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Private businesses are often entrusted with public contracts, wherein public money is allocated to a private company. This process raises concerns about transparency, even in the most developed democracies. But are there any regularities guiding this process? Do all private companies benefit equally from the state budgets? Here, we tackle these questions focusing on the case of Slovenia, which keeps excellent records of this kind of public spending. We examine a dataset detailing every transfer of public money to the private sector from January 2003 to May 2020. During this time, Slovenia has conducted business with no less than 248 989 private companies. We find that the cumulative distribution of money received per company can be reasonably well explained by a power-law or lognormal fit. We also show evidence for the first-mover advantage, and determine that companies receive new funding in a way that is roughly linear over time. These results indicate that, despite all human factors involved, Slovenian public spending is at least to some extent regulated by emergent self-organizing principles., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Filipendula vulgaris Moench (dropwort) is used in traditional medicine for relieving various inflammation-related diseases. In the present study, the phytochemical profile of F. vulgaris aerial part (FVA) and root (FVR) methanolic extracts was evaluated by LC-DAD-HRMS analysis. Furthermore, their in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects, as well as their potential cytotoxicity, were assessed. Results showed that the extracts mainly contain phenolics like flavonoids, hydrolyzable tannins, procyanidins, and phenolic acid derivatives, including gaultherin. No in vitro cytotoxicity was found at the highest concentration (50 μg/mL). FVA extract (50 μg/mL) significantly inhibited cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) activities in vitro (>50% inhibition), and FVR extract considerably inhibited COX-2 activity (52.5 ± 2.7%) without affecting COX-2 gene expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. The extracts demonstrated prominent in vivo anti-inflammatory potential upon oral administration in rats. Especially FVA extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced edema formation. From these results, it can be concluded that F. vulgaris extracts possess interesting anti-inflammatory properties., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of our study was to examine the potential ameliorating effect of the methanolic extract of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) aerial parts against cisplatin-induced oxidative damage in renal, hepatic, and testicular tissues. S. hortensis methanol extract at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of body weight were orally administered to Wistar rats once daily for 10 days. Toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of cisplatin (7.5 mg/kg of body weight) on the 5th day of the experiment. Applied treatment with S. hortensis extract restored tissue morphology, ameliorated levels of serum parameters for liver, renal and testes function, tissue oxidative stress parameters, and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio as an indicator of apoptosis in experimental animals caused by application of cisplatin. UHPLC/DAD/HESI-MS/MS analysis revealed that S. hortensis extract was rich in phenolic compounds with rosmarinic acid (24.9 mg/g) as the main compound, followed by caffeic acid (1.28 mg/g) and naringenin (1.06 mg/g). Our findings suggest that S. hortensis may be a valuable source of dietary and pharmacologically important phenolic compounds, especially rosmarinic acid, in pharmaceutical and functional food formulations in order to maintain normal health conditions or as a remedy in various diseases caused by oxidative damage., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In a last few decades, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) abuse has become serious health concern especially among adolescents. AASs abuse has been reported to be involved in pathogenesis of various mood disorders, including depression. In order to evaluate the effects of chronic (6 weeks) testosterone enanthate (TE) treatment in supraphysiological dose and exercise on depression-like behavior in rats, 32 male rats were divided into four groups: control (C), testosterone enanthate (T, 20 mg/kg/w, s.c.), exercise (E, swimming for 1 h/day), and combined group-testosterone enanthate plus exercise (T + E). TE produced prodepressant effect in tail suspension test (TST) parameters compared to the control and exercise groups, while exercise induced the opposite effect. Simultaneous TE administration along with exercise attenuated the antidepressant effect of exercise reversing the parameters of TST to the control values. Oxidative stress markers in rat hippocampus were significantly altered following applied protocols. TE administration increased index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and decreased superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), while exercise induced the opposite effect, with no change in glutathione (GSH) levels. Our results indicate that TE chronic treatment resulted in clear depressive-like behavior, even abolishing beneficial antidepressant effects of exercise in TST that was accompanied with increased oxidative damage in rat hippocampus. The antidepressant effect of exercise correlated with the improvement of redox status in hippocampal tissue. Behavioral parameters obtained in TST significantly correlated with the levels of oxidative stress markers.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim, Rosaceae) has been traditionally used in most European countries for the treatment of inflammatory diseases due to its antipyretic, analgesic, astringent, and anti-rheumatic properties. However, there is little scientific evidence on F. ulmaria anti-inflammatory effects regarding its impact on cyclooxygenases enzymatic activity and in vivo assessment of anti-inflammatory potential. This study aims to reveal the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extracts from the aerial parts (FUA) and roots (FUR) of F. ulmaria, both in in vitro and in vivo conditions., Materials and Methods: The characteristic phenolic compounds in F. ulmaria extracts were monitored via high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of F. ulmaria extracts was evaluated using cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme assays, and an assay for determining COX-2 gene expression. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of F. ulmaria extracts was determined in two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) with hot plate test and carrageenan-induced paw edema test in rats. Inflammation was also evaluated by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis., Results: FUA extract showed the presence of rutoside, spiraeoside, and isoquercitrin. Both F. ulmaria extracts at a concentration of 50μg/mL were able to inhibit COX-1 and -2 enzyme activities, whereby FUA extract (62.84% and 46.43% inhibition, respectively) was double as effective as the root extract (32.11% and 20.20%, respectively). Extracts hardly inhibited the level of COX-2 gene expression in THP-1 cells at a concentration of 25μg/mL (10.19% inhibition by FUA and 8.54% by FUR). In the hot plate test, both extracts in two doses (100 and 200mg/kg b.w.), exhibited an increase in latency time when compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the carrageenan-induced acute inflammation test, FUA at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg b.w., and FUR at 200mg/kg, were able to significantly reduce the mean maximal swelling of rat paw until 6h of treatment. Indomethacin, FUA, and FUR extracts significantly decreased inflammation score and this effect was more pronounced after 24h, compared to the control group (p<0.05)., Conclusions: The observed results of in vitro and, for the first time, in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of meadowsweet extracts, provide support of the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of different inflammatory conditions. Further investigation of the anti-inflammatory compounds could reveal the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of these extracts., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The hypothesis that psychotomimetics induce a rapid dopamine receptor regulation that could participate in the expression of the brain dopaminergic overactivation and in the early signs of psychotic-like behaviour, was checked by radioligand binding on rat brain cryosections. For this purpose, subchronic 7-day-d-amphetamine pretreatment was combined with acute amphetamine, phencyclidine or LSD challenge. Acute application of psychotomimetics affected only striatal and accumbens but not nigral and olfactory dopamine receptor binding after 40 min, while subchronic amphetamine expressed no effect, as revealed by two-way ANOVA. Post-hoc statistical analysis showed that only striatal and accumbens[3H]SCH 23390 binding decrease (10-12%) following phencyclidine and striatal [3H]spiperone binding increase (11%) after acute amphetamine were significant. It is assumed that such moderate dopamine receptor binding changes probably reflect the fast receptor regulation responses without important influence on a proposed drug-induced dopaminergic overactivity. The registered alterations of D1 receptor binding after phencyclidine are suggested to be capable to modify the activity of some other neural pathways in the basal ganglia and thus participate in a psychotic-like behaviour.

