LC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of decitabine and venetoclax in rat plasma after SPE: Application to pharmacokinetic study.

This study developed a novel, sensitive and selective LC-MS/MS method for the concurrent determination of DCB and VTX in rat plasma using encorafenib as internal standard (IS). To identify DCB, VTX, and IS, the positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was used. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a reversed-phase Agilent Eclipse plus C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 3.5 µm) and an isocratic mobile phase made up of water with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile (50:50, v/v, pH 3.2) at a flow rate of 0.30 mL/min for 3.0 min. Prior to analysis, the DCB and VTX with the IS were extracted from plasma using the solid-phase extraction (SPE) method. High recovery rates for DCB, VTX and IS were achieved using the C18 cartridge without interference from plasma endogenous. The developed method was validated as per the FDA guidelines over a linear concentration range in rat plasma from 5-3000 and 5-1000 ng/mL for DCB and VTX, respectively with r2 ≥ 0.998. For both drugs, the lower limits of detection (LLOD) were 2.0 ng/mL. After the HLOQ sample was injected, less than 20% of the LLOQ of DCB, VTX, and less than 5% of the IS carry-over in the blank sample was attained. The overall recoveries of DCB and VTX from rat plasma were in the range of 90.68-97.56%, and the mean RSD of accuracy and precision results was ≤6.84%. For the first time, the newly developed approach was effectively used in a pharmacokinetic study on the simultaneous oral administration of DCB and VTX in rats that received 15.0 mg/kg of DCB and 100.0 mg/kg of VTX.

Synthesis, potential antitumor activity, cell cycle analysis, and multitarget mechanisms of novel hydrazones incorporating a 4-methylsulfonylbenzene scaffold: a molecular docking study.

Hydrazone is a bioactive pharmacophore that can be used to design antitumor agents. We synthesised a series of hydrazones (compounds 4-24) incorporating a 4-methylsulfonylbenzene scaffold and analysed their potential antitumor activity. Compounds 6, 9, 16, and 20 had the most antitumor activity with a positive cytotoxic effect (PCE) of 52/59, 27/59, 59/59, and 59/59, respectively, while compounds 5, 10, 14, 15, 18, and 19 had a moderate antitumor activity with a PCE of 11/59-14/59. Compound 20 was the most active and had a mean 50% cell growth inhibition (GI50) of 0.26 µM. Compounds 9 and 20 showed the highest inhibitory activity against COX-2, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.97 and 6.94 µM, respectively. Compounds 16 and 20 significantly inhibited EGFR (IC50 = 0.2 and 0.19 µM, respectively) and HER2 (IC50 = 0.13 and 0.07 µM, respectively). Molecular docking studies of derivatives 9, 16, and 20 into the binding sites of COX-2, EGFR, and HER2 were carried out to explore the interaction mode and the structural requirements for antitumor activity.

PDCD6IP, encoding a regulator of the ESCRT complex, is mutated in microcephaly.

Primary microcephaly (PM) is a highly heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with many contributing risk genes and loci identified to date. We report a consanguineous family with PM, intellectual disability and short stature. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified a homozygous frameshift variant in programmed cell death 6 interacting protein (PDCD6IP, c.154_158dup; p.Val54Profs*18). This gene, PDCD6IP, plays an important role in the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) pathway in the abscission stage of cytokinesis and apoptosis, and is required for normal brain development in mice. The clinical features observed in our patient were similar to the phenotypes observed in mouse and zebrafish models of PDCD6IP mutations in previous studies. This study provides evidence that clinical manifestations of PDCD6IP mutations as seen in our patients with PM and ID may be a novel cause for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Adenosine Kinase Deficiency: Report and Review.

