Characterization of Pharmacokinetics, Biotransformation and Elimination of Pomotrelvir Orally Administered in Healthy Male Adults Using Two [14C]-Labeled Microtracers with Separate Labeling Positions.

Pomotrelvir is an orally bioavailable, target antiviral inhibitor of the main protease (Mpro) of coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the etiological agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019. The pharmacokinetics, metabolism and elimination of two [14C]-labeled microtracers of 5 µCi/700 mg pomotrelvir with separate labeling positions (isotopomers), [lactam carbonyl-14C-pomotelvir] and [benzene ring-U-14C-pomotrelvir], following a single oral dose in healthy adult males was evaluated in two separate cohorts. Pomotrelvir was rapidly absorbed and eliminated primarily through metabolism and subsequently excreted via urine and feces. There were no differences in pomotrelvir pharmacokinetics between the two cohorts. The mean total radioactive dose recovered was 93.8% (n = 8) in the lactam cohort (58% in urine and 36% in feces) and 94.2% (n = 8) in the benzene cohort (75% in urine and 19% in feces), with ≥80% of [14C] recovered within 96 hours after dosing. About 5% and 3% of the intact pomotrelvir was recovered in feces and urine, respectively. Eleven major metabolites were detected and characterized using liquid chromatography-accelerator mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods, with three and six different metabolites elucidated in the samples collected from lactam and benzene cohorts, respectively, and two metabolites observed in both cohorts. The major metabolism pathway of pomotrelvir is through hydrolysis of its peptide bonds followed by phase II conjugations. These results support that the application of two radiolabeled isotopomers provided a comprehensive metabolite profiling analysis and was a successful approach in identifying the major disposition pathways of pomotrelvir that has complex routes of metabolism. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: An unconventional approach using two differentially labeled [14C] microtracers, [lactam carbonyl-14C-pomotrelvir] and [benzene ring-U-14C-pomotrelvir] evaluated the mass balance of orally administered pomotrelvir in healthy adult males in two separate cohorts. The radioactive dose recovered in excreta was about 94% for both cohorts. While the two isotopomers of the radiolabeled-pomotrelvir showed no major differences in pharmacokinetics overall, they allowed for differential detection of their radiolabeled metabolites and appropriate characterization of their plasma exposure and excretion in urine and feces.

Modification of an atmospheric pressure photoionization source for online analysis of exhaled breath coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Breath analysis is a promising method for metabolomics studies and clinical diagnosis, as it enables the observation of metabolites in a convenient and noninvasive way. In this work, an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source was modified for online analysis of exhaled breath by coupling with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOFMS). Three parameters, namely, the capillary voltage, the sampling flow and the curtain gas flow of the APPI source, were optimized. Five healthy volunteers, three males and two females, were enrolled to test the performance of modified APPI-QTOFMS by analyzing their exhaled breath. A total of 21 compounds were tentatively identified, and four metabolites, namely, dimethyl selenoxide, δ-valerolactam, hydroxymandelic acid and palmitic amide were detected in the exhaled breath for the first time. The result shows that modified APPI-QTOFMS can be used for the online study of exhaled breath. Graphical abstract.

Characterization of chemical profiles of pH-sensitive cleavable D-gluconhydroximo-1, 5-lactam hydrolysates by LC-MS: A potential agent for promoting tumor-targeted drug delivery.

Currently, controllable linker cleavage at the target site will facilitate the clinical treatment of cancer. Dual-functional prodrugs in combination of carbohydrate as targeting group and pH-sensitive cleavable linker are desired in clinical development. Here, a qualified structure of N-phenylcarbamate-d-gluconhydroximo-1,5-lactam was employed and proved to be a potential candidate prodrug in the drug design. To proof this concept, the possible mechanism of Beckmann rearrangement and the degraded products were confirmed by HPLC and LC-MS under the acid condition mimic lysosome. Hence, the strategy of d-gluconhydroximo-1,5-lactam as a prodrug carrier fabricated with interested drugs will provide a great potential approach for chemotherapy.