Dopaminergic and serotonergic ligands are widely applied in the therapy of some severe diseases in humans connected to the malfunctioning of the corresponding membrane receptors within the CNS. However, no pharmaceuticals of this type with an ideal therapeutic index have been synthesized so far and there is a constant need of producing new dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands with improved properties especially with regard to undesirable side effects expressed after a prolonged therapy. Dopaminergic/serotonergic ratio turned out to be important for a fine tuning of pharmacological profile of new ligands. Employing a bioisosteric approach, we have synthesized numerous quinoxalinediones, benztriazoles, benzimidazoles and 2-substituted benzimidazoles as potential dopaminergic and/or mixed dopaminergic/serotonergic compounds. With this purpose, benzimidazole and its derivatives were incorporated into phenylethylamine, 3- and 4-substituted phenylethylpiperidine, 1-substituted 4-arylpiperazine and semirigid 2-aminotetralin frame and the resulting ligands were checked for the binding affinity at the D1 and D2 dopamine and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors in radioligand binding assays in vitro. Synaptosomal membranes prepared from bovine caudate nuclei and hippocampi served as a source of the dopamine and serotonin receptors, respectively. [3H]SCH 23390 (D1 receptor-selective), [3H]spiperone (D2 receptor-selective) and 8 OH [3H]DPAT (5-HT1A receptor-selective) were employed as radioligands in competition binding assays. Properties of substituents introduced into position 2 of benzimidazole ring, as well as the nature of the frame into which benzimidazole pharmacophore was incorporated have been shown to determine ligand binding affinity, mode of action and receptor preference, i.e. dopaminergic/serotonergic affinity ratio. Benzimidazolyl-2-thione and benztriazole derivatives were the most potent dopaminergic/serotonergic ligands. Molecular ab initio calculations of the electronic properties of pharmacophoric entities of the new ligands revealed different electron density distribution around the benzene ring in the active and inactive ligands. It can be assumed that this difference influences the properties of pi-pi interactions in a receptor-ligand complex. The results are discussed in comparison with the data of other authors working on similar topics.

