Measurement of serum isopropanol and the acetone metabolite by proton nuclear magnetic resonance: application to pharmacokinetic evaluation in a simulated overdose model

The regional distribution of [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate in mouse brain was very similar to that of [3H]WIN 35,428 ((-)-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane), and the two radioligands were displaced from striatum similarly after administration of the potent cocaine analog RTI-55 ((-)-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane). However, while striatal [3H]WIN 35,428 increased between 5 and 30 min, striatal [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate halved. Thus [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate binds similarly to but more reversibly than [3H]WIN 35,428. The methyl ester of L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; 200 mg/kg) plus benserazide plus clorgyline, which markedly elevates rat striatal extracellular dopamine (Wachtel and Abercrombie, 1994, J. Neurochem. 63, 108), decreased the mouse striatum-to-cerebellum ratio for [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate at 30 min by 13% (P < 0.05). In positron emission tomographic (PET) baboon studies [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate binding was insensitive to drugs expected to lower endogenous dopamine. These experiments suggest that normal synaptic dopamine does not compete for binding with [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate, and will not affect PET measures of dopamine transporter availability.     

Differential binding of tropane-based photoaffinity ligands on the dopamine transporter

Benztropine and its analogs are tropane ring-containing dopamine uptake inhibitors that produce behavioral effects markedly different from cocaine and other dopamine transporter blockers. We investigated the benztropine binding site on dopamine transporters by covalently attaching a benztropine-based photoaffinity ligand, [125I]N-[n-butyl-4-(4"'-azido-3"'-iodophenyl)]-4', 4"-difluoro-3alpha-(diphenylmethoxy)tropane ([125I]GA II 34), to the protein, followed by proteolytic and immunological peptide mapping. The maps were compared with those obtained for dopamine transporters photoaffinity labeled with a GBR 12935 analog, [125I]1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-[2-(4-azido-3-iodophenyl)ethy l]p iperazine ([125I]DEEP), and a cocaine analog, [125I]3beta-(p-chlorophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid, 4'-azido-3'-iodophenylethyl ester ([125I]RTI 82), which have been shown previously to interact with different regions of the primary sequence of the protein. [125I]GA II 34 became incorporated in a membrane-bound, 14 kDa fragment predicted to contain transmembrane domains 1 and 2. This is the same region of the protein that binds [125I]DEEP, whereas the binding site for [125I]RTI 82 occurs closer to the C terminal in a domain containing transmembrane helices 4-7. Thus, although benztropine and cocaine both contain tropane rings, their binding sites are distinct, suggesting that dopamine transport inhibition may occur by different mechanisms. These results support previously derived structure-activity relationships suggesting that benztropine and cocaine analogs bind to different domains on the dopamine transporter. These differing molecular interactions may lead to the distinctive behavioral profiles of these compounds in animal models of drug abuse and indicate promise for the development of benztropine-based molecules for cocaine substitution therapies.     

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. IV. Demonstration of a multiplicity of binding sites in rat caudate membranes for the cocaine analog [125I]RTI-55

