US20160339040A1 - Steroid compound for use in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy - Google Patents

Steroid compound for use in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy Download PDF

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US20160339040A1
US20160339040A1 US15/114,972 US201515114972A US2016339040A1 US 20160339040 A1 US20160339040 A1 US 20160339040A1 US 201515114972 A US201515114972 A US 201515114972A US 2016339040 A1 US2016339040 A1 US 2016339040A1
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ethynyl
hydroxyandrostan
rats
hepatic encephalopathy
oxime
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Magnus Doverskog
Hanns Möhler
Vicente Felipo
Torbjöm Bäckström
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Umecrine Cognition AB
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/56—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids
    • A61K31/565—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol
    • A61K31/568—Compounds containing cyclopenta[a]hydrophenanthrene ring systems; Derivatives thereof, e.g. steroids not substituted in position 17 beta by a carbon atom, e.g. estrane, estradiol substituted in positions 10 and 13 by a chain having at least one carbon atom, e.g. androstanes, e.g. testosterone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/185—Acids; Anhydrides, halides or salts thereof, e.g. sulfur acids, imidic, hydrazonic or hydroximic acids
    • A61K31/19—Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid
    • A61K31/195—Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid having an amino group
    • A61K31/197—Carboxylic acids, e.g. valproic acid having an amino group the amino and the carboxyl groups being attached to the same acyclic carbon chain, e.g. gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA], beta-alanine, epsilon-aminocaproic acid or pantothenic acid
    • A61K31/198—Alpha-amino acids, e.g. alanine or edetic acid [EDTA]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/21—Esters, e.g. nitroglycerine, selenocyanates
    • A61K31/215—Esters, e.g. nitroglycerine, selenocyanates of carboxylic acids
    • A61K31/216—Esters, e.g. nitroglycerine, selenocyanates of carboxylic acids of acids having aromatic rings, e.g. benactizyne, clofibrate
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
    • A61K31/4353—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems
    • A61K31/437—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems the heterocyclic ring system containing a five-membered ring having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. indolizine, beta-carboline
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
    • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
    • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
    • A61K31/4353—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems
    • A61K31/4375—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems the heterocyclic ring system containing a six-membered ring having nitrogen as a ring heteroatom, e.g. quinolizines, naphthyridines, berberine, vincamine
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A61K31/70—Carbohydrates; Sugars; Derivatives thereof
    • A61K31/7016—Disaccharides, e.g. lactose, lactulose
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K45/00—Medicinal preparations containing active ingredients not provided for in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
    • A61K45/06—Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
    • A61P1/16—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • A61P31/14—Antivirals for RNA viruses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • A61P31/20—Antivirals for DNA viruses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2300/00—Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a steroid compound for use in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
  • Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive complication in acute and chronic liver disease.
  • HE is a significant and increasing health care problem due to the large and increasing prevalence of chronic liver disease.
  • HE is characterized by impairments of the sleep-wake cycle, cognition, memory, learning, motor coordination, consciousness, decreased energy levels and personality change, ranging from minimal HE (MHE) to overt HE (OHE).
  • MHE minimal HE
  • OHE overt HE
  • MHE minimal HE
  • OHE overt HE
  • MHE is manifested with cognitive impairment and has detrimental effects on health related quality of life and the ability to perform complex tasks such as driving.
  • OHE is clinically manifested with mental and motor disorders and the symptoms ranges from disorientation through sedation and coma.
  • Naturally occurring steroids are subject to intense metabolism and are typically not suitable for oral administration.
  • GABA A -R gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor-chloride ionophore
  • GAMS GABA A receptor modulating steroids
  • Certain steroids have been shown to be specific GABA A receptor enhancers. Examples of these steroids can inter alia be found in WO 2008/063128. Some of these steroids are potent and have e.g. been shown to have an ability to induce amnesia, sedation and anesthesia in pharmacological dose.
  • WO 99/45931 and WO 03/059357 disclose antagonistic effects of steroids.
  • Wang et al. 2000 Acta Physiol Scand 169, 333-341
  • Wang et al. 2002 J Neurosci 22(9):3366-75 disclose antagonistic effects of 3 ⁇ -OH-5 ⁇ -pregnan-20-one and other 3 ⁇ -OH-5 ⁇ / ⁇ pregnan steroids.
  • WO2006/056794 and WO2010/144498 discloses use of compounds for treatment of liver decompensation, hepatic encephalopathy and portal hypertension. There is a need to provide new and effective therapeutic treatments for hepatic encephalopathy and related disorders
  • the present invention provides the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • 3 ⁇ -Ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime belongs to a class of compounds known as GABA A receptor modulating steroid antagonists (GAMSAs).