8-Chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) is a potential new anticancer agent, but its mechanism of action is not clearly defined. In this work we have studied the effect of various heat inactivated and heat untreated human sera in the absence or in the presence of a nonspecific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, IBMX, or of nucleoside transport inhibitor and cGMP-specific PDE inhibitor dipiridamole (DP), or of inosine-monophosphatedehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor, tiazofurin, (T), on the antiproliferative 8-Cl-cAMP action towards two human malignant cell lines, K562 and HeLa cells, in vitro. Cell survival was determined 72 hrs after the agents action, using MTT assay. The results obtained, indicated the similar inhibitory effect of 8-Cl-cAMP on HeLa cell survival in the presence of four different heat untreated human sera (IC50 = 4-4.8 microM). Serum heat inactivation caused decrease in 8-Cl-cAMP antiproliferative action depending on the blood donor (IC50 = 23 microM, 15 microM, 19 microM, and 9 microM) and suggesting that some thermolabile ingredient(s) present in sera is involved, at least partially, in the induction or permittance of antiproliferative 8-Cl-cAMP action. K562 Cells were not as much resistant to 8-Cl-cAMP as HeLa cells, or mouse melanoma B16 cells; in the presence of heat untreated FBS, IC50 = 16 microM, while for B16 cells IC50 was 8 microM. Different human sera show different effect on 8-Cl-cAMP action on K562 cells: IC50 = 7.5 microM and 16.5 microM. In the presence of heat inactivated human sera 8-Cl-cAMP IC50 concentrations were higher, with relevant mutual differences. The effect of different sera on 8-Cl-cAMP action was only partly abrogated in the presence of a nonspecific PDE inhibitor, IBMX, suggesting that the serum PDE action is one of the various factors contributing to the induction of 8-Cl-cAMP antiproliferative action. Nucleoside transport inhibitor and cGMP-specific PDE inhibitor dipiridamole inhibited the antiproliferative 8-Cl-cAMP action to HeLa and K562 cells. Tiazofurin and 8-Cl-cAMP acted as antagonists on HeLa, but not on K562 cells.

A simple and rapid in vitro method for qualitative and quantitative estimation of the G alpha-subunits interaction with the third intracellular loop of human D2s dopamine receptor has been developed. For this purpose, D2s-CL3 was cloned in pGEX-2T vector and expressed in E. coli BL21 DE3 as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (D2s-CL3-GST). The resulting soluble construct was purified by affinity chromatography on glutathione-Sepharose. G alpha-subunits were expressed and purified as His-tagged proteins. For the assay of G alpha/D2s-CL3-GST interactions, varying concentrations of pure His-tagged G alpha-proteins were immobilized on His-Bind Resin and titrated with D2s-CL3-GST fusion protein. G alpha/D2s-CL3-GST interactions were quantified by GST activity determination assay. It was shown that the fusion protein interacts specifically with different G alpha proteins, especially with G alpha(i) proteins. Based on saturation binding analyses, Kd values were determined revealing the highest affinity of His-G alpha(i,2) binding to the fusion protein. The affinities for G alpha(i)/D2s-CL3-GST protein interactions estimated in this way were in nanomolar range of concentrations.

