is suitable for a patient population with multiple comorbidities requiring polypharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Boettcher
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Maximilian Lobmeyer
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Nina Besche
- Chrestos Concept GmbH & Co. KG, Girardetstr. 1-5, 45131, Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Thomas
- Experimental Medicine, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Mireille Gerrits
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Julia Lemmen
- DMPK, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Mueck
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Martin Radtke
- DMPK, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Corina Becker
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, 41113, Wuppertal, Germany.
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Banijamali AR, Carvalho AE, Wakefield JD, Germano P, Barden TC, Tobin JV, Zimmer DP, Masferrer JL, Profy AT, Currie MG, Todd Milne G. Pharmacokinetics, mass balance, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of praliciguat, a clinical-stage soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator in rats. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2020; 8:e00579. [PMID: 32314550 PMCID: PMC7171252 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics (PK), metabolism, excretion, mass balance, and tissue distribution of [14 C]praliciguat were evaluated following oral administration of a 3-mg/kg dose in Sprague-Dawley rats and in a quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) study conducted in male Long-Evans rats. Plasma Tmax was 1 hour and the t1/2 of total plasma radioactivity was 23.7 hours. Unchanged praliciguat accounted for 87.4%, and a minor metabolite (N-dealkylated-praliciguat) accounted for 7.6% of the total radioactivity in plasma through 48 hours (AUC0-48 ). Tissues with the highest exposure ratios relative to plasma were liver, intestines, adrenal gland, and adipose, and those with the lowest values were seminal vesicle, blood, CNS tissues, lens of the eye, and bone. Most of the [14 C]praliciguat-derived radioactivity was excreted within 48 hours after oral administration. Mean cumulative recovery of the administered radioactivity in urine and feces over 168 hours was 3.7% and 95.7%, respectively. Unchanged praliciguat was not quantifiable in urine or bile of cannulated rats; however, based on the total radioactivity in these fluids, a minimum of approximately 82% of the orally administered dose was absorbed. [14 C]Praliciguat was metabolized via oxidative and glucuronidation pathways and the most abundant metabolites recovered in bile were praliciguat-glucuronide and hydroxy-praliciguat-glucuronide. These results indicate that praliciguat had rapid absorption, high bioavailability, extensive tissue distribution, and elimination primarily via hepatic metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali R. Banijamali
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Andrew E. Carvalho
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - James D. Wakefield
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Peter Germano
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Timothy C. Barden
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Jenny V. Tobin
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Daniel P. Zimmer
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Jaime L. Masferrer
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Albert T. Profy
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Mark G. Currie
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
| | - G. Todd Milne
- Department of Drug Metabolism and PharmacokineticsCyclerion TherapeuticsCambridgeMAUSA
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Torres F, Farber H, Ristic A, McLaughlin V, Adams J, Zhang J, Klassen P, Shanahan W, Grundy J, Hoffmann I, Cabell C, Escribano Subías P, Sood N, Keogh A, D'Souza G, Rubin L. Efficacy and safety of ralinepag, a novel oral IP agonist, in PAH patients on mono or dual background therapy: results from a phase 2 randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial. Eur Respir J 2019; 54:1901030. [PMID: 31391223 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01030-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This phase 2 study was designed to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of immediate-release orally administered ralinepag, a selective, non-prostanoid prostacyclin receptor agonist with a 24-h terminal half-life, compared to placebo in adult patients with symptomatic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). METHODS 61 PAH patients who were receiving standard care, including mono or dual PAH-targeted background therapy were randomised 2:1 to ralinepag (n=40) or placebo (n=21). The starting dose of ralinepag was 10 μg twice daily. Dosage was then up-titrated as tolerated over the course of the 9-week dose-titration period, to a maximum total daily dose of 600 μg (300 μg twice daily). The primary efficacy end-point was the absolute change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from baseline to week 22. Additional end-points included percentage change in PVR from baseline, other haemodynamic parameters, 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and safety and tolerability. RESULTS Ralinepag significantly decreased PVR by 163.9 dyn·s·cm-5 compared to an increase of 0.7 dyn·s·cm-5 with placebo (p=0.02); the least-squares mean change from baseline PVR was -29.8% compared with placebo (p=0.03). 6MWD increased from baseline by 36.2 m with ralinepag and 29.4 m with placebo (p=0.90). Serious adverse events occurred in 10% of ralinepag patients and 29% of placebo patients. Study discontinuations occurred in 13% of ralinepag patients and 10% of placebo patients. SUMMARY Ralinepag reduced PVR compared with placebo in PAH patients on mono (41%) or dual combination (59%) background therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Torres