Hydrogel Microparticles Functionalized with Engineered Escherichia coli as Living Lactam Biosensors.

Recently there has been an increasing need for synthesizing valued chemicals through biorefineries. Lactams are an essential family of commodity chemicals widely used in the nylon industry with annual production of millions of tons. The bio-production of lactams can substantially benefit from high-throughput lactam sensing strategies for lactam producer screening. We present here a robust and living lactam biosensor that is directly compatible with high-throughput analytical means. The biosensor is a hydrogel microparticle encapsulating living microcolonies of engineered lactam-responsive Escherichia coli. The microparticles feature facile and ultra-high throughput manufacturing of up to 10,000,000 per hour through droplet microfluidics. We show that the biosensors can specifically detect major lactam species in a dose-dependent manner, which can be quantified using flow cytometry. The biosensor could potentially be used for high-throughput metabolic engineering of lactam biosynthesis.

Optimization of desferrioxamine E production by Streptomyces parvulus.

Siderophores are produced by a number of microbes to capture iron with outstandingly high affinity, which property also generates biomedical and industrial interests. Desferrioxamine E (DFO-E) secreted by streptomycetes bacteria can be an ideal candidate for iron chelation therapy, which necessitates its cost-effective production for in vitro and animal studies. This study focused on the optimization of DFO-E production by Streptomyces parvulus CBS548.68. Different combinations of various carbon and nitrogen sources as well as the addition of 3-morpholinopropane-1-sulfonic acid (MOPS) markedly affected DFO-E yields, which were attributed, at least in part, to the higher biomass productions found in MOPS-supplemented cultures. In MOPS-supplemented glucose and sodium glutamate medium, DFO-E productions as high as 2,009 ± 90 mg/l of culture medium were reached. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that a simple two-step purification process yielded DFO-E preparations with purities of ∼97%. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that purified DFO-E always contained traces of desferrioxamine D2.

Development and validation of a stability indicating method for S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine and related degradation products in oral syrup formulation.

A stability-indicating method for the determination of S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine and related degradation impurities in Exputex® 250mg/5mL syrup was developed in anion-exchange liquid chromatography mode. A forced degradation study supported the method development to ensure stability indicating conditions. Aqueous solutions of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and syrup samples at different pH-values were stress-tested in different thermal, light exposure and headspace conditions. One degradation product was detected in thermal stress studies at 60°C and 80°C in the pH range 5.0-7.0 and was identified by mass spectrometry as 5-oxo-thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid (lactam of carbocysteine). A second degradation product was only generated in moderately strong oxidizing conditions (0.5% H2O2 aqueous solution) and was identified as S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine-(R/S)-sulphoxide (carbocysteine sulphoxide). The method was developed on a Zorbax SAX column, in isocratic mode. The mobile phase consisted of 200mM phosphate solution at pH 4.0 and acetonitrile (50:50 v/v) and UV detection was performed at a wavelength of 205nm. The method was linear for carbocysteine (R>0.9982) over a concentration range of 2.5-50µg/mL and 0.4-0.6mg/mL. Linearity for the impurities was shown from the LOQ to 50µg/mL. Specificity was verified and accuracy demonstrated for the active ingredient and its degradation products in syrup samples at 3 levels around their respective specification limits. Repeatability, intermediate precision and inter-laboratory reproducibility were assessed on three commercial batches, analyzed in triplicate by two operators at both the transferring and the receiving site and demonstrated a successful method transfer to the manufacturing quality control laboratory.

Phenolic aristolactams from leaves and stems of Aristolochia chilensis / Aristolactamas fenólicas de hojas y tallos de Aristolochia chilensis

Three phenolic aristolactams, aristolactam AII (3), velutinam (4) and piperolactam A (5), were identified from the leaves and stems of Aristolochia chilensis Bridges ex Lindl. The structures of these compounds were elucidated using a combination of HPLC-DAD, GC-MS and NMR experiments.