Several 2-methylthiomethylbenzimidazoles (3a-e) and the corresponding sulphinyl derivatives 4a-e were synthesized and evaluated measuring their in vitro binding affinity at the D1 and D2 dopamine (source: synaptosomal membranes of the bovine nucleus caudatus) and 5-HT1A serotonin (source: synaptosomal membranes of the bovine hippocampus) receptors. [3H]SCH 23390, [3H]spiperone, and [3H]-8-OH-DPAT were employed as specific radioligands for the D1, D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, respectively. None of the compounds except for 3b acting as a moderate [3H]SCH 23390, competitor, expressed binding affinity at the D1 receptor. Compounds 4a and 4e were inactive displacers of both [3H]spiperone and [3H]-8-OH-DPAT. Ligands 4b, 3d and 4d acted as weak to moderate [3H]spiperone competitors and 3a was a weak [3H]-8-OH-DPAT displacer. The remaining ligands expressed binding affinity at the corresponding receptors in a nanomolar concentration range. Among them, compound 3b with Ki of 14.2 nM and 8.4 nM in [3H]spiperone and [3H]-8-OH-DPAT binding assay, respectively, was the most potent mixed dopaminergic/serotonergic ligand. Although sterically similar, the two classes of ligands differ with regard to electronic properties of substituents in position 2 of the benzimidazole ring. Oxidation of 2-(methylthiomethyl)benzimidazoles afforded ligands devoid of binding affinity at the 5-HT1A receptor and significantly reduced binding affinity at the D2 receptor. This points to the importance of electronic properties of substituents in position 2 of benzimidazole ring for the D2/5-HT1A affinity ratio of this type of ligands.

The effects of adenosine, aminophylline, dipyridamole and salbutamol on the amine oxidase-mediated spermine cytotoxicity to KS62 human myelogenous leukemia cells without Ph-chromosome, spontaneously enriched with mildly adherent cells, were studied. In the absence of spermine, adenosine expressed very mild inhibitory action on K562 cell survival, while in combination with the polyamine an almost additive increase in spermine-FBS cytotoxicity was observed. Aminophylline and salbutamol attenuated both spermine-FBS and spermine-FBS-adenosine suppression of cell survival and viability when equimolar concentration of these agents and the adenosine were applied. Pre-treatment of the cells with higher adenosine levels, in the presence of either aminophylline or dipyridamole, or salbutamol, was associated with decreased K562 cell survival, with the appearance of morphological changes in 10-20% of cells. Additional spermine-FBS cytotoxic effect was not observed in cells pre-treated with adenosine-aminophylline, or adenosine-salbutamole, but morphological changes in 10-20% of cells, even in the presence of spermine, was observed again. Dipyridamole alone suppressed very weakly K562 cell survival. In cells pretreated with dipyridamole, in the presence of spermine-FBS, an additive decrease in cell survival was observed. Pre-treatment of cells with dipyridamole and adenosine in presence of spermine-FBS did not result in a decrease of cell survival compared to the one obtained in dipyridamole-spermine-FBS treated cells.