- Pulmonary/Critical Care, UT Southwestern Medical Center, William P. Clements Jr University Hospital, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Harrison Farber
- Pulmonary and Critical Care, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arsen Ristic
- Dept of Cardiology, Clinical Center of Serbia and Belgrade University School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - John Adams
- Arena Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pilar Escribano Subías
- Dept of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Anne Keogh
- Heart Transplant, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Lewis Rubin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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Abstract
Oral riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator that targets the nitric oxide (NO)–sGC–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway with a dual mode of action: directly by stimulating sGC, and indirectly by increasing the sensitivity of sGC to NO. It is rapidly absorbed, displays almost complete bioavailability (94.3%), and can be taken with or without food and as crushed or whole tablets. Riociguat exposure shows pronounced interindividual (60%) and low intraindividual (30%) variability in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and is therefore administered using an individual dose-adjustment scheme at treatment initiation. The half-life of riociguat is approximately 12 h in patients and approximately 7 h in healthy individuals. Riociguat and its metabolites are excreted via both renal (33–45%) and biliary routes (48–59%), and dose adjustment should be performed with particular care in patients with moderate hepatic impairment or mild to severe renal impairment (no data exist for patients with severe hepatic impairment). The pharmacodynamic effects of riociguat reflect the action of a vasodilatory agent, and the hemodynamic response to riociguat correlated with riociguat exposure in patients with PAH or CTEPH in phase III population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses. Riociguat has a low risk of clinically relevant drug interactions due to its clearance by multiple cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and its lack of effect on major CYP isoforms and transporter proteins at therapeutic levels. Riociguat has been approved for the treatment of PAH and CTEPH that is inoperable or persistent/recurrent after surgical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner Frey
- Clinical Pharmacology, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | | | | | - Sigrun Unger
- Global Biostatistics, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
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Gao YS. [Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway and Vascular Activity]. Sheng Li Ke Xue Jin Zhan 2017; 48:58-62. [PMID: 29927223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP)-cGMP dependent protein kinase signaling pathway is a key mechanism for the modulation of vascular function. The progress in this area of recent years was briefly summarized in this article, in particular, regarding the redox-dependent dimerization of the relevant signaling molecules and their physiological significance as well as the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase-derived cyclic inosine 3',5'-monophosphate as a new messenger for vasoconstriction.
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Abstract
Cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) serves as a second messenger molecule, which regulates pleiotropic cellular functions in health and disease. cGMP is generated by particulate or soluble guanylyl cyclases upon stimulation with natriuretic peptides or nitric oxide, respectively. Furthermore, the cGMP concentration is modulated by cGMP-degrading phosphodiesterases. Several targets of cGMP are utilized to effect its various cellular functions. These effector molecules comprise cGMP-dependent protein kinases, ion channels, and phosphodiesterases. During the last decade, it emerged that cGMP is a novel drug target for the treatment of pulmonary and cardiovascular disorders. In this respect, several drugs were developed, which are now in clinical phase studies for, e.g., pulmonary hypertension or cardiovascular diseases. These new drugs act NO-independently with/without heme on soluble guanylyl cyclases or induce subtypes of particular guanylyl cyclases and thereby lead to new therapeutic concepts and horizons. In this regard, the fifth cGMP meeting held in June 2011 in Halle, Germany, comprised the new therapeutic challenges with the novel functional and structural concepts of cGMP generating and effector molecules. This report summarizes the new data on molecular mechanisms, (patho)physiological relevance, and therapeutic potentials of the cGMP signaling system that were presented at this meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Schlossmann
- Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Schinner
- Lehrstuhl für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Institut für Pharmazie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
