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Selective inhibition of Cl(-) conductance in toad skin by blockers of Cl(-) channels and transporters.

We compared the effects exerted by two classes of Cl(-) transport inhibitors on a Cl(-)-selective, passive anion transport route across the skin of Bufo viridis, the conductance (G(Cl)) of which can be activated by transepithelial voltage perturbation or high cAMP at short circuit. Inhibitors of antiporters (erythrosine, eosin) or cotransporters (furosemide) reduced voltage-activated G(Cl) with IC(50) of 6 +/- 1, 54 +/- 12, and 607 +/- 125 microM, respectively; they had no effect on the cAMP-induced G(Cl). The voltage for half-maximal activation of G(Cl) (V(50)) increased compared with controls, but effects on the maximal G(Cl) at more positive clamp potentials were small. Cl(-) channel blockers from the diphenylamino-2-carboxylic acid (DPC) family [dichloro-DPC, niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid] reduced the voltage-activated G(Cl) with IC(50) of 8.3 +/- 1.2, 10.5 +/- 0.6, 16.5 +/- 3.4, and 36.5 +/- 11.4 microM, respectively, and also inhibited the cAMP-induced G(Cl), albeit with slightly larger IC(50). V(50) was not significantly changed compared with controls; the maximal G(Cl) was strongly reduced. We conclude that the pathway for Cl(-) is composed of the conductive pore proper, which is blocked by the derivatives of DPC, and a separate, voltage-sensitive regulator, which is influenced by blockers of cotransporters or antiporters. This influence is partly overcome by increasing the clamp potential and removed by high concentrations of cAMP, which renders the pathway insensitive to voltage.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

Promotion of oxidative damage to arachidonic acid and alpha 1-antiproteinase by anti-inflammatory drugs in the presence of the haem proteins myoglobin and cytochrome C.

A mixture of myoglobin and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) causes peroxidation of arachidonic acid. This peroxidation is greatly accelerated by adding phenylbutazone, which is effective even in the absence of H2O2. A wide range of other drugs was examined for their ability to exert similar pro-oxidant effects. We found that meclofenamic acid and flufenamic acid stimulated myoglobin-dependent lipid peroxidation, but only in the presence of H2O2. Ascorbic acid inhibited peroxidation both in the presence and in the absence of these drugs. Phenylbutazone, meclofenamic acid and flufenamic acid could also cause damage to proteins (as measured by inactivation of alpha 1-antiproteinase) in the presence of myoglobin and H2O2. The mitochondrial protein cytochrome c can also stimulate lipid peroxidation in the presence of H2O2. Phenylbutazone and meclofenamic acid, but not flufenamic acid, enhanced the peroxidation, which was again inhibited by ascorbic acid. However, only phenylbutazone caused inactivation of alpha 1-antiproteinase in the presence of cytochrome c and H2O2. Since respiring mitochondria generate superoxide radicals and H2O2, catalysis of lipid peroxidation and of the formation of drug-derived radicals by cytochrome c could be a mechanism contributing to mitochondrial damage by drugs.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Separation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by capillary electrophoresis using nonaqueous electrolytes.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the separation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs: niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, piroxicam, alclofenac, tiaprofenic acid, flurbiprofen, suprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, carprofen, indoprofen, sulindac) in capillary electrophoresis (CE) using completely nonaqueous systems. The influence of different parameters such as nature and proportion of organic solvent (methanol, acetonitrile, 2-propanol), apparent pH (ranging from 7 to 9) and temperature (ranging from 25 to 40 degrees C) on selectivity and migration times were studied systematically in an uncoated fused-silica capillary. A nonaqueous electrolyte made of 50 mM ammonium acetate - 13.75 mM ammonia in methanol proved to resolve 11 NSAIDs at 25 degrees C and 13 NSAIDs at 36 degrees C, both within 13 min and without a modifier besides the methanol itself. The same buffer containing 30% acetonitrile provides a satisfactory separation for 13 NSAIDs within 14 min at 25 degrees C.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

DNA damage by smoke: protection by turmeric and other inhibitors of ROS.

