Human THP-1 monocyte uptake and cellular disposition of 14C-grepafloxacin.

Uptake of (14)C-grepafloxacin into human mononuclear (THP-1) cells was determined at pH 7.4, 6.8, or 5.0 over a 4-log antibiotic concentration. Grepafloxacin was taken up by THP-1 monocytes rapidly by both a passive and an active transport mechanism at pH 7.4. Its uptake was initially linear, with equilibrium being reached after approximately 1 h. Efflux followed first-order clearance and was complete within 1 h, suggesting no longterm sequestering of the antibiotic occurred. Neither cell number nor serum protein binding appeared to have any effect on antibiotic uptake. High intracellular concentrations were achieved and the ratios of cellular to extracellular antibiotic concentration (IC/EC) were between 529 and 644 at 0.04 micro g/ml at pH 7.4 and 6.8, suggesting that monocytes may contain sufficient levels of grepafloxacin for affecting bacteriostatic killing. Grepafloxacin disposition within the THP-1 monocytes showed large amounts present in the nucleus and cell sap in stimulated and unstimulated cells, and its presence was evenly distributed throughout the cytosol, nuclei, lysosomes, mitochondria, and ribosomes. After stimulation by zymogen A, Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pneumoniae, increased amounts of grepafloxacin were found within THP-1 monocytes and isolated phagosome vacuoles. No antibiotic sequestration occurred inside stimulated monocytes, although a sufficient intracellular grepafloxacin concentration was available to kill phagocytized bacteria. Metabolic inhibitors, suppressors of K(+)/Cl(-) and Cl(-) transporters, inhibitors of the phagocytic process, low temperature, and low pH inhibited grepafloxacin uptake by THP-1 monocytes.

Disposition and intracellular levels of moxifloxacin in human THP-1 monocytes in unstimulated and stimulated conditions.

Moxifloxacin uptake by human THP-1 monocytes was passive and initially linear and reached equilibrium after approximately 4 h. High intracellular concentrations were achieved and intracellular/extracellular [I/E] ratios were between 1925 and 4575 for the lowest concentration of 0.004 microg/ml at pH 7.4 and 6.9. The uptake of moxifloxacin was reduced by sodium fluoride, -azide, -cyanide, low temperature and low pH. However, the uptake was not affected by any of the ion channel blockers. Adenosine demonstrated marginal competition with moxifloxacin for uptake suggesting a nucleoside transporter may be involved. The sodium-ATPase pump when blocked, also retarded moxifloxacin uptake at 2 and 4 h. This I/E ratio was high compared with other macrolides and indicateed that the monocyte may contain sufficient moxifloxacin levels to conduct the antibiotic throughout systemic circulation to infection sites. Efflux from THP-monocytes was essentially complete after 2 h indicating no long term sequestering of the antibiotic occurred. Disposition of the antibiotic within the THP-1 monocytes showed large amounts present in the nucleus and cytoplasm in stimulated and unstimulated cells. Increased amounts of the drug were found in the THP-1 monocytes as well as the endoplasmic reticulum and the isolated phagosomes after stimulation by zymogen A, Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Effects of alatrofloxacin, the parental prodrug of trovafloxacin, on phagocytic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation events of human THP-1 monocytes.

Alatrofloxacin functions similar to other fluoroquinolone antibiotics in that it not only has antibiotic activity to kill invading organisms by interfering with DNA synthesis, it possesses immunosuppressive activity. In the first hour after bacteria have been phagocytosed by THP-1 monocytes, the drug activates a lytic mechanism involving the release of c-AMP, tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and nitric oxide, with elevations in lysosomal hydrolytic enzyme activities. This effect reverses between 2 and 4 h. At this time, all of these inflammatory processes are returned to normal values or below suggesting that alatrofloxacin reduces the spread of infection and destruction of tissue related to inflammation.

Effects of moxifloxacin in zymogen A or S. aureus stimulated human THP-1 monocytes on the inflammatory process and the spread of infection.

