Background/Objectives: Tacrine is a centrally active non-competitive reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It also exerts antagonising activity against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. Tacrine was approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in 1993, but was withdrawn from clinical use in 2013 because of its hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal side effects. Nevertheless, tacrine is currently facing a renewed wave of interest primarily due to several new tacrine-incorporated hybrids and derivates. There were two specific aims for this study: firstly, to explain the mechanisms of the adverse action of tacrine, as a distinctive example of a highly effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; and secondly to check whether luminal impedance planimetry is feasible for preclinical testing of possible side effects of compounds potentially toxic to the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: Six experimental pigs were used as the animal model in this study. Five major parameters were evaluated: luminal pressure (mmHg), estimated diameter (mm), cross-sectional area (mm2), distensibility (mm2/mmHg), and zone compliance (mm3/mmHg). All measurements were performed before and 360 min after intragastric administration of 200 mg tacrine (at the porcine tacrine Tmax). Results: This study consistently demonstrated an increase in luminal pressure (a directly measured indicator) for the particular balloon filling volumes used, and inversely a reciprocal decrease in the other parameters after tacrine administration. Conclusions: Endoscopic luminal impedance planimetry is a feasible method to evaluate functional response of the lower oesophageal sphincter to tacrine in experimental pigs. Tacrine did not compromise the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter either toward oesophageal spasms or, in contrast, decreased competence of the lower oesophageal sphincter.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer’s disease, endoscopic luminal impedance planimetry, experimental pigs, lower oesophageal sphincter, tacrine,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease with an unknown etiology. Available treatments, limited to cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, provide symptomatic relief only. As single-target therapies have not proven effective, rational specific-targeted combination into a single molecule represents a more promising approach for treating AD, and is expected to yield greater benefits in alleviating symptoms and slowing disease progression. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated 24 novel N-methylpropargylamino-quinazoline derivatives. Initially, compounds were thoroughly inspected by in silico techniques determining their oral and CNS availabilities. We tested, in vitro, the compounds' effects on cholinesterases and monoamine oxidase A/B (MAO-A/B), as well as their impacts on NMDAR antagonism, dehydrogenase activity, and glutathione levels. In addition, we inspected selected compounds for their cytotoxicity on undifferentiated and differentiated neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We collectively highlighted II-6h as the best candidate endowed with a selective MAO-B inhibition profile, NMDAR antagonism, an acceptable cytotoxicity profile, and the potential to permeate through BBB. The structure-guided drug design strategy applied in this study imposed a novel concept for rational drug discovery and enhances our understanding on the development of novel therapeutic agents for treating AD.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer’s disease, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, acetylcholinesterase, enzyme inhibition, monoamine oxidase A/B, multi-target directed ligands,
• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory terapeutické užití   MeSH
• inhibitory MAO terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa metabolismus   MeSH
• neuroblastom * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• racionální návrh léčiv MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• inhibitory MAO MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa MeSH

Twenty-four novel compounds bearing tetrahydroacridine and N-propargyl moieties have been designed, synthesised, and evaluated in vitro for their anti-cholinesterase and anti-monoamine oxidase activities. Propargyltacrine 23 (IC50 = 21 nM) was the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, compound 20 (IC50 = 78 nM) showed the best inhibitory human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE) profile, and ligand 21 afforded equipotent and significant values on both ChEs (human AChE [hAChE]: IC50 = 0.095 ± 0.001 µM; hBChE: IC50 = 0.093 ± 0.003 µM). Regarding MAO inhibition, compounds 7, 15, and 25 demonstrated the highest inhibitory potential towards hMAO-B (IC50 = 163, 40, and 170 nM, respectively). In all, compounds 7, 15, 20, 21, 23, and 25 exhibiting the most balanced pharmacological profile, were submitted to permeability and cell viability tests. As a result, 7-phenoxy-N-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine hydrochloride (15) has been identified as a permeable agent that shows a balanced pharmacological profile [IC50 (hAChE) = 1.472 ± 0.024 µM; IC50 (hBChE) = 0.659 ± 0.077 µM; IC50 (hMAO-B) = 40.39 ± 5.98 nM], and consequently, as a new hit-ligand that deserves further investigation, in particular in vivo analyses, as the preliminary cell viability test results reported here suggest that this is a relatively safe therapeutic agent.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer’s disease, Cholinesterase inhibitor, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, propargyl amines, tacrine,
• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• aminy MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa * metabolismus   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• inhibitory MAO farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa MeSH
• oxidoreduktasy MeSH
• racionální návrh léčiv MeSH
• takrin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• aminy MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa * MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• inhibitory MAO MeSH
• ligandy MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa MeSH
• oxidoreduktasy MeSH
• takrin MeSH