Twigs-dry leaves smoke condensate (TDS), as a source of clastogenic ROS and carcinogenic PAH, was investigated for its in vitro DNA-damaging effect in calf thymus DNA and human peripheral lymphocytes. An aqueous turmeric component--Aq.T--with an established antioxidant activity, was tested as a DNA protectant. TDS induced 13-fold damage to calf thymus DNA as judged by the emergence of a DNA damage specific, fluorescent product (em: 405 nm). Aq.T at 800 ng/microL extended 69% protection to calf thymus DNA and was comparable to the other protectants such as curcumin, BHA, vitamin E, SOD, and CAT. In human peripheral lymphocytes, TDS induced extensive DNA damage in comparison with the tumor promoter TPA, as judged by FADU. Aq.T at 300 ng/microL extended 90% protection to human lymphocyte DNA against TDS-induced damage, and was more effective than the other protectants--DABCO, D-mannitol, sodium benzoate, vitamin E (ROS quenchers), SOD, CAT (antioxidant enzymes), tannic acid, flufenamic acid, BHA, BHT, n-PG, curcumin and quercetin (antioxidants). Aq.T offered 65% protection to human lymphocyte DNA against TPA-induced damage and was comparable to SOD. The above results indicate that TDS induces substantial DNA damage in calf thymus DNA and human lymphocytes and Aq.T is an efficient protectant.

Animals↗

Idiosyncratic NSAID drug induced oxidative stress.

Many idiosyncratic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause GI, liver and bone marrow toxicity in some patients which results in GI bleeding/ulceration/fulminant hepatic failure/hepatitis or agranulocytosis/aplastic anemia. The toxic mechanisms proposed have been reviewed. Evidence is presented showing that idiosyncratic NSAID drugs form prooxidant radicals when metabolised by peroxidases known to be present in these tissues. Thus GSH, NADH and/or ascorbate were cooxidised by catalytic amounts of NSAIDs and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of peroxidase. During GSH and NADH cooxidation, oxygen uptake and activation occurred. Furthermore the formation of NSAID oxidation products was prevented during the cooxidation indicating that the cooxidation involved redox cycling of the first formed NSAID radical product. The order of prooxidant catalytic effectiveness of fenamate and arylacetic acid NSAIDs was mefenamic acid>tolfenamic acid>flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid or diclofenac. Diphenylamine, a common moiety to all of these NSAIDs was a more active prooxidant for NADH and ascorbate cooxidation than these NSAIDs which suggests that oxidation of the NSAID diphenylamine moiety to a cation and/or nitroxide radical was responsible for the NSAID prooxidant activity. The order of catalytic effectiveness found for sulfonamide derivatives was sulfaphenazole>sulfisoxazolez.Gt;dapsone>sulfanilic acid>procainamide>sulfamethoxazole>sulfadiazine>sulfadimethoxine whereas sulfanilamide, sulfapyridine or nimesulide had no prooxidant activity. Although indomethacin had little prooxidant activity, its major in vivo metabolite, N-deschlorobenzoyl indomethacin had significant prooxidant activity. Aminoantipyrine the major in vivo metabolite of aminopyrine or dipyrone was also more prooxidant than the parent drugs. It is hypothesized that the NSAID radicals and/or the resulting oxidative stress initiates the cytotoxic processes leading to idiosyncratic toxicity.

Animals↗

Inhibition of hKv2.1, a major human neuronal voltage-gated K+ channel, by meclofenamic acid.

Using the standard patch clamp whole cell recording method, we assessed the pharmacological activity of four fenamate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid, mefenamic acid and niflumic acid, on hKv2.1, a major human neuronal voltage-gated potassium channel stably expressed heterologously in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Meclofenamic acid inhibited hKv2.1 in a concentration-dependent manner whereas the other three fenamates had weaker or no effect on these channels at a concentration of 100 microM. The estimated IC50 of meclofenamic acid was 56.0 microM for hKv2.1 compared an IC50 of 155.9 microM for another human neuronal K channel (hKv1.1). Meclofenamic acid reached its maximum inhibition within 5 min of bath application and its effect was readily reversed upon wash. Kinetic analysis revealed that this drug did not alter the channel activation or deactivation time courses. Moreover, the effect of meclofenamic acid on hKv2.1 channels was not voltage-dependent. Indomethacin, another inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase that catalyses the synthesis of prostaglandin from arachidonic acid, had no effect on either hKv2.1 or hKv1.1. These results indicate that meclofenamic acid inhibits hKv2.1 more potently than hKv1.1 and it is likely that this compound acts directly on the channel proteins.

