Stanisław Lochyński

A Role of GABA Analogues in the Treatment of Neurological Diseases

gamma-Amino butyric acid is an extremely important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and is essential for the overall balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. It is well documented that GABA deficiency is associated with several important neurological disorders such as Huntingtons chorea, Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease and other psychiatric disorders, like anxiety, depression, pain, panic, or mania. Although, it is known that increasing the brain concentration of GABA prevents convulsions, the high polarity and flexible structure of this compound are probably responsible for its inefficiency as an anticonvulsant when administered orally or intravenously. To resolve this problem, GABA analogues are being designed. Over recent years, there has been increasing interest in the synthesis and pharmacological effect of new GABA derivatives, which can be considered as potent drugs in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

L-carnitine--metabolic functions and meaning in humans life.

L-Carnitine is an endogenous molecule involved in fatty acid metabolism, biosynthesized within the human body using amino acids: L-lysine and L-methionine, as substrates. L-Carnitine can also be found in many foods, but red meats, such as beef and lamb, are the best choices for adding carnitine into the diet. Good carnitine sources also include fish, poultry and milk. Essentially, L-carnitine transports the chains of fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix, thus allowing the cells to break down fat and get energy from the stored fat reserves. Recent studies have started to shed light on the beneficial effects of L-carnitine when used in various clinical therapies. Because L-carnitine and its esters help reduce oxidative stress, they have been proposed as a treatment for many conditions, i.e. heart failure, angina and weight loss. For other conditions, such as fatigue or improving exercise performance, L-carnitine appears safe but does not seem to have a significant effect. The presented review of the literature suggests that continued studies are required before L-carnitine administration could be recommended as a routine procedure in the noted disorders. Further research is warranted in order to evaluate the biochemical, pharmacological, and physiological determinants of the response to carnitine supplementation, as well as to determine the potential benefits of carnitine supplements in selected categories of individuals who do not have fatty acid oxidation defects.

Polymer-based non-viral gene delivery as a concept for the treatment of cancer

Gene therapy has become a promising technique for the treatment of cancer. Nevertheless, the success of gene therapy depends on the effectiveness of the vector. The challenge of a gene carrier is to deliver exogenous DNA from the site of administration into the nucleus of the appropriate target cell. Polymer-based vectors are biologically safe, have low production costs and are efficient tools for gene therapy. Although non-degradable polyplexes exhibit high gene expression levels, their application potential is limited due to their inability to be effectively eliminated, which results in cytotoxicity. The development of biodegradable polymers has allowed for high levels of transfection without cytotoxicity. For site-specific targeting of polyplexes, further modifications, such as incorporation of ligands, can be performed. Most expectations have been addressed to polyplexes architecture according it dynamic response with the microenvironment.

Lactones. Part 15: Synthesis of chiral spirolactones with a carane system—insect feeding deterrents

Abstract Starting from (+)-3-carene 1 several spirolactones with carane backbone were synthesized. δ-Hydroxy-γ-lactone 5 was obtained by acidic lactonization of a γ,δ-epoxy ester. Iodolactone 8 and bromolactone 9 were products of iodolactonization of γ,δ-unsaturated acid 7 and bromolactonization of γ,δ-unsaturated ester 3 respectively. The halo lactones were subjected to reductive dehalogenation with tributyltin hydride and dehydrohalogenation with DBU. The structures of the lactones obtained were confirmed by X-ray analysis and spectral data.

Effects of a Carane Derivative Local Anesthetic on a Phospholipid Bilayer Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of two hydrated palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) bilayers each containing eight carane derivative (KP-23) local anesthetic (LA) molecules in neutral (POPC-LA) or protonated (POPC-LAH) forms were carried out to investigate the effect of KP-23 and its protonation on the bilayer. 3-ns trajectories were used for analyses. A pure POPC bilayer was employed as a reference system. In both POPC-LA and POPC-LAH systems a few KP-23 molecules intercalated into the bilayer and moved near the bilayer/water interface. They were located on the hydrophobic core side of the interface in the POPC-LA bilayer, but on the water phase side in the POPC-LAH bilayer. The order of the POPC chains was higher in the POPC-LA bilayer than in the pure POPC bilayer and was lower in the POPC-LAH bilayer. Interactions between polar groups of KP-23 and POPC or water were responsible for a lower hydration of POPC headgroups in POPC bilayers containing KP-23 than in the pure POPC bilayer. KP-23 molecules were found to form aggregates both in POPC-LA and POPC-LAH bilayers. Due to higher amphiphilicity of LAH, the LAH aggregate was more micelle-like and larger than the LA one. The results demonstrate the rapid timescales of the initial processes that take place at and near the bilayer interface as well as details of the atomic level interactions between local anesthetic and the lipid matrix of a cell membrane.

