Is the formation of R-ibuprofenyl-adenylate the first stereoselective step of chiral inversion?

Stereoselective Pharmacokinetics and Chiral Inversion of Ibuprofen in Adjuvant-induced Arthritic Rats

2-Arylpropionic acid (2-APA) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used in racemic mixtures (rac) for clinical use. 2-APA undergoes unidirectional chiral inversion of the in vivo inactive R-enantiomer to the active S-enantiomer. Inflammation causes the reduction of metabolic activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450 (P450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase. However, it is unclear whether inflammation affects the stereoselective pharmacokinetics and chiral inversion of 2-APA such as ibuprofen (IB). We examined the effects of inflammation on the pharmacokinetics of R-IB and S-IB after intravenous administration of rac-IB, R-IB, and S-IB to adjuvant-induced arthritic (AA) rats, an animal model of inflammation. The plasma protein binding of rac-IB, glucuronidation activities for R-IB and S-IB, and P450 contents of liver microsomes in AA rats were determined. Total clearance (CL_tot) of IB significantly increased in AA rats, although the glucuronidation activities for IB, and P450 contents of liver microsomes decreased in AA rats. We presumed that the increased CL_tot of IB in AA rats was caused by the elevated plasma unbound fraction of IB due to decreased plasma albumin levels in AA rats. Notably, CL_tot of R-IB but not S-IB significantly increased in AA rats after intravenous administration of rac-IB. These results suggested that AA could affect drug efficacies after stereoselective changes in the pharmacokinetics of R-IB and S-IB.

Hydrolysis of ibuprofenoyl-CoA and other 2-APA-CoA esters by human acyl-CoA thioesterases-1 and -2 and their possible role in the chiral inversion of profens

Ibuprofen and related 2-arylpropanoic acid (2-APA) drugs are often given as a racemic mixture and the R-enantiomers undergo activation in vivo by metabolic chiral inversion. The chiral inversion pathway consists of conversion of the drug to the coenzyme A ester (by an acyl-CoA synthetase) followed by chiral inversion by α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR; P504S). The enzymes responsible for hydrolysis of the product S-2-APA-CoA ester to the active S-2-APA drug have not been identified. In this study, conversion of a variety of 2-APA-CoA esters by human acyl-CoA thioesterase-1 and -2 (ACOT-1 and -2) was investigated. Human recombinant ACOT-1 and -2 (ACOT-1 and -2) were both able to efficiently hydrolyse a variety of 2-APA-CoA substrates. Studies with the model substrates R- and S-2-methylmyristoyl-CoA showed that both enzymes were able to efficiently hydrolyse both of the epimeric substrates with (2R)- and (2S)- methyl groups. ACOT-1 is located in the cytosol and is able to hydrolyse 2-APA-CoA esters exported from the mitochondria and peroxisomes for inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase-1 and -2 in the endoplasmic reticulum. It is a prime candidate to be the enzyme responsible for the pharmacological action of chiral inverted drugs. ACOT-2 activity may be important in 2-APA toxicity effects and for the regulation of mitochondrial free coenzyme A levels. These results support the idea that 2-APA drugs undergo chiral inversion via a common pathway.

