Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.

Para a síntese de um dos quatro possíveis estereoisômeros do ácido 3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico, precursor da forma mais ativa do fármaco Baclofen, foram investigadas duas metodologias alternativas, cujas etapas principais eram, respectivamente, (i) a reação de Michael entre o N-acetamidomalonato de dietila ou de dibenzila com o 4-clorotiocinamato de metila ou fenila, na ausência de solvente e na presença de catalisadores de transferência de fase enantioméricamente puros, e (ii) a reação de Michael entre complexos de níquel (quirais ou aquirais), derivados da glicina, com a (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. A primeira destas metodologias não conduziu a bons resultados, mas a investigação das causas da baixa estereosseletividade, observada para reações empregando tanto tiolésteres como chalcona, permitiu a proposição de um novo modelo de interação catalisador/doador/aceptor, em que o doador é o N-acetamidomalonato de dibenzila e o aceptor é a chalcona. Quanto às adições de Michael dos complexos de níquel, empregados como equivalentes nucleofílicos da glicina, as reações foram bem sucedidas. O par aceptor/doador que se mostrou mais adequado foi aquele composto pelo complexo de níquel, derivado da (L)-prolina, e pela (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinamoil)-5-metoxicarbonil-2-pirrolidinona. Neste caso, o ácido (2R,3S)-3-(4- clorofenil)piroglutâmico foi obtido em rendimento global de 46%. Este resultado permite prever que, pelo emprego do mesmo aceptor, mas de estereoquímica absoluta contrária, é possível preparar o precursor do (R)- baclofen, que é o enantiômero mais ativo do fármaco em questão. / Two alternative methodologies were investigated aiming the synthesis of one of the four stereoisomers of the 3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, as a precursor of Baclofen, a drug used for the treatment of some neurological diseases. The key step for the first one was the asymmetric Michael addition of diethyl or dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to methyl or phenyl 4-chlorotiocinnamate, in the absence of solvent, and employing enatiomerically pure phase transfer catalysts. A low degree of enantioselectivity was observed for all addition reactions of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to tiolesters or chalcone as Michael acceptors. The investigation of the origin of such lack of stereoselectivity allowed the proposal of a model for the diastereomeric transition states of the Michael addition of dibenzil N- acetamidomalonate to chalcone. As for the second synthetic methodology, the asymmetry generating step would be the Michael addition of glycine derived chiral or achiral nickel complexes to (5S)-N-(E-4-clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2- pirrolidinone. Best results were obtained for the Michael addition of a nickel complex, bearing (S)-2-[N-(N\'-benzylprolyl)amino]benzophenone as ligand , to (5S)-N-(E-4- clorocinnamoil)-5-methoxycarbonyl-2-pirrolidinone.Such reaction afforded the expected (S)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)pyroglutamic acid, in 46% yield. Such result can be extrapolated to the synthesis of the (R)-configured analog, precursor of the more active stereoisomer of Baclofen.

