Effects of isoxazolyl-naphthoquinoneimines on growth and oxygen radical production in Trypanosoma cruzi and Crithidia fasciculata.

Several 4-(aminomethylisoxazolyl)-1,2-naphthoquinones inhibited growth and DNA synthesis in Trypanosoma cruzi and stimulated O2 uptake and O2-. generation by the parasite epimastigotes and their mitochondrial and microsomal membranes; these results support the idea that oxygen radicals play a role in quinone toxicity. Maximal effects on respiration and O2-. generation were observed with antimycin-inhibited cells. Similar results as well as stimulation of H2O2 production were obtained with Crithidia fasciculata despite the presence of catalase in this organism.

[Growth and DNA synthesis inhibition and superoxide anion formation by iminoquinones in Trypanosoma cruzi]. / Inhibición del crecimiento y la síntesis de DNA y formación de anión superóxido por quinona-iminas en Trypanosoma cruzi.

Despite its epidemiological importance, chemotherapy of Chagas' disease is still an unsolved problem. Many drugs have been assayed for their trypanocidal action on T. cruzi, but, so far, naftoquinone-imines have not been included in drug screenings. Fernández A.E. et al., prepared a series of 4-(aminomethylisoxazolyl)-1,2-naftoquinones. Some of these, namely, IIIA (2-hydroxy-N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4- imine), IIIC hydroxy-N-3,5-dimethyl-4-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4-i min e, IIIE (2-hydroxy-N-(3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4-i min e), and IVD (5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)-1,2-naftoquinone-4-imine) were assayed on T. cruzi epimastigotes. Parasite growth and DNA synthesis were inhibited 12-36% and 14-49%, respectively, by 18-19 microM quinones or 44-83% and 37-73%, respectively, by 60-78 microM quinones (Table 1). The assayed compounds (37-100 microM concentration) stimulated oxygen uptake (Figs. 2 and 3) and superoxide anion generation by epimastigotes to 0.20-0.70 nmol/min/mg of cell protein (O2- measured by the adrenochrome method, Table 2). In the presence of quinones, T. cruzi mitochondrial fraction supplemented with 0.42 mM NADH produced O2- at a rate of 1.10-1.45 nmol/min/mg of protein (31 and 75 microM quinone, respectively; Table 3) whereas, under the same experimental conditions, the microsomal fraction supplemented with NADPH produced O2- at rate of 0.85 and 1.03, respectively (same units). The kinetics of O2- generation by the mitochondrial fraction supplemented with quinone IIIC and NADH revealed two interacting sites (Fig. 5). The corresponding Km(s) were 5.2 and 17 microM and the Vm, 13 and 17 nmoles O2-/min/mg of protein, respectively. The quinone interaction with the mitochondrial membranes involved a "quinone reductase" located on the substrate site of the antimycin site, as shown by the 3.6-fold increase of the oxygen uptake rate induced by quinone IIIE in Fig. 2. Apparently, the quinone excess inhibited the reductase since by varying the quinone concentration in the 0-500 microM range, the oxygen uptake versus quinone concentration plots showed a maximum at 100-150 microM quinone (Fig. 3). O2- generation by quinones depended on the latter redox-cycling, as shown by a) the decrease of quinone absorption at 480-500 nm after incubation with T. cruzi epimastigotes for the time necessary to exhaust the reaction mixture oxygen, and b) the reappearance of the quinone absorption band after oxygenation of the anaerobic reaction mixture (Fig. 6).

Inhibición del crecimiento y la síntesis de DNA y formación de anión superóxido por quinona-iminas en Trypanosoma cruzi. / [Growth and DNA synthesis inhibition and superoxide anion formation by iminoquinones in Trypanosoma cruzi]

Despite its epidemiological importance, chemotherapy of Chagas disease is still an unsolved problem. Many drugs have been assayed for their trypanocidal action on T. cruzi, but, so far, naftoquinone-imines have not been included in drug screenings. Fernández A.E. et al., prepared a series of 4-(aminomethylisoxazolyl)-1,2-naftoquinones. Some of these, namely, IIIA (2-hydroxy-N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4- imine), IIIC hydroxy-N-3,5-dimethyl-4-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4-i min e, IIIE (2-hydroxy-N-(3-methyl-5-isoxazolyl)-1,4-naftoquinone-4-i min e), and IVD (5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)-1,2-naftoquinone-4-imine) were assayed on T. cruzi epimastigotes. Parasite growth and DNA synthesis were inhibited 12-36

