The Effect of Systemic Heparinisation and Haemodialysis on Plasma Octadeca-9,11-Dienoic Acid (9,11-La')

Systemic heparinisation induces a sharp rise not only in plasma total free fatty acids but also in 9.11-LA' concentration and in the 9,11 -LA'/9,12-LA molar ratio. This “heparin effect” is enhanced by haemodialysis with cuprophan membranes but not with polycarbonate membranes.     

The Effect of Systemic Heparinisation and Haemodialysis on Plasma Octadeca-9,11-Dienoic Acid (9,11-La')

Systemic heparinisation induces a sharp rise not only in plasma total free fatty acids but also in 9.11-LA′ concentration and in the 9,11 -LA′/9,12-LA molar ratio. This “heparin effect” is enhanced by haemodialysis with cuprophan membranes but not with polycarbonate membranes.     

A new 9,11-secosterol from the soft coral Sinularia granosa

Chemical investigations on the EtOAc-soluble fractions from the EtOH extract of Formosa soft coral afforded a new 9,11-secosteroid, 8αH-3β,11-dihydroxy-5α,6α-expoxy-24-methylene-9,11-secocholestan-9-one (1), along with one known steroid 3β,11-dihydroxy-5β,6β-expoxy-24-methylene-9,11-secocholestan-9-one (2) from Sinularia granosa. The structure of the new metabolite was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their NMR data with the known compounds, including 2. Both 1 and 2 were shown to significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory inducible nitric oxide synthase protein, and 1 also was found to effectively reduce the level of cyclooxygenase-2 protein, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells at 10 μM. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity of 1 and 2 toward a limited panel of cancer cell lines was also discovered.     

Metabolism of 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid by MOLT-4 lymphocytes

MOLT-4 lymphocytes metabolize 13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid, via the beta-oxidation pathway with retention of the omega 6 hydroxyl group and the conjugated diene system. The products which accumulate include 11-hydroxy-7,9-hexadecadienoic acid and 9-hydroxy-5,7-tetradecadienoic acid. In addition, it was possible to isolate two beta-hydroxy acids which were shown to be 3,13-dihydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid and 3,11-dihydroxy-7,9-hexadecadienoic acid. The odd chain aldehyde, 12-hydroxy-8,10-heptadecadien-1-al, also was detected. However, neither the pathway nor the immediate precursor for the synthesis of this compound was established.     

Synthesis of cytotoxic novel 9,11-secosterol analogs: Structure/activity studies

In an effort to determine the pharmaceutical utility and the structural requirements for activity against tumor cell lines, 30 novel 9,11-secosterol analogues with different side chains and degrees of oxidation at C-9 were synthesized starting from hecogenin. Evaluation of the synthesized compounds for cytotoxicity against KB, HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines revealed that some important structural features are required for activity. The presence of a cholesterol-type side chain, which appears to play a major role in determining the biological activity, the existence of a ketone functional at C-9 is also crucial for anticancer activity whereas hydroxyl/ketone function at C-22 on the side chain did not increase cytotoxicity.     

VBP15: Preclinical characterization of a novel anti-inflammatory delta 9,11 steroid

Δ9,11 modifications of glucocorticoids (21-aminosteroids) have been developed as drugs for protection against cell damage (lipid peroxidation; lazaroids) and inhibition of neovascularization (anecortave). Part of the rationale for developing these compounds has been the loss of glucocorticoid receptor binding due to the Δ9,11 modification, thus avoiding many immunosuppressive activities and deleterious side effect profiles associated with binding to glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. We recently demonstrated that anecortave acetate and its 21-hydroxy analog (VBP1) do, in fact, show glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor binding activities, with potent translocation of the glucocorticoid receptor to the cell nucleus. We concluded that Δ9,11 steroids showed novel anti-inflammatory properties, retaining NF-κB inhibition, but losing deleterious glucocorticoid side effect profiles. Evidence for this was developed in pre-clinical trials of chronic muscle inflammation. Here, we describe a drug development program aimed at optimizing the Δ9,11 chemistry. Twenty Δ9,11 derivatives were tested in in vitro screens for NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation to the nucleus, and low cell toxicity. VBP15 was selected as the lead compound due to potent NF-κB inhibition and GR translocation similar to prednisone and dexamethasone, lack of transactivation properties, and good bioavailability. Phamacokinetics were similar to traditional glucocorticoid drugs with terminal half-life of 0.35 h (mice), 0.58 h (rats), 5.42 h (dogs), and bioavailability of 74.5% (mice), and 53.2% (dogs). Metabolic stability showed ?80% remaining at 1 h of VBP6 and VBP15 in human, dog, and monkey liver microsomes. Solubility, permeability and plasma protein binding were within acceptable limits. VBP15 moderately induced CYP3A4 across the three human hepatocyte donors (24–42%), similar to other steroids. VBP15 is currently under development for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.     

