Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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We showed previously that inhibiting fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an endocannabinoid degrading enzyme, and transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) channels with the same molecule, the naturally occurring N-arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), produces more efficacious anti-nociceptive and anti-hyperalgesic actions than the targeting of FAAH or TRPV1 alone. We also reported the synthesis of some piperazinyl carbamates as "dual" FAAH inhibitors and either antagonists at TRPV1 or agonists/desensitizers of the transient receptor potential ankyrin type-1 (TRPA1) cannel, another target for analgesic drugs. We investigated here if two such compounds, the FAAH/TRPV1 blocker OMDM198 and the FAAH inhibitor/TRPA1 agonist, OMDM202, exert anti-nociceptive actions in the formalin test of pain in mice, and through what mechanism. ⋯ The effects of OMDM198 and OMDM202 were accompanied by elevation of anandamide levels in the spinal cord. OMDM198 (0.1-5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) also reversed carrageenan-induced oedema and thermal hyperalgesia in mice with efficacy similar to that of AA-5-HT. These data suggest that "dual" fatty acid amide hydrolase and transient receptor potential channel modulators should be clinically evaluated as novel analgesics.
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Adenosine (Ado) exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory functions by acting through four receptor subtypes A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Astrocytes are one of its targets in the central nervous system. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a master regulator of oxygen homeostasis, is induced after hypoxia, ischemia and inflammation and plays an important role in brain injury. ⋯ A series of angiogenesis and metabolism related genes were modulated by hypoxia in an HIF-1 dependent way, but not further increased by LPS, with the exception of GLUT-1 and hexochinase II that were elevated by LPS only in normoxia and inhibited by Ado receptors. Instead, genes involved in inflammation, like inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) and A2B receptors, were increased by LPS in normoxia, strongly stimulated by LPS in concert with hypoxia and inhibited by Ado, through A1 and A3 receptor subtypes. In conclusion A1 and A3 receptors reduce the LPS-mediated HIF-1α accumulation in murine astrocytes, resulting in a downregulation of genes involved in inflammation and hypoxic injury, like iNOS and A2B receptors, in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions.
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The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway constitute the fulcrum in many vital cellular processes, including cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and regulatory immune functions. Various cytokines, growth factors, and protein tyrosine kinases communicate through the JAK/STAT pathway and regulate the transcription of numerous genes. ⋯ The aim of this review is to highlight the recent findings on the regulatory mechanism of JAK/STAT signaling pathways and to reveal the evolving comprehension of their interface which might be of interest for clinicians involved in IBD therapy. Further, it is described how these signaling pathways have been exploited for the development of promising novel JAK inhibitors with anti-inflammatory effects verified in clinical trials.
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection-induced liver disease is a growing problem worldwide, and is the primary cause of liver failure requiring liver transplantation in North America. Improved therapeutic strategies are required to control and possibly eradicate HCV infections, and to modulate HCV-induced liver disease. Cellular microRNAs anneal to and regulate mRNA translation and stability and form a regulatory network that modulates virtually every cellular process. ⋯ We also discuss a few miRNAs that might be targets to treat HCV in cases of HCV/HIV co-infection. Finally, we review methods to deliver miRNA antagonists and mimics to the liver. In the future, it may be possible to design and deliver specific combinations of miRNA antagonists and mimics to cure HCV infection or to limit liver pathogenesis.
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We have recently demonstrated that spinal sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) mediate pain hypersensitivity in mice and neuropathic pain in rats. In this study, we examine the role of NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) on Sig-1R-induced pain hypersensitivity and the induction of chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was produced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the right sciatic nerve in rats. ⋯ CCI-induced nerve injury produced an increase in Nox2 activation and ROS production in the spinal cord, all of which were attenuated by intrathecal administration with BD1047 during the induction phase of neuropathic pain. Furthermore, administration with BD1047 or apocynin reversed CCI-induced mechanical allodynia during the induction phase, but not the maintenance phase. These findings demonstrate that spinal Sig-1Rs modulate Nox2 activation and ROS production in the spinal cord, and ultimately contribute to the Sig-1R-induced pain hypersensitivity and the peripheral nerve injury-induced induction of chronic neuropathic pain.