The drug 3 beta-[4'-iodophenyl]tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (RTI-55) is a cocaine congener with high affinity for the dopamine transporter (Kd < 1 nM). The present study characterized [125I]RTI-55 binding to membranes prepared from rat, monkey and human caudates and COS cells transiently expressing the cloned rat dopamine (DA) transporter. Using the method of binding surface analysis, two binding sites were resolved in rat caudate: a high-capacity binding site (site 1, Bmax = 11,900 fmol/mg of protein) and a low-capacity site (site 2, Bmax = 846 fmol/mg of protein). The Kd (or Ki) values of selected drugs at the two sites were as follows: (Ki for high-capacity site and Ki for low-capacity site, respectively): RTI-55 (0.76 and 0.21 nM), 1-[2-diphenyl-methoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (0.79 and 358 nM), mazindol (37.6 and 631 nM), 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane (45.0 and 540 nM) and cocaine (341 and 129 nM). Nisoxetine, a selective noradrenergic uptake blocker, had low affinity for both sites. Serotonergic uptake blockers had a high degree of selectivity and high affinity for the low-capacity binding site (Ki of citalopram = 0.38 nM; Ki of paroxetine = 0.033 nM). The i.c.v. administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine to rats pretreated with nomifensine (to protect dopaminergic and noradrenergic nerve terminals) selectively decreased the Bmax of site 2, strongly supporting the idea that site 2 is a binding site on the serotonin (5-HT) transporter. This serotonergic lesion also increased the affinity of [125I]RTI-55 for the DA transporter by 10-fold. The ligand selectivity of the caudate 5-HT transporter was different from the [I125]RTI-55 binding site on the 5-HT transporter present in membranes prepared from whole rat brain minus caudate. The [125I]RTI-55 binding to the DA transporter was further resolved into two components, termed sites 1a and 1b, by using human and monkey (Macaca mulatta) caudate membranes but not the membranes prepared from rat caudate or COS cells that transiently expressed the cloned cocaine-sensitive DA transporter complementary DNA. Similar experiments also resolved two components of the caudate 5-HT transporter. Viewed collectively, these data provide evidence that [125I]RTI-55 labels multiple binding sites associated with the DA and 5-HT transporters.     

Fermentation of dietary fibre by human colonic bacteria: disappearance of, short-chain fatty acid production from, and potential water-holding capacity of, various substrates

beta-CIT (2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane) is a cocaine analogue with a high affinity for the dopamine transporter. [11C] beta-CIT was prepared by N-methylation of nor-beta-CIT with [11C]methyl iodide. The total radiochemical yield of [11C] beta-CIT was 40-50% with an overall synthesis time of 35-40 min. The radiochemical purity was > 99% and the specific radioactivity at the time of injection was about 1000 Ci/mmol (37 GBq/mumol). Autoradiographic examination of [11C] beta-CIT binding in human brains post-mortem demonstrated a high level of specific binding in the striatum. PET examination of [11C] beta-CIT in a Cynomolgus monkey showed a marked accumulation of radioactivity in the striatum. The ratio of radioactivity in the striatum-to-cerebellum approached 5 after 87 min. In a displacement experiment, radioactivity in the striatum but not in the cerebellum, was markedly reduced after injection of unlabelled cocaine. [11C] beta-CIT has a potential as ligand for PET examination of cocaine effects in man.     

In vitro characterization of cocaine binding sites in human hair

In vitro studies were performed to characterize [3H]cocaine binding to dark and light ethnic hair types. In vitro binding to hair was selective, was reversible and increased linearly with increasing hair concentration. Scatchard analyses revealed high-affinity (6-112 nM) and low-affinity (906-4433 nM) binding in hair. Competition studies demonstrated that the potencies of 3beta-(4-bromophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester, and 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-imidazol[2,1-alpha]isoindole-5-ol and 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane were similar to or less than that of (-)-cocaine. The potency of (-)-cocaine was 10-fold greater than that of (+)-cocaine at inhibiting radioligand specific binding to hair. Multivariate analysis indicated that significantly greater nonspecific and specific radioligand binding occurred in dark hair than in light hair. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated a significant ethnicity x sex effect on specific and nonspecific binding to hair. Greater radioligand binding occurred in male Africoid hair than in female Africoid hair and in all Caucasoid hair types. Melanin was considered the most likely binding site for cocaine in hair. Typically, the concentration of melanin is much greater in dark than in light hair. Scatchard analysis indicated that dark hair had a 5- to 43-fold greater binding capacity than light hair. Differences in radioligand binding between hair types appeared to be due to differences in the density of binding sites formed by melanin in hair.     

