The synthesis and pharmacological profile of a series of neuroprotective adenosine agonists are described. Novel A(1) agonists with potent central nervous system effects and diminished influence on the cardiovascular system are reported and compared to selected reference adenosine agonists. The novel compounds featured are derived structurally from two key lead structures: 2-chloro-N-(1-phenoxy-2-propyl)adenosine (NNC 21-0041, 9) and 2-chloro-N-(1-piperidinyl)adenosine (NNC 90-1515, 4). The agonists are characterized in terms of their in vitro profiles, both binding and functional, and in vivo activity in relevant animal models. Neuroprotective properties assessed after postischemic dosing in a Mongolian gerbil severe temporary forebrain ischemia paradigm, using hippocampal CA1 damage endpoints, and the efficacy of these agonists in an A(1) functional assay show similarities to some reference adenosine agonists. However, the new compounds we describe exhibit diminished cardiovascular effects in both anesthetized and awake rats when compared to reference A(1) agonists such as (R)-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA, 5), N-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 2), 4, N-[(1S,trans)-2-hydroxycyclopentyl]adenosine (GR 79236, 26), N-cyclohexyl-2'-O-methyladenosine (SDZ WAG 994, 27), and N-[(2-methylphenyl)methyl]adenosine (Metrifudil, 28). In mouse permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion focal ischemia, 2-chloro-N-[(R)-[(2-benzothiazolyl)thio]-2-propyl]adenosine (NNC 21-0136, 12) exhibited significant neuroprotection at the remarkably low total intraperitoneal dose of 0.1 mg/kg, a dose at which no cardiovascular effects are observed in conscious rats. The novel agonists described inhibit 6, 7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate-induced seizures, and in mouse locomotor activity higher doses are required to reach ED(50) values than for reference A(1) agonists. We conclude that two of the novel adenosine derivatives revealed herein, 12 and 5'-deoxy-5'-chloro-N-[4-(phenylthio)-1-piperidinyl]adenosine (NNC 21-0147, 13), representatives of a new series of P(1) ligands, reinforce the fact that novel selective adenosine A(1) agonists have potential in the treatment of cerebral ischemia in humans.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the plasma lipid-independent antiatherogenic effect of estrogen and levormeloxifene, a partial estrogen receptor agonist. 85 rabbits were ovariectomized and balloon-injured in the middle thoracic aorta. The rabbits were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet supplemented with 17 ␤ -estradiol, levormeloxifene, or placebo, either alone, or together with 160 g/ml N G -nitro-L -arginine methyl ester ( L -NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, in their drinking water for 12 wk. Plasma cholesterol was maintained at 25-30 mmol/liter by individualized cholesterol feeding.In the undamaged aorta, the extent of atherosclerosis in the estrogen group was only one-third that in the placebo group. Simultaneous administration of L -NAME, however, significantly reduced the antiatherogenic effect of estrogen ( P Ͻ 0.01). There was no significant difference between the placebo group given L -NAME and the group treated with placebo alone. At the previously endothelium-denuded site, estrogen had no effect on atherosclerosis development, whereas L -NAME combined with estrogen significantly increased atherogenesis ( P Ͻ 0.05). The effects of levormeloxifene were almost similar to those of estrogen. Active vascular concentrations of L -NAME were demonstrated in an additional study, in which maximal aortic/coronary endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly inhibited in rabbits given L -NAME.Thus, in this study a considerable part of the plasma lipid-independent antiatherogenic effect of estrogen was mediated through its effect on endothelial NO in cholesterol-fed rabbits. The results for levormeloxifene suggest a common mechanism of action for estrogen and partial estrogen receptor agonists on atherogenesis.

