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Signal transduction underlying carbachol-induced contraction of rat urinary bladder. I. Phospholipases and Ca2+ sources.

We have reexamined the muscarinic receptor subtype mediating carbachol-induced contraction of rat urinary bladder and investigated the role of phospholipase (PL)C, D, and A2 and of intra- and extracellular Ca2+ sources in this effect. Based on the nonsubtype-selective tolterodine, the highly M2 receptor-selective (R)-4-[2-[3-(4-methoxy-benzoylamino)-benzyl]-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid amide (Ro-320-6206), and the highly M3 receptor-selective darifenacin and 3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenylethyl)pyrrolidine (APP), contraction occurs via M3 receptors. Carbachol stimulated inositol phosphate formation in rat bladder slices, and this was abolished by the phospholipase C inhibitor 1-(6-[([17beta]-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5[10]-trien-17-yl)-amino]hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U 73,122; 10 microM). Nevertheless, U 73,122 (1-10 microM) did not significantly affect carbachol-stimulated bladder contraction. Carbachol had only little effect on PLD activity in bladder slices, but the PLD inhibitor butan-1-ol, relative to its negative control butan-2-ol (0.3% each), caused detectable inhibition of carbachol-induced bladder contraction. The cytosolic PLA2 inhibitor arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone weakly inhibited carbachol-induced contraction at a concentration of 300 microM, but the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (1-10 microM) remained without effect. The Ca2+ entry blocker nifedipine (10-100 nM) almost completely inhibited carbachol-induced bladder contraction. In contrast, 1-[beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole HCl (SKF 96,365; 10 microM), an inhibitor of store-operated Ca2+ channels, caused little inhibition. We conclude that carbachol-induced contraction of rat bladder largely depends on Ca2+ entry through nifedipine-sensitive channels and, perhaps, PLD, PLA2, and store-operated Ca2+ channels, whereas cyclooxygenase and, surprisingly, also PLC are not involved to a relevant extent.

Animals↗

Selective activation of cannabinoid CB2 receptors suppresses hyperalgesia evoked by intradermal capsaicin.

The present studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that activation of peripheral cannabinoid CB(2) receptors would suppress hyperalgesia evoked by intradermal administration of capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers. The CB(2)-selective cannabinoid agonist (2-iodo-5-nitro-phenyl)-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanone (AM1241) (33, 330 microg/kg i.p.) suppressed the development of capsaicin-evoked thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia. AM1241 also produced a dose-dependent suppression of capsaicin-evoked nocifensive behavior. The AM1241-induced suppression of each parameter of capsaicin-evoked pain behavior was completely blocked by the CB(2) antagonist N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethyl bicycle [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528) but not by the CB(1) antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride (SR141716A). AM1241 (33 microg/kg i.pl.) suppressed capsaicin-evoked thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia after local administration to the capsaicin-treated (ipsilateral) paw but was inactive after administration to the capsaicin-untreated (contralateral) paw. Our data indicate that AM1241 suppresses capsaicin-evoked hyperalgesia and allodynia through a local site of action. These data provide evidence that actions at cannabinoid CB(2) receptors are sufficient to normalize nociceptive thresholds and produce antinociception in persistent pain states.

Analgesics↗

Signal transduction underlying carbachol-induced contraction of human urinary bladder.

The present study was designed to reexamine the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype mediating carbachol-induced contraction of human urinary bladder and to investigate the underlying signal transduction. Based upon the nonselective tolterodine, the highly M(2)-selective (R)-4-[2-[3-(4-methoxy-benzoylamino)-benzyl]-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]piperidine-1-carboxylic acid amide (Ro-320-6206), and the highly M(3)-selective darifenacin and 3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenylethyl)pyrrolidine (APP), contraction occurs via M(3) receptors. The phospholipase C inhibitor 1-(6-[([17beta]-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5[10]-trien-17-yl)amino]hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U 73,122) (1-10 microM) did not significantly affect carbachol-stimulated bladder contraction. The phospholipase D inhibitor butan-1-ol relative to its negative control butan-2-ol (0.3% each) caused small but detectable inhibition of carbachol-induced bladder contraction. The Ca(2+) entry blocker nifedipine (10-100 nM) strongly inhibited carbachol-induced bladder contraction. In contrast, 1-[beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole HCl (SK&F 96,365) (1-10 microM), an inhibitor of store-operated Ca(2+) channels, caused little inhibition. The protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (1-10 microM) did not significantly affected carbachol-induced bladder contraction. In contrast, trans-4-[(1R)-1-aminoethyl]-N-4-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide (Y 27,632) (1-10 microM), an inhibitor of rho-associated kinases, concentration dependently and effectively attenuated the carbachol responses. We conclude that carbachol-induced contraction of human urinary bladder via M(3) receptors largely depends on Ca(2+) entry through nifedipine-sensitive channels and activation of a rho kinase, whereas phospholipase D and store-operated Ca(2+) channels contribute only in a minor way. Surprisingly, phospholipase C or protein kinase C do not seem to be involved to a relevant extent.