Characterization of the acyl-adenylate linked metabolite of mefenamic Acid

Mefenamic acid, (MFA), a carboxylic acid-containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is metabolized into the chemically reactive conjugates MFA-1-O-acyl-glucuronide (MFA-1-O-G) and MFA-S-acyl-CoA (MFA-CoA), which are both implicated in the formation of MFA-S-acyl-glutathione (MFA-GSH) conjugates, protein-adduct formation, and thus the potential toxicity of the drug. However, current studies suggest that an additional acyl-linked metabolite may be implicated in the formation of MFA-GSH. In the present study, we investigated the ability of MFA to become bioactivated into the acyl-linked metabolite, mefenamyl-adenylate (MFA-AMP). In vitro incubations in rat hepatocytes with MFA (100 μM), followed by LC-MS/MS analyses of extracts, led to the detection of MFA-AMP. In these incubations, the initial rate of MFA-AMP formation was rapid, leveling off at a maximum concentration of 90.1 nM (20 s), while MFA-GSH formation increased linearly, reaching a concentration of 1.7 μM after 60 min of incubation. In comparison, MFA-CoA was undetectable in incubation extracts until the 4 min time point, achieving a concentration of 45.6 nM at the 60 min time point, and MFA-1-O-G formation was linear, attaining a concentration of 42.2 μM after 60 min of incubation. In vitro incubation in buffer with the model nucleophile glutathione (GSH) under physiological conditions showed MFA-AMP to be reactive toward GSH, but 11-fold less reactive than MFA-CoA, while MFA-1-O-G exhibited little reactivity. However, in the presence of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), MFA-AMP mediated formation of MFA-GSH increased 6-fold, while MFA-CoA mediated formation of MFA-GSH only increased 1.4-fold. Collectively, in addition to the MFA-1-O-G, these results demonstrate that mefenamic acid does become bioactivated by acyl-CoA synthetase enzyme(s) in vitro in rat hepatocytes into the reactive transacylating derivatives MFA-AMP and MFA-CoA, both of which contribute to the transacylation of GSH and may be involved in the formation of protein adducts and potentially elicit an idiosyncratic toxicity.

Ibuprofen-induced hypersensitivity syndrome

Ibuprofen is a widely used antipyretic and analgesic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). With the aging of the population, there will be a significant increase in the prevalence of painful degenerative and inflammatory rheumatic conditions. This increase likely will lead to a parallel increase in the use of NSAIDs, including ibuprofen. The primary effect of the NSAIDs is to inhibit cyclooxygenase (prostaglandin synthase), thereby impairing the ultimate transformation of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxanes. Although in the majority of cases it is safe, this NSAID, ibuprofen, can produce an unpredictable, idiosyncratic, type B reaction that may pose a major concern in clinical practice. Type B reactions are known to occur in susceptible individuals. The true hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) is a systemic disease defined by the triad of fever, rash, and internal organ involvement that starts 1 day to 12 weeks after the initiation of therapy. HSR has limited the therapeutic use of many drugs, including ibuprofen. Hypersensitivity syndrome associated with ibuprofen is a host-dependent drug reaction that is idiosyncratic in nature. This reaction likely is caused by a combination of metabolic and immunologic factors. Immune mediated components, such as T-cell and their products cytokines and chemokines, can exacerbate cellular responses and create complex pathways that lead to a variety of clinical manifestations. Our review presents an ibuprofen-induced clinical manifestation of hypersensitivity syndrome and the necessity of wisely monitoring the patients clinically and by laboratory investigations when prescribing this drug.

Chemical synthesis of bile acid acyl-adenylates and formation by a rat liver microsomal fraction

In mammals, unconjugated bile acids formed in the intestine by bacterial deconjugation are reconjugated (N-acylamidated) with taurine or glycine during hepatocyte transport. Activation of the carboxyl group of bile acids to form acyl-adenylates is a likely key intermediate step in bile acid N-acylamidation. To gain more insight into the process of bile acid adenylate formation, we first synthesized the adenylates of five common, natural bile acids (cholic, deoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, and lithocholic acid), and confirmed their structure by proton NMR. We then investigated adenylate formation by subcellular fractions of rat liver (microsomes, mitochondria, cytosol) using a newly developed LC method for quantifying adenylate formation. The highest activity was observed in the microsomal fraction. The reaction required Mg(2+) and its optimum pH was about pH 7.0. In term of maximum velocity (V(max)) and the Michaelis constant (K(m)), the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme under the conditions used was highest with cholic acid of the bile acids tested. The formation of cholyl-adenylate was strongly inhibited by lithocholic and deoxycholic acid, as well as by palmitic acid; ibuprofen and valproic acid were weak inhibitors. In cholestatic disease, such adenylate formation might lead to subsequent bile acid conjugation with glutathione or proteins.

