Metabolism in vivo of furazolidone: evidence for formation of an open-chain carboxylic acid and alpha-ketoglutaric acid from the nitrofuran in rats

The in vivo metabolism of an antibacterial nitrofuran, furazolidone [N-(5-nitro-2-furfurylidene)-3-amino-2-oxazolidone] was investigated. When the nitrofuran was administered orally to rats, two new-type nitrofuran metabolites, N-(4-carboxy-2-oxobutylideneamino)-2-oxazolidone and alpha-ketoglutaric acid, were isolated from the urine, together with 3-(4-cyano-2-oxobutylideneamino)-2-oxazolidone and N-(5-acetamido-2-furfurylidene)-3-amino-2-oxazolidone. In addition, the present study showed that the corresponding aminofuran was an intermediate in the conversion of furazolidone to these metabolites.     

Simultaneous detection of four nitrofuran metabolites in honey using a multiplexing biochip screening assay

A chemiluminescence-based biochip array sensing technique has been developed and applied to the screening of honey samples for residues of banned nitrofuran antibiotics. Using a multiplex approach, metabolites of the four main nitrofuran antibiotics could be simultaneously detected. Individual antibodies specific towards the metabolites were spotted onto biochips. A competitive assay format, with chemiluminescent response, was employed. The method was validated in accordance with EU legislation (2002/657/EC, 2002), and assessed by comparison with UHPLC-MS/MS testing of 134 honey samples of worldwide origin. A similar extraction method, based on extraction of the analytes on Oasis? SPE cartridges, followed by derivatisation with nitrobenzaldehyde and partition into ethyl acetate, was used for both screening and LC-MS/MS methods. The biochip array method was capable of detecting all four metabolites below the reference point for action of 1 μg kg(-1). The detection capability was below 0.5 μg kg(-1) for the metabolites AHD, AOZ and AMOZ; it was below 0.9 μg kg(-1) for SEM. IC(50) values ranged from 0.14 μg kg(-1) (AMOZ) to 2.19 μg kg(-1) (SEM). This biosensor method possesses the potential to be a fit-for-purpose screening technique in the arena of food safety technology.     

Detection of banned nitrofuran metabolites in animal plasma samples using UHPLC-MS/MS

The use of nitrofurans as veterinary drugs in food-producing animals has been banned in the EU since the 1990s. Monitoring programs in the EU are based on the detection of protein-bound metabolites after slaughter. An UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for pre slaughter determination of four nitrofuran metabolites (AHD, AOZ, SEM, AMOZ) in animal plasma (bovine, ovine, equine and porcine). This method is proposed as an alternative method for on-farm surveillance. Plasma samples were derivatised with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and subsequently extracted with organic solvent. Extracts were concentrated and then analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS. The method was validated according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Inter-species recovery for AHD, AOZ, SEM and AMOZ was 72, 74, 57 and 71%, respectively. Decision limits (CCα) were calculated from within laboratory reproducibility experiments to be 0.070, 0.059, 0.071 and 0.054 μg kg(-1), respectively. In addition, the assay was applied to incurred plasma samples taken from pigs treated with furazolidone.     

Determination of nitrofuran metabolites in milk by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

An LC-ESI-MS-MS method for the analysis of metabolites of four nitrofurans (furazolidone, furaltadone, nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin) in raw milk has been developed. The samples were achieved by hydrolysis of the protein-bound drug metabolites, derivatization with 2-nitrobenzaldehyd (2-NBA) and clean-up extraction liquid-liquid with ethyl acetate. LC separation was achieved by using a Phenomenex Luna C-18 column. The mass spectrometer operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) with positive electro-spray interface (ESI). The method validation was done according to the criteria laid down in Commission Decision No. 2002/657 EC. The validation includes the determination of linearity, repeatability, within-laboratory reproducibility, accuracy, decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta). The calibration curves were linear, with typical (R(2)) values higher than 0.991. The coefficient of variation (CV, %) was lower than 9.3% and the accuracy (RE, %) ranged from -9.0% to 7.0%. CV within-laboratory reproducibility was lower than 13%. The limits of decision (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) were 0.12-0.29 microg/kg and 0.15-0.37 microg/kg, thus below the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) set at 1 microg/kg by the UE. This validated method was successfully applied for the determination of nitrofuran metabolites in a large number of milk samples.     

Formation of novel nitrofuran metabolites in xanthine oxidase-catalyzed reduction of methyl 5-nitro-2-furoate

After methyl 5-nitro-2-furoate was incubated with milk xanthine oxidase, three reduction products were isolated from the incubation mixture. Among them, two reduction products were new types of nitrofuran metabolites, i.e., metabolites 1 and 2 were identified as the dihydroxyhydrazine derivative (1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-di(5-methoxycarbonyl-2-furyl) hydrazine) and the hydroxylaminofuran derivative (methyl 5-hydroxylamino-2-furoate), respectively. Metabolite 3 was also identified as the aminofuran derivative (methyl 5-amino-2-furoate) by comparison with a synthetic sample.     