The multifactorial nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a reason for the lack of effective drugs as well as a basis for the development of "multi-target-directed ligands" (MTDLs). As cases increase in developing countries, there is a need of new drugs that are not only effective but also accessible. With this motivation, we report the first sustainable MTDLs, derived from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), an inexpensive food waste with anti-inflammatory properties. We applied a framework combination of functionalized CNSL components and well-established acetylcholinesterase (AChE)/butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) tacrine templates. MTDLs were selected based on hepatic, neuronal, and microglial cell toxicity. Enzymatic studies disclosed potent and selective AChE/BChE inhibitors (5, 6, and 12), with subnanomolar activities. The X-ray crystal structure of 5 complexed with BChE allowed rationalizing the observed activity (0.0352 nM). Investigation in BV-2 microglial cells revealed antineuroinflammatory and neuroprotective activities for 5 and 6 (already at 0.01 μM), confirming the design rationale.

• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• Anacardium chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• cytokiny metabolismus   MeSH
• katalytická doména MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ligandy * MeSH
• lipopolysacharidy farmakologie   MeSH
• mikroglie cytologie   účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky chemie   metabolismus   farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• ořechy chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• racionální návrh léčiv MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty chemie   MeSH
• simulace molekulární dynamiky MeSH
• takrin chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazebná místa MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa MeSH
• cytokiny MeSH
• ligandy * MeSH
• lipopolysacharidy MeSH
• neuroprotektivní látky MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty MeSH
• takrin MeSH

The trends of novel AD therapeutics are focused on multitarget-directed ligands (MTDLs), which combine cholinesterase inhibition with additional biological properties such as antioxidant properties to positively affect neuronal energy metabolism as well as mitochondrial function. We examined the in vitro effects of 10 novel MTDLs on the activities of mitochondrial enzymes (electron transport chain complexes and citrate synthase), mitochondrial respiration, and monoamine oxidase isoform (MAO-A and MAO-B) activity. The drug-induced effects of 7-MEOTA-adamantylamine heterodimers (K1011, K1013, K1018, K1020, and K1022) and tacrine/7-MEOTA/6-chlorotacrine-trolox heterodimers (K1046, K1053, K1056, K1060, and K1065) were measured in pig brain mitochondria. Most of the substances inhibited complex I- and complex II-linked respiration at high concentrations; K1046, K1053, K1056, and K1060 resulted in the least inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Citrate synthase activity was not significantly inhibited by the tested substances; the least inhibition of complex I was observed for compounds K1060 and K1053, while both complex II/III and complex IV activity were markedly inhibited by K1011 and K1018. MAO-A was fully inhibited by K1018 and K1065, and MAO-B was fully inhibited by K1053 and K1065; the other tested drugs were partial inhibitors of both MAO-A and MAO-B. The tacrine/7-MEOTA/6-chlorotacrine-trolox heterodimers K1046, K1053, and K1060 seem to be the most suitable molecules for subsequent in vivo studies. These compounds had balanced inhibitory effects on mitochondrial respiration, with low complex I and complex II/III inhibition and full or partial inhibition of MAO-B activity.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer’s disease, Cholinesterase inhibitors, Electron transport chain complexes, Mitochondrial respiration, Monoamine oxidase, Multitarget-directed ligands,
• MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc farmakoterapie   MeSH
• buněčné dýchání účinky léků   MeSH
• energetický metabolismus * účinky léků   MeSH
• inhibitory MAO farmakologie   MeSH
• mitochondrie účinky léků   enzymologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa metabolismus   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• respirační komplex II metabolismus   MeSH
• takrin chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• inhibitory MAO MeSH
• monoaminoxidasa MeSH
• respirační komplex II MeSH
• takrin MeSH

