Discovery of a N'-hydroxyphenylformamidine derivative HET0016 as a potent and selective 20-HETE synthase inhibitor

N-(4-Butyl-2-methylphenyl)-N'-hydroxyformamidine (HET0016) was evaluated as the first potent and selective inhibitor of 20-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) synthase. The IC(50) value of HET0016 for the production of 20-HETE from arachidonic acid (AA) by human renal microsomes was 8.9+/-2.7 nM, with over 200 times the selectivity of xenobiotic-metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes. An examination of the structure-activity relationship revealed that the unsubstituted hydroxyformamidine moiety and the substituent at the para-position of the N-hydroxyformamidine moiety are necessary for the potent activity of HET0016.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of acylides (3-O-acyl-erythromycin derivatives): a novel class of macrolide antibiotics

Introduction of an acyl group to the 3-O-position of erythromycin A derivatives instead of L-cladinose led to a novel class of macrolide antibiotics that we named "acylides". The 3-O-nitrophenylacetyl derivative TEA0777 showed significantly potent activity against not only erythromycin-susceptible Gram-positive pathogens but also inducibly macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramin B (MLS(B))-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and efflux-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. These results indicated that acylides have potential as next-generation macrolide antibiotics.

Taurine inhibits development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

1. The effects of taurine on the development of atherosclerotic lesions were investigated in apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice, an animal model with severe hypercholesterolaemia and extensive atherosclerosis. These mice were fed a normal laboratory chow containing 2% taurine for 12 weeks. 2. Serum total cholesterol was significantly elevated after 12 weeks treatment with taurine. This elevation was due to increases in very low-density lipoprotein- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. 3. Despite such effects on serum lipoproteins, analysis using en face oil red O staining revealed that taurine reduced the area of arterial lipid accumulation by 28%, as measured quantitatively as an index of atherosclerosis. Histological examination also demonstrated a decrease in the size of aortic lesions in taurine-treated mice. 4. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in apoE-deficient mice were higher than in normolipidaemic C57BL/6J mice. Serum TBARS levels were significantly decreased by 12 weeks treatment of apoE-deficient mice with taurine. 5. Thus, taurine prevents the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, independently of serum cholesterol levels, and the results suggest that the anti-oxidative effects of taurine are related to its anti-atherosclerotic actions.

Involvement of corticotropin-releasing factor subtype 1 receptor in the acquisition phase of learned helplessness in rats

To determine if CRF receptor subtype 1 (CRF1) is involved in the acquisition phase of LH, we administered CRF receptor antagonists, CRA 1000 and CP-154,526, 60 min before (acquisition phase) or immediately after (consolidation phase) inescapable shocks on day 1, and 60 min before (retention phase) escape test on day 2. CRA1000 (10 mg/kg. p.o.) and CP-154,526 (30 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the number of escape failures in the acquisition phase, but not in consolidation and retention phases. The tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine did not affect the number of escape failures in all 3 phases. Thus, the CRF1 receptor is apparently involved in the resultant escape failures in the acquisition phase of LH in rats.

Involvement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in antidepressant activity of corticotropin-releasing factor subtype 1 receptor antagonists in the rat learned helplessness test

Effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) subtype 1 receptor antagonists on learned helplessness (LH) were examined in rats. Repeated administration of CRF(1) receptor antagonists, CRA1000 (3 mg/kg, po) and CP-154,526 (10 mg/kg, po), and tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (10 mg/kg, po), for 8 days significantly decreased the number of escape failures in LH. On the other hand, acute treatment of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) abolished the decreased number of escape failures seen with imipramine. Likewise, in this ACTH model, the CRA1000- and CP-154,526-induced decrease in the number of escape failures was no longer observed. The CRF(1) receptor is apparently involved in the produced escape failures in LH, and the attenuated LH seen with CRF(1) receptor antagonists was abolished by ACTH. It would thus appear that the attenuated LH seen with CRF(1) receptor antagonists depends on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.