Isolation and identification of urinary metabolites of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) in rabbits

After oral administration of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) to rabbits, the two unique metabolites, M-I and M-II, were isolated from the urine. M-I, yellow needles of mp 117°, was identified as a new type metabolite of nitrofuran derivative, 2-(β-carboxypropionyl)-3-(5-methylthio-2-furyl) acrylamide by its mass, ir and nmr spectrometries. M-II, yellow solid, appears to be cis-trans isomer of M-I considering from its uv and mass spectral data, and the behavior on tlc.     

The toxicity of nitrofuran compounds on melanoma and neuroblastoma cells is enhanced by Olaparib and ameliorated by melanin pigment

Nitrofurans are commonly used for the treatment of trypanosomal diseases including Chagas disease. More recently, following the fortuitous discovery that nifurtimox was clinically active against neuroblastoma, nitrofuran compounds are being investigated for activity against cancer. Herein, we show that nitrofuran compounds are similarly potent to human malignant melanoma and neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, a recently discovered nitrofuran compound, NFN1, was 50- to 175-fold more potent than nifurtimox against human melanoma and neuroblastoma cell lines. As nitrofuran compounds are known to act as pro-drugs, producing DNA-damaging reactive intermediates upon activation, we investigated the DNA repair pathways involved. We show that, contrary to research in Escherichia coli, the Nucleotide Excision Repair pathway is not required to repair nitrofuran-induced DNA damage in mammalian cells. Instead, we show that inhibiting repair of single-strand DNA breaks with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, Olaparib, enhances nitrofuran toxicity in melanoma and neuroblastoma cells. We propose that this is due to mammalian cells utilising Type 2 nitroreductases for nitrofuran activation producing Reactive Oxygen Species which cause DNA damage that is repaired by the Single Strand Break Repair and/or Base Excision Repair pathways, whereas in bacteria and trypanosomes, Type 1 nitroreductases are also utilised resulting in different DNA lesions. In addition we show that, consistent with Reactive Oxygen Species being formed upon nitrofuran activation and the ability of melanin to absorb Reactive Oxygen Species, production of melanin in melanoma cells offers some protection from NFN1- and hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity. Our data suggest that combinations of Olaparib and nitrofuran compounds may be advantageous for the treatment of melanoma and neuroblastoma, but that the protection offered to melanoma cells by their melanin pigment must be taken into account.     

Enzymic cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives: isomerizing activity of xanthine oxidase, lipoyl dehydrogenase, DT-diaphorase and liver microsomes.

Xanthine oxidase (xanthine:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.3.2) supplemented with an electron donor could catalyze the cis-trans isomerization of 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide, 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-phenylacrylamide and 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylonitrile. The direction of isomerization (cis leads to trans, cis in equilibrium trans or trans leads to cis) is dependent on the chemical structure of these nitrofuran derivatives. Lipoyl dehydrogenase (NADH:lipoamide oxidereductase, EC 1.6.4.3), DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2) and liver microsomes could also catalyze the conversion of cis-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide to its trans isomer in the presence of an appropriate electron donor. Such isomerizing activity of these enzymes is much higher than their nitro-reducing activity. In addition, the cis-trans isomerization of some nitrofuran derivatives was demonstrated with the liver slices and the small intestines of rats. A new cis-trans isomerization mechanism which is based on transfer of a single electron by an enzyme system to a nitrofuran derivative to give the radical-anion was proposed. This postulated mechanism was supported by the preliminary experiments using pulse radiolysis technique.     

Inhibition of conjugal transfer of R plasmids by nitrofurans

Nifurzide is a nitrofuran with antibacterial activity. As nitrofurans have been reported to interact with DNA, we tested the ability of nifurzide to inhibit plasmid transfer. Inhibition of plasmid transfer between Escherichia coli strains was obtained for ten plasmids belonging to nine incompatibility groups. The same effect was observed when plasmid RP4 was harboured in six different members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Inhibition depended on the reduction of the -NO2 group of nifurzide and was obtained with four other nitrofuran derivatives.     

Cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives by xanthine oxidase

Enzymatic cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives was 3-(5-Nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)-demonstrated with milk xanthine oxidase. acrylamide (AF-2) and 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(5-bromo-2-furyl)acrylamide (NFBFA) were mainly converted from the cis to the trans form by this enzyme supplemented with an electron donor. This enzymatic reaction was further characterized with respect to its cofactor requirements. Finally, a new cis-trans isomerization mechanism, which is based on transfer of a single electron by a nitroreductase such as xanthine oxidase to a nitrofuran derivative to give the anion free radical, was proposed.     

