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A theoretical proposal for the synthesis of carbapenems from 4-(2-propynyl)azetidinones promoted by [W(CO)5] as an alternative to the Ag+-assisted process.

The synthesis of carbapenems from 4-(2-propynyl)azetidinones assisted by both Ag+ and [W(CO)5] was theoretically investigated by using the B3LYP/6-31+G(d)-LANL2DZ level, taking into account the effect of solvent by the PB-SCRF model implemented in Jaguar. According to our results, the silver-assisted cyclization is a concerted process for which the low yield experimentally observed could mainly stem from the alkaline hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring. This process is very efficiently catalyzed by Ag+, making it competitive with the formation of the carbapenem. The cycloisomerization of 4-(2-propynyl)azetidinone promoted by [W(CO)5] is proposed as an alternative synthetic strategy to obtain the carbapenem. The endo cycloisomerization is by far the most favorable one. When the process is assisted by [(thf)W(CO)5], although the main product is the carbapenem, the formation of a carbene complex represents a certain competition. The presence of a Me3N molecule from the very start of the reaction causes an important catalytic effect considerably reducing the energy barriers corresponding to the H atom transfers and rendering a very efficient process. Moreover, this catalytic action determines the evolution of the system through only one mechanistic route which produces the carbapenem, hindering the formation of the carbene. Therefore, the cycloisomerization of 4-(2-propynyl)azetidinone promoted by [(Me3N)W(CO)5] constitutes an interesting alternative to the silver-assisted cyclization.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: defining new options in lipid management.

Although many studies have documented that reduction of plasma cholesterol levels decreases the risk of coronary artery disease, it remains the most common cause of death in the Western world. Current therapeutic options are effective in lowering cholesterol, especially in clinical trials, but clinical application is not optimized for many reasons. Dietary restriction for long-term management of hypercholesterolemia is helpful but usually insufficient to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to goal levels. Powerful drugs are available, but these are often insufficient to meet the clinical demands for cholesterol-lowering therapy. Phytosterols and phytostanols have been partially effective by providing some inhibition of absorption of cholesterol. Compounds that specifically and more effectively block intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol should provide a significant new agent for altering lipoprotein concentrations favorably. Ezetimibe is the first of this class of compounds that act at the gut epithelium to reduce cholesterol absorption in the milligram dose range markedly. Clinical studies indicate that ezetimibe effectively decreases LDL-C by 15 to 20% as monotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. Moreover, results from preliminary clinical trials indicate that ezetimibe given concomitantly with a statin provides additive efficacy. The combination represents a new approach to lipid management, achieving greater LDL-C and triglyceride reductions and greater improvements in HDL-C than statin monotherapy. This could offer another important option in clinical practice for management of hypercholesterolemic patients.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Therapies on the horizon for cholesterol reduction.

Statins are powerful agents for the reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Newly developed statins with increased potency, such as rosuvastatin (Crestor) and NK-104 (in earlier clinical development), are capable of achieving marked LDL-C reductions. Cholesterol-lowering agents with mechanisms of action distinct from those of the statins are in active development. These include bile transport inhibitors, such as improved bile acid-absorbing resins and specific inhibitors of the ileal Na+/bile acid cotransporter. There are also specific inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, such as ezetimibe, which may provide cholesterol lowering that is additive to that achieved with statin treatment. Another approach is to reduce cardiovascular risk by modifying atherosclerotic processes within the arterial wall, as represented by the acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor avasimibe; ACAT inhibitors may reduce atherosclerotic lesions by inhibiting macrophage cholesterol storage.

Acetamides↗

Cholesterol metabolism and therapeutic targets: rationale for targeting multiple metabolic pathways.

The liver is the major regulator of the plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration because it is not only the site of formation of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), the precursors of most LDL in the circulation, but it is also the organ where the bulk of receptor-mediated clearance of LDL takes place. The liver also initially clears all the cholesterol that is absorbed from the small intestine. The absorption of excess cholesterol can potentially increase the amount of cholesterol stored in the liver. This, in turn, can result in increased VLDL secretion, and hence LDL formation, and also downregulation of hepatic LDL receptor activity. Such events will potentially increase plasma LDL-C levels. The converse situation occurs when cholesterol absorption is inhibited. Cholesterol enters the lumen of the small intestine principally from bile and diet. The major steps involved in the absorption process have been characterized. On average, about half of all cholesterol entering the intestine is absorbed, but the fractional absorption rate varies greatly among individuals. While the basis for this variability is not understood, it may partly explain why some patients respond poorly or not at all to statins and other classes of lipid-lowering drugs. There are few data relating to racial differences in cholesterol absorption. One study reported a significantly higher rate in African Americans compared with non-African Americans. Multiple lipid-lowering drugs that target pathways involving the absorption, synthesis, transport, storage, catabolism, and excretion of cholesterol are available. Ezetimibe selectively blocks cholesterol absorption and lowers plasma LDL-C levels by an average of 18%. When ezetimibe is coadministered with lower doses of statins, there is an additive reduction in LDL-C level, which equals the reduction achieved with maximal doses of statins alone. Dual inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and absorption is an effective new strategy for treating hypercholesterolemia.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Optimizing lipid lowering in patients at risk.