  • GAMSAs GABA A receptor modulating steroid antagonists
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime is able to selectively inhibit the positive modulation of the GABA A receptor by endogenous steroids such as allopregnanolone and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC).
  • endogenous steroids such as allopregnanolone and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC).
  • THDOC tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime does not have an antagonistic effect towards the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA A receptors.
  • GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one acts on both the ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 5 GABA A receptor sub-types and so is able to exert a positive effect on both the motor and cognitive impairment, and the sedative effects, that result from the over-activation of GABA A receptors.
  • the positive effect of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one on motor and cognitive impairment has been illustrated in two animal models of HE (hyperammonemia and porta-caval anastomosis in rats vide infra).
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one does not affect ammonia levels in vivo. Therefore, there is clearly also potential for it's complementary use in therapy.
  • FIG. 1 shows that 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime does not affect blood ammonia levels. Values are the mean ⁇ SEM of 12 rats per group, values significantly different from controls are indicated by asterisks; ***, p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 2 shows that 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime restores spatial learning of hyperammonemic rats in the Radial maze.
  • FIG. 3 shows that 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, in the Morris water maze test, restores special memory of hyperammonemic rats.
  • the figure shows the time to find the platform on the first trial of day 3. Values are the mean ⁇ SEM of 8 rats per group.
  • HAV versus CV p 0.052.
  • CV control rats treated with vehicle;
  • HAV hyperammonemic rats treated with vehicle;
  • HA+GAM hyperammonemic rats treated with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime.
  • FIG. 5 shows total plasma 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime concentrations.
  • HA Hyper ammonia animals.
  • FIG. 6 provides unbound* brain 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime concentrations in control and hyperammonemic rats 1-2 hours after the s.c. injection of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime after seven weeks with daily injections of 20 mg/kg.
  • *Unbound brain concentration fraction of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime in the brain that is not bound to carrier protein or brain tissue.
  • FIG. 7 provides representative electrophysiological measurements showing tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC) enhanced activation of ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L GABA A receptors.
  • THDOC tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone
  • FIG. 8 provides representative electrophysiological measurements showing 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (GAMSA) antagonism of the THDOC enhanced activation of ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L and ⁇ 1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L GABA A receptors and no inhibition of GABA.
  • GAMSA 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the ability of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one to restore motor coordination in hyperammonemic and PCS rats. Motor coordination was assessed using the beam walking test.
  • (A) shows the data for control (CV) or hyperammonemic (HAV) rats treated with vehicle and for hyperammonemic rats treated with 3 (HA3), 10 (HA10) or 20 (HA20) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one.
  • (B) shows the data for sham-operated controls (SM) or PCS rats treated with vehicle and for PCS rats treated with 0.7 (PCS0.7) or 2.5 (PCS2.5) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one. Values are the mean ⁇ SEM of the number of rats indicated under each bar. Values significantly different from control or sham rats are indicated by asterisks. Values significantly different from hyperammonemic or PCS rats treated with vehicle are indicated by “a”. * p ⁇ 0.05; a p ⁇ 0.05; aa p ⁇ 0.01; aaa p ⁇ 0.001.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the ability of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one to restore spatial memory in the Morris water maze in hyperammonemic and PCS rats.
  • Spatial learning memory in the Morris water maze was assessed in control (CV) or hyperammonemic (HAV) rats treated with vehicle and for hyperammonemic rats treated with 3 (HA3), 10 (HA10) or 20 (HA20) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (A, B) and in sham-operated controls (SM) or PCS rats treated with vehicle and for PCS rats treated with 0.7 (PCS0.7) or 2.5 (PCS2.5) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (C,D).
  • CV control
  • HAV hyperammonemic
  • HA3 hyperammonemic rats treated with 3
  • HA10 HA10
  • HA20 sham-operated controls
  • PCS rats
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the ability of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one to restore spatial learning in the radial maze in hyperammonemic and PCS rats.
  • Spatial learning in the radial maze was assessed in control (CV) or hyperammonemic (HAV) rats treated with vehicle and for hyperammonemic rats treated with 3 (HA3), 10 (HA10) or 20 (HA20) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (A, B) and in sham-operated controls (SM) or PCS rats treated with vehicle and for PCS rats treated with 0.7 (PCS0.7) or 2.5 (PCS2.5) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (C,D).
  • CV control
  • HAV hyperammonemic
  • HA3 hyperammonemic rats treated with 3
  • 10 (HA10) or 20 HA20 mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl
  • FIG. 12 illustrates the ability of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one to increase spontaneous motor activity during the night and partially restore the circadian rhythm of PCS rats.