Dopamine transporter ligand binding domains. Structural and functional properties revealed by limited proteolysis

Dopamine transporters (DATs) are members of the Na+- and Cl--dependent neurotransmitter and amino acid transporter family predicted by hydrophobicity analysis to have 12 transmembrane-spanning helices. The structure of DAT was studied using the photoaffinity compounds [125I]1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl]-4-[2-(4-azido-3-iodophenyl) ethyl] piperazine ([125I]DEEP), a 1-(2-diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl-4-(3-phenyl propyl)piperazine (GBR analog), and [125I]-3beta-(p-chlorophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid, 4'-azido-3'-iodophenylethyl ester ([125I]RTI 82), a cocaine analog, which had been shown in a previous study to become incorporated into different regions of the DAT primary sequence. The proximity of the photolabeled binding sites to integral membrane structures was investigated by subjecting photolabeled membrane suspensions to limited proteolysis with trypsin and separately analyzing the resulting membranes and supernatants for the presence of photolabeled DAT fragments. Trypsin treatment of [125I] DEEP-labeled membranes generated labeled 45- and 14-kDa DAT fragments that immunoprecipitated with an epitope-specific antiserum generated against amino acids 42-59 near the first putative transmembrane domain, whereas [125I]RTI 82 was found in 32- and 16-kDa tryptic fragments that precipitated with an antiserum directed against a sequence near transmembrane domain 4 (amino acids 225-238). All of the photolabeled fragments were recovered in the protease-treated membranes, indicating that they possess integral membrane structures that prevent their release from the membrane as soluble forms. The size of the two smallest fragments in conjunction with their retention in the membrane suggests that incorporation of the photoaffinity ligands occurs in or near membrane spanning regions and delineates the maximum possible distance between the transmembrane structures, incorporated photolabel, and antibody epitopes. Carbohydrate analysis of the fragments identified sialic acids and N-linked oligosaccharides exclusively on the 45-kDa [125I]DEEP-labeled fragment, which, based on size, would be expected to contain four consensus glycosylation sites between putative transmembrane domains 3 and 4. Photoaffinity labeling after trypsin treatment of membranes showed that the larger but not the smaller fragments retain binding capacity, as the 45- and 32-kDa fragments were capable of becoming photolabeled. Binding of photoaffinity ligands at these fragments was displaced with the same pharmacology as that of intact DATs. These results verify numerous aspects of DAT structure and topology heretofore only predicted from theoretical considerations and extend our knowledge of DAT structure-function properties.     

Visualization of ischemic insult in caudate putamen with beta-CIT

Dopamine (DA) has been considered to play an important role in the development of ischemic neuronal injury in the caudate putamen (CPu). The goal of this study was to examine the change in the dopamine transporter (DAT) after ischemic insult in CPu. METHODS: Male Mongolian gerbils (n = 10) were exposed to 10-min forebrain ischemia. Animals were decapitated 24 hr (n = 5) and 96 hr (n = 5) after ischemia. The change in the amount of DAT binding sites in CPu was evaluated by in vitro autoradiography with [125I]-beta-CIT (3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester). In addition, the expression of DAT mRNA in CPu and the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) was examined. Results: Iodine-125-beta-CIT specific binding was significantly increased in dorsolateral CPu with ischemic damage both 24 hr and 96 hr after ischemia, with greater increase at 96 hr. DAT mRNA in SNC was also significantly increased 96 hr after ischemia, which corresponded with the increase of [125I] beta-CIT binding. However, DAT mRNA in SNC was decreased 24 hr after ischemia. In the ischemic lesion in CPu, no expression of DAT mRNA could be detected both 24 hr and 96 hr after ischemia. CONCLUSION: The change in DAT after ischemic insult is clarified with [125I] beta-CIT. This increase of [125I] beta-CIT binding does not come from de novo expression of DAT in glial cells in the damaged area in CPu. This increase of beta-CIT binding reflects increase of DAT synthesis in DA neurons in SNC (96 hr) or other factors such as the impairment of the degradation of DAT in the damaged area in CPu.     