Some biological activities of a series of 9a-homo-9,11-epoxy prostanoic acid analogues

A number of stereochemical variants at C-8, C-12 and C-15 of 9a-homo-9,11-epoxy prostaglandins (PGs) have been examined for in vivo activity on blood pressure, bronchial resistance, tracheal segment pressure, heart rate and on intestinal and uterine contractility in artificially respired anaesthetised guinea-pigs; and on blood pressure and blood platelet aggregation in rats (using the extra-corporeal filter-aorta loop technique). In vitro tests for smooth muscle activity were carried out on the isolated rat fundus strip, the guinea-pig tracheal chain and the rat uterus. The following was found:

1. In the guinea-pig, in vivo, all the homo-epoxy PGs were vasopressor and bronchoconstrictor following bolus injections of 250 μg i.v. The effects on heart rate, and intestinal and uterine contractility were equivocal. The configurations at the chiral centres, C-8, C-12 and C-15 play an important role in determining potency. The 15-(S)-hydroxy derivatives were the most potent in stimulating vascular and respiratory muscle. The 8-iso configuration appeared to enhance potency amongst the 15-(S)-hydroxy compounds. The 15-(R)-hydroxy configuration markedly reduced constrictor potency. The same pattern of activity was seen on rat blood pressure, in vivo. The 15-(S)-hydroxy configuration combined with the 8-iso configuration had the most potent constrictor activity, while the 15-(R)-hydroxy group negated this and even led, in the case of the natural configuration at C-8 and C-12, to vasodepression.

2. In vitro, the activity on the rat fundus and guinea-pig tracheal chain followed the same pattern. The 15-(S)-hydroxy derivatives were very much more potent than the 15-(R)-hydroxy derivatives at contracting the smooth muscle preparations. Uterine muscle appeared to be relaxed by the PGs with the natural configuration at C-8 and C-12, with the 15-(R)-hydroxy compound exhibiting greater activity.

3. Inhibition of ADP-induced rat blood platelet aggregation after “intra-arterial” administration was shown only by the derivatives with a single change in the natural configuration either at C-8 or at C-15. Additional changes either resulted in inactivity or, in the case of the 8,12-di-iso-15-(S)-hydroxy compound, even reversed the effect to aggregation.

The inhibition of aggregation was long lasting with both the 8-iso-15-(S)-hydroxy derivative and the 8,12-nat-15-(R)-hydroxy derivative. In the case of the latter compound, GBR-30731, activity increased during the 30 min after administration. GBR-30731 deserves further investigation as a platelet aggregation inhibitor because of its relatively low smooth muscle stimulant (sometimes even relaxant effects) and its long lasting platelet aggregation inhibiting activity./lt     

9,11-Iminoepoxyprosta-5,13-dienoic acid is a selective thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor.

9,11-Iminoepoxyprosta-5,13-dienoic acid inhibits the thromboxane A2 synthetase in platelet and lung microsomal enzyme preparations and in intact platelets. It does not inhibit the protaglandin I2 synthetase in aorta or lung microsomes and intact Balb 3T3 fibroblasts. In lung microsomes, which contain both enzymes, 9,11-iminoepoxyprosta-5,13-dienoic acid inhibits only thromboxane A2 formation and augments prostaglandin I2 formation. This inhibitor is more selective than other reported prostaglandin endoperoxide analogs which inhibit the platelet thromboxane synthetase.     

Two new 9,11-secosterols from the marine sponge Spongia officinalis. Synthesis of 9,11-seco-3 beta,6 alpha,11-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-9-one.

