Synthesis of 5,10-seco analogs of testosterone.

A number of 5,10-seco analogs of testosterone has been synthesized starting from products of the radical oxidation of 3beta,17beta-diacetoxy-5alpha-androstan-5alpha-ol. The obtained compounds possess a flexible 10-membered ring with substituents (O, -OH) at C-3 and C-5. Similar derivatives with an (E)- and (Z)-Delta(1(10))-double bond have been prepared also. X-ray analysis and a combination of NMR experiments have been used for their structure elucidation and conformation analysis.

Some molecular descriptors for non-specific chromosomal genotoxicity based on hydrophobic interactions.

A concept relating the lipophilicity of chemicals with their genotoxicity on a chromosomal level had been generated by Schultz and Onfelt (Chem Biol Interact 126:97-123, 2000). It was shown that aneuploidy in Chinese hamster V79 cells was elicited by lipophilic chemicals at concentrations related to their hydrophobicity (log P), whereas toxicants with a specific mode of action acted at concentrations consistently lower than predicted based on log P. We have now combined available data sets on aneuploidy/micronucleus formation with procedures used in QSAR modelling, in order to find new molecular descriptors for modelling non-specific chromosomal genotoxicity, and to optimise combinations thereof. Molecular structures of 26 chemicals, including steroids, were converted into single 3D models using Corina (version 3.20), and 11 descriptors of molecular properties were calculated. The data of 16 compounds assigned to a non-specific mode of action were imported into the QSAR module of the software package Cerius(2) (version 4.10). Applying genetic function approximation (GFA), linear equations were set up relating molecular descriptors with experimental concentrations at which doubling of micronuclei occurred in V79 cells (exp -log C). The number of variables (molecular descriptors) was limited to a maximum of three, and linear and quadratic terms were allowed. Based on the descriptions provided by the GFA procedure, log P was the most suitable single property to describe non-specific genotoxicity [r (2 ) = 0.88], confirming the original concept of Schultz and Onfelt. Using more descriptors (up to three in combination) resulted in an optimization of correlations up to r (2 )= 0.97. Such optimal correlation coefficients were obtained by combinations (a) of the numbers of hydrogen bond acceptors, the polar surface and total surface areas of molecules on one hand, and by (b) the dipole moment, polar surface and total surface descriptors on the other hand. In essence, the relation of polar surface to the total molecular surface appears pivotal to determine the non-specific chromosomal genotoxicity of lipophilic compounds.

Proposed criteria for specific and non-specific chromosomal genotoxicity based on hydrophobic interactions.

Tests for chromosomal damage are indispensable in the genotoxicity testing battery. Thus, positive results of clastogenicity or aneugenicity tests are of key relevance in safety assessment and product development. Schultz and Onfelt [N. Schultz, A. Onfelt, Sensitivity of cytokinesis to hydrophobic interactions. Chemical induction of bi- and multi-nucleated cells, Chem. Biol. Interact. 126 (2000) 97-123.] have studied the chemical induction of bi- and multi-nucleated cells in Chinese hamster V79 cells and compared non-specific agents with inducers acting through a known specific mechanism. They separated compounds with a specific action from those with a non-specific action based on lipophilicity, following a theory of hydrophobic interactions with processes of cytokinesis. It appeared possible to broaden the original database of this concept to include aneugenic as well as clastogenic compounds studied in the micronucleus (MN) test. The datasets used for this purpose were (A) the original dataset of Schultz and Onfelt [N. Schultz, A. Onfelt, Sensitivity of cytokinesis to hydrophobic interactions. Chemical induction of bi- and multi-nucleated cells, Chem. Biol. Interact. 126 (2000) 97-123.], and two sets (B, C) of our own data from studies in V79 cells in vitro. As the particular endpoints used were different (A: counts of bi- and multi-nucleated cells, B/C: micronucleus counts) the coherence of the experimental data sets was validated by including compounds belonging to both collections. Data set B included compounds with a specific effect on the mitotic spindle (nitrobenzene and benzonitrile) and data set C included the phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein, as well as a number of hormonal steroids with unknown mode of action. Taking all three data sets (A, B, C) together, the 33 compounds investigated covered a total lipophilicity range of logP between -0.51 (diamide) and 5.65 (17alpha-propylmesterolone). In order to separate statistical outliers (with a specific mode of action to be likely) from the large cluster of compounds with non-specific genotoxicity related to hydrophobic interactions, the method of robust regression was applied. It appeared that all compounds with a specific mode of action were in fact outliers of the lipophilicity rule. Genistein, a weak clastogen causing chromosomal aberrations and being discussed to induce topoisomerase-2 mediated DNA breaks, came close to the statistical borderline between compounds with specific and non-specific chromosomal genotoxicity. A general procedure is proposed, applicable in chemical product development, to screen specific and non-specific modes of action.