The efficacy of statins in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reducing coronary heart disease risk is well established; however, recent evidence suggests that more aggressive lipid management, even beyond achievement of currently recommended LDL-C goals, may provide additional clinical benefits. A novel approach to the aggressive lowering of LDL-C is the combination of statins with agents that affect different aspects of cholesterol metabolism. Because absorption of cholesterol is an important contributor to cholesterol balance, the simultaneous inhibition of cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis is an attractive approach to achieving greater LDL-C reductions. In clinical trials, the combination of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe with a statin resulted in greater improvements in lipids than statin monotherapy and allowed a greater percentage of patients to achieve treatment goals. In addition, this combination may offer benefits through reduction of phytosterols, chylomicron remnants, and C-reactive protein. Several ongoing trials are evaluating whether the benefit of simultaneously blocking cholesterol synthesis and intestinal cholesterol absorption translates into better clinical outcomes.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Ezetimibe: rationale and role in the management of hypercholesterolemia.

Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. In part, plasma LDL levels are dependent on cholesterol absorption in the intestine and the rate of intrinsic cholesterol synthesis. Therapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A-reductase inhibitors has often proven to be successful in reducing plasma LDL levels. However, a significant number of patients do not reach their target LDL levels despite statin therapy. As is reviewed, drugs that inhibit cholesterol absorption are a useful adjunct to lipid-lowering therapy by statins. This review discusses the mechanisms involved in intestinal absorption of cholesterol and its transport as potential targets of newer agents that affect cholesterol absorption. The use of bile acid sequestrants and esters of plant stanols, as well as other intestinally active agents for reducing plasma LDL levels, has been limited by side effects and difficulties in patient compliance. In contrast, the new selective cholesterol transporter inhibitor ezetimibe has been demonstrated to reduce plasma LDL alone or in combination with statins without significant adverse effects. In spite of the robust lipid-lowering data with ezetimibe, questions about clinical outcomes, safety, and efficacy in various combinations remain.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Ezetimib influences the expression of raft-associated antigens in human monocytes.

Aminopeptidase N (CD13) was recently identified as a molecular target of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor Ezetimib. Regarding that CD13 is expressed in lipid rafts of monocytic cells, we have investigated whether Ezetimib influences raft function in these cells. Expression of raft-associated antigens (CD11b, CD13, CD14, CD16, CD36, and CD64) was followed by flow cytometry and/or immunoblot in human monocyte-derived macrophages in response to in vitro administration of Ezetimib. Cellular redistribution of CD13 was assessed by confocal imaging. Ezetimib significantly decreased the surface expression of CD13, CD16, CD64, and CD36; furthermore, it induced a shift of CD13 from plasma membrane to intracellular vesicles, and thus it quite likely modulated monocytic raft-assembly.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

The sodium-calcium ion membrane exchanger: physiologic significance and pharmacologic implications.

The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger is a non-ATP-dependent protein that, under steady-state conditions, extrudes Ca2+ from the interior of the cell into the extracellular space via facilitated transport. The activity of the exchanger seems to be reduced in myocardial ischemia, leading to increased intracellular Ca2+ in the ischemic heart, which can result in arrhythmia, myocardial stunning, and necrosis. In contrast, congestive heart failure and myocardial hypertrophy are associated with increased exchanger activity and a decreased inotropic state. Pharmacologic agents are being developed to modulate sodium ion levels in the cell, which could enhance or reduce sodium-calcium exchange as needed in various pathophysiologic states. At this time there are no available drugs that act specifically on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger itself. The exchanger has been cloned, and inhibitory peptides of the exchanger may soon be available for possible use in treatment of congestive heart failure.

Azetidines↗

Effect of amino acid analogs on the development of thermotolerance and on thermotolerant cells.

Exposure of HA-1 Chinese hamster fibroblasts to amino acid analogs has been shown to have a heat-sensitizing effect as well as inducing the heat shock response (Li and Laszlo, 1985a). In this study, we have examined the effect of amino acid analogs on the development of thermotolerance after a brief heat shock or exposure to sodium arsenite and the effect of amino acid analogs on cells that are already thermotolerant. Exposure of HA-1 cells to amino acid analogs inhibited the development of thermotolerance following a mild heat shock or treatment with sodium arsenite. However, cells that were already thermotolerant were resistant to the sensitizing action of amino acid analogs. The refractoriness of thermotolerant cells to amino acid analog treatment developed in parallel with thermotolerance. The uptake of the arginine analog, canavanine, and its incorporation into proteins was not altered in the thermotolerant cells. Furthermore, another biological consequence of exposure to amino acid analogs, sensitization to ionizing radiation, also was not altered in the thermotolerant cells. The inhibition of the development of thermotolerance by amino acid analogs and the refractoriness of thermotolerant cells to the heat-sensitizing action of amino acid analogs lend further support the role of heat-shock proteins in the phenomenon of thermotolerance.