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Hoffmann LS, Kretschmer A, Lawrenz B, Hocher B, Stasch JP. Chronic Activation of Heme Free Guanylate Cyclase Leads to Renal Protection in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145048. [PMID: 26717150 PMCID: PMC4700984 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The nitric oxide (NO)/soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/cyclic guanosine monophasphate (cGMP)-signalling pathway is impaired under oxidative stress conditions due to oxidation and subsequent loss of the prosthetic sGC heme group as observed in particular in chronic renal failure. Thus, the pool of heme free sGC is increased under pathological conditions. sGC activators such as cinaciguat selectively activate the heme free form of sGC and target the disease associated enzyme. In this study, a therapeutic effect of long-term activation of heme free sGC by the sGC activator cinaciguat was investigated in an experimental model of salt-sensitive hypertension, a condition that is associated with increased oxidative stress, heme loss from sGC and development of chronic renal failure. For that purpose Dahl/ss rats, which develop severe hypertension upon high salt intake, were fed a high salt diet (8% NaCl) containing either placebo or cinaciguat for 21 weeks. Cinaciguat markedly improved survival and ameliorated the salt-induced increase in blood pressure upon treatment with cinaciguat compared to placebo. Renal function was significantly improved in the cinaciguat group compared to the placebo group as indicated by a significantly improved glomerular filtration rate and reduced urinary protein excretion. This was due to anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the cinaciguat treatment. Taken together, this is the first study showing that long-term activation of heme free sGC leads to renal protection in an experimental model of hypertension and chronic kidney disease. These results underline the promising potential of cinaciguat to treat renal diseases by targeting the disease associated heme free form of sGC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda S. Hoffmann
- Pharma Research Centre, Bayer HealthCare, Wuppertal, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Axel Kretschmer
- Pharma Research Centre, Bayer HealthCare, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Bettina Lawrenz
- Pharma Research Centre, Bayer HealthCare, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Berthold Hocher
- Instute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany, and IFLb Laboratoriumsmedizin Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes-Peter Stasch
- Pharma Research Centre, Bayer HealthCare, Wuppertal, Germany
- School of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University, Halle an der Saale, Germany
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38
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Bello I, Usman NS, Mahmud R, Asmawi MZ. Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effect of Alstonia scholaris. J Ethnopharmacol 2015; 175:422-431. [PMID: 26429073 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Alstonia scholaris has a long history of use in the Ayurveda traditional treatment of various ailments including hypertension. We have reported the blood pressure lowering activity of the extract of A. scholaris. The following research aim to delineate the pharmacological mechanism involve in the antihypertensive action. MATERIALS AND METHOD Vasorelaxant effect of the n-butanol fraction of A. scholaris (NBF-ASME) was evaluated on rat aorta pre-contracted with phenyelphrine (PE, 1 µM). Aortic rings preparation were pre-incubated with various antagonists like 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ 10 μM), methylene blue (MB 10 μM), Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME 10 μM), atropine (10 μM), indomethacin (1 μM), ML-9 and various K(+) channel blockers such as glibenclamide (10 μM) and tetraethyl ammonium (TEA 10 μM) for mechanism study. RESULT The results showed that pre-incubation of aortic rings with the extract (0.5, 1 and 2mg/mL) significantly inhibit the contractile response of the rings to phenylephrine-induced contraction (p<0.05-0.001). Removal of endothelium, incubation with L-NAME, indomethacin, atropine and propranolol did not significantly affect the relaxation effect of NBF-ASME. Furthermore, the K(+) channel blockers, TEA and glibenclamide showed no inhibitory effect. However, aortic rings pretreated with ODQ and ML-9 showed a significant suppression of the relaxation curve of NBF-ASME (p<0.01-0.001). In Ca(2+)-free solution, NBF-ASME inhibits the release of intracellular Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. NBF-ASME also inhibits calcium chloride (CaCl2)-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded aortic rings. CONCLUSION The results from this study suggests that A. scholaris exerts vasodilation via calcium channels blockade, direct activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and possibly by also inhibiting the formation of inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idris Bello
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Nasiba Salisu Usman
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Roziahanim Mahmud
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Zaini Asmawi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
