Heterocycle-based MMP inhibitors with P2' substituents

Potent and selective inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases was demonstrated for a series of sulfonamide-based hydroxamic acids. The design of the heterocyclic sulfonamides incorporates a six- or seven-member central ring with a P2' substituent that can be modified. Binding interactions of this substituent at the S2' site are believed to contribute to high inhibitory potency against stromelysin, collagenase-3 and gelatinases A and B, and to provide selectivity against collagenase-1 and matrilysin. An X-ray structure of a stromelysin inhibitor complex was obtained to provide insights into the SAR and selectivity trends observed for the series.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of potent thiazine- and thiazepine-based matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

The synthesis and enzyme inhibition data for a series of thiazine- and thiazepine-based matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors are described. The thiazine- and thiazepine-based inhibitors were discovered by optimization of hetererocyclic sulfonamide-based inhibitors. The most potent series of inhibitors was obtained by modification of the amino acid D-penicillamine. This amino acid provides a gem-dimethyl group on the thiazine or thiazepine ring which has a dramatic effect on the in vitro potency of this series. In particular, the sulfide 4a and the sulfone 5a were potent, broad-spectrum inhibitors of the MMPs with IC(50)'s against MMP-1 of 0.8 and 1.9 nM, respectively. The binding mode of this novel thiazepine-based series of MMP inhibitors was established based on X-ray crystallography of the complex of stromelysin and 4a.

Effects of tebufelone (NE-11740), a new anti-inflammatory drug, on arachidonic acid metabolism

Tebufelone is a novel nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), of the di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP) class, which displays potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-pyretic properties in a variety of animal models. In this report, the effects of Tebufelone on arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism are reviewed. Tebufelone potently inhibits the formation of prostaglandins (PGE2) a key mediator of pain and inflammation, in isolated enzyme preparations (IC50 = 1.5 microM, KI = 0.35 microM), two in vitro cellular systems: rat peritoneal macrophages (IC50 = 0.02 microM) and human whole blood (IC50 = 0.08 microM), and ex vivo in man. In addition to PGE2 inhibition, which is common to all NSAIDs, higher concentrations of Tebufelone block the in vitro formation of products of the lipoxygenase pathway [leukotrienes (LTB4)] in rat macrophages (IC50 = 20 microM) and human whole blood (IC50 = 22 microM). Substrate incorporation studies (14C-AA) indicate that Tebufelone reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) enzymes rather than regulating the release of AA. Tebufelone was shown to be a more potent CO inhibitor than indomethacin and a less potent 5-LO inhibitor than RG-5901. Comparisons to structurally related compounds under development (E-5110, Esai; KME-4, Kanagafuchi), found Tebufelone to be the most potent CO inhibitor in vitro. All three DTBP compounds were equipotent 5-LO inhibitors. It is likely that Tebufelone's inhibitory effects on AA metabolism are, in part, responsible for its in vivo efficacy and enhanced safety profile.

Automated enzyme immunoassay to measure prostaglandin E2 in gingival crevicular fluid

An automated enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to measure prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of humans and dogs was developed as an indicator of periodontal disease. GCF is noninvasively collected on Periopaper strips and the PGE2 is extracted by a simple method. Samples containing 10-500 pg/ml PGE2 can be measured. A commercially available kit is used to perform the competitive EIA in microtiter plates. In the EIA, rabbit anti-PGE2 antisera binds to either the PGE2 in the sample or to the acetylcholinesterase-linked PGE2. The assay is automated using the Biomek 1000 workstation, resulting in day-to-day variability of less than 5% CV. Dog models of chronic and ligature-induced periodontitis were used to demonstrate that increased GCF PGE2, as measured by our assay, correlates with increased pocket depth and gingival bleeding scores.

Determination of leukotriene B4 in human plasma by gas chromatography using a mass selective detector and a stable isotope labelled internal standard. Effect of NE-11740 on arachidonic acid metabolism

A highly selective gas chromatographic method, coupled with selected ion monitoring using a mass selective detector and positive electron ionization, was developed for the determination of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in human plasma. Plasma was separated from whole human blood via centrifugation, proteins precipitated with acetonitrile and LTB4 recovered (approximately 82.0%) by ethyl acetate extraction. The methyl ester, bis-t-butyldimethylsilyl ether derivative of LTB4 was formed prior to analysis and determined quantitatively using [18O]2-LTB4 as an internal standard. The limit of detection (S/N = 2) was 425 pg on column (m/z 335/339) using a 1-microliter injection. Standard curves were linear over two orders of magnitude with an RSD of less than 5.0% (n = 10). NE-11740, a new anti-inflammatory drug, was shown to inhibit, in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 = 22 microM) ionophore-stimulated LTB4 biosynthesis by human whole blood in vitro.

