Maija DAMBROVA

DambrovaM1.JPG (5775 bytes) Maija DAMBROVA
Head of the Laboratory of Pharmacology,
Department of Medicinal Chemistry

Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis,
Aizkraukles iela 21,
Riga, LV-1006
Latvia

Phone/Fax: +371 67702408
E-mail: maija.dambrova@farm.osi.lv

Date and place of birth: May 3, 1968, Gulbene, Latvia

Fluent in: Latvian (native), English, Russian, and Swedish.

Research interests and activities

    Pharmacology, molecular mechanisms and medicinal chemistry related to the anti-ischemic drugs with novel mechanisms of action, cellular energy metabolism, and inflammation.

    58 SCI publications, 12 patents.
    Presentations at more than 50 international meetings.

Education

2004                  MBA, Riga International School of Economics and Business Administration.
                         Thesis: “Pharmacoeconomics in Latvia”

2001                 Dr. pharm., University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

1999                 PhD in Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
                          Thesis: „Discovery of N-hydroxyguanidines as novel electron acceptors of xanthine oxidase. Potential new drugs for treatment of ischaemia and reperfusion injury

1993                  Master degree in Biology, University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, Riga, Latvia

 

Research experience

2005                 Head of Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry Department, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia

2001                  Leading researcher, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia                      

1999                  Research scientist, Medicinal Chemistry Department, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia

1995-1999        Ph.D. student in Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Department of Pharmaceutical
                          Biosciences, Uppsala, Sweden

1995                 Postgraduate exchange student, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Division of Pharmacology,
                         Uppsala Biomedical Centre, Sweden (Swedish Institute stipend)

1994                 Postgraduate exchange student, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kuopio, Finland (CIMO stipend from
                        Nordic    Council)

1993(3 months) Postgraduate exchange student, Institut fur Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, University of Bern, Switzerland

1991                 Assistant, Laboratory of Pharmacology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia

Specialized courses

Honors and Awards

Organizing activities

Teaching experience

Head of Research projects

Representative publications

  1. Konrade I, Dambrova M, Makrecka M, Neimane L, Strele I, Liepinsh E, Lejnieks A, Vevere P, Gruntmanis U, Pirags V. Seasonal iodine deficiency in Latvian school children, Thyroid, 2012, 22(10): 1088-1089.
  2. Skapare E, Konrade I, Liepinsh E, Makrecka M, Zvejniece L, Svalbe B, Vilskersts R, Dambrova M. Glyoxalase 1 and glyoxalase 2 activities in blood and neuronal tissue samples from experimental animal models of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, The Journal of Physiological Sciences, 2012, DOI: 10.1007/s12576-012-0224-9
  3. Vorona M.,Veinberg G., Vikainis S., Kuznetsov E., Lebedev A., Ponomarev Yu., Chernobrovijs A., Zvejniece L., Dambrova M. Novel methods for synthesis of 2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-phenylpyrrolidin-1-yl]acetamide ((R)-Phenotropil). Chem.Heterocycl. Comp. (Engl. Ed.). 2012, 48(5). (Rus. Ed.) 2012, 5(539), 775-778
  4.    Kuka J, Makrecka M, Grinberga S, Pugovics O, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M. A short-term high-dose administration of sodium pivalate impairs pyruvate metabolism without affecting cardiac function. Cardiovascular Toxicology, 2012, in press, DOI: 10.1007/s12012-012-9169-8
  5.   Zvejniece L, Svalbe B, Liepinsh E, Pulks E, Dambrova M. Sensorimotor and cognitive deficits in rats following 90- or 120-min transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 2012, 208(2):197-204.
  6. Liepinsh E., Skapare E., Vavers E., Konrade I., Strele I., Grinberga S., Pugovics O., Dambrova M. High l-carnitine concentrations do not prevent late diabetic complications in type 1 and 2 diabetic patients. Nutrition Research, 2012, 32:320-327 3.
  7.    Vilskersts R, Vigante B, Neidere Z, Krauze A, Domracheva I, Bekere L,. Shestakova I, Duburs G, Dambrova M, Calcium Level Controlling Activities of Novel Derivatives of Amlodipine, Riodipine and Cerebrocrast, Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 2012, 9(3):322-328
  8.    Kuka J, Vilskersts R, Cirule H, Makrecka M, Pugovics O, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Liepinsh E, The cardioprotective effect of mildronate is diminished after co-treatment with L-carnitine, Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2012, 17(2):215-22. doi:10.1177/107424841 1419502
  9.   Liepinsh E, Konrade I, Skapare E, Pugovics O, Grinberga S, Kuka J, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Mildronate treatment alters gamma-butyrobetaine and L-carnitine concentrations in healthy volunteers, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2011, 63(9):1195-1201.
  10.    Zvejniece L, Svalbe B, Veinberg G, Grinberga S, Vorona M, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Investigation of stereoselective pharmacological activity of phenotropil, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2011;109(5):407-12.
  11.   Vilskersts R, Kuka J, Svalbe B, Cirule H, Liepinsh E, Grinberga S, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Administration of L-carnitine and mildronate improves endothelial function and decreases mortality in hypertensive Dahl rats, Pharmacological reports, 2011, 63(3):752-762.
  12.   Skapare E, Riekstina U, Liepinsh E, Konrade I, Makrecka M, Maurina B, Dambrova M, Flow cytometric analysis of glyoxalase-1 expression in human leukocytes, Cell Biochemistry and Function, 2011, 29(2):171-174.
  13. Liepinsh E, Skapare E, Svalbe B, Makrecka M, Cirule H, Dambrova M, Anti-diabetic effects of mildronate alone or in combination with metformin in obese Zucker rats, European Journal of Pharmacology, 2011, 658(2-3):277-283.  
  14. Svalbe B, Zvejniece L, Vavers E, Pugovichs O, Muceniece R, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M, Mildronate treatment improves functional recovery following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats, Behavioural Brain Research, 2011, 222(1):26-32.
  15.    Tars K, Rumnieks J, Zeltins A, Kazaks A, Kotelovica S, Leonciks A, Saripo J, Viksna A, Kuka J, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M, Crystal Structure of Human gamma-Butyrobetaine Hydroxylase, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2010, 398(4):634-639.
  16.   Muceniece R, Dambrova M. Melanocortins in brain inflammation: the role of melanocortin receptor subtypes. Adv Exp Med Biol., 2010;681:61-70.
  17.    Zvejniece L, Svalbe B, Makrecka M, Liepinsh E, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Mildronate exerts acute anticonvulsant and antihypnotic effects, Behavioral Pharmacology, 2010, 21(5-6):548-55.
  18. Dambrova M, Zvejniece L, Skapare E, Vilskersts R, Svalbe B, Baumane L, Muceniece R, Liepinsh E, The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of NF-?B inhibitory guanidine derivative ME10092, Int. J. Immunopharmacol., 2010; 10(4): 455–460.
  19.   Jaudzems K, Kuka J, Gutsaits A, Zinovjevs K, Kalvinsh I, Liepinsh E, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M. Inhibition of carnitine acetyltransferase by mildronate, a regulator of energy metabolism, Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 2009, 24,1269-1275.
  20. Vilskersts R, Liepinsh E, Mateuszuk L, Grinberga S, Kalvinsh I, Chlopicki S, Dambrova M.  Mildronate, a Regulator of Energy Metabolism, Reduces Atherosclerosis in apoE/LDLR Mice, Pharmacology, 2009, 83(5): 287-293.
  21. Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Zvejniece L, Svalbe B, Skapare E, Kuka J, Cirule H, Grinberga S, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M. Protective effects of mildronate in an experimental model of type 2 diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki rats. Br. J. Pharmacol. 2009, 157(8), 1549-1556.