  • Motor activity was assessed in sham-operated controls (SM) or PCS rats treated with vehicle or with 0.7 (PCS0.7) or 2.5 (PCS2.5) mg/kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one. Motor activity during each hour is shown in A; the ratio of activity during the night and during the day in B and the total activity during the day or the night in C. Lights are turned off at 7:00 pm. Values are the mean ⁇ SEM of 8 rats per group. Values significantly different from SM rats are indicated by asterisks; * p ⁇ 0.05; ** p ⁇ 0.01; *** p ⁇ 0.001. Values significantly different from PCS rats are indicated by a; a p ⁇ 0.05.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates the ability of ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one to normalize vertical activity during the day and to partially restore the circadian rhythm of PCS rats.
  • the experiment was carried out as described for FIG. 12 but vertical counts are shown. Values are the mean ⁇ SEM of 8 rats per group. Values significantly different from SM rats are indicated by asterisks; * p ⁇ 0.05; ** p ⁇ 0.01; *** p ⁇ 0.001. Values significantly different from PCS rats are indicated by a; a p ⁇ 0.05; aa p ⁇ 0.01.
  • FIG. 14 shows ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one exposure in the plasma and in the brain at time at behavioral testing, in hyperammonemic and PCS rats.
  • A) hyperammonemic rats and B) PCS rats the total plasma concentrations of ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one are shown in ⁇ M.
  • C) hyperammonemic rats and D) PCS rats the unbound brain concentrations of ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one are shown in nmol/kg. Note the similar exposures in the different rat models with the doses used, in hyperammonemic rats 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day and in rats with PCS 0.7 and 2.5 mg/kg/day. Data are from the end of the study, i.e. after nine weeks of daily treatments with ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one in sesame oil given s.c. once daily.
  • composition is used in its widest sense, encompassing all pharmaceutically applicable compositions containing at least one active substance and optional carriers, adjuvants, diluents, constituents etc.
  • administration and “mode of administration” as well as “route of administration” are also used in their widest sense.
  • the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime as used in accordance with the invention may be administered in a number of ways depending largely on whether a local, topical or systemic mode of administration is most appropriate for the hepatic encephalopathy condition to be treated. These different modes of administration are for example topical (e.g., on the skin), local (including ophthalmic and to various mucous membranes, for example vaginal and rectal delivery), oral, parenteral or pulmonary, including the upper and lower airways.
  • topical e.g., on the skin
  • local including ophthalmic and to various mucous membranes, for example vaginal and rectal delivery
  • oral, parenteral or pulmonary including the upper and lower airways.
  • parenteral or pulmonary including the upper and lower airways.
  • antagonist is meant a substance that hinders another substance, an agonist, to induce its effect.
  • antagonist and blocker are used interchangeably.
  • Type A hepatic encephalopathy is typically meant hepatic encephalopathy associated with acute liver failure, typically associated with cerebral oedema.
  • Type B hepatic encephalopathy is typically meant hepatic encephalopathy (bypass) caused by portal-systemic shunting without associated intrinsic liver disease.
  • Type C hepatic encephalopathy is typically meant hepatic encephalopathy occurring in patients with cirrhosis—this type is subdivided in episodic, persistent and minimal encephalopathy.
  • minimal hepatic encephalopathy is typically meant hepatic encephalopathy that does not lead to clinically overt cognitive dysfunction, but can be demonstrated with neuropsychological studies.
  • overt hepatic encephalopathy is typically meant clinically apparent hepatic encephalopathy manifested as neuropsychiatric syndrome with a large spectrum of mental and motor disorders. Overt hepatic encephalopathy may arise episodically, over a period of hours or days in patients previously stable or patients may present with persistent neuropsychiatric abnormalities.
  • hypoammonemia is typically meant a metabolic disturbance characterized by an excess of ammonia in the blood.
  • liver transplantation is typically meant a surgical procedure to remove a diseased liver as a consequence of e.g. acute liver failure or cirrhosis, and replace it with a healthy liver from a donor.
  • Most liver transplant operations use livers from deceased donors but a liver may also come from a living donor (a portion of a healthy person's liver).
  • Patients with e.g. cirrhosis commonly experience hepatic encephalopathy and preoperative hepatic encephalopathy is a significant predictor of post-transplant neurologic complications.
  • acute-on-chronic liver failure is typically meant acute decompensation of cirrhosis, at least one organ failure, or belongs to a subgroup with high short-term mortality rate.
  • liver cirrhosis typically meant liver cirrhosis without any clinical evidence but may include asymptotic esophageal or gastric varices and early symptoms such as fatigue and loss of energy, loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea or abdominal pain.
  • cirrhosis is typically meant advanced liver cirrhosis with a range of clinical evidence such as jaundice, ascites, oedema, hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, portal hypertension, bacterial infections, or any combination.
