Physicochemical properties/descriptors governing the solubility and partitioning of chemicals in water-solvent-gas systems. Part 2. Solubility in 1-octanol.

On the basis of octanol solubility data (log S(o)) for 218 structurally diverse solid chemicals it was shown that the exclusive consideration of melting points did not provide satisfactory results in the quantitative prediction of this parameter (s = 0.92). The application of HYBOT physicochemical descriptors separately (s = 0.94) and together with melting points (s = 0.70) in the framework of a common regression model also was not successful, although contributions of volume-related and H-bond terms to solubility in octanol were identified. It was proposed that the main reason for such behaviour was the different crystal lattice interaction of different classes of chemicals. Successful calculations of the solubility in octanol of chemicals of interest were performed on the basis of the experimental solubility of structurally/physicochemically/numerically similar nearest neighbours with consideration of their difference in physicochemical parameters (molecular polarisability, H-bond acceptor and donor factors (s = 0.66)) and of these descriptors together with melting point differences (s = 0.38). Good results were obtained for all compounds having nearest neighbours with sufficient similarity, expressed by Tanimoto indexes, and by distances in the scaled 3D descriptor space. Obviously the success of this approach depends on the size of the database.

Physicochemical properties/descriptors governing the solubility and partitioning of chemicals in water-solvent-gas systems. Part 1. Partitioning between octanol and air.

QSPR analyses of a data set containing experimental partition coefficients in the three systems octanol-water, water-gas, and octanol-gas for 98 chemicals have shown that it is possible to calculate any partition coefficient in the system 'gas phase/octanol/water' by three different approaches: (1) from experimental partition coefficients obtained in the corresponding two other subsystems. However, in many cases these data may not be available. Therefore, a solution may be approached (2), a traditional QSPR analysis based on e.g. HYBOT descriptors (hydrogen bond acceptor and donor factors, SigmaCa and SigmaCd, together with polarisability alpha, a steric bulk effect descriptor) and supplemented with substructural indicator variables. (3) A very promising approach which is a combination of the similarity concept and QSPR based on HYBOT descriptors. In this approach observed partition coefficients of structurally nearest neighbours of a compound-of-interest are used. In addition, contributions arising from differences in alpha, SigmaCa, and SigmaCd values between the compound-of-interest and its nearest neighbour(s), respectively, are considered. In this investigation highly significant relationships were obtained by approaches (1) and (3) for the octanol/gas phase partition coefficient (log Log).

Kinetics and quantification of antibacterial effects of beta-lactams, macrolides, and quinolones against gram-positive and gram-negative RTI pathogens.

Traditionally, the in vitro activity of antibacterial agents is characterized by their minimal inhibitory concentrations. However, these endpoints are, by nature, discrete and do not provide information on time-dependent killing of the bacteria during the incubation period. Nevertheless, the pharmacodynamic characteristics of antibacterial agents are almost always defined by correlating a static endpoint describing the antibacterial activity of an agent with the pharmacokinetics, describing the time-dependent fluctuation of drug concentrations. This approach is basically a contradiction in itself. Therefore, it would be more logical to correlate pharmacokinetics to in vitro parameters describing the time- and concentration-dependent antibacterial action of an agent. Thus, experimental methods and mathematical models quantifying the decrease in growth rate of a bacterial population due to the action of an antibacterial agent as a function of time and drug concentration have been applied to quantitate their pharmacodynamics. The effect of nine antibacterial agents representing drug classes of penicillins, cephalosporins, penems, macrolides, and fluoroquinolones were mathematically analyzed by using three different but related models. The kill rate, maximal kill, the 50%-effective concentration (EC50), the Hill coefficient, and concentrations and times needed to obtain a 1,000-fold decrease of the initial number of viable counts were calculated. Both the phenotypic description of the time-kill curves and these five parameters mirror the bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity of all nine agents studied as a function of time and concentration. Therefore, it would be more logical to correlate a parameter quantifying the kinetics of antibacterial in vitro activity with the pharmacokinetics of the drug, thus, replacing static endpoints like minimal inhibitory concentrations.