PET studies on brain monoamine transporters with carbon-11-beta-CIT in Parkinson's disease

The cocaine analog 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-[4-iodophenyl]tropane (beta-CIT) labeled with 11C was used to study dopamine reuptake sites with PET. METHODS: Three normal subjects and nine patients with Parkinson's disease were investigated. Each of them underwent a dynamic PET scan (25 timeframes over 80 min) with [11C]-beta-CIT. A dose of 102.5-211.3 MBq (2.77-5.71 mCi) of this ligand was administered intravenously and a PET examination with an ECAT 931/08 PET camera was carried out. Ratios between the striatal/cortical/thalamic/midbrain and cerebellar uptake of this radioligand were calculated. RESULTS: The highest accumulation of [11C]beta-CIT was observed in the caudate and putamen, though there was some uptake in the thalamus and the midbrain. Cortical uptake was negligible. Carbon-11-beta-CIT accumulated significantly less in the putamen of the Parkinson's patients than in the normal subjects. The putamen-to-cerebellum ratio in the Parkinson's patients was 1.59 +/- 0.04 and 1.80 +/- 0.13s (p = 0.028) in the normal subjects. In the caudate, there was no significant difference between the Parkinson's patients and the normal subjects. CONCLUSION: These results imply that [11C]beta-CIT is a useful compound for carrying out a PET examination of the function of the presynaptic monoaminergic neurons both in normal and pathological brains.     

Effect of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin and infusion of L-tyrosine on the in vivo L-[beta-11C] DOPA disposition in the monkey brain

The effect of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (6R-BH4) and L-tyrosine infusion on [11C]dopamine synthesis was analyzed in the striatum of Rhesus using positron emission tomography (PET). The rate for decarboxylation from L-[beta-11C]DOPA to [11C]dopamine was calculated using a graphical method with cerebellum as a reference region. Although the peripheral administration of 6R-BH4 at low dose (2 mg/kg) did not provide a significant increase in the rate of dopamine biosynthesis, a high dose of 6R-BH4 (20 mg/kg) induced an elevation of the rate. This 6R-BH4-induced elevation of the dopamine synthesis rate was further dose-dependently enhanced by the continuous infusion of L-tyrosine (0.2 and 1.0 mumol/min/kg). L-Tyrosine infusion with a rate of 1.0 mumol/min/kg caused an enhancement of the rate even during low dose administration of 6R-BH4 (2 mg/kg). L-Tyrosine infusion alone did not induce any elevation of the dopamine biosynthesis rate. The analysis of plasma indicated that the metabolic ratios of L-[beta-11C]DOPA to each metabolite were not affected by 6R-BH4 and/or L-tyrosine infusion. The results suggest that the low dose loading of tyrosine facilitates the activity of 6R-BH4 on the presynaptic dopamine biosynthesis, and also that the combined effects can be monitored by PET using L-[beta-11C]DOPA as a biochemical probe.     

Euphorigenic doses of cocaine reduce [123I]beta-CIT SPECT measures of dopamine transporter availability in human cocaine addicts

The in vivo potency of euphorigenic doses of intravenous cocaine for displacing [123I]beta-CIT ([123I]2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane) binding to striatal dopamine transporters (DAT) was assessed in human cocaine addicts using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Cocaine-dependent subjects (n = 6) were injected with [123I]beta-CIT and imaged 24 h later under equilibrium conditions. Sequential cocaine infusions (0.28 +/- 0.03 and 0.56 +/- 0.07 mg/kg) produced significant (P < 0.0005) reductions in the specific to non-specific equilibrium partition coefficient, V3" (6 +/- 6 and 17 +/- 3%), a measure proportional to DAT binding potential. Regression analysis of the logit transformed data enabled reliable determination of the Hill coefficient (0.51) and 50% displacement (ED50) dose of cocaine (2.8 mg/kg). These preliminary data suggest that cocaine produces behavioral effects in humans at measurable levels of DAT occupancy.     