Insect growth regulators. XVI Syntheses of juvenoids with the 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane system

New cyclic juvenoids containing the 3,3-dimethylcyclohexane (esters16,18,22,26, and ethers28 a, b) or the 5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene system (esters15,17,21,25, and ethers27 a,b) have been obtained by a several-step synthesis starting from dimedone (1). The compounds obtained exhibited morphogenetic activity against larvae ofDysdercus cingulatus and they were inactive on pupae ofTenebrio molitor.ZusammenfassungAusgehend von Dimedon (1) wurden in mehrstufigen Synthesen neue, cyclische Juvenoide hergestellt, die das 3,3-Dimethylcyclohexan- (Ester16,18,22,26 und Ether28 a, b) oder 5,5-Dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-System (Ester15,17,21,25 und Ether27 a, b) enthalten. Die erhaltenen Verbindungen zeigen morphogenetische Aktivität gegenüber Larven vonDysdercus cingulatus und sind inaktiv gegenüber Puppen vonTenebrio molitor.

An overview of the pharmacological properties and potential applications of natural monoterpenes.

Monoterpenes, the major components of essential oils, belong to the group of isoprenoids containing ten carbon atoms. Being widely distributed in the plant kingdom they are extensively used in cuisine and human health care products. Studies have shown that both natural monoterpenes and their synthetic derivatives are endowed with various pharmacological properties including antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiarrhythmic, anti-aggregating, local anesthetic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic and anti-spasmodic activities. Monoterpenes act also as regulators of growth, heat, transpiration, tumor inhibitors, inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, insect repellants, feline and canine attractants and antidiabetics. These interesting activities which might be potentially used not only in pharmaceutical, but also food and cosmetic industries are discussed below.

Stereochemistry of terpene derivatives. Part 3: Hydrolytic kinetic resolution as a convenient approach to chiral aminohydroxyiminocaranes with local anaesthetic activity

Abstract We have developed a stereoselective hydrolytic kinetic resolution process for diastereoisomeric mixtures of epoxyiminocarene intermediates in the presence of ( R , R )-(−)-(salen)Co(III)OAc catalyst, this was applied as the first step in the synthesis of novel chiral aminohydroxyiminocarane derivatives with local anaesthetic activity. The absolute configuration of the product was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Stereochemistry of terpene derivatives. Part 2: Synthesis of new chiral amino acids with potential neuroactivity

Abstract The syntheses and stereochemistry of two new amino acids obtained from the monoterpene ketones (−)- cis -caran- trans -4-one and (−)-menthone via appropriate lactams are presented. The configuration of all stereogenic centers is confirmed by X-ray crystallography.

Biotechnology and genetic engineering in the new drug development. Part I. DNA technology and recombinant proteins

Pharmaceutical biotechnology has a long tradition and is rooted in the last century, first exemplified by penicillin and streptomycin as low molecular weight biosynthetic compounds. Today, pharmaceutical biotechnology still has its fundamentals in fermentation and bioprocessing, but the paradigmatic change affected by biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences has led to an updated definition. The biotechnology revolution redrew the research, development, production and even marketing processes of drugs. Powerful new instruments and biotechnology related scientific disciplines (genomics, proteomics) make it possible to examine and exploit the behavior of proteins and molecules. Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies (genetic, protein, and metabolic engineering) allow the production of a wide range of peptides, proteins, and biochemicals from naturally nonproducing cells. This technology, now approximately 25 years old, is becoming one of the most important technologies developed in the 20(th) century. Pharmaceutical products and industrial enzymes were the first biotech products on the world market made by means of rDNA. Despite important advances regarding rDNA applications in mammalian cells, yeasts still represent attractive hosts for the production of heterologous proteins. In this review we describe these processes.