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disorder with unknown etiology. Currently, only symptomatic therapy of AD is available, comprising cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Drugs targeting only one pathological condition have generated only limited efficacy. Thus, combining two or more therapeutic interventions into one molecule is believed to provide higher benefit for the treatment of AD. In the presented study, we designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated 15 novel fluoren-9-amine derivatives. The in silico prediction suggested both the oral availability and permeation through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). An initial assessment of the biological profile included determination of the cholinesterase inhibition and NMDA receptor antagonism at the GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B subunits, along with a low cytotoxicity profile in the CHO-K1 cell line. Interestingly, compounds revealed a selective butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition pattern with antagonistic activity on the NMDARs. Their interaction with butyrylcholinesterase was elucidated by studying enzyme kinetics for compound 3c in tandem with the in silico docking simulation. The docking study showed the interaction of the tricyclic core of new derivatives with Trp82 within the anionic site of the enzyme in a similar way as the template drug tacrine. From the kinetic analysis, it is apparent that 3c is a competitive inhibitor of BChE.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer’s disease, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, fluorene, in silico, in vitro, multi-target directed ligands,
• MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc farmakoterapie   enzymologie   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa chemie   účinky léků   genetika   MeSH
• CHO buňky MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• Cricetulus MeSH
• fluoreny chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• hematoencefalická bariéra účinky léků   MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• počítačová simulace MeSH
• receptory N-methyl-D-aspartátu antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• butyrylcholinesterasa MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• fluorene MeSH Prohlížeč
• fluoreny MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů MeSH
• N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2A MeSH Prohlížeč
• NR2B NMDA receptor MeSH Prohlížeč
• receptory N-methyl-D-aspartátu MeSH

A combination of biochemical, biophysical and biological techniques was used to study calf thymus DNA interaction with newly synthesized 7-MEOTA-tacrine thiourea 12-17 and urea heterodimers 18-22, and to measure interference with type I and II topoisomerases. Their biological profile was also inspected in vitro on the HL-60 cell line using different flow cytometric techniques (cell cycle distribution, detection of mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, and analysis of metabolic activity/viability). The compounds exhibited a profound inhibitory effect on topoisomerase activity (e.g. compound 22 inhibited type I topoisomerase at 1 µM concentration). The treatment of HL-60 cells with the studied compounds showed inhibition of cell growth especially with hybrids containing thiourea (14-17) and urea moieties (21 and 22). Moreover, treatment of human dermal fibroblasts with the studied compounds did not indicate significant cytotoxicity. The observed results suggest beneficial selectivity of the heterodimers as potential drugs to target cancer cells.

• Klíčová slova
• 7-MEOTA-tacrine heterodimers, HL-60, calf thymus DNA, human dermal fibroblasts, topoisomerases,
• MeSH
• akridiny chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• buňky A549 MeSH
• fibroblasty účinky léků   MeSH
• HL-60 buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• proliferace buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• protinádorové látky chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• screeningové testy protinádorových léčiv MeSH
• takrin chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• thiomočovina chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine MeSH Prohlížeč
• akridiny MeSH
• protinádorové látky MeSH
• takrin MeSH
• thiomočovina MeSH

Tacrine was the first drug to be approved for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment, acting as a cholinesterase inhibitor. The neuropathological hallmarks of AD are amyloid-rich senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degeneration. The portfolio of currently approved drugs for AD includes acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Squaric acid is a versatile structural scaffold capable to be easily transformed into amide-bearing compounds that feature both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups with the possibility to create multiple interactions with complementary sites. Considering the relatively simple synthesis approach and other interesting properties (rigidity, aromatic character, H-bond formation) of squaramide motif, we combined this scaffold with different tacrine-based derivatives. In this study, we developed 21 novel dimers amalgamating squaric acid with either tacrine, 6-chlorotacrine or 7-methoxytacrine representing various AChEIs. All new derivatives were evaluated for their anti-cholinesterase activities, cytotoxicity using HepG2 cell line and screened to predict their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In this contribution, we also report in silico studies of the most potent AChE and BChE inhibitors in the active site of these enzymes.

