A multivariate approach for the determination of isoelectric point of human carbonic anhydrase isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing.

Human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) IX and XII are isoenzymes which are highly overexpressed in many cancer types. Recently, it has been shown that hCA IX contributes to the acidification of the tumor environment leading to chemoresistance with basic antitumoral drugs. The development of selective hCA inhibitors constitutes a new therapeutic axis. In order to elucidate the specific interactions between hCA and inhibitors, physico-chemical properties of hCA must be evaluated. This work reports the determination of the isoelectric point (pI) of a series of hCA isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing. First, the method was optimized with synthetic UV-detectable pI markers using a central composite design. The separation was performed in a fused-silica capillary chemically derivatized with hydroxypropylcellulose and using a glycerol-water medium as the anticonvective gel. Three main factors (ampholyte content, focusing time and mobilization pressure) were optimized in order to obtain the best resolution, detection threshold and precision on the pI determination. Then, the model was validated through the analysis of standard proteins mixture having known pI values, before investigating the pI of hCA isoforms.

Preparative enantiomeric separation of new selective CB2 receptor agonists by liquid chromatography on polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases: determination of enantiomeric purity and assignment of absolute stereochemistry by X-ray structure analysis.

The development of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods using derivatized amylose chiral stationary phases has permitted preparative enantioseparations of substituted 4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives with satisfactory yields. These compounds constitute new potent selective agonists of the cannabinoid CB(2) receptor. Analytical enantioseparation methods using UV detection were validated to determine the enantiomeric purity of these compounds. Linear calibration curves in the range from 0.18 to 0.40 mM were obtained; repeatability, limits of detection (LOD), and quantification (LOQ) were determined: LOD varied, for the various solutes, from 0.5 to 1.2 µM. All the separated compounds were prepared with high enantiomeric purities superior to 99.3% Absolute configuration of the enantiomers was unequivocally established by single crystal X-ray diffraction method and correlated to the chiroptical properties of isolated enantiomers.

Dual CD system in capillary electrophoresis for direct separation of the four stereoisomers of agonist and antagonist melatoninergic ligands.

In this study, baseline separation of the stereoisomers of six tetrahydronaphthalenic derivatives (agonists and antagonists for the melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamin) binding sites) was successfully achieved using CE and CDs as chiral selectors. The method for the simultaneous chiral separation of the four stereoisomers uses a capillary dynamically coated with polyethylene oxide and a dual CD system. Optimisation was performed first upon the constituents of the CD system, by varying neutral and anionic CD type, size and concentration, at first in mono-CD systems and subsequently in dual neutral/anionic CD systems. Once these characteristics of the dual CD system were established, operational parameters such as voltage and temperature were then optimised. Under the optimal conditions (i.e. 1.5% w/v of highly S-beta-CD and 10 mM of gamma-CD in 25 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5) as the BGE, separation voltage 20 kV and a temperature of 25 degrees C), complete resolution of the six molecules was accomplished. Preliminary results for repeatability and the migration order of the optimised method are described.

Enantioseparation of benzoxazolinone aminoalcohols and their aminoketone precursors, potential adrenergic ligands, by analytical and preparative liquid chromatography on amylose chiral stationary phases and characterization of the enantiomers.

To obtain milligram amounts of the enantiomers of benzoxazolinone derivatives to be tested for binding to adrenergic sites, analytical HPLC methods using derivatized amylose chiral stationary phases were developed for the direct enantioseparation of benzoxazolinone aminoalcohols and their aminoketone precursors, derivatives with one or two chirals centers. The separations were made using normal phase methodology with a mobile phase of n-hexane-alcohol (ethanol, 1-propanol, or 2-propanol) in various proportions, and silica-based amylose (tris-3, 5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) Chiralpak AD and (tris-(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate) Chiralpak AS columns. The effects of concentration of various aliphatic alcohols in the mobile phase were studied. The best separation was achieved on Chiralpak AS, so preparative HPLC was set up with this chiral stationary phase using a mobile phase consisting of n-hexane-alcohol using isocratic conditions and multiple repetitive injections. Physicochemicals properties of enantiomers were reported The effect of structural features of the solutes on discrimination between the enantiomers was examined. Limit of detection (LD) and limit of quantification (LQ) were determined using both ultra-violet (UV) and evaporative light-scattering detection (ELSD).

Enantioseparation of chiral benzimidazole derivatives by electrokinetic chromatography using sulfated cyclodextrins.