Enantioselective Pharmacokinetics of Ibuprofen and Involved Mechanisms

Although dexibuprofen (S-ibuprofen) was marketed in Austria and Switzerland, the racemate at various formulations is still extensively used worldwide, and there are no indications that the racemate will be replaced by the single enantiomer. Thus, elucidation of the characteristics and involved mechanisms of the chiral pharmacokinetics of racemic ibuprofen is of special importance for the understanding of the pharmacological and toxicological consequences, and for prediction of the clinically potential drug interactions and influence of the pathological states. Stereoselective pharmacokinetics and metabolism are common features for chiral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and especially for 2-arylpropionic acid derivatives characterized with a chiral center adjacent to the carboxyl group. Although the enantioselective pharmacokinetic characteristics of different NSAIDs should be treated case by case, they share similar mechanisms underlying the protein binding, metabolism and chiral inversion. Ibuprofen was the most extensively researched drug in terms of chiral characteristics and mechanisms. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms derived from research on ibuprofen may provide better understanding and prediction of other chiral drugs. This article attempts to elucidate the chiral pharmacokinetics and involved mechanisms of ibuprofen in comparison with other NSAIDs based on recent developments. Topics on history of ibuprofen, enantioselective analysis method, absorption, protein binding, conventional metabolism, metabolic chiral inversion, gene polymorphism, and biochemical developments were included. It is worth mentioning that some underlying biochemical mechanisms, especially for the metabolic chiral inversion and ethnic differences still remain to be seen. Further research is required to develop human-resourced researching model and to provide more evidence concerning the site of inversion, species variation, CYP450 gene polymorphisms, and biochemical mechanisms.

Preparation and stereochemical integrity of certain thioesters of 2-arylpropionic acids and related compounds

2-Arylpropionate thioesters 5, 6a/6b and 7a/7b, 2-aryloxypropionate thioesters 8a/8b and 2-alkoxy-2-arylacetate thioesters 9a/9b were prepared from thiol 4 and the corresponding carboxylic acids. Thioesters 6a/6b, 7a/7b, 8a/8b and 9a/9b were monitored for evidence of inter-conversion between epimers in acetonitrile solvent at 40 degrees C, by optical activity in the cases of 6a/6b and 7a/7b, and by 1H NMR spectroscopy in the cases of 8a/8b and 9a/9b. Only in the case of thioesters 9a/9b was significant inter-conversion between epimers observed.

Unidirectional inversion of ibuprofen in Caco-2 cells: developing a suitable model for presystemic chiral inversion study

Intestinal chiral inversion of ibuprofen is still lacking direct evidence. In a preliminary experiment, ibuprofen was found to undergo inversion in Caco-2 cells. This investigation was thus conducted to determine the characteristics and influence of some biochemical factors on the chiral inversion of ibuprofen in Caco-2 cells. The effects of substrate concentration (2.5-40 microg/ml), cell density (0.5-2 x 10(6) cells/well), content of serum (0-20%), coexistence of S ibuprofen (corresponding doses), sodium azide (10 mM), exogenous Coenzyme A (CoA) (0.1-0.4 mM), and palmitic acid (5-25 microM) on inversion were examined. A stereoselective HPLC method based on the Chromasil-CHI-TBB column was developed for quantitative analysis of the drug in cell culture medium. The inversion ratio (F(i)) and elimination rate constant were calculated as the indexes of inversion extent. Inversion of ibuprofen in Caco-2 cells was found to be both dose and cell density dependent, indicating saturable characteristics. Addition of serum significantly inhibited the inversion, to an extent of 2.7 fold decrease at 20% content. Preexistence of S enantiomer exerted a significant inhibitory effect (p<0.01 for all tests). Sodium azide decreased the inversion ratio from 0.43 to 0.32 (p<0.01). Exogenous CoA and palmitic acid significantly promoted the inversion at all tested doses (p<0.01 for all tests). This research provided strong evidence to the capacity and capability of intestinal chiral inversion. Although long incubation times up to 120 h were required, Caco-2 cells should be a suitable model for chiral inversion research of 2-APAs considering the human-resourced and well-defined characteristics from the present study.

