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[Lactones. 28. EPC-synthesis, structure and pharmacology of "lactonized" and "lactamized" analogues of acetylcholine].

The enantiopure gamma-aminomethyl-gamma-butyrolactones (S)- and (R)-4a-d represent constrained analogues of acetylcholine, which were synthesized from D- or L-glutamic acid following two different routes. In addition, the corresponding lactames (S)- and (R)-10 were prepared by enantioselective synthesis. Only moderate activity was found at acetylcholine sites at the guinea pig atrium.

Acetylcholine↗

The difference of biological activity among four diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-26,23-lactone.

All four possible diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-26,23-lactone (1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone) were chemically synthesized and were compared to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) in terms of their stimulation, in vivo, of intestinal calcium transport and mobilization of calcium from bone in vitamin D-deficient rats (the two classic vitamin D-mediated responses), and their relative binding to the chick intestinal cytosol receptor for 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. The receptor binding affinity results are expressed as relative competitive index (RCI), where the RCI is defined as 100 for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. The RCI obtained for 23(S)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 7.90, for 23(R)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 2.27, 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 0.17, for 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone 0.22 and for the in vivo produced 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone the RCI was only 0.17. Also the four diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone all stimulated intestinal calcium transport, reaching a maximum 8 h after administration. Compared with the stimulation of intestinal calcium transport by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, 23(S)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 1/4 as effective, 23(R)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 1/20 as effective, 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 1/74 as effective and 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone was 1/53 as effective. Similarly, 23(S)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone and 23(R)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone were estimated to be 3 and 20 times less active than 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 in elevation of serum calcium. However, 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone and 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone decreased the serum calcium levels 24 h after administration. 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone reduced serum calcium concentrations to a greater extent than 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone. These results indicate that the biological activities of the diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone were quite different among four stereochemical configurations.

Animals↗

Lactonization is the critical first step in the disposition of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin.

In an in vitro study, we compared the cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent metabolism and drug interactions of the acid and lactone forms of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin. Metabolism of atorvastatin acid and lactone by human liver microsomes resulted in para-hydroxy and ortho-hydroxy metabolites. Both substrates were metabolized mainly by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Atorvastatin lactone had a significantly higher affinity to CYP3A4 than the acid (K(m): para-hydroxy atorvastatin, 25.6 +/- 5.0 microM; para-hydroxy atorvastatin lactone, 1.4 +/- 0.2 microM; ortho-hydroxy atorvastatin, 29.7 +/- 9.4 microM; and ortho-hydroxy atorvastatin lactone, 3.9 +/- 0.2 microM). Compared with atorvastatin acid, CYP-dependent metabolism of atorvastatin lactone to its para-hydroxy metabolite was 83-fold higher [formation CL(int) (V(max)/K(m)): lactone 2949 +/- 3511 versus acid 35.5 +/- 48.1 microl. min(-1). mg(-1)] and to its ortho-hydroxy metabolite was 20-fold higher (CL(int): lactone 923 +/- 965 versus acid 45.8 +/- 59. 1 microl. min(-1). mg(-1)). Atorvastatin lactone inhibited the metabolism of atorvastatin acid by human liver microsomes with an inhibition constant (K(i)) of 0.9 microM while the K(i) for inhibition of atorvastatin by atorvastatin lactone was 90 microM. Binding free energy calculations of atorvastatin acid and atorvastatin lactone complexed with CYP3A4 revealed that the smaller desolvation energy of the neutral lactone compared with the anionic acid is the dominant contribution to the higher binding affinity of the lactone rather than an entropy advantage. Because atorvastatin lactone has a significantly higher metabolic clearance and the lactone is a strong inhibitor of atorvastatin acid metabolism, it can be expected that metabolism of the lactone is the relevant pathway for atorvastatin elimination and drug interactions. We hypothesize that most of the open acid metabolites present in human plasma are generated by interconversion of lactone metabolites.

Atorvastatin↗

Lactonase and lactonizing activities of human serum paraoxonase (PON1) and rabbit serum PON3.

