Characterization of the Antioxidant Effects of γ-Oryzanol: Involvement of the Nrf2 Pathway.

γ-Oryzanol (ORY) is well known for its antioxidant potential. However, the mechanism by which ORY exerts its antioxidant effect is still unclear. In this paper, the antioxidant properties of ORY were investigated for its potential effects as a reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) scavenger and in activating antioxidant-promoting intracellular pathways utilizing the human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). The 24 h ORY exposure significantly prevented hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced ROS/RNS production at 3 h, and this effect was sustained for at least 24 h. ORY pretreatment also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Interestingly, ORY induced the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and upregulation of Nrf2-dependent defensive genes such as NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and glutathione synthetase (GSS) at mRNA and protein levels in both basal condition and after H2O2 insult. Thus, this study suggested an intriguing effect of ORY in modulating the Nrf2 pathway, which is also involved in regulating longevity as well as age-related diseases.

Mitochondrial Alterations in Peripheral Mononuclear Blood Cells from Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients.

It is well recognized that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to neurodegeneration occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, evidences of mitochondrial defects in AD peripheral cells are still inconclusive. Here, some mitochondrial-encoded and nuclear-encoded proteins, involved in maintaining the correct mitochondria machine, were investigated in terms of protein expression and enzymatic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from AD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients and healthy subjects. In addition mitochondrial DNA copy number was measured by real time PCR. We found some differences and some similarities between AD and MCI patients when compared with healthy subjects. For example, cytochrome C and cytochrome B were decreased in AD, while MCI showed only a statistical reduction of cytochrome C. On the other hand, both AD and MCI blood cells exhibited highly nitrated MnSOD, index of a prooxidant environment inside the mitochondria. TFAM, a regulator of mitochondrial genome replication and transcription, was decreased in both AD and MCI patients' blood cells. Moreover also the mitochondrial DNA amount was reduced in PBMCs from both patient groups. In conclusion these data confirmed peripheral mitochondria impairment in AD and demonstrated that TFAM and mtDNA amount reduction could be two features of early events occurring in AD pathogenesis.

Conformational altered p53 affects neuronal function: relevance for the response to toxic insult and growth-associated protein 43 expression.

The role of p53 in neurodegenerative diseases is essentially associated with neuronal death. Recently an alternative point of view is emerging, as altered p53 conformation and impaired protein function have been found in fibroblasts and blood cells derived from Alzheimer's disease patients. Here, using stable transfected SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing APP751wt (SY5Y-APP) we demonstrated that the expression of an unfolded p53 conformation compromised neuronal functionality. In particular, these cells showed (i) augmented expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its metabolites, including the C-terminal fragments C99 and C83 and ß-amyloid peptide (ii) high levels of oxidative markers, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal Michael-adducts and 3-nitro-tyrosine and (iii) altered p53 conformation, mainly due to nitration of its tyrosine residues. The consequences of high-unfolded p53 expression resulted in loss of p53 pro-apoptotic activity, and reduction of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) mRNA and protein levels. The role of unfolded p53 in cell death resistance and lack of GAP-43 transcription was demonstrated by ZnCl(2) treatment. Zinc supplementation reverted p53 wild-type tertiary structure, increased cells sensitivity to acute cytotoxic injury and GAP-43 levels in SY5Y-APP clone.

Beta-amyloid: a disease target or a synaptic regulator affecting age-related neurotransmitter changes?

The amyloid cascade hypothesis sustains that beta-amyloid (Abeta) is the main pathogenetic factor of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Although the direct and indirect neurotoxic role of Abeta are unchallenged, recent findings suggest that the peptide may have so far unforeseen physiological roles. In this regard, the observations showing the ability of Abeta to exert synaptic activities in absence of neurotoxicity are very intriguing. In particular, the peptide is able to affect synaptic transmission of different neurotransmitter systems in key brain areas that regulate executive and cognitive functions, an observation that points Abeta as a new neuromodulator. However, in a pathological context, Abeta may drive functional alterations of several neurotransmitter systems in the early phases of the disease, in turn producing subtle cognitive and behavioural disturbances in addition and before the well known neurodegenerative events. On the other hand, advancing age is the most significant risk factor for the development of AD. In fact, during aging increased Abeta levels have been reported. Moreover, several neurotransmitter systems undergo age-related changes in parallel to a decline of cognitive functions. However, the putative neuromodulatory role of Abeta in the context of aging is nowadays unknown. For these reasons, future studies about the spectrum of action of Abeta (brain areas and neurotransmitter systems affected) are particularly interesting since may suggest new therapeutic targets in order to sustain those functions which may be altered during aging.

