Kinetic evaluation of the oxidation of phenothiazine derivatives by methemoglobin and horseradish peroxidase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Implications for the reaction mechanisms.

The oxidation of ten 2-substituted 10-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl) phenothiazines (PHs) by methemoglobin (metHb) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of H2O2 was kinetically analysed based on an enzymic-chemical second-order reaction with substrate regeneration: PHs are oxidized enzymatically to their radical cations (PH+) which subsequently, in a second order reaction, react further to parent compound and PH-sulfoxide (PHSO). The enzymic reaction rate can be obtained from the accumulation curves of both radical cation formation and sulfoxide formation. In the case of chlorpromazine and promazine both methods gave similar reaction rates. The rate constant of PH+. decay could also be determined from the radical concentrations of their radicals. The rate constant of reaction of PHs with HRP compound II was also analysed. The logarithm of this rate constant correlated well with the Hammett sigma para and the Swain and Lupton F and R substituent constants, whereas no correlation with hydrophobic and steric parameters was found. This indicates that the interaction of PH with the porphyrin ring, which is the active site of HRP, is predominantly under electronic control. In the case of catalysis by hemoglobin (Hb), the formation of the reactive Hb form, ferry1Hb with a protein radical, appeared to be rate limiting in the oxidation of PHs by metHb-H2O2. Differences in the conversion rates of various PHs can be explained by a competition between their electron transfer reaction to the protein radical and the denaturation reaction(s) involving the protein radical. Our results confirm our earlier observation that the mechanism of oxidation by metHb-H2O2 differs from that of the classical peroxidases. In the former case, electron transfer from PH occurs most likely to a tyrosine residue on the globin part, whilst in the latter case electron transfer to the porphyrin moiety takes place.

Mechanistic aspects of the oxidation of phenothiazine derivatives by methemoglobin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Mechanistic aspects of the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with methemoglobin with respect to phenothiazine oxidation have been studied. Three phenothiazines, methoxy- (MoPZ), chlor- (CPZ) and methoxycarbonylpromazine (MaPZ), have been used. These phenothiazines differ only in substitution at the 2-position, which contributes substantially to the electron-donating properties of these compounds. Reaction with hydrogen peroxide oxidizes methemoglobin to ferrylhemoglobin, which contains iron(IV)-oxo porphyrin moiety and a protein radical. The phenothiazines are oxidized by ferrylhemoglobin in the presence of H2O2 mainly to their sulfoxides, with a radical cation as intermediate. The conversion rates (MoPZ greater than CPZ greater than MaPZ) decrease with the electron-withdrawing ability of the 2-substituent, as indicated by Hammett sigma para values. Hydrogen peroxide consumption during the reaction is similar for the three phenothiazines. Denaturation reactions that occur upon exposure of methemoglobin to hydrogen peroxide have been investigated. For this heme-protein cross-linking was studied by means of heme retention by the protein after methyl ethyl ketone extraction. Furthermore, oxygen consumption during the reaction was assayed, which indicates formation of protein-peroxy radicals. The extent of both heme-protein cross-linking and oxygen consumption is decreased by phenothiazines in the same order as the phenothiazine conversion rate. CPZ sulfoxide is not converted by methemoglobin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and CPZ sulfoxide shows no effect on heme-protein cross-linking and oxygen consumption. The results are explained by electron transfer from phenothiazine to the protein radical. Stronger electron donors (MoPZ greater than CPZ greater than MaPZ) are converted faster and by reducing the protein radical they better protect hemoglobin against denaturation. A catalytic cycle, that takes into account our observation and the existing knowledge of hemoglobin oxidation states, is presented.

Oxidation of chlorpromazine by methemoglobin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Formation of chlorpromazine radical cation and its covalent binding to methemoglobin.

The oxidation of chlorpromazine by methemoglobin plus H2O2 has been studied. The transient formation of the chlorpromazine radical cation in this reaction has been demonstrated by light absorption measurements. Under the experimental conditions complete conversion of chlorpromazine yields approximately 60% chlorpromazine sulfoxide. From studies with 3H-labeled chlorpromazine it appears that the remaining 40% is covalently bound to apohemoglobin. Upon reaction of methemoglobin with H2O2 a stable ferrylhemoglobin is formed. This ferrylhemoglobin is not the reactive species, which accepts the chlorpromazine electron, as its presence is not sufficient to induce chlorpromazine oxidation. For this the presence of H2O2 is a prerequisite. This indicates that a transient species in the formation of the stable ferrylhemoglobin is involved, whether this is a compound I analogue or a ferrylhemoglobin with a free radical on one of the apoprotein residues. Exposition of methemoglobin to H2O2 denatures hemoglobin and induces protein-heme crosslinks, as appears from changes in the visible absorption spectrum and heme retention by the protein after methyl ethyl ketone extraction. Reaction with CPZ partly protects against denaturation and crosslinking.

Metabolic activation of chlorpromazine by stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Induction of covalent binding of chlorpromazine to nucleic acids and proteins.

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) have been stimulated with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore A23187 or a combination of both to induce the respiratory burst and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) but not chlorpromazine sulfoxide (CPZSO) inhibited the respiratory burst as measured with lucigenin chemiluminescence. The inhibition was due to interference with processes in the cell leading to the respiratory burst and not to scavenging of produced oxygen radicals that provoke the luminescence. CPZ was metabolized by stimulated PMNs. HPLC analysis revealed formation of CPZSO and an unidentified product. Both products result from decay of chlorpromazine radical cation (CPZ+.), indicating formation of this radical intermediate in CPZSO oxidation by stimulated PMNs. CPZ conversion correlated with H2O2 production and MPO release. The largest CPZ conversion was observed with phorbol ester plus A23187 stimulation. The conversion was reduced by catalase and sodium azide, an inhibitor of MPO, with 70% and 40%, respectively. This indicates only partial involvement of extracellularly released MPO in CPZ metabolism by PMNs. Considerable covalent binding of [3H]CPZ to nucleic acids and proteins of intact stimulated PMNs was observed. This binding was larger upon co-stimulation with phorbol ester and A23187. Azide did not reduce covalent binding. This indicates that covalent binding is not mediated by extracellularly released MPO and that CPZ is probably activated intracellularly. Activation of PMNs and production of H2O2 is a prerequisite for both CPZ conversion and covalent binding. This study demonstrates that phagocytic cells might contribute to drug metabolism and drug-induced toxicity.

Is hemoglobin a catalyst for sulfoxidation of chlorpromazine? An investigation with isolated purified hemoglobin and hemoglobin in monooxygenase and peroxidase mimicking systems.

The possible role of hemoglobin in the sulfoxidation of chlorpromazine is still a controversial subject. Therefore this sulfoxidation was investigated with purified oxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin under various conditions: (i) in phosphate buffer pH 6.5; (ii) in monooxygenase mimicking systems with electron donors like ascorbic acid and NADPH, the last, with and without an electron carrier like methylene blue and cytochrome c reductase; (iii) in the presence of H2O2. Only in the presence of H2O2 chlorpromazine was converted into chlorpromazine sulfoxide in a considerable amount. This so-called peroxidase activity of hemoglobin appeared not to be based on a Fenton-type reaction. An oxidized reactive form of hemoglobin (i.e. ferrylhemoglobin) is responsible for the sulfoxidation. In the other systems only with ascorbic acid some chlorpromazine sulfoxide was produced. This is probably due to the production of H2O2 and the subsequent peroxidase activity of hemoglobin. Chlorpromazine enhanced the autoxidation of oxyhemoglobin, without being transformed itself.