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Heckler EJ, Kholodovych V, Jain M, Liu T, Li H, Beuve A. Mapping Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase and Protein Disulfide Isomerase Regions of Interaction. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143523. [PMID: 26618351 PMCID: PMC4664405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a heterodimeric nitric oxide (NO) receptor that produces cyclic GMP. This signaling mechanism is a key component in the cardiovascular system. NO binds to heme in the β subunit and stimulates the catalytic conversion of GTP to cGMP several hundred fold. Several endogenous factors have been identified that modulate sGC function in vitro and in vivo. In previous work, we determined that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) interacts with sGC in a redox-dependent manner in vitro and that PDI inhibited NO-stimulated activity in cells. To our knowledge, this was the first report of a physical interaction between sGC and a thiol-redox protein. To characterize this interaction between sGC and PDI, we first identified peptide linkages between sGC and PDI, using a lysine cross-linking reagent and recently developed mass spectrometry analysis. Together with Flag-immunoprecipitation using sGC domain deletions, wild-type (WT) and mutated PDI, regions of sGC involved in this interaction were identified. The observed data were further explored with computational modeling to gain insight into the interaction mechanism between sGC and oxidized PDI. Our results indicate that PDI interacts preferentially with the catalytic domain of sGC, thus providing a mechanism for PDI inhibition of sGC. A model in which PDI interacts with either the α or the β catalytic domain is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin J. Heckler
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States of America
| | - Vladyslav Kholodovych
- High Performance and Research Computing, OIRT, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Mohit Jain
- Proteomics Core, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States of America
| | - Tong Liu
- Proteomics Core, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States of America
| | - Hong Li
- Proteomics Core, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States of America
| | - Annie Beuve
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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40
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Wittmann C, Reischl M, Shah AH, Kronfuss E, Mikut R, Liebel U, Grabher C. A Zebrafish Drug-Repurposing Screen Reveals sGC-Dependent and sGC-Independent Pro-Inflammatory Activities of Nitric Oxide. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137286. [PMID: 26444552 PMCID: PMC4596872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue injury and infection trigger innate immune responses. However, dysregulation may result in chronic inflammation and is commonly treated with corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Unfortunately, long-term administration of both therapeutic classes can cause unwanted side effects. To identify alternative immune-modulatory compounds we have previously established a novel screening method using zebrafish larvae. Using this method we here present results of an in vivo high-content drug-repurposing screen, identifying 63 potent anti-inflammatory drugs that are in clinical use for other indications. Our approach reveals a novel pro-inflammatory role of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide affects leukocyte recruitment upon peripheral sensory nervous system or epithelial injury in zebrafish larvae both via soluble guanylate cyclase and in a soluble guanylate cyclase -independent manner through protein S-nitrosylation. Together, we show that our screening method can help to identify novel immune-modulatory activities and provide new mechanistic insights into the regulation of inflammatory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Wittmann
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Markus Reischl
- Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Asmi H. Shah
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Eva Kronfuss
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Ralf Mikut
- Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Urban Liebel
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Clemens Grabher
- Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Richter MJ, Gall H, Tello K, Sommer N, Seeger W, Grimminger F, Ghofrani HA. [Medical treatment of pulmonary hypertension: what's new?]. Internist (Berl) 2015; 56:573-82. [PMID: 25924799 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-015-3693-0] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a chronic progressive disease of the pulmonary circulation of multifactorial causes. The current diagnostic classification of PH distinguishes five main groups, which have as a common feature an increased pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary resistance. The classification differentiates pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), PH due to left heart disease, PH in lung diseases and/or hypoxia, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and PH with unclear/multifactorial mechanisms. Recent advances in basic research with the approval of new drugs and the establishment of therapeutic strategies, mainly in PAH and CTEPH, require a differentiated view of the disease, a careful diagnosis and initiation of therapy, and regular follow-ups. In this article, we provide an overview of the complex drug therapy currently available for PAH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Richter
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Pneumologie, Lungenzentrum, Kerckhoff-Klinik Bad Nauheim, Kerckhoff-Klinik GmbH, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Deutschland
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42