Two new 9,11-secosterol, 9,11-seco-3 beta,6 alpha,11-trihydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-9-one (2) and 9,11-seco-3 beta,6 alpha,11-trihydroxy-24- methylene-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-9-one (3), have been isolated from the marine sponge Spongia officinalis and their structures elucidated by analysis of spectral data including 1H nuclear magnetic resonance correlation spectroscopy (COSY) experiments. Partial synthesis of 2 starting from 3 beta,6 alpha-dihydroxy-9-oxo-9,11-seco-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-11- al (1) confirmed the structure assignment.     

Identification of a diene conjugated component of human lipid as octadeca-9,11-dienoic acid

The predominant diene conjugated acyl residue in triacylglycerols, cholesteryl esters and phospholipids in human serum was identified by high performance liquid chromatography and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It is an octadeca -9,11-dienoic acid.     

Some biological activities of a series of 9a-homo-9,11-epoxy prostanoic acid analogues

A number of stereochemical variants at C-8, C-12 and C-15 of 9a-homo-9,11-epoxy prostaglandins (PGs) have been examined for in vivo activity on blood pressure, bronchial resistance, tracheal segment pressure, heart rate and on intestinal and uterine contractility in artificially respired anaesthetised guinea-pigs; and on blood pressure and blood platelet aggregation in rats (using the extra-corporeal filter-aorta loop technique). In vitro tests for smooth muscle activity were carried out on the isolated rat fundus strip, the guinea-pig tracheal chain and the rat uterus. The following was found: 1. In the guinea-pig, in vivo, all the homo-epoxy PGs were vasopressor and bronchoconstrictor following bolus injections of 250 micrograms i.v. The effects on heart rate, and intestinal and uterine contractility were equivocal. The configurations at the chiral centres, C-8, C-12 and C-15 play an important role in determining potency. The 15-(S)-hydroxy derivatives were the most potent in stimulating vascular and respiratory muscle. The 8-iso configuration appeared to enhance potency amongst the 15-(S)-hydroxy compounds. The 15-(R)-hydroxy configuration markedly reduced constrictor potency. The same pattern of activity was seen on rat blood pressure, in vivo. The 15-(S)-hydroxy configuration combined with the 8-iso configuration had the most potent constrictor activity, while the 15-(R)-hydroxy group negated this and even led, in the case of the natural configuration at C-8 and C-12, to vasodepression. 2. In vitro, the activity on the rat fundus and guinea-pig tracheal chain followed the same pattern. The 15-(S)-hydroxy derivatives were very much more potent than the 15-(R)-hydroxy derivatives at contracting the smooth muscle preparations. Uterine muscle appeared to be relaxed by the PGs with the natural configuration at C-8 and C-12, with the 15-(R)-hydroxy compound exhibiting greater activity. 3. Inhibition of ADP-induced rat blood platelet aggregation after "intra-arterial" administration was shown only by the derivatives with a single change in the natural configuration either at C-8 or at C-15. Additional changes either resulted in inactivity or, in the case of the 8,12-di-iso-15-(S)-hydroxy compound, even reversed the effect to aggregation. The inhibition of aggregation was long lasting with both the 8-iso-15-(S)-hydroxy derivative and the 8,12-nat-15-(R)-hydroxy derivative. In the case of the latter compound, GBR-30731, activity increased during the 30 min after administration. GBR-30731 deserves further investigation as a platelet aggregation inhibitor because of its relatively low smooth muscle stimulant (sometimes even relaxant effects) and its long lasting platelet aggregation inhibiting activity.     

Aplidiasterols A and B, two new cytotoxic 9,11-secosterols from the Mediterranean ascidian Aplidium conicum

Two novel 9,11-secosterols, aplidiasterols A (3β,6β,11-trihydroxy-9,11-seco-5α-cholest-7-en-9-one, 1) and B (3β,5α,6β,11-tetrahydroxy-9,11-secocholest-7-en-9-one, 2), along with the known secosterols 3 and 4, were isolated from the Mediterranean ascidian Aplidium conicum and their structures were determined by spectroscopic data. Aplidiasterols A and B were found to be cytotoxic against rat glioma (C6) and murine monocyte/macrophage (J774) tumor cells in vitro. Compounds 1-4 represent the first example of secosterols isolated from tunicates.     

