Development of novel mixed-ligand oxotechnetium [SNS/S] complexes as potential 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents.

The "3 + 1" ligand system [SN(R)S/S combination] was applied in order to synthesize neutral mixed-ligand oxotechnetium complexes of the general formula 99mTcO[SN(R)S]/[S] as potential 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents. The complexes are carrying the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety, a fragment of the true 5-HT1A antagonist WAY 100635, either on the monodentate ligand [S] or on the tridentate ligand [SN(R)S]. The complexes MO[EtN(CH2CH2S)2] [o-MeOC6H4N(CH2CH2)2NCH2CH2S] (3), MO[o- MeOC6H4N(CH2CH2)2N(CH2)3N(CH2CH2S)2][PhS] (6) and MO[o-MeOC6H4N(CH2CH2)2N(CH2)3N(CH2CH2S)2] [PhCH2CH2S] (9), where M = 99mTc, were prepared at tracer level using 99mTc glucoheptonate as precursor. For structural characterization, the analogous oxorhenium (M = Re, 1, 4 and 7, respectively) and oxotechnetium (M = 99gTc, 2, 5 and 8, respectively) complexes were prepared by ligand exchange reactions. All products were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Complexes 1, 4 and 7 were further characterized by crystallographic analysis. For 1, the coordination geometry about rhenium can be described as trigonally distorted square pyramidal (tau = 0.36), while for 4 and 7, as distorted trigonal bipyramidal (tau = 0.66 and tau = 0.61, respectively). The coordination sphere about oxorhenium in all complexes is defined by the SNS donor atom set of the tridentate ligand and the sulfur atom of the monodentate coligand. The structure of the 99mTc complexes 3, 6 and 9 was established by comparative HPLC using authentic oxorhenium and oxotechnetium samples. The binding affinity of oxorhenium compounds for the 5-HT1A receptor subtype was determined in rat brain hippocampal preparations (IC50 = 6-31 nM). Preliminary tissue distribution data in healthy mice revealed the ability of all three 99mTc complexes to cross the intact blood-brain barrier (0.49-1.15% ID at 1 min p.i.). In addition, complexes 6 and 9 showed significant brain retention. These promising results have demonstrated that the SNS/S mixed-ligand system can be used in the development of 99mTc complexes as potential 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents.

Model investigations of vanadium-protein interactions: novel vanadium(III) and oxovanadium(IV) compounds with the diamidate ligand 1,2-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)benzene (H2bpb).

Novel vanadium(III) and oxovanadium(IV) compounds with the diamidate ligand 1,2-bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide)benzene (H2bpb) were synthesized and structurally characterized. H2bpb is capable of binding to vanadium in either its anionic (dianionic-monoanionic) or its neutral form, resulting in complexes of various geometries and stoichiometries. The dianionic form (bpb2-), in NHEt3(trans-[VCl2(bpb)]) (1) and [VO(bpb)(H2O)]05dmso036CH3OH013H2O (6x05dmsox036CH3OHx013H2O), acts as a planar tetradentate bis[N-amidate-N-pyridine] equatorial ligand. The monoanionic form (Hbpb-) behaves as an (Npy,Oam) or (Npy,Nam) chelator in [V(Hbpb)3]2CHCl3 (22CHCl3) as well as a mu 2-bridging-eta 4-(Npy,Oam-Npy,Nam) in [VOCl(Hbpb)](2)x2CH3NO2 (3x2CH3NO2), while the neutral H2bpb behaves as a mu 2-bridging-eta 4-bis(Npy,Oam) in [VOCl(H2bpb)](2)x104CH3OHx123thfx074H2O (4x104CH3OH123thf074H2O). Compound 4x104CH3OHx123thfx074H2O crystallizes in the triclinic system P1, with (at 25 degrees C) a = 9140(2) A, b = 11058(2) A, c = 14175(2) A, alpha = 99013(5) degrees, beta = 104728(7) degrees, gamma = 102992(7) degrees, V = 13149(4) A3, Z = 1, while compound 605dmso036CH3OH013H2O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with (at 25 degrees C) a = 11054(5) A, b = 11407(5) A, c = 16964(7) A, beta = 932(1) degrees, V = 2136(2) A3, Z = 4. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies of the dimeric compounds 3x2CH3NO2 and 4x104CH3OH show g values for the V(IV) centers that are slightly smaller than 20 (as expected for d1 ions) and indicate small antiferromagnetic coupling between the two vanadium(IV) centers. Ab initio calculations were also carried out, providing results concerning the effect of the relative strength and the deformation energy involved in the eta 2-(Npy,Nam) and eta 2-(Npy,Oam) bonding modes in the ligation of Hbpb- to vanadium.

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of two vanadium complexes administered at low dose on benzo[a]pyrene-induced malignant tumors in rats.

The antitumor effects of low dose administration of the vanadium(III) complexes with L-cysteine (complex 1) and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (complex 2) were compared on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced tumors in Wistar rats. Male Wistar rats, injected with 10.0 mg of BaP, were divided into one control (C-G) and two treatment (TR-G) groups of 17 animals each. Animals of the first treatment group were administered complex 2 (TR-2 group) and those of the second group were administered complex 1 (TR-1 group) at doses of 100 microg of vanadium per os daily, starting from the day a palpable tumor was developed till their death. BaP injection induced a 100% tumor (leiomyosarcomas) development in the animals of all groups. Administration of complex 1 to the animals resulted in a significant prolongation of the mean survival time, a complete remission of 17.6% of the tumors developed, a significant reduction of the carcinogenic potency (CP) of BaP and of the tumor growth rate (TGR) in TR-1 group animals, compared to the control and the TR-2 group. In marked contrast, complex 2 failed at the doses administered to exert any significant modulation of the above mentioned parameters. Results indicate that at low (100 micro/day) concentrations of vanadium, complex 1 exerts a significant anticarcinogenic effect on experimentally-induced leiomyosarcomas in rats, whereas complex 2 has no effect when administered at the same low concentrations of vanadium.