Tres aristolactamas fenólicas aristolactama AII(3), velutinam(4) y piperolactama A(5), se identificaron en hojas y tallos de Aristolochia chilensis Bridges ex Lindl. Las estructuras de estos compuestos se determinaron por combinación de CLAE-DAD, CG-EM y experimentos de RMN.

Simultaneous determination of eleven bioactive compounds in Saururus chinensis from different harvesting seasons by HPLC-DAD.

A high performance liquid chromatography method coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for simultaneous determination of five major active flavonoids, two aristolactams and four main lignans in Saururus chinensis, namely rutin (1), isoquercitrin (2), quercetin-3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-l-rhamnoside (3), quercitrin (4), quercetin (5), aristolactam A II (6), sauristolactam (7), dihydroguaiaretic acid (8), sauchinone (9), licarin A (10) and licarin B (11). The analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse XDB C(18) column (4.6mmx150mm, 5microm) with gradient elution of 0.4% aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile. The detection wavelengths were 280 and 360nm. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r(2)>0.9991) within test ranges. The method was reproducible with intra- and inter-day variation less than 3.2%. The recovery of the assay was in the range of 95.1-103.9%. The validated method was successfully applied for the analysis of the eleven bioactive compounds in seven samples from different harvesting seasons and significant variations were revealed. The results indicated that the developed method can be used as a suitable quality control method for S. chinensis and it should be harvested in August (fruiting period) for Jiangsu cultivation regions, taking the yield into consideration, with the highest amounts of lignans, relative higher amounts of flavonoids and lower amounts of aristolactams.

Determination of 7B3 residues in cotton plants by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A method was developed for the determination of 7B3 (12-propyloxyimino-1,15-pentadecanlactam), a novel macrolactam fungicide, by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+). The method used a reversed-phase C18 column and acetonitrile-water (60 + 40, v/v) mobile phase. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method was used for extraction of 7B3 from cotton plants, which involved the extraction of 10 g homogenized sample with 10 mL acetonitrile, followed by the addition of 4 g anhydrous MgSO4 and 1.0 g NaCl. After centrifugation, 1 mL of the buffered acetonitrile extract was transferred into a tube containing 50 mg primary secondary amine sorbent and 100 mg anhydrous MgSO4. After shaking and centrifugation, the final extract was transferred to an autosampler vial for concurrent analysis by LC/MS. The results of 7B3 determined by LC/MS in the selective ion monitoring mode were linear, and the matrix effect of the method was evaluated. The average recoveries of 7B3 fortified at different levels were within 84.1-100.2%, and the relative standard deviations were <7.5% for all samples analyzed. The method limit of detection and the limit of quantitation values were 0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine 7B3 residues in practical samples. This method is sensitive, accurate, reliable, simple, and safe.

Reduction of in-source collision-induced dissociation and thermolysis of sulopenem prodrugs for quantitative liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis by promoting sodium adduct formation.

Six chromatographically resolved sulopenem prodrugs were monitored for their potential to undergo both in-source collision-induced dissociation (CID) and thermolysis. Initial Q1 scans for each prodrug revealed the formation of intense [Prodrug2 + H]+, [Prodrug2 + Na]+, [Prodrug + Na]+, and [Sulopenem + Na]+ ions. Non-adduct-associated sulopenem ([Sulopenem + H]+) along with several additional lower mass ions were also observed. Product ion scans of [Prodrug3 + Na]+ showed the retention of the sodium adduct in the collision cell continuing down to opening of the beta-lactam ring. In-source CID and temperature experiments were conducted under chromatographic conditions while monitoring several of the latter ion transitions (i.e., adducts, dimers and degradants/fragments) for a given prodrug. The resulting ion profiles indicated the regions of greatest stability for temperature and declustering potential (DP) that provided the highest signal intensity for each prodrug and minimized in-source degradation. The heightened stability of adduct ions, relative to their appropriate counterpart (i.e., dimer to dimer adduct and prodrug to prodrug adduct ions), was observed under elevated temperature and DP conditions. The addition of 100 microM sodium to the mobile phase further enhanced the formation of these more stable adduct ions, yielding an optimal [Prodrug + Na]+ ion signal at temperatures from 400 to 600 degrees C. A clinical liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay for sulopenem prodrug PF-04064900 in buffered whole blood was successfully validated using sodium-fortified mobile phase and the [PF-04064900 + Na]+ ion for quantitation. A conservative five-fold increase in sensitivity from previously validated preclinical assays using the [PF-04064900 + H]+ precursor ion was achieved.

