LZ-106, a potent lysosomotropic agent, causing TFEB-dependent cytoplasmic vacuolization.

Cytoplasmic vacuolization usually occurs in cells treated with different agents and substances. We found that LZ-106, an analog of enoxacin, is a potent lysosomotropic agent, contributing to the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in cells. Studies of LZ-106-induced vacuolization in H460 cells showed acid environment inside these vacuoles. Further study demonstrated that markers in the late endosomes and lysosomes, like LAMP1 and RAB7, on the surface of the vacuoles, implying that these vacuoles might derive from endosomes and/or lysosomes. By studying the fluorescence intensity of LZ-106, we discovered that LZ-106 tended to locate in acid organelles, and Bafilomycin A1, a V-ATPase inhibitor, was able to suppress its acid organelles localization. Also, we noticed that LZ-106 could induce lysosome stress, involving pH increment and lysosomal membrane damage. Moreover, the expression levels of some lysosome-related proteins, like LAMP1, EEA1, and Cathepsin B, were also altered upon LZ-106 treatment. At last, we confirmed LZ-106 can activate TFEB, a key regulator of lysosomes. Knockdown of TFEB could also reverse LZ-106's effect on vacuolization in H460 cells. Taken together, due to LZ-106's lysosomotropic properties, it is able to accumulate in the acid organelles and induce lysosomal dysfunction in H460 cells, leading to TFEB activation and the following cytoplasmic vacuolization.

G1 phase cell cycle arrest in NSCLC in response to LZ-106, an analog of enoxacin, is orchestrated through ROS overproduction in a P53-dependent manner.

LZ-106, a newly synthetized analog of quinolone, has been shown to be highly effective in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in both cultured cells and xenograft mouse model with low toxicity, yet the molecular mechanisms still require exploration. Here, we substantiated the involvement of P53 activation in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon LZ-106 treatment and related P53 to the ROS-induced viability inhibition and apoptosis, which was exhibited in the previous research. P53 was shown to play an indispensable role in the elevated levels of intracellular ROS in LZ-106-treated NSCLC cells through ROS detection. We further identified the anti-proliferation effect of LZ-106 in NSCLC cells through G1 phase cell cycle arrest by cell cycle analysis, with the expression analysis of the key proteins, and discovered that the cell cycle arrest effect is also mediated by induction of ROS in a P53-dependent manner. In addition, the tumor suppression effect exhibited in vivo was demonstrated to be similar to that in vitro, which requires the participation of P53. Thus, LZ-106 is a potent antitumor drug possessing potent proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction ability through the P53-dependent ROS modulation both in vitro and in vivo.

Enoxacin and bis-enoxacin stimulate 4T1 murine breast cancer cells to release extracellular vesicles that inhibit osteoclastogenesis.

Enoxacin and its bone-seeking bisphosphonate derivative, bis-enoxacin, have recently captured attention as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and bone disease. No differences in growth or survival of 4T1 murine breast cancer cells were detected at a concentration of 50 µM of enoxacin or bis-enoxacin. Growth was perturbed at higher concentrations. Both 50 µM enoxacin and bis-enoxacin stimulated increases in the number of GW/Processing bodies, but there were minimal changes in microRNA levels. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from 4T1 cells treated with 50 µM enoxacin or 50 µM bis-enoxacin stimulated proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells, and both significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis in calcitriol-stimulated mouse marrow. EVs from 4T1 cells treated with enoxacin and bis-enoxacin displayed small reductions in the amount of microRNA (miR)-146a-5p and let-7b-5p. In marked contrast, miR-214-3p, which has been shown to regulate bone remodeling, was increased 22-fold and 30-fold respectively. We conclude that enoxacin and bis-enoxacin trigger the release of EVs from 4T1 cancer cells that inhibit osteoclastogenesis.

LZ-106, a novel analog of enoxacin, inducing apoptosis via activation of ROS-dependent DNA damage response in NSCLCs.