Baseline separation of 18 new substituted benzimidazole derivatives, potent AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators, with one chiral center, was achieved by CD-EKC using sulfated and highly sulfated CDs (SCDs and HS-CDs) as chiral selectors. The influence of the type and concentration of the chiral selectors on the enantioseparations was investigated. The SCDs exhibit a very high enantioselectivity power since they allow excellent enantiomeric resolutions compared to those obtained with the neutral CDs. The enantiomers were resolved with analysis times around 6 min using 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 containing either beta-S-CD, HS-beta-CD, HS-gamma-CD (3 or 4% w/v) at 25 degrees C, with a voltage of 20 kV. The apparent association constants of the inclusion complexes were calculated. The study of the solute structure-enantioseparation relationships seems to show the high contribution of the interactions between the solutes phenyl ring and the CDs to the enantiorecognition process. The optimized method was briefly validated (LOD less than 1%) and the purity of enantiomers of compound 3 was determined. The enantiomer migration shows reversal order depending on the kind of CD.

Small, qualitative changes in fatty acid intake decrease plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic outpatients on their usual high-fat diets.

OBJECTIVE: The diet is the first step in managing hypercholesterolemia. The objective of the present study is to assess whether moderate changes in dietary fatty acids improve plasma lipid parameters in mildly hypercholesterolemic outpatients. METHODS: Using a randomized double-blind study, 121 outpatients within two groups received an isocaloric amount of unsaturated margarine or butter. Clinical and anthropometric measurements and a 3-day food record were made. Chi-square and Fisher's tests were used to compare qualitative variables and the general linear procedure was used to compare the groups. Additional analyses were performed after adjustment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P <0.03) in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels between the groups. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B values decreased in the unsaturated group in comparison with the saturated group. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol changes were correlated with the variation in polyunsaturated fatty acid intake and with plasma phospholipid linoleic acid levels. CONCLUSION: A small change in saturated by polyunsaturated fatty acid intake may improve plasma lipid parameters in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Preparative enantiomeric separation of potent AMP-activated protein kinase activator by HPLC on amylose-based chiral stationary phase. Determination of enantiomeric purity and assignment of absolute configuration.

The development of high performance liquid chromatography method on amylose-based stationary phases (Chiralpak AD) has permitted to achieve the preparative enantioseparation of one benzimidazole derivative, potent-AMP-kinase (AMPK) activator with satisfactory yields. Analytical enantioseparation method was optimized and validated to determine the enantiomeric purity. Using the UV detection, repeatability, limits of detection (LD) and quantification (LQ) were determined. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was successful to determine the absolute configuration of the individual enantiomers. A relation between the retention order and the absolute configuration of the enantiomers was established.

Hypoxia leads to decreased autophosphorylation of the MET receptor but promotes its resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The receptor tyrosine kinase MET and its ligand, the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scattor Factor (HGF/SF), are essential to the migration, morphogenesis, and survival of epithelial cells. In addition, dysregulation of MET signaling has been shown to promote tumor progression and invasion in many cancers. Therefore, HGF/SF and MET are major targets for chemotherapies. Improvement of targeted therapies requires a perfect understanding of tumor microenvironment that strongly modifies half-life, bio-accessibility and thus, efficacy of treatments. In particular, hypoxia is a crucial microenvironmental phenomenon promoting invasion and resistance to treatments. Under hypoxia, MET auto-phosphorylation resulting from ligand stimulation or from receptor overexpression is drastically decreased within minutes of oxygen deprivation but is quickly reversible upon return to normoxia. Besides a decreased phosphorylation of its proximal adaptor GAB1 under hypoxia, activation of the downstream kinases Erk and Akt is maintained, while still being dependent on MET receptor. Consistently, several cellular responses induced by HGF/SF, including motility, morphogenesis, and survival are effectively induced under hypoxia. Interestingly, using a semi-synthetic ligand, we show that HGF/SF binding to MET is strongly impaired during hypoxia but can be quickly restored upon reoxygenation. Finally, we show that two MET-targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are less efficient on MET signalling under hypoxia. Like MET loss of phosphorylation, this hypoxia-induced resistance to TKIs is reversible under normoxia. Thus, although hypoxia does not affect downstream signaling or cellular responses induced by MET, it causes immediate resistance to TKIs. These results may prove useful when designing and evaluation of MET-targeted therapies against cancer.

Analytical and semipreparative enantioseparation of 9-hydroxyrisperidone, the main metabolite of risperidone, using high-performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Validation and determination of enantiomeric purity.