Amino Acids↗

Multiple pathways are involved in the oral absorption of BMS-262084, a tryptase inhibitor, in rats: role of paracellular transport, binding to trypsin, and P-glycoprotein efflux.

BMS-262084 is a potent and selective beta-lactam tryptase inhibitor with therapeutic potential for treating asthma. The oral bioavailability of BMS-262084 was low in rats (4% at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg) due to poor absorption. BMS-262084 was excreted mainly unchanged in the urine, suggesting minimal metabolism in rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of oral absorption of BMS-262084 in rats. Modulation of intestinal tight junctions, binding to trypsin, and involvement of the intestinal dipeptide transport system and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the absorption of BMS-262084 were examined. Coadministration of BMS-262084 with SQ-29852, a substrate of the intestinal dipeptide transport system, did not change the oral absorption of BMS-262084. An increase in the dose of BMS-262084 from 0.5 to 50 mg/kg resulted in a 3.7-fold increase in its oral absorption. Inulin absorption was enhanced upon coadministration with BMS-262084, suggesting the opening of tight junctions in the intestinal epithelium. Coadministration of aprotinin, a trypsin inhibitor, increased the oral absorption of BMS-262084 several fold. In vitro, using Caco-2 cells, BMS-262084 appeared to be a P-gp substrate, with an efflux ratio of 14. These results suggest that absorption of BMS-262084 is mediated by several concurrent mechanisms. At higher doses of BMS-262084, increased absorption may be primarily due to opening of tight junctions in the intestinal epithelium and consequent absorption via the paracellular pathway, while at lower doses, binding to trypsin may contribute to limiting its absorption. P-gp efflux may also play a role in influencing the absorption of BMS-262084. The intestinal dipeptide transporter system does not appear to be involved in the absorption of BMS-262084.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Graphical analysis of 2-[18F]FA binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rhesus monkey brain.

External imaging of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) using techniques such as PET would help to clarify the roles of these receptors in the physiology and pathology of brain function. Here we report the results of quantitative PET studies of cerebral nAChRs with 2-[(18)F]fluoro-A-85380 (2-[(18)F]FA) in rhesus monkeys. Data from dynamic PET scans were analyzed using graphical methods. Binding potential (BP) values of 2.0, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.03 observed in the thalamus (Th), cortex (Cx), striatum (Str), and cerebellum (Cb), respectively, were consistent with the pattern of alpha(4)beta(2) nAChR distribution in monkey brain. The high value of 2-[(18)F]FA-specific binding in the rhesus monkey Th and low level of that in Cb compared with nonspecific accumulation of radioactivity in these structures allowed use of Cb as a reference region for calculation of BP and volume of distribution of specific binding (VDsb) in Th by graphical methods, both with and without the plasma input function. In contrast, estimation of 2-[(18)F]FA specific binding in low-receptor-density regions such as Cx and Str required assessment of nondisplaceable volume of distribution (VDnd) in a separate study and measurement of nonmetabolized radioligand concentrations in the plasma. For accurate quantitation of 2-[(18)F]FA-specific binding by graphical analysis, PET studies should last up to 7 h due to the slow kinetics of 2-[(18)F]FA brain distribution. Further, to avoid substantial underestimation in measured BP values the doses of administered 2-[(18)F]FA should not exceed 0.1 nmol/kg body weight. The findings suggest that 2-[(18)F]FA is a promising ligand for quantitation of nAChRs in human brain.

Animals↗

Influence of acetylcholine levels on the binding of a SPECT nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand [123I]5-I-A-85380.

Although in vitro theory indicates that ligand binding is sensitive to competition with neurotransmitters, only some imaging ligands have shown such competition in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increases in acetylcholine (ACh) levels induced by an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine, inhibit in vivo binding of [(123)I]5-iodo-3-(2(S)-2-azetidinyl-methoxy) pyridine (5-I-A-85380), a single photon emission computed tomography ligand for the high-affinity type nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR). Baboons were used for seven studies with a bolus plus constant infusion equilibrium paradigm. After achieving equilibrium at 5 h, physostigmine (0.02 (n = 1), 0.067 (n = 3), and 0.2 (n = 3) mg/kg) was administered intravenously and data were acquired for up to 8 h. To confirm equilibrium conditions, [(123)I]5-I-A-85380 plasma levels were measured in four studies, including all studies with 0.2 mg/kg physostigmine. Prior to physostigmine administration, thalamic activities were stable, with changes of 1.1%/h or less, except in one study with a gradual increase of 4.2%/h. Thalamic activities were decreased by 15% in one study with 0.067 mg/kg and 14-17% in all studies with 0.2 mg/kg physostigmine administration (P = 0.009). In these studies with 0.2 mg/kg physostigmine administration, [(123)I]5-I-A-85380 plasma levels showed a transient or a sustained increase after physostigmine administration that would have increased thalamic activities. These results suggest that elevated ACh levels induced by physostigmine can effectively compete in vivo with [(123)I]5-I-A-85380 binding at nAChRs. However, decreased thalamic activities could have been caused by other mechanisms, including internalization of the receptor with an associated decreased affinity for radioligand.

Acetylcholine↗