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Biomedical subjects

K L Melmon

Publications and source records attributed to K L Melmon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

In vitro pharmacological properties of a series of isoprenaline derivatives.

The p-trifluoromethylanilide congener of isoprenaline, tert-butyl N-[(S)[( 4-[(R)-6-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-2- hydroxyethyl]amino]heptanamido]phenyl]methyl][(N-methylcarbamoy l) methyl]carbamoyl]methyl]carbamate (1S,4R)-4,7,7-trimethyl-3-oxo-2- oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylate (1:1) (Ro 17-2218) was investigated for its effects in various pharmacological tests in vitro and compared to the parent compound. As Ro 17-2218 represented a mixture of four diastereomers, the pure isomers were synthesized. They had a purity of 97-98%. By pharmacological testing of the diastereomers the highest potency was found in the 6R,2'R-isomer Ro 17-8648, while the potency of the 6S,2'S-isomer, Ro 17-9651 was lower by three orders of magnitude. The amorphous hydrochloride Ro 17-8648/001 had 1/10 the potency of the respective crystalline camphanate Ro 17-8648/003. (R)-6-[(R)-[2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-hydroxyethyl]amino]-N-[4- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl]heptan amide (Ro 17-8648/003) was found to have potent beta-agonist properties with clear beta 1-selectivity in radioligand binding studies. It exerted an extremely tight binding to membrane receptors. As a full beta-agonist it elicited positive inotropic effects in isolated cardiac tissues, with a potency 10-360 times that of isoprenaline and an extremely long duration of action. Electrophysiological studies in isolated guinea-pig papillary muscles confirmed the beta 1-receptor-mediated effects of the compound.

Animals↗

Suppressive characteristics of the cultured umbilical cord blood lymphocytes: enhanced suppression of non specific MLR by short term cultured peripheral blood and rosetted lymphocytes.

We have used the mixed leukocyte reaction assay (MLR) to compare the non-specific suppressor activity of fresh and short-term cultured peripheral blood rosetted lymphocytes from human umbilical cord blood. To a one way MLR between adult responders and irradiated adult stimulator cells, we added adult or cord blood mononuclear cells. Cord-blood derived mononuclear cells were more potent suppressors of the MLR than the adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells. When the fresh cord blood T cell fraction was separated from non-T cells by rosetting, the frequency and capacity of suppression fell, suggesting a role of non-T cells in this phenomenon. However, short-term culture (up to nine days) of cord blood derived T cells in the absence of mitogen resulted in a significant increase in their suppressive characteristics. Maternal cells were not used in any of these assays and the suppression was non specific. There was no HLA restriction to the response. The cord blood lymphocytes responded poorly to alloantigen when compared to the adult lymphocytes. In addition, there was a correlation between the allogeneic proliferative response and the suppressive capacity of the cord blood cells. Such a correlation was not found with the adult peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Adult↗

Characterization of histamine type 1 receptors on natural suppressor lymphoid cells.

Using the radioligand H1 antagonist [3H]pyrilamine, we have characterized the histamine type 1 receptor on cloned murine natural suppressor cells (NS). A single, specific binding site for [3H]pyrilamine exists on these cells. The binding was saturable and reversible by various specific H1 receptor antagonists. The rank order of potency for displacement of [3H]pyrilamine binding from the H1 receptor by H1 receptor antagonists was promethazine = pyrobutamine greater than pyrilamine greater than diphenhydramine greater than chlorpheniramine. The histamine type-2 agonists, impromidine and dimaprit, and antagonists, cimetidine and ranitidine, as well as selected non-histamine agonists, did not displace [3H]pyrilamine from its binding sites on the natural suppressor cells. The data indicate that the theoretical KD was 1.1 +/- 0.3 X 10(-7) M while the measured KD of binding for [3H]pyrilamine was 6.0 +/- 0.8 X 10(-8) M; the maximum binding was 4.13 nM and the number of binding sites/cell was 2.14 +/- 0.29 X 10(6) (N = 3).

Animals↗

In vitro pharmacologic activity of congener derivatives and model conjugates of propranolol and practolol.