Human paraoxonase (PON1) was previously shown to hydrolyze over 30 different lactones (cyclic esters). In the present study purified human PON1 was found to catalyze the reverse reaction (lactonization) of a broad range of hydroxy acids. Hydroxy acid lactonization or lactone hydrolysis is catalyzed until equilibrium between the open and closed forms is reached. Lactonization by PON1 was calcium-dependent, had a pH optimum of 5.5-6 and could be stimulated with dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. Rabbit serum PON3 and a serine esterase in mouse plasma, presumably a carboxylesterase, also catalyzed hydroxy acid lactonization. Two endogenous oxidized unsaturated fatty acids, (+/-)4-hydroxy-5E,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid (4-HDoHE) and (+/-)5-hydroxy-6E,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) lactone, were very efficiently lactonized and hydrolyzed, respectively, by PON1. Human and mouse plasma samples also catalyzed 4-HDoHE lactonization and 5-HETE lactone hydrolysis. Studies with the PON1 inhibitor EDTA and the serine esterase inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride suggest that about 80-95% of both activities can be attributed to PON1 in the human samples. In the mouse sample, PON1 accounted for about 30% of the 4-HDoHE lactonizing activity and 72% of the 5-HETE lactonase activity. Our results demonstrate that PON1 can lactonize the hydroxy acid form of its lactone substrates and that reversible hydrolysis of lactones may be a property of lactonases that is not generally considered. Also, the high activity of PON1 towards 4-HDoHE and 5-HETE lactone suggests that oxidized eicosanoids and docosanoids may be important physiological substrates for PON1.

Animals↗

Acid-catalyzed lactonization of alpha2,8-linked oligo/polysialic acids studied by high performance anion-exchange chromatography.

Recent studies from many laboratories revealed remarkable structural, distributional, and functional diversities of oligo/polysialic acids (OSA/PSA) that exist in organisms ranging from bacteria to man. These diversities are further complicated by the fact that OSA/PSA spontaneously form lactones under even mildly acidic conditions. By using high performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with nitrate eluents, we found that lactonization of alpha2,8-linked OSA/PSA (oligo/poly-Neu5Ac, oligo/poly-Neu5Gc and oligo/poly-KDN) proceeds readily, and the lactonization process displays three discrete stages. The initial stage is characterized by limited lactonization occurring between two internal sialic acid residues, reflected by a regular pattern of lactone peaks interdigitated with non-lactonized peaks on HPAEC. In the middle stage, multiple lactonized species are formed from a molecule with a given degree of polymerization (DP), in which the maximum number of lactone rings formed equals DP minus 2. At the final stage, completely lactonized species become the major components, resulting in drastic changes in the physicochemical properties of the sample. Interestingly, the smallest lactonizable OSA are tetramer, trimer, and dimer at the initial, middle, and final stages, respectively. At any of the stages, OSA/PSA of higher DP lactonize more rapidly, but all the lactone rings rapidly open up when exposed to mild alkali. Lactonized OSA/PSA are resistant to both enzyme- and acid-catalyzed glycosidic bond cleavage. The latter fact was utilized to obtain more high DP oligo/poly(alpha2,8-Neu5Gc) chains from a polysialoglycoprotein. Our results should be useful in preparation, storage, and analysis of OSA/PSA. Possible biological significance and bioengineering potentials of lactonization are discussed.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

The stereochemical configuration of the natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone.

Four possible diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone were chemically synthesized and compared with the natural metabolite by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The four synthetic diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone could be separated into three peaks by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The naturally occurring 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone isolated from dog serum and in vitro incubation of chick kidney homogenates comigrated with 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. The four diastereoisomers of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone were tested against naturally occurring 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone to determine their relative competition in the 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-specific cytosol receptor binding assay for 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 23(S)25(S)-1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was the best competitor followed by 23(R)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone and 23(R)25(S)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone, and 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone was the poorest competitor. Natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone isolated from dog serum had almost the same binding affinity as that of 23(S)25(R)-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone. These data unequivocally demonstrate that the stereochemistry of the natural 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone has the 23(S) and 25(R) configuration.

Animals↗

High resolution proton NMR studies of gangliosides. Structure of two types of GD3 lactones and their reactivity with monoclonal antibody R24.