Adenosine kinase (ADK) deficiency (OMIM [online mendelian inheritance in man]: 614300) is an autosomal recessive disorder of adenosine and methionine metabolism, with a unique clinical phenotype, mainly involving the central nervous system and dysmorphic features. Patients usually present early in life with sepsis-like symptoms, respiratory difficulties, and neonatal jaundice. Subsequently, patients demonstrate hypotonia and global developmental delay. Biochemically, methionine is elevated with normal homocysteine levels and the diagnosis is confirmed through molecular analysis of the ADK gene. There is no curative treatment; however, a methionine-restricted diet has been tried with variable outcomes. Herein, we report a 4-year-old Saudi female with global developmental delay, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features. Interestingly, she has a tall stature, developmental dysplasia of the hip, optic nerve gliosis, and tigroid fundus. We found a mutation not reported previously and we compared the current case with previously reported cases. We alert clinicians to consider ADK deficiency in any neonate presenting with global developmental delay, hypotonia, dysmorphic features, and high methionine levels.

Evaluation of long-term effectiveness of the use of carglumic acid in patients with propionic acidemia (PA) or methylmalonic acidemia (MMA): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) are rare autosomal recessive inborn errors of metabolism characterized by hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) dysfunction. Carglumic acid (Carbaglu®; Orphan Europe Ltd.) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for the treatment of hyperammonemia due hepatic NAGS deficiency. Here we report the rationale and design of a phase IIIb trial that is aimed at determining the long-term efficacy and safety of carglumic acid in the management of PA and MMA. METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel group phase IIIb study will be conducted in Saudi Arabia. Patients with PA or MMA (≤15 years of age) will be randomized 1:1 to receive twice daily carglumic acid (50 mg/kg/day) plus standard therapy (protein-restricted diet, L-carnitine, and metronidazole) or standard therapy alone for a 2-year treatment period. The primary efficacy outcome is the number of emergency room visits due to hyperammonemia. Safety will be assessed throughout the study and during the 1 month follow-up period after the study. DISCUSSION: Current guidelines recommend conservative medical treatment as the main strategy for the management of PA and MMA. Although retrospective studies have suggested that long-term carglumic acid may be beneficial in the management of PA and MMA, current literature lacks evidence for this indication. This clinical trial will determine the long-term safety and efficacy of carglumic acid in the management of PA and MMA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: King Abdullah International Medical Research Center ( KAIMRC ): (RC13/116) 09/1/2014. Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) (33066) 08/14/2014. ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02426775) 04/22/2015.

Delineation of cystinuria in Saudi Arabia: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Cystinuria is an inherited metabolic disease that is caused by defects in two genes, SLC3A1 and SLC7A9, which result in a renal reabsorptive defect of cystine and other dibasic amino acids, including ornithine, arginine, and lysine. Patients usually present with recurrent renal calculi and may develop renal impairment. Medical management includes high fluid intake and chelating agents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing cystinuria in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review for cystinuria patients from the genetic and nephrology divisions between 2010 to 2015. All patients were investigated, diagnosed and treated at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified from five unrelated families. The age of onset ranged from birth to 14 years. The female to male ratio was 1.7:1. Two new variants in the SLC3A1 and SLC9A7 genes were discovered. All of the detected mutations were missense variants in three different exons, such as c.1711 T > A (p.Cys571Ser) (exon 10), c.1166C > T p.Thr389Met (exon 11) and c.1400 T > A p.Met467Lys (exon 8). Additionally, 37.5% of our patients developed arterial hypertension and 25% had urinary tract infection, but none had renal impairment. No significant clinical differences were detected in this study between type A (SLC3A1 variants) and type B cystinuria (SLC7A9 variant). Two cases were diagnosed based on clinical information, biochemical testing and a positive family history as all of the molecular testing for cystinuria was negative. CONCLUSION: Cystinuria has wide genetic heterogeneity with a poor genotype/phenotype correlation. Negative molecular investigations should not rule out the disease if clinical and biochemical investigations support the diagnosis. A larger data registry is essential to better describe the cystinuria genotype/phenotype in Saudi Arabia.