The expanding universe of neurotrophic factors: therapeutic potential in aging and age-associated disorders.

Multiple molecular, cellular, structural and functional changes occur in the brain during aging. Neural cells may respond to these changes adaptively by employing multiple mechanisms in order to maintain the integrity of nerve cell circuits and to facilitate responses to environmental demands. Otherwise, they may succumb to neurodegenerative cascades that result in disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. An important role in this balancement is played by neurotrophic factors, which are central to many aspects of nervous system function since they regulate the development, maintenance and survival of neurons and neuron-supporting cells such as glia and oligodendrocytes. A vast amount of evidence indicates that alterations in levels of neurotrophic factors or their receptors can lead to neuronal death and contribute to aging as well as to the pathogenesis of diseases of abnormal trophic support (such as neurodegenerative diseases and depression) and diseases of abnormal excitability (such as epilepsy and central pain sensitization). Cellular and molecular mechanisms by which neurotrophic factors may influence cell survival and excitability are also critically examined to provide novel concepts and targets for the treatment of physiological changes bearing detrimental functional alterations and of different diseases affecting the central nervous system during aging.

Pharmacogenetics and pharmagenomics, trends in normal and pathological aging studies: focus on p53.

In spite of the fact that the aging organism is the result of complex life-long gene/environment interactions, making peculiar the susceptibility to diseases and the response to drugs, pharmacogenetics studies are largely neglected in the aged. Altered response to drugs, cardiovascular and metabolic alterations, cancer and dementia are among the age associated ailments. The latter two are the major contributors to illness burden for the aged. Aging, dementia and cancer share a critical set of altered cellular functions in the response to DNA damage, genotoxic stress, and other insults. Aging in higher animals may be influenced by the balance of cell survival versus death, a decision often governed by checkpoint proteins in dividing cells. The paper is mainly focused on one of such proteins, p53 which has been recently shown to be involved in aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Within this reference frame we studied p53 in aged controls and demented patients finding that with aging there is an increase of mutant like conformation state of p53 in peripheral blood cells, which is more pronounced in AD patients. As a result of such conformational change, p53 partially loses its activity and may become unable to properly activate an apoptotic program when cells are exposed to a noxious stimulus. Moreover we found that the tertiary structure of p53 and the sensitivity to p53-dependent apoptosis are affected by low concentrations of soluble beta amyloid, the peptide that accumulates in AD brain but also present in peripheral tissues. It is possible that p53 conformers may occur in the presence of misfolded molecules such as, but not limited to, beta amyloid. In particular at neuronal level the altered function of cell cycle proteins may affect synaptic plasticity rather than cell duplication.

Conformationally altered p53: a novel Alzheimer's disease marker?

The identification of biological markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be extremely useful to improve diagnostic accuracy and/or to monitor the efficacy of putative therapies. In this regard, peripheral cells may be of great importance, because of their easy accessibility. After subjects were grouped according to diagnosis, the expression of conformationally mutant p53 in blood cells was compared by immunoprecipitation or by a cytofluorimetric assay. In total, 104 patients with AD, 92 age-matched controls, 15 patients with Parkinson's disease and 9 with other types of dementia were analyzed. Two independent methods to evaluate the differential expression of a conformational mutant p53 were developed. Mononuclear cells were analyzed by immunoprecipitation or by flow-cytometric analysis, following incubation with a conformation-specific p53 antibody, which discriminates unfolded p53 tertiary structure. Mononuclear cells from AD patients express a higher amount of mutant-like p53 compared to non-AD subjects, thus supporting the study of conformational mutant p53 as a new putative marker to discriminate AD from non-AD patients. We also observed a strong positive correlation between the expression of p53 and the age of patients. The expression of p53 was independent from the length of illness and from the Mini Mental State Examination value.