Microbial deracemization of alpha-substituted carboxylic acids: substrate specificity and mechanistic investigation

A new enzymatic method for the preparation of optically active alpha-substituted carboxylic acids is reported. This technique is called deracemization reaction, which provides us with a route to obtain the enantiomerically pure compounds, theoretically in 100% yield starting from the racemic mixture. This means that the synthesis of a racemate is almost equal to the synthesis of the optically active compound, and this concept is entirely different from the commonly accepted one in the asymmetric synthesis. Using the growing cell system of Nocardia diaphanozonaria JCM3208, racemates of 2-aryl- and 2-aryloxypropanoic acid are deracemized smoothly and (R)-form-enriched products are recovered in high chemical yield (>50%). In addition, using optically active starting compounds and deuterated derivatives as well as inhibitors, we have disclosed the fact that a new type of enzyme takes part in this biotransformation, and that the reaction proceeds probably via the same mechanism as that in rat liver.

Microbial deracemization of alpha-substituted carboxylic acids

An enzyme system of Nocardia diaphanozonaria JCM 3208 catalyzes the inversion of the chirality of various alpha-substituted carboxylic acids, such as 2-phenylpropanoic acid and 2-phenoxypropanoic acid derivatives, via a novel deracemization reaction.

Chiral inversion of (R)-ketoprofen: influence of age and differing physiological status in dairy cattle

The chiral inversion of ketoprofen has been previously demonstrated in cattle, but no studies have been performed on different ages and metabolic situations in the animals. The aim of this work was to study any modifications of the stereoconversion of ketoprofen that occur by reason of age, lactation or gestation in dairy cows. Holando Argentino cattle were divided into three groups: 8 cows in early lactation, 8 pregnant cows and 8 newborn calves. Four animals from each group received the enantiomer R-(-)-ketoprofen by intravenous administration; the other four animals received the S-(+) enantiomer, all at doses of 0.5 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected at standardized times after dosing and assayed for ketoprofen by high-performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography (HPLC). The percentage inversion of R-(-)-ketoprofen to S-(+)-ketoprofen was 50.5% (SD +/- 2.4) in the preruminants, 33.3% (SD +/- 1.7) in cows in early lactation and 26.0% (SD +/- 5.1) in cows in gestation. These results indicate a differing enantioselective metabolic behaviour for one compound in one species under different physiological situations.

Bile acid acyl adenylate: a possible intermediate to produce a protein-bound bile acid

The non-enzymatic production of a protein-bound adduct by the action of the acyl adenylate of bile acids is described. On incubation of deoxycholyl adenylate with substance P in phosphate buffer, peptides covalently bound with one or two molecules of the bile acid were detected. The modified peptides were structurally characterized by time-of-flight mass spectrometry with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-TOFMS) in the post-source decay mode, and by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization MS/MS. The deoxycholic acid was bound on substance P through the amino group at Arg-1 and/or Lys-3. The adenylate of cholic acid also produced the protein-bound bile acid on incubation with lysozyme, and the binding sites of the cholic acid appeared to be the lysine residues at 1, 33, 97 and 116. The results clearly suggest that bile acid adenylates in vivo may act as active intermediates to produce covalently bound bile acid adducts with peptides and proteins by nucleophilic displacement of the 5'-adenylic acid through the free amino groups.

Chiral inversion of R(-) fenoprofen and ketoprofen enantiomers in cats

The chiral inversion process is a characteristic metabolic pathway for different aryl-2-propionic acids or profens. Important variations have been observed between these individual compounds as well as between animal species. In this study, R(-) fenoprofen [R(-)FPF] and R(-) ketoprofen [R(-) KTF] were used to investigate their comparative stereoconversion in cats. After intravenous (i.v.) administration of R(-) FPF, the percentage of chiral inversion was 93.20+/-13.70%. A highly significant correlation (r: 0.978) was observed between the clearance of R(-) FPF and the chiral inversion process. After i.v. administration of R(-) KTF, the percentage of inversion was only 36.73+/-2.8%. No correlation between the clearance of R(-) KTF and this process was observed. R(-) FPF was metabolized by the pathways of thioesterification - chiral inversion processes. For R(-) KTF, the competitive metabolic pathways, glucuronidation and hydroxylation may be involved. However, these metabolic steps are saturable or less functional in cats. Moreover, the thioesterification of R(-) KTF in in vitro studies has been shown to be important in carnivores. The lack of correlation between clearance and chiral inversion process of R(-) KTF may be finally explained by deviation of thioesterification to other metabolic pathways of lipids and/or aminoacid conjugation, particulary glicine derivatives.