Calcium Channels, L-Type↗

Lobeline analogs with enhanced affinity and selectivity for plasmalemma and vesicular monoamine transporters.

Lobeline attenuates the behavioral effects of psychostimulants in rodents and inhibits the function of nicotinic receptors (nAChRs), dopamine transporters (DATs), and vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT2s). Monoamine transporters are considered valid targets for drug development for the treatment of methamphetamine abuse. In the current study, a series of lobeline analogs were evaluated for affinity and selectivity at these targets. None of the analogs was more potent than nicotine at the [3H]methyllycaconitine binding site (alpha7* nAChR subtype). Lobeline tosylate was equipotent with lobeline in inhibiting [3H]nicotine binding but 70-fold more potent in inhibiting nicotine-evoked 86Rb+ efflux, demonstrating antagonism of alpha4beta2* nAChRs. Compared with lobeline, the defunctionalized analogs lobelane, mesotransdiene, and (-)-trans-transdiene showed dramatically reduced affinity at alpha4beta2* nAChRs and a 15- to 100-fold higher affinity (Ki = 1.95, 0.58, and 0.26 microM, respectively) at DATs. Mesotransdiene and (-)-trans-transdiene competitively inhibited DAT function, whereas lobelane and lobeline acted noncompetitively. 10S/10R-MEPP [N-methyl-2R-(2R/2S-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)6S-(2-phenylethyl)piperidine] and 10R-MESP [N-methyl-2R-(2R-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)6S-(2-phenylethen-1-yl)piperidine] were 2 to 3 orders of magnitude more potent (Ki = 0.01 and 0.04 microM, respectively) than lobeline in inhibiting [3H]serotonin uptake; 10S/10R-MEPP showed a 600-fold selectivity for this transporter. Uptake results using hDATs and human serotonin transporters expressed in human embryonic kidney-293 cells were consistent with native transporter assays. Lobelane and ketoalkene were 5-fold more potent (Ki = 0.92 and 1.35 microM, respectively) than lobeline (Ki = 5.46 microM) in inhibiting [3H]methoxytetrabenazine binding to VMAT2 in vesicle preparations. Thus, structural modification (defunctionalization) of the lobeline molecule markedly decreases affinity for alpha4beta2* and alpha7* nAChRs while increasing affinity for neurotransmitter transporters, affording analogs with enhanced selectivity for these transporters and providing new leads for the treatment of psychostimulant abuse.

Aconitine↗

Identification of subunit- and antagonist-specific amino acid residues in the N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor glutamate-binding pocket.

The resolved X-ray crystal structures of the glutamate-binding domain (S1/S2 domains) of the GluR2 and NR1 glutamate receptor subunits were used to model the homologous regions of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor's NR2 subunits. To test the predictive value of these models, all four stereoisomers of the antagonist 1-(phenanthren-2-carbonyl) piperazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (PPDA) were docked into the NR2B glutamate-binding site model. This analysis suggested an affinity order for the PPDA isomers of d-cis > L-cis > L-trans = D-trans and predicted that the 2-position carboxylate group of the cis-PPDA isomers, but not of the trans-PPDA isomers, may be interacting with histidine 486 in NR2B. Consistent with these predictions, cis-PPDA displays a 35-fold higher affinity for NR2B-containing NMDA receptors than trans-PPDA. In addition, mutating NR2B's H486 to phenylalanine decreased cis-PPDA affinity 8-fold but had no effect on trans-PPDA affinity. In contrast, the NR2B H486F mutation increased the affinity of the typical antagonists CGS-19755 [(2R*,4S*)-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine carboxylic acid] and 4-(3-phosphonopropyl) piperidine-2-carboxylic acid. In the NR1-based NR2 models, there were only four subunit-specific amino acid residues exposed to the ligand-binding pocket (and six in the GluR2-based models). These residues are located at the edge of the binding pocket, suggesting that large antagonists may be necessary for subtype specificity. Of these residues, mutational analysis and modeling suggest that A414, R712, and G713 (NR2B numbering) may be especially useful for developing NR2C- and NR2D-selective NMDA receptor antagonists and that residues A414 and T428 may determine subunit variations in agonist affinity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pharmacological evaluation of cannabinoid receptor ligands in a mouse model of anxiety: further evidence for an anxiolytic role for endogenous cannabinoid signaling.