  • portal hypertension is typically meant a hepatic venous pressure gradient following liver cirrhosis, with or without associated transjugular intrahepatic portsystemic shunt (TIPS).
  • TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portsystemic shunt
  • prevention within this disclosure, is typically meant prevention of disease or disorder hepatic encephalopathy to occur.
  • Patients suffering from hepatic encephalopathy may show symptoms including, but not limited to, impairments of the sleep-wake cycle, cognition, memory, learning, motor coordination, consciousness, decreased energy levels and personality change, cognitive impairment, disorientation and coma.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime may be useful for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type A hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type B hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type C hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is overt hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said compound for use is where said hepatic encephalopathy is treated in a patient with acute liver failure.
  • said compound for use is where said hepatic encephalopathy is treated in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • said compound for use is for prevention or alleviation of hepatic encephalopathy, such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • hepatic encephalopathy such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • said compound for use is provided before, during or after a liver transplantation.
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients and/or diluents.
  • a method of treating hepatic encephalopathy comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type A hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type B hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type C hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is overt hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said patient suffers from acute liver failure.
  • said patient suffers from chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • said compound is provided before, during or after a liver transplantation.
  • a method of preventing or alleviating hepatic encephalopathy comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • Said hepatic encephalopathy may be type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy or overt hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said prevention may be in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • portal hypertension for use in treatment of portal hypertension. Said use may also be prevention or alleviation of portal hypertension.
  • the patient with portal hypertension typically suffers from a liver disease, such as a chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or acute liver failure.
  • a method of treating portal hypertension comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • Said method may also be in prevention or alleviation of portal hypertension.
  • the patient with portal hypertension typically suffers from a liver disease, such as a chronic liver disease, cirrhosis or acute liver failure.
  • liver decompensation typically suffers from a liver disease, such as a chronic liver disease or may be suspected of having a precipitating event, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, portal vein thrombosis or dehydration.
  • a liver disease such as a chronic liver disease or may be suspected of having a precipitating event, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, portal vein thrombosis or dehydration.
  • liver decompensation comprising administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • liver decompensation typically suffers from a liver disease, such as a chronic liver disease or may be suspected of having a precipitating event, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, infection, portal vein thrombosis or dehydration.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type A hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type B hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is type C hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said hepatic encephalopathy is overt hepatic encephalopathy.
  • said use is where said hepatic encephalopathy is treated in a patient with acute liver failure.
  • said use is where said hepatic encephalopathy is treated in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • said use is provided before, during or after a liver transplantation.
  • said use of the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3- ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament may be for prevention or alleviation of hepatic encephalopathy, such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure.
  • hepatic encephalopathy such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients and or diluents. Said use may also be in prevention or alleviation of hepatic encephalopathy.
  • a further embodiment of the invention is the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime for use in the treatment or prevention of hepatic encephalopathy, such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure; wherein said treatment or prevention comprises the co-administration of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with an ammonia-lowering compound, such as rifaximin, lactulose, ornithine phenylacetate and glycerol phenylbutyrate, preferably the ammonia-lowering compound is rifaximin or lactulose, and most preferably the ammonia-
  • a further embodiment of the invention is a method of treatment or prevention of hepatic encephalopathy, such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure; wherein said treatment or prevention comprises the co-administration of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with an ammonia-lowering compound, such as rifaximin, lactulose, ornithine phenylacetate and glycerol phenylbutyrate, preferably the ammonia-lowering compound is rifaximin or lactulose, and most preferably the ammonia-lowering compound is rifaximin.
  • an ammonia-lowering compound such as rifaxi
  • a further embodiment of the invention is the use of the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of hepatic encephalopathy, such as type A hepatic encephalopathy, type B hepatic encephalopathy, type C hepatic encephalopathy, minimal hepatic encephalopathy, overt hepatic encephalopathy, in a patient with acute liver failure, or in a patient with chronic liver disease with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure; wherein said treatment or prevention comprises the co-administration of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with an ammonia-lowering compound, such as rifaximin, lactulose, ornithine phenylacetate and glycerol phenylbutyrate, preferably the ammonia-lowering compound is rifaximin or lactulose, and
  • a further aspect of the invention is the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, wherein one or more hydrogen atom in each possible substituent position may be substituted for deuterium or tritium, for use in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy such as minimal hepatic encephalopathy or overt hepatic encephalopathy.
  • a further aspect of the invention is the compound 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime, wherein one or more hydrogen atom in each possible substituent position may be substituted for deuterium or tritium, for use assays that involve determining the concentration of the compound in tissue or fluids.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime may be administered through one of the following routes of administration: intravenously, nasally, per rectum, bucally, intravaginally, percutaneously, intramuscularly and orally.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime is administered intravenously.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime is administered nasally.