Previous studies in our laboratory suggested that synthetized derivatives of isoproterenol and histamine could create agonists more potent and receptor and/or tissue selective than the parent compound. In the present study we have evaluated the hypothesis that our results with isoproterenol and histamine derivatives could be extended to include beta-adrenergic antagonists. With this purpose in mind, fourteen derivatives of propranolol and practolol were synthesized and tested in four in vitro systems. The congeners and conjugates were tested using biologic assays (blocking of cAMP accumulation) and/or radioligand binding assays in S-49 lymphoma cells and in rat adipocytes, heart and lung which contain beta 1 and/or beta 2 receptors. Our results indicate that structural modifications distant from the pharmacophore alter the pharmacologic profile of the parent compound. The relative potencies of the derivatives were dependent upon several key factors including the length of the methylene spacer chain and the nature of the substituents on the aromatic ring. The presence of a spacer group with four methylenes resulted in the most active compound in each series when tested on S-49 cells. The derivatives with a paramethyl toluidide group were more potent than the derivatives with a trifluoromethyl toluidide group. The dipeptide derivatives were more potent on adipocyte than S-49 cells, suggesting a preference for beta 1 receptors. Some of the same modifications that led to altered potency and which resulted in an increased receptor and/or tissue selectivity using the progenitors isoproterenol or histamine did extrapolate to the beta blockers. Our data suggest that alterations in receptor and/or tissue selectivity must be imparted by the carrier moiety of the drug and may be related to the biochemical microenvironment of the receptors.

Adipose Tissue↗

Congener derivatives and conjugates of histamine: synthesis and tissue and receptor selectivity of the derivatives.

A series of 19 congener derivatives and conjugates of histamine was synthesized and tested to determine whether the ligands would alter the conventional histamine activity in various tissues. The derivatives, which contained either branched or unbranched aliphatic groups, aromatic amide groups, or dipeptides, exhibited affinities for histamine type 1 and/or type 2 receptors that were widely different from the progenitor. The p-trifluoromethyl derivative of histamine with an intermediate chain length of four methylenes (compound 13) was the most potent lymphocytes H2 receptor agonist but was inactive on guinea pig myocardium H2 receptors. The deletion of a single methylene chain (compound 12) from this compound resulted in total loss of its H2 activity on lymphocytes and its H1 activity on aorta. Compound 12 became an exclusive H1 agonist on lymphocytes H1 receptors. The dipeptide conjugate (compound 17) and the aliphatic congener derivative (compound 18), both with four methylenes, retained some of the activity on guinea pig myocardium H2 receptors, but lost their activity on lymphocytes H2 receptors. Therefore, histamine can be modified at sites that are at a distance from the imidazole moiety, resulting in tissue selective histamine receptor agonists.

Animals↗

Conjugates of catecholamines. VII. Synthesis and beta-adrenergic activity of peptide catecholamine conjugates.

A series of novel catecholamine derivatives has been prepared in which one of the N-methyl substituents of isoproterenol has been extended by a spacer consisting of a chain of four methylenes which terminates with an amide linkage to a peptide, the point of attachment being via the aromatic amino group of p-aminophenylalanine. In one of the derivatives, two catecholamines are attached to the same peptide in this manner. The peptides, which range in size from three to eight amino acid residues and contain phenylalanine, glycine, and L-alpha-amino-delta-hydroxyvaleric acid, were synthesized via stepwise and fragment condensation techniques. The beta-adrenergic agonist activities of the derivatives were evaluated in vitro by measuring the intracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP in S49 mouse lymphoma cells.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Pharmacokinetics and excretion of unique beta-adrenergic agonists.

beta-Adrenergic agonist analogs (congeners) of isoproterenol in which the N-isopropyl group has been linked to a p-methyl- (119) or p-trifluoromethyl- (143) anilide moiety through a four carbon methylene spacer have been investigated with respect to their plasma pharmacokinetic profiles and biliary and urinary elimination characteristics in rats. In spite of the differences in selectivity of pharmacologic effects and durations of action between these unique beta-adrenergic agonists and isoproterenol, no differences were observed in their pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma after intravenous administration. Plasma clearances were rapid (67-78 ml/min) and the compounds were widely distributed. In contrast to the known elimination characteristics of isoproterenol, biliary excretion was the major pathway for elimination of 119 and 143. Parent drug and 'one' major metabolite peak appeared in HPLC chromatograms of bile collected from rats that received 119 and 143 by intravenous administration. Preliminary evidence suggests that this metabolite peak consists of one or more glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates. Urinary excretion appears to be of lesser quantitative importance for 119 and 143 than for isoproterenol. The protracted duration of residence of the derivatives in the heart may help to explain the unusual effects and tissue-specific pharmacological properties of these unique beta-adrenergic agonists.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

The effects of derivatives of histamine on natural suppressor cells.