Animals↗

Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase kinetics in human amnion before and after labor at term and following preterm labor.

To determine whether the kinetics of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS, commonly known as cyclooxygenase) in human amnion change with labor onset or between preterm and term labor, a specific enzyme assay was developed and characterized. The assay was linear for time (0-8 min) and protein concentration (5-30 micrograms/250 microliters incubation volume). The optimum pH was 8.0-8.5, and the enzyme reaction reached saturation at 10-20 microM arachidonic acid. Flufenamic acid was more efficacious than ibuprofen in the presence of 1 mM tryptophan in inhibiting enzyme activity. The Km and Vmax of PGHS were determined in 10 amnions obtained at elective caesarean section before labor onset (CS) at 39.3 +/- 0.8 wk gestational age (mean +/- SD, range = 38.5-41 wk) and 9 amnions obtained following spontaneous labor and vaginal delivery (SL) at 39.6 +/- 0.8 wk (range = 38.5-41 wk). The Km values were 1.4 +/- 1.2 mumol/l (CS) and 2.2 +/- 1.5 mumol/l (SL) (not different). However, the Vmax increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 11 +/- 8 (CS) to 19 +/- 4 (SL) pg PGE2/micrograms protein/min. In eight preterm amnions obtained following spontaneous labor and delivery at 32.9 +/- 2.1 wk (range = 29-36 wk), the Km and Vmax were 2.0 +/- 1.2 mumol/l and 17 +/- 9 pg PGE2/micrograms protein/min, respectively. Neither of these values was different from those of CS or SL amnions. None of the preterm pregnancies displayed histological evidence of infection. These results suggest that an increase in the mean amnion PGHS maximum velocity occurs in association with the onset of labor at term. The mean Vmax of PGHS in amnions obtained from idiopathic preterm spontaneous deliveries is between the CS and SL term values, reflecting, perhaps, multiple etiologies for preterm delivery.

Amnion↗

Renal papillary necrosis.

Renal papillary necrosis (RPN) is a significant problem in human beings, especially in England and in Australia where it has been reported to account for 15% to 20% of patients needing renal transplants. Many compounds, including aspirin, phenacetin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, mefenamic acid, flufenamic acid, fenoprofin, naproxen, and ibuprofen have been linked to renal papillary necrosis in human beings. Although the exact mechanism of RPN is unknown, there are several theories that have good scientific evidence behind them. Study of RPN in animals as models for the disease in human beings is limited by several factors, including anatomical differences between human beings and most animal species as well as technical difficulties in studying the renal papilla.

Animals↗

Cell swelling activates ATP-dependent voltage-gated chloride channels in M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct cells.

In the present study we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings to investigate swelling-activated Cl-currents (ICl-swell) in M-1 mouse cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells. Hypotonic cell swelling reversibly increased the whole-cell Cl- conductance by about 30-fold. The I-V relationship was outwardly-rectifying and ICl-swell displayed a characteristic voltage-dependence with relatively fast inactivation upon large depolarizing and slow activation upon hyperpolarizing voltage steps. Reversal potential measurements revealed a selectivity sequence SCN- > I- > Br- > Cl- > > gluconate. ICl-swell was inhibited by tamoxifen, NPPB (5-nitro-2(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate), DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid), flufenamic acid, niflumic acid, and glibenclamide, in descending order of potency. Extracellular cAMP had no significant effect. ICl-swell was Ca2+ independent, but current activation depended on the presence of a high-energy gamma-phosphate group from intracellular ATP or ATP gamma S. Moreover, it depended on the presence of intracellular Mg2+ and was inhibited by staurosporine, which indicates that a phosphorylation step is involved in channel activation. Increasing the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by using ionomycin stimulated Cl- currents with a voltage dependence different from that of ICl-swell. Analysis of whole-cell current records during early onset of ICl-swell and during final recovery revealed discontinuous step-like changes of the whole-cell current level which were not observed under nonswelling conditions. A single-channel I-V curve constructed using the smallest resolvable current transitions detected at various holding potentials and revealed a slope conductance of 55, 15, and 8 pS at +120, 0, and -120 mV, respectively. The larger current steps observed in these recordings had about 2, 3, or 4 times the size of the putative single-channel current amplitude, suggesting a coordinated gating of several individual channels or channel subunits. In conclusion we have functionally characterized ICl-swell in M-1 CCD cells and have identified the underlying single channels in whole-cell current recordings.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of drugs on rat paw oedema induced by mercury.