The aim of this thesis was to introduce the intrathecal baclofen delivery method and assessment of its efficacy on patients with severe spasticity. It is an invasive spasticity affecting method which uses an abdominally implanted programmable infusion pump connected with a catheter inserted in the spinal canal. The pump delivers baclofen to the cerebrospinal fluid (baclofen is the central myorelaxans). This method reduces adverse effects of the drug, however it is an invasive method, that can bring various complications. In the practical part, I evaluated one patient with spinal spasticity before and after the treatment initiation. The spasm frequency was decreased by 2 points. The muscular tone measured by the Ashworth scale was decreased by 0,5 point, by 0,7 according to the modified Ashworth scale. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi a investigação da viabilidade de uma nova rota sintética para a obtenção do fármaco Baclofen em sua forma enantiopura. A etapa principal da rota sintética por nós proposta consiste na síntese de uma aziridina de estereoquímica cis, utilizando uma nova metodologia, desenvolvida em nosso laboratório pelo emprego da catálise de transferência de fase (CTF). Para a obtenção da aziridina apropriada, tornou-se necessário preparar de maneira estereosseletiva, a (2S, 3R)-(4-clorofenil)-serina. Este precursor seria adequado, uma vez que, em estudos preliminares, verificamos que o fechamento do aziridínico ocorre sem racemização dos estereocentros presentes na molécula. Inicialmente, tentamos obter o β-hidróxi-α-aminoácido desejado pela reação de adição aldólica de uma imina do éster terc-butílico da glicina com o 4-clorobenzaldeído, em condições de catálise de transferência de fase assimétrica. Tais reações não apresentaram estereosseletividade. Porém, apesar de gerarem dois produtos diastereoméricos racêmicos, estes são de interesse, uma vez que um deles é uma oxazolidina cis inédita. Para a obtenção da (2S, 3R)-(4-clorofenil)-serina, optamos pelo emprego de uma metodologia alternativa, que consistiu em efetuar a reação aldólica do p-clorobenzaldeído com a glicina, sob a forma de um complexo de quiral de níquel (II). Uma vez obtido o ß-hidróxi-α-aminoácido, efetuamos a reação de aziridinização, seguida da abertura do anel heterocíclico com malonato de dietila, o que resultou na obtenção da (2S,3R) 4-carboetóxi-3-(4-clorofenil)-1-tosil-piroglutamato de metila, que consiste em uma mistura de diastereoisômeros, mas de estereoquímica definida nos carbonos 2 e 3. A hidrólise dos grupos ésteres deste composto, seguida de mono-descarboxilação do diácido resultante, conduziu ao ácido 3-(4-clorofenil)-1-tosil-piroglutâmico opticamente ativo, em 17% a partir da aziridina. As etapas finais de transformação de transformação deste intermediário no fármaco Baclofen não foram efetuadas. No entanto, consistem em reações bem descritas na literatura e freqüentemente utilizadas em outras rotas visando a síntese do mesmo fármaco. / In this work, the feasibility of a new synthetic route to Baclofen was investigated. The starting material, a cis-aziridine, was prepared by ring closure of (2S,3R)-(4-clorophenyl)- serine, under phase transfer conditions (PTC). As for the preparation of the required ß- hydroxy-α-aminoacid, two alternative synthetic strategies were investigated. (i) the PTC aldol addition of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde to the benzophenone imine of the tert-butyl ester of glycine, using chiral catalysts, or (ii) the aldol addition of the same aldehyde to a chiral nickel (II) complex of glycine. The first mentioned reaction failed to yield enantiomerically pure aldol adducts, although a cis oxazolidina, not yet described in the literature, could be isolated and fully characterized. Using a newly prepared nickel complex, bearing (R)-proline as ligand, (2S,3R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-serine could be prepared and subsequentely transformed into the corresponding aziridina. Ring opening of heterocycle, using diethylmalonate as nucleophile, afforded N-tosyl-4-carbethoxy-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-methyl pyroglutamate as a mixture of diastereomers but with defined stereochemistry at C-2 and C-3. Hydrolysis and mono- decarboxalation led to the corresponding N-tosyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-pyroglutamic acid, exhibiting optical activity. This valuable intermediate could be prepared in 17% from the starting aziridina and can be further transformed into the γ-aminoacid Baclofen using fully investigated and well described procedures.