The HPLC semipreparative enantioseparation of 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OHRisp) was studied by optimizing various experimental conditions: the nature of the chiral stationary phase (CSP), mobile phase composition, temperature and analyte loading. This semipreparative enantioseparation was successfully completed using the polysaccharide Chiralcel OJ chiral stationary phase and a n-hexane/ethanol/methanol (50/35/15, v/v/v) ternary mobile phase. To assess the enantiomeric purity of both isolated isomers, three analytical methods using UV detection were developed and validated: one CE method using dual cyclodextrin mode and two HPLC methods using either the Chiralcel OJ CSP in normal-phase mode or the alpha-acid glycoprotein (alpha-AGP) CSP in reversed-phase mode. The three methods make it possible to obtain excellent enantioseparations (R(s) >3) with analysis times lower than 15 min, and the calculated limits of detection allow for the determination of minor enantiomeric impurities (0.1%). Enantiomeric purity obtained for dextrorotatory and levorotatory enantiomers was superior to 99.9% and equal to 98.9%, respectively, which proved the success of the semipreparative enantioseparation. A brief comparison of the performances of the analytical methods completes this work.

Different VLDL apo B, and HDL apo AI and apo AII metabolism in two heterozygous carriers of unrelated mutations in the lipoprotein lipase gene.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency has been suggested as a cause of low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) plasma levels, by a mechanism that involves an enhanced catabolism of HDL apolipoprotein (apo) AI. To verify the role of 2 different LPL gene mutations on HDL metabolism, we studied the in vivo turnover of the apo AI and apo AII in heterozygous carriers of LPL deficiency. METHODS: Apo AI and AII kinetics were studied by a 10-h primed constant infusion of 5,5,5-2H3-leucine approach in 2 carriers, 1 man (patient 1) and 1 woman (patient 2), and 5 control subjects. The rates of HDL apolipoproteins production (PR) and catabolism (FCR) were estimated using a one-compartment model-based analysis. RESULTS: Both carriers had low HDL-C plasma levels and only patient 1 was hypertriglyceridemic. VLDL apo B was 4-times slower in patient 1 as compared to patient 2. The FCRs of apo AI in both carriers was within the range of the controls (0.200, 0.221 and 0.211+/-0.051 day(-1), respectively). Apo AII FCR in patient 1 was about 20% lower than the mean of the control group whereas being normal in patient 2. Apo AI PR in patient 1 (9.20 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) was below the lowest value in controls (range, 10.52-13.24 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) whereas in patient 2 it was normal. Apo AII PR in both patients was similar to controls. CONCLUSION: The heterozygous carriers of 2 different mutations in the LPL gene had different VLDL apo B FCR, and from normal to slightly low HDL apolipoprotein FCR and PR. These results disagree with the putative enhanced apo AI FCR in LPL deficient patients and suggest the need to reconsider the effects of LPL activity on HDL metabolism.

Diabetes mellitus worsens antioxidant status in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at high risk of antioxidant deficiencies. Furthermore, this disease can lead to diabetes mellitus (DM) that could exacerbate the severity of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and the resulting LDL oxidation are a major cause of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to ascertain whether diabetes significantly modifies oxidative status in patients with CP. DESIGN: CP patients with or without DM were compared with type 1 DM patients and healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Two-way factorial analyses showed that a decrease in the plasma concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, and carotenoids accompanied both CP and DM, and CP was also associated with lower plasma concentrations of selenium and zinc, lower catalase activity, and higher plasma concentrations of copper. The lag phase of LDL oxidation was lower in CP patients with or without DM than in the control subjects, whereas there was no significant difference between type 1 DM patients and control subjects. Multivariate analysis showed that LDL vitamin E (R2 = 0.24, P < 0.0001) and fasting plasma glucose (R2 = 0.32, P < 0.0001) concentrations were the main determinants of the lag phase of LDL oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant status is altered in CP patients, particularly in those who also have DM. In these patients, a vitamin E deficiency and an elevated plasma glucose concentration were associated with significantly higher LDL oxidizability.

Preparative HPLC separation of methoxytetralins, ligands for melatonin receptors, containing two chiral centers with polysaccharide chiral stationary phases. Determination of enantiomeric purity.

Preparative chromatography was used to obtain approximately 200 mg of each of the four individual isomers of the three methoxytetrahydronaphthalenic derivatives, new agonist and antagonist ligands for melatonin receptors to be tested for binding. The mobile and stationary phases were chosen to achieve best resolution in shorter runtime. Enantiomeric purity was verified and quantified using normal and reversed phase methodology on cellulose CSPs. Enantiomer elution order was analysed and discussed. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated.