Synthesis, anticancer and apoptosis-inducing activities of quinazoline-isatin conjugates: epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase assay and molecular docking studies.

A new series of quinazolinone compounds 16-34 incorporating isatin moieties was synthesized. The antitumor efficacy of the compounds against MDA-MB-231, a breast cancer cell line, and LOVO, a colon cancer cell line, was assessed. Compounds 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 displayed potent antitumor activity against MDA-MB-231 and LOVO cells (IC50: 10.38-38.67 µM and 9.91-15.77 µM, respectively); the comparative IC50 values for 5-fluorouracil and erlotinib in these cells lines were 70.28 µM, 22.24 µM and 15.23 µM, 25.31 µM respectively. The EGFR-TK assay and induction of apoptosis for compound 31 were investigated to assess its potential cytotoxic activity as a representative example of the novel synthesized compounds. At a concentration of 10 µM, compound 31 exhibited efficient inhibitory effect against EGFR-TK and induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, a molecular docking study for compound 31 and erlotinib was performed to verify the binding mode toward the EGFR kinase enzyme, and showed a similar interaction as that with erlotinib alone. Graphical Abstract: Compound 31 showed potent antitumor activity and efficient inhibitory effect against EGFR-TK and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells at a concentration of 10 µM.

Synthesis, antitumor and antimicrobial activity of some new 6-methyl-3-phenyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone analogues: in silico studies.

Some new derivatives of substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor and antimicrobial activities. The results of this study demonstrated that compound 5 yielded selective activities toward NSC Lung Cancer EKVX cell line, Colon Cancer HCT-15 cell line and Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231/ATCC cell line, while NSC Lung Cancer EKVX cell line and CNS Cancer SF-295 cell line were sensitive to compound 8. Additionally, compounds 12 and 13 showed moderate effectiveness toward numerous cell lines belonging to different tumor subpanels. On the other hand, the results of antimicrobial screening revealed that compounds 1, 9 and 14 are the most active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16, 32 and 32 µg/mL respectively, while compound 14 possessed antimicrobial activities against all tested strains with the lowest MIC compared with other tested compounds. In silico study, ADME-Tox prediction and molecular docking methodology were used to study the antitumor activity and to identify the structural features required for antitumor activity.

Synthesis, anticonvulsant activity and molecular modeling study of some new hydrazinecarbothioamide, benzenesulfonohydrazide, and phenacylacetohydrazide analogues of 4(3H)-quinazolinone.

A new series of quinazoline analogues was designed and synthesized to get the target compounds 18-21, 30-41, 46-53, and 57-76. The Obtained compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity using PTZ and picrotoxin convulsive models. Compounds 47, 63, 68 and 73 proved to be the most active compounds in this study with a remarkable 100% protection against PTZ induced convulsions. Compounds 47, 63, 68 and 73 proved to be 10, 4, 4, and 5 fold more active, respectively than the used positive control sodium valproate. Structure activity correlation concluded valuable pharmacophoric information which confirmed by molecular modeling studies. Molecular docking study of 68 suggested its agonistic behavior toward GABAA receptor. The studied quinazoline analogues could be considered as useful templates for future development and further derivatization.

Synthesis, enzyme inhibition assay, and molecular modeling study of novel pyrazolines linked to 4-methylsulfonylphenyl scaffold: antitumor activity and cell cycle analysis.