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Wen HC, Chuu CP, Chen CY, Shiah SG, Kung HJ, King KL, Su LC, Chang SC, Chang CH. Elevation of soluble guanylate cyclase suppresses proliferation and survival of human breast cancer cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125518. [PMID: 25928539 PMCID: PMC4416047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential signaling molecule in biological systems. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), composing of α1 and β1 subunit, is the receptor for NO. Using radioimmunoassay, we discovered that activation of sGC by treatment with bradykinin or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is impaired in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as compared to normal breast epithelial 184A1 cells. The 184A1 cells expressed both sGC α1 and sGCβ1 mRNAs. However, levels of sGCβ1 mRNAs were relatively lower in MCF-7 cells while both mRNA of sGC subunits were absent in MDA-MB-231 cells. Treatment with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) increased mRNA levels of both sGCα1 and sGCβ1 in MDA-MB-231 cells but only sGCβ1 mRNAs in MCF-7 cells. The 5-aza-dC treatment increased the SNP-induced cGMP production in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, but not in 184A1 cells. Bisulfite sequencing revealed that the promoter of sGCα1 in MDA-MB-231 cells and promoter of sGCβ1 in MCF-7 cells were methylated. Promoter hypermethylation of sGCα1 and sGCβ1 was found in 1 out of 10 breast cancer patients. Over-expression of both sGC subunits in MDA-MB-231 cells induced apoptosis and growth inhibition in vitro as well as reduced tumor incidence and tumor growth rate of MDA-MB-231 xenografts in nude mice. Elevation of sGC reduced protein abundance of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Cdc2, Cdc25A, Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, Cdk6, c-Myc, and Skp2 while increased protein expression of p53. Our study demonstrated that down-regulation of sGC, partially due to promoter methylation, provides growth and survival advantage in human breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Chin Wen
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Pin Chuu
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yu Chen
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Shine-Gwo Shiah
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Jien Kung
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Liang King
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Chen Su
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Chuan Chang
- Chest Department, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (SCC); (CHC)
| | - Chung-Ho Chang
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Ph.D. Program of Aging, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (SCC); (CHC)
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Choi EK, Park HJ, Sul OJ, Rajasekaran M, Yu R, Choi HS. Carbon monoxide reverses adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance upon loss of ovarian function. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2015; 308:E621-30. [PMID: 25714672 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00458.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that carbon monoxide (CO) might suppress chronic inflammation, which led to metabolic disturbances. Ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in mice to mimic chronic inflammation secondary to loss of ovarian function. OVX increased fat mass and the infiltration of highly inflammatory CD11c cells into adipose tissue (AT), resulting in a disturbance of glucose metabolism. Treatment of CO attenuated these; CO decreased recruitment of CD11c-expressing cells in AT and reduced expression of CD11c in bone marrow-derived macrophages, protecting them from M1 polarization. Upregulated cGMP and decreased reactive oxygen species were responsible for the inhibitory activity of CO on CD11c expression; knockdown of soluble guanylate cyclase or heme oxygenase-1 using small interfering RNAs reduced this inhibition substantially. Improved OVX-induced insulin resistance (IR) by CO was highly associated with its activity to attenuate AT inflammation. Our results suggest a therapeutic value of CO to treat postmenopausal IR by reducing AT inflammation.
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MESH Headings
- Adipose Tissue, White/drug effects
- Adipose Tissue, White/immunology
- Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism
- Adipose Tissue, White/pathology
- Adiposity/drug effects
- Aging
- Animals
- Antimetabolites/pharmacology
- Carbon Monoxide/pharmacology
- Cells, Cultured
- Cyclic GMP/agonists
- Cyclic GMP/metabolism
- Female
- Guanylate Cyclase/antagonists & inhibitors
- Guanylate Cyclase/genetics
- Guanylate Cyclase/metabolism
- Heme Oxygenase-1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics
- Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Insulin Resistance
- Macrophages/drug effects
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage
- Organometallic Compounds/pharmacology
- Organometallic Compounds/therapeutic use
- Ovariectomy/adverse effects
- Panniculitis/immunology
- Panniculitis/metabolism
- Panniculitis/pathology
- Panniculitis/prevention & control
- Prodrugs/administration & dosage
- Prodrugs/pharmacology
- Prodrugs/therapeutic use
- RNA Interference
- Reactive Oxygen Species/antagonists & inhibitors
- Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics
- Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/metabolism
- Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase
- Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Kyung Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea; and
| | - Hyun-Jung Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea; and
| | - Ok-Joo Sul
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea; and
| | - Monisha Rajasekaran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea; and
| | - Rina Yu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Hye-Seon Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, South Korea; and
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44