Influence of acyl chain fluidity on the lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of complement.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs, endotoxins) are the major amphiphilic constituents of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They are known to activate the complement cascade to form lytic membrane pores. Here, we study the influence of the fluidity of the acyl chains of LPSs and lipid As on the formation of lytic pores. To this end, we have performed electrical measurements on asymmetric planar endotoxin/phospholipid bilayers as a reconstitution model of the outer membrane using two deep rough mutant LPSs (from Escherichia coli strains WBB01 and WBB25) and two lipid As (from E. coli WBB25 and Rhodobacter sphaeroides). The two LPSs and the two lipid As each differ in their acylation pattern which is correlated with the fluidity. The addition of human serum to the endotoxin side of the bilayers led to the formation of membrane pores, and pore formation correlated in each case with acyl chain fluidity, i.e. time required for the first lytic pore to be formed was shorter for the more fluid endotoxin. Furthermore, in the case of LPSs, the activation rate was higher for the more fluid membrane and the respective bacteria had a higher susceptibility to the growth inhibitory action of serum.

Artificial neural networks as versatile tools for prediction of MDR-modulatory activity.

Following our ongoing studies on structure-activity relationship studies of propafenone-type modulators of multidrug resistance, we performed both a Free-Wilson analysis and a combined Hansch/Free-Wilson analysis on a set of 48 compounds using artificial neural networks (ANN). In comparison to classical multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis, the ANN showed equal or even slightly better predictive power in leave one out cross validation procedures and was remarkably superior when performing a leave 8 out cross validation. Additionally, it was possible to train a network using only 14 compounds and to properly predict the MDR-modulating activity of the remaining 34 compounds. In this case, the MLR analysis completely failed due to insufficient number of cases. Attempts to extract informations on which input descriptors are important using a genetic input selection algorithm failed. Best results were obtained using those descriptors which showed highest statistical significance in MLR analyses.

Design and synthesis of 2-[4-[4-(m-(ethylsulfonamido)-phenyl) piperazin-1-yl]butyl]-1,3-dioxoperhydropyrrolo[1,2-c]imidazole (EF-7412) using neural networks. A selective derivative with mixed 5-HT1A/D2 antagonist properties.

A test series of 32 phenylpiperazines III with affinity for 5-HT1A and alpha1 receptors was subjected to QSAR analysis using artificial neural networks (ANNs), in order to get insight into the structural requirements that are responsible for 5-HT1A/alpha1 selectivity. Good models and predictive power were obtained for 5-HT1A and alpha1 receptors. A comparison of these models gives information for the design of the new ligand EF-7412 (5-HT1A:Ki(nM)= 27; alpha1: Ki(nM) > 1000). This derivative displayed affinity for dopamine D2 receptor (Ki = 22 nM) and is selective for all other receptor examined (5-HT2A, 5-HT3, 5-HT4 and Bz). EF-7412 acts an antagonist in vivo in pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptor sites and as an antagonist in dopamine D2 receptor.

Substituted xanthones as antimycobacterial agents. Part 3: QSAR investigations.

Quantitative Structure Activity-Relationships between the antituberculous activity of a series of 61 substituted xanthones and their 13C NMR chemical shifts, lipophilicity, and molar refractivities of the substituents were investigated. In addition to these structural parameters, the test concentrations of the compounds were considered because of the varying solubility. While the multiple linear regression-based Adaptive Least Squares analysis revealed only weak correlations between the antituberculous activity classes of the compounds and their physicochemical parameters, significantly better results were obtained by the Artificial Neural Network technique, which describes nonlinear relationships between the activity as dependent and the physicochemical parameters as independent variables.

A combined Hansch/Free-Wilson approach as predictive tool in QSAR studies on propafenone-type modulators of multidrug resistance.

A series of 48 propafenone-type modulators of multidrug resistance was synthesized and their P-glycoprotein inhibitory activity was measured using the daunomycin efflux assay. Both a Free-Wilson and a combined Hansch/Free-Wilson analysis were performed using log P, partial log P and molar refraction values as Hansch descriptors. The results of the Free-Wilson analysis show that modifications on the central aromatic ring generally influence pharmacological activity, whereby in almost all cases a decrease in MDR-modulating potency is observed (Q2cv = 0.66). The combined approach results in equations with remarkably higher predictive power (Q2cv = 0.83), specifically molar refractivity shows high significance in all equations derived. This indicates that polar interactions also contribute to protein binding.

Substituted xanthones as antimycobacterial agents, Part 2: Antimycobacterial activity.