  • Percutaneous administration using 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime formulated as a cream, a gel, and an ointment or in the form of slow-release adhesive medicine patches, is another possible form of administration, similarly suitable for self-medication.
  • the pharmaceutical composition may be adapted or adjusted according to normal pharmacological procedures, comprising the effective pharmaceutical in a chemical form, suitable for the chosen route, together with suitable adjuvants, carriers, diluents and vehicles, conventionally used and well-known to a person skilled in the art.
  • suitable adjuvants and vehicles for oral administration are for example fillers or suspending agents like titanium dioxide, lactose anhydride, silica, silica colloidalis, methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and the like.
  • Conventionally used adjuvants and vehicles for intravenous administration are for example sterile water for injections (WFI), sterile buffers (for example buffering the solution to pH 7,4) albumin solution, lipid solutions, cyclodextrins and the like.
  • Conventionally used adjuvants and vehicles for transdermal administration are for example Vaseline, liquid paraffin, glycerol, water, MCT oil, sesame oil, vegetable oils and the like. The dose will naturally vary depending on the mode of administration, the particular condition to be treated or the effect desired, gender, age, weight and health of the patient, as well as possibly other factors, evaluated by the treating physician.
  • 3,17-androstandione (5.0 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL dry THF at room temperature (rt) under nitrogen.
  • Ethynyl magnesium bromide (1.1 equiv) was added dropwise at rt under stirring and the solution was left stirring overnight at rt under nitrogen flow.
  • the solution was then quenched with saturated NH 4 Cl (aq) and the aqueous phase extracted with dichloromethane (3 ⁇ 30 mL).
  • the collected organic phases were evaporated under reduced pressure, the resulting yellow oil dissolved in dichloromethane, washed with brine and dried over MgSO 4 .
  • Step 2 Synthesis of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime
  • the beam walking test was made during the 3 rd and 4 th week of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime treatment while the Morris Water maze test was made during 4 th -5 th week of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime treatment and the Radial maze test was made during 6 th -7 th week of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime treatment.
  • Test article of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime was prepared as a suspension in sesame oil at 20 mg/kg.
  • the Radial maze was designed as a method to assess spatial learning.
  • the apparatus is composed of a central area that gives access to eight equally-sized arms.
  • the arms were 70 cm long and 10 cm wide and the central area was 30 cm in diameter.
  • the maze was made of black Perspex and was elevated 80 cm above de floor.
  • Each arm had lateral walls with a height higher in the side proximal to the central area (30 cm) than in the distal side (5 cm).
  • a recessed cup was installed for positioning the food rewards (Hernandez-Rabaza V. et al 2010).
  • Training in the radial maze was composed of five blocks of three trials each, performed on ten consecutive days.
  • the task involved locating four pellets, each placed at the end of a different arm according to a random configuration. Configurations were specific for each rat and were kept invariable throughout training.
  • the number of spatial reference errors and working memory were calculated and expressed as number of reference and working errors per block.
  • a learning index was used to evaluate the learning of the task and was defined as number of right choices-reference errors (Hernandez-Rabaza et al. 2010).
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime restored spatial learning of hyperammonemic rats in the Radial maze. Hyperammonemic rats show reduced spatial learning and perform more working errors in the Radial maze task. Spatial memory was completely restored by 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime ( FIG. 2 ).
  • the treatment and testing schedule was as set out in example 2.
  • the maze was designed as a method to assess spatial learning (Morris R. 1984).
  • the test was carried out using a black circular pool (160 cm diameter, 40 cm height) arbitrarily divided into four quadrants. Water opacity was obtained by adding black paint.
  • the test was carried out as follows; the first day was the pre-training day, rats were put in the water two times for 30 s only to adapt to water. Then the rats were trained to learn the fixed location of the invisible platform during 3 days. Each training trial involved placing the rat into the pool facing the wall at one of the three quadrants lacking the platform. A different starting point was randomly used on each trial. Training consisted of five swims per day. Each animal was allowed a maximum of 120 s to find the platform and was left for 15 s on the platform, if a rat failed to locate the platform within 120 s it was manually guided to the platform by the experimenter. The aim of this test is that the rats learn where the invisible platform is placed and reach it in the shortest time possible.
  • the time, speed and path needed to find the hidden platform was recorded by a video tracking system provided by Viewpoint Company (Viewpoint 2.5, Champagne au Mont D' Or, France) and used as a measure of learning of the task. After 15 training trial, the platform was removed from the pool, the rats were allowed to swim for 90 s in the pool and the time spent in the quadrant where the platform was positioned during training was recorded.
  • the treatment and testing schedule was as set out in example 2.
  • rats are trained to traverse an elevated, narrow beam to reach an enclosed escape platform.