1 Metallic mercury (0.04 ml) injected into the foot pad of rats induced a consistent inflammatory reaction, which at 4 h showed oedema but no cellular infiltration or vascular changes. The lesions exhibited lymphocytic infiltration, vasodilatation and haemorrhages at 24 and 48 h, and often became cystic after 2-3 weeks, before healing. The oedema volume at 4 h was used to test anti-inflammatory activity of drugs.2 Cortisone, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid, flufenamic acid and propranolol exhibited potent, dose-related anti-inflammatory activity. Aminopyrine, chloroquine and chlorpromazine were only moderately effective. Dimercaprol, adrenaline, and to some extent, mepyramine also inhibited mercury-induced oedema.3 This simple model of acute inflammation may be useful for preliminary tests of anti-inflammatory activity.

Animals↗

Compounds exhibiting selective efficacy for different beta subunits of human recombinant gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors.

Inhibitory GABA(A) receptor modulators are widely used therapeutic agents for a variety of central nervous system disorders. Ltk(-) cells stably expressing human recombinant GABA(A) subunits (alpha1beta1-3gamma2s) were seeded into 96-well plates, loaded with chlorocoumarin-2-dimyristoyl phosphatidylethanolamine and bis(1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbiturate)trimethineoxonol, and rapid fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique (FRET) measurements were made of GABA-evoked depolarizations in low-Cl(-) buffer using a voltage/ion probe reader. The influence of different betasubunits on the ability of agents to modulate and directly activate the ion channel was examined. GABA evoked concentration-dependent decreases in FRET, increasing fluorescence emission ratio (460/580 nm) at alpha1beta1gamma2, alpha1beta2gamma2, and alpha1beta3gamma2 receptors with similar maximal amplitude (P > 0.05, n = 17) and EC(50) values of 2.4 +/- 0.2, 2.5 +/- 0.2, and 1.3 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively. Piperidine-4-sulfonic acid and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol were less potent, with EC(50) values of 8.7 +/- 0.9, 9.2 +/- 0.5, and 11.7 +/- 1.2, and 43.7 +/- 6.4, 24.8 +/- 1.6, and 26.1 +/- 2.4 microM, respectively. Potency and maximal efficacy of propofol, methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, pentobarbital, and steroids, 5alpha-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one and 5beta-pregnan-3alpha-ol-20-one, were unaffected by the beta isoform present in the receptor complex. However, several compounds displayed beta2/3 subunit selectivity, notably loreclezole, R(-)-etomidate, and a group of anti-inflammatory agents including mefenamic acid, flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, tolfenamic acid, niflumic acid, and diflunisal. The anti-inflammatories exhibited varying levels of efficacy at beta2/3 subunits, with micromolar potency, while having antagonist or weak inverse agonist profiles at alpha1beta1gamma2. Diflunisal was the most efficacious compound, eliciting greater potentiation than loreclezole (90 +/- 14% and 109 +/- 14% at beta3 and beta2, respectively, compared with 62 +/- 6% and 56 +/- 3%), whereas niflumic acid exhibited the lowest efficacy. An additional agent, olsalazine, weakly potentiated responses at all three receptors without any selectivity. This study identifies and characterizes a variety of allosteric modulators for which betasubunits are an important determinant of efficacy and potency.

Anesthetics↗

The contribution of a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) conductance to amino-acid-induced inward current responses of ciliated olfactory neurons of the rainbow trout.