Antitumor activity using 59 cancer cell lines and enzyme inhibitory activity of a newly synthesized pyrazoline-linked 4-methylsulfonylphenyl scaffold (compounds 18a-q) were measured and compared with those of standard drugs. Pyrazolines 18b, 18c, 18f, 18g, 18h, and 18n possessed significant antitumor activity, with a positive cytotoxic effect (PCE) of 22/59, 21/59, 21/59, 48/59, 51/59, and 20/59, respectively. The cancer cell lines HL60, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 were used to measure the IC50 values of derivatives 18c, 18g, and 18hvia the MTT assay method, and the results were compared with those of reference drugs. Derivatives 18g and 18h showed potent and broad-spectrum antitumor activities against HL60 (IC50 of 10.43, 8.99 µM, respectively), MCF-7 (IC50 of 11.7 and 12.4 µM, respectively), and MDA-MB-231 (IC50 of 4.07 and 7.18 µM, respectively). Compound 18c exhibited strong antitumor activity against HL60 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC50 values of 8.43 and 12.54 µM, respectively, and moderate antitumor activity against MCF-7 cell lines with an IC50 value of 16.20 µM. Compounds 18c, 18g, and 18h remarkably inhibited VEGFR2 kinase (IC50 = 0.218, 0.168, and 0.135 µM, respectively) compared with the reference drug sorafenib (IC50 = 0.041 µM). Compounds 18g and 18h effectively inhibited HER2 kinase (IC50 = 0.496 and 0.253 µM, respectively) compared with erlotinib (IC50 = 0.085 µM). Compound 18h inhibited EGFR kinase (IC50 = 0.574 µM) with a potency comparable with that of the reference drug erlotinib (IC50 = 0.105 µM). Pyrazolines 18c, 18f, and 18h arrested the S/G2 phase of the cell cycle in HL-60 cells. In addition, derivatives 18c, 18f, and 18h revealed lower Bcl-2 protein expression anti-apoptotic levels and higher Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 expression levels. Molecular docking studies of derivative 18h into the binding sites of EGFR, HER2, and VEGFR2 kinases explored the interaction mode of these pyrazoline derivatives and their structural requirements for antitumor activity.

Molecular design, synthesis and biological evaluation of cyclic imides bearing benzenesulfonamide fragment as potential COX-2 inhibitors. Part 2.

A group of cyclic imides (1-10) was designed for evaluation as a selective COX-2 inhibitors and investigated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b were proved to be potent COX-2 inhibitors with IC50 range of 0.1-4.0 µM. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition structure-activity studies identified compound 8a as a highly potent (IC50=0.1 µM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 (SI)>1000] comparable to celecoxib [COX-2 (SI)>384], COX-2 inhibitor that showed superior anti-inflammatory activity (ED50=72.4 mg/kg) relative to diclofenac (ED50=114 mg/kg). Molecular modeling was carried out through docking the designed compounds into the COX-2 binding site to predict if these compounds have analogous binding mode to the COX-2 inhibitors. The study showed that the homosulfonamide fragment of 8a inserted deep inside the 2°-pocket of the COX-2 active site, where the SO2NH2 group underwent H-bonding interaction with Gln(192)(2.95 Å), Phe(518)(2.82 Å) and Arg(513)(2.63 and 2.73 Å). Docking study of the synthesized compound 8a into the active site of COX-2 revealed a similar binding mode to SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

3-[(4-Phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)meth-yl]-5-(thio-phen-2-yl)-2,3-di-hydro-1,3,4-oxa-diazole-2-thione.

In the title compound, C17H18N4OS2, the 2-thienyl ring is disordered over two co-planar, opposite orientations in a 0.684 (2): 0.316 ratio. The 1,3,4-oxa-diazole ring is almost co-planar with the attached 2-thienyl ring [dihedral angles of 5.34 (19) and 4.8 (5)° for the major and minor components, respectively]. The relative disposition of the thione- and ring-S atoms is anti for the major orientation of the 2-thienyl residue. Overall, the shape of the mol-ecule approximates the letter V. In the crystal, a three-dimensional architecture is consolidated by a combination of weak C-H⋯S and C-H⋯π contacts.

Design, synthesis, single-crystal and preliminary antitumor activity of novel arenesulfonylimidazolidin-2-ones.