Ganglioside GD3 was converted at room temperature to two stable lactones, denoted as GD3 lactones I and II. The reaction sequence was presumed to be GD3----GD3 lactone I----GD3 lactone II based on the time course of their production. Lactone I behaved as a monosialoganglioside and lactone II as a neutral species. The two lactones were isolated by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography. The positions of the inner ester linkages were investigated by two-dimensional J-correlated proton NMR spectroscopy. An ester linkage was most likely formed between the carboxyl group of the external sialic acid residue and C9-OH of the internal sialic acid residue in lactone I. In addition to this ester linkage, a second ester linkage between the carboxyl group of the internal sialic acid and C2-OH of the galactose residue was likely formed in lactone II. The structural changes induced by lactonization were further examined by their reactivity with the monoclonal antibody R24 (Puckel, C. S., Lloyd, K. O., Travassos, L. R., Dippold, W. G., Oettgen, H. F., and Old, L. J. (1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1133-1147), which reacted with GD3. R24 was found to bind weakly to GD3 lactone I, but not to GD3 lactone II. The results suggest that the monoclonal antibody requires both sialic acid residues for high affinity binding, and the complete lactonization results in a loss of negative charges and/or a change in the overall conformation of the oligosaccharide moiety which may account for the loss of binding.

Animals↗

Kinetics of lactone hydrolysis in antitumor drugs of camptothecin series as studied by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Potent antitumor activity exhibited by 20-S-camptothecin (CPT) and numerous derivatives is known to be lost upon opening of the alpha-hydroxy-lactone ring of these drugs, hydrolyzable at neutral and basic pH. To quantify in 'real time' the lactone hydrolysis reaction in CPTs under physiological conditions, we have applied a non-perturbing approach by fluorescence spectroscopy. CPT and a set of its derivatives (21-lactam-S-CPT, 10,11-(methylenedioxy)-CPT, CPT-11, SN-38, topotecan, tricyclic ketone-CPT) with antitumor activity varying from negligible to 10 times that of CPT have been studied. Prior to the kinetic measurements, the effects of substitutions, pH, polarity of molecular environment, lactone ring opening (lactone-carboxylate transition) have been investigated in terms of the UV-visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of CPTs. Then the determined parameters of the fluorescence emission spectra corresponding to the respective lactone and carboxylate forms have been used to estimate the residual lactone percentage as a function of time. The reproducibility of the obtained data demonstrates that the spectroscopic approach provides a satisfactory precision for this kind of measurements. For CPT at pH 7.3, the lactone half-life was 29.4 +/- 1.7 min and the lactone percentage at equilibrium was 20.9 +/- 0.3%. Within a series of derivatives with substitutions at quinoline rings, the lactone half-life varied from 29 to 32 min and the equilibrium lactone content varied from 15% to 23%. For each compound, even slight increase of pH from 7.1 to 7.3 or from 7.3 to 7.6 logically leads to a remarkable decrease of both lactone half-life and equilibrium lactone percentage.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

Quantitation of cerivastatin and its seven acid and lactone biotransformation products in human serum by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous quantitation of cerivastatin (acid) and its biotransformation products, cerivastatin lactone, M-1 (acid), M-1 lactone, M-23 (acid), M-23 lactone, M-24 (acid) and M-24 lactone, in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography (LC) with positive ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) was developed and validated. The method involves extraction of cerivastatin and its biotransformation products from acidified human serum (0.5 ml) using methyl tert.-butyl ether. The standard curve ranges in human serum were from 0.0100 to 10.0 ng/ml for cerivastatin and cerivastatin lactone, 0.0500 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-1 (acid) and M-1 lactone, 0.100 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-23 (acid) and M-23 lactone, and 0.500 to 10.0 ng/ml for M-24 (acid) and M-24 lactone. The lactone compounds in human serum at room temperature underwent considerable conversion to the corresponding acid compounds after only 4 h. Lowering the serum pH with a pH 5.0 buffer stabilized the lactone compounds for up to 24 h at room temperature. The degree of lactonization of the acid compounds was < or = 3.5% and the degree of hydrolysis of the lactone compounds was < or = 6.0% during the entire assay procedure. All the eight analytes eluted within 2.0 min and the total run time was only 3.5 min.

Biotransformation↗

Cytochrome P450- and Dehydrogenase-Mediated Regiospecific and Stereoselective Formation of &#x3b2;- and &#x3b3;-Lactones in Drimane-Type Sesquiterpenoid Biosynthesis.