Soluble amyloid beta1-42 reduces dopamine levels in rat prefrontal cortex: relationship to nitric oxide.

Several studies suggest a pivotal role of amyloid beta (Abeta)(1-42) and nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. NO also possess central neuromodulatory properties. To study the soluble Abeta(1-42) effects on dopamine concentrations in rat prefrontal cortex, microdialysis technique was used. We showed that i.c.v. injection or retrodialysis Abeta(1-42) administration reduced basal and K(+)-stimulated dopamine levels, measured 2 and 48 h after peptide administration. Immunofluorescent experiments revealed that after 48 h from i.c.v. injection Abeta(1-42) was no longer detectable in the ventricular space. We then evaluated the role of NO on Abeta(1-42)-induced reduction in dopamine concentrations. Subchronic L-arginine administration decreased basal dopamine levels, measured either 2 h after i.c.v. Abeta(1-42) or on day 2 post-injection, whereas subchronic 7-nitroindazole administration increased basal dopamine concentrations, measured 2 h after i.c.v. Abeta(1-42) injection, and decreased them when measured on day 2 post-Abeta(1-42)-injection. No dopaminergic response activity was observed after K(+) stimulation in all groups. These results suggest that the dopaminergic system seems to be acutely vulnerable to soluble Abeta(1-42) effects. Finally, the opposite role of NO occurring at different phases might be regarded as a possible link between Abeta(1-42)-induced effects and dopaminergic dysfunction.

Proliferation characteristics and polyploidization of cultured myofibroblasts from a patient with fibroblastic rheumatism.

Fibroblast-like cells were obtained from a nodule of a patient with fibroblastic rheumatism, and grown in culture for different times (from passage 3 to 21). These cells as well as the fibroblasts taken from an unaffected skin area (controls) of the same patient, have been investigated by fluorescence microscopy, cytochemical methods and cytometry, to evaluate their cytodifferentiation features and cytokinetic characteristics. In addition, in low-passage cultures, the secretion of collagen and of non-collagenic proteins was evaluated using electrophoretic techniques. The immunolabeling with antibodies against sm-specific a-actin (which was taken as a marker of myofibroblasts) showed that, already in low-passage cultures, the percentage of myofibroblasts was higher in the nodule-derived cell populations, and progressively increased with increasing passages. This suggests that myofibroblasts have higher proliferation potential than control fibroblasts. Myofibroblasts were also found to undergo polyploidization and hypertrophy, especially in high-passage cultures. Based on these results, it may be hypothesized that in fibroblastic rheumatism the development of the typical nodules could depend on the intrinsic capability of myofibroblats of proliferating faster than normal fibroblasts and of becoming polyploid and hypertrophic. Nodule-derived cells in culture synthesized slightly less collagen and non-collagen proteins than did the control fibroblasts; this suggests that the increased fibrosis observed in nodules in situ could be likely dependent on a reduced degradation of the extracellular matrix components.

Presence and passage dependent loss of biochemical M3 muscarinic receptor function in human detrusor cultured smooth muscle cells.

PURPOSE: We explored morphological and biochemical aspects of human detrusor cells in culture as a tool for investigating the physiological mechanisms underlying bladder function and disturbances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cultures of smooth muscle cells were derived from human bladder specimens of patients with an average age of 70 years undergoing cystectomy. Cultured cells were investigated by morphological, immunocytochemical and Western blot analysis. The alpha-actin content as well as the presence of muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors was determined in cell lysates and in fresh tissue homogenate for comparison. The functional response to muscarinic stimulation was assessed by measuring IP3 production induced by 1 mM. carbachol. RESULTS: Cultured smooth muscle cells showed a characteristic spindle-shaped morphology at early passages. Similarly immunocytochemical and Western blot analysis revealed an alpha-actin cell content that was unmodified up to passage 3. Conversely this marker protein sharply decreased during further passages. M3 muscarinic receptor was present in cultured cells and fresh tissue homogenates, whereas the M2 subtype was evident only in homogenates. Carbachol produced a time dependent increase in IP3 cell content, reaching maximal production after 20 minutes of exposure. This response was passage sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: Cultured human detrusor smooth muscle cells maintain their morphological and biochemical characteristics up to passage 3. With this caveat such cells can be an appropriate tool for investigating the molecular pathways underlying cholinergic activation in normal physiological and pathological bladders, and accordingly for detecting putative targets for pharmacological intervention.

