Pharmacology and neuroprotective actions of mGlu receptor ligands

Noncalcemic actions of vitamin D receptor ligands.

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)], the active metabolite of vitamin D(3), is known for the maintenance of mineral homeostasis and normal skeletal architecture. However, apart from these traditional calcium-related actions, 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) and its synthetic analogs are being increasingly recognized for their potent antiproliferative, prodifferentiative, and immunomodulatory act...

Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potential of Sigma1 Receptor Ligands

Sigma (sigma) receptors, initially described as a subtype of opioid receptors, are now considered unique receptors. Pharmacological studies have distinguished two types of sigma receptors, termed sigma(1) and sigma(2). Of these two subtypes, the sigma(1) receptor has been cloned in humans and rodents, and its amino acid sequence shows no homology with other mammalian proteins. Several psychoact...

Anxiolytic-like effects of group III mGlu receptor ligands in the hippocampus involve GABAA signaling.

Recent literature data and the results of our earlier pharmacological studies, have provided evidence that antagonists of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and agonists of group II mGluRs show anxiolytic-like properties in preclinical and clinical studies. Out of all glutamate receptors, the role of group III mGluRs in anxiety-like states is the least investigated because of the...

Neuroprotective Actions of Neurosteroids

Neurosteroids were initially defined as steroid hormones locally synthesized within the nervous tissue. Subsequently, they were described as steroid hormone derivatives that devoid hormonal action but still affect neuronal excitability through modulation of ionotropic receptors. Neurosteroids are further subdivided into natural (produced in the brain) and synthetic. Some authors distinguish bet...

Neuroprotective actions of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists.