Penicillamine revisited: historic overview and review of the clinical uses and cutaneous adverse effects

Epidemiology and effect of psychiatric comorbidities on survival rates in patients with systemic sclerosis: A nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, disabling connective tissue disease with a considerable psychological burden. While studies suggest a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in SSc, most have small sample sizes.

METHODS

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 3270 SSc patients from the catastrophic illness registry and matched them 1:4 by age and sex with 13,080 controls. We compared the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of new psychiatric disorder diagnoses between the two groups and analyzed risk factors using a Cox proportional hazards model. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to compare survival in SSc patients with and without psychiatric conditions (matched at a 1:4 ratio by age, sex and CCI). We compared psychiatric disorder incidence rates.

RESULTS

The SSc group had a significantly higher incidence of psychiatric disorders than controls (IRR = 1.66, p < 0.001). In SSc patients, treatment with an oral daily steroid dose of ≥7.5 mg (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.71, p = 0.010), intravenous steroid pulse therapy (HR = 2.34, p < 0.0042), or D-penicillamine (HR = 1.60, p < 0.001) served as an independent risk factor for psychiatric comorbidities. SSc patients with psychiatric comorbidities had significantly lower survival rates than those without.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SSc are at an increased risk of psychiatric comorbidities, which can negatively affect their survival rates. Treatment with a daily oral steroid dose of ≥7.5 mg, intravenous steroid pulse therapy, or D-penicillamine is a risk factor for psychiatric comorbidities in SSc.

D-Penicillamine-Induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome in a Patient with Gold Cyanide Intoxication: A Case Report

D-penicillamine is used as the mainstay of chelation therapy for Wilson's disease and for heavy metal intoxication. D-penicillamine itself has been noted to cause several systemic side effects as well as symptoms related to the skin. Common cutaneous side effects such as acute hypersensitivity reactions, elastic fiber abnormalities, and bullous diseases have been occasionally described. Herein, we report a case of a 23-year-old Thai female with gold intoxication who developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) following the treatment of D-penicillamine. To our knowledge, D-penicillamine-induced SJS is exceptionally rare. To raise awareness of potentially fatal cutaneous adverse drug reaction triggered by D-penicillamine, published literature regarding SJS induced by this agent has also been reviewed. D-penicillamine should be regarded as a possible culprit in patients presenting with SJS following D-penicillamine administration and should be promptly discontinued.

Enantioselective Molecular Detection by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering at Chiral Gold Helicoids on Grating Surfaces

Distinct advantages of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in molecular detection can benefit the enantioselective discrimination of specific molecular configurations. However, many of the recent methods still lack versatility and require customized anchors to chemically interact with the studied analyte. In this work, we propose the utilization of helicoid-shaped chiral gold nanoparticles arranged in an ordered array on a gold grating surface for enantioselective SERS recognition. This arrangement ensured a homogeneous distribution of chiral plasmonic hot spots and facilitated the enhancement of the SERS response of targeted analytes through plasmon coupling between gold helicoid multimers (formed in the grating valleys) and adjacent regions of the gold grating. Naproxen enantiomers (R(+) and S(-)) were employed as model compounds, revealing a clear dependence of their SERS response on the chirality of the gold helicoids. Additionally, propranolol and penicillamine enantiomers were used to validate the universality of the proposed approach. Finally, numerical simulations were conducted to elucidate the roles of intensified local electric field and optical helicity density on the SERS signal intensity and on the chirality of the nanoparticles and enantiomers. Unlike previously reported methods, our approach relies on the excitation of a chiral plasmonic near-field and its interaction with the chiral environment of analyte molecules, obviating the need for the enantioselective entrapment of targeted molecules. Moreover, our method is not limited to specific analyte classes and can be applied to a broad range of chiral molecules.

Relapse following withdrawal of D-penicillamine from combination (D-penicillamine + zinc) therapy in hepatic Wilson disease

OBJECTIVES

Long-term D-penicillamine (D-pen) therapy in Wilson disease (WD) has numerous adverse effects which advocates its withdrawal, but with an inherent risk of relapse. This prospective observational study was conducted with the objective of evaluating incidence of relapse following withdrawal of D-pen from combination (D-pen + zinc) therapy in maintenance phase of previously symptomatic hepatic WD.

METHODS

Hepatic WD patients <18 years of age and on combination therapy for >2 years with 6 months of biochemical remission were included. Biochemical remission was defined as achievement of (i) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN), (ii) serum albumin >3.5 g/dL, international normalized ratio (INR) <1.5 and (iii) 24-h urinary copper excretion (UCE) <500 mcg/day, nonceruloplasmin-bound-copper (NCC) <15 mcg/dL. After D-pen withdrawal, monthly liver function test (LFT) and INR and 3 monthly UCE and NCC were done till 1 year or relapse (elevation of AST/ALT/both >2 times ULN or total bilirubin >2 mg/dL), whichever occurred earlier.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients enrolled with median combination therapy duration of 36 months. Sixty percent of them had their index presentation as decompensated cirrhosis. Fourteen patients (31.8%) relapsed (cumulative incidence: 4 at 3 months, 11 at 6 months, and 14 at 12 months after D-pen discontinuation). All relapsers had index presentation as decompensated cirrhosis. On Cox-regression, ALT at D-pen withdrawal was an independent predictor of relapse (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.077, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014-1.145, p = 0.017) with area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.860. ALT ≥40 U/L predicted risk of relapse with 85.7% sensitivity, 70.9% specificity.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of relapse after withdrawal of D-pen from combination therapy is 31.8% in hepatic WD. ALT ≥40 U/L, at the time of D-pen stoppage, predicts future relapse.

Relapse following withdrawal of D‐penicillamine from combination (D‐penicillamine + zinc) therapy in hepatic Wilson disease

Objectives

Long‐term D‐penicillamine (D‐pen) therapy in Wilson disease (WD) has numerous adverse effects which advocates its withdrawal, but with an inherent risk of relapse. This prospective observational study was conducted with the objective of evaluating incidence of relapse following withdrawal of D‐pen from combination (D‐pen + zinc) therapy in maintenance phase of previously symptomatic hepatic WD.

Methods

Hepatic WD patients <18 years of age and on combination therapy for >2 years with 6 months of biochemical remission were included. Biochemical remission was defined as achievement of (i) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN), (ii) serum albumin >3.5 g/dL, international normalized ratio (INR) <1.5 and (iii) 24‐h urinary copper excretion (UCE) <500 mcg/day, nonceruloplasmin‐bound‐copper (NCC) <15 mcg/dL. After D‐pen withdrawal, monthly liver function test (LFT) and INR and 3 monthly UCE and NCC were done till 1 year or relapse (elevation of AST/ALT/both >2 times ULN or total bilirubin >2 mg/dL), whichever occurred earlier.

Results

Forty‐five patients enrolled with median combination therapy duration of 36 months. Sixty percent of them had their index presentation as decompensated cirrhosis. Fourteen patients (31.8%) relapsed (cumulative incidence: 4 at 3 months, 11 at 6 months, and 14 at 12 months after D‐pen discontinuation). All relapsers had index presentation as decompensated cirrhosis. On Cox‐regression, ALT at D‐pen withdrawal was an independent predictor of relapse (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.077, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014–1.145, p = 0.017) with area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.860. ALT ≥40 U/L predicted risk of relapse with 85.7% sensitivity, 70.9% specificity.

Conclusion

Incidence of relapse after withdrawal of D‐pen from combination therapy is 31.8% in hepatic WD. ALT ≥40 U/L, at the time of D‐pen stoppage, predicts future relapse.

Challenges and dilemmas in pediatric hepatic Wilson's disease

Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting the ATP7B gene located on chromosome 13q. This leads to copper deposition in various organs, most importantly in the liver and brain. The genetic mutations are vast, well reported in the West but poorly documented in developing countries. Hence the diagnosis is made with a constellation of clinico-laboratory parameters which have significant overlap with other liver diseases and often pose a significant dilemma for clinicians. Diagnostic scoring systems are not fool-proof. The availability and affordability of chelators in developing countries impact the drug compliance of patients. While D-penicillamine is a potent drug, its side effects lead to drug discontinuation. Trientine is cost-prohibitive in developing countries. There is no single test to assess the adequacy of chelation. Exchangeable urinary copper is an essential upcoming diagnostic and prognostic tool. In the presence of cirrhosis, hypersplenism clouds the assessment of myelosuppression of drugs. Similarly, it may be difficult to distinguish disease tubulopathy from drug-induced glomerulonephritis. Neurological worsening due to chelators may appear similar to disease progression. Presentation as fulminant hepatic failure requires rapid workup. There is a limited window of opportunity to salvage these patients with the help of plasmapheresis and other liver-assisted devices. This review addresses the challenges and clinical dilemmas faced at beside in developing countries.

A novel copper chelator for the suppression of colorectal cancer

Copper ions play a crucial role in the progression of cancers. Tumor tissue is rich in copper ions, and copper chelators could potentially scavenge these copper ions and thus exert an antitumor effect. In this study, we report the synthesis of a novel thieno[3,2-c]pyridine compound we have called "JYFY-001" that can act as the copper chelator thanks to the inclusion of an N-(pyridin-2-yl)acetamide moiety that targets copper ions. JYFY-001 potently inhibited cancer proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis and impairing the extracellular acidification rate and oxygen consumption rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. JYFY-001 also inhibited the growth of a CRC-transplanted tumor in a dose-dependent manner, inducing apoptosis of the tumor cells and promoting the infiltration of lymphocytes in the CRC-transplanted tumor tissues. JYFY-001 also enhanced the antitumor effects of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor. The relatively benign nature of JYFY-001 was demonstrated by the effect on normal cell viability and acute toxicity tests in mice. Our findings suggest that JYFY-001 is a prospective copper chelator to be used as a targeted drug and a synergist of immunotherapy for CRC treatments.

Comprehensive proteomic quantification of bladder stone progression in a cystinuric mouse model using data-independent acquisitions

Cystinuria is one of various disorders that cause biomineralization in the urinary system, including bladder stone formation in humans. It is most prevalent in children and adolescents and more aggressive in males. There is no cure, and only limited disease management techniques help to solubilize the stones. Recurrence, even after treatment, occurs frequently. Other than a buildup of cystine, little is known about factors involved in the formation, expansion, and recurrence of these stones. This study sought to define the growth of bladder stones, guided by micro-computed tomography imaging, and to profile dynamic stone proteome changes in a cystinuria mouse model. After bladder stones developed in vivo, they were harvested and separated into four developmental stages (sand, small, medium and large stone), based on their size. Data-dependent and data-independent acquisitions allowed deep profiling of stone proteomics. The proteomic signatures and pathways illustrated major changes as the stones grew. Stones initiate from a small nidus, grow outward, and show major enrichment in ribosomal proteins and factors related to coagulation and platelet degranulation, suggesting a major dysregulation in specific pathways that can be targeted for new therapeutic options.

Chelation therapy in liver diseases of childhood: Current status and response

Chelation is the mainstay of therapy in certain pediatric liver diseases. Copper and iron related disorders require chelation. Wilson’s disease (WD), one of the common causes of cirrhosis in children is treated primarily with copper chelating agents like D-penicillamine and trientine. D-Penicillamine though widely used due its high efficacy in hepatic WD is fraught with frequent adverse effects resulting discontinuation. Trientine, an alternative drug has comparable efficacy in hepatic WD but has lower frequency of adverse effects. The role of ammonium tetra-thiomolybdate is presently experimental in hepatic WD. Indian childhood cirrhosis is related to excessive copper ingestion, rarely seen in present era. D-Penicillamine is effective in the early part of this disease with reversal of clinical status. Iron chelators are commonly used in secondary hemochromatosis of liver in hemolytic anemias. There are strict chelation protocols during bone marrow transplant. The role of iron chelation in neonatal hemochromatosis is presently not in vogue due to its poor efficacy and availability of other modalities of therapy. Hereditary hemochromatosis is rare in children and the use of iron chelators in this condition is limited.

Modulation of Intracellular Copper Levels as the Mechanism of Action of Anticancer Copper Complexes: Clinical Relevance

Copper (Cu) is a vital element required for cellular growth and development; however, even slight changes in its homeostasis might lead to severe toxicity and deleterious medical conditions. Cancer patients are typically associated with higher Cu content in serum and tumor tissues, indicating increased demand of cancer cells for this micronutrient. Cu is known to readily cycle between the +1 and +2 oxidation state in biological systems. The mechanism of action of Cu complexes is typically based on their redox activity and induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to deadly oxidative stress. However, there are a number of other biomolecular mechanisms beyond ROS generation that contribute to the activity of anticancer Cu drug candidates. In this review, we discuss how interfering with intracellular Cu balance via either diet modification or addition of inorganic Cu supplements or Cu-modulating compounds affects tumor development, progression, and sensitivity to treatment modalities. We aim to provide the rationale for the use of Cu-depleting and Cu-overloading conditions to generate the best possible patient outcome with minimal toxicity. We also discuss the advantages of the use of pre-formed Cu complexes, such as Cu-(bis)thiosemicarbazones or Cu-N-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones, in comparison with the in situ formed Cu complexes with metal-binding ligands. In this review, we summarize available clinical and mechanistic data on clinically relevant anticancer drug candidates, including Cu supplements, Cu chelators, Cu ionophores, and Cu complexes.

D-Penicillamine: The State of the Art in Humans and in Dogs from a Pharmacological and Regulatory Perspective

Chelant agents are the mainstay of treatment in copper-associated hepatitis in humans, where D-penicillamine is the chelant agent of first choice. In veterinary medicine, the use of D-penicillamine has increased with the recent recognition of copper-associated hepatopathies that occur in several breeds of dogs. Although the different regulatory authorities in the world (United States Food and Drugs Administration-U.S. FDA, European Medicines Agency-EMEA, etc.) do not approve D-penicillamine for use in dogs, it has been used to treat copper-associated hepatitis in dogs since the 1970s, and is prescribed legally by veterinarians as an extra-label drug to treat this disease and alleviate suffering. The present study aims to: (a) address the pharmacological features; (b) outline the clinical scenario underlying the increased interest in D-penicillamine by overviewing the evolution of its main therapeutic goals in humans and dogs; and finally, (c) provide a discussion on its use and prescription in veterinary medicine from a regulatory perspective.

Diagnosing Calciphylaxis: A Review With Emphasis on Histopathology

Calciphylaxis is a cutaneous vasculopathy with high morbidity and mortality characterized by vascular intimal fibrosis, calcification, stenosis, thrombosis, and eventual tissue death due to ischemia. Histopathologic diagnosis is often difficult, frequently necessitating multiple tissues samples due to lack of specific histopathologic features and subtle changes on biopsies of early lesions. In this study, we review the reported clinical and histopathologic features of calciphylaxis, correlating them with relevant imaging, ancillary studies, and pathophysiology. Although many histopathologic changes seen in calciphylaxis are also reported in other conditions (eg, Mönckeberg sclerosis, lupus panniculitis, pancreatic panniculitis, and peripheral artery disease), calcification of subcutaneous small vessels, thrombosis and/or ischemic changes, pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like changes in the subcutis, and perieccrine calcification may serve as helpful clues. von Kossa and Alizarin red stains can assist in the identification of subtle calcification. Netlike calcification of the affected blood vessels on imaging further supports the diagnosis. Studies into the pathophysiology of calciphylaxis are ongoing and will hopefully facilitate the development of additional diagnostic adjuncts to increase sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of this disease.

Combined dimercaptosuccinic acid and zinc treatment in neurological Wilson's disease patients with penicillamine-induced allergy or early neurological deterioration

The clinical data of safety and efficacy of a combined treatment with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and Zinc with 2 years’ follow-up in 60 neurological Wilson’s disease (WD) patients was retrospectively analyzed. All the patients included in the present study were newly diagnosed and initialized with D-penicillamine (DPA) treatment but were found to have either neurological deterioration or allergy, and their treatment was switched to a combined treatment of DMSA and Zinc. Fifty-one patients (85%) had the neurological symptoms improved 1 and 2 years after treatment, 7 (11.67%) experienced a stable neurological condition, and 2 (3.33%) suffered deterioration of neurological symptoms. No early neurological deterioration was observed in all patients. Twenty-five percent patients experienced mild adverse reactions which did not require a discontinuation of the DMSA and Zinc treatment. Our study confirmed the safety and efficacy of the combined DMSA and Zinc therapy as an initial and probably long-term treatment in neurological WD patients.

Drug-induced pemphigus: A systematic review of 170 patients

Pemphigus encompasses a rare heterogeneous group of autoimmune blistering diseases characterized by cutaneous and/or mucosal blistering. Multiple factors, such as some specific types of drugs, have been found to be involved in the induction of pemphigus. Here, we have designed a systematic review by searching PubMed/Medline and Embase databases to find the drugs, involved in pemphigus induction and exacerbation (updated on 19 August 2019). From 1856 initially found articles, 134 studies (198 patients; 170 patients in the drug-induced patients and 28 in exacerbation group) have been included. Regarding drug-induced cases, the mean age was 57.19 ± 16.9-year-old (ranged 8-105), and patients had developed pemphigus within a mean of 154.27 days. Pemphigus vulgaris (38.9%), pemphigus foliaceus (33.5%), and paraneoplastic pemphigus (3.6%) were the most common subtypes. Furthermore, penicillamine (33.1%), captopril (7.7%), and bucillamine (6.5%) were the most reported drugs related to pemphigus induction; penicillamine was associated with the most persistent disease. Regardless of disease subtype, cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and mucosal involvements were reported in 68.6%, 30.1%, and 1.3% of patients, respectively. In total, the IgG deposition in the pathological studies, being positive for autoreactive antibodies in the serum against desmoglein 3 (Dsg3), and desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), were reported in 93%, 34.9%, and 72.7% of reported patients, respectively. Regarding the management of such patients, in 75% of healed cases, treatment (mainly transient systemic and topical corticosteroids and/or azathioprine) was needed besides stopping the probable pemphigus-inducing culprit drug, while drug cessation was enough to control the disease in 25%. As the outcomes, the lesions in 129 of 147 (87.8%) patients had been healed, while in 18 (12.2%), no healing was reported; fifteen out of 18 had died. In conclusion, some specific groups of treatments can induce pemphigus, including penicillamine, captopril, and bucillamine; despite the similar clinical and pathological manifestations to classical pemphigus, most of the cases are less severe and have a better prognosis.

Traditional and modern management strategies for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a serious disorder of the joints affecting 1 or 2% of the population aged between 20 and 50 years worldwide. RA is the foremost cause of disability in developing and Western populations. It is an autoimmune disease-causing inflammation and pain involving synovial joints. Pro-inflammatory markers, including cytokines, such as interleukin -1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are involved in RA. RA treatment involves TNF-α blockade, B cell therapy, IL-1 and IL-6 blockade, and angiogenesis inhibition. Synthetic drugs available for the treatment of RA include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), such as cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and intramuscular gold. These agents induce adverse hepatorenal effects, hypertension, and gastric ulcers. We found that patients diagnosed with chronic pain, as in RA, and those refractory to contemporary management are most likely to seek traditional medicine. Approximately 60-90% of patients with arthritis use traditional medicines. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of these traditional medicines need to be established. The treatment for RA entails a comprehensive multidisciplinary strategy to reduce pain and inflammation and to restore the activity of joints. The potential medicinal plants exhibiting anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic pharmacological activity are reviewed here.

Co-occurring Wilson's disease and non-penicillamine-induced systematic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review

Although lupus induced by penicillamine, the first-line medication for Wilson's disease, is well-documented, primary systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) co-occurring with Wilson's disease has only rarely been reported. Symptom overlap can add to difficulties in making the correct and complete diagnosis of these two systemic diseases. An 18-year-old female was diagnosed with simultaneous Wilson's disease and SLE and was successfully treated with hydroxychloroquine and oral zinc. We also reviewed the literature for cases of Wilson's disease co-occurring with SLE not induced by penicillamine and found six other cases. Clinical presentations, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed and summarized to expand our understanding of this rare condition. The most frequent diagnostic clues to Wilson's disease in patients with SLE included unexplained liver damage despite well-controlled SLE, extrapyramidal symptoms and signs, hyper-intense signals of the basal ganglia bilaterally on T2-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI images, and Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) rings on physical examination. Penicillamine should be avoided or used cautiously in Wilson's disease patients complicated by SLE. The overall prognosis is good if treated in a timely manner. Key Points • SLE complicated by Wilson's disease or the co-occurrence of the two conditions in the absence of penicillamine may exist in rare conditions. • The diagnostic clues for identifying Wilson's disease in SLE patients may include unexplained liver damage despite well-controlled SLE, extrapyramidal symptoms and signs, and K-F rings found by physical examination. • Penicillamine should be avoided or used cautiously in Wilson's patients with SLE.

Interaction of 2,6,7-Trihydroxy-Xanthene-3-Ones with Iron and Copper, and Biological Effect of the Most Active Derivative on Breast Cancer Cells and Erythrocytes

Metal chelators can be potentially employed in the treatment of various diseases, ranging from metal overload to neoplastic conditions. Some xanthene derivatives were previously reported to complex metals. Thus, in a search for a novel iron or copper chelator, a series of 9-(substituted phenyl)-2,6,7-trihydroxy-xanthene-3-ones was tested using a competitive spectrophotometric approach. The most promising compound was evaluated in biological models (breast adenocarcinoma cell lines and erythrocytes). In general, substitution of the benzene ring in position 9 had a relatively low effect on the chelation. Only the trifluoromethyl substitution resulted in stronger chelation, probably via a positive effect on solvation. All compounds chelated iron, but their copper-chelating effect was only minimal, since it was no longer observed under highly competitive conditions. Interestingly, all compounds reduced both iron and copper. Additional experiments showed that the trifluoromethyl derivative protected erythrocytes and even cancer cells against excess copper. In summary, the tested compounds are iron chelators, which are also capable of reducing iron/copper, but the copper-reducing effect is not associated with increased copper toxicity.

Update on cystine stones: current and future concepts in treatment

Cystine stones are relatively uncommon compared with other stone compositions, constituting just 1% to 2% of adult urinary tract stone diseases, and accounting for up to 10% of pediatric stone diseases. Two responsible genes of cystinuria have been identified, the SLC3A1 and the SLC7A9. Cystinuria is diagnosed by family history, stone analysis, or by measurement of urine cystine excretion. Current treatments for cystinuria include increased fluid intake to increase cystine solubility by maintaining daily urine volume of greater than 3 Liter (L). Limiting sodium and protein intake can decrease cystine excretion. When conservative therapy fails, then pharmacologic therapy may be effective. Alkaline urine pH in the 7.0-7.5 range will reduce cystine solubility and can be achieved by the addition of alkali therapy. If these measures fail, cystine-binding thiol drugs such as tiopronin and D-penicillamine are considered. These compounds bind cysteine and prevent the formation of less soluble cystine. These drugs, however, have poor patient compliance due to adverse effects. Captopril can be useful in the treatment of cystine stones but the drug has not been tested in rigorous clinical trials. Novel potential therapies such as alpha-lipoic acid and crystal growth inhibitors (L-cystine dimethyl ester (L-CDME) and L-cystine methyl ester (L-CME)) were developed and tested in animals. Those therapies showed promising results. Compliance with treatment was associated with a lower rate of cystine stone formation.

A case report and focused literature review of d-penicillamine and severe neutropenia: A serious toxicity from a seldom-used drug

Prescribing d-penicillamine for Wilson's disease must be accompanied by vigilant monitoring, including a complete blood cell count with differential. For most, this should occur once or twice weekly during the first month of therapy and during periods of dose escalation, then every two weeks for six additional months, then monthly.

D-penicillamine-induced pseudo-pseudoxanthoma elasticum and extensive elastosis perforans serpiginosa with excellent response to acitretin

D-penicillamine (DPA)-induced pseudo-pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) and elastosis perforans serpiginosa (EPS) has been reported in the past, but most of the treatment modalities used before have a sub.optimal response. We report a case of DPA-induced pseudo-PXE with extensive EPS who had an excellent rapid response to acitretin. To the best of our knowledge no such report has been published in the past, even though there is a single report of effectiveness of isotretinoin in elastosis perforans serpiginosa. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: One similar case but with a different medication (reference 13).

Quinaldic acid in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and its effect on synoviocytes in vitro

BACKGROUND

Previously, we have demonstrated that kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous metabolite of tryptophan formed along kynurenine pathway, is present in synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. In this study, the goal was to investigate the presence of quinaldic acid (QUDA), a putative metabolite of KYNA, in synovial fluid of RA and OA patients.

METHODS

The effect of QUDA on proliferation and motility of synovial fibroblasts and its interaction with KYNA were determined in vitro. The study was conducted on synovial fluid obtained from 38 patients with RA and 15 patients with OA. QUDA was identified and quantified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. In vitro experiments were conducted on rabbit synoviocyte cell line HIG-82.

RESULTS

Presence of QUDA was detected in all 53 samples of synovial fluid. The concentration of QUDA in synovial fluid obtained from patients with RA was 28.6 ± 14.9 pmol/ml, which was lower in comparison with OA 42.3 ± 10.0 pmol/ml. QUDA content positively correlated with the number of tender joints and negatively with the total cell counts determined in synovial fluid of RA patients. It did not correlate with KYNA content. QUDA reduced both proliferation and motility of synoviocytes in a dose-dependent manner. The enhancement of antiproliferative action of QUDA by KYNA was evidenced.

CONCLUSIONS

Data show a local deficit of QUDA in RA patients and suggest its potential role as an endogenous substance controlling synoviocyte viability.

α-Lipoic acid treatment prevents cystine urolithiasis in a mouse model of cystinuria

Cystinuria is an incompletely dominant disorder characterized by defective urinary cystine reabsorption that results in the formation of cystine-based urinary stones. Current treatment options are limited in their effectiveness at preventing stone recurrence and are often poorly tolerated. We report that the nutritional supplement α-lipoic acid inhibits cystine stone formation in the Slc3a1-/- mouse model of cystinuria by increasing the solubility of urinary cystine. These findings identify a novel therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of cystinuria.

Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of d-Penicillamine in Acidified Bromate and Aqueous Bromine

The oxidation of the biologically active compound d-penicillamine (Depen) by acidic bromate has been studied. The stoichiometry of the reaction is strictly 1 : 1, in which Depen is oxidized only as far as the sulfonic acid with no cleavage of the C–S bond to yield sulfate. Electrospray ionization spectroscopy shows that Depen is oxidized through addition of oxygen atoms on the sulfur centre to successively yield sulfenic and sulfinic acids before the product sulfonic acid. In conditions of excess Depen over the oxidant, sulfenic acid was not observed. Instead, nearly quantitative formation of the dimer was obtained. The dimer, which is the d-penicillamine disulfide species, was formed from a reaction of the putative highly electrophilic sulfenic acid with unreacted Depen in a condensation-type reaction and not through a radical-mediated pathway. Further oxidation of the dimer is slow because it is the most stable intermediate in the oxidation of Depen. In excess oxidant conditions, negligible dimer formation is observed. The reaction of bromine with Depen gives a stoichiometry of 3 : 1 with the same sulfonic acid product. This reaction is so fast that it is essentially diffusion controlled. Our stopped-flow instrument could not capture the oxidation by the first 2 moles of bromine, only the section of the reaction in which the sulfinic acid is oxidized to sulfonic acid.

Protective Effects of D-Penicillamine on Catecholamine-Induced Myocardial Injury

Iron and copper release participates in the myocardial injury under ischemic conditions and hence protection might be achieved by iron chelators. Data on copper chelation are, however, sparse. The effect of the clinically used copper chelator D-penicillamine in the catecholamine model of acute myocardial injury was tested in cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2 and in Wistar Han rats. D-Penicillamine had a protective effect against catecholamine-induced injury both in vitro and in vivo. It protected H9c2 cells against the catecholamine-induced viability loss in a dose-dependent manner. In animals, both intravenous D-penicillamine doses of 11 (low) and 44 mg/kg (high) decreased the mortality caused by s.c. isoprenaline (100 mg/kg) from 36% to 14% and 22%, respectively. However, whereas the low D-penicillamine dose decreased the release of cardiac troponin T (specific marker of myocardial injury), the high dose resulted in an increase. Interestingly, the high dose led to a marked elevation in plasma vitamin C. This might be related to potentiation of oxidative stress, as suggested by additional in vitro experiments with D-penicillamine (iron reduction and the Fenton reaction). In conclusion, D-penicillamine has protective potential against catecholamine-induced cardiotoxicity; however the optimal dose selection seems to be crucial for further application.

The Influence of Bioisosteres in Drug Design: Tactical Applications to Address Developability Problems

The application of bioisosteres in drug discovery is a well-established design concept that has demonstrated utility as an approach to solving a range of problems that affect candidate optimization, progression, and durability. In this chapter, the application of isosteric substitution is explored in a fashion that focuses on the development of practical solutions to problems that are encountered in typical optimization campaigns. The role of bioisosteres to affect intrinsic potency and selectivity, influence conformation, solve problems associated with drug developability, including P-glycoprotein recognition, modulating basicity, solubility, and lipophilicity, and to address issues associated with metabolism and toxicity is used as the underlying theme to capture a spectrum of creative applications of structural emulation in the design of drug candidates.

The efficiency of compounds with α-amino-β-mercapto-ethane group in protection of human serum albumin carbonylation and cross-linking with methylglyoxal

Substances containing an α-amino-β-mercapto-ethane pharmacophore may be used as effective methylglyoxal scavengers and inhibitors of protein carbonylation and cross-linking.