Lung cancer, especially non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), plays the leading role in cancer which is closely related to a myriad of fatal results. Unfortunately, current molecular mechanisms and clinical treatment of NSCLC still remain to be explored despite the fact that intensive investigations have been carried out in the last two decades. Recently, growing attention to finding exploitable sources of anticancer agents is refocused on quinolone compounds, an antibiotic with a long period of clinic application, for their remarkable cell-killing activity against not only bacteria, but eukaryotes as well. In this study, we found LZ-106, an analog of enoxacin, exhibiting potent inhibitory effects on NSCLC in both cultured cells and xenograft mouse model. We identified apoptosis-inducing action of LZ-106 in NSCLC cells through the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress apoptotic pathways via Annexin-V/PI double-staining assay, membrane potential detection, calcium level detection and the expression analysis of the key apoptotic proteins. Through comet assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, the expression analysis of DNA damage response (DDR) marker γ-H2AX and other DDR-related proteins, we also demonstrated that LZ-106 notably induced ROS overproduction and DDR. Interestingly, additional evidence in our findings revealed that DDR and apoptosis could be alleviated in the presence of ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), indicating ROS-dependent DDR involvement in LZ-106-induced apoptosis. Thus our data not only offered a new therapeutic candidate for NSCLC, but also put new insights into the pharmacological research of quinolones.

Synthesis and biological evaluations of enoxacin carboxamide derivatives.

The present work deals with the synthesis of various enoxacin analogues via nucleophilic substitution of 3-carboxylic acid moiety of the drug by aromatic amines. The free carboxylic group was utilized in the formation of amides and the effect of functional group exchange on different biological activities of the parent was evaluated. The structure of these derivatives was established by various spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. The derivatives were evaluated as antibacterial agents against a series of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria whereby some of them displayed considerably improved antimicrobial profile against Gram-negative test strains. Additionally unlike enoxacin, the derivatives were also found to modulate oxidative burst response of phagocytes exhibiting moderate to significant inhibitory activity.

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of enoxacin and 4-oxo-enoxacin in human plasma and prostatic tissue. Application to a pharmacokinetic study.

A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of enoxacin and 4-oxo-enoxacin in plasma and prostatic tissue. The work-up procedure involves a liquid-liquid extraction step followed by isocratic chromatography on a reversed-phase analytical column, with ultraviolet absorbance detection (lambda = 340 nm). Using a mobile phase of 20.9% (v/v) acetonitrile buffer (pH 2.1), adequate retention time and separation among the analytes has been obtained using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide included in the eluent. Retention times are 5.2 min for enoxacin, 6.8 min for pefloxacin and 12 min for 4-oxo-enoxacin. For plasma and prostatic tissue, the precision of the assay was below 9%. The percent recovery from the nominal values for accuracy ranged from 94 to 108%. The limits of quantitation were 20 ng/ml for plasma and 50 ng/g for tissue (precision < 18%). The detection limits were 10 ng/ml and 25 ng/g, respectively. The calibration curves were linear from 20 to 1000 ng/ml for plasma and from 50 to 2500 ng/g for tissue. In plasma, the extraction recoveries averaged 52% for enoxacin and 63% for 4-oxo-enoxacin. In prostatic tissue, they were 57 and 76% for the two analytes, respectively. This method has been employed for the determination of enoxacin and 4-oxo-enoxacin in plasma and prostatic tissue samples from patients following repeated oral administration of enoxacin (400 mg twice a day for four days).

Structure-related inhibitory effect of antimicrobial enoxacin and derivatives on theophylline metabolism by rat liver microsomes.