The analysis of picomolar lithium, sodium, and potassium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry was studied using a Perkin-Elmer Zeeman 3030 spectrophotometer. With ordinary pyrolytically coated graphite tubes, a number of interference effects associated with the sample matrix were observed. In particular, the lithium and potassium absorbance signal was depressed by chloride, an effect shown to be dependent on the preatomization heating. When an in situ tantalum-coated atomization surface was used, matrix interferences observed in lithium and potassium analyses were abolished, and the linear range for the potassium assay was extended. Technical difficulties encountered during sodium analysis at the primary wavelength were effectively circumvented by analysis at a less-sensitive wavelength (303.3 nm), at which tantalum coating also prevented significant chloride interference. The improved microanalyses were employed to reevaluate the handling of lithium, sodium, and potassium along the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of the anesthetized rat. The average tubular fluid-to-plasma concentration ratios for lithium [(TF/P)Li] and sodium [(TF/P)Na] were 1.13 +/- 0.08, n = 26, and 0.99 +/- 0.07 (n = 26), respectively. The tubular fluid-to-plasma ultrafiltrate concentration ratio for potassium [(TF/UF)K] was 1.09 +/- 0.05 (n = 13). Ratios did not change significantly with puncture site along the PCT for any of the ions. (TF/P)Li and (TF/UF)K were significantly greater than (TF/P)Na, indicating that lithium and potassium reabsorption do not directly parallel sodium reabsorption in the PCT.

Li+ may be reabsorbed via an amiloride-sensitive mechanism in the collecting ducts of rats administered a low-Na+ diet. This was investigated by measuring the increase in fractional urinary excretion of Li+(FELi) in response to amiloride in conscious rats at two different levels of plasma Li+ concentration and after administration of bendroflumethiazide (BFTZ), angiotensin III (ANG III), and aldosterone (Aldo). The results confirmed that amiloride increased (FELi) in rats on a low-Na+ diet (20 ± 1 to 35 ± 1%, means ± SE), whereas no increase was observed in rats on a normal Na+ diet (37 ± 1 to 38 ± 1%). The lithiuretic effect of amiloride was 1) abolished by preadministration of BFTZ (32 ± 1 to 33 ± 2%) to Na+-deprived rats and 2) increased by ANG III (27 ± 3 to 33 ± 2%) and Aldo (25 ± 2 to 37 ± 2%) in Na+-replete rats. Amiloride-induced changes in FELiwere independent of plasma Li+concentration but inversely related to the fractional excretion of Na+ and the amiloride-sensitive excretion of K+. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that a low tubular Na+ concentration reduces end-tubular Na+ reabsorption and results in hyperpolarization of the apical membrane, thus favoring Li+ uptake into the cells.

Estrogen replacement therapy retards the development of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However, long-term unopposed use increases the risk of cancer in endometrium and possibly in breast. The racemic compound ormeloxifene, widely used in India as an antifertility agent, is a partial estrogen receptor agonist with antiosteoporotic properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the L-enantiomer (levormeloxifene) and the d-enantiomer (d-ormeloxifene) on the development of atherosclerosis. In a short-term experiment (6 weeks), 4 x 10 ovariectomized female rabbits were fed a 0.25% cholesterol-enriched diet and the effect on plasma cholesterol levels was studied. In a long-term experiment (13 weeks), 4 x 15 ovariectomized female and 4 x 15 shamoperated male rabbits were maintained at a similar plasma cholesterol level of 25 mmol/L and the effect on undamaged and balloon-injured arterial wall was studied. In both experiments, the rabbits were treated with levormeloxifene, d-ormeloxifene, 17 beta-estradiol, or placebo, respectively. In the short-term experiment, levormeloxifene, in contrast to d-ormeloxifene, significantly reduced plasma cholesterol by 30% compared with the placebo group. In the long-term experiment, levormeloxifene, in contrast to d-ormeloxifene, significantly reduced atherosclerosis by 50% in the undamaged arterial wall of both female and male rabbits. Because these rabbits were cholesterol-clamped, the antiatherogenic effect was not mediated via plasma cholesterol lowering. Like estrogen, levormeloxifene did not inhibit atherosclerosis in the endothelium-denuded site of aorta. The antiatherogenic effects of levormeloxifene were thus similar to those of estrogen, but produced in the absence of any noticeable estrogenic effect on uterine or testicular tissue.