A new type of steroids with a cyclobutane fragment in the AB-ring moiety.

The synthesis of a 5,10-seco steroid containing two double bonds in a AB-macrocycle as well as the preparation of a steroidal skeleton with a cyclobutane fragment is described. The structures of these compounds are different from those of natural steroids, but they are very similar with respect to conformation of the carbon skeleton.

Isolation and structure elucidation of new radical oxidation products of 5-hydroxy steroids.

Three new products have been isolated from the lead-tetraacetate version of the hypoiodite oxidation of 3beta,17beta-diacetoxy-5-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane. Along with the expected 1(10)-unsaturated 5,10-seco steroidal 5-ketones, the fragmentation reaction gave two epimeric C-4 iodides. Their structural assignment was based on X-ray data of one of them ((4R,10S)-4-iodo-3beta,17beta-diacetoxy-5,10-secoandrostan-5-one). The third new product was found to be the 5 beta,6 beta-epoxide resulting from the dehydration of the tertiary alcohol followed by epoxidation of the intermediate Delta(5)-olefin.

Imidazolylpyrimidine based CXCR2 chemokine receptor antagonists.

An imidazolylpyrimidine was identified in a CXCR2 chemokine receptor antagonist screen and was optimized for potency, in vitro metabolic stability, and oral bioavailability. It was found that subtle structural modification within the series affected the oral bioavailability. Potent and orally available CXCR2 antagonists are herein reported.

The synthesis of functionalized 13,14-seco-steroids via Grob fragmentation.

A synthetic methodology for the synthesis of 13,14-seco-steroids with substituents at C-14 and C-17 is described. The approach involves Grob fragmentation of 14beta-hydroxy-17beta-tosylates, hydroboration-oxidation of the intermediate delta13(17)-olefin, and hydride reduction of the 14-ketone. An unambiguous structural assignment of (13R,14S,17S)-14,17-diacetoxy-3-methoxy-7alpha-methyl-13,14-secoestra-1,3,5(10)-triene was determined by X-ray analysis.

Synthesis of 13,14-secotestosterone derivatives.

A number of testosterone analogs with a 13,14-secosteroidal fragment have been prepared from (13S)-13-iodo-6beta-methoxy-3alpha, 5-cyclo-13,14-seco-5alpha-androstan-14,17-dione. The key steps involved stereoselective deiodination of the starting compound with triphenylphosphine and selective protection of the 17-keto group with trimethylsilylcyanide. Removal of iodine at C-13 proceeded with inversion of the configuration at C-13, which has been established by X-ray crystallography. 13,14-Secotestosterone analogues substituted and non-substituted at C-14 have been prepared. The obtained compounds containing flexible CD ring fragments are of great interest for comparative studies in biological tests together with testosterone and other steroids with a rigid tetracyclic skeleton.

Reaction of (13S)-13-iodo-6beta-methoxy-3alpha,5-cyclo-13,14-seco-5alpha-androstane-14,17-dione with hydroxylamine and its application to the synthesis of new 13,14-seco steroids.

The synthesis of 13,14-seco steroids starting from easily available (13S)-13-iodo-6beta-methoxy-3alpha,5-cyclo-13,14-seco-5alpha-androsta-14,17-dione is described. The C-17 ketone was converted regioselectively into its oxime with simultaneous stereoselective deiodination at C-13. The remaining C-14 carbonyl group was then reduced stereoselectively with Ca(BH4)2. The configurations at the relevant stereocenters of the thus obtained hydroxy oxime were determined by X-ray analysis. Successful regeneration of the C-17 carbonyl group was achieved by treatment of the corresponding oxime acetate with TiCl3.

Structure-activity relationship study of human liver microsomes-catalyzed hydrolysis rate of ester prodrugs of MENT by comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA).

A series of MENT esters (3-71) was designed, prepared and tested to study the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the hydrolysis rate with human liver microsomes of these prodrugs. Compounds were obtained covering a wide range of metabolic stability. The results are useful for the proper selection of prodrugs for different pharmaceutical formulations to deliver the potent and prostate-sparing androgen MENT. The MENT esters can especially be administered for male hormone replacement therapy and male contraception. Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) was applied to a dataset of 28 esters, for which ED50 values could be obtained. The CoMFA model where the electrostatic and H-bond molecular fields were combined turned out to be most predictive. Despite the limited size of the dataset, CoMFA can help to rationalize the SAR of the ester hydrolysis rate of ester prodrugs of MENT.