Psychotic-like behaviour was induced in rats with a single i.p. injection of AMPH (20 mg/kg b.w.) and/or PCP (10 mg/kg b.w.). The D1 and D2 dopamine receptor (DAR) specific binding of [3H]SCH 23390 and [3H]spiperone, respectively, during the 120 min period upon the treatment was examined on cryosections using computerized scanning and image analysis. AMPH, alone or in combination with PCP, induced a transient decrease of the D1 receptor specific binding in the striatum (30 min; AMPH, -18%; AMPH+PCP, -31%) and nucleus accumbens (30 min; AMPH, -30%; AMPH+PCP, -40%), which was completely abolished at the 120 min point. Only AMPH persistently elevated nigral D1 receptor specific binding. PCP-induced striatal and accumbal D1 receptor down-regulation was intensive throughout the 120 min period, while in the s. nigra it was non-significant. A significant increase of the D2 receptor specific binding was observed only 30 min after the treatment in striatum (AMPH, 15%; PCP, 16%; AMPH+PCP, 13%) and n. accumbens (AMPH, 16%). These alterations of DAR specific binding may reflect a regulation of the DAR and the changes in nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA-ergic neurotransmission during an intensive drug-induced psychotic-like behavioral expression.

Twenty-two different compounds have been synthesized with the aim of creating new, mixed D2/5HT1A ligands. For this purpose 1-substituted phenylpiperazines attached by the N-4 nitrogen to dopaminergic pharmacophores of the 2-(5-benzimidazole)ethyl-, 2-(5-benztriazole)ethyl-, 2-[5-(benzimidazole-2-thione)]ethyl- and 2-[6-(1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione)]ethyl-type were selected according to known structure-affinity requirements of 1-arylpiperazines. All the new compounds were evaluated for in-vitro binding affinity at the dopamine (D1 and D2) and 5-HT1A receptors. Synaptosomal membranes prepared from fresh bovine caudate nuclei and hippocampi were used as a source of dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors, respectively. [3H]SCH 23390 (D1 selective), [3H]spiperone (D2 selective) and 8-OH-[3H]DPAT (5-HT1A selective) were employed as the radio-ligands. None of the compounds expressed affinity for binding at D1 dopamine receptors. Compounds 3b and 4b were inactive 8-OH-[3H]DPAT competitors whereas 1b, 2b and 4b were inactive in the [3H]spiperone-binding assay. The other compounds tested showed fair (1c, 1e, 1f, 2c, 2f, 3b, 3c and 4c) to high (1a, 1d, 2a, 1d, 3a, 3d-3f, 4a, and 4d) affinity in the [3H]spiperone-binding assay, the most potent representative being 4-[2-(5-benzimidazole-2-thione)ethyl]-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 3a (Ki = 1.7 nM). In the 8-OH-[3H]DPAT-displacement assay compounds 1b, 1d, 1f, 2b, 2f and 3f behaved as moderate competitors and 1a, 1c, 1e, 2a, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3c-3e, 4a, 4c, 4d and 4f as rather strong competitors; 4-[2-(5-benztriazole)ethyl]-1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 2a had the highest binding affinity at the 5-HT1A receptors (Ki = 2.6 nM). Because many antipsychotic and anxiolytic agents behave as mixed dopaminergic and serotonergic ligands, the high affinity of several of these new ligands for binding at both D2 and 5-HT1A receptors make them promising candidates deserving further pharmacological evaluation as antipsychotic or anxiolytic pharmaceuticals.

With an aim of creating new, mixed D-2/5-HT1A ligands, sixteen different compounds were synthesized. For this purpose 1-arylpiperazines attached through N-4 nitrogen to the dopaminergic pharmacophores of 2-(5-benzimidazole)-ethyl-, 2-(5-benztriazole)-ethyl-, 2-[5-(benzimidazole-2-thione]-ethyl- and 2-[6-(1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-dione)]-ethyl-type were selected according to their structural diversity (phenyl, substituted phenyl, heteroaryl and naphthyl). All new compounds were checked for in vitro binding affinity at the dopamine (D-1 and D-2) and serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors. Synaptosomal membranes prepared from fresh bovine caudate nuclei and hippocampus were used as a source of dopamine and serotonin receptors, respectively, [3H]SCH 23390 (D-1 selective), [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) and 8-OH-[3H]DPAT (5-HT1A selective) were employed as the radioligands. All compounds were inactive competitors of [3H]SCH 23390, 1c and 2b being inactive in the two other binding assays, as well. Derivatives of 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine 1b and 2a and of 1-phenylpiperazine 1a expressed moderate to low affinity for both D-2 and 5-HT1A receptors, while 1-(2-pyridyl)-piperazines 3b and 4b and 4-(1-phenylethyl)-1-(1-naphthyl)-piperazine 10 were moderate [3H]spiperone, but potent 8-OH-[3H]DPAT competitors. Among them, derivatives of 1-(1-naphthyl)-piperazine 1e, 2d and 3e and of 1-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-piperazine 1d, 2c and 3d were the strongest competitors at both D-2 and 5-HT1A receptors.