SEA0400, a novel and selective inhibitor of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger, attenuates reperfusion injury in the in vitro and in vivo cerebral ischemic models

The effect of the newly synthesized compound 2-[4-[(2,5-difluorophenyl)methoxy]phenoxy]-5-ethoxyaniline (SEA0400) on the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) was investigated and compared against that of 2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea (KB-R7943). In addition, the effects of SEA0400 on reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo were examined. SEA0400 was extremely more potent than KB-R7943 in inhibiting Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake in cultured neurons, astrocytes, and microglia: IC50s of SEA0400 and KB-R7943 were 5 to 33 nM and 2 to 4 microM, respectively. SEA0400 at the concentration range that inhibited NCX exhibited negligible affinities for the Ca2+ channels, Na+ channels, K+ channels, norepinephrine transporter, and 14 receptors, and did not affect the activities of the Na+/H+ exchanger, Na+,K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and five enzymes. SEA0400, unlike KB-R7943, did not inhibit the store-operated Ca2+ entry in cultured astrocytes. SEA0400 attenuated dose- dependently paradoxical Ca2+ challenge-induced production of reactive oxygen species, DNA ladder formation, and nuclear condensation in cultured astrocytes, whereas it did not affect thapsigargin-induced cell injury. Furthermore, administration of SEA0400 reduced infarct volumes after a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat cerebral cortex and striatum. These results indicate that SEA0400 is the most potent and selective inhibitor of NCX, and suggest that the compound may exert protective effects on postischemic brain damage.

Neuropharmacological profiles of a novel atypical antipsychotic, NRA0562, in rats

Neuropharmacological profiles of 5-(2-[4-(6-fluoro-1H-indole-3-yl) piperidine-1-yl] ethyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl) thiazole-2-carboxylic acid amide (NRA0562) in rats were examined using electrophysiological and immunohistochemical methods. The firing rates of the substantia nigra pars compacta (A9) and the ventral tegmental area (A10) dopamine neurons were inhibited by methamphetamine (1 mg/kg, i.v.). NRA0562 dose-dependently reversed the inhibitory effects of methamphetamine on A9 and on A10 dopamine neurons. NRA0562 was more potent to reverse the inhibitory effects of methamphetamine on A10 (ED(50)=0.3 mg/kg) than on A9 (ED(50)=0.9 mg/kg) dopamine neurons. NRA0562 produced significant increases in Fos-like immunoreactivity in both the nucleus accumbens and the dorsolateral striatum. The difference between the number of Fos-like immunoreactivity produced by NRA0562 in the nucleus accumbens vs. dorsolateral striatum, referred to as the atypical index, was positive. Similar results could be observed with risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic. These results suggest that NRA0562 may have the atypical antipsychotic activities seen with risperidone, but without the liability of motor side effects typical of classical antipsychotics.

HET0016, a potent and selective inhibitor of 20-HETE synthesizing enzyme

The present study examined the inhibitory effects of N-hydroxy-N'-(4-butyl-2-methylphenyl)-formamidine (HET0016) on the renal metabolism of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. HET0016 exhibited a high degree of selectivity in inhibiting the formation of 20-hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in rat renal microsomes. The IC(50) value averaged 35+/-4 nM, whereas the IC(50) value for inhibition of the formation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids by HET0016 averaged 2800+/-300 nM. In human renal microsomes, HET0016 potently inhibited the formation of 20-HETE with an IC(50) value of 8.9+/-2.7 nM. Higher concentrations of HET0016 also inhibited the CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4-catalysed substrates oxidation with IC(50) values of 3300, 83,900 and 71,000 nM. The IC(50) value for HET0016 on cyclo-oxygenase activity was 2300 nM. These results indicate that HET0016 is a potent and selective inhibitor of CYP enzymes responsible for the formation of 20-HETE in man and rat.

Overproduction of Thermus sp. YS 8-13 manganese catalase in Escherichia coli production of soluble apoenzyme and in vitro formation of active holoenzyme

Overproduction of Thermus sp. YS 8-13 manganese catalase in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) was accomplished by introducing a derivative of pET-23a(+) containing a copy of the coding gene into the multicloning site. E. coli BL21(DE3)/pETMNCAT produced abundant quantities of manganese catalase as insoluble inclusion bodies. Regeneration of active catalase was achieved by denaturation in guanidine hydrochloride and subsequent dialysis in the presence of manganese ion. When the E. coli chaperone genes GroEL, GroES, DnaK, DnaJ and GrpE were coexpressed with manganese catalase, a significant fraction of the overproduced protein was partitioned into the soluble fraction. However, almost all of the soluble enzyme was isolated in a manganese-deficient apo form which could subsequently be converted into active holoenzyme by incubation with manganese ion at high temperatures. Further experiments on this apo catalase suggested that the structure of this protein was virtually identical to the active holoenzyme.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a new class of selective EP3 receptor agonist, 13,14-didehydro-16-phenoxy analogues of prostaglandin E1

A series of 13,14-didehydro-16-phenoxy analogues of prostaglandin E1 was synthesized and their agonistic activity on EP receptor subtypes was evaluated. 13,14-Didehydro-16-phenoxy-1-decarboxy analogues, 7e and 7f, display highly selective activity on the EP3 receptor subtype, thus, their utility as a selective anti-ulcer agent can be expected.