High-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein AI and AII turnover in moderate and severe proteinuria

The kinetic parameters of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and its major apolipoproteins (Apo) AI and Apo AII were studied in 2 patients with moderate and severe proteinuria and 2 normal controls after intravenous injection of autologous 125I-HDL. The fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of HDL estimated by urine/plasma radioactivity ratio, and FCR of Apo AI and Apo AII calculated from the radioactivity decay curves were higher in the patients. These results support the concept that high-density lipoproteinuria and renal parenchymal sequestration of HDL found in the nephrotic syndrome contribute to accelerated HDL catabolism.

Synthesis of two biologically active fluorescent probes of thymopentin

This study reports on the synthesis of two fluorescent analogues of thymopentin (TP-5; Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr). A fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled analogue (FITC-TP-5) and a stilbene isothiocyanate labeled analogue (SITS-TP-5) were extensively purified by ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Characterization of the coupling site through amino acid analysis, dansylation and N-terminal cleavage of the fluorescent amino acid yielded results which indicated that both were mono-labeled analogues derivatized at the N-terminal. These analogues were shown to be TP-5-like in nature by their ability to induce the expression of the Thy 1.2 surface marker on nude mouse prothymocytes in both in vivo and in vitro assays. In addition, these analogues were able to inhibit the specific binding of radiolabeled TP-5 to human lymphocytes. Initial studies describing the interaction of FITC-TP-5 with human lymphocytes are shown.

Apolipoprotein AI and AII metabolism in patients with primary high-density lipoprotein deficiency associated with familial hypertriglyceridemia

Plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and their major proteins--apolipoprotein (apo) AI and apo AII--are subnormal in most patients with familial hypertriglyceridemia. However, the pathophysiology of low-plasma apo AI and apo AII is unclear. The kinetic parameters (turnover) of HDL apo AI and apo AII were studied in six lean patients with primary HDL deficiency associated with familial hypertriglyceridemia and five normolipidemic controls. Autologous 125I labeled HDL were injected intravenously (IV; 25 microCi) and blood samples drawn ten minutes after the injection and periodically thereafter for 12 days. Urine samples were collected daily and their radioactivity measured. Kinetic parameters were calculated from the area under the decay curve using three exponentials. Mean plasma apo AI and apo AII were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in patients than normals (70.4 +/- 2.7 v 106.9 +/- 7.0; 24.2 +/- 1.6 v 39.2 +/- 0.9 mg/dL, respectively). The mean fractional catabolic rates (FCR) obtained from plasma 125I-HDL, apo AI, apo AII radioactivity decay curves and by Berson and Yalow's method (urine/plasma radioactivity ratios) were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) in patients than in controls (0.387 v 0.299; 0.391 v 0.309; 0.361 v 0.275; 0.272 v 0.207/d; respectively). The mean synthetic rates (SR) of apo AI and apo AII were significantly lower in patients than in controls (11.12 v 14.17 mg/kg body weight/d, P less than 0.05; 3.53 v 4.68 mg/kg body weight/d, P less than 0.05, respectively). In vitro lipolysis of triglyceride (TG) rich lipoproteins by bovine lipoprotein lipase, and measurement of hepatic TG lipase and lipoprotein lipase in postheparin plasma were similar in patients and controls, indicating no abnormality in these factors that are linked to HDL and TG catabolism. However, a significant positive correlation between hepatic TG lipase and the FCR of apo AI and apo AII was found. The data suggest that in this series of patients with HDL deficiency the low plasma HDL-cholesterol, apo AI, and apo AII levels resulted from decreased synthesis and an increased fractional catabolic rate of apo AI and apo AII, the major proteins of HDL.