Twelve different N-n-propyl-N-(2-arylethyl)-5-(1H-benzimidazol-2-thione)-ethy lamines and 12 related heterocyclic congeners were synthesized with the aim of creating new high affinity dopaminergic ligands. Upon thorough chemical analysis they were evaluated for their affinity towards the D-1 and the D-2 dopamine receptors (DAR) by in vitro binding assay using synaptosomal membranes of the bovine caudate nuclei and [3H]SCH 23390 (R (+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrochloride) (D-1 selective) and [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) as the radioligands. None of the synthesized compounds expressed affinity for the binding to the D-1 DAR Compounds 11e, 11j, 11l, 12b, 12d, 13a, 13d, 14a, and 14d were also inactive competitors of [3H] spiperone binding to the D-2 DAR. However, 1H-benzimidazol-2-thione derivatives 11k, 11h, and 11f and 1, 4-di-hydroquinoxalin-2,3-dione derivative 12c (in this rank order of potencies) acted as strong competitors of [3H] spiperone binding to the D-2 receptors under conditions that prevented radioligand binding to serotonin 5HT(2) receptors. Relationship between the structure and affinities of the new ligands for the binding to the D-2 DAR as well as the demands of the receptor itself for the interaction with the new compounds are discussed.

Four semirigid dopaminergic biosiosteres (N,N-di-n-propyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1 H-benz[f]benzimidazol-6-yl-amine [sequence: see text] and three related congeners) were synthesized and chemically characterized. The affinity and selectivity of these compounds for D-1 and D-2 classes of the dopamine receptor were determined in competition binding experiments using synaptosomal membranes of the bovine caudate nuclei and [3H]SCH 23390 (D-1 selective) and [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) as radioligands. None of the four compounds tested expressed significant affinity for D-1 receptors and all of them competed moderately with [3H]spiperone binding to D-2 receptors under conditions that prevented radioligand binding to serotonin 5HT2 receptors. Some aspects of structure affinity relationship for this class of dopaminergic ligands are discussed.

Two series of non-catechol dopamine (DA) bioisosteres with the hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring replaced by N-H groups were synthesized using phenethylamine as a parent molecule. Compounds from the first series (1-9) contained a primary amine group, while those from the second one (10-19) had a N,N-di-propylamino group introduced into the side chain of the phenethylamine. The affinity and selectivity of these compounds for the D-1 and D-2 subtypes of the DA receptor were determined in competition binding assays using synaptosomal membranes from bovine caudate nuclei and [3H]SCH 23390 (D-1 selective) and [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) as radioligands. None of the 19 compounds examined expressed significant affinity for D-1 receptors, while compounds 15, 17 and 19, in this order of potency, strongly competed with [3H]spiperone binding to D-2 receptors under conditions that prevented radioligand binding to serotonin 5HT2 receptors. Varying affinities of the compounds examined for the DA receptors can be ascribed to different acidity of the N-H groups introduced at meta- and para-positions of the phenethylamine molecule.

Four different heterocyclic dopamine bioisosteres were synthesized. The affinity and selectivity of these compounds for the D-1 and D-2 classes of the dopamine receptor were determined in competition binding experiments using synaptosomal membranes from bovine caudate nuclei and [3H]SCH 23390 (D-1 selective) and [3H]spiperone (D-2 selective) as radioligands. None of these compounds expressed significant affinity for the D-1 receptors, while compounds 3, 4, 2 and 1 in this order of potency strongly competed with [3H]spiperone binding to D-2 receptors under conditions that prevented radioligand binding to serotonin 5HT2 receptors (50 nM ketanserin). Compounds 3 and 4 behave as agonists as judged by the data obtained in competition binding experiments in the presence of Gpp(NH)p, the former (3) expressing a very high affinity for D-2 receptors.