Development and application of a validated HPLC method for the analysis of dissolution samples of gabapentin drug products.

A simple isocratic reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated for the analysis of dissolution samples of gabapentin tablets and capsules. Separation of gabapentin from its major degradation impurity, 3,3-pentamethylene-4-butyrolactam was achieved on a Phenomenex Luna Cyano column using a methanol-acetonitrile-20 mM KH(2)PO(4) (pH 2.2) (5:5:90, v/v/v) mobile phase. The compounds were eluted isocratically at a flow rate of 1.25 mL/min. Both compounds were analyzed with UV detection at 210 nm. The method was validated according to USP Category I requirements for gabapentin. The validation characteristics included accuracy, precision, linearity, range, specificity and limit of quantitation. Robustness testing was also conducted to evaluate the effect of minor changes to the chromatographic system and to establish appropriate system suitability parameters. Validation acceptance criteria were met in all cases. This method was used successfully for the quality assessment of five gabapentin drug products.

Chemoselective syntheses of gamma-butyrolactams using vinyl sulfilimines and dichloroketene.

Reactions between vinyl sulfilimines and dichloroketene generated in situ from trichloroacetyl chloride in the presence of zinc-copper couple give mixtures of alpha-dichloro-gamma-butyrolactams and alpha-dichloro-gamma-butyrolactone imines. Fine-tuning of substituents within vinyl sulfilimines results in reactions with good chemoselectivity and yield for lactams.

Cold-temperature stability of five beta-lactam antibiotics in bovine milk and milk extracts prepared for liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis.

The stability of five major beta-lactam antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, cloxacillin, oxacillin, and penicillin G) in fortified milk and in milk extracts prepared for LC-ESIMS/MS analysis was studied at varying cold temperatures (4, -20, and -76 degrees C). Storage of milk samples at 4 degrees C resulted in measurable losses of all beta-lactams after 6 days (>50% in most cases). Slow degradation of penicillin G, cloxacillin, and oxacillin was observed in milk stored at -20 degrees C, but no losses were recorded at -76 degrees C over 4 weeks. All antibiotics showed good stability at all temperature tested in milk extracts prepared for LC-ESIMS/MS analysis. The results of this study emphasize adherence to adequate sample handling and storage protocols as to reflect residue levels at the time of sample submission.

Efficient syntheses of oncinotine and neooncinotine.

We have synthesized two natural alkaloids, oncinotine (1) and neooncinotine (2), by means of efficient ring-closing metathesis (RCM) reactions. The required dienes for RCM were assembled from three basic components: 2-allylpiperidine (5), 9-decenoic acid (6), and diamines 7. We developed two different methods to achieve the linkage: the Michael addition of acrylamide and two amidations of succinic anhydride. The Grubbs catalyst was used to form the 17- and 18-membered lactams in 50% and 68% yields, respectively.

Meeting maximum residue limits: an improved screening technique for the rapid detection of antimicrobial residues in animal food products.

A rapid, high-throughput antimicrobial screening assay was developed using either a physical fluid extraction or a solvent extraction technique coupled to the commercially available PremiTest. The solvent extraction approach was fully validated for a wide range of tissues and the fluid extraction approach partially validated for porcine muscle. Both procedures can detect a wide range of antimicrobial compounds at or below maximum residue limit concentrations. The use of a solvent extraction provides an enhanced test capable of detecting a wider range of drugs than the fluid extraction approach at or below half maximum residue limit levels in a variety of matrices. Biochemical methods for the class-specific identification of beta-lactams and sulphonamides following initial screening were developed and validated. The approach is a significant improvement on existing methodologies as a tool for residues monitoring in surveillance programmes.