A series of substituted xanthones was tested for their activity against four mycobacterial strains (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium, M. lufu, M. smegmatis) by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC values). For the most active compounds, supplementary characterisation was performed by bacterial growth kinetics, which allows a more precise interpretation of their antimycobacterial effects. From the test set, 1-methyl-2,4,7-trinitroxanthone (8a) showed the highest antimycobacterial activity with a MIC value of 3 micrograms/mL against M. tuberculosis, which is comparable to the effect of well known drugs used in the treatment of tuberculosis. For all other compounds, the MIC values could not be determined, due to the comparatively low activity and to the poor solubility of the compounds, respectively. The semiquantitative evaluation of activity against the different strains of mycobacteria resulted in a classification into three activity classes, which will be used as dependent parameter in QSAR investigations, to be published in Part 3 of this series.

Rifabutin for experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

Rifabutin is a lipophilic antibacterial with high in vitro activity against many pathogens involved in bacterial meningitis including pneumococci. Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in pneumococci is not associated with a decreased sensitivity to rifabutin (30 strains from Germany with intermediate penicillin resistance; MIC range of penicillin: 0.125-1 mg/l, MIC of rifabutin: < 0.008-0.015 mg/l). Rifabutin at doses of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg/h i.v. was investigated in a rabbit model of meningitis using a Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 (MIC/MBC of rifabutin: 0.015/0.06 mg/l). The bacterial density in CSF at the onset of treatment was 7.3 +/- 0.6 log CFU/ml (mean +/- SD). Rifabutin decreased bacterial CSF titers in a dose-dependent manner [delta log CFU/ml/h (slope of the regression line log CFU/ml vs. time) at a dose of 0.625 mg/kg/h: -0.16 +/- 0.06 (n = 3), at 1.25 mg/kg/h: -0.20 +/- 0.12 (n = 4), at 2.5 mg/kg/h: -0.24 +/- 0.04 (n = 4), at 5 mg/kg/h: -0.31 +/- 0.10 (n = 8), and at 10 mg/kg/h: -0.29 +/- 0.10 (n = 5)]. At high doses rifabutin was as active as ceftriaxone at 10 mg/kg/h (delta log CFU/ml/h: -0.29 +/- 0.10, n = 10). Two and 5 h after initiation of therapy, CSF TNF-alpha activities were lower with rifabutin 5 mg/kg/h than with ceftriaxone (medians 2 vs. 141 U/ml, p = 0.005 at 2 h; median 51 vs. 120 U/ml 5 h after initiation of therapy, p = 0.04). This did not result, however, in a decrease of indicators of neuronal damage. In conclusion, intravenous rifabutin was bactericidal in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Provided that a well-tolerated i.v. formulation will be available it may qualify as a reserve antibiotic for pneumococcal meningitis, in particular when strains with a reduced sensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics are the causative pathogens.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of nitroxanthones. 2nd communication: antimycobacterial activity.

The mono-, di-, tri- and tetranitroxanthones have been tested against different mycobacteria by means of the Agar diffusion method resulting in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and for more precise interpretation by means of the bacterial growth kinetics method. Nitroxanthones with the 2,4-dinitro-substitution pattern show activities beyond 1 microgram/ml.

N1-Hetaryl substituted pyridine- and pyrazinecarboxamidrazones with antimycobacterial activity.

A series of amidrazones was prepared and characterized by 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The substances were tested against M. tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, and M. lufu. Compounds 11-13 exhibit a satisfactory inhibition of mycobacteria.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a new model of arylpiperazines. 2. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships of hydantoin-phenylpiperazine derivatives with affinity for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors. A comparison of CoMFA models.

A series of 48 bicyclohydantoin-phenylpiperazines (1-4) with affinity for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors was subjected to three-dimensional quantitative structure-affinity relationship analysis using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), in order to get insight into the structural requirements that are responsible for 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. Good models (high cross-validation correlations and predictive power) were obtained for 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors. The resulting 3D-QSAR models rationalize steric and electrostatic factors which modulate binding to 5-HT1A and alpha 1 receptors. A comparison of these models gives an additional understanding for 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity: (a) Substitution at the ortho position by a group with negative potential is favorable to affinity for both receptors. (b) The meta position seems to be implicated in 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. While the 5-HT1A receptor is able to accommodate bulky substituents in the region of its active site, the steric requirements of the alpha 1 receptor are more restricted (optimum volume of substituent 11-25 A3). (c) For both receptors the para position represents a region where the volume accessible by the ligands is limited. (d) The hydantoin moiety and the side chain length seem to modulate not only the affinity but also 5-HT1A/alpha 1 selectivity. The 3D-QSAR models reveal an useful predictive information for the design of new selective ligands.

