Determination of the anti-platelet-activating factor BN-50727 and its metabolites in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-solid-phase extraction

A sensitive and selective HPLC-solid-phase extraction procedure was developed for the determination of platelet-activating factor antagonist BN-50727 and its metabolites in human plasma. The procedure consisted of an automated solid-phase extraction of the drug and metabolites on disposable propylcarboxylic acid cartridges, followed by on-line chromatographic separation. The method was linear from 3.75 to 2400 ng/ml and the limit of quantitation for BN-50727 in plasma samples was 3.75 ng/ml. The within-run precision of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, ranged from 2.1 to 8.1%. The accuracy, expressed as relative error, ranged from −3.5 to 4.0%. For the main metabolite, the O-demetthylated BN-50727 product, the method was linear from 7.5 to 2400 ng/ml and the limit of quantitation in plasma was 7.5 ng/ml. The within-run precision ranged from 2.1 to 11.0% and the accuracy from −5.3 to 1.1%. This paper describes the validation of the analytical methodology for the determination of BN-50727 in human plasma and also of its metabolites. The method has been used to follow the time course of BN-50727 and its metabolites in human plasma after administration of single and multiple doses.     

Harnessing biosynthesis and quantitative NMR for late stage functionalization of lead molecules: Application to the M1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) program

A facile method for late stage diversification of lead molecules for the M1 PAM program using biosynthesis is described. Liver microsomes from several species are screened to identify a high turnover system. Subsequent incubations using less than 1?mg of substrate generate nanomole quantities of drug metabolites that are purified, characterized by microcryoprobe NMR spectroscopy, and quantified to known concentrations to enable rapid biology testing. The late-stage diversification of lead compounds provides rapid SAR feedback to the medicinal chemistry design cycle.     

Azidowarfarin photoaffinity probes of purified rat liver cytochrome P4501A1.

Substrate specificity differences between various forms of cytochrome P450 (P450) are governed by substrate binding site amino acid residue differences. To determine the identities of these residues, four analogs of warfarin, a thoroughly investigated anticoagulant drug which is regio- and stereoselectively metabolized by many P450s, have been synthesized as photoaffinity probes. The probes 4'-, 6-, 7-, and 8-azidowarfarin were readily photolyzed in neutral solution by 254-nm light, with half-lives of less than 15 s. When the azidowarfarins were photolyzed in the presence of beta-naphthoflavone-inducible P4501A1 (2.5 microM) at -196 degrees C and the P450 was subsequently reconstituted for warfarin metabolism, 50% inactivation was achieved with 160 microM 4'-azidowarfarin, 64 microM 6-azidowarfarin, 127 microM 7-azidowarfarin, and 29 microM 8-azidowarfarin. This inactivation is irreversible. When these concentrations of the azidowarfarins were photolyzed prior to addition to P4501A1, less inhibition of P450 activity was detected and the inhibition was reversible. The CO-ferrous P450 spectrum of P4501A1 at 448 nm was diminished when photoactivated azidowarfarins bound to and inactivated the enzyme, with essentially no formation of P420 except in the case of 4'-azidowarfarin. The inactivation of P4501A1 by photoactivated 4'-azidowarfarin was prevented by 50% by 1.2 mM R-warfarin or 0.3 mM 4'-nitrowarfarin, consistent with the latter being a better P4501A1 substrate than R-warfarin. The photoinactivation of P4501A1 by each of the azidowarfarins was prevented to variable extents by R-warfarin or by 4'-, 6-, 7-, or 8-nitrowarfarin. Taken together these results demonstrate that all four azidowarfarins are potentially useful photoaffinity probes of the substrate binding site amino acid residues of P450s.     

In vivo uptake of a haem analogue Zn protoporphyrin IX by the human malaria parasite P. falciparum‐infected red blood cells

The cellular traffic of haem during the development of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, through the stages R (ring), T (trophozoite) and S (schizonts), was investigated within RBC (red blood cells). When Plasmodium cultures were incubated with a fluorescent haem analogue, ZnPPIX (Zn protoporphyrin IX) the probe was seen at the cytoplasm (R stage), and the vesicle‐like structure distribution pattern was more evident at T and S stages. The temporal sequence of ZnPPIX uptake byP. falciparum‐infected erythrocytes shows that at R and S stages, a time‐increase acquisition of the porphyrin reaches the maximum fluorescence distribution after 60 min; in contrast, at the T stage, the maximum occurs after 120 min of ZnPPIX uptake. The difference in time‐increase acquisition of the porphyrin is in agreement with a maximum activity of haem uptake at the T stage. To gain insights into haem metabolism, recombinant PfHO (P. falciparum haem oxygenase) was expressed, and the conversion of haem into BV (biliverdin) was detected. These findings point out that, in addition to haemozoin formation, the malaria parasite P. falciparum has evolved two distinct mechanisms for dealing with haem toxicity, namely, the uptake of haem into a cellular compartment where haemozoin is formed and HO activity. However, the low Plasmodium HO activity detected reveals that the enzyme appears to be a very inefficient way to scavenge the haem compared with the Plasmodium ability to uptake the haem analogue ZnPPIX and delivering it to the food vacuole.     