  22. Liepinsh E, Kuka J, Svalbe B, Vilskersts R, Skapare E, Cirule H, Pugovics O, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Effects of Long-Term mildronate treatment on cardiac and liver functions in rats, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2009, 105, 387–394.
  23. Jankevics A, Liepinsh E, Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Grinberga S, Pugovics O, Dambrova M.  Metabolomic studies of experimental diabetic urine samples by 'H-NMR spectroscopy and LC/MS method, Chemom. Intellig. Lab. Syst., 2009, 97(1): 11-17.
  24. Teus M., Jirgensons A., Dambrova M., Mezhapuke R., Parsons C.G., Danysz W. Identification of GCP II Inhibitors Based on 4-Arylmethyl-3-(carboxyphenyl)-5-hydroxyisoxazole Scaffold, Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 2009, 6(1): 29-32.
  25. Jankevics A, Liepinsh E, Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Grinberga S, Pugovics O, Dambrova M, Metabolomic studies of experimental diabetic urine samples by 1H NMR spectroscopy and LC/MS method, Chemom. Intellig. Lab. Syst., 2009, 97(1): 11-17.
  26. Vilskersts R, Liepinsh E, Mateuszuk L, Grinberga S, Kalvinsh I, Chlopicki, Dambrova M. Mildronate, a regulator of energy metabolism, reduces atherosclerosis in apoE/LDLR-/- mice. Pharmacology, 2009, 83(5), P.287-293.
  27. Vilskersts R, Liepinsh E, Kuka J, Cirule H, Veveris M, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Myocardial infarct size-limiting and anti-arrhythmic effects of mildronate orotate in the rat heart, Cardiovascular Drugs & Therapy, 2009, V23(4), P.281-288.
  28. Teus M., Jirgensons A., Dambrova M., Mezhapuke R., Parsons C. G., Danysz W. Identification of GCP II Inhibitors Based on 4-Arylmethyl-3-(4- carboxyphenyl)-5-hydroxyisoxazole Scaffold. Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 2009, 6(1): 29-32.
  29. Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Skapare E, Svalbe B, Kuka J, Cirule H, Pugovics O, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M. Mildronate decreases carnitine availability and up-regulates glucose uptake and related gene expression in the mouse heart, Life Sciences, 2008, V(83): 613-619.
  30. Grinberga S, Zvejniece L, Liepinsh E, Dambrova M, Pugovics O. Quantitative analysis of phenibut in rat brain tissue extracts by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, Biomedical Chromatography, 2008, 22(12): 1321-1324.
  31. Muceniece R., Saleniece K., Krigere L., Rumaks J., Dzirkale Z., Mezhapuke R., Kviesis J., Mekss P., Klusa V., Sciöth H.B., Dambrova M. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Juice Exerts an Anticonvulsant Effect in Mice through Binding to GABA receptors, Planta Med., 2008, 74(5): 491-496.
  32. Dambrova M,  Zvejniece L, Liepinsh E, Cirule H, Zharkova O, Veinberg G, Kalvinsh I. Comparative pharmacological activity of optical isomers of phenibut, Eur. J.Pharmacol., 2008, 583(1): 128-134.
  33. Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Skapare E, Svalbe B, Kuka J, Cirule H, Pugovics O, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M, Mildronate decreases carnitine availability and up-regulates glucose uptake and related gene expression in the mouse heart, Life Sciences, 2008, V(83), P.613-619.
  34. Dambrova M, Cirule H, Svalbe B, Zvejniece L, Pugovichs O, Zorenko T, Kalvinsh I, Liepinsh E, Belozertseva I.  Effect of inhibiting carnitine biosynthesis on male rat sexual performance, Physiology & Behavior, 2008, V 95: 341-347. 
  35. Muceniece R., Zvejniece L., Vilskersts R., Liepinsh E., Baumane L., Kalvinsh I., Wikberg J.E., Dambrova M. Functional evaluation of THIQ, a melanocortin 4 receptor agonist, in models of  food intake and inflammation, Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 2007, V101(6): 416-420.
  36. Liepinsh E, Vilskersts R, Loca D, Kirjanova O, Pugovichs O, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M. Mildronate, an inhibitor of carnitine biosynthesis, induces an increase in gamma-butyrobetaine contents and cardioprotection in isolated rat heart infarction. J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. 2006;48(6):314-319.
  37. Muceniece R., Zvejniece L., Kirjanova O., Liepinsh E., Krigere L., Vilskersts R., Baumane L., Gordjusina V.,  Kalvinsh I., Wikberg J.E., Dambrova M. ß-MSH inhibits brain inflammation via MC(3)/(4) receptors and impaired NF-kappaB   signalling, J.Neuroimmunol., 2005, 169: 13-19
  38. Dambrova M., Chlopicki S., Liepinsh E., Kirjanova O., Gorshkova O., Kozlovski V., Uhlen S., Liepina I., Petrovska R., Kalvinsh I., The methylester of gamma-butyrobetaine, but not gamma-butyrobetaine itself, induces muscarinic receptor-dependent vasodilatation, Naunyn Schmiedeberg’s Arch. Pharmacol. 2004; 369: 533-539.
  39. Prusis P., Dambrova M., Andrianov V., Rozhkov E., Semenikhina V., Piskunova I., Ongwae E., Lundstedt T., Kalvinsh I., Wikberg J.E., Synthesis and quantitative structure-activity relationship of hydrazones of N-amino-N'-hydroxyguanidine as electron acceptors for xanthine oxidase, J. Med. Chem. 2004; 47:3105-3110.
  40. Muceniece R., Zvejniece L., Kirjanova O., Liepinsh E., Krigere L., Baumane L., Kalvinsh I., Wikberg JE., Dambrova M., ß- and ?-melanocortins inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide production in mice brain, Brain Res. 2004; 995(1):7-13.
  41. Dambrova M., Liepinsh E., Kalvinsh I., Mildronate. Cardioprotective Action through Carnitine-Lowering Effect, Trends Cardiovasc. Med. 2002; 12: 275-279.
  42. Dambrova M, Baumane L, Kalvinsh I, Wikberg JE. Improved method for EPR detection of DEPMPO-superoxide radicals by liquid nitrogen freezing, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2000, 275(3): 895-898.