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Alameddine A, Fajloun Z, Bourreau J, Gauquelin-Koch G, Yuan M, Gauguier D, Derbre S, Ayer A, Custaud MA, Navasiolava N. The cardiovascular effects of salidroside in the Goto-Kakizaki diabetic rat model. J Physiol Pharmacol 2015; 66:249-257. [PMID: 25903955] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Many factors, including hyperglycemia, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle, contribute to a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Specific vascular impairment treatments in the context of diabetes and vascular risk need to be improved. Salidroside is the primary active component of Rhodiola rosea and has documented antioxidative, cardioprotective, and vasculoprotective properties. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that salidroside has protective effects against hyperglycemia, hypertension, and vasodilation impairment in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat model of diabetes. We evaluated cardiovascular parameters (e.g., daytime/nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and activity), metabolic parameters (e.g., body weight, food and water consumption, serum fructosamine level, glucose tolerance), eNOS / phospho-eNOS expression level and in vitro vascular reactivity of aorta and second-order mesenteric arteries in Wistar-Kyoto (control) and GK (diabetic) rats treated with salidroside (40 mg/kg) or placebo (water) for 5 weeks. GK rats showed hypertension, marked glucose intolerance, and impaired endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation capacity. Salidroside showed beneficial effects on endothelial and non-endothelial vasodilation and likely acts on the endothelium and smooth muscle cells through the soluble guanylyl cyclase pathway. Despite its vascular effects, salidroside had no effect on blood pressure and heart rate in GK and control rats, it did not improve glucose metabolism or limit hypertension in the GK model of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Alameddine
- UMR CNRS 6214 - INSERM 1083, Faculte de Medecine, Universite d'Angers, Angers, France.
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45
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Bettaga N, Jäger R, Dünnes S, Groneberg D, Friebe A. Cell-specific impact of nitric oxide-dependent guanylyl cyclase on arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in mice. Angiogenesis 2015; 18:245-54. [PMID: 25795218 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-015-9463-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) acts as essential regulator of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis and is critical for arteriogenesis. Whether NO's effects in vivo are mediated through NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) and thus by cGMP-dependent mechanisms has been only poorly addressed. Mice lacking NO-GC globally or specifically in smooth muscle cells (SMC) or endothelial cells (EC) were subjected to two established models for arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, namely hindlimb ischemia and oxygen-induced retinopathy. Our data clearly show the involvement of NO-GC in the recovery of blood flow after hindlimb ischemia, and this effect could be attributed to NO-GC in SMC. In the retina, global deletion of NO-GC led to reduced oxygen-induced vessel loss and hypoxia-induced capillary regrowth, whereas pathological neovascularization was increased. These effects were also seen in mice with SMC-specific NO-GC deletion but not in animals lacking NO-GC in EC. Intriguingly, NO-GC was found to be strongly expressed in retinal pericytes. Our data prove the involvement of NO-GC in growth and plasticity of hindlimb and retinal vasculature after ischemic/hypoxic insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noomen Bettaga
- Physiologisches Institut, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
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46
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Pechánová O, Varga ZV, Cebová M, Giricz Z, Pacher P, Ferdinandy P. Cardiac NO signalling in the metabolic syndrome. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:1415-33. [PMID: 25297560 PMCID: PMC4369254 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [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: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well documented that metabolic syndrome (i.e. a group of risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated fasting plasma glucose, high serum triglycerides and low cholesterol level in high-density lipoprotein), which raises the risk for heart disease and diabetes, is associated with increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generation. ROS/RNS can modulate cardiac NO signalling and trigger various adaptive changes in NOS and antioxidant enzyme expressions/activities. While initially these changes may represent protective mechanisms in metabolic syndrome, later with more prolonged oxidative, nitrosative and nitrative stress, these are often exhausted, eventually favouring myocardial RNS generation and decreased NO bioavailability. The increased oxidative and nitrative stress also impairs the NO-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) signalling pathway, limiting the ability of NO to exert its fundamental signalling roles in the heart. Enhanced ROS/RNS generation in the presence of risk factors also facilitates activation of redox-dependent transcriptional factors such as NF-κB, promoting myocardial expression of various pro-inflammatory mediators, and eventually the development of cardiac dysfunction and remodelling. While the dysregulation of NO signalling may interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of conventional drugs used in the management of metabolic syndrome, the modulation of NO signalling may also be responsible for the therapeutic benefits of already proven or recently developed treatment approaches, such as ACE inhibitors, certain β-blockers, and sGC activators. Better understanding of the above-mentioned pathological processes may ultimately lead to more successful therapeutic approaches to overcome metabolic syndrome and its pathological consequences in cardiac NO signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Pechánová