Lactone-containing natural products are important candidates for drug discovery. Drimane-type sesquiterpenes (DTSs), characterized by a bicyclic trans-decalin scaffold, can bear both &#x3b2;- and &#x3b3;-lactone moieties. While &#x3b3;-lactone-containing DTSs have frequently been reported, &#x3b2;-lactone-containing derivatives are rare, and their biosynthesis remains unexplored. Here, we identified a biosynthetic gene cluster (dri) in Aspergillus ustus and confirmed ustidrimane A (1), a &#x3b2;- and &#x3b3;-lactone-containing DTS, as its product. Heterologous gene expression, precursor feeding, and enzymatic investigation provided evidence for the formation of both lactone rings. In both cases, the reaction cascade is initiated by regiospecific (and stereoselective) methyl hydroxylation, followed by regiospecific and stereoselective oxidation of one hydroxymethyl group to an aldehyde. The resulting hemiacetal was proven to be subsequently oxidized to a lactone. The &#x3b2;-lactone formation is catalyzed by two cytochrome P450 enzymes (DriE and DriF), followed by two oxidation steps catalyzed by two dehydrogenases (DriG and DriH). These findings differ entirely from the known &#x3b2;-lactone formation in fatty acid-, PKS-, and NRPS-derived metabolites. The subsequent &#x3b3;-lactone formation is catalyzed by a P450 (DriJ) and a dehydrogenase (DriD). DriJ has been shown to be involved in both methyl hydroxylation and hemiacetal formation, while DriD is responsible for the hemiacetal oxidation and also contributes moderately to its formation. Collectively, these findings establish a sequential P450/dehydrogenase-mediated oxidative cascade for the construction of two distinct lactone motifs within a single DTS scaffold. Moreover, they provide the first insight into the &#x3b2;-lactone formation in terpenes, thus unveiling a new strategy for the construction of this structural motif.

Lactones↗

Effect of roasting on the formation of chlorogenic acid lactones in coffee.

Of all plant constituents, coffee has one of the highest concentrations of chlorogenic acids. When roasting coffee, some of these are transformed into chlorogenic acid lactones (CGL). We have studied the formation of CGL during the roasting of coffee beans in Coffea arabica cv. Bourbon; C. arabicacv. Longberry; and C. canephora cv. Robusta. Individual CGL levels were determined by comparison of HPLC peaks with those of synthetic CGL standards. Seven CGL were identified: 3-caffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-CQL), 4- caffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-CQL), 3-coumaroylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-pCoQL), 4-coumaroylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-pCoQL), 3-feruloylquinic-1,5-lactone (3-FQL), 4-feruloylquinic-1,5-lactone (4-FQL), and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic-1,5-lactone (3,4-diCQL). 3-CQL was the most abundant lactone in C. arabica and C. canephora, reaching peak values of 230 +/- 9 and 254 +/- 4 mg/100 g (dry weight), respectively, at light medium roast ( approximately 14% weight loss). 4-CQL was the second most abundant lactone (116 +/- 3 and 139 +/- 2 mg/100 g, respectively. The maximum amount of CGL represents approximately 30% of the available precursors. The relative levels of 3-CQL and 4-CQL in roasted coffee were reverse to those of their precursors in green coffee. This suggests that roasting causes isomerization of chlorogenic acids prior to the formation of lactones and that the levels of lactones in roasted coffee do not reflect the levels of precursors in green coffee.

Chlorogenic Acid↗

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) isozymes Q and R hydrolyze lactones and cyclic carbonate esters.

It is well established that human serum paraoxonase (PON1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of organophosphate insecticides and nerve agents, as well as that of a number of aromatic carboxylic acid esters. Our laboratory has recently found a new class of PON1 substrates that includes at least 30 lactones and cyclic carbonate esters. The lactone substrates vary in their ring size from 4 to 7 atoms. Substituents on the ring carbons may enhance or reduce the rate of lactone hydrolysis. An appreciable degree of stereospecificity exists with some activities differing up to 9-fold between enantiomers (i.e., S-alpha-hydroxy-gamma-butyrolactone is hydrolyzed 5 to 9 times faster than the R form). Thiolactones are hydrolyzed less efficiently, and some lactams are potent inhibitors. Four lactone-containing drugs-spironolactone, mevastatin, simvastatin, and lovastatin-have been identified as substrates for PON1. All lactone substrates are hydrolyzed by both the Q and R isozymes of human serum PON1. However, some lactone substrates are hydrolyzed faster by the Q than R isozyme, whereas others show a reverse preference. Moreover, these new substrates include homogentisic acid lactone, mevalonic acid lactone, homocysteine thiolactone, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid lactone-all lactone forms of endogenous compounds. It is reasonable to expect that further investigations may uncover PON1 lactone substrates that are, themselves, endogenous compounds. In this article we characterize the basic enzymatic properties of PON1's newly identified hydrolytic activities with lactone and cyclic carbonate ester substrates and compare these properties with those of representative arylesters and organophosphates.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗

Biological activity assessment of the 26,23-lactones of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and their binding properties to chick intestinal receptor and plasma vitamin D binding protein.

The binding of the natural and unnatural diastereoisomers 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone to the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] chick intestinal receptor have been investigated. Also, the biological activities, under in vivo conditions, of these compounds, in terms of intestinal calcium absorption (ICA) and bone calcium mobilization (BCM), in the chick are reported. The presence of the lactone ring in the C23-C26 position of the seco-steroid side chain increased two to three times the ability of both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 to displace 25(OH)[3H]D3 from the D-binding protein; however, the DBP could not distinguish between the various diastereoisomers. In contrast, the unnatural form (23R,25S) of the 25-hydroxy-lactone was found to be 10-fold more potent than the natural form, and the unnatural (23R,25S)1,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone three times more potent than the natural 1,25-dihydroxy-lactone in displacing 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 from its intestinal receptor. While studying the biological activity of these lactone compounds, it was found that the natural form of the 25-hydroxy-lactone increased the intestinal calcium absorption 48 h after injection (16.25 nmol), while bone calcium mobilization was decreased by the same dose of the 25-hydroxy-lactone. The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactone in both its natural and unnatural forms was found to be active in stimulating ICA and BCM. These results suggest that the 25-hydroxy-lactone has some biological activity in the chick and that 1,25(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone can mediate ICA and BCM biological responses, probably through an interaction with 1,25-(OH)2D3 specific receptors in these target tissues.

Animals↗

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (BBH5) directed to ganglioside lactone.

The occurrence of lactones in various ganglioside preparations has been clearly demonstrated, yet the natural occurrence of ganglioside lactones in cells and tissues has been the subject of long debate, since lactones can be formed readily during preparation of gangliosides. We now report the generation of monoclonal antibody (BBH5) that reacts specifically with lactones of disialogangliosides having the NeuAc2-8NeuAc2-3Gal sequence, but does not crossreact with the parent ganglioside. The specificity of the antibody resides on the first lactone ring between two sialic acid residues but not on the second lactone ring between sialic acid and galactose, as evidenced by reactivity with lactonized GD1b having the first lactone ring (L1), and by reactivity with lactonized polysialic acid homo-oligomers ([NeuAc alpha 2-8]nNeuAc). The sialic acid carboxyl involved in the lactone ring was unequivocally determined after ammonolysis followed by methylation and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The antibody BBH5 thus provides a novel tool for studies of the natural occurrence of lactones in cells and tissues.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Metabolic fate of pitavastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase: human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes involved in lactonization.

1. Pitavastatin is a potent competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase little metabolized in hepatic microsomes. Pitavastatin lactone, which can be converted back to the unchanged form, is the major metabolite of pitavastatin in humans. To clarify the mechanism of the lactonization of pitavastatin and the metabolic properties of the lactone, we performed experiments in vitro. 2. On addition of UDP-glucuronic acid, human hepatic microsomes produced pitavastatin lactone and an unknown metabolite (UM-2). UM-2 was converted to its unchanged form by enzymatic hydrolysis and to a lactone form non-enzymatically. Using several human UGT-expressing microsomes, UGT1A3 and UGT2B7 were principally responsible for glucuronidation of pitavastatin leading to lactonization. 3. No marked difference in intrinsic clearance between pitavastatin and its lactone form was detected in human hepatic microsomes. 4. Pitavastatin lactone showed no inhibitory effects on CYP2C9- and CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of model substrates in contrast to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. 5. The mechanism of pitavastatin lactone formation has been clarified, in that glucuronidation by UGT occurs first followed by lactonization via an elimination reaction. It was also found that pitavastatin lactone demonstrates no drug-drug interactions.