Synthesis and pharmacological activities of 13-dehydro derivatives of primary prostaglandins

13-Dehydro derivatives of prostaglandin E1, E2, E3, F1 alpha and F2 alpha were synthesized. Compared with natural prostaglandins, 13-dehydro analogues were found to exhibit more potent inhibitory activity against human platelet aggregation and relaxation of guinea-pig isolated trachea, while they showed less potent activity of contraction of guinea-pig isolated ileum.

Preparation and antirheumatic activity of optically active 2-acetylthiomethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxobutanoic acid (KE-298)

2-Acetylthiomethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxobutanonic acid (KE-298) is an antirheumatic agent. To elucidate the effects of optically active KE-298, we resolved the racemic acid and obtained the two optical isomers. (+)-KE-298 was converted to the 4-bromobenzyl ester derivative and the absolute structure was confirmed as (S) by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The pharmacological activities of the optical isomers and racemic KE-298 were compared by using the characteristic tests for KE-298. Though (+)-KE-298 showed a stronger suppressive effect on rat adjuvant arthritis than (-)-KE-298, no difference between the two isomers was detected in in vitro tests (enhancing effect on lymphocyte transformation, IL-1 antagonistic effect).

Structure-activity studies of 3-benzoylpropionic acid derivatives suppressing adjuvant arthritis

3-Benzoylpropionic acid derivatives possess an immunomodulative activity and suppress adjuvant arthritis. To understand how substituents affect the biological activity, the quantitative structure-activity relationships of 30 compounds were analyzed by the adaptive least-squares method. For the suppressing activity in rats, the electronic effects and the structural feature of the substituent on benzene ring were suggested to be important. To reinforce and confirm the correlation, 4 additional compounds of phenoxybutyric acid derivatives were synthesized and tested with the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis. These compounds were found to have potent suppressing activity.

Studies on hypolipidemic agents. IV. 3-[4-(Phenylthio)benzoyl]propionic acid derivatives

2-Acetylthio-3-benzoylpropionic acid derivatives having two benzene rings or condensed-ring moieties were prepared, and tested for hypolipidemic activity in normal rats. Some of these compounds were active. 2-Acetylthio-3-[4-(phenylthio)benzoyl]propionic acid (10) and its derivatives seemed to have the most potent hypocholesterolemic activities. Compound 10 showed strong activity, especially in cholesterol-fed rats.

Immunopharmacological studies of new 3-benzoyl-4-mercaptobutyric acids. Immunomodulating effects

A number of D-penicillamine (PA) derivatives (3-benzoyl-4-mercaptobutyric acids) having acetylthio groups on an alpha or beta position of a carboxylic acid, were synthesized and examined for their immunological effects compared with PA. New PA derivatives suppressed adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in SD rats and enhanced AA in Lewis rats like PA. Suppressive effects of 2-acetylthiomethyl-3-(4-methyl-benzoyl)propionic acid (compound II-3) on AA in SD rats was most potent among PA derivatives and PA. II-3 enhanced type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats more effectively than PA, and it slightly prolonged the survival time of NZBXNZW hybrid (BWF1) mice. Hemolytic plaque forming cells in the spleen cells of BDF1 and aged Balb/c mice were potentiated but those of BWF1 were suppressed by both compounds. In in vitro experiments, both compounds enhanced lymphocyte transformation. On the contrary, II-3 had no effect on the acute inflammatory response, delayed type hypersensitivity and IgE antibody response. The abnormal release of lysosomal enzymes from the peritoneal macrophages of aged MRL/l mice were suppressed by both compounds. These results suggest that II-3 is an immunomodulator like PA but more effective than PA. II-3 may be clinically effective for rheumatoid arthritis.