Extracts of Cannabis sativa have been used for their calming and sedative effects for centuries. Recent developments in drug discovery have suggested that modulation of neuronal endogenous cannabinoid signaling systems could represent a novel approach to the treatment of anxiety-related disorders while minimizing the adverse effects of direct acting cannabinoid receptor agonists. In this study, we evaluated the effects of direct cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists and endocannabinoid-modulating drugs on anxiety-like behavior in mice using the elevated-plus maze. We found that the direct CB1 receptor agonists (1R,3R,4R)-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexan-1-ol (CP 55,940) (0.001-0.3 mg/kg) and 2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3[(4-morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo [1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazinyl]-(1-naphthalenyl)methanone mesylate) (WIN 55212-2) (0.3-10 mg/kg) increased time spent on the open arms (To) at low doses only. At the highest doses tested, both compounds altered overall locomotor activity. In contrast, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (0.25-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent reduction in To. The endocannabinoid uptake/catabolism inhibitor 4-hydroxyphenylarachidonylamide (AM404) (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced an increase in To at low doses and had no effect at the highest dose tested. The fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor cyclohexyl carbamic acid 3'-carbamoyl-biphenyl-3-yl ester (URB597) (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) produced a monophasic, dose-dependent increase in To. The CB1 receptor antagonists N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide HCl (SR141716) (1-10 mg/kg) and N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM251) (1-10 mg/kg) produced dose-related decreases in To. These data indicate that activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors reduces anxiety-like behaviors in mice and further support an anxiolytic role for endogenous cannabinoid signaling. These results suggest that pharmacological modulation of this system could represent a new approach to the treatment of anxiety-related psychiatric disorders.

Animals↗

Differential effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine4 receptor agonists at gastric versus cardiac receptors: an operational framework to explain and quantify organ-specific behavior.

Quantification of different levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine4 (5-HT4) receptor agonism expression across animal species as well as across organs within the same animal species offers substantial potential for the separation of desired gastrointestinal versus undesired cardiac pharmacological activity of compounds in development. Since a detailed investigation of such properties is lacking to date, we set out to quantify gastric and cardiac effects of 5-HT4 receptor ligands in the pig, a model considered to be representative for the human situation. An in vitro test was developed to study the potentiating effect of 5-HT, prucalopride, tegaserod, R149402 (4-amino-5-chloro-2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-7-carboxylic acid [3-hydroxy-1-(3-methoxy-propyl)-piperidin-4ylmethyl]-amide), and R199715 (4-amino-5-chloro-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-7-carboxylic acid [3-hydroxy-1-(3-methoxy-propyl)-piperidin-4ylmethyl]-amide) on electrically induced cholinergic contractions in longitudinal muscle strips of the proximal stomach. The results were compared with inotropic and chronotropic effects of these compounds in the electrically paced left atrium and spontaneously beating right atrium, respectively. To quantify the observed tissue-dependent responses, a nonlinear mixed-effects model based on the operational model of agonism was developed and successfully fitted to the data. The model quantified the tissue-dependent partial agonism of the selective 5-HT4 receptor agonists prucalopride, R149402, and R199715, whereas tegaserod and 5-HT were equiefficacious. The model was further extended to incorporate the responses to prucalopride in the presence of the 5-HT4 receptor antagonist GR113808 ([1-[2-[(methylsulphonyl)amino]ethyl]-4-piperidinyl-]methyl 1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate). The results indicate that these interactions do not follow a simple competitive pattern and that they differ between stomach and left atrium.

Animals↗

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine inhibitors delta(24)-sterol methyltransferase and delta(24(28))-sterol methylreductase as possible agents against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

We studied the antiproliferative effects of three azasterol analogs [piperidyl-2-yl-5alpha-pregnan-3beta,20(R)-diol (AZA-1), 22-piperidin-2-yl-pregnan-22(S),3beta-diol (AZA-2), and 22-piperidin-3-yl-pregnan-22(S),3beta-diol (AZA-3)] and their effects on the lipid composition of the pathogenic yeastlike phase of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Inhibition was 100% for AZA-1 at 5 microM, 62% for AZA-2 at 10 microM, and 100% for AZA-3 at 0.5 microM. The analogs inhibited different stages of the sterol biosynthesis pathway.

Culture Media↗

Catabolism of tritiated thymidine by aquatic microbial communities and incorporation of tritium into RNA and protein.

The incorporation of tritiated thymidine by five microbial ecosystems and the distribution of tritium into DNA, RNA, and protein were determined. All microbial assemblages tested exhibited significant labeling of RNA and protein (i.e., nonspecific labeling), as determined by differential acid-base hydrolysis. Nonspecific labeling was greatest in sediment samples, for which >/=95% of the tritium was recovered with the RNA and protein fractions. The percentage of tritium recovered in the DNA fraction ranged from 15 to 38% of the total labeled macromolecules recovered. Nonspecific labeling was independent of both incubation time and thymidine concentration over very wide ranges. Four different RNA hydrolysis reagents (KOH, NaOH, piperidine, and enzymes) solubilized tritium from cold trichloroacetic acid precipitates. High-pressure liquid chromatography separation of piperidine hydrolysates followed by measurement of isolated monophosphates confirmed the labeling of RNA and indicated that tritium was recovered primarily in CMP and AMP residues. We also evaluated the specificity of [2-H]adenine incorporation into adenylate residues in both RNA and DNA in parallel with the [H]thymidine experiments and compared the degree of nonspecific labeling by [H]adenine with that derived from [H]thymidine. Rapid catabolism of tritiated thymidine was evaluated by determining the disappearance of tritiated thymidine from the incubation medium and the appearance of degradation products by high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the cell-free medium. Degradation product formation, including that of both volatile and nonvolatile compounds, was much greater than the rate of incorporation of tritium into stable macromolecules. The standard degradation pathway for thymidine coupled with utilization of Krebs cycle intermediates for the biosynthesis of amino acids, purines, and pyrimidines readily accounts for the observed nonspecific labeling in environmental samples.

Journal Article↗

Analysis of the DNA-terminal protein from different serotypes of human adenovirus.

The DNA-terminal proteins from adenovirus type 12, type 3, and type 5 were analyzed after labeling in vitro with 125I by the chloramine T method, and were shown to be serotype specific. We also studied the kinetics of cleavage by alkali of the terminal protein-DNA linkage and showed that the half-time of cleavage with either 0.1 M NaOH or 0.5 M piperidine at 37 degree C is about 15 to 30 min. The substitution of the volatile base piperidine for NaOH in this procedure provided a useful tool for rapid analysis of the labeled protein.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Muscarinic receptors in guinea pig ileum. A study by agonist--3H-labelled antagonist competition.

A series of muscarinic agonists (n = 18) derived from dioxolane, furan, piperidine, and thiacyclohexane ring structures which have a degree of conformational restraint have been examined in guinea pig ileal smooth muscle. Binding to muscarinic receptors was determined by competition with 3H-labelled (-)-quinuclidinyl benzilate. Agonist binding was characterized by shallow displacement curves and Hill coefficients (nH) of less than 1. Binding (K1) was resolved into high (K1) and low (K2) affinity components. Correlations between drug-receptor binding and pharmacological activity were examined. A good correlation was found between K1 and K2 (pK1 = 1.33 X pK2 - 0.1), suggesting that the structural requirements for binding at low and high affinity sites are similar. Good correlations also exist between pK1 and pD2 (pK1 = 0.63 X pD2 + 1.27, furans and dioxolanes; pK1 = 0.71 X pD2 + 1.30, piperidines and thiacyclohexanes) confirming that a pharmacologically potent agonist has a high binding affinity. Although K1 represents only an "average" binding affinity its correlation with pD2 is better than those between pK1 or pK2 and pD2. The significance of these several correlations is discussed and some general limitations to the correlation of binding and response data at pharmacological receptors are noted.

Animals↗

Diastereoselective synthesis of some novel benzopyranopyridine derivatives.

