title: Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor: intranasal administration of femtomolar-acting peptides improve performance in a water maze.
abstract: Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) is a glia-derived protein that is neuroprotective at femtomolar concentrations. A nine-amino acid peptide derived from ADNF (Ser-Ala-Leu-Leu-Arg-Ser-Ile-Pro-Ala; ADNF-9) captured the activity of the parent protein and has been reported to protect cultured neurons from multiple neurotoxins. Antibodies recognizing ADNF-9 produced neuronal apoptosis, and identified an additional, structurally related, glia-derived peptide, Asn-Ala-Pro-Val-Ser-Ile-Pro-Gln (NAP). Previous comparative studies have characterized s.c.-injected NAP as most efficacious in protecting against developmental retardation and learning impairments in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. This study was designed to assess 1) neuroprotection after intranasal administration of ADNF-9 and NAP to rats treated with the cholinotoxin ethylcholine aziridium; and 2) bioavailability and pharmacokinetics after intranasal administration. Results showed significant improvements in short-term spatial memory, as assessed in a water maze, after daily intranasal administration of 1 microg of peptide (ADNF-9 or NAP) per animal. However, a 5-day pretreatment with ADNF-9 did not improve performance measured after cessation of treatment. Compared with rats treated with ADNF-9, NAP-pretreated animals exhibited a significantly better performance. Furthermore, NAP (and not ADNF-9) protected against loss of choline acetyl transferase activity. Significant amounts of (3)H-labeled NAP reached the brain, remained intact 30 min after administration, and dissipated 60 min after administration. This study revealed efficacy for ADNF-related peptides in rodent models for neurodegeneration. The small size of the molecules, the low dosage required, the noninvasive administration route, and the demonstrated activity in a relevant paradigm suggest NAP as a lead compound for future drug design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. igozes@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gozes
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giladi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinhasov
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardea
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Brenneman
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D001388:Aziridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001682:Biological Availability; D002794:Choline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D004355:Drug Stability; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001388:Aziridines; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; C044894:ethylcholine aziridinium; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D002794:Choline