Enoxacin, an antimicrobial fluoroquinolone with a 7-piperazinyl-1, 8-naphthyridine skeleton, is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P-450-mediated theophylline metabolism. The present study was designed to clarify, using seven enoxacin derivatives, the molecular characteristics of the fluoroquinolone responsible for the inhibition. Three derivatives with methyl-substituted 7-piperazine rings inhibited rat liver microsomal theophylline metabolism to 1,3-dimethyluric acid to an extent similar to that of enoxacin (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s] = 0.39 to 0.48 mM). 7-Piperazinyl-quinoline derivatives, 8-hydroenoxacin (8-Hy) and 1-cyclopropyl-8-fluoroenoxacin (8-F1), which have a hydrogen and a fluorine at position 8, respectively, more weakly inhibited metabolite formation (IC50s = 0.88 and 1.29 mM, respectively). Little inhibition (IC50 > 2 mM) was observed in those with 3'-carbonyl and 4'-N-acetyl groups on the piperazine rings. The substrate-induced difference spectra demonstrated that the affinities of enoxacin, 8-Hy, and 8-F1 to cytochrome P-450 were parallel with their inhibitory activities. The substituent at position 8 was found to determine the molecular conformations of the fluoroquinolones, and the planarity in molecular shape decreased in the same order as the inhibitory activity (enoxacin > 8-Hy > 8-F1). Moreover, the 3'-carbonyl and 4'-N-acetyl groups decreased the basicity of their vicinal 4'-nitrogen atoms when judged from their electrostatic potentials, which showed a remarkably broadened negative charge around the nitrogens. As a result, the planarity of the whole molecule and the basicity of the 4'-nitrogen atom of enoxacin are likely to be dominant factors in the inhibition of theophylline metabolism by cytochrome P-450.

Distribution kinetics of enoxacin and its metabolite oxoenoxacin in excretory fluids of healthy volunteers.

The distribution kinetics of enoxacin and its main metabolite oxoenoxacin in excretory fluids was investigated in 11 healthy volunteers. A single intravenous dose of 428 mg of enoxacin was given as a 1-h infusion. Serial samples of plasma, urine, saliva, nasal secretions, tears, and sweat were drawn and analyzed for enoxacin and oxoenoxacin by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Large differences in the concentration-time profiles of the excretory fluids analyzed were observed. Nasal secretions exhibited the highest enoxacin exposure, as assessed by the area under the concentration-time curve. Excretory fluid/plasma area under the concentration-time curve ratios were found to be 1.67 +/- 0.36 for nasal secretions, 0.76 +/- 0.28 for saliva, 0.25 +/- 0.07 for sweat, and 0.23 +/- 0.11 for tears. The elimination half-life of enoxacin from sweat (8.27 +/- 2.63 h) was significantly longer than that for plasma (5.10 +/- 0.46 h). Oxoenoxacin was detected in urine and saliva and exhibited a higher renal clearance and a lower saliva exposure than the parent compound. In contrast to that of the metabolite, distribution of enoxacin in saliva was found to be time and pH dependent. In conclusion, our study revealed considerable differences in the distribution kinetics of enoxacin among various excretory sites. Because of distinct acidic and basic properties, the anionic oxometabolite significantly differs from the zwitterionic parent compound in its distribution characteristics.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of CP-99433 compared with other fluoroquinolones.

CP-99433 is a new C-7 diazabicyclofluoroquinolone with a broad spectrum of activity that includes Enterobacteriaceae, Gram-positive cocci, and nonenteric Gram-negative bacilli. Potent activity was demonstrated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml), Xanthomonas maltophilia (MIC90, 1 microgram/ml), and all Streptococcus species (MIC90s, 0.25-1 microgram/ml). Only CP-99433 was active against Enterococcus faecium (MIC50, 2 micrograms/ml). CP-99433 also demonstrated activity against several ciprofloxacin-resistant staphylococci. Additional studies of CP-99433 activity appear indicated.

Structure-related inhibitory effect of quinolones on alkyl-xanthine elimination in rats.

To investigate the relationship between the chemical structures of quinolones, enoxacin (ENX) and its analogues, and their metabolic inhibitory effects on theophylline, a xanthine derivative closely related to theophylline, 1-methyl-3-propylxanthine (MPX), was used as a model of theophylline in rats. The disappearance of MPX from plasma was significantly delayed by treatment with ENX and analogue A (derivatives without substituent group at both 3'- and 5'- carbon atom in the piperazinyl ring): total body clearance of MPX was significantly decreased by approximately 50%. However, analogue A was converted into ENX in the rat body (about 14% of dose). Analogues B and C (derivatives with substituent group at 3'- or 5'-carbon atom in the piperazinyl ring) had little or no effect on MPX disposition. No significant change in the volume of distribution of MPX was observed after coadministration with these quinolones. The results of this study indicate that the substitutions on 3' and 5'-carbon atoms of piperazinyl ring at 7-position of the quinolone molecule may play important role in the inhibition of theophylline metabolism.