Structure elucidation of 11-amino-8-hydroxypentacyclo[5.4.0.0(2, 6).0(3, 10).0(5, 9)]undecane-8,11-lactam through selective acetylation and complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of the mono-, di- and triacetates.

NMR techniques cannot unambiguously distinguish between 11-amino-8-hydroxypentacyclo[5.4.0.0(2, 6).0(3, 10).0(5, 9)]undecane-8,11-lactam and 8-amino-11-hydroxypentacyclo[5.4.0.0(2, 6).0(3, 10).0(5, 9)]undecane-8,11-lactam, both of which are possible products during the reaction of pentacyclo[5.4.0.0(2, 6).0(3, 10).0(5, 9)]undecane-8,11-dione with Strecker reagents. Treatment of 11-amino-8-hydroxy-pentacyclo[5.4.0.0(2, 6).0(3, 10).0(5, 9)]undecane-8,11-lactam with acetic anhydride at room temperature produced a monoacetate. With acetic anhydride containing sodium acetate, a triacetate was obtained at reflux temperature. Treatment with acetyl chloride and N,N-dimethylaniline produced a diacetate. High-field 1H and 13C NMR techniques were used in the structure elucidation and assignment of the different NMR resonances of these three acetylated compounds.

Development and validation of analytical methods for monomeric and oligomeric migrants from nylon 12 packaging materials.

Analytical methods for the determination of laurolactam--the monomer of nylon 12--as well as the cyclic dimer and trimer were established. High performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) and mass spectrometric detection (HPLC-MS) were both found suitable to identify and quantify monomer, cyclic dimer and trimer well below the specific migration limit (SML) of laurolactam, being 5 mg/kg of food (simulant). Gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) showed to be an appropriate method for the detection of only laurolactam in aqueous and fatty food simulants. Food simulants could be analysed directly by all three methods, or after a change of solvents. For olive oil, a method for sample clean-up by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was established.

Chiral separations by capillary electrophoresis in process chemistry.

The utility of capillary electrophoresis in process chemistry to evaluate/optimize a synthetic organic process like classical resolution is demonstrated. Simultaneous monitoring of degradation products and optical purity is shown.

Identification of lactams as in vitro metabolites of piperidine-type phenothiazine antipsychotic drugs.

The metabolism of the piperidine-type phenothiazine antipsychotic agents thioridazine, mesoridazine and sulforidazine was studied in vitro with 10,000 g liver supernatants obtained from rats and dogs. After incubations at 37 degrees C for different time intervals, the incubates were extracted with dichloromethane and the isolated compounds analyzed by HPLC, direct probe MS and on-line HPLC-MS. Five lactam metabolites of these three drugs were unequivocally identified in the rat in vitro system, but none was found in dog preparations; at least one lactam metabolite was identified for each drug in the rat. The lactams of thioridazine and thioridazine ring sulfoxide were characterized as metabolites of thioridazine for the first time in any system. The other three lactam metabolites, namely the lactams of mesoridazine, sulforidazine and mesoridazine ring sulfoxide, were found in vitro for the first time, although they have been previously reported as in vivo metabolites of these drugs. The results indicate that rat would be a more suitable animal model than dog for further studies on the formation of lactam metabolites of these drugs.

"In vitro" susceptibility to imipenem of actinobacillus (haemolhilus) actinomycetemcomitans strains isolated in Brazil

O imipenem é um antibiótico beta-lactâmico, carbapênico novo e com amplo espectro antibacteriano. O nível de resistência de cepas orais humanas e näo humanas de A. actinomycetemcomitans, para o imipenem, foi determinado pelo método de diluiçäo de ágar. Todas as 31 cepas testadas apresentaram uma faixa de susceptibilidade "in vitro" de 0.125 para 1 ug/ml. 90//das cepas humanas apresentaram valores das CIMS, duas vezes maiores que aqueles apresentados pelas cepas näo humanas. Este estudo confirma a boa atividade do imipenem, novo antibiótico beta-lactâmico, contra microrganismos penicilina-resistentes