SPECT imaging of dopamine transporters in human brain with iodine-123-fluoroalkyl analogs of beta-CIT

Iodine-123-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane (beta-CIT) is a useful SPECT tracer for imaging the dopamine transporter. Its slow kinetics, however, necessitate imaging on the day after the injection. Two N-omega-fluoroalkyl analogs of beta-CIT, the fluoropropyl and fluoroethyl compounds (beta-CIT-FP and beta-CIT-FE, respectively), characterized by faster kinetics in baboons, were tested in humans as potential tracers for the dopamine transporter. Four healthy volunteers were injected with [123I]-beta-CIT-FP and another four were injected with [123I]beta-CIT-FE. SPECT data were acquired for 1149 +/- 590 min and 240 +/- 30 min, respectively. Both tracers demonstrated high brain uptake (6.37% +/- 0.37% and 7.8% +/- 1.5% of the injected dose, respectively). Activity concentrated with time in the striatal area, reaching a peak within 30 min, with little or no washout for [123I]beta-CIT-FP and a faster washout for [123I]beta-CIT-FE (14.7% +/- 6.9%). Occipital and midbrain activity showed similar patterns, displaying a peak within 15 min and rapid washout, followed by stable levels at approximately 100 min for both tracers. The ratio of peak specific striatal-to-peak specific midbrain activity was 9.1 +/- 1.8 for [123I]beta-CIT-FP and 7.7 +/- 0.7 for [123I]beta-CIT-FE, showing high in vivo selectivity for the dopamine transporter. These preliminary results suggest that both compounds could be used as SPECT (labeled with 123I) or PET (labeled with 18F) radiotracers to image the dopamine transporters in the living human brain.     

Genetic analysis of lipid-protein interactions in Escherichia coli membranes

1. Previous experiments in this laboratory found that striatal [3H]WIN 35428 binding was increased in post mortem specimens from human cocaine users (Little et al, 1993a). Although structurally similar, preliminary studies have suggested that [3H]WIN 35428 and the related cocaine congener [125I]RTI-55 differ in some respects pharmacologically. 2. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that striatal [125I]RTI-55 binding would be increased, as was [3H]WIN 35428 binding, in post mortem specimens from cocaine users compared to matched controls. 3. However, computer-generated parameters derived from saturation experiments found only trends toward increased Bmax and decreased affinity (increased KD) in the cocaine users. The magnitude of the increases were notably smaller than the statistically significant increases previously found in high affinity [3H]WIN 35428 binding in these same subjects. 4. Evidence from the present and earlier experiments suggests that cocaine exposure may induce conformational changes in the dopamine transporter.     