BACKGROUND: The formation of novel N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1,3]-dioxolo-[6,7]-5H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c]pyridines were observed unexpectedly during the acid-mediated ketal removal of ethylenedioxy ketal protected 4-piperidones. The literature revealed that benzopyranopyridine derivatives are of scientific interest and some exhibit interesting biological activities. Diastereomeric resolution was utilized to isolate optically pure chiral molecules. RESULTS: The acid catalyzed deprotection of N-substituted-4,4-ethylenedioxy-3- [(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl]piperidines, prepared by condensation of the corresponding phenols and mesylate derivatives, unexpectedly resulted in cyclodehydration leading to new benzopyrano derivatives, N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1,3]-dioxolo-[6,7]-5H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c]pyridines. The process involves the deprotection of the carbonyl protecting group, and then the cyclization reaction occurs followed by dehydration to give the final product.These N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1,3]-dioxolo-[6,7]-5H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c] pyridines were dealkylated giving the corresponding N-unsubstituted derivatives. The cis-1,3,4,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-[6,7]-2H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c]pyridine derivative was also obtained from the N-benzylated-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1,3]-dioxolo-[6,7]-5H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c]pyridine via catalytic hydrogenation. The resolution of the enantiomers was carried out using D-(-)-mandelic acid as chiral reagent. The absolute configuration of the S,S-mandelate salt derivative was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. CONCLUSION: The approach led to the construction of N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro[1,3]-dioxolo-[6,7]-5H-[1]benzopyrano [3,4-c] pyridines ring systems involving the one-pot deprotection, cyclization and dehydration of N-substituted-4,4-ethylenedioxy-3- [(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl]piperidines. The hydrogenation of the N-benzylated benzopyrano [3,4-c]pyridine derivative followed by resolution led to the formation of a new compound.

Journal Article↗

Surface active properties of simple cyclic and heterocyclic amines in water.

The surface tension of aqueous solutions of simple cyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic amines was measured with a Du Nöuy tensiometer at 25 degrees C and the results discussed in terms of structure-aggregation relationships. The simple compounds used in this study were piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, 3-methylpyridine, cyclohexylamine and benzylamine, with carbon numbers ranging from four to seven. Piperazine, piperidine and morpholine did not form micellar associations but cyclohexylamine, benzylamine and 3-methylpyridine did, indicating that more than six carbons are necessary to form micellar associations, at least for compounds having a six-membered ring.

Amines↗

Improved synthesis of paroxetine hydrochloride propan-2-ol solvate through one of metabolites in humans, and characterization of the solvate crystals.

Paroxetine, a potent and selective inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) uptake, was prepared through a piperidine derivative, which was reported to be one of the paroxetine metabolites in humans. Thus, the piperidine derivative was converted to its N-tert-butoxycarbonyl (N-Boc) derivative, which was then converted to N-Boc paroxetine. Paroxetine hydrochloride propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol (IPA)) solvate crystals were directly obtained from the N-Boc paroxetine by adding hydrogen chloride to the N-Boc paroxetine IPA solution. The amount of IPA content in the crystals was reduced by drying with a continuous change of powder X-ray diffraction patterns. Other characterizations of the solvate crystals were also conducted.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

Studies on the constituents of Broussonetia species X. Six new alkaloids from Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb.

Six new alkaloids, broussonetines W, X, M1, U1, J3, and J2 (1-6) were isolated from the branches of Broussonetia kazinoki SIEB. (Moraceae) as minor constituents. They were formulated as (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxy-methyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyllpyrrolidine (1), (2R,3S,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-17-(cyclohexy-2-on-1(6)-enyl)heptyl]pyrrolidine-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(9R)-9,13-dihydroxytridecyl]- pyrrolidine (3), (2S,3S,4S)-2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(10-oxo-13-hydroxytridecyl)-5- pyrroline (4), (2R)-2-[(IS,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-1(2R,3R,4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethyl-3,4-dihydroxy-1-acetylpyrrolidinyl)loctyl]piperidine (5), (2R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1,2-dihydroxy-8-[(2R,3R, 4R,5R)-5-(2-hydroxymethy]-3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidinyl)]octyl]piperidine (6).

Alkaloids↗

Room-temperature luminescence from kaolin induced by organic amines.

Several new, room-temperature luminescent phenomena, resulting from the interaction of kaolin and various amino compounds, have been observed. The emission of light from kaolin pastes (treated with quinoline, pyridine, hydrazine, monoethanolamine, n-butylamine, and piperidine) was shown to decay monotonically over a period of hours to days. More light was released by a given amino compound after it was dried and purified. Hydrazine, in addition to the monotonically decaying photon release, produces delayed pulses of light with peak emission wavelength of 365 nm which last between several hours and several days. These photon burst are acutely sensitive to the initial dryness of the hydrazine, both in the number of bursts and the integrated photon output. The amount of light and the capacity of the kaolin to produce the delayed burst appeared to be strongly dependent on preliminary heating and on gamma-irradiation, analogous to the dehydration-induced light pulse previously reported from the Ames Research Center. A small, delayed burst of photons occurred when piperidine and n-butylamine were removed by evaporation into an H2SO4 reservoir.