A comparison of imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid Two selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitors

Two selective thromboxane A₂ synthetase inhibitors, imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid (azo analog I) were compared to determine their effects on the quantitative formation of thromboxane B₂ and prostaglandin E₂ accompanying human platelet aggregation. Azo analog I was at least 200 times more potent, on a molar basis, than imidazole in suppressing thromboxane B₂ formation in either platelet-rich plasma or washed platelet suspensions aggregated with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H₂. The inhibitors differed in their effect on the aggregation response itself. Azo analog I selectively suppressed thromboxane A₂ formation with an accompanying, parallel, suppression of the platelet aggregation.Imidazole selectively suppressed thromboxane A₂ formation, but only suppressed the accompanying aggregation in platelet rich plasma, and not washed platelet suspensions. The results indicate that azo analog I functions by competitive inhibition of prostaglandin H₂ on the thromboxane synthetase, and that imidazole, while it suppresses thromboxane A₂ formation, may have an associated agonist activity that enhances platelet aggregation. The data presented support this hypothesis, and they emphasize the importance of thromboxane A₂ in arachidonate mediated platelet aggregation.     

Bioactive 9,11‐Secosteroids from Gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa Collected from the South China Sea

Five new 9,11‐secosteroids 1, 2 , and 4 – 6 , and seven known analogs, 3 and 7 – 12 , with the same steroid skeleton, (5αH)‐3β,6α,11‐trihydroxy‐9,11‐secocholest‐7‐en‐9‐one, were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa. Among them, 2 / 3 and 4 / 5 are C(24)‐epimeric mixtures, and 6 / 7 is an (E)/(Z) mixture of (C(24)?C(28)). Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated by using comprehensive spectroscopic methods including NOESY spectra. The absolute configuration of the steroidal nucleus was established by the modified Mosher method applied to 10 and on the basis of a common biogenesis for all of these compounds. All isolated compounds, 1 – 12 , and five synthetic acetylated derivatives, 12a – 12e , were evaluated for their cytotoxicities in vitro. Compounds 4 / 5, 11, 12 , and 12b – 12d showed cytotoxic activities against K562 cell line with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.09 to 8.12 μM .     

Prostaglandin production from arachidonic acid and evidence for a 9,11-endoperoxide prostaglandin H2 reductase in Leishmania

Lysates of Leishmania promastigotes can metabolise arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Prostaglandin production was heat sensitive and not inhibited by aspirin or indomethacin. We cloned and sequenced the cDNA of Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania tropica prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase, and overexpressed their respective 34-kDa recombinant proteins that catalyse the reduction of 9,11-endoperoxide PGH(2) to PGF(2alpha). Database search and sequence alignment alignment showed that L. major prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase exhibits 61, 99.3, and 99.3% identity with Trypanosoma brucei, L. donovani, and L. tropica prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase, respectively. Using polymerase chain reaction amplification, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, we have demonstrated that prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase protein and gene are present in Old World and absent in New World Leishmania, and that this protein is localised to the promastigote cytosol.     

A comparison of imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid. Two selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitors

Two selective thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitors, imidazole and 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid (azo analog I) were compared to determine their effects on the quantitative formation of thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 accompanying human platelet aggregation. Azo analog I was at least 200 times more potent, on a molar basis, than imidazole in suppressing thromboxane B2 formation in either platelet-rich plasma or washed platelet suspensions aggregated with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin H2. The inhibitors differed in their effect on the aggregation response itself. Azo analog I selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation with an accompanying, parallel, suppression of the platelet aggregation. Imidazole selectively suppressed thromboxane A2 formation, but only suppressed the accompanying aggregation in platelet rich plasma, and not washed platelet suspensions. The results indicate that azo analog I functions by competitive inhibition of prostaglandin H2 on the thromboxane synthetase, and that imidazole, while it suppresses thromboxane A2 formation, may have an associated agonist activity that enhances platelet aggregation. The data presented support this hypothesis, and they emphasize the importance of thromboxane A2 in arachidonate mediated platelet aggregation.     

Prostaglandin production from arachidonic acid and evidence for a 9,11-endoperoxide prostaglandin H2 reductase in Leishmania

Lysates of Leishmania promastigotes can metabolise arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Prostaglandin production was heat sensitive and not inhibited by aspirin or indomethacin. We cloned and sequenced the cDNA of Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani, and Leishmania tropica prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase, and overexpressed their respective 34-kDa recombinant proteins that catalyse the reduction of 9,11-endoperoxide PGH(2) to PGF(2alpha). Database search and sequence alignment showed that L. major prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase exhibits 61, 99.3, and 99.3% identity with Trypanosoma brucei, L. donovani, and L. tropica prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase, respectively. Using polymerase chain reaction amplification, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, we have demonstrated that prostaglandin F(2alpha) synthase protein and gene are present in Old World and absent in New World Leishmania, and that this protein is localised to the promastigote cytosol.     