Oral keratinocyte immune responses in HIV-associated candidiasis

Technetium-99m is the most commonly used radionuclide in routine nuclear medicine imaging procedures. Development of 99mTc-labeled receptor-specific imaging agents for studying the central nervous system is potentially useful for evaluation of brain function in normal and disease states. A novel 99mTc-labeled tropane derivative, [99mTc]TRODAT-1, which is useful as a potential CNS dopamine transporter imaging agent, was evaluated and characterized. After i. v. injection into rats, [99mTc]TRODAT-1 displayed specific brain uptake in the rat striatal region (striatum-cerebellum/cerebellum ratio 1.8 at 60 min), where dopamine neurons are concentrated. The specific striatal uptake could be blocked by pretreating rats with a dose of competing dopamine transporter ligand, beta-CIT (or RTI-55, i.v., 1 mg/kg). However, the specific striatal uptake of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 was not affected by co-injection of excess free ligand (TRODAT-1, up to 200 microg per rat) or by pretreating the rats with haloperidol (i.v., 1 mg/kg). The specific uptake in striatal regions of rats that had prior 6-hydroxydopamine lesion in the substantia nigra area showed a dramatic reduction. The radioactive material recovered from the rat striatal homogenates at 60 min after i.v. injection of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 showed primarily the original compound (>95%), a good indication of in vivo stability in brain tissue. Similar and comparable organ distribution patterns and brain regional uptakes of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 were obtained for male and female rats. Ex vivo autoradiography results of rat brain sections further confirmed the high uptake and retention of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 in the striatal region. In vitro binding studies measuring the affinity to dopamine transporters for the free ligand, TRODAT-1, and a nonradioactive rhenium derivative, Re-TRODAT-1, showed Ki values of 9.7 nM and 14.1 nM, respectively. Behavioral studies in rats using the free ligand, TRODAT-1 and Re-TRODAT-1 indicated that, unlike other tropane derivatives, they displayed no effect on locomotor activity, suggesting low toxicity. These results strongly support the conclusions that this novel 99mTc radioligand binds selectively to dopamine transporters in the brain and that is is potentially useful for in vivo assessment of the loss of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.     

Ranitidine effervescent and famotidine wafer in the relief of episodic symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Radioligands that specifically target dopamine uptake sites can provide a means of determining dopamine fiber loss at intrastriatal mesencephalic grafts in Parkinsonian patients, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The BTCP derivative, 1-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperazine, shows in vitro high affinity and selectivity for the dopamine transporter. To evaluate the potential of such a compound as a potential dopaminergic PET tracer the positron-emitting analogues, 1-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]-4-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-piperazine and 1-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]-4-[11C]methylpiperazine, were synthesized. Radiofluorination was carried out by the reaction of 1-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]-4-(2-chloroethyl)-piperazine with cyclotron-produced n.c.a. 18F-(half life 109.9 min) obtained by the (p,n) reaction on 18O-enriched water. Labelling with carbon-11 (half life 20.4 min) was achieved by 11C methylation of 1-[1-(2-benzo(b)thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]-piperazine with [11C]methyl iodide. After intravenous administration to rats these two compounds enter the brain, but despite their high in vitro affinity they display a high non specific binding in vivo which greatly limits their use as PET radioligands.     

Diagnostic value of otoacoustic emissions. 1

Analogues of the potent and selective 5-HT1A ligand, WAY 100635, were synthesized and examined as potential candidates for imaging 5-HT1A receptors by positron emission tomography (PET). Several of the analogues displayed nanomolar affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor, comparable to WAY 100635. Three of these were examined in a model of human liver metabolism vis-à-vis WAY 100635. All showed a markedly lower propensity for amide hydrolysis than WAY 100635. Radiolabelling of these three potential PET radiotracers with carbon-11 was readily achieved from [11C]-iodomethane, and the newly synthesized radioligands were tested in vivo in rats for binding to 5-HT1A receptors. Whereas two of the ligands failed to bind to 5-HT1A receptors in vivo, one was successful. The latter, [11C]-7 [4-(2'-methoxyphenyl)-1-[2'-[N-(2'-pyridinyl)-2-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanec arboxamido]ethyl]-piperazine], showed good brain penetration, hippocampal:cerebellar ratios of 10:1 at 45 min postinjection. Blocking studies with a variety of drugs demonstrated that the binding of [11C]-7 in vivo was selective for 5-HT1A receptors. [11C]-7 is a promising candidate as a ligand for imaging 5-HT1A receptors by PET.     