  • the beam is made of smooth round wood (20 mm in diameter).
  • the beam is elevated 1 m from the floor.
  • the parameters of motor coordination measured are: footslips (or foot faults) and latency to traverse the beam. (Jover et al., 2006; Carter et al., 2010).
  • footslips or foot faults
  • the experimenter places the rat at the beginning of the beam and helps the rat to cross the beam three times. After that, the test consists of three consecutive trials. The number of times the left or right hind paw slip off the beam was recorded for each trial.
  • Blood was obtained from the tail of the rats (from Example 2) in the end of second week of ammonia treatment and first week of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime treatment and also from the neck during the animal sacrifice. To obtain the plasma it was added EDTA 7.5 nM and centrifuged at 1500 r.p.m during 5 minutes.
  • Ammonia concentration in blood samples was measured using the Pocket chem BA (Woodley Equipment Company Ltd, United Kingdom), an ammonia analyzer.
  • the device enables immediate testing and delivers results in 3 minutes and 20 s. It also eliminates the need for pre-processes such as centrifugal separation.
  • Rats were sacrificed by decapitation. One half of the brain including the cerebellum was collected and conserved at ⁇ 80° C. for determination of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime. Different brain areas (cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus and striatum) were dissected and conserved at ⁇ 80° C. for possible determination of GAMS.
  • Plasma and brain samples were analyzed for 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime concentrations.
  • Plasma and brain samples were thawed at room temperature.
  • Plasma was protein-precipitated with a 3-fold volume with acetonitrile and brain tissue was homogenized with a 1:4 ratio of tissue:PBS (pH 7.4) and then extracted with a 2-fold volume of methanol:acetonitrile (1:1) for 20 min during sonication. Thereafter samples were shaken and centrifuged for 10 min at 10 000 ⁇ g (Heraeus Pico 17 centrifuge). The supernatant was then diluted with an equal volume of PBS and analyzed.
  • HEK-293 cells were permanently transfected with vectors including the human CMV promoter for constitutive expression of the human ⁇ 5, ⁇ 3, and ⁇ 2L GABA A receptor subunits ( ⁇ 5 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L) or the human ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2, and ⁇ 2L GABA A receptor subunits ( ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L).
  • the cell lines used were selected for good reactivity to GABA and to THDOC. Before measurements cells were incubated for 15 min at 37° C.
  • THDOC and 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one oxime were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and thereafter diluted with EC solution to include 0.1% DMSO.
  • DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide
  • ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L-GABA A receptors in vivo are present within the synapse a condition resembling that situation, a short application (40 ms) of a high GABA concentration (30 ⁇ M), was used. Contrary, ⁇ 1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L-GABA A receptors are present extrasynaptically, thus the conditions used were long exposures (6 s) to a low GABA concentration (0.3 ⁇ M).
  • the EC 75 concentration of THDOC was used, i.e. 100 nM with studies of ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L and 200 nM when ⁇ 1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L expressing cells were evaluated. With both cell types a pre-exposure with THDOC or THDOC plus 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was used before application of GABA.
  • 3 ⁇ -Ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (1 ⁇ M) partly antagonises the effect of THDOC at both the ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L and the ⁇ 1 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L subunit variants of the GABA A receptor ( FIGS. 8 A and C).
  • ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L receptors 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one inhibits 29 ⁇ 4.7% of the THDOC enhancement of GABA (P ⁇ 0.001) and with the ⁇ 5 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L receptor the inhibition is 49 ⁇ 4.7% (P ⁇ 0.001, Table 1).
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one (1 ⁇ M) does not antagonize the GABA-activation of the GABA A receptor ( FIGS. 8 B and D). There is no significant effect of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one at either the ⁇ 1 ⁇ 2 ⁇ 2L GABA A receptor ( ⁇ 3.1 ⁇ 1.7%, NS) or the ⁇ 5 ⁇ 3 ⁇ 2L GABA A receptor ( ⁇ 3.8 ⁇ 1.5%, NS) when GABA is the sole activator of the receptor (Table 1).
  • GAMSA 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one
  • binding of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was determined for receptors, ion channels and enzymes, including all major classes of neurotransmitter receptors. In total 113 targets were tested in duplicate with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one at 10 ⁇ M (Perkin Elmer, Customized screen). Binding activity was defined as greater than or equal to 50% inhibition of ligand binding.
  • PCS rats Rats that were subjected to the porta-caval anastomosis procedure are herein referred to as “PCS rats”.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one in sesame oil was administered by subcutaneous injections in the back of the rats, once daily.
  • Two different sets of experiments were performed in hyperammonemic rats. In the first set four groups of rats were used: 1) control rats injected with vehicle; 2) hyperammonemic rats injected with vehicle; 3) control rats injected with 20 mg/Kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one and 4) hyperammonemic rats injected with 20 mg/Kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one.