Anti-inflammatory effects of zileuton in a subpopulation of allergic asthmatics.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of allergen exposure on leukotriene generation and inflammation within the airways of allergic asthmatics and evaluate the effects of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton on these responses. We measured leukotriene-B(4) (LTB(4)) and LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4), inflammatory cytokine mediators, and cellular responses in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) before and 24 h after segmental ragweed antigen challenge in 18 asthmatic subjects at baseline. Before initiating therapy with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor or placebo, only nine of 18 asthmatic subjects had a significant increase (234 +/- 102-fold, mean +/- SE) in BALF LTC(4)/D(4)/E(4) levels 24 h after segmental antigen challenge, whereas leukotriene levels were essentially unchanged (1.14 +/- 0.22-fold) in the other nine subjects. The high LT producers also had higher postantigen BALF levels of LTB(4), total protein, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and recovery of more eosinophils than the low LT producers. Treatment with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton reduced postantigen BALF eosinophil count by 68% in the high LT producers, but had no detectable effect on BALF composition in the low LT producers. These data suggest that leukotriene inhibition may be more effective in a subset of asthmatics in whom leukotrienes are a major contributory factor in causing allergic inflammation.

Plasma endothelin-1 levels neither increase nor correlate with neurological scores, stroke risk factors, or outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endothelins (ETs) are potent vasoconstrictors and may play a role in the pathophysiology of several diseases. Limited and controversial data exist on their role in human ischemic stroke. We planned a prospective, observational, and longitudinal clinical study to test whether ET-1 levels increase in various phases of ischemic stroke and whether the ET-1 levels correlate with neurological scores, stroke etiology, stroke risk factors, or final outcome. METHODS: We measured plasma ET-1 levels with a sandwich-enzyme immunoassay method in 101 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke on admission and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after stroke and in 101 sex- and age-matched control subjects. At each sampling, the patients underwent a complete neurological evaluation. All stroke risk factors were recorded, an array of laboratory tests were performed, and the subtype of ischemic stroke was determined. The patients were contacted 3 years later for prognostic determination. RESULTS: ET-1 levels in patients (2.4+/-1.3 pg/mL on admission, 2.2+/-1.4 pg/mL at 1 week, 2.1+/-1.4 pg/mL at 1 month, and 2.1+/-1.2 pg/mL at 3 months) were not different from those of the control subjects (2.2+/-0.9 pg/mL) at any time point. No correlation was found between the ET-1 levels and stroke etiology, stroke risk factors, stroke recurrence risk, age, sex, or neurological scores, except that ET-1 levels correlated with the use of warfarin and with body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma ET-1 levels were normal in patients with ischemic stroke. Our findings cannot exclude a role of ETs in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke because plasma levels might not accurately reflect intracerebral concentrations, but they also do not support the occurrence of a major plasma ET-1 level increase at any phase of stroke. Our patient population is the largest ever reported in whom ET-1 levels were measured, but it consisted of mild and moderately ill patients with stroke due to the study design, of which the aim was long-term observation, which excludes severely ill patients.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and multiple oral doses of a novel 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (ABT-761) in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ABT-761 [R(+)-N-[3-[5-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-2-thienyl]-1- methyl-2-propynyl]-N-hydroxyurea], a new N-hydroxyurea analog. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose (15-day) study of ABT-761 (50 to 200 mg/day) in healthy, nonsmoking adult male volunteers. The pharmacokinetics were evaluated by investigation of the time- and dose-dependent effects of ABT-761, and the pharmacologic selectivity of ABT-761 was evaluated based on calcium ionophore-stimulated leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) biosynthesis ex vivo in whole blood. RESULTS: After single and multiple doses, mean observed time to reach maximum concentration values of ABT-761 ranged from 4.0 to 7.5 hours. Mean values for maximum concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours increased approximately linearly with dose. Mean terminal half-life and apparent volume of distribution during the terminal elimination phase of ABT-761 ranged from 15.4 to 17.8 hours and 69.5 to 78.9 L, respectively, and was dose independent. Steady state was reached on day 11 after multiple dosing. Less than 0.05% of unchanged ABT-761 was recovered in urine within the 24-hour period after day 15 dosing. Population ABT-761 plasma concentration at which 50% of the maximum possible inhibition was observed for LTB4 inhibition was 0.24 microgram/ml. No differences in mean TXB2 inhibition were observed between the subjects receiving ABT-761 and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that ABT-761 is a potent and selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase and the pharmacokinetics of ABT-761 are time and dose independent between 50 and 200 mg/day after single and multiple dosing.