O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi a investigação da viabilidade de uma nova rota sintética para a obtenção do fármaco Baclofen em sua forma enantiopura. A etapa principal da rota sintética por nós proposta consiste na síntese de uma aziridina de estereoquímica cis, utilizando uma nova metodologia, desenvolvida em nosso laboratório pelo emprego da catálise de transferência de fase (CTF). Para a obtenção da aziridina apropriada, tornou-se necessário preparar de maneira estereosseletiva, a (2S, 3R)-(4-clorofenil)-serina. Este precursor seria adequado, uma vez que, em estudos preliminares, verificamos que o fechamento do aziridínico ocorre sem racemização dos estereocentros presentes na molécula. Inicialmente, tentamos obter o β-hidróxi-α-aminoácido desejado pela reação de adição aldólica de uma imina do éster terc-butílico da glicina com o 4-clorobenzaldeído, em condições de catálise de transferência de fase assimétrica. Tais reações não apresentaram estereosseletividade. Porém, apesar de gerarem dois produtos diastereoméricos racêmicos, estes são de interesse, uma vez que um deles é uma oxazolidina cis inédita. Para a obtenção da (2S, 3R)-(4-clorofenil)-serina, optamos pelo emprego de uma metodologia alternativa, que consistiu em efetuar a reação aldólica do p-clorobenzaldeído com a glicina, sob a forma de um complexo de quiral de níquel (II). Uma vez obtido o ß-hidróxi-α-aminoácido, efetuamos a reação de aziridinização, seguida da abertura do anel heterocíclico com malonato de dietila, o que resultou na obtenção da (2S,3R) 4-carboetóxi-3-(4-clorofenil)-1-tosil-piroglutamato de metila, que consiste em uma mistura de diastereoisômeros, mas de estereoquímica definida nos carbonos 2 e 3. A hidrólise dos grupos ésteres deste composto, seguida de mono-descarboxilação do diácido resultante, conduziu ao ácido 3-(4-clorofenil)-1-tosil-piroglutâmico opticamente ativo, em 17% a partir da aziridina. As etapas finais de transformação de transformação deste intermediário no fármaco Baclofen não foram efetuadas. No entanto, consistem em reações bem descritas na literatura e freqüentemente utilizadas em outras rotas visando a síntese do mesmo fármaco. / In this work, the feasibility of a new synthetic route to Baclofen was investigated. The starting material, a cis-aziridine, was prepared by ring closure of (2S,3R)-(4-clorophenyl)- serine, under phase transfer conditions (PTC). As for the preparation of the required ß- hydroxy-α-aminoacid, two alternative synthetic strategies were investigated. (i) the PTC aldol addition of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde to the benzophenone imine of the tert-butyl ester of glycine, using chiral catalysts, or (ii) the aldol addition of the same aldehyde to a chiral nickel (II) complex of glycine. The first mentioned reaction failed to yield enantiomerically pure aldol adducts, although a cis oxazolidina, not yet described in the literature, could be isolated and fully characterized. Using a newly prepared nickel complex, bearing (R)-proline as ligand, (2S,3R)-(4-chlorophenyl)-serine could be prepared and subsequentely transformed into the corresponding aziridina. Ring opening of heterocycle, using diethylmalonate as nucleophile, afforded N-tosyl-4-carbethoxy-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-methyl pyroglutamate as a mixture of diastereomers but with defined stereochemistry at C-2 and C-3. Hydrolysis and mono- decarboxalation led to the corresponding N-tosyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-pyroglutamic acid, exhibiting optical activity. This valuable intermediate could be prepared in 17% from the starting aziridina and can be further transformed into the γ-aminoacid Baclofen using fully investigated and well described procedures.

In this work, the detailed analysis of GABAB-R/G protein coupling in the course of pre- and postnatal development of rat brain cortex indicated the significant intrinsic efficacy of GABAB-receptors already shortly after the birth: at postnatal day 1 and 2. Subsequently, both baclofen and SKF97541-stimulated G protein activity, measured as the high-affinity [35 S]GTPγS binding, was increased. The highest level of agonist-stimulated [35 S]GTPγS binding was detected at postnatal days 14 and 15. In older rats, the efficacy, i.e. the maximum response of baclofen- and SKF97541-stimulated [35 S]GTPγS binding was continuously decreased so, that the level in adult, 90-days old rats was not different from that in newborn animals. The potency of G protein response to baclofen stimulation, characterized by EC50 values, was also high at birth but unchanged by further development. The individual variance among the agonists was observed in this respect, as the potency of SKF97541 response was decreased when compared in 2-days old and adult rats. The highest plasma membrane density of GABAB-R, determined by saturation binding assay with specific antagonist [3 H]CGP54626AA, was observed in 1-day old animals. The further development was reflected in decrease of receptor number. The adult level was ≈3- fold lower than...