  • mice were used: 1) control rats injected with vehicle; 2) hyperammonemiac rats injected with vehicle and 3-5) hyperammonemic rats injected with 3, 10 or 20 mg/Kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one. In each experiment 6-8 rats per group were used.
  • the data shown are the mean ⁇ SEM of the number of rats indicated in each Figure. Statistical significance was estimated with two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-test and with Student's t-test when only one parameter was compared. The analyses were performed using GraphPad PRISM software for Windows (GraphPad software Inc., La Jolla, Calif., USA).
  • Hyperammonemic rats show motor in-coordination in the beam walking test, with higher (p ⁇ 0.05) number of slips (1.4 ⁇ 0.1) than control rats (1.0 ⁇ 0.1). Treatment with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one restores motor coordination in hyperammonemic rats ( FIG. 9A ). The effects were statistically significant for the doses of 3 mg/kg (0.8 ⁇ 0.1 slips, p ⁇ 0.05) and 20 mg/kg (0.78 ⁇ 0.07 slips, p ⁇ 0.05).
  • PCS rats also show motor in-coordination in the beam walking test, with higher (p ⁇ 0.01) number of slips (1.2 ⁇ 0.1) than sham-operated control rats (0.71 ⁇ 0.07).
  • Treatment with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one also restores motor coordination in PCS rats ( FIG. 9B ).
  • the number of slips for the dose of 0.7 mg/kg was 0.75 ⁇ 0.10 (p ⁇ 0.05 vs PCS rats).
  • the test was carried out as described by Monfort et al. ( European Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, 25, 2103-2111) using a circular pool (160 cm diameter, 40 cm height) arbitrarily divided into four quadrants. After pre-training, the rats were trained to learn the fixed location of the invisible platform over 3 days. Training involved placing the rat into the pool facing the wall in one of the three quadrants lacking the platform. A different starting point was randomly used on each trial. Training consisted of three swims per day. Each animal was allowed a maximum of 120 seconds to find the platform and was left for 20 seconds on the platform. If a rat failed to locate the platform within 120 seconds it was manually guided to the platform by the experimenter. The time needed to find the hidden platform was recorded manually and used as a measure of learning of the task.
  • 3 ⁇ -Ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was shown to restore spatial memory in the Morris water maze test in hyperammonemic and PCS rats.
  • Hyperammonemic rats showed reduced spatial memory in the Morris water maze. All groups of rats learned to find the platform and the latency to reach it was reduced along the three training days ( FIG. 10A ). Learning ability was slightly reduced in hyperammonemic rats, which needed more time than control to reach the platform.
  • PCS rats also showed reduced spatial memory in the Morris water maze. All groups of rats learned to find the platform and the latency to reach it was reduced along the three training days ( FIG. 10C ). Spatial memory was significantly reduced (p ⁇ 0.05) in PCS rats. In the memory test PCS rats remained less time (31 ⁇ 3% of the time) in the right quadrant than control rats (41 ⁇ 2% of the time). Treatment with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one restored spatial memory in the Morris water maze in PCS rats. The percentages of time spent in the correct quadrant were 34 ⁇ 4 and 39 ⁇ 3, for 0.7 and 2.5 mg/kg doses, respectively ( FIG. 10D ).
  • the apparatus was composed of a central area that gave access to eight equally-sized arms.
  • the arms were 70 cm long and 10 cm wide and the central area was 30 cm in diameter.
  • the distal extreme of each arm had a cup containing food rewards.
  • Rats were allowed to explore the maze for 10 minutes on two consecutive days in the presence of distal cues to adapt to the maze.
  • Training in the radial maze was composed of three trials per day on six consecutive days.
  • the task involved locating four pellets, each placed at the end of a different arm according to a random configuration as described by Hernandez-Rabaza et al. ( Addiction Biology, 2010, 15, 413-423).
  • the number of working memory errors (visits to arms already visited in the same trial) were recorded and expressed as working errors.
  • Hyperammonemic rats show reduced spatial learning in the radial maze. As shown in FIG. 11A , the number of working errors was higher in hyperammonemic than in control rats at days 1-3. All groups of rats learned along the training days and the difference between control and hyperammonemic rats was not significant after day 3. ( FIG. 11A ). The number of working errors in days 1-2 was higher (p ⁇ 0.05) in hyperammonemic (18 ⁇ 3 errors) than in control rats (11 ⁇ 1.5 errors). Hyperammonemic rats treated with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one behaved as controls. The number of errors (not significantly different from controls) was 6.5 ⁇ 2.8, 8.8 ⁇ 1.9 and 12 ⁇ 2, for 3, 10 and 20 mg/kg doses, respectively ( FIG. 11B-C ).