Structure-activity relationships of N-hydroxyurea 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

The discovery of second generation N-hydroxyurea 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors was accomplished through the development of a broad structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. This study identified requirements for improving potency and also extending duration by limiting metabolism. Potency could be maintained by the incorporation of heterocyclic templates substituted with selected lipophilic substituents. Duration of inhibition after oral administration was optimized by identification of structural features in the proximity of the N-hydroxyurea which correlated to low in vitro glucuronidation rates. Furthermore, the rate of in vitro glucuronidation was shown to be stereoselective for certain analogs. (R)-N-[3-[5-(4-Fluorophenoxy)-2-furyl]-1-methyl-2-propynyl]-N-hydroxyure a (17c) was identified and selected for clinical development.

Preliminary observations on the interference of antiblastic agents in membrane fluidity and leukocyte potential.

A major problem in cancer treatment is the progressive desensitization of the cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain this property of neoplastic cells. In recent years, some calcium-channel blockers have successfully been used to restore drug-sensitivity in previously resistant tumors. The presence of a correlation between ion channels and membrane fluidity is well known. In the ambit of our studies on the activity of several chemotherapeutic drugs on tumors, we have studied the variations in membrane depolarization and fluidity in some leukemic cells as a result of polychemotherapeutic treatments. Our results demonstrate that the membrane fluidity and K(+)-induced depolarization of some types of leukemic cells in patients untreated and treated with some chemotherapeutic agents, are altered significantly as compared to those of normal leukocytes.

5-Lipoxygenase inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of 1-aryl-2H,4H-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-ones.

Synthetic routes were developed to access a variety of novel 1-aryl-2H,4H-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-one analogs which were evaluated as 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. The parent structure, 1-phenylperhydro-1,2,4-triazin-3-one (4), was found to be a selective inhibitor of 5-LO in broken cell, intact cell, and human blood assays with IC50 values of 5-21 microM. In a rat anaphylaxis model, 4 blocked leukotriene formation with an ED50 = 7 mg/kg when administered orally. Compound 4 exhibited selectivity for inhibition of 5-LO with little activity against related enzymes: 12-LO from human platelets, 15-LO from soybean, and cyclooxygenase (COX) from sheep seminal vesicle. In pilot subacute toxicity testing, 4 did not produce methemoglobinemia in rats (400 mg/kg po daily for 9 days) or in dogs (200 mg/kg po daily for 28 days). These results indicated that the triazinone structure provided a 5-LO inhibitor template devoid of the toxicity problems observed in the related phenidone (1) and pyridazinone (3) classes of 5-LO inhibitors. The parent compound 4 is a selective, orally bioavailable 5-LO inhibitor which can serve as a useful reference standard for in vivo pharmacological studies involving leukotriene-mediated phenonmena.

(R)-(+)-N-[3-[5-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-thienyl]-1-methyl- 2-propynyl]-N-hydroxyurea (ABT-761), a second-generation 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor.

Structure-activity optimization of inhibitory potency and duration of action of N-hydroxyurea containing 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors was conducted. The lipophilic heteroaryl template and the link group connecting the template to the N-hydroxyurea pharmacophore were modified. Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase was evaluated in vitro in a human whole blood assay. An in vitro assay using liver microsomes from monkey was used to evaluate congeners for comparative rates of glucuronidation. (3-Heteroaryl-1-methyl-2-propynyl)-N-hydroxyureas were found to be more resistant to in vitro glucuronidation. The promising inhibitor N-[3-[5-(4-fluorophenoxy)-2-furyl]-1-methyl-2-propynyl]-N- hydroxyurea (6) was found to have stereoselective glucuronidation in monkey and man. The R enantiomer 7 provided longer duration of inhibition as evaluated by an ex vivo whole blood assay. Further optimization of the lipophilic template led to the discovery of (R)-(+)-N-[3-[5-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2- thienyl]-1-methyl-2-propynyl]-N-hydroxyurea (11) with more effective and prolonged inhibition of leukotriene biosynthesis than zileuton (1) and 7 in monkey and man. The optimized 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor 11 was selected for development as an investigational drug for leukotriene-mediated disorders.

