Selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and the prevention of cerebral palsy

Haitao Ji, Sidhartha Tan, Jotaro Igarashi, Li Huiying, Matthew Derrick, Pavel Martásek, Linda J. Roman, Jeannette Vasquez-Vivar, Thomas L. Poulos, Richard B. Silverman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To design a new class of selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, and demonstrate that administration in a rabbit model for cerebral palsy (CP) prevents hypoxia-ischemia-induced deaths and reduces the number of newborn kits exhibiting signs of CP. Methods; We used a novel computer-based drug design method called fragment bopping to identify new chemical entities, synthesized them, and conducted in vitro enzyme inhibition studies with the three isozymes of NOS and in vivo experiments to monitor cardiovascular effects on pregnant rabbit dams, NOS activity, and NO x (NO and N0 2) concentration in fetal brain, and assess neurobehavioral effects on kits born to saline- and compound treated dams. Results: The computer-based design led to the development of powerful and highly selective compounds for inhibition of neuronal NOS over the other isozymes. After maternal administration in a rabbit model of CP, these compounds were found to distribute to fetal brain, to be nontoxic, without cardiovascular effects, inhibit fetal brain NOS activity in vivo, reduce NO concentration in fetal brain, and dramatically ameliorate deaths and number of newborn kits exhibiting signs of CP. Interpretation: This approach may lead to new preventive strategies for CP.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-217
Number of pages9
JournalAnnals of neurology
Volume65
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2009

Funding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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