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L’objectif principal de nos études a été de caractériser la pharmacocinétique du baclofène chez le patient alcoolo-dépendant et d’étudier la variation du craving en fonction de l'exposition au baclofène pour objectif de comprendre s’il existait des sujets répondeurs et des sujets non répondeurs. Nous nous sommes intéressés à la sécurité d’emploi du baclofène, à l’influence que pourraient avoir les paramètres démographiques et biologiques ainsi que la consommation de tabac concomitante. Nous avons pu mettre en évidence que le baclofène présentait une pharmacocinétique linéaire avec une relation proportionnelle de 30 à 240 mg par jour avec une importante variabilité interindividuelle. Une modélisation pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamique par approche de population nous a permis de définir la relation entre l’exposition au baclofène et le craving à l’alcool. Nous avons constaté que le baclofène permettait de diminuer le craving à l’alcool pour l’ensemble des patients traités, et nous avons pu élaborer l’hypothèse qu’il existait deux sous-populations de patients différenciés par leur rapidité de réponse. Bien que chez les patients non-répondeurs (répondeurs tardifs) les taux sanguins de créatinine et de phosphatases alcalines étaient significativement plus élevés laissant supposer que les patients sévèrement malades répondaient moins au traitement, le faible nombre de patients (n=50) et l’absence de placebo ne permettent pas de conclure. Des analyses préliminaires des données de craving à l’alcool et de consommation d’alcool suggèrent qu’il existe une relation entre craving et consommation d’alcool. Des analyses complémentaires sont nécessaires pour confirmer ces résultats. / The main objective of our studies was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of baclofen in alcohol-dependent patients and to investigate the variation of craving as a function of exposure with a secondary objective which was to explore the possible existence of baclofen responders and non-responders. We investigated baclofen safety, the potential influence of demographic and biological parameters as well as the concomitant use of tobacco. We observed that baclofen showed linear pharmacokinetics with a proportional relationship from 30 to 240 mg per day with a high inter-individual variability. A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic population approach has enabled us to define the relationship between baclofen exposure and alcohol craving. A wide inter-individual variability in response was depicted but could not be explained by any of the covariates studied. We found that baclofen could possibly reduce alcohol craving in all the patients treated, and we drew up the hypothesis of two subpopulations of patients differentiated by their speed of response. Although in non-responders (late responders) blood levels of creatinine and alkaline phosphatase were significantly higher than in responders, suggesting that seriously ill patients could be less responsive to baclofen treatment, the low number of patients (n = 50) and the absence of a placebo group renders this results inconclusive. Preliminary analyzes of alcohol craving and alcohol consumption data suggest that a relationship exists between craving and alcohol consumption. Additional analyzes are needed to confirm these results.

The functions of sleep remain enigmatic. One of the dominant, yet more contentious hypotheses is that sleep is involved in memory consolidation. A large body of evidence supports the role of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in memory consolidation, especially in rodents. In humans, the role of REM sleep in memory consolidation has also been investigated, however it is unclear if it supports only one type of memory, or consolidation for several memory systems. Recent evidence suggests that non-REM is also involved in memory consolidation. The role of theta activity during REM and sleep spindles during non-REM may provide electrophysiological signatures reflecting memory consolidation processes. The studies presented here attempt to further investigate the electrophysiological characteristics of the learning-dependent changes in REM and slow wave sleep (SWS) in rats. A 2-stage model of memory consolidation is outlined here, and both steps of the model were investigated. Consistent with previous studies, REM increases were observed following avoidance training. During this period, theta power during REM sleep was increased compared to non-learning rats. Increased sleep spindle density during SWS was observed following REM increases. When REM sleep was suppressed by infusing the GABAB agonist baclofen into the pedunculopontine nucleus, avoidance performance acquisition was impaired. Baseline sleep spindles predicted whether rats were able to learn to make avoidance responses. Results suggest that both REM and SWS may be sequentially involved in memory consolidation processes. Discrete periods (windows) exist for REM and SWS when memory consolidation processes appear to take place. Theta activity during REM sleep from 17- 20 h on the first post-training day and sleep spindles during SWS from 21-24 h on the first post- training day are increased in learning rats and are related to memory performance. / Thesis (Ph.D, Neuroscience Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-10-26 12:07:47.515