Novel series of 1-(arenesulfonyl)imidazolidin-2-one (3a-i) and 1,3-bis(arenesulfonyl)imidazolidin-2-one (5a-i) have been synthesized and tested for their antitumor activity against 60 tumor cell lines taken from nine different organs. A significant inhibition for cancer cells was observed with series 5a-i compounds compared with the series 3a-i which showed a weak inhibition. Compounds 5a-i showed good inhibitory effect at the lung cancer HOP-92 and renal cancer CAKI-1 and UO-31 cell lines. Compound 5e showed remarkable broad-spectrum antitumor activity.

rac-2-Amino-1,2-diphenyl-ethanol.

In the title compound, C(14)H(15)NO, the torsion angle about the two Csp(3) atoms adopts a partially eclipsed conformation [-61.5 (1)°]. The dihedral angle between the two rings is 48.1 (1)°. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are connected by O-H⋯N and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains running along [010]. One of the amino H atoms is not involved in hydrogen bonding.

rac-2-Methyl-amino-1,2-diphenyl-ethanol.

The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings in the title compound, C(15)H(17)NO, is 52.9 (1)°. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are connected by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into centrosymmetric dimers. The amino H atom is not involved in hydrogen bonding.

3,3-Dieth-oxy-5-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-1H-indol-2-one.

The title ketal, C(12)H(14)FNO(3), crystallized with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. In each molecule the fused ring system is essentially planar [maximum deviations of 0.0169 (11) and 0.0402 (13) Å]. The mol-ecules are each hydrogen bonded across a center of inversion into a dimer; adjacent dimers are linked by another N-H⋯O hydrogen bond, forming a chain running along [100].

2-(2-{[4-Oxo-3-(2-phenyl-eth-yl)-3,4-dihydro-quinazolin-2-yl]sulfan-yl}eth-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1,3-dione.

In the title compound, C(26)H(21)N(3)O(3)S, the quinazolinyl group is essentially planar [r.m.s. deviation for the 10 non-H atoms = 0.057 Å]. The isoindoline-1,3-dione group is linked by an SCH(2)CH(2) chain to the pyrimidinyl C atom that lies between the two N atoms. Also, the phenyl group is linked by a CH(2)CH(2) chain at the N atom adjacent to the carbonyl group. This results in a conformation with these substituents lying to either side of the central quinazolinyl unit, with the former being approximately parallel [dihedral angle = 4.93 (7)°], and the phenyl group being inclined [dihedral angle = 71.61 (9)°] to the central quinazolinyl fused-ring system. In the crystal, mol-ecules are consolidated into a three-dimensional architecture by C-H⋯O inter-actions, involving all three carbonyl-O atoms, and π-π inter-actions occurring between the pyrimidinyl and isoindole-benzene rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.5330 (13) Å].

3-Acetyl-1-(3-methyl-phen-yl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile.

In the title compound, C(19)H(15)N(3)O, the central pyrazole ring makes dihedral angles of 35.52 (12) and 62.21 (11)° with the attached phenyl and methyl-substituted phenyl rings, respectively. The corresponding angle between the phenyl and methyl-substituted phenyl rings is 62.90 (11)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected by weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supra-molecular chains propagating along the a-axis direction.

5-Isopropyl-imidazolidine-2,4-dione monohydrate.

In the title compound, C(6)H(10)N(2)O(2)·H(2)O, the imidazole ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.012 (2) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected via N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a supra-molecular tape along the a axis.

Generation of a specific polyclonal antibody with high affinity to atorvastatin and its employment in the development of ELISA for determination of atorvastatin in plasma.

For the first time, a polyclonal antibody with high affinity to atorvastatin (ATR) was generated. The high specificity of the antibody for ATR among its structural analogues and co-administered therapeutic agents was proved. The antibody was employed in the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitation of ATR in plasma. The assay was validated over a working range of 0.2-5 ng/mL. The intra- and interassay precisions were satisfactory; the coefficients of variations were ≤5%. The accuracy of the method was proved as the mean recovery was 96.4 ± 4.3%. The assay can be used in therapeutic monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies for ATR.