Stereoselective disposition of tiaprofenic acid enantiomers in rats

The pharmacokinetics and metabolic chiral inversion of the S(+)- and R(-)-enantiomers of tiaprofenic acid (S-TIA, R-TIA) were assessed in vivo in rats, and in addition the biochemistry of inversion was investigated in vitro in rat liver homogenates. Drug enantiomer concentrations in plasma were investigated following administration of S-TIA and R-TIA (i.p. 3 and 9 mg/kg) over 24 hr. Plasma concentrations of TIA enantiomers were determined by stereospecific HPLC analysis. After administration of R-TIA it was found that 1) there was a time delay of peak S-TIA plasma concentrations, 2) S-TIA concentrations exceeded R-TIA concentrations from approximately 2 hr after dosing, 3) Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) for S-TIA were greater than for R-TIA following administration of S-TIA, and 4) inversion was bidirectional but favored inversion of R-TIA to S-TIA. Bidirectional inversion was also observed when TIA enantiomers were incubated with liver homogenates up to 24 hr. However, the rate of inversion favored transformation of the R-enantiomer to the S-enantiomer. In conclusion, stereoselective pharmacokinetics of R- and S-TIA were observed in rats and bidirectional inversion in rat liver homogenates has been demonstrated for the first time. Chiral inversion of TIA may involve metabolic routes different from those associated with inversion of other 2-arylpropionic acids such as ibuprofen.

Characterization of cholyl-adenylate in rat liver microsomes by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

The cholyl-adenylate, covalently bound 3alpha, 7alpha, 12alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholanoic acid (cholic acid) with adenosine 5'-monophosphate having an acid anhydride linkage, has been characterized by means of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in an incubation mixture with a rat liver microsomal fraction. The authentic specimen of cholyl-adenylate was synthesized using the carbodiimide method and the structure was confirmed by MS and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After incubation of cholic acid with a hepatic microsomal fraction in the presence of adenosine 5'-triphosphate, bile acids were extracted and purified by solid-phase extraction on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and then subjected to a LC/MS analysis, where cholyl-adenylate and a CoA thioester of cholic acid (cholyl-CoA) were monitored with characteristic negative ions of m/z 736 and 577, respectively. Cholyl-adenylate was definitely characterized and preferential biotransformation into the acyl-adenylate prior to formation of cholyl-CoA was noted. The nonenzymatic formation of taurine-conjugated cholic acid by incubation of cholyl-adenylate with taurine in a buffer solution was also demonstrated.

Effects of ibuprofen enantiomers and its coenzyme A thioesters on human prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases

1. Ibuprofen enantiomers and their respective coenzyme A thioesters were tested in human platelets and blood monocytes to determine their selectivity and potency as inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase activity of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-1 (PGHS-1) and PGHS-2. 2. Human blood from volunteers was drawn and allowed to clot at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the presence of increasing concentrations of the test compounds (R-ibuprofen, S-ibuprofen, R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA, S-ibuprofenoyl-CoA, NS-398). Immunoreactive (ir) thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations in serum were determined by a specific EIA assay as an index of the cyclo-oxygenase activity of platelet PGHS-1. 3. Heparin-treated blood from the same donors was incubated at 37 degrees C for 24 h with the same concentrations of the test compounds in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 microg ml[-1]). The contribution of PGHS-1 was suppressed by pretreatment of the volunteers with aspirin (500 mg; 48 h before venepuncture). As a measure of LPS induced PGHS-2 activity immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 (irPGE2) plasma concentrations were determined by a specific EIA assay. 4. S-ibuprofen inhibited the activity of PGHS-1 (IC50 2.1 microM) and PGHS-2 (IC50 1.6 microM) equally. R-ibuprofen inhibited PGHS-1 (IC50 34.9) less potently than S-ibuprofen and showed no inhibition of PGHS-2 up to 250 microM. By contrast R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA thioester inhibited PGE2 production from LPS-stimulated monocytes almost two orders of magnitude more potently than the generation of TXB2 (IC50 5.6 vs 219 microM). 5. Western blotting of PGHS-2 after LPS induction of blood monocytes showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of PGHS-2 protein expression by ibuprofenoyl-CoA thioesters. 6. These data confirm that S-ibuprofen represents the active entity in the racemate with respect to cyclo-oxygenase activity. More importantly the data suggest a contribution of the R-enantiomer to therapeutic effects not only by chiral inversion to S-ibuprofen but also via inhibition of induction of PGHS-2 mediated by R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA thioester. 7. The data may explain why racemic ibuprofen is ranked as one of the safest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) so far determined in epidemiological studies.

Molecular cloning and expression of a 2-arylpropionyl-coenzyme A epimerase: a key enzyme in the inversion metabolism of ibuprofen

The 2-arylpropionic acid derivatives, including ibuprofen, are the most widely used anti-inflammatory analgesic cyclooxygenase inhibitors. The (-)-R-enantiomer, which is inactive in terms of cyclooxygenase inhibition, is epimerized in vivo via the 2-arylpropionyl-coenzyme A (CoA) epimerase to the cyclooxygenase-inhibiting (+)-S-enantiomer. The molecular biology of the epimerization pathway is largely unknown. To clarify this mechanism, the sequence of the 2-arylpropionyl-CoA epimerase was identified, and the enzyme cloned and expressed. A cDNA clone encoding the 2-arylpropionyl-CoA epimerase was isolated from a rat liver cDNA library. The nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequence of this enzyme was determined. Significant amino acid sequence similarity was found between the rat epimerase and carnitine dehydratases from Caenorhabditis elegans (41%) and Escherichia coli (27%). A bacterial expression system (E. coli strain M15[pREP4]) was used to express the epimerase protein, representing up to 20-30% of the total cellular E. coli protein. The expression of the epimerase was confirmed with Western blots using specific anti-epimerase antibodies and by measuring the rate of inversion of (R)-ibuprofenoyl-CoA. Northern blot analysis revealed a prominent 1.9-kb mRNA transcript in different rat tissues. In addition to its obvious importance in drug metabolism, the homology of the epimerase with carnitine dehydratases from several species suggests that this protein, which up to now has only been characterized as having a role in drug transformation, has a function in lipid metabolism.

A mechanistic investigation of the microbial chiral inversion of 2-phenylpropionic acid by Verticillium lecanii

Previous investigations have described the development of nongrowing suspensions of Verticillium lecanii as a microbial model of the mammalian chiral inversion of the 2-arylpropionic acids (2-APAs). Mechanistic studies in mammals have shown that inversion involves loss of the alpha-methine proton but retention of the original atoms at the beta-methyl position, and a mechanism has been proposed involving enzymatic epimerisation of acyl-CoA thioester derivatives of the substrate. Inversion of the 2-APAs by V. lecanii exhibits extensive intersubstrate variation in the presence, rate, extent, and direction of inversion, which are different from those observed in mammalian systems, possibly indicating differences in the mechanism of inversion between mammalian and microbial cells. This study involved the investigation of proton/deuterium exchange by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance following incubation of deuterated derivatives of 2-phenylpropionic acid (2-PPA), a model compound, in cell suspensions of V. lecanii and incubation of undeuterated 2-PPA in cell suspensions containing D2O. The results indicated that the inversion of 2-PPA by V. lecanii also involved exchange of the alpha-methine proton but complete retention of the original atoms at the beta-methyl position. No kinetic deuterium isotope effect was observed, indicating that loss of the alpha-methine proton is not the rate-limiting step of the inversion process. This suggests that the observed differences between microbial and mammalian systems probably involve the stereoselective acyl-CoA thioester formation step and not the subsequent epimerisation of the resultant diastereomers.