 

Patent  applications

1.    Kalvins I., Lebedevs A., Cernobrovijs A., Dambrova M., Zvejniece L., Vorona M., Veinbergs G. 4R,5S-enantiomer of 2-(5-methyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide with nootropic activity. WO 2011054888, 2011-05-12.

2.  Kalvins I., Dambrova M., Liepins E., Pugovics O., Vilskersts R., Kuka J., Grinberga S., Loza E. Use of 4-[ethyl(dimethyl)ammonio]butanoate in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. WO 2011048201, 2011-04-28.

3.    Kalvins I., Stonans I., Vilskersts R., Liepins E., Dambrova M., Birmans A.    3-(2,2,2-Trimethylhydrazinium) propionate salts for treating myocardial infarction. WO 2009071586, EP 2222376, 2010-09-01.

4.    Kalvins I., Vilskersts R., Liepins E., Dambrova M., Birmans A., Stonans I. Medical use of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate hydrogen fumarate. EP 2067474, 2009-06-10.

5.       Stonans I., Kalvinš I., Vilskersts R., Liepinš E., Dambrova M. Medical use of 3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium) propionate orotate. WO2009074498, 2009-06-18.

6.    Veinberg G., Vorona M., Zvejniece L., Chernobrovijs A., Kalvinsh I., Karina L., Dambrova M. N-carbamoylmethil-4(R)-phenil-2-pyrrolidinone, method of its preparation and pharmaceutical use. EP2013166, 2009-01-14. LT2008075, 2009-06-25.

7.    Veinbergs G., Vorona M., Dambrova M., Karina L., Zvejniece L., Kalvinš I., Cernobrovijs A. Method of preparation and use of pharmacologically active N-carbamoylmethyl-4(R)-phenyl-2-pyrolidinone. Pat. WO2007104780, 2007-09-20.

 



Last update 11.10.2012