Effects of pure capsaicinoids (capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin) on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations of turkey poults.

The effects of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin on blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were determined in two groups of turkeys. The first group was maintained on a cholesterol-free diet, while the second received a diet supplemented with 0.2% cholesterol. Daily administration of capsaicinoids occurred at a dose of 4 mg per animal. Neither drug had an effect on serum triglyceride concentrations in the animals receiving the cholesterol-free diet. However, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were increased significantly, while VLDL cholesterol concentrations were decreased significantly by both drugs relative to controls. In the cholesterol-fed group triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly with dihydrocapsaicin treatment. Both compounds reduced VLDL-cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol in the cholesterol-fed animals. Dihydrocapsaicin had a greater efficacy in producing beneficial anti-hyperlipidemic effects in the cholesterol-fed animals.

Reduction of chronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in beagle dogs by bis-morpholinomethyl derivative of razoxane (ICRF-159).

Addition of morpholinomethyl substituents to razoxane (ICRF-159) produced a compound (bis-4-morpholinomethyl-3,5-dioxopiperazinyl-1,2-propane (MM-159) considerably more water-soluble than razoxane. The increased solubility allowed MM-159 to be examined for protective activity against chronic doxorubicin (DXR) cardiotoxicity. Adult beagle dogs of either sex were given, i.v. at 3-week intervals, either DXR (1.75 mg/kg) alone or DXR 15 min after MM-159 (25 mg/kg). Control animals received MM-159 (25 mg/kg) or saline without DXR. The experiment was terminated 3 weeks after the ninth injection (total DXR dose, 15.75 mg/kg). Of the eight animals given DXR alone, five died after receiving seven to eight injections (12.25-14 mg/kg DXR) and the remaining three were killed after eight injections because they were in poor condition. Marked ascites was noted in four of these eight dogs. When frequency and extent of myocardial lesions (vacuolation and myofibrillar loss) were assessed on a scale from 0 to 4+, severe lesions (3+) were present in all eight dogs given DXR alone, but no abnormalities (lesion score 0) were found in the hearts of three of eight dogs given MM-159 and DXR and the five remaining animals in this group had minimal (1+; four dogs) or mild (2+; one dog) alterations. DXR reduced the erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit when administered alone, but not in combination with MM-159. Such protection against DXR hematologic effects was not noted previously when dogs were pretreated with ICRF-187, the d-isomer of razoxane, despite the fact that pretreatment with ICRF-187 was as effective as MM-159 in reducing chronic DXR cardiotoxicity. It remains to be determined whether there are other differences in biological activity between MM-159 and ICRF-187.

Identification of the principal biliary metabolite of 4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide in rats.

m-AMSA [4'-(9-acridinylamino)methanesulfon-m-anisidide] labeled in either the acridine or anilino portion was used to investigate the disposition of this antitumor agent in rats. The principal biliary metabolite, which accounts for approximately 80% of the total biliary radioactivity for 90 min after administration and greater than 50% of the administered dose by 180 min after administration, had both the acridine and the anilino portions intact. Isolation and purification of the principal metabolite was achieved by preparative thin-layer chromatography on silica gel and column chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2 resin. A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the CID salt in D2O showed that the metabolite is the m-AMSA-glutathione conjugate in which the thioether linkage occurs at the 5'-position of the anilino ring. Synthesis of the metabolite was achieved by oxidizing m-AMSA with active MnO2 to -methanesulfonyl - - (9-acridinyl)-3'-methoxy - 2',5' - cyclohexadiene-1',4'-diimine (m-AQDI) followed by reaction of m-AQDI with glutathione. The 1H-NMR spectrum of the synthetic product proved identical with that of the isolated metabolite. The demonstration that the principal biliary metabolite on m-AMSA involves glutathione bound to the 9-anilino ring suggests that m-AMSA may be bioactivated in vivo to the quinoidal diimine, m-AQDI.

Quantitative determination of naltrexone and naltrexone prodrugs by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography.

An electron-capture gas chromatographic method has been applied to the determination of eleven ester and ether derivatives of naltrexone believed to act as prodrugs. Standard analytical curves are presented for all prodrugs and quantitation is shown to be possible from 10 ng to 1.5 microgram of each compound. Ester derivatives of naltrexone are hydrolyzed to naltrexone prior to analysis as the perfluoroalkyl esters. Analysis of synthetic mixtures of these with naltrexone demonstrated that quantitation by difference measurements is possible with naltrexone-derivative ratios from 4:1 to 1:10. Ether derivatives are analyzed without hydrolysis. This method is applicable to biological fluids as well as aqueous solutions.

Effect of dihydro-ouabain on vascular tone on the perfused cannine hindlimb.

Digitalis compounds are known to cause contraction of vascular smooth muscle. However, it has been reported by Kahn and colleagues (J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 142: 215-222, 1963) that dihydro-ouabain has no effect on vascular tone in dogs. The purpose of our study was to reassess the vasoconstrictor activity of dihydro-ouabain. This was done by monitoring perfusion pressure of the canine hindlimb preparation perfused at a constant rate of blood flow and administering intra-arterial injections of dihydro-ouabain. Increasing doses of this drug (i.e., 25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mug) produced significant dose-dependent increases in perfusion pressure. Pretreatment with phentolamine prevented the effect of dihydro-ouabain on perfusion pressure. These results indicate that dihydro-ouabain causes contraction of vascular smooth muscle by an adrenergic mechanism.

Metabolic reduction of naltrexone. I. Synthesis, separation and characterization of naloxone and naltrexone reduction products and qualitative assay of urine and bile following administration of naltrexone, alpha-naltrexol, or beta-naltrexol.

Reduction of naltrexone and naloxone with sodium borohydride gave a mixture (85:15) of the 6alpha- and 6beta-hydroxy epimers, alpha- and beta-naltrexol and alpha- and beta-naloxol, respectively. Each pair of epimers was separated by preparative thin-layer chromatography and the physical and spectral properties of each compound were determined. Previous assignments for the configuration of the epimers were verified. A semi-quantitative electron capture gas-liquid chromatographic method was devised for distinguishing either alpha- or beta-naltrexol in the presence of the other and in the presence of large amounts (at least 10-fold greater) of naltrexone. The method was used to determine the approximate weight ratio of beta-naltrexol to naltrexone present in enzymatically hydrolyzed urine samples. It was found that substantially greater quantities of beta-naltrexol and/or its conjugates were excreted in the urine of man, monkey, guinea pig and rabbit after administration of naltrexone, whereas very small quantities were excreted by the mouse, rat and dog. In contrast, just trace amounts of the 6alpha-hydroxy epimer, alpha-naltrexol, were detected in the urine of only 2 of the 7 species that had received naltrexone, i.e., monkey and guinea pig. After administration of 3H-15,16-naltrexone, 1 mg/kg, i.v. to the guinea pig, 25% of the radioactivity found following thin-layer chromatography of the extract of acid-hydrolyzed urine corresponded to beta-naltrexol. In gall bladder bile from the guinea pig, only conjugates of naltrexone and beta-naltrexol were found 2 hours after administration of naltrexone. Following administration of beta-naltrexol, 1 mg/kg, i.v. to guinea pigs only beta-naltrexol and/or its conjugates were detected in urine or bile. However, urine collected after administration of alpha-naltrexol, 1 mg/kg, i.v. to guinea pigs contained alpha-naltrexol and its conjugates, as well as a yet unidentified metabolite.