To determine whether amino-acid-induced inward currents of ciliated olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) include a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) conductance, we first studied changes in reversal potential and the current/voltage relationships of the responses of ORNs to an amino acid mixture (l-alanine, l-arginine, l-glutamate and l-norvaline; all 10 mmol l(-)(1)) with different concentrations of Na(+) and Cl(-) in the perfusion and recording pipette solutions. We also examined the effects of six different Cl(-) channel blockers on the responses of ORNs using a conventional whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. The amino acid mixture and one blocker were applied focally to the cilia of ORNs using a double-barrelled micropipette and a pressure ejection system. The expected shifts in reversal potential, indicating the contribution of the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) conductance, occurred in both positive and negative directions depending on the external and internal Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations. Niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzonate] and DCDPC (3', 5-dichlorodiphenylamine-2-carboxylate), at 0.5 mmol l(-)(1), reversibly blocked both the amino-acid-induced inward currents and the background activity in most ORNs. The effectiveness of these blocking agents varied from 77 to 91 % for ORNs perfused externally with standard Ringer's solution. SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonate), at 5.0 mmol l(-)(1), irreversibly inhibited the physiological response (100 % inhibition), whereas DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2'-disulphonate), at 5.0 mmol l(-)(1), had the smallest effect (45 %) of the inhibitors tested. The dose of niflumic acid inducing 50 % inhibition (IC(50)), determined specifically for the current component of the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels, was 70 micromol l(-)(1). Our results suggest that these blockers are not specific for Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels and that the density of these channels varies between individual ORNs. Our results also show that the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) conductance plays an important role in olfactory transduction and allows fishes to adapt to various ionic environments.

Amino Acids↗

Fenamates stimulate BKCa channel osteoblast-like MG-63 cells activity in the human.

BACKGROUND: The fenamates, a family of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are derivatives of N-phenylanthranilic acid, are the inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase. The ionic mechanism of actions of these compounds in osteoblasts is not well understood. METHODS: The effects of the fenamates on ionic currents were investigated in a human osteoblast-like cell line (MG-63) with the aid of the whole-cell and inside-out configurations of the patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: In MG-63 cells, niflumic acid and meclofenamic acid increased K+ outward currents (IK). The niflumic acid-stimulated IK was reversed by subsequent application of iberiotoxin or paxilline, yet not by that of glibenclamide or apamin. In the inside-out configuration, niflumic acid (30 micromol/L) added to the bath did not modify single-channel conductance but increased the activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels. The EC50 values for niflumic acid- and meclofenamic acid-induced channel activity were 22 and 24 micromol/L, respectively. Niflumic acid (30 micromol/L) and meclofenamic acid (30 micromol/L) shifted the activation curve of BKCa channels to less positive membrane potentials. Membrane stretch potentiated niflumic acid-stimulated channel activity. The rank order of potency for the activation of BKCa channels in these cells was niflumic acid = meclofenamic acid > tolfenamic acid > flufenamic acid > nimesulide. Evans blue and nordihydroguaiaretic acid increased channel activity; however, indomethacin, piroxicam, and NS-398 had no effect on it. CONCLUSIONS: The fenamates can stimulate BKCa channel activity in a manner that seems to be independent of the action of these drugs on the prostaglandin pathway. The activation of the BKCa channel may hyperpolarize the osteoblast, thereby modulating osteoblastic function.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Effect of anti-inflammatory agent on L-glutamine-D-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase.

The enzyme L-glutamineD-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.16) was isolated, partially characterized, and purified from the gastric mucosa of dogs. A new method, using 14C-fructose-6-phosphate, has been developed for the estimation of the enzyme activity. Several classes of standard anti-inflammatory agents including acetyl-salicylic acid, salicylic acid, flufenamic acid, phenyl-butazone, indometacin, mefenamic acid, oxyphenyl-butazone, antipyrine, aminophenazone, allopurinol, cortisol, and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were found to be inhibitors of this enzyme. The property of inhibition of this amino-transferase could, thus, be used as a rapid in vitro test method for the primary screening of potential anti-inflammatory agents.

Animals↗

Influence of anti-inflammatory agents on rat liver mitochondrial ATPase.