Estimation of the chemosensitizing activity of modulators of multi-drug resistance via combined simultaneous analysis of sigmoidal dose-response curves.

The potency of modulators which re-establish sensitivity of resistant tumour cells to cytotoxic drugs is not usually described by ED50 values, even though such values are needed for comparison of modulator activity. Various methods are reported for the determination of ED50 values of propafenone-type modulators of multi-drug resistance in cytotoxicity assays. Best results were obtained by using a combined simultaneous analysis of dose-response curve families. This approach enables calculation of statistically highly significant ED50 values without any data reduction directly from the original data points obtained in daunomycin cytotoxicity assays. The method also enables extrapolation of the ED50 values of compounds with low activity or poor solubility, or both.

Structure-activity relationship studies on benzofuran analogs of propafenone-type modulators of tumor cell multidrug resistance.

A series of benzofurylethanolamine analogs of propafenone (1a) have been prepared and evaluated for multidrug resistance-reversing activity in two in vitro assay systems. As for propafenones, an excellent correlation of biological data with calculated lipophilicity values was found for benzofurans, whereby the latter generally had lower activity/lipophilicity ratios. Almost identical slopes of the regression lines were obtained for both propafenones and benzofurans. Multiple linear regression analysis of the complete data set yielded an equation with excellent predictive power (r2 cross-valid = 0.968). Interaction measurements with artificial membranes indicated that the differences in activity between these two series of compounds are not due to differences in the interaction pattern with biological membranes.

Correlation of molecular resistance mechanisms and phenotypic resistance levels in streptomycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Quantitative susceptibility testing of clinical isolates of streptomycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis demonstrated that there is a close correlation between the molecular resistance mechanism and the in vitro activity of streptomycin: mutations in rpsL were mainly associated with high-level resistance, mutations in rrs were associated with an intermediate level of resistance, and streptomycin-resistant isolates with wild-type rpsL and rrs exhibited a low-level resistance phenotype. Investigations of streptomycin-resistant isolates with wild-type rpsL and rrs revealed that (i) there is no cross-resistance to other drugs and (ii) a permeability barrier may contribute to resistance, because resistance was significantly lowered in the presence of a membrane-active agent.

Experimental drugs and combination therapy.

The worldwide increase in tuberculosis, the additional problem of increasing multiple drug resistance (MDR) and the primary resistance of Mycobacterium avium requires new strategies in drug development and in therapy. The reason for development of MDR is manifold. One important factor is the change in cell wall construction which limits the penetration of the drug to the target receptor. This is supported by the observation that within a class of tuberculostatic drugs (identical mode of action) the more lipophilic derivative is more effective. In addition, it has been shown that mycobacteria within macrophages are able to synthesize additional multilamellar cell wall components. Several possibilities exist to overcome MDR. Besides improving the permeation properties of drugs, the development of synergistic drug combinations based on their special mode of action is a promising approach. This is illustrated with the highly synergistic combination of newly developed hydrazones and thiacetazone respectively with rifampicin. Chance combinations which may even lead to antagonism have to be avoided. Examples of antagonistic behavior of the combinations clofazimine-dapsone and ofloxacin-rifampicin are discussed. An optimization procedure has been developed based on the determination of the specific resistance of patient-derived mycobacteria against single drugs and their combinations. With its use, an individual optimal treatment becomes feasible. Preliminary clinical experience is encouraging.

Synthesis and quantitative structure-activity relationships of anticonvulsant 2,3,6-triaminopyridines.

The synthesis of 2,3,6-triaminopyridine derivatives, representing a unique chemical structure for anticonvulsants, is described. The synthetic program was performed (a) to identify more potent analogs, (b) to determine structural properties controlling potency as well as neurotoxicity, and (c) to reduce the requirements for animal testing. As a result, besides other structural properties, the overall molecular lipophilicity (log k', octanol-coated column) explained changes in anticonvulsant potency and neurotoxicity. Mimicking the interaction of the amphiphilic triaminopyridines with biological membranes, NMR experiments in the presence of lecithin vesicles were conducted in order to measure the phospholipid-binding parameter log delta (1/T2). Replacement of log k' with log delta (1/T2) in the correlation analysis afforded a more significant equation describing the anticonvulsant activity of 21 derivatives.