Long-acting blockade of biogenic amine transporters in rat brain by administration of the potent novel tropane 2beta-propanoyl-3beta-(2-Naphthyl)-tropane

2beta-Propanoyl-3beta-(2-naphthyl)-tropane (WF-23) is a potent cocaine analog with activity at dopamine and serotonin transporters. The purpose of these experiments was to characterize the time course of effects of acute administration of WF-23 on spontaneous locomotion and biogenic amine transporters. Rats received injections i.p. with WF-23 (1 mg/kg), cocaine (30 mg/kg) or vehicle and locomotor activity was measured at various times postinjection. Animals were killed immediately after behavioral activity. Locomotor activity was significantly increased by WF-23 administration, reaching maximum at 4 hr and persisting for 24 hr. Cocaine-elicited elevations in locomotor activity occurred only at the earliest times. WF-23 decreased DA transporter binding in striatal membranes ([125I]RTI-55 binding), with >50% loss in binding for up to 49 hr postinjection. WF-23 increased the Kd of the high affinity site, with no effect on Bmax. Cocaine depressed binding (20%) only at the earliest times. WF-23 decreased levels of [3H]WIN 35,428 binding sites up to 95% of control in both dorsal and ventral striatum with a similar time-course when assessed autoradiographically. WF-23 also reduced [3H]citalopram binding to serotonin transporter sites throughout the brain. The slow onset and very long duration of action of WF-23, taken together with its actions at dopamine and serotonin transporters, suggest a potential role for treatment of disorders characterized by their involvement of these neural systems.     

Timing of computed tomography in acute diverticulitis

OBJECTIVE: Studies on brain serotonin metabolism in human and nonhuman primates have indicated that dysfunction of serotonin transmission may play a role in the biological vulnerability to dependence on alcohol. Among young men, low sensitivity to alcohol intoxication predicts subsequent alcohol abuse and dependence. METHOD: The authors used single photon emission computed tomography and the radioligand [(I)123]beta-CIT ([(I)123]methyl 3beta-(4-iodophenyl) tropane-2-carboxylate) to measure the availability of serotonin transporters in 11 male rhesus monkeys, and the monkeys were genotyped for a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. The 11 monkeys had experienced parental separation after birth; their behavior and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations in CSF had been assessed regularly. RESULTS: In the 5-year-old monkeys, there was a significant negative correlation between beta-CIT binding to serotonin transporters in the brainstem and 5-HIAA concentrations in CSF. Animals with greater beta-CIT binding and low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations displayed greater aggressiveness and were less sensitive to alcohol-induced intoxication. The genetic constitution of the serotonin transporter promoter gene did not significantly contribute to the availability of brainstem serotonin transporters as measured by beta-CIT binding. CONCLUSIONS: In adult nonhuman primates who underwent early developmental stress, variables indicating a low serotonin turnover rate were associated with behavior patterns similar to those predisposing to early-onset alcoholism among humans.     

Regulation of the functional activity of the human dopamine transporter by protein kinase C

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) was examined in the regulation of dopamine transport in C6 glioma cells stably expressing the human dopamine transporter. The PKC activating phorbol esters phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and 4 beta-12,13-dibutyrate phorbol-ester (PDBu) inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake concentration dependently. These effects were attenuated by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine but were unaltered by another inhibitor, chelerythrine, or the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. The potency of PMA in inhibiting [3H]dopamine uptake was similar to that in inhibiting the binding of 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([3H]WIN 35,428), and again staurosporine, but not chelerythrine, weakened the effect of PMA. The reduction in dopamine transporter activity by PMA was caused by a decrease in the Vmax value of [3H]dopamine uptake, opposed by a smaller reduction in the Km value, whereas the effect of PMA on [3H]WIN 35,428 binding was caused by a reduction in the Bmax value without a change in the Kd value. The lower Km value in the presence of PMA was accompanied by a higher IC50 of dopamine in inhibiting [3H]WIN 35,428 binding; the latter effect was attenuated by the co-presence of staurosporine. The results are discussed in the context of transporter loss from the cell surface, or a model with phosphorylation affecting the shared dopamine and WIN 35,428 binding domain on the transporter as well as affecting a part of the dopamine binding domain lying outside that for WIN 35,428.     