Several classes of anti-inflammatory agents including acetyl-salicylic acid, salicylic acid, flufenamic acid, phenyl-butazone, indometacin, oxyphenyl-butazone, and mefenamic acid were found to be inhibitors of rat liver mitochondrial ATPase in both intact and freeze-ruptured mitochondria. The freeze-ruptured mitochondrial ATPase was found to be Mg2+- and ATP-concentration dependent. The standard uncoupler, 2,4-dinitrophenol, not possessing anti-inflammatory activity, activates the enzyme in both preparations. A number of compounds of various structural classes possessing no anti-inflammatory property in vivo were found to have no inhibitory effect on the enzyme. This inhibition of ATPase by anti-inflammatory agents could be used as an in vitro test method for the primary screening of potential anti-inflammatory agents.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Effects of channel modulators on cloned large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels.

Through expression of the cloned mouse (mSlo) or human (hSlo) large-conductance (BK) Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel in Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK 293 cells, we characterized the effects of reported blockers and openers of BK channels to initiate the study of the molecular determinants of BK channel modulation. In oocytes, iberiotoxin and charybdotoxin, peptidyl scorpion toxins, were both equally effective blockers of BK current, although iberiotoxin was significantly more potent than charybdotoxin. The structurally related peptide kaliotoxin was not a potent blocker of BK current. Paxilline, a fungal tremorgenic alkaloid, was an effective but complex blocker of BK current. Tetrandrine, a putative blocker of type II BK channels, and ketamine were relatively ineffective. The putative BK openers NS004 and NS1619, phloretin, niflumic acid, flufenamic acid, and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB) increased BK current in oocytes at microM concentrations; many of these produced biphasic concentration-response relationships. Coapplication of representative blockers and openers revealed several patterns of interaction, including competitive and noncompetitive antagonism. NS1619, niflumic acid, and phloretin were tested by using excised inside-out membrane patches from HEK 293 cells and were found to increase the activity of hSlo BK channels and produce a leftward shift in the G/Gmax-versus-voltage relationship of these channels. These results represent the first comprehensive examination of the molecular pharmacology of BK channels.

Alkaloids↗

Structural requirements for the hepatotoxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Hepatotoxicity is one of the common side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We investigated the cytotoxicity of 18 acidic NSAIDs (3 salicylic acids, 3 anthranilic acids, 6 arylacetic acids, 6 arylpropionic acids) to freshly isolated rat hepatocytes as assessed by the NSAID-induced leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in order to determine structural requirements for the direct hepatotoxicity of the NSAIDs. Diflunisal (salicylic acids), flufenamic acid, mefenamic acid, tolfenamic acid (anthranilic acids), diclofenac, indomethacin, acemetacin (arylacetic acids) and flurbiprofen (arylpropionic acids) caused significant LDH leakage, indicating that substituent position of a carboxyl group does not relate to the hepatotoxicity of the NSAIDs. Because the cytotoxic NSAIDs were of two types as classified by their "skeleton," diphenyl and diphenylamine, we tested the cytotoxicity of the compounds. Diphenyl did not cause LDH leakage, but diflunisal, which has the diphenyl structure, was cytotoxic. On the other hand, diphenylamine induced LDH leakage to the same degree as diclofenac, which has the diphenylamine structure. Therefore, diphenylamine itself was suggested to be responsible for the cytotoxicity of diclofenac and anthranilic acids, whereas a substituted group(s) in addition to diphenyl structure seems to be important for diflunisal cytotoxicity. All of the cytotoxic NSAIDs and diphenylamine extensively decreased hepatocellular ATP content, whereas the noncytotoxic NSAID did not, indicating that the NSAID-induced decrease in ATP, probably by their uncoupling effects on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, is involved in the hepatotoxicity of the NSAIDs.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Trial of prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors in primary dysmenorrhoea.

The prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors, mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid, were compared with the analgesic, dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol, in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in a double-blind crossover trial. Results were assessed in 30 patients who took each drug during menstruation for three consecutive cycles. The patients' assessment of each drug suggests that both mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid are more effective than the other analgesic for general relief of symptoms and for most of nine individual symptoms subjectively assessed by the patient. There was less absenteeism from work or school during mefenamic-acid treatment and fewer capsules of mefenamic acid were taken compared with the other two drugs. Patients took significantly fewer additional analgesics during mefenamic-acid therapy than during treatment with the other two drugs. 5 patients had possible side-effects--3 patients on mefenamic acid and 2 on dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol.

Acetaminophen↗