Diversas aplicações industriais relevantes envolvem os processos de adsorção, citando como exemplos a purificação de produtos, separação de substâncias, controle de poluição e umidade entre outros. O interesse crescente pelos processos de purificação de biomoléculas deve-se principalmente ao desenvolvimento da biotecnologia e à demanda das indústrias farmacêutica e química por produtos com alto grau de pureza. O leito móvel simulado (LMS) é um processo cromatográfico contínuo que tem sido aplicado para simular o movimento do leito de adsorvente, de forma contracorrente ao movimento do líquido, através da troca periódica das posições das correntes de entrada e saída, sendo operado de forma contínua, sem prejuízo da pureza das correntes de saída. Esta consiste no extrato, rico no componente mais fortemente adsorvido, e no rafinado, rico no componente mais fracamente adsorvido, sendo o processo particularmente adequado a separações binárias. O objetivo desta tese é estudar e avaliar diferentes abordagens utilizando métodos estocásticos de otimização para o problema inverso dos fenômenos envolvidos no processo de separação em LMS. Foram utilizados modelos discretos com diferentes abordagens de transferência de massa, com a vantagem da utilização de um grande número de pratos teóricos em uma coluna de comprimento moderado, neste processo a separação cresce à medida que os solutos fluem através do leito, isto é, ao maior número de vezes que as moléculas interagem entre a fase móvel e a fase estacionária alcançando assim o equilíbrio. A modelagem e a simulação verificadas nestas abordagens permitiram a avaliação e a identificação das principais características de uma unidade de separação do LMS. A aplicação em estudo refere-se à simulação de processos de separação do Baclofen e da Cetamina. Estes compostos foram escolhidos por estarem bem caracterizados na literatura, estando disponíveis em estudos de cinética e de equilíbrio de adsorção nos resultados experimentais. De posse de resultados experimentais avaliou-se o comportamento do problema direto e inverso de uma unidade de separação LMS visando comparar os resultados obtidos com os experimentais, sempre se baseando em critérios de eficiência de separação entre as fases móvel e estacionária. Os métodos estudados foram o GA (Genetic Algorithm) e o PCA (Particle Collision Algorithm) e também foi feita uma hibridização entre o GA e o PCA. Como resultado desta tese analisouse e comparou-se os métodos de otimização em diferentes aspectos relacionados com o mecanismo cinético de transferência de massa por adsorção e dessorção entre as fases sólidas do adsorvente. / Several important industrial applications involving adsorption processes, citing as an example the product purification, separation of substances, pollution control and moisture among others. The growing interest in processes of purification of biomolecules is mainly due to the development of biotechnology and the demand of pharmaceutical and chemical products with high purity. The simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography is a continuous process that has been applied to simulate the movement of the adsorbent bed, in a countercurrent to the movement of liquid through the periodic exchange of the positions of input and output currents, being operated so continuous, notwithstanding the purity of the outlet streams. This is the extract, rich in the more strongly adsorbed component, and the raffinate, rich in the more weakly adsorbed component, the method being particularly suited to binary separations. The aim of this thesis is to study and evaluate different approaches using stochastic optimization methods for the inverse problem of the phenomena involved in the separation process in LMS. We used discrete models with different approaches to mass transfer. With the benefit of using a large number of theoretical plates in a column of moderate length, in this process the separation increases as the solute flowing through the bed, i.e. as many times as molecules interact between the mobile phase and stationary phase thus achieving the equilibrium. The modeling and simulation verified in these approaches allowed the assessment and identification of the main characteristics of a separation unit LMS. The application under consideration refers to the simulation of the separation of Ketamine and Baclofen. These compounds were chosen because they are well characterized in the literature and are available in kinetic studies and equilibrium adsorption on experimental results. With the results of experiments evaluated the behavior of the direct and inverse problem of a separation unit LMS in order to compare these results, always based on the criteria of separation efficiency between the mobile and stationary phases. The methods studied were the GA (Genetic Algorithm) and PCA (Particle Collision Algorithm) and we also made a hybridization between the GA and PCA. This thesis, we analyzed and compared the optimization methods in different aspects of the kinetic mechanism for mass transfer between the adsorption and desorption of the adsorbent solid phases.