Activation of AMP-dependent protein kinase by hypoxia and hypothermia in the liver of frog Rana perezi

We have investigated different signaling molecules that could be activated by temperature acclimation and hypoxia, using an experimental approach consisting in submerging frogs in a water-filled box maintained at 2-4 degrees C at ambient oxygen levels or supplied with 98% N2:2% CO2 for normoxia or hypoxia conditions, respectively. The results obtained showed no significant changes in the expression of heat shock protein 70. The phosphorylation state of AMP-dependent activated protein kinase, the down-stream component of a protein kinase cascade that acts as an intracellular energy sensor, was significantly increased in both experimental conditions, showing higher values in the absence of oxygen. Similarly, the phosphorylation state of one of its known substrates, elongation factor 2, was also increased, consistent with the arrest of protein synthesis. These results point out an important role of this kinase, adjusting the rates of ATP-consuming and ATP-generating pathways, in the survival strategies to hypoxia and hypothermia.     

Functional symmetries in the schmelzmuster and morphology of rootless rodent molars

Morphology and schmelzmuster of rootless cheek teeth of 25 extant rodent genera were studied in relation to jaw movement. A differentiation between leading and trailing edges is observed regularly in enamel thickness and schmelzmuster. Similarities between antagonists are interpreted as 'functional symmetries'. Differences in the enamel thickness, the schmelzmuster and orientation of cutting edges are controlled by functional and phylogenetic constraints. The heterogenous sample allows discrimination between these two constraints. The most obvious functional constraint leads to the almost regular occurrence of radial enamel on the push sides of cutting edges. The degree of functional symmetry seems to be determined by phylogenetic limitations.     

Block of outward current in cardiac purkinje fibers by injection of quaternary ammonium ions

We have studied the effects of iontophoretic injection of the quaternary ammonium compounds tetraethylammonium (TEA) and tetrabutylammonium (TBA) in cardiac purkinje fibers. We find that TBA(+) is a more effective blocker than TEA(+), but injection of either compound reduces the time-dependent outward plateau currents, transient outward current (I(to)), and the delayed rectifier (I(x)). Our findings provide evidence that these outward cardiac currents are carried by channels that in some respects are pharmacologically similar to squid axon potassium channels. We demonstrate that this procedure is a new tool that can be useful in the analysis of membrane currents in the heart.     

Quantification of the magnification and distortion effects of a pediatric flexible video-bronchoscope

Background

Flexible video bronchoscopes, in particular the Olympus BF Type 3C160, are commonly used in pediatric respiratory medicine. There is no data on the magnification and distortion effects of these bronchoscopes yet important clinical decisions are made from the images. The aim of this study was to systematically describe the magnification and distortion of flexible bronchoscope images taken at various distances from the object.

Methods

Using images of known objects and processing these by digital video and computer programs both magnification and distortion scales were derived.

Results

Magnification changes as a linear function between 100 mm (×1) and 10 mm (×9.55) and then as an exponential function between 10 mm and 3 mm (×40) from the object. Magnification depends on the axis of orientation of the object to the optic axis or geometrical axis of the bronchoscope. Magnification also varies across the field of view with the central magnification being 39% greater than at the periphery of the field of view at 15 mm from the object. However, in the paediatric situation the diameter of the orifices is usually less than 10 mm and thus this limits the exposure to these peripheral limits of magnification reduction. Intraclass correlations for measurements and repeatability studies between instruments are very high, r = 0.96. Distortion occurs as both barrel and geometric types but both types are heterogeneous across the field of view. Distortion of geometric type ranges up to 30% at 3 mm from the object but may be as low as 5% depending on the position of the object in relation to the optic axis.

Conclusion

We conclude that the optimal working distance range is between 40 and 10 mm from the object. However the clinician should be cognisant of both variations in magnification and distortion in clinical judgements.