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology and Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Role of Nitric Oxide in Civilization Diseases, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislava, Slovak Republic
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius UniversityBratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Z V Varga
- Cardiometabolic Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary
| | - M Cebová
- Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology and Centre of Excellence for Regulatory Role of Nitric Oxide in Civilization Diseases, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Z Giricz
- Cardiometabolic Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary
| | - P Pacher
- Laboratory of Physiological Studies, National Institutes of Health/NIAAABethesda, MD, USA
| | - P Ferdinandy
- Cardiometabolic Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis UniversityBudapest, Hungary
- Pharmahungary GroupSzeged, Hungary
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47
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Nozik-Grayck E, Woods C, Taylor JM, Benninger RKP, Johnson RD, Villegas LR, Stenmark KR, Harrison DG, Majka SM, Irwin D, Farrow KN. Selective depletion of vascular EC-SOD augments chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2014; 307:L868-76. [PMID: 25326578 PMCID: PMC4254965 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00096.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Excess superoxide has been implicated in pulmonary hypertension (PH). We previously found lung overexpression of the antioxidant extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) attenuates PH and pulmonary artery (PA) remodeling. Although comprising a small fraction of total SOD activity in most tissues, EC-SOD is abundant in arteries. We hypothesize that the selective loss of vascular EC-SOD promotes hypoxia-induced PH through redox-sensitive signaling pathways. EC-SOD(loxp/loxp) × Tg(cre/SMMHC) mice (SMC EC-SOD KO) received tamoxifen to conditionally deplete smooth muscle cell (SMC)-derived EC-SOD. Mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 35 days, and PH was assessed by right ventricular systolic pressure measurements and right ventricle hypertrophy. Vascular remodeling was evaluated by morphometric analysis and two-photon microscopy for collagen. We examined cGMP content and soluble guanylate cyclase expression and activity in lung, lung phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) expression and activity, and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and GTP cyclohydrolase-1 (GTPCH-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis. Knockout of SMC EC-SOD selectively decreased PA EC-SOD without altering total lung EC-SOD. PH and vascular remodeling induced by chronic hypoxia was augmented in SMC EC-SOD KO. Depletion of SMC EC-SOD did not impact content or activity of lung soluble guanylate cyclase or PDE5, yet it blunted the hypoxia-induced increase in cGMP. Although total eNOS was not altered, active eNOS and GTPCH-1 decreased with hypoxia only in SMC EC-SOD KO. We conclude that the localized loss of PA EC-SOD augments chronic hypoxic PH. In addition to oxidative inactivation of NO, deletion of EC-SOD seems to reduce eNOS activity, further compromising pulmonary vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Nozik-Grayck
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado;
| | - Crystal Woods
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Joann M Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
| | - Richard K P Benninger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Leah R Villegas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kurt R Stenmark
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - David G Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Susan M Majka
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David Irwin
- Department of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kathryn N Farrow
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; and
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Cai LJ, Song SP, Lu B, Meng LN. [Reversal Effect of curcuma wenyujin extract on SGC-7901/VCR induced subcutaneous transplanted tumor in nude mice and its effect on the expression of P-glycoprotein]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2014; 34:1347-1353. [PMID: 25566627] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the reversal effect of multidrug resistance of Curcuma Wenyujin (CW) and its possible mechanism by establishing Vincristine-resistant gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells (SGC-7901/VCR) induced subcutaneous transplanted tumor in nude mice. METHODS First we identified the resistance of SGC-7901/VCR by using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). The SGC-7901/VCR induced subcutaneous transplanted tumor model was established in 50 BALB/c nude mice by tissue block method. After 2 -3 weeks 36 mice with similar tumor size were selected and divided into 6 groups by random digit table, i.e., the model group, the Vincristine (VCR) group, the low dose CW group, the high dose CW group, the low dose CW combined VCR group, and the high dose CW combined VCR group, 6 in each group. Normal saline was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the model group at 10 mL/kg, once per 2 days. VCR was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the VCR group at 0.28 mg/kg once per 2 days. CW at 1.4 and 2.8 g/kg was administered to mice in the low and high dose CW groups by gastrogavage, 0.2 mL each