Antimicrobial agents have been reported to exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vivo and in vitro (e.g., in human lymphocytes, macrophages and monocytes). The effects of moxifloxacin on cytokine immunomodulatory mediators, free radical generation and hydrolytic enzyme activities in zymogen A-stimulated human THP-1 monocytes were evaluated. An increase in c-AMP levels, protein kinase C activity, and the release of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide with a decrease in pH occurred within the first hour. Further, the effects of moxifloxacin were reduced by agents which blocked the oxygen burst, lysosome-phagosome fusion, and the energy generation within the cell. After 4 h, there was a decrease in NAG and cathepsin D activities, lipid peroxidation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data indicate that moxifloxacin may modify the acute-phase inflammatory responses through inhibition of cytokine release in monocytes. Moxifloxacin inhibited the release of TNFalpha, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8 in a concentration-dependent manner across a range of 0.004 to 4 microg/mL. After 4 h, there was a decrease in the release of these cytokines, thus interfering with the inflammation process to reduce infection and its spread. The effects of moxifloxacin appear initially to activate monocytes to kill bacteria through the innate immune process by releasing ROS and lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes as well as phagocytosis of the organism. At a later time the bacteria are killed through a Bacterialstatic mechanism of protein synthesis inhibition and there is a reversal of the effects of moxifloxacin on cytokine release, free radical generation and hydrolytic enzymes so that lipid peroxidation and tissue destruction by the infection process is suppressed.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of substituted ethyl 2-phenacyl-3-phenylpyrrole-4-carboxylates.

The substituted ethyl-2-phenacyl-3-phenylpyrrole-4-carboxylates were synthesized by a condensation of a beta-chloroenal and an alpha-aminoketone under neutral conditions. They proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against the growth of murine L1210 and P388 leukemias and human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia, HuT-78 lymphoma, and HeLa-S(3) uterine carcinoma. Selective compounds were active against the growth of Tmolt(3) and Tmolt(4) leukemias and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia, liver Hepe-2, ovary 1-A9, ileum HCT-8 adenocarcinoma, and osteosarcoma HSO. A mode of action study in HL-60 cells demonstrated that DNA and protein syntheses were inhibited after 60 min at 100 microM. DNA and RNA polymerases, PRPP-amido transferase, dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, and TMP kinase activities were interfered with by the agent with reduction of d[NTP] pools. Nonspecific interaction with the bases of DNA and cross-linking of the DNA may play a role in the mode of action of these carboxylates.

In-vitro anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of grepafloxacin in zymogen A- or Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated human THP-1 monocytes.

The effects of grepafloxacin on the release of cytokines, chemical mediators, hydrolytic enzyme activities, and lipoxygenation in zymogen A- or Staphylococcus aureus-stimulated human THP-1 monocytes were evaluated. Initially, consistent with stimulation of phagocytic mechanisms of the monocytes, increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) release, nitric oxide [NO] release, and hydrogen peroxide [H(2)O(2)] release, with a small decrease in cellular pH, occurred within 2 h. Enzymatic activities associated with oxygen burst of phagocytic cells (e.g., protein kinase C and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced (NADPH) oxidase) were elevated, suggesting that monocytes attempted to destroy the invading organism through an innate phagocytic cidal immunologic mechanism. After 1-2 h of exposure to grepafloxacin, the oxygen burst and the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemical mediators were suppressed. After 4 h, suppression of n-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) and cathepsin D activities and lipid peroxidation occurred, suppressing the pathogen-induced spread of infection and inflammation. Release of tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-8 was inhibited by grepafloxacin in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting a reduction in the acute-phase inflammatory responses initiated by cytokine release from monocytes. Later, S. aureus were killed through inhibition of DNA synthesis, consistent with a bacteriostatic effect. Drug action against invading organisms appears to occur through multiple processes. Modulation of the innate immune system occurs within the first hour, causing the activation of cytokines, chemical mediators, and hydrolytic enzymes. A second phase between 2-4 h appears to involve the suppression of cellular components involved in inflammation and the spread of the infection. The third response, an apparent bacteriostatic inhibition of DNA synthesis, causes bacterial death.

Cytotoxicity and mode of action of vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes proved to be potent cytotoxic agents against murine and human leukemia and lymphoma growth as well as HeLa suspended uterine carcinoma. The vanada complex reduced the growth of KB nasopharynx, Hepe liver, HCT-8 ileum and 1-A9 ovary solid carcinomas. A mode of action study in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells showed that DNA and purine de novo syntheses were significantly inhibited with suppression of the regulatory enzymes activities of DNA polymerase alpha and PRPP-amido transferase. There was moderate inhibition of RNA synthesis and m-RNA polymerase activity. These complexes did not inhibit human topoisomerase I or II activity, although the niobium complex nicked the DNA. The complexes did activate caspases 3, 6 and 9 which are linked to apoptosis programmed cell death. These vanada- and niobatricarbadecaboranyl monohalide complexes appear to be more specific in their effects on leukemia cell metabolism than other sandwich complexes which have broad effects on multiple enzymes.