Isolation and characterization of rat liver microsomal R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA synthetase

Microsomal long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (EC 6.1.2.3.) has been suggested to be involved in the stereoselective formation of the CoA thioester of ibuprofen. In this study, we demonstrated that the microsomal enzyme from rat liver responsible for palmitoyl-CoA synthesis also catalyzes the formation of R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA in a Mg(2+)- and ATP-dependent process. Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase from rat liver microsomes was purified to homogeneity as evidenced by SDS-gel electrophoresis. Simultaneous measurements of palmitoyl-CoA and R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA formation with HPLC in various fractions and purification steps during protein isolation revealed a high correlation between both activities. The purification procedure included solubilization of the microsomes obtained from rat livers with Triton X-100 and subsequent chromatography of the 100,000 x g supernatant on blue-sepharose, hydroxyapatite, and phosphocellulose. The purified enzyme exhibited an apparent molecular weight of 72 kDa as estimated by SDS gel electrophoresis, with specific activities of 71 nmol.min-1.mg-1 protein and 901 nmol.min-1.mg-1 protein for formation of R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA, respectively. Palmitoyl-CoA formation catalyzed by the purified enzyme exhibited biphasic kinetics indicative of two isoforms, a high-affinity (KM 0.13 +/- 0.11 microM), low-capacity form and a low-affinity (KM 81 +/- 11.5 microM), high-capacity form. In contrast, measurement of R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA synthesis over a concentration range from 5 to 3000 microM showed the participation of a single CoA ligase with a KM of 184 +/- 19 microM, corresponding to the low-affinity isoform of palmitoyl-CoA synthesis with a marked enantioselectivity towards the R-form of ibuprofen. R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA formation of the enzyme preparation was inhibited by palmitic acid (KI 13.5 +/- 0.5 microM) and S-ibuprofen (KI 405 +/- 10 microM). In summary, these data give strong evidence for the identity of R-ibuprofenoyl-CoA and long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase.

Chiral kinetics and dynamics of ketorolac

It has been shown that the analgesic and cyclooxygenase inhibitor activity of ketorolac tromethamine (KT), which is marketed as the racemic mixture of (-)S and (+)R enantiomers, resides primarily with (-)S ketorolac and that the ulcerogenic activity of this agent also resides in (-)S ketorolac. Resolution of individual enantiomers for analysis in plasma samples has been accomplished by two methods: derivatization to form diastereomers that are separated by HPLC, or direct HPLC using a chiral phase column. When mice and rats were given oral solutions of (-)S and (+) KT, it was found that the kinetics and interconversion of the enantiomers were species and dose dependent. Interconversion was higher in mice than in rats; when (-)S KT was administered, 71% of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) was due to (+)R ketorolac in mice, compared with 12% in rats. More interconversion was observed at higher doses; the percent of AUC due to (-)S ketorolac when (+)R KT was administered increased from 12% to 25% in mice and from 2% to 8% in rats. In general, more interconversion occurred from (-)S to (+)R ketorolac in the animal studies. Human subjects were given single oral solution doses of racemic KT (30 mg), (-)S KT (15 mg), and (+)R KT (15 mg). The plasma concentrations of (-)S ketorolac were lower than (+)R ketorolac at all sample times after racemic KT (22% of the AUC was due to (-)S ketorolac). When (+)R KT was administered, (-)S ketorolac was not detectable and interconversion was essentially 0%. When (-)S KT was administered, significant levels of (+)R ketorolac were detectable and interconversion was 6.5%. After all doses, plasma half-life was shorter and clearance greater for (-)S ketorolac than for (+)R ketorolac. Thus, in humans very little or no interconversion of (+)R to (-)S was observed, and interconversion of (-)S to (+)R was minimal (6.5%). These data demonstrate that the kinetics and interconversion of the enantiomers of ketorolac is different in animals and humans as well as from most other NSAIDs. This may be due to more rapid excretion or metabolism of (-)S ketorolac and a different mechanism of interconversion.