• Klíčová slova
• 6-chlorotacrine, 7-methoxytacrine, Alzheimer’s disease, bis(7)-tacrine, cholinesterases, in silico, in vitro, squaramides, tacrine,
• MeSH
• acetylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa metabolismus   MeSH
• chinin analogy a deriváty   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory chemická syntéza   chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• takrin chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholinesterasa MeSH
• butyrylcholinesterasa MeSH
• chinin MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• squaramide MeSH Prohlížeč
• takrin MeSH

In the nineties, numerous studies began to highlight the problem of the increasing number of people with Alzheimer's disease in developed countries, especially in the context of demographic progress. At the same time, the 21st century is typical of the development of advanced technologies that penetrate all areas of human life. Digital devices, sensors, and intelligent applications are tools that can help seniors and allow better communication and control of their caregivers. The aim of the paper is to provide an up-to-date summary of the use of technological solutions for improving health and safety for people with Alzheimer's disease. Firstly, the problems and needs of senior citizens with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers are specified. Secondly, a scoping review is performed regarding the technological solutions suggested to assist this specific group of patients. Works obtained from the following libraries are used in this scoping review: Web of Science, PubMed, Springer, ACM and IEEE Xplore. Four independent reviewers screened the identified records and selected relevant articles which were published in the period from 2007 to 2018. A total of 6,705 publications were selected. In all, 128 full papers were screened. Results obtained from the relevant studies were furthermore divided into the following categories according to the type and use of technologies: devices, processing, and activity recognition. The leading technological solution in the category of devices are wearables and ambient noninvasive sensors. The introduction and utilization of these technologies, however, bring about challenges in acceptability, durability, ease of use, communication, and power requirements. Furthermore, it needs to be pointed out that these technological solutions should be based on open standards.

• Klíčová slova
• Alzheimer's disease, chronic diseases, senior citizens, solution, technology, wearable sensors.,
• MeSH
• Alzheimerova nemoc * diagnóza   epidemiologie   ošetřování   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nositelná elektronika * MeSH
• počítačem řízená výuka MeSH
• stárnutí * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Pharmaceuticals with targets in the cholinergic transmission have been used for decades and are still fundamental treatments in many diseases and conditions today. Both the transmission and the effects of the somatomotoric and the parasympathetic nervous systems may be targeted by such treatments. Irrespective of the knowledge that the effects of neuronal signalling in the nervous systems may include a number of different receptor subtypes of both the nicotinic and the muscarinic receptors, this complexity is generally overlooked when assessing the mechanisms of action of pharmaceuticals. METHODS: We have search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature focused on the cholinergic system. Also, we have taken advantage of our expertise in this field to deduce the conclusions of this study. RESULTS: Presently, the life cycle of acetylcholine, muscarinic receptors and their effects are reviewed in the major organ systems of the body. Neuronal and non-neuronal sources of acetylcholine are elucidated. Examples of pharmaceuticals, in particular cholinesterase inhibitors, affecting these systems are discussed. The review focuses on salivary glands, the respiratory tract and the lower urinary tract, since the complexity of the interplay of different muscarinic receptor subtypes is of significance for physiological, pharmacological and toxicological effects in these organs. CONCLUSION: Most pharmaceuticals targeting muscarinic receptors are employed at such large doses that no selectivity can be expected. However, some differences in the adverse effect profile of muscarinic antagonists may still be explained by the variation of expression of muscarinic receptor subtypes in different organs. However, a complex pattern of interactions between muscarinic receptor subtypes occurs and needs to be considered when searching for selective pharmaceuticals. In the development of new entities for the treatment of for instance pesticide intoxication, the muscarinic receptor selectivity needs to be considered. Reactivators generally have a muscarinic M2 receptor acting profile. Such a blockade may engrave the situation since it may enlarge the effect of the muscarinic M3 receptor effect. This may explain why respiratory arrest is the major cause for deaths by esterase blocking.

• Klíčová slova
• Acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, muscarinic receptor subtypes, pharmacotherapy,
• MeSH
• cholinesterasové inhibitory farmakologie   MeSH
• interakce mezi receptory a ligandy účinky léků   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• receptory muskarinové účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cholinesterasové inhibitory MeSH
• receptory muskarinové MeSH