time, once daily. CW at 1.4 and 2.8 g/kg was administered by gastrogavage and VCR was intraperitoneally injected at 0.28 mg/kg, once per 2 days to mice in the low dose CW combined VCR group and the high dose CW combined VCR group. All medication lasted for 14 days. The tumor growth was observed. The inhibition rate was calculated. Meanwhile, the positioning and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. RESULTS SGC-7901/VCR had strong resistance to VCR, Adramycin (ADM), fluorouracil (5-FU), and Cisplatin (DDP), especially to VCR. Proliferation activities of SGC-7901/VCR were significantly enhanced after drug elution. The tumor volume gradually increased as time went by. The tumor volume was the minimum in the high dose CW combined VCR group. The tumor volume was obviously reduced in the high dose CW combined VCR group with obviously reduced with increased inhibition rate of 51.56%, when compared with that of the model group and the VCR group (P < 0.05). Western blot test showed that, when compared with the model group, the gray level of P-gp in the VCR group increased (P < 0.05), and the relative expression of P-gp in the high dose CW group, the low dose CW combined VCR group, and the high dose CW combined VCR group significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the VCR group, the gray level of the P-gp decreased in the low dose CW group, the high dose CW group, the low dose CW combined VCR group, and the high dose CW combined VCR group (P < 0.05). Results of immunohistochemistry showed that, when compared with the model group, expression scores of P-gp in the high dose CW group, the low dose CW combined VCR group, and the high dose CW combined VCR group decreased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the VCR group, expression scores of P-gp were obviously lowered in the low dose CW group, the high dose CW group, the low dose CW combined VCR group, and the high dose CW combined VCR group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CW could reverse the drug resistance of SGC-7901/VCR subcutaneous transplanted tumor. And its mechanism might be related to down-regulating the expression of P-gp, suggesting that CW could be used as a kind of multidrug resistance reversal agent based on P-gp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Jun Cai
- Department of Digestive Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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Durmus N, Bagcivan I, Ozdemir E, Altun A, Gursoy S. Soluble guanylyl cyclase activators increase the expression of tolerance to morphine analgesic effect. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 115:334-9. [PMID: 25023422 DOI: 10.4149/bll_2014_066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It is aimed to investigate the effects of guanylyl cyclase activation and inhibition on acute morphine antinociception and the development of tolerance to its effect. BACKGROUND Nitric oxide-soluble guanylyl cyclase signal transduction cascade suggested to play an important role in the development of tolerance to antinociceptive effects of morphine. METHODS Nociception was evaluated by tail flick and hot plate tests in male Wistar rats. The analgesic effects of intraperitoneal protoporphyrin IX (PPIX; an activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase), 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1; NO donor and activator of guanylyl cyclase), S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; an activator of guanylyl cyclase), 3,3-Bis (amino ethyl)-1-hydroxy-2-oxo-1-triazene (NOC-18; NO donor activating guanylyl cyclase) and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase) alone or in combination with subcutaneous morphine injection were evaluated. Their effects on morphine tolerance development were evaluated by giving these agents 20 minutes prior to twice daily morphine injection during tolerance development for 5 days. On day 6, the expression of morphine tolerance was determined. RESULTS PPIX, SIN-1, SNAP and NOC-18 significantly increased expression of morphine tolerance while ODQ decreased. CONCLUSION These data suggested that sGC activators have a significant role in tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 29).
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Abstract
Riociguat (Adempas(®)), an oral first-in-class soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, is under global development by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the treatment of adult patients with inoperable or chronic/persistent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and for the treatment of adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The drug directly stimulates sGC in a nitric oxide independent manner, thereby increasing the sensitivity of sGC to nitric oxide, leading to increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate generation (a key signalling molecule involved in regulating vascular tone, proliferation, fibrosis and inflammation). Riociguat is the world's first approved pharmacotherapy for CTEPH, with its first global approval in this indication occurring in Canada. It has subsequently been approved in the USA for the treatment of patients with CTEPH and also received its first global approval in patients with PAH in the USA. It is undergoing regulatory review for these indications in Europe and for use in patients with CTEPH in Japan. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of riociguat, leading to its first global approvals in patients with CTEPH and PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Conole
- Adis R&D Insight, 41 Centorian Drive, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, North Shore, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand,
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