Histamine is an impressive modulator of immune functions at least via its effects on lymphoid cells. Its in vivo effects will not be used practically as long as they produce the profound cardiovascular and pulmonary effects for which the drug is known. A series of 13 congener derivatives and conjugates of histamine was constructed and was tested to investigate whether chemical alterations would result in pharmacologic actions on leukocytes that were more potent and effect specific than histamine. The new compounds, which contained spacer groups of varying lengths between ligand and carrier and with various aromatic modifying groups, showed potencies widely different from histamine when tested in natural suppressor cells. Some compounds showed selective effects on natural suppressor cells in that they were inactive on myocardial tissue, whereas other compounds were selectively active on the myocardium. Some compounds augmented the suppressive capacity of natural suppressor cells in mixed leukocyte reactions via H1 receptors. Our scheme might be more widely extrapolated to other low m.w. immune modulators in an attempt to make them lymphocyte specific. The data also encourage the in vivo testing of selected histamine analogues as selective modulators of immunity. Some of these modulators might be experimentally useful in vivo because they may lack actions in other tissues.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Beta-adrenergic receptors on human suppressor, helper, and cytolytic lymphocytes.

Using the radioligand beta-adrenergic blocker [125I]cyanopindolol (ICYP), we have characterized the beta-adrenergic receptors on Leu 3+ (T helper [TH]), Leu 2+, 9.3- (T suppressor [Ts]) and Leu 2+, 9.3+ (T cytolytic [Tc]) subsets of human lymphocytes. Peripheral blood T cells were isolated by rosetting, and then subsets were purified by their affinities to monoclonal antibodies against their Leu 3 and 9.3 markers. ICYP binding to the subsets was saturable with time and with concentration; the binding was stereoselective and reversible by beta-adrenergic antagonists. A biological response produced by beta agonists increased intracellular concentrations of cAMP and corresponded to the number of binding sites. Each subset of cells had a number of binding sites, which was characteristic for the given subset. The data indicate that the density of distribution of beta-adrenergic receptors was not homogeneous on the precursors of phenotypically and functionally distinct T cells (Ts approximately 2900, Tc approximately 1800 and TH approximately 750 binding sites). The displacement studies using beta-adrenergic agonists were performed on the cytolytic and suppressor T cell subsets, suggesting that the receptors were mainly of the beta-2 type. The immunobiological significance of such selective distribution of numbers and subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors on distinct T cell subsets is under investigation.

Epinephrine↗

Duration of warfarin anticoagulant therapy and the probabilities of recurrent thromboembolism and hemorrhage.

To determine the association of duration of warfarin anticoagulant therapy after hospitalization for venous thromboembolism with the probability of recurrent thromboembolism and with the risks of hemorrhage, medical records of 2,422 patients hospitalized in 1970 through 1980 with pulmonary embolism, thrombophlebitis, or both were reviewed. Multivariate life-table analyses were performed for 370 patients who had positive results of venography or pulmonary angiography, or who had lung scanning evidence of a "high probability" of pulmonary embolism and no history of the disease. For these patients, warfarin therapy for more than six weeks was not associated with a lower risk of recurrent thromboembolism when compared with warfarin therapy for one through six weeks (risk of recurrence for seven to 26 weeks of treatment 0.8; 95 percent confidence limits 0.3 and 2.5; risk of recurrence for more than 26 weeks of treatment 1.1; 95 percent confidence limits 0.4 and 3.1). The longer the warfarin therapy, the higher the risk of medically important complications from therapy. From one week through five years, the probability of major hemorrhage increased almost linearly: 10 percent for 12 weeks, 18 percent at one year, 26 percent at two years, and 41 percent at five years. This study suggests that intensive, long-term warfarin anticoagulation, in patients with a first episode of venous thromboembolism and no predisposing condition, is associated with more toxicity than efficacy and should be abandoned.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Regulatory effects of mast cells on lymphoid cells: the role of histamine type 1 receptors in the interaction between mast cells, helper T cells and natural suppressor cells.