New insights into the site and mode of antinociceptive action of flurbiprofen enantiomers

The S-enantiomer of flurbiprofen has been shown to have both antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects, whereas R-flurbiprofen is antinociceptive but not antiinflammatory. Importantly, only S-flurbiprofen inhibited prostaglandin biosynthesis in vitro at therapeutic concentrations. R-flurbiprofen did not undergo significant chiral inversion to S-flurbiprofen in rats and humans. A study was conducted to gain new insight into the possible sites and modes of action of flurbiprofen enantiomers. In a modified Randall Selitto assay, both enantiomers were antinociceptive in a dose-dependent manner after systemic administration. After local administration into the inflamed paw, only S-flurbiprofen produced significant dose-related antinociception. In a physiologic study, we recorded extracellularly from nociceptive spinal cord neurons that were rendered hyperexcitable. Intravenous administration of R- and S-flurbiprofen reduced responses of neurons to pressure applied to the inflamed knee and the noninflamed ankle and paw in a dose-dependent manner. When injected directly into the knee joint, only S-flurbiprofen but not R-flurbiprofen reduced responses to pressure. These results suggest a central site of antinociceptive action for R- and S-flurbiprofen and an additional peripheral site for S-flurbiprofen. The findings may be of clinical relevance, as it was demonstrated that both enantiomers also were antinociceptive in humans. Because R-flurbiprofen caused less toxicity in rats than the S-enantiomer or the racemic compound, a reduction in the quantitatively most important side effects in the gastrointestinal tract might be achieved with the use of R-flurbiprofen for pain therapy.

Clofibric acid increases the undirectional chiral inversion of ibuprofen in rat liver preparations

1. The formation of (S)-ibuprofen from (R)-ibuprofen was monitored in perfused rat livers and in rat hepatocytes and the rate constants calculated. 2. Pre-treatment of animals for three days with clofibric acid markedly increased the (R)-to-(S) inversion of ibuprofen in both preparations. In contrast, clofibric acid did not elicit such a reaction with flurbiprofen, an analogue that does not undergo inversion under control conditions. 3. An increase in the chiral inversion was also seen when clofibric acid was added to the perfusion medium or to hepatocyte suspensions. In the latter system this increase was shown to be concentration dependent. 4. Pre-treatment of rat combined with addition of clofibric acid to the perfusion medium produced a cumulative stimulation of (R)-to-(S) inversion of ibuprofen. 5. Clofibric acid added to hepatocyte suspensions transiently increased intracellular concentrations of coenzyme A whereas (R)-ibuprofen transiently decreased CoA concentrations. The two effects cancelled each other upon co-incubation of the two compounds. 6. It is postulated that the metabolic interaction observed between clofibric acid and (R)-ibuprofen may be due to changes in intracellular concentrations of CoA.

2-Arylpropionyl-CoA epimerase: partial peptide sequences and tissue localization

The R-enantiomers of 2-arylpropionic acids (2-APAs) such as ibuprofen (IBU) exhibit the phenomenon of species- and substrate-dependent metabolic chiral inversion. Only R-enantiomers are activated to acyl-CoA-thioesters by an acyl-CoA-synthetase via an adenylate intermediate. The acyl-CoA-thioesters are substrates for an epimerase, which is responsible for chiral inversion. A 42 kDa epimerase from the cytosolic fraction of rat livers was isolated and purified to homogeneity. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against the epimerase in rabbits. The anti-epimerase antibodies were used for affinity column chromatography to separate homogeneous protein for amino acid sequence analysis. Sequence data analysis of 3 internal peptide sequences showed 50% and more homology with regions of enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism. The polyclonal anti-epimerase antibodies were used to analyze the tissue distribution of the in guinea pigs and rats by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, the correlation of inversion enzyme activity in various tissues under comparable incubation conditions and cross-reactivity in Western blot analysis was investigated.