The effects of several compounds acting through adenylate cyclase system and/or influencing prostaglandin biosynthesis on spermine-FBS cytotoxicity to human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells were studied. Salbutamol, a beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist inhibited to a certain extent spermine-FBS cytotoxic action to K562 cells, and propranolol, a beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, did not affect this inhibition. Aminophylline, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, acted suppressing spermine-FBS cytotoxicity to K562 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with dexamethasone did not significantly alter salbutamol-related inhibition of spermine-FBS cytotoxicity. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases directly involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis, did not interfere with protective terbutaline effects against spermine-FBS cytotoxicity to K562 cells during the 24-hour period.

1. Dopamine D-1 receptors of the bovine caudate nucleus were solubilized with different detergents. They were labelled with [3H]SCH 23390 and assayed by filtration through PEI-coated glass fibre filters and Sephadex G-50 columns. 2. DCHAPS was the best solubilizer among all detergents used and at 0.075% DCHAPS, 10 mg/ml protein, 30 min, 4 degrees C, gave the yield of 48.7%. 3. Reconstitution of solubilized receptors was performed using SM-2 Bio-Beads. Phosphatidylcholine did not improve reconstitution suggesting that DCHAPS solubilized sufficient amounts of the membrane phospholipids. 4. Loss of affinity of solubilized receptors to [3H]SCH 23390 binding was reversible. Apparent Kd values of 0.36 +/- 0.02, 21.3 +/- 3.2 and 0.77 +/- 0.05 nM were obtained for membrane-bound, solubilized and reconstituted receptors, respectively.

The effects of spermine and beta-adrenoceptor agonists (epinephrine, terbutaline and orciprenaline) in the presence and in the absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on human myelogenous leukemia K562 cells viability (V) and survival (N/Nc) were examined. Spermine-FBS significantly decreased both V and N/Nc of K562 cells. Aminoguanidine (AG), an amine oxidase inhibitor, and reduced form of glutathione abolished this effect demonstrating that the spermine-FBS action was amine oxidase-mediated. Epinephrine expressed a strong cytotoxicity to K562 cells which was abolished by pargyline, a specific monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, as well as by reduced form of glutathione. Terbutaline and orciprenaline exerted no cytotoxic activity to K562 cells cultured in FBS-supplemented medium, independently on the presence of spermine. However, terbutaline at concentrations of over 1 mmol strongly inhibited the cytotoxic effect on spermine-FBS. The relationship between cytotoxicity and chemical structure of beta-adrenoceptor agonists was discussed especially with respect to their stability toward oxidation.

The influence of glucocorticoid status of the rats (absence of glucocorticoid hormones achieved by adrenalectomy and substitution by dexamethasone 5 mg/kg b.w.) on the response of striatal dopamine-D2 receptors to environmentally induced hyperthermia and treatment with a local inflammatory agent turpentine (1 ml/kg b.w.) was studied. Both stress situations affected the density of D2 receptors in opposite directions. While hyperthermia led to an increase, turpentine treatment reduced Bmax value. The changes in the D2 receptor binding affinity were expressed as a certain decrement, which was statistically significant in sham-adrenalectomized hyperthermic animals and in both turpentine treated groups (sham-operated and adrenalectomized) administered dexamethasone. The absence of glucocorticoids in the circulation caused an elevation of Kd values in the control and both stressed groups and dexamethasone attenuated these changes. Dexamethasone also attenuated stress-related alterations of Bmax, as well as Kd increase upon adrenalectomy in control and hyperthermic animals. These results corroborate the evidence on the role of D2 receptors in thermoregulation and stress and demonstrate the significance of glucocorticoid hormones in the control of these processes.