We have investigated the role of mast cells as modulators of lymphocyte function because the mast cells are concentrated in the areas of lymphoid storage; they are dependent upon T-cell growth factor for their proliferation; and they appear to be the principle if not sole storage site for histamine. We have tested the influence of mast cells on the proliferation of alloreactive cloned helper T cells, mixed leukocyte reactions, and the suppressive capacity of natural suppressor cells. We used an IL-3-dependent mast cell line that at high numbers (greater than 10(5)) suppressed and at low numbers (10(3) to 6 X 10(4)) augmented the proliferation of TH cells. Addition of histamine to cocultures enhanced the mast cell mediated proliferation of TH cells without directly affecting the helper cells. The action of histamine appeared to be mediated with H1 type receptors on these mast cells. Pretreatment of natural suppressor cells with supernatants from mast cell enhanced their suppressive capability. Here too, histamines enhanced suppression by the NS cell via histamine type 1 receptors on the natural suppressor cells. Our data suggest that mast cells may be a major modulator of the lymphoid cell immune function and demonstrate a role of histamine type 1 receptors in the interaction between mast cells, helper T cells, and natural suppressor cells.

Animals↗

Post-marketing studies of drug efficacy: why?

In order to quantify the need for post-marketing studies of drug efficacy, the 100 drug uses (i.e., drug-indication pairs) that were most common in 1978 were reviewed. Of the 100 most common drug uses, 31 were not Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved at the time of initial marketing and 18 had not become FDA-approved, even subsequently. In 13, the use was based on the drug's secondary effect rather than on the primary effects investigated before marketing. The efficacy of all was subject to modification by incompletely explored factors, including other drugs, patient age, other illnesses, pregnancy, etc. Specific examples are provided of important modifiers of the efficacy of these drugs that were not investigated prior to marketing. Thus, despite the existence of sufficient data for the regulatory process to permit the marketing of these commonly used drugs, considerable gaps remain in the information needed for their optimal clinical use. Post-marketing studies of drug efficacy will be needed to fill these gaps.

Drug Labeling↗

Conjugates of catecholamines. 5. Synthesis and beta-adrenergic activity of N-(aminoalkyl)norepinephrine derivatives.

A novel series of N-aminoalkyl congeners and model derivatives of norepinephrine has been synthesized. Compounds that were structurally related to epinephrine were prepared from fully protected intermediates. Alternatively, isoproterenol-related compounds were synthesized via reductive amination of preformed methyl ketone derivatives with norepinephrine. The beta-adrenergic activities of these new compounds were assessed through measurement of intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation in S49 mouse lymphoma cells and displacement of iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) from membrane preparations. Congeners that contained an underivatized primary amine function exhibited virtually no activity in these assays. However, when this amine function was acylated (e.g., to an amide, carbamate, urea, sulfonamide, etc.), the products exhibited generally increased beta-adrenergic activity, which was, however, strongly dependent on the nature of the acylating group and also the length of the spacer. In particular, a benzyl carbamate derivative containing a branched, seven-carbon spacer group was 40 times more potent than isoproterenol in the in vitro S49 assay.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Conjugates of catecholamines. 6. Synthesis and beta-adrenergic activity of N-(hydroxyalkyl)catecholamine derivatives.

A new series of catecholamines has been prepared in which the N-alkyl substituent of dl-epinephrine or dl-isoproterenol has been extended by a methylene chain terminated by a hydroxyl group or derived functionality (e.g., carbamate or ester). These functionalized catecholamines (congeners) and model compounds were prepared with the goal of eventual attachment to polymeric carrier molecules. The beta-adrenergic agonist activity of the derivatives was evaluated in vitro by measuring the intracellular accumulation of cyclic AMP in S49 mouse lymphoma cells and by the displacement of iodocyanopindolol (ICYP). A n-butylcarbamate derivative (compound 15) was the most active compound in this series with a potency 190 times greater than dl-isoproterenol in the S49 assay. The biological results indicate that minor modifications in structure in the N-alkyl substituent of the catecholamine can influence the pharmacologic activity.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