Aluminum Oxide↗

Pharmacology of irinotecan.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) is a semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin, an alkaloid extracted from the Chinese plant Camptotheca acuminata. It bears a bis-piperidine moiety and was selected for its water solubility and promising preclinical antitumor activity in in vitro and in vivo models. The target of drugs of the camptothecin family is DNA topoisomerase I, a nuclear enzyme involved in the relaxation of the DNA double helix required for replication and transcription activities. They stabilize the enzyme-DNA complex and prevent the religation of the single-strand breaks created by the enzyme, which are converted to double-strand breaks upon the collision with a replication fork during the S-phase. Resistance to irinotecan appears not to be mediated by P-glycoprotein, but by qualitative and/or quantitative alterations of its target, topoisomerase I, or by alterations occurring downstream of this interaction. As with all camptothecin derivatives, irinotecan contains a lactone ring that can be spontaneously and reversibly hydrolyzed to a carboxylate open ring form, which predominates at neutral and alkaline pH and is inactive on topoisomerase I-DNA complexes. Irinotecan is, in fact, much less active than its metabolite SN-38 and is generally considered as a prodrug of this compound. The carboxylesterase which carries out this conversion is preferentially active on the lactone form of irinotecan and directly generates the lactone form of SN-38, which may explain the superiority of irinotecan over SN-38 in vivo. Further metabolism of SN-38 to a beta-glucuronide conjugate is a major pathway of detoxification and plays an important role in determining irinotecan toxicity in the clinical setting. Other metabolic pathways of irinotecan involve oxidations occurring on the bis-piperidine rings, which are carried out by cytochrome P450. Irinotecan has shown an important activity in advanced and metastatic colorectal carcinoma and is now used for this indication in several countries, with two different recommended schedules: weekly administration of 125 mg/m(2) with a 2-week drug-free interval every 4 administrations or 3-weekly administration of 350 mg/m(2), a dose that can be increased to 500 mg/m(2) with the support of antidiarrhetics. Other possible indications of irinotecan include lung and cervix cancer, which are presently under investigation. The dose-limiting toxicity of irinotecan is mainly diarrhea, which occurs 7-10 days after treatment and can be life-threatening when associated with neutropenia, another frequent side effect. High-dose loperamide has shown good efficacy for treating this diarrhea and has allowed an increase in irinotecan doses tolerated by patients. The pharmacokinetics of irinotecan are characterized by a 2- or 3-compartment decay, with a terminal half-life of about 10 h, a total volume of distribution of 150 l/m(2) and a total plasma clearance of 15 l/h/m(2). SN-38 AUC is only a small fraction of that of irinotecan (2-4%) and SN-38 is eliminated from plasma with a half-life of about 12 h. SN-38 glucuronide is present in plasma at higher concentrations than SN-38 and is eliminated at the same rate. APC, produced by the action of cytochrome P450, isoenzyme 3A4, is present in plasma at concentrations close to those of irinotecan itself. Only a small fraction of irinotecan and its metabolites is eliminated in urine and a higher proportion in the bile, with an enterohepatic cycle of SN-38 glucuronide and SN-38. Significant relationships have been established between the AUCs of both irinotecan and SN-38 and hematological and intestinal toxicities, suggesting a potential use for monitoring of this drug.

Journal Article↗

Alkaloids of anuran skin: antimicrobial function?

A variety of alkaloids, most of which occur or are structurally related to alkaloids that occur in skin glands of dendrobatid poison frogs, were assayed for antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the fungus Candida albicans. Certain pyrrolidines, piperidines and decahydroquinolines, perhydro-histrionicotoxin, and a synthetic pumiliotoxin were active against B. subtilis. Only 2-n-nonylpiperidine was active against E. coli. One pyrrolidine, two piperidines, two decahydroquinolines, and the synthetic pumiliotoxin were active against the fungus C. albicans. The results suggest that certain of the skin alkaloids of poison frogs, in addition to being noxious to predators, may also benefit the frog through protection against skin infections.

Alkaloids↗