N-(2-Amino-5-chloro-phen-yl)-2-bromo-benzene-sulfonamide.

In the title compound, C12H10BrClN2O2S, the sulfonamide group adopts a staggered conformation about the N-S bond [the C-S-N-H torsion angle is 97 (3)°] with the N-atom lone pair bis-ecting the O=S=O angle. For the C(Ar)-S bond, the ortho-substituted C atom bis-ects one of O=S-N angles [the C-C-S-N torsion angle is -57.7 (3)°]. The mean planes of the aromatic rings form a dihedral angle of 75.1 (1)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules form inversion dimers through pairs of N-H⋯NH2 hydrogen bonds. The mol-ecules are further consolidated into layers along the bc plane by weaker N-H⋯O inter-actions.

N,N-Diethyl-2-(4-methyl-benzene-sulfonamido)-benzamide.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(18)H(22)N(2)O(3)S, contains two mol-ecules, exhibiting similar conformations [C-S-N-C torsion angles of -82.2 (2) and -70.4 (2)°, and dihedral angles between the mean planes of the aromatic rings of 56.6 (6) and 51.6 (6)° in mol-ecules I and II, respectively]. However, the two independent mol-ecules show distinctly different hydrogen-bonding patterns. In the crystal, molecules I form inversion dimers via pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, whereas for molecules II the N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is intramolecular. The hydrogen-bonded dimers of I further propagate along the b-axis direction through π-π inter-actions [the distance between ring centroids is 3.8424 (8) Å].

Modulation on C- and N-terminal moieties of a series of potent and selective linear tachykinin NK(2) receptor antagonists.

Herein we describe the synthesis of a series of new potent tachykinin NK(2) receptor antagonists by the modulation of the C- and N-terminal moieties of ibodutant (MEN 15596, 1). The N-terminal benzo[b]thiophene ring was replaced by different substituted naphthalenes and benzofurans, while further modifications were evaluated at the C-terminal tetrahydropyran moiety. Most compounds demonstrated a high affinity for the human NK(2) receptor and high in vitro antagonist potency, indicating that a wide range of substituents at both termini can be incorporated in the molecule without detrimental effects on the interactions with the NK(2) receptor. Selected compounds were tested in vivo confirming their activity as NK(2) antagonists. In particular, after both iv and id administration to guinea pig, compound 61 b was able to antagonize NK(2)-induced colonic contractions with a potency and duration-of-action fully comparable to the reference compound 1 (MEN 15596, ibodutant).

Discovery of a new series of potent and selective linear tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists.

Starting from 1 (MEN14268), a selective tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonist with an interesting in vitro pharmacological profile, a family of numerous antagonists was obtained through an optimization process focused on iterated structural modifications. The effects of the introduction of a wide variety of substituents on the lipophilic aromatic part of the molecule and the modulation of the structural constraint through the insertion of different achiral alpha,alpha-dialkylamino acids were investigated. In particular, aromatic and benzofused heteroaromatic moieties were introduced at the pseudo-N-terminal residue to replace the 2-benzothiophene moiety, and a systematic investigation of the best positioning of substituents onto the aromatic platform was reported for the benzothiophene core. Studies on the modulation of the length and the rigidity of the hydrophilic pseudo-C-terminal pendant are presented. Many heteroaliphatic groups are well tolerated by the receptor in this part of the ligand. The product 48f (MEN15596), bearing a methyl substituent on the benzothiophene and a tetrahydropyranylmethylpiperidine pendant, was finally selected for its good in vivo activity after intravenous, intraduodenal, and oral administration in guinea pigs.

New monocyclic and acyclic hNK-2 antagonists retaining the beta-turn feature. X-ray and molecular modelling studies.

The human tachykinin NK-2 (hNK-2) receptor is considered a promising target for relevant pathologies at the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary level. With the aim of reducing the complexity of existing peptide antagonists, two series of hNK-2 receptor antagonists were designed, with the support of modelling, and synthesized. The X-ray structure determination of two compounds, each belonging to one of the two series, allowed the experimental validation of the initial rationale. In addition, it has been found that the two series share a beta-turn structure, a key feature for binding the hNK-2 receptor.