Mechanism of action of gemfibrozil on lipoprotein metabolism

Gemfibrozil is a potent lipid regulating drug whose major effects are to increase plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) and to decrease plasma triglycerides (TG) in a wide variety of primary and secondary dyslipoproteinemias. Its mechanism of action is not clear. Six patients with primary familial endogenous hypertriglyceridemia with fasting chylomicronemia (type V lipoprotein phenotype) with concurrent subnormal HDL cholesterol levels (HDL deficiency) were treated initially by diet and once stabilized, were given gemfibrozil (1,200 mg/d). Each patient was admitted to the Clinical Research Center with metabolic kitchen facilities, for investigation of HDL and TG metabolism immediately before and after 8 wk of gemfibrozil treatment. Gemfibrozil significantly increased plasma HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) AI, and apo AII by 36%, 29%, and 38% from base line, respectively. Plasma TG decreased by 54%. Kinetics of apo AI and apo AII metabolism were assessed by analysis of the specific radioactivity decay curves after injection of autologous HDL labeled with 125I. Gemfibrozil increased synthetic rates of apo AI and apo AII by 27% and 34%, respectively, without changing the fractional catabolic rates. Stimulation of apo AI and apo AII synthesis by gemfibrozil was associated with the appearance in plasma of smaller (and heavier) HDL particles as assessed by gradient gel electrophoresis and HDL composition. Postheparin extra-hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity increased significantly by 25% after gemfibrozil, and was associated with the appearance in plasma of smaller very low density lipoprotein particles whose apo CIII:CII ratio was decreased. These data suggest that gemfibrozil increases plasma HDL levels by stimulating their synthesis. Increased transport (turnover) of HDL induced by gemfibrozil may be significant in increasing tissue cholesterol removal in these patients.

Effect of desialylation of very low-density lipoproteins on their catabolism by lipoprotein lipase

Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) contain sialylated apolipoproteins (apo) (eg, apo CIII1-3) that inhibit apo CII activation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and also uptake of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins by the liver. Hypertriglyceridemic patients can have an excess of sialylated apo CIII (apo CIII1 or apo CIII2) in VLDL. These observations have prompted the notion that sialic acid in VLDL may impede LPL or receptor-mediated clearance of VLDL and thus result in hypertriglyceridemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether desialylation of VLDL altered their property as a substrate for LPL. VLDL isolated from five hypertriglyceridemic patients was desialylated with neuraminidase, labeled with a fluorescent probe, dansyl phosphatidylethanolamine and 600 micrograms of labeled VLDL TG were incubated with a constant amount of purified bovine LPL. The change in fluorescence against time was monitored on a recorder to yield curves representing continuous lipolysis of VLDL by LPL. Mean initial velocity of reaction (Vi) and extent of lipolysis measured as total increase in fluorescence over baseline at 30 minutes (F30/FO) were similar (Vi = 10.2 +/- 0.37 control v 10.2 +/- 0.42 u/min desialylated VLDL; F30/FO = 4.1 +/- 0.15, control v 4.1 +/- 0.07 desialylated VLDL; n = 5). Thus, sialic acid does not influence VLDL catabolism by LPL. Our study does not exclude a possible role of the sialic acid in receptor mediated uptake of remnants produced by initial catabolism of VLDL by LPL.

C-II anapolipoproteinemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Report of a rare case with absence of C-II apolipoprotein isoforms and review of the literature

A new case of C-II anapolipoproteinemia (complete apolipoprotein C-II deficiency) as the cause of severe hypertriglyceridemia with chylomicronemia (type I lipoprotein phenotype) is described. The patient was a five-year-old boy living in Connecticut. He had splenomegaly, episodic abdominal pain, and bloody stools. Absence of apolipoprotein C-II (and its isoforms C-II1 and C-II2) was documented by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay, analytical isoelectric focusing, and in vitro lipolytic assay. Decreased levels of high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoproteins A-I and A-II and increased levels of plasma triglycerides and apolipoprotein E were found. Post-heparin extra-hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity was within normal range. Incorporation of exogenous purified human apolipoprotein C-II to an incubation mixture of purified lipoprotein lipase and the patient's triglyceride-rich lipoproteins resulted in a dramatic increase in the catabolic rate of the defective triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The absence of the isoforms of apolipoprotein C-II in this patient indicates that a common gene exists for the C-II isoproteins, which appear to be necessary for normal triglyceride transport in humans. A literature review of 23 reported cases indicates that xanthomas and hepatosplenomegaly are less common in C-II anapolipoproteinemia than in lipoprotein lipase deficiency, the other major etiologic cause of genetic chylomicronemia.