Effect of 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-hpode) on arachidonic acid metabolism in rabbit platelets

• 1.1. The effect of 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) on the formation of thromboxane (TX) B₂, 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) from exogenous arachidonic acid in washed rabbit platelets was examined.
• 2.2. 13-HPODE inhibited TXB₂ and HHT formation without affecting 12-HETE production.
• 3.3. 13-Hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid which was produced rapidly from 13-HPODE, did not suppress the formation of TXB₂ and HHT, indicating the requirement of the hydroperoxy moiety for the inhibitory effect of 13-HPODE on TXB₂ and HHT formation.
• 4.4. Experiments utilizing mannitol and dimethyl sulfoxide (hydroxy radical scavengers) revealed that the action of 13-HPODE is not due to hydroxy radicals which are expected to be formed from 13-HPODE.
• 5.5. These results suggest that 13-HPODE is a selective inhibitor of platelet cyclo-oxygenase and may have functional effects within platelets.

     

Conjugation of the linoleic acid oxidation product, 13-oxooctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid,a bioactive endogenous substrate for mammalian glutathione transferase

The oxidation of linoleic acid leads to the generation of several products with biological activity, including 13-oxooctadeca-9,11-dienoic acid (13-OXO), a bioactive 2,4-dienone that has been linked to cell differentiation. In the current work, the conjugation of 13-OXO by human glutathione transferases (GSTs) of the alpha (A1–1, A4–4), mu (M1–1, M2–2) and pi (the allelic variants P1–1/ile, and P1–1/val) classes, and a rat theta (rT2–2) class enzyme has been evaluated. The kinetics and stereoselectivity of the production of the 13-OXO-glutathione conjugate (13-OXO-SG) have been examined. In contrast to many xenobiotic substrates, the endogenous substrate 13-OXO does not exhibit an appreciable non-enzymatic rate of conjugation under physiological conditions. Therefore, the GST-catalyzed conjugation takes on greater significance as it provides the only realistic means for formation of 13-OXO-SG in most biological systems. Alpha class enzymes are most efficient at catalyzing the formation of 13-OXO-SG with k_cat/K_m values of 8.9 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ for GST A1–1 and 2.14 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹ for GST A4–4. In comparison, enzymes from the mu and pi classes exhibit specificity constants from 0.4 to 0.8 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹. Conjugation of 13-OXO with glutathione at C-9 of the substrate can yield a pair of diastereomers that can be resolved by chiral HPLC. GSTs from the mu and pi classes are the most stereoselective enzymes and there is no apparent relationship between catalytic efficiency and stereoselectivity. The role of GST in the metabolic disposition of the bioactive oxidation products of linoleic acid has implications for the regulation of normal cellular functions by these versatile enzymes.     

The formation of the 7-carboxyheptyl radical from 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid catalyzed by hemoglobin and myoglobin under anaerobic conditions

Methemoglobin (MetHb), oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb), metmyoglobin (metMb), and oxymyoglobin (oxyMb) catalyze formation of the 7-carboxyheptyl and pentyl radicals from 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid. The relative HPLC-ESR peak height of the pentyl radical to the 7-carboxyheptyl radical was found to depend on the oxygen concentration in the reaction mixture. Under aerobic conditions, the 7-carboxyheptyl radical was predominant for the reaction mixture with ferrous ions (or cytochrome c, metHb, or metMb). On the other hand, under anaerobic conditions, the pentyl radical was predominant for the reaction mixture with ferrous ions (or cytochrome c), but the 7-carboxyheptyl radical was still predominant for the reaction mixture with metHb (or metMb), suggesting that metHb (or metMb) catalyzes the reaction through a mechanism different from that in the case of ferrous ions (or cytochrome c). In order to explain the above results, a mechanism, in which molecular oxygen is not involved, is proposed for the formation of the 7-carboxyheptyl radical in the reaction mixture of 13-HPODE with metHb (or metMb) under anaerobic conditions.