Clinical sevoflurane metabolism and disposition. I. Sevoflurane and metabolite pharmacokinetics.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane has low blood and tissue solubility and is metabolized to free fluoride and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). Although sevoflurane uptake and distribution and fluoride formation have been described, the pharmacokinetics of HFIP formation and elimination are incompletely understood. This investigation comprehensively characterized the simultaneous disposition of sevoflurane, fluoride, and HFIP. METHODS: Ten patients within 30% of ideal body weight who provided institutional review board-approved informed consent received sevoflurane (2.7% end-tidal, 1.3 MAC) in oxygen for 3 h after propofol induction, after which anesthesia was maintained with propofol, fentanyl, and nitrous oxide. Sevoflurane and unconjugated and total HFIP concentrations in blood were determined during anesthesia and for 8 h thereafter. Plasma and urine fluoride and total HFIP concentrations were measured during and through 96 h after anesthetic administration. Fluoride and HFIP were quantitated using an ion-selective electrode and by gas chromatography, respectively. RESULTS: The total sevoflurane dose, calculated from the pulmonary uptake rate, was 88.8 +/- 9.1 mmol. Sevoflurane was rapidly metabolized to the primary metabolites fluoride and HFIP, which were eliminated in urine. HFIP circulated in blood primarily as a glucuronide conjugate, with unconjugated HFIP < or = 15% of total HFIP concentrations. In blood, peak unconjugated HFIP concentrations were less than 1% of peak sevoflurane concentrations. Apparent renal fluoride and HFIP clearances (mean +/- SE) were 51.8 +/- 4.5 and 52.6 +/- 6.1 ml/min, and apparent elimination half-lives were 21.4 +/- 2.8 and 20.1 +/- 2.6 h, respectively. Renal HFIP and net fluoride excretion were 4,300 +/- 540 and 3,300 +/- 540 mumol. Compared with the estimated sevoflurane uptake, 4.9 +/- 0.5% of the dose taken up was eliminated in the urine as HFIP. For fluoride, 3.7 +/- 0.4% of the sevoflurane dose taken up was eliminated in the urine, which, because a portion of fluoride is sequestered in bone, corresponded to approximately 5.6% of the sevoflurane dose metabolized to fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane was rapidly metabolized to fluoride and HFIP, which was rapidly glucuronidated and eliminated in the urine. The overall extent of sevoflurane metabolism was approximately 5%.

Optimization of the potency and duration of action of N-hydroxyurea 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

As in vitro glucuronidation assay and several biochemical assays were utilized to discover potent new N-hydroxyurea-containing 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with long durations of action. The best of these, A-78773, is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers. These enantiomers were purified and the R(+)-enantiomer A-79175 was found to be superior to the S(-)-enantiomer with respect to in vitro metabolism and duration of action in the monkey. A-79175 was a potent selective inhibitor of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid formation in rat basophilic leukemic homogenates (IC50 = 54 nM) and of calcium ionophore-induced leukotriene B4 (LTB4) formation in purified human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (IC50 = 25 nM) and human whole blood (IC50 = 80 nM). The compound inhibited LT formation in the rat with oral ED50s of 1 to 2 mg/kg. It also was a potent inhibitor of edema and inflammatory cell influx in rats and mice. A-79175 was resistant to glucuronidation and had an elimination half-life of nearly 9 hr in cynomolgus monkeys. A-79175 inhibited ex vivo LTB4 formation by monkeys for extended periods. A single 0.5-mg/kg oral dose gave > 50% inhibition of calcium ionophore-induced LTB4 formation ex vivo for 12 hr. A good correlation was found between the elimination half-life for A-78773 and its enantiomers in cynomolgus monkeys and humans. These data indicate that A-79175 is a promising long-acting agent that should be useful to delineate the importance of LTs in animal and human studies.