Effect of human high density lipoproteins, anti-apolipoproteins CII and CIII, and hydrolysis of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol ester on VLDL catabolism in vitro

Lipolysis of human very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was inhibited in the presence of high density lipoproteins (HDL), anti-apolipoprotein (apo) CII, and by increasing the VLDL free cholesterol content but not with anti-apo CIII or lipoprotein-free plasma. The experiments lend direct evidence that the composition of VLDL and their milieu are important determinants of lipolysis by LPL. Apo CIII may not be critical in LPL mediated VLDL catabolism.

Renal handling of high-density lipoproteins by isolated perfused kidneys

Recent studies show that the normal and diseased kidney is an important organ in the catabolism of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). However, little is known about the renal handling of HDL. To investigate this aspect, kidneys were isolated from normal rats and rats made nephrotic with puromycin aminonucleoside. They were perfused in a chamber at 37 degrees C with a modified Krebs-Hensleit Bicarbonate Buffer containing 1%, 3%, 6%, and 10% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Presence of 10% BSA in the perfusate prevented glomerular filtration and urine formation. Thus, the filtering and the nonfiltering kidney perfusion models distinguish the renal parenchymal function independently of luminal events that follow filtration. 125I-labeled rat HDL was injected into the perfusate and radioactivity in perfusate, urine, and kidney was examined. At the end of perfusion (30 minutes or four hours), each kidney was flushed with 125I-HDL-free perfusate and kidney radioactivity was measured. At four hours, 1.9% +/- 0.5% of injected radioactivity was present in urine from kidneys perfused with 6% BSA. Kidneys with intact glomerular filtration sequestered significantly more radioactivity (1.1% +/- 0.2% of injected radioactivity) than nonfiltering kidneys (0.7% +/- 0.2%); P less than 0.05. Radioactivity in filtering kidneys was significantly higher than in nonfiltering kidneys (33.9 +/- 7.8 v 15.6 +/- 2.6 cpm/mg kidney tissue protein, respectively; P less than 0.001). Nephrotic kidneys (filtering and nonfiltering) sequestered two to four times more 125I-HDL than normal kidneys. These data support the hypothesis that prior to urinary excretion, partial reabsorption of filtered HDL (or subfractions) occurs in the normal kidney.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quantitation of human apolipoprotein C-III and its subspecie by radioimmunoassay and analytical isoelectric focusing: abnormal plasma triglyceride-rich lipoprotein apolipoprotein C-III subspecie concentrations in hypertriglyceridemia

A specific, accurate, and sensitive double antibody radioimmunoassay for measuring human apolipoprotein (apo) C-III has been developed. Anti-apoC-III(1) developed in rabbits cross-reacted completely with apoC-III subspecies. Analytical isoelectric focusing of delipidated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) was done to assess the percentage of total apoC-III mass comprised by apoC-III(0), C-III(1), and C-III(2), and the data were used to compute the absolute plasma TRL apoC-III subspecie concentration. Total plasma apoC-III was 11.1 +/- 0.9 mg/dl (mean +/- SEM) in 29 normolipidemic healthy subjects; 21.3 +/- 4.9, 27.5 +/- 2.2, and 53.6 +/- 7 mg/dl in 3, 16, and 13 patients with primary types III, IV, and V hyperlipoproteinemia, respectively, and significantly (P < 0.01) higher than normal. Total plasma triglycerides (TG) correlated positively with total plasma apoC-III (r = 0.88; P = 0.0001) and TRL apoc-III (r = 0.88; P = 0.0001). Progressive hypertriglyceridemia was associated with a rise in the percent of total apoC-III in TRL isolated at d < 1.006 g/ml (r = 0.78; P < 0.0001; n = 43) and a reciprocal decline in the TRL-free plasma fraction (d > 1.006 g/ml). ApoC-III comprised significantly more of HDL(2) than HDL(3) protein (7.3 +/- 0.2 versus 1.6 +/- 0.2%, respectively, P < 0.01). HDL(2) and HDL(3) isolated from patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia had subnormal apoC-III as percent of total protein (2.4 +/- 0.5 and 0.6 +/- 0.1, respectively). Total plasma TG correlated negatively with i) apoC-III as percent of total HDL protein (r = -0.67; P = 0.002, n = 20); ii) apoC-III as percent of total HDL(2) protein (r = -0.52; P = 0.019); and iii) apoC-III as percent of total HDL(3) protein (r = -0.72; P = 0.0004). Plasma TRL apoC-III subspecie concentrations were significantly higher in the three hypertriglyceridemic groups (primary types III, IV, and V) compared to normals. TRL apoC-III(0) levels in patients with type IV and V were comparable (2.4 +/- 0.3 and 2.2 +/- 0.6 mg/dl, respectively). However, TRL apoC-III(1) and C-III(2) in patients with type V hyperlipoproteinemia were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in patients with types IV or III hyperlipoproteinemia. Total plasma TG correlated positively with TRL apoC-III(0) (r = 0.56; P = 0.0004), TRL apoC-III(1) (r = 0.82; P = 0.0001) and TRL apoC-III(2) (r = 0.76; P = 0.0001). The slope of regression line relating total plasma TG with TRL apoC-III(1) was significantly steeper (P < 0.0001) than that for apoC-III(0). Thus, for a given interval of plasma TG, the change in concentration of TRL apoC-III(1) was much greater than that in TRL apoC-III(0). The development of the RIA and its combined use with analytical isoelectric focusing thus allows quantitation of this important glycopeptide and its subspecies in human plasma and its subfractions. Because apoC-III inhibits not only tissue lipoprotein lipase but also the hepatic uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and remnants, the data support the possibility that an abnormal metabolism of apoC-III subspecies may be linked pathogenetically to elevated plasma TG levels.-Kashyap, M. L., L. S. Srivastava, B. A. Hynd, P. S. Gartside, and G. Perisutti. Quantitation of human apolipoprotein C-III and its subspecies by radioimmunoassay and analytical isoelectric focusing: abnormal plasma triglyceride-rich lipoprotein apolipoprotein C-III subspecie concentrations in hypertriglyceridemia.

