Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of a Novel Bile Acid Derivative.

In the search for novel potent immunomodulatory nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activators, a derivative of cholic bile acid, SB140, was synthesized. The synthesis of SB140 aimed to increase the electrophilic functionality of the compound, enhancing its ability to activate Nrf2. Effects of SB140 on microglial cells, myeloid-derived cells (MDC), and T cells were explored in the context of (central nervous system) CNS autoimmunity. SB140 potently activated Nrf2 signaling in MDC and microglia. It was efficient in reducing the ability of microglial cells to produce inflammatory nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Also, SB140 reduced the proliferation of encephalitogenic T cells and the production of their effector cytokines: IL-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ. On the contrary, the effects of SB140 on anti-inflammatory IL-10 production in microglial and encephalitogenic T cells were limited or absent. These results show that SB140 is a potent Nrf2 activator, as well as an immunomodulatory compound. Thus, further research on the application of SB140 in the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases is warranted. Animal models of multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory neurological disorders will be a suitable choice for such studies.

How do different bile acid derivatives affect rat macrophage function - Friends or foes?

Due to an increased need for new immunomodulatory agents, many previously known molecules have been structurally modified in order to obtain new drugs, preserving at the same time some of the benevolent characteristics of the parent molecule. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of a selected library of bile acid derivatives (BAD) using a broad spectrum of assays, evaluating rat peritoneal macrophages viability, cell membrane damage, lysosomal and adhesion function, and nitric oxide and cytokine production as a response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Also, in silico studies on two bile acid-activated receptors were conducted and the results were related to the observed in vitro effects. All tested BAD exerted significant toxicity in concentrations higher than 10 µM, which was determined based on mitochondria and cell membrane damage in a panel of assays. On the other hand, at lower concentrations, the tested BAD proved to be immunomodulatory since they affected lysosomal function, cell adhesion capacities and the ability to produce inflammatory cytokines in response to a stimulus. One of the compounds proved to exhibit significant toxicity toward macrophages, but also caused a concentration-dependent decrease in nitric oxide levels and was identified as a potential farnesoid X receptor agonist.

Antitumor activity of newly synthesized oxo and ethylidene derivatives of bile acids and their amides and oxazolines.

Bile acid derivatives with modifications in side chain and modifications on steroid skeleton were synthetized and their antitumor activity against five human cancer cell lines was investigated. Modifications in side chain include amid group, formed in reaction with 2-amino-2-methylpropanol, and 4,4-dimethyloxazoline group, obtained after cyclization of amides. In the steroid skeleton oxo groups were introduced in position 7 (2, 2a, 2b) and 7,12 (3, 3a, 3b). Ethylidene groups were introduced regio- and stereoselectively on C-7, and/or without stereoselectivity on C-3 by Wittig reaction. By combination of these modifications, a series of 19 bile acid derivatives were synthesized. Compounds containing both C-7 ethylidene and C-12 carbonyl groups (6, 6a, 6b) shown very good antitumor activity with IC50<5µM. Altering carboxylic group to amide or oxazoline group has positive effect on cytotoxicity. Different molecular descriptors were determined in silico and after principal component analysis was found that molecular descriptor BLTF96 can be used for fast assessment of experimental cytotoxicity of bile acid derivatives.

Micellization parameters (number average, aggregation number and critical micellar concentration) of bile salt 3 and 7 ethylidene derivatives: Role of the steroidal skeleton II.

BACKGROUND: Bile salts are steroidal biosurfactants. Micellar systems of bile salts are not only important for solubilization of cholesterol, but they also interact with certain drugs thus changing their bioavailability. METHODS: The number-average aggregation numbers (n¯) are determined using the Moroi-Matsuoka-Sugioka thermodynamic method. Critical micellar concentrations were determined by spectrofluorometric method using pyren and by surface tension measurements. RESULTS: Micelles of ethylidene derivatives possess the following values for n¯: 7-Eth-D (n¯=11 (50 mM)-n¯=14.8 (100 mM)); 12-Ox-7-Eth-L (n¯≈8.8, without concentration dependence) and 7,12-diOx-3-Eth-Ch (n¯≈2.9, without concentration dependence). In the planes n¯-ln k and ln CMC-ln k derivative 7-Eth-D is outlier in respect to hydrophobic linear congeneric groups. CONCLUSION: Gibbs energy of formation for 7-Eth-D anion micelles in addition to the Gibbs energy of hydrophobic interactions consists excess Gibbs energy (GE) from hydrogen bond formation between building blocks of micelles. Gibbs energy of formation for 7,12-diOx-3-Eth-Ch and 12-Ox-7-Eth-L anion micelle is determined by the Gibbs energy of hydrophobic interactions. Relative increase in hydrophobicity and aggregation number for ethylidene derivatives is larger when ethylidene group is introduced from the C7 lateral side of steroidal skeleton then it is when ethylidene group is on C3 carbon. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Position of outlier towards hydrophobic congeneric groups from n¯-ln k and ln CMC-ln k planes indicates the existence of excess Gibbs energy (GE) which is not of hydrophobic nature (formation of hydrogen bonds). For the bile salt micelles to have GE (formation of secondary micelles) it is necessary that steroidal skeleton possesses C3-α-(e)-OH and C12-α-(a)-OH groups.

Wittig reaction (with ethylidene triphenylphosphorane) of oxo-hydroxy derivatives of 5ß-cholanic acid: Hydrophobicity, haemolytic potential and capacity of derived ethylidene derivatives for solubilisation of cholesterol.

Bile acid salts are biosurfactants which form mixed micelles with phospholipids in vertebrates. These mixed micelles are suitable for solubilisation of cholesterol. For therapeutic purposes some bile acid salts as sodium ursocholate are used. However, bile acid anions possess low capacity for solubilisation of cholesterol. Thus, synthesis of more hydrophobic and less membranotoxic bile acid derivatives is of the great interest. In this paper Wittig reaction between ethylidene triphenylphosphorane and different bile acids oxo derivatives is examined. Wittig reaction of bile acids has not been studied much. C12 oxo group is inert in this reaction. If Wittig reaction happens on C7 oxo group stereospecifically E ethylidene stereoisomer is obtained, while the same reaction on C3 oxo group leads to more reactive not sterospecific product. In this paper stereochemical course of investigated Wittig reactions is thoroughly analysed. Hydrophobicity of derived products is determined over the temperature (T) dependence on retention coefficients (k) in reversed phase high resolution chromatography. Using method of principle components on k=f(T) matrix it is found that values of first principle components best describe hydrophobicity of analysed bile acids, while the second principal component is responsible for their hydrophilicity. By in silico molecular descriptors: valence connectivity index of order 3 (X3v) and packing density index (PDI), linear regression equations are obtained that can be used to predict hydrophobicity (over retention coefficient) of bile acids that belong to set of more congeneric groups. Membranotoxicity is determined by haemolytic potential. Monoethylidene derivatives of bile acids (in the form of anions) have lower membranotoxicity than deoxycholic acids anion. Sodium salt of deoxycholic acid 7-ethylidene derivative has 11% greater capacity for solubilisation of cholesterol monohydrate than sodium salt of deoxycholic acid.