Biotransformation↗

Differential rates of glucuronidation for 7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38) lactone and carboxylate in human and rat microsomes and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isoforms.

7-ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38), the active metabolite of the anti-cancer agent irinotecan, contains a lactone ring that equilibrates with a carboxylate form. Since SN-38 lactone is the active and toxic form, it is prudent to examine whether the more soluble carboxylate is a surrogate for SN-38 lactone conjugation. Therefore, relative rates of glucuronidation and isoform specificity of SN-38 lactone and carboxylate were characterized. The stability of SN-38 lactone and carboxylate in incubation mixtures of microsomes and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms was used to determine optimal incubation times. Microsomal incubations were conducted using rat and human intestinal and hepatic microsomes and human and rat recombinant UGT1A isoforms. Where estimates of lactone and carboxylate glucuronidation rates could not be established due to short incubation times and detection limits, kinetic modeling was used to recover these rate constants. The stability experiments revealed that the lactone was stabilized by rat microsomes, however, the opposite was observed in human microsomes and recombinant isoforms. For all tissues and most UGT isoforms examined, the lactone consistently had catalytic rates up to 6-fold greater than the carboxylate. The rank order of glucuronidation for both SN-38 lactone and carboxylate was 1A7 > 1A1 > 1A9 > 1A8 and 1A7 > 1A8 > 1A1 for human and rat isoforms, respectively. This study provides further support that SN-38 lactone and carboxylate may be considered pharmacokinetically distinct agents. The in vivo impact of this conjugation difference is unknown, since variations in protein binding and transport proteins may affect intracellular concentrations of the lactone or carboxylate.

Animals↗

Plasma pharmacokinetics of lactone and carboxylate forms of 20(S)-camptothecin in anesthetized rats.

20(S)-Camptothecin exists in equilibrium between its lactone (CPT) and its carboxylate forms (Na-CPT) under stimulated physiological conditions, with the equilibrium favoring the carboxylate form. The rates of lactone hydrolysis were studied in plasma, serum albumin, and blood and were found to be faster than in aqueous buffers at equivalent pH values. From mechanistic information and in vivo activity data, the lactone appears to be the active form of the drug. It has been argued, therefore, that if an equilibrium existed between the lactone and the carboxylate, Na-CPT could be used to deliver the lactone effectively. In the present study, plasma pharmacokinetics were performed in sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized rats treated with both CPT (lactone) and the sodium salt of camptothecin (carboxylate, Na-CPT) and the lactone and carboxylate, as well as the total drug, concentration versus time profiles were assessed. It was found that plasma concentrations and AUC values for the lactone were significantly higher after dosing with CPT than after dosing with Na-CPT. After i.v. administration, the ratio of plasma lactone to carboxylate was skewed by the apparent rapid and extensive uptake of the lactone into tissues and the rapid clearance of both species. From our results, it appears that the lower in vivo activity of Na-CPT compared to that from CPT administration might be attributed to the altered conversion of carboxylate into lactone in vivo compared to that predicted from in vitro data.

Animals↗

Studies on the chemical modification of monensin. III. Synthesis and sodium ion transport activity of macrocyclic monensylamino acid-1,29-lactones.

Monensylglycine (2a) was lactonized to macrocyclic monensylglycine-1,29-lactone (3a) by Corey's method. Lactonization of monensylamino acids (2b--d) to monensylamino acid-1,29-lactones (3b--d) was carried out by utilizing the template effect of K+ ion. Monobenzyl esters of dicarboxylic monensylamino acids (5e--f) also were lactonized followed by debenzylation to yield carboxylic monensylamino acid-1,29-lactones (3e--f). Sodium ion transport activity of monensin (1) and the lactones (3) was measured in a liquid membrane and in guinea pig erythrocyte membrane. Monensylaspartic acid-1,29-lactone (3e) exhibited 2.5 times higher activity than 1 in the liquid membrane. Monensylalanine-1,29-lactone (3b), monensylphenylalanine-1,29-lactone (3c), and monensyltyrosine-1,29-lactone (3d), having smaller Na+ ion transport activity than 3e, showed weak antibacterial activity, while 3e was inactive in biological tests, probably due to the lower lipophilicity.

Animals↗