Potential of a Novel Chemical Compound Targeting Matrix Metalloprotease-13 for Early Osteoarthritis: An In Vitro Study.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease characterized by cartilage destruction in the joints. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs) play key roles in osteoarthritis progression. In this study, we screened a chemical compound library to identify new drug candidates that target MMP and ADAMTS using a cytokine-stimulated OUMS-27 chondrosarcoma cells. By screening PCR-based mRNA expression, we selected 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide as a potential candidate. We found that 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide attenuated IL-1ß-induced MMP13 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, without causing serious cytotoxicity. Signaling pathway analysis revealed that 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide attenuated ERK- and p-38-phosphorylation as well as JNK phosphorylation. We then examined the additive effect of 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide in combination with low-dose betamethasone on IL-1ß-stimulated cells. Combined treatment with 2-(8-methoxy-2-methyl-4-oxoquinolin-1(4H)-yl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide and betamethasone significantly attenuated MMP13 and ADAMTS9 mRNA expression. In conclusion, we identified a potential compound of interest that may help attenuate matrix-degrading enzymes in the early osteoarthritis-affected joints.

Catalyst- and Silane-Controlled Enantioselective Hydrofunctionalization of Alkenes by Cobalt-Catalyzed Hydrogen Atom Transfer and Radical-Polar Crossover.

The catalytic enantioselective synthesis of tetrahydrofurans, which are found in the structures of many biologically active natural products, via a transition-metal-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (TM-HAT) and radical-polar crossover (RPC) mechanism is described herein. Hydroalkoxylation of nonconjugated alkenes proceeded efficiently with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 94% ee) using a suitable chiral cobalt catalyst, N-fluoro-2,4,6-collidinium tetrafluoroborate, and diethylsilane. Surprisingly, the absolute configuration of the product was highly dependent on the steric hindrance of the silane. Slow addition of the silane, the dioxygen effect on the solvent, thermal dependence, and DFT calculation results supported the unprecedented scenario of two competing selective mechanisms. For the less-hindered diethylsilane, a high concentration of diffused carbon-centered radicals invoked diastereoenrichment of an alkylcobalt(III) intermediate by a radical chain reaction, which eventually determined the absolute configuration of the product. On the other hand, a more hindered silane resulted in less opportunity for a radical chain reaction, instead facilitating enantioselective kinetic resolution during the late-stage nucleophilic displacement of the alkylcobalt(IV) intermediate.