The possible mechanism of interaction between xanthines and quinolone.

To clarify the mechanism of interaction between theophylline and enoxacin, the effects of enoxacin and its metabolite, 4-oxo-enoxacin, on the disposition of new xanthine derivatives, 1-methyl-3-propylxanthine (MPX) and 3-propylxanthine (enprofylline), as models of theophylline have been investigated in rats. Pretreatment with enoxacin significantly delayed the elimination of MPX from plasma. No significant change in the volume of distribution of MPX was observed in the presence of enoxacin, but the total body clearance of MPX was significantly decreased by approximately 60 and 80% after pretreatment with 25 and 100 mg kg-1 of enoxacin, respectively. The amount of the decrease in total body clearance depended on the dose of enoxacin. 4-Oxo-enoxacin had little or no effect on MPX disposition. A newly developed quinolone, NY-198, which does not affect the disposition of theophylline, also did not affect the disposition of MPX. Enoxacin also had no effect on the disposition of enprofylline. These results indicate that the mechanism for decrease in theophylline clearance induced by enoxacin may not be due to its metabolite, 4-oxo-enoxacin, but to enoxacin itself, and that enoxacin does not inhibit solely the elimination process depending on cytochrome P450 isoenzyme for N-demethylation. It is likely that enoxacin has no influence on the renal excretion of xanthines.

Effects of enoxacin on renal and metabolic clearance of theophylline in rats.

The effects of enoxacin and its metabolite 4-oxoenoxacin on the disposition of theophylline were investigated in rats. Systemic clearance of theophylline was significantly decreased by approximately 40, 46, and 50% after oral coadministration of 25, 100, and 200 mg of enoxacin per kg, respectively. No significant changes in the volume of distribution of theophylline were observed. 4-Oxoenoxacin had no direct effect on theophylline disposition. Significant changes in urinary excretion of theophylline and its metabolites were observed. (i) Urinary excretion of unchanged theophylline was significantly increased in proportion to increases in enoxacin dosage. (ii) Decreases in renal clearance of theophylline and metabolic clearance of 1-methyluric acid and 1,3-dimethyluric acid were observed. (iii) The percent decreases in the metabolic clearance of 1-methyluric acid were dependent on enoxacin dosage. It is likely that enoxacin inhibits the elimination process, which depends on cytochrome P-450-mediated isozymes for N demethylation and oxidation, and that the capacity of the inhibitory effect of enoxacin is greater in the N-demethylation pathway than it is in oxidation.

Pharmacokinetics of enoxacin and its oxometabolite following intravenous administration to patients with different degrees of renal impairment.

Enoxacin is a fluorinated quinolone with potential clinical use in the treatment of serious infections. Twenty-three patients (age, 19 to 87 years) with different degrees of renal function, including a group undergoing chronic hemodialysis, received enoxacin (400 mg) by intravenous infusion (1 h). Blood samples were collected before infusion; at the end of infusion; and at 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min and 3, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h after infusion. Enoxacin and oxoenoxacin concentrations were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters (mean +/- standard deviation) were calculated by using a noncompartmental PK model according to creatinine clearances (in milliliters per minute). Total clearance of enoxacin decreased from 4.95 +/- 1.16 ml/min per kg in the group with normal creatinine clearance to 0.76 +/- 0.21 ml/min per kg in the patients with severe renal failure (creatinine clearance, less than 15 ml/min), whereas the elimination half-life increased from 4.5 +/- 1.0 to 20 +/- 5 h, respectively. The elimination of oxoenoxacin (the main metabolite of enoxacin) in urine was markedly decreased when creatinine clearance was less than 15 ml/min. Hemodialysis removed an insignificant amount of enoxacin and oxoenoxacin. These data indicate that as creatinine clearance falls below 30 ml/min, the daily enoxacin dose should be reduced by half. During prolonged administration of enoxacin to patients with creatinine clearances of less than 30 ml/min, the accumulation of oxoenoxacin might lead to unexpected side effects.