Cocaine-sensitive sigma-receptor and its interaction with steroid hormones in the human placental syncytiotrophoblast and in choriocarcinoma cells

The expression and ligand binding characteristics of sigma-receptors in human placental syncytiotrophoblast and choriocarcinoma cells were investigated using haloperidol as a ligand. Haloperidol bound to purified placental brush border membranes with high affinity; the apparent dissociation constant for the process was about 3 nM. These binding sites were not related to dopamine (D2) and serotonin (5-HT2) receptors nor to serotonin and norepinephrine transporters. The ligands of sigma-receptors [3.g. (+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)N-(1-propyl)piperidine, 1,3-di-(2-tolyl)guanidine, clorgyline, rimcazole, and dexromethorphan] were very potent in competing with haloperidol for the binding sites. The binding sites were detected not only in the brush border membrane, but also in intracellular membranes. The rank order of potency of various sigma-receptor ligands to inhibit haloperidol binding indicated that placental sigma-receptors belong to the sigma 1 subtype. Cocaine and its analog RTI-55 [2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl-) tropane] inhibited the binding of haloperidol to placental membranes with appreciable potency. The steroid hormones, progesterone and testosterone, were also potent inhibitors, and the inhibition constant for progesterone was 0.3 microM, a concentration much smaller than that found in plasma during pregnancy. The inhibition was competitive. beta-Estradiol and a number of other steroids were relatively much weaker inhibitors than progesterone and testosterone. Phenytoin and neuropeptide-Y did not interact with sigma-receptors in placenta. The choriocarcinoma cell line JAR was also found to express sigma-receptors in the plasma membrane as well as in intracellular membranes. The characteristics of the receptors in this cell were qualitatively similar to those of the receptors in normal placenta, including subtype identity and interaction with cocaine and progesterone. Interestingly, however, all sigma-receptor ligands interacted with the receptors in the JAR cell with much higher affinity than with the receptors in normal placenta. It is concluded that the placental syncytiotrophoblast and choriocarcinoma cells express cocaine-sensitive sigma-receptors and that progesterone is most likely an endogenous ligand for these receptors.     

Imaging dopamine D4 receptors in the living primate brain: a positron emission tomography study using the novel D1/D4 antagonist [11C]SDZ GLC 756

The dopamine D4 receptor has lately attracted interest since it has been hypothesized to be involved in the pathogenesis and pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric diseases. The present study provides first in vivo evidence of dopamine D4 receptors in primate brain using a [11C]benzo[g]quinoline, the novel radioligand [11C]SDZ GLC 756 ([11C]GLC: in vitro dissociation constants at human receptor clones [nM]: 1.10 at D1; 0.40 at D2; 25 at D3; 0.18 at D4.2; 6.03 at D5). Dynamic positron emission tomography scans were performed on healthy baboons (Papio hamadryas, n = 3). Specific receptor binding (SB) was calculated for striatum and neocortex (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital) based on the differences between the regional and the cerebellar concentration of [11C]. Blockade of D1 and D5 receptors by SCH23390 (1.7 pmol/kg) diminished SB in the striatum by 55 +/- 4% (mean +/- standard deviation, P < 0.05) and in the frontal cortex by 13 +/- 8% (P < 0.05) when compared to SB in the unblocked state (SB(D1-D5)). In the presence of the dopamine antagonists SCH23390 (1.7 micromol/kg) and raclopride (5.7 pmol/kg)--which mask the D1, D2, D3, and D5 subtypes--SB of [11C]GLC to D4 receptors (SB(D4)) was demonstrated in the striatum and all cortical regions of interest. In the striatum, the ratio of SB(D4)/SB(D1-D5) was 0.13 +/- 0.07. In the neocortex, SB(D4)/SB(D1-D5) was notably higher (0.77 +/- 0.29; mean of all cortical regions of interest). The widespread distribution of dopamine D4 receptors suggests a basic functional role of this receptor subtype in the modulation of cortical and subcortical neuronal activity.