Post-heparin plasma lipoprotein and hepatic lipases. Relationships to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and to apolipoprotein CII in familial hyperalphalipoproteinemic and in normal subjects

Post-heparin lipoprotein lipase (PH-LPL)-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) interrrelationships were assessed in 9 subjects with documented familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia (FHA) and in 8 controls to focus on potential biochemical etiologies of FHA and relationships of HDL-C to triglyceride hydrolysis and PH-LPL. FHA subjects had mean HDL-C and HDL2-C levels > twice controls; their PH-LPL levels (mean +/- SEM) (3.14 +/- 2.3 mumol FFA/h/ml) were also > twice that of controls (15.0 +/- 1.6) (P < 0.01), but post-heparin hepatic lipase levels (PH-HL) in the FHA and control subjects did not differ (18.1 +/- 1.6 vs 26.6 +/- 4.3, P > 0.1). For all subjects (FHA and controls) PH-LPL was positively correlated with HDL-C (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) and with HDL2-C (r = 0.90, P < 0.01), but not with HDL3-C (r = --0.02). There were no significant PH-HL and HDL-C interrelationships, P > 0.1. The amount of apo CII (the primary activator of PH-LPL) in HDL2 was greater in the FHA (mean +/- SEM) (16.1 +/- 2.5 microgram/ml plasma) than in control subjects (4.7 +/- 0.9, P < 0.01). There were strong positive correlations between HDL2 apo CII and both PH-LPL (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) and HDL2-C (r = 0.80, P < 0.01). Apo CII as a percentage of HDL2 protein was higher in FHA than control subjects (mean +/- SEM) (1.2 +/- 0.3% vs 0.5 +/- 0.2%, P < 0.01). Apo CII as a percentage of HDL3 protein was similar in FHA and control subjects. We postulate that increased turnover rate of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins due to high LPL activity may be an important factor leading to the elevation of HDL-C in FHA. The highly significant positive correlation between HDL2-C and PH-LPL provides strong clinical evidence for the theory that HDL2 is formed during the hydrolysis of triglycceride-rich lipoproteins. The high concentration of HDL2 apo CII in FHA subjects may be caused by increased catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the presence of high endothelial LPL, with transfer of apo CII from very low to high density lipoproteins.

A rapid and simple method for measurement of total protein in very low density lipoproteins by the Lowry assay

When total protein in very low density lipoprotein samples is measured by the method of Lowry et al. (1951. J. Biol. Chem 193:265-275), turbidity remains in the final color reaction. Addition of 0.1 ml of 2.5% (v/v) solution of Triton X-100 removes this turbidity immediately and effectively. This simple modification is faster, less cumbersome, and more economical than removing turbidity with ethyl ether or chloroform. Addition of 0.1 ml of 2.5% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate to the final reaction mixture is also effective in removing turbidity and can be used as an alternative method.