Disposition and intracellular activity of azithromycin in human THP-1 acute monocytes.

Uptake of [14C]-azithromycin into THP-1 human monocytes was determined at pH 7.4, 6.8 or 5.5 over 4-log antibiotic concentrations for 24 h under a number of conditions. Stimulation of cells was with bacteria, latex beads, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or zymogen A. Subcellular organelle disposition was determined after isolation by ultracentrifugation or sucrose gradients. Hydrolytic enzyme activities and mediators of intracellular inflammation (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFalpha) were assessed. Azithromycin uptake into human THP-1 monocytes was initially linear achieving approximately 2% of the extracellular concentration. At pH 7.4, uptake was both passive- and carrier-mediated, but as the pH became more acidic, the uptake was exclusively passive. The intracellular concentration was not pH-dependent over 24 h. Uptake was dependent upon temperature but not the presence of foetal calf serum. Intracellular disposition in zymogen A-stimulated and unstimulated cells was throughout all compartments of the cell, but was higher in the nucleus and cell sap. Phagosomes of stimulated cells contained higher level of the antibiotic. Efflux from THP-1 monocytes was complete between 3 and 4 h. After 1 h treatment with zymogen A, THP-1 monocytes demonstrated an increase in intracellular acidity, protein kinase C, SOD and NAG activities, and NO, H(2)O(2), TNFalpha and IL-1 release over the 1st h. After 2-4 h the pH became alkaline, activities of NADPH reductase, NAG and cathepsin were reduced, and the release of NO, H(2)O(2), TNFalpha and IL-6 were suppressed. Protein synthesis and killing of the bacteria was evident in bacteria kept in monocyte-free medium and those phagocytized by the THP-1 monocytes moderately at 2 h, but more significantly at 24 h. The early killing of the bacteria appears to be a cidal mechanism whereas later, a standard bacteriostatic mechanism was evident. Nevertheless, suppression of these chemical mediators and hydrolytic enzyme activities would reduce the infection and the spread to adjacent areas.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of cyanoborane adducts of n6-benzoyladenine and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine.

N6-Benzoyladenine-cyanoborane (2), and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine-cyanoborane (3) were selected for investigation of cytotoxicity in murine and human tumor cell lines, effects on human HL-60 leukemic metabolism and DNA strand scission to determine the feasibility of these compounds as clinical antineoplastic agents. Compounds 2 and 3 both showed effective cytotoxicity based on ED(50) values less than 4 mug/ml for L1210, P388, HL-60, Tmolt(3), HUT-78, HeLa-S(3) uterine, ileum HCT-8, and liver Hepe-2. Compound 2 had activity against ovary 1-A9, while compound 3 was only active against prostate PL and glioma UM. Neither compound was active against the growth of lung 549, breast MCF-7, osteosarcoma HSO, melanoma SK2, KB nasopharynx, and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia. In mode of action studies in human leukemia HL-60 cells, both compounds demonstrated inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses after 60 min at 100 muM. These compounds inhibited RNA synthesis to a lesser extent. The utilization of the DNA template was suppressed by the compounds as determined by inhibition of the activities of DNA polymerase alpha, m-RNA polymerase, r-RNA polymerase and t-RNA polymerase, which would cause adequate inhibition of the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. Both compounds markedly inhibited dihydrofolate reductase activity, especially in compound 2. The compounds appeared to have caused cross-linking of the DNA strands after 24 hr at 100 muM in HL-60 cells, which was consistent with the observed increased in ct-DNA viscosity after 24 hr at 100 muM. The compounds had no inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerase I and II activities or DNA-protein linked breaks. Neither compound interacted with the DNA molecule itself through alkylation of the nucleotide bases nor caused DNA interculation between base pairs. Overall, these antineoplastic agents caused reduction of DNA and protein replication, which would lead to killing of cancer cells.

Structure and Conformations of Monoacyl and Diacyl 1,2,4-Triazolidine-3,5-diones.

A series of monoacyl and diacyl 1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-diones substituted at position 4 with either a phenyl or a tert-butyl group was prepared. Both acetyl and benzoyl groups were utilized as the acyl substituents. The diacylated compounds containing one or two acetyl groups were somewhat unstable to moisture. The acylated compounds were studied by (1)H, (13)C and (15)N NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to determine if they were acylated on nitrogen or ring carbonyl oxygen. The results indicated that the acylations occurred on nitrogen. The NMR spectra and molecular modeling computations were used to assign conformations to several of the diacylated compounds.