Uveitis in autoimmune hepatitis: a case report.

In this case report we describe for the first time an association between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and uveitis, without any doubts about other possible etiologies, such as HCV, since all the old reports describe the association of AIH with iridocyclitis before tests for HCV-related hepatitis could be available. A 38-year-old businessman with abnormal liver function tests and hyperemia of the bulbar conjunctiva was admitted to the hospital. Six years before admission, the patient presented with persistent fever, arthralgias, conjunctival hyperemia, leukocytosis and increased ESR, referred to acute rheumatic fever. The presence of systemic diseases, most commonly associated with uveitis, was investigated without results and the patient was then treated with topical corticosteroids. His symptoms resolved. A test for anti-nuclear antibodies was positive, at a titre of 1:320, with a speckled and nucleolar staining pattern. Liver ultrasound showed mild hepatomegaly with an increased echostructure of the liver. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed under ultrasound assistance. Histological examination showed necroinflammation over the portal, periportal and lobular areas, fibrotic portal tracts, with periportal fibrosis and occasional portal-to-portal bridgings, but intact hepatic architecture. Some hepatocytes showed barely discernible granules of hemosiderin in the lobular area. Bile ductules had not any significant morphological alterations. METAVIR score was A2-F3, according to the modified HAI grading/fibrosis staging. The patient was diagnosed to have AIH with mild activity and fibrosis and was discharged on 25 mg prednisone, entering clinical and biochemical remission, further confirming diagnosis. After discharge the patient continued to have treatment with corticosteroids as an outpatient at a dose of 5 mg. On January 2002 the patient was readmitted to the hospital. A test for anti-nuclear antibodies was positive, at a titre of 1:320, with a speckled and nucleolar staining pattern. Anti-smooth muscle antibody test was also positive (1:160), while anti-LKM antibodies were negative. Ophthalmologic examination revealed inflammatory cells and proteinaceous flare in the anterior chamber of the left eye, and a stromal lesion in the cornea. He was maintained on immunosuppressive therapy (5 mg prednisone plus topical antibiotic therapy for two weeks) and then discharged. A complete remission of the symptoms was registered on follow-up. At present (July 2005), the patient is on prednisone (5 mg) and has no symptoms. Liver function tests are also within the normal range.

Insertion of an aspartic acid moiety into cyclic pseudopeptides: synthesis and biological characterization of potent antagonists for the human Tachykinin NK-2 receptor.

A new series of monocyclic pseudopeptide tachykinin NK-2 receptor antagonists has been derived from the lead compound MEN11558. A synthesis for these molecules sharing the same intermediate was designed and performed. The replacement of the succinic moiety with an aspartic acid and the functionalization of its amino group with a wide variety of substituents led to very potent and selective NK-2 antagonists. Best results were obtained through the insertion in position 12 of an amino group with R configuration, linked by a short spacer to a saturated nitrogen heterocycle (morpholine, piperidine, or piperazine). The study led to compounds 54 and 57, endowed with high in vivo potency at very low doses and long duration of action in animal models of bronchoconstriction. In particular 54 and 57 completely inhibited NK-2 agonist induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pig after intratracheal administration at subnanomolar doses (ED(50) = 0.27 nmol/kg and 0.15 nmol/kg, respectively).

Synthesis of Enantiopure 3-Substituted Pyrroline N-Oxides by Highly Regioselective Oxidation of the Parent Hydroxylamines: A Mechanistic Rationale.

The syntheses of four new, differently O-substituted 3-hydroxypyrroline N-oxides and the first 3-amino analogue have been performed by the use of a strategy involving double nucleophilic displacement of the corresponding dimesylates by hydroxylamine and oxidation of the resulting 1-hydroxypyrrolidines. The regioselectivity data of the oxidation reactions nicely confirm the mechanistic hypothesis, which explains the dependence on the electronic nature of the substituent. The trend of the regioselectivity ratio has useful predictive value. Practical complete regioselection has been obtained by substitution with a benzoyloxy functionality. The O-allyl-substituted nitrone is not stable in the reaction conditions, undergoing immediately an intramolecular cycloaddition reaction with complete stereocontrol and inversion of regio- and stereoselectivity with respect to the intermolecular case.