Matrix-comprehensive in-house validation and robustness check of a confirmatory method for the determination of four nitrofuran metabolites in poultry muscle and shrimp by LC-MS/MS

An already well-described method for the determination of nitrofuran metabolites 3-amino-5-methyl-morpholino-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ), semicarbazide (SEM) and 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) was adapted to the needs of our laboratory and checked for its robustness regarding sample conditions and the processing step. Using the same data, the method was validated and the measurement uncertainty was estimated. All criteria and requirements of Commission Decision 2002/657/EC were fulfilled. The CC(alpha) determined lies between 0.1 and 0.7 microg/kg, the CC(beta) lies between 0.1 and 0.9 microg/kg, the measurement uncertainty was estimated as being between 7 and 17% taking into account matrix, time and sample preparation influences.     

Generation of Radical Anions of Nifurtimox and Related Nitrofuran Compounds By Ascorbate

Nifurtimox analogues bearing triazol-4-yl, benzimidazol-1-yl, triazin-4-yl or related groups as counterpart of the (5-nitro-2-furfurylidene) amino group were reduced to their nitro anion radicals by ascorbate in anaerobic solutions at high pH. The ESR spectra of the radical anions showed hyperfine spin couplings restricted to the nitrofuran moiety. With these compounds, the spin density at the nitro group was greater than with nifurtimox, nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin. At neutral pH, solutions containing ascorbate and nitrofuran derivatives consumed oxygen, the compounds bearing unsaturated nitrogen heterocycles being the most effective. Superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased the rate of oxygen consumption, thus demonstrating the production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. NMR spectra of the triazol-4-yl and triazin-4-yl nitrofuran derivatives showed a deshielding effect for the azomethine proton, which was undetectable with nifurtimox and nitrofurazone.     

Comparison of the sensitivity of pathogenic staphylococci isolated in 1974 to certain antibiotics and nitrofuran derivatives]

Sensitivity of 267 strains of pathogenic staphylococci isolated in 1974 was studied with respect to some antibiotics and nitrofuran derivatives by the method of serial dilutions on solid media. Sensitivity to penicillin, oxacillin, olemorphocycline, ristomycin and nitrofuran derivatives (furagin and salafur) was observed in 30.7 +/- 2.8, 61.8 +/-3, 29.2 +/-2.8 and 98.9 +/- 0.8 per cent of the cultures respectively.     

The application of mitotic gene conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a pattern of four assays, in vitro and in vivo, for mutagenicity testing.

The induction of mitotic gene conversion of the nitrofuran derivatives nitrofurantoin (N-(5-nitro-2-furfuryliden)-1-aminohydantoin), nifurprazinum (1-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(6-amino-3-pyridazyl)-ethylenehydrochloride) and FANFT (2-formylamino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole) was investigated in the D4-RDII strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (heteroallelic at the gene loci ade2 and trp5, respiration-deficient). A battery of tests was applied: direct action of the substance to yeasts, the liver microsome test in vitro, the host-mediated assay and the urinary assay. From the various combinations of positive and negative results, additional pharmacokinetic conclusions were drawn. The three nitrofuran derivatives gave positive results by direct action and in the urine of rats. The additon of liver microsomes of mice in the test in vitro reduced the number of induced convertants. In the first hours, a great deal of nitrofurantoin given orally to rats was excreted in the urine, as shown by a high genetic activity. Nifurprazinum and FANFT were excreted to a lesser extent or more slowly. Addition of glucuronidase/arylsulfatase reduced the genetic activity in the urine in the case of nitrofurantoin, had an increasing effect with nifurprazinum and was without any effect in the case of FANFT. In the host-mediated assay, only nitrofurantoin gave positive results. These results seem to be a consequence of the quick but different excretion of the nitrofuran derivatives.     

Metabolism of furazolidone by milk xanthine oxidase and rat liver 9000g supernatant: formation of a unique nitrofuran metabolite and an aminofuran derivative

In vitro metabolism of furazolidone (N-(5-nitro-2-furfuryliden)-3-amino-2-oxazolidone) was investigated by using milk xanthine oxidase and rat liver 9000g supernatant. As a result, a new type of reduction product was isolated as one of the main metabolites from the incubation mixture and it was tentatively identified as 2,3-dihydro-3-cyanomethyl-2-hydroxyl-5-nitro-1a, 2-di(2-oxo-oxazolidin-3-yl)iminomethyl-furo[2,3- b]furan. In addition, the present study demonstrated the formation of N-(5-amino-2-furfurylidene)-3-amino-2-oxazolidone as a minor metabolite of nitrofuran in a milk xanthine oxidase system. The aminofuran derivative was easily degraded by milk xanthine oxidase under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions. The degradation appears to be due to superoxide anion radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and/or singlet oxygen, which are produced in this enzyme system.     

Induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium AG262 strain constructed for screening the mutagens

The Salmonella typhimurium strain AG262 has been constructed for screening of SOS-mutagens, such as UV-light and 4NQO, the Ames plasmidless tester strains of S. typhimurium being mutation-proof under the action of this class of mutagens. The strain AG262 has also been successfully used for screening of induced base pair change mutations occurring independently of cellular SOS-system of mutagenesis (MNNG, EMS, nitrofuran derivatives), and of the mutations induced by frame-shift mutagens (benzo/a/pyrene 7,12-dimethylbenzo/a/antracene ICR-191, 9AA, DDDTDP).     

Development and validation of a quantitative assay for the determination of tamoxifen and its five main phase I metabolites in human serum using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive bioanalytical assay for the quantitative determination of tamoxifen and five of its phase I metabolites (N-desmethyltamoxifen, N-desmethyl-4-hydroxytamoxifen, N-desmethyl-4'-hydroxytamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and 4'-hydroxytamoxifen) in serum is described. The method has been fully validated at ranges covering steady-state serum concentrations in patients receiving therapeutic dosages of tamoxifen. The bioanalytical assay is based on reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring for drug (-metabolite) quantification. The sample pretreatment consists of protein precipitation with acetonitrile using only 50 μL of serum. In the past, numerous assays have been developed by other groups for the quantification of tamoxifen and its phase I metabolites. However, the number of metabolites included in these studies is very limited and only very few of these assays have been fully validated. A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of tamoxifen and four phase I metabolites in human serum that was previously developed by our group is now explicitly improved and described herein. Time of analysis has been reduced by 50% and sensitivity was increased by a reduction of the lower limit of quantification from 1.0 to 0.2 ng/mL for 4-hydroxytamoxifen and 4'-hydroxytamoxifen. Additionally, two phase I metabolites that have never been quantified in human serum hitherto, namely 4'-hydroxytamoxifen and N-desmethyl-4'-hydroxytamoxifen, were included in this assay. Validation results demonstrate an accurate and precise quantification of tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, N-desmethyl-4-hydroxytamoxifen, N-desmethyl-4'-hydroxytamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and 4'-hydroxytamoxifen in human serum. The applicability of the assay was demonstrated and it is now successfully used to support clinical studies in which patient-specific dose optimization is performed based on serum concentrations of tamoxifen metabolites.     

An electron spin resonance investigation and molecular orbital calculation of the anion radical intermediate in the enzymatic cis-trans isomerization of furylfuramide, a nitrofuran derivative of ethylene

The enzymatic cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives has been proposed to occur via the formation of a radical anion intermediate. ESR investigations, in conjunction with intermediate neglect of differential overlap (INDO) molecular orbital calculations, support this concept by demonstrating the enzymatic generation of cis and trans radical anions of 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl) acrylamide. The INDO calculations further indicate that the rotational barrier between the cis and trans anion radicals of this compound is only 5--10 kcal/mol, whereas a 70 kcal/mol barrier exists for the parent geometric isomers. Hyperfine splitting constants for the cis-trans conformers have been assigned on the basis of INDO calculations. Surprisingly, only the nitrogen hyperfine splitting of the nitro group is distinguishably different in the two conformers, a result which is not inconsistent with the INDO calculations.     

Stereoselective determination of ofloxacin and its metabolites in human urine by capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection

A capillary electrophoresis method for the simultaneous separation and enantioseparation of the antibacterial drug ofloxacin and its metabolites desmethyl ofloxacin and ofloxacin N-oxide in human urine has been developed and validated. Enantioseparation was achieved by adding sulfobutyl β-cyclodextrin to the running buffer. The detection of the analytes was performed by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection using a HeCd-laser with an excitation wavelength of 325 nm. In comparison with conventional UV detection, LIF detection provides higher sensitivity and selectivity. The separation can be performed after direct injection of urine into the capillary without any sample preparation, because no matrix compounds interfere with the assay. Additionally, the high sensitivity of this method allows the quantification of the very low concentrations of enantiomers of both metabolites. The limit of quantification was 250 ng/ml for ofloxacin enantiomers and 100 ng/ml for each metabolites’ enantiomers. This method was applied to the analysis of human urine samples collected from a volunteer after oral administration of 200 mg of (±)-ofloxacin to elucidate stereoselective differences in the formation and excretion of the metabolites. It could be demonstrated that the renal excretion of the S-configured metabolites, especially S-desmethyl ofloxacin, within the first 20 h after dosage, is significantly lower than that of the R-enantiomers.