and 14-49

, respectively, by 18-19 microM quinones or 44-83

and 37-73

, respectively, by 60-78 microM quinones (Table 1). The assayed compounds (37-100 microM concentration) stimulated oxygen uptake (Figs. 2 and 3) and superoxide anion generation by epimastigotes to 0.20-0.70 nmol/min/mg of cell protein (O2- measured by the adrenochrome method, Table 2). In the presence of quinones, T. cruzi mitochondrial fraction supplemented with 0.42 mM NADH produced O2- at a rate of 1.10-1.45 nmol/min/mg of protein (31 and 75 microM quinone, respectively; Table 3) whereas, under the same experimental conditions, the microsomal fraction supplemented with NADPH produced O2- at rate of 0.85 and 1.03, respectively (same units). The kinetics of O2- generation by the mitochondrial fraction supplemented with quinone IIIC and NADH revealed two interacting sites (Fig. 5). The corresponding Km(s) were 5.2 and 17 microM and the Vm, 13 and 17 nmoles O2-/min/mg of protein, respectively. The quinone interaction with the mitochondrial membranes involved a [quot ]quinone reductase[quot ] located on the substrate site of the antimycin site, as shown by the 3.6-fold increase of the oxygen uptake rate induced by quinone IIIE in Fig. 2. Apparently, the quinone excess inhibited the reductase since by varying the quinone concentration in the 0-500 microM range, the oxygen uptake versus quinone concentration plots showed a maximum at 100-150 microM quinone (Fig. 3). O2- generation by quinones depended on the latter redox-cycling, as shown by a) the decrease of quinone absorption at 480-500 nm after incubation with T. cruzi epimastigotes for the time necessary to exhaust the reaction mixture oxygen, and b) the reappearance of the quinone absorption band after oxygenation of the anaerobic reaction mixture (Fig. 6).

Effects of beta-lapachone, a peroxide-generating quinone, on macromolecule synthesis and degradation in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Incubation of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes with beta-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione), a lipophilic o-quinone, produced inhibition of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine, and L-[3H]leucine incorporation into DNA, RNA, and protein, respectively. With 1.6 microM beta-lapachone, DNA synthesis was preferentially inhibited. The inhibition was irreversible, and time and concentration dependent. Other effects of beta-lapachone were (a) inhibition of 3H precursor uptake into epimastigotes, (b) exaggerated degradation of DNA, RNA, and protein, (c) increased unscheduled synthesis of DNA, and (d) increased number of strand breaks in nuclear and kinetoplast DNA. DNA damage by 1.6 microM beta-lapachone was repaired by reincubating the drug-treated epimastigotes in fresh medium for 24 h, but with 7.8 microM beta-lapachone DNA damage was irreversible. The p-quinone isomer alpha-lapachone (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho[2,3-b]pyran-5,10-dione), was less effective than beta-lapachone, especially on DNA and RNA synthesis, and did not stimulate unscheduled DNA synthesis. Since beta-lapachone redox cycling in T. cruzi generates oxygen radicals while alpha-lapachone does not (A. Boveris, R. Docampo, J. F. Turrens, and A. O. M. Stoppani (1978) Biochem. J. 175, 431-439), the summarized results support the hypothesis that oxygen radicals contribute to beta-lapachone toxicity in T. cruzi.

Damage of Trypanosoma cruzi deoxyribonucleic acid by nitroheterocyclic drugs.

Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) from Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes pretreated with the trypanocidal drugs nifurtimox (10 or 100 microM) or benznidazole (38 or 380 microM) showed an increased number of strand-breaks, as revealed by (a) trapping of alkali-denatured kDNA by nitrocellulose filters and (b) electrophoresis in an alkaline 2% agarose gel. Similar damage was observed in nuclear DNA (nDNA), as detected by centrifugation in an alkaline-sucrose gradient. DNA damage was reversible since reincubation in fresh medium for 24 hr restored filtration and electrophoretic and sedimentation patterns to normal.

Effect of tingenone, a quinonoid triterpene, on growth and macromolecule biosynthesis in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Tingenone and horminone, two natural quinonoid substances, inhibited the in vitro growth of Trypanosoma cruzi, 30 microM drug concentration producing total inhibition of growth. Tingenone inhibited total uptake and incorporation of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine, L-[3H]leucine into parasite macromolecules. Other quinonoids assayed were either less effective (abruquinone A) or even quite inactive (visminone B and ferruginin B). Investigation of several mechanisms for the cytotoxic action of tingenone pointed to the interaction with DNA as the most likely factor involved. Tingenone also inhibited the growth of Crithidia fasciculata, but the drug was significantly less active on this organism than on T. cruzi.

Effects of nitroheterocyclic drugs on macromolecule synthesis and degradation in Trypanosoma cruzi.

Nifurtimox and benznidazole, two nitroheterocyclic drugs, inhibited DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, stimulated macromolecular degradation, and stimulated unscheduled DNA synthesis in Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuen strain). Significant differences in the mode of action of these drugs could be established and, in every case, nifurtimox was more active than benznidazole. The inhibition of macromolecular synthesis varied with drug concentration, precursor and incubation time. Nifurtimox effect was time dependent and irreversible. When assayed on macromolecular degradation, nifurtimox was more effective on DNA and protein than on RNA, while benznidazole displayed almost the same activity on DNA, RNA and protein. Labeling of RNA with [3H]uridine in the presence of nifurtimox followed atypical kinetics since, depending on incubation time and concentration, RNA degradation prevailed over RNA synthesis.