  • PCS rats also show reduced spatial learning in the radial maze. As shown in FIG. 11C , the number of working errors was higher in PCS rats than in sham rats at days 1 and 2. All groups of rats learned along the training days and the difference between sham and PCS rats was not significant after day 3. ( FIG. 11C ). The number of working errors in days 1-2 ( FIG. 11D ) was higher (p ⁇ 0.01) in PCS rats (22 ⁇ 2 errors) than in sham rats (10 ⁇ 2 errors). Treatment of PCS rats with 0.7 mg/Kg of 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was not enough to improve performance in the radial maze (23 ⁇ 2 errors). Treatment with 2.5 mg/Kg completely normalized performance of PCS rats in the radial maze (11 ⁇ 1 errors, p ⁇ 0.05 vs PCS).
  • Motor activity was measured using an actimeter (Med Associates, S t. Albans, Vt.). Rats were placed individually in an open-field activity chamber (43 ⁇ 43 ⁇ 31 cm), and motor activity was recorded continuously for 14 days in conditions of light-dark (L:D), 12 h:12 h. Data were recorded at intervals of 5 minutes. Motor activity was detected by arrays of infrared motion detectors, placed in three directions, x, y and z. One ambulatory count is recorded by the apparatus when the rat interrupts three consecutive infrared detectors, in x or y position. A vertical count is recorded when rat interrupts infrared detectors in z position. The software allows measuring different parameter of motor activity, such as ambulatory counts or vertical counts (Ahabrach et al. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 2010, 88, 1605-14).
  • 3 ⁇ -Ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was found to increase spontaneous motor activity during the night and to partially restore the circadian rhythm of PCS rats.
  • PCS rats show reduced motor activity (ambulatory counts) during the night (the active phase of the rats) showing 1849 ⁇ 176 counts, which is significantly (p ⁇ 0.05) lower than in control rats (4546 ⁇ 584 counts).
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one at 0.7 mg/kg increased slightly (p ⁇ 0.05) the activity in PCS rats to 2652 ⁇ 275 counts.
  • 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one at 2.5 mg/kg did not affect ambulatory counts (2235 ⁇ 170 counts 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one) ( FIGS. 12A and 12C ).
  • the ratio of ambulatory activity during the night vs activity during the day is reduced in PCS rats, indicating altered circadian rhythm ( FIG. 12B ).
  • this ratio was 3.3 ⁇ 0.4 and was reduced (p ⁇ 0.001) in PCS rats to 0.8 ⁇ 0.16.
  • PCS rats treated with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one showed a partial but significant improvement (p ⁇ 0.05) in the night/day ratio of activity, reaching 1.7 ⁇ 0.2 and 1.6 ⁇ 0.3 for 0.7 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively ( FIG. 12B ). This indicates partial restoration of circadian rhythm of activity.
  • 3 ⁇ -Ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one was also found to normalize vertical activity during the day and to partially restore the circadian rhythm of PCS rats.
  • PCS rats showed reduced vertical activity during the night (the active phase of the rats) showing 561 ⁇ 108 counts, which is significantly (p ⁇ 0.05) lower than in control rats (1228 ⁇ 138 counts).
  • PCS rats showed increased vertical activity during the day showing 682 ⁇ 114 counts, which is significantly (p ⁇ 0.05) higher than in control rats (391 ⁇ 64 counts).
  • FIGS. 12A and 12C show that
  • the ratio of vertical activity during the night vs activity during the day was also reduced in PCS rats, indicating altered circadian rhythm ( FIG. 12B ).
  • this ratio is 3.7 ⁇ 0.6 and is reduced (p ⁇ 0.001) in PCS rats to 0.8 ⁇ 0.01.
  • PCS rats treated with 3 ⁇ -ethynyl-3 ⁇ -hydroxyandrostan-17-one showed a partial but significant improvement (p ⁇ 0.01) in the night/day ratio of activity, reaching 2.1 ⁇ 0.4 and 1.9 ⁇ 0.6 for 0.7 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively ( FIG. 12B ). This indicates partial restoration of circadian rhythm of vertical activity.
  • Blood ammonia was measured using the kit II Ammonia Arkray test (PocketChem BA, Arkray) using 20 ⁇ L of fresh blood following manufacturer's specifications.
  • brain tissue was homogenized with a 1:4 ratio of tissue:PBS (pH 7.4) and then extracted with a 2-fold volume of methanol:acetonitrile (1:1), while plasma was protein-precipitated with a 3-fold volume with acetonitrile.
  • Analyses were performed by Waters ACQUITY UPLC+Waters XEVO-TQS triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Admescope Oy, Oulu, Finland).

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