Effect of nitroheterocyclic drugs on lipid peroxidation and glutathione content in rat liver extracts.

Incubation of rat liver cell-free extracts with an NADPH-generating system and with nifurtimox or benznidazole (two nitroheterocyclic drugs used in the treatment of Chagas' disease) produced oxidation of reduced glutathione (GSH) and increased lipid peroxidation, as shown by the generation of thiobarbituric-acid-reacting intermediates. Nifurtimox and benznidazole inhibited GSSG-reductase, but not GSH-peroxidase, the former inhibition contributing to GSH depletion. In every case, nifurtimox was more effective than benznidazole. Addition of GSH or free-radical scavengers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, mannitol, sodium benzoate or L-histidine) prevented the effect of nifurtimox on lipid peroxidation reactions. These results support the assumption [M. Dubin, S. N. J. Moreno, E. E. Martino, R. Docampo and A. O. M. Dubin, Biochem. Pharmac. 32, 483 (1983)] that, in the rat liver, GSH exerts a protective action against oxygen radicals generated by the nitroheterocyclic drugs.

[Introduction of changes in the DNA of Trypanosoma cruzi by trypanocidal agents]. / Inducción de alteraciones en el DNA del Trypanosoma cruzi por agentes tripanocidas.

Incubation of Trypanosoma cruzi culture (epimastigote) forms with nifurtimox (10 or 100 microM), benznidazole (38 or 380 microM) and beta-lapachone (1.6 or 7.8 microM) produced damage of nuclear DNA, as shown by the increased rate of the "unscheduled DNA synthesis" in epimastigotes arrested at phase S (9-, 3-, and 6-fold, respectively). alpha-lapachone, a position isomer of beta-lapachone, was completely ineffective. In order to demonstrate the "unscheduled repair of DNA", the semiconservative replication was inhibited by preincubating the epimastigotes for 16 hours with 10 mM hydroxyurea and 0.3 mM cycloheximide. Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) extracted from epimastigotes pretreated with the trypanocidal agents revealed an increased number of single-strand breaks. After alkaline agarose-gel electrophoresis, a fast moving DNA fraction was detected in the kDNA from nifurtimox, benznidazole and beta-lapachone-treated parasites, while trapping of alkali-denatured kDNA by nitrocellulose filters, was significantly increased after treating the epimastigotes with the same drugs. Reincubation of these epimastigotes in fresh medium for 24 h, reestablished kDNA electrophoretic and filtration patterns to normality, except with 7.8 microM beta-lapachone, thus proving the reversibility of DNA lesions. Redox-cycling of nifurtimox and beta-lapachone in T. cruzi generates oxygen radicals, and accordingly, the higher effectiveness of these drugs (as compared with benznidazole and alpha-lapachone) supports the role of oxygen radicals for the trypanocidal action.

Inducción de alteraciones en el DNA del Trypanosoma cruzi por agentes tripanocidas. / [Introduction of changes in the DNA of Trypanosoma cruzi by trypanocidal agents]

Incubation of Trypanosoma cruzi culture (epimastigote) forms with nifurtimox (10 or 100 microM), benznidazole (38 or 380 microM) and beta-lapachone (1.6 or 7.8 microM) produced damage of nuclear DNA, as shown by the increased rate of the [quot ]unscheduled DNA synthesis[quot ] in epimastigotes arrested at phase S (9-, 3-, and 6-fold, respectively). alpha-lapachone, a position isomer of beta-lapachone, was completely ineffective. In order to demonstrate the [quot ]unscheduled repair of DNA[quot ], the semiconservative replication was inhibited by preincubating the epimastigotes for 16 hours with 10 mM hydroxyurea and 0.3 mM cycloheximide. Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) extracted from epimastigotes pretreated with the trypanocidal agents revealed an increased number of single-strand breaks. After alkaline agarose-gel electrophoresis, a fast moving DNA fraction was detected in the kDNA from nifurtimox, benznidazole and beta-lapachone-treated parasites, while trapping of alkali-denatured kDNA by nitrocellulose filters, was significantly increased after treating the epimastigotes with the same drugs. Reincubation of these epimastigotes in fresh medium for 24 h, reestablished kDNA electrophoretic and filtration patterns to normality, except with 7.8 microM beta-lapachone, thus proving the reversibility of DNA lesions. Redox-cycling of nifurtimox and beta-lapachone in T. cruzi generates oxygen radicals, and accordingly, the higher effectiveness of these drugs (as compared with benznidazole and alpha-lapachone) supports the role of oxygen radicals for the trypanocidal action.