Diastereomeric resolution of nucleoside analogues, new potential antiviral agents, using high-performance liquid chromatography on polysaccharide-type chiral stationary phases.

This paper describes the separation of the four sets of stereoisomers of nucleoside analogs, new potential antiviral agents by direct analytical HPLC methods using derivatized cellulose and amylose chiral stationary phases. The resolution was made using normal-phase methodology with a mobile phase consisting of n-hexane-alcohol (ethanol or 2-propanol) in various percentages, and a silica-based cellulose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD-H), or tris-methylbenzoate (Chiralcel OJ) and a silica-based amylose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralpak AD) or tris-(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate (Chiralpak AS). The effects of structural features on the extent of discrimination between the stereoisomers were examined through the retention, the selectivity and the resolution factors as well as the elution order. Baseline separation (Rs>1.5) was easily obtained in many cases. The resolution results were complementary between the different columns.

Determination of the enantiomeric purity of nucleoside analogs related to d4T and acyclovir, new potential antiviral agents, using liquid chromatography on cellulose chiral stationary phases.

We reported a method of determination of enantiomeric purity of the new potential antiviral agents by direct analytical HPLC. Those agents are nucleoside analogs, having one chiral center. They are synthesized as a single enantiomer (R or S) by an asymmetric pathway. The chiral stationary phases chosen are silica-based cellulose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate (Chiralcel OD-H), or tris-methylbenzoate (Chiralcel OJ). Resolution was achieved using normal-phase chromatography with a mobile phase consisting of n-hexane-alcohol (ethanol or 2-propanol) in various percentages. Furthermore the effects of structural features on retention, selectivity and resolution, as well as on the elution order were thoroughly studied. Differences in the lipophilicity of the compounds were also examined.

Effect of automated drug distribution systems on medication error rates in a short-stay geriatric unit.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of an automated drug distribution system on medication errors (MEs). METHODS: Before-after observational study in a 40-bed short stay geriatric unit within a 1800 bed general hospital in Valenciennes, France. Researchers attended nurse medication administration rounds and compared administered to prescribed drugs, before and after the drug distribution system changed from a ward stock system (WSS) to a unit dose dispensing system (UDDS), integrating a unit dose dispensing robot and automated medication dispensing cabinet (AMDC). RESULTS: A total of 615 opportunities of errors (OEs) were observed among 148 patients treated during the WSS period, and 783 OEs were observed among 166 patients treated during the UDDS period. ME [medication administration error (MAE)] rates were calculated and compared between the two periods. Secondary measures included type of errors, seriousness of errors and risk reduction for the patients. The implementation of an automated drug dispensing system resulted in a 53% reduction in MAEs. All error types were reduced in the UDDS period compared with the WSS period (P<0.001). Wrong dose and wrong drug errors were reduced by 79.1% (2.4% versus 0.5%, P=0.005) and 93.7% (1.9% versus 0.01%, P=0.009), respectively. CONCLUSION: An automated UDDS combining a unit dose dispensing robot and AMDCs could reduce discrepancies between ordered and administered drugs, thus improving medication safety among the elderly.

Structural elucidation of degradation products of a benzopyridooxathiazepine under stress conditions using electrospray orbitrap mass spectrometry - study of degradation kinetic.

1-(4-Methoxyphenylethyl)-11H-benzo[f]-1,2-dihydro-pyrido[3,2,c][1,2,5]oxathiazepine 5,5 dioxide (BZN) is a cytotoxic derivative with very promising in vitro activity. Regulatory authority for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use requires to evaluate the stability of active compound under various stress conditions. Forced degradation of BZN was investigated under hydrolytic (0.1M NaOH, 0.1M HCl, neutral), oxidative (3.3% H(2)O(2)), photolytic (visible light) and thermal (25 °C, 70 °C) settings. Relevant degradation took place under thermal acidic (0.1M HCl, 70 °C) and oxidative (3.3% H(2)O(2)) conditions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses revealed the presence of ten degradation products whose structures were characterized by electrospray ionization-orbitrap mass spectrometry. The full scan accurate mass analysis of degradation products was confirmed or refuted using three tools furnished by the MS software: (1) predictive chemical formula and corresponding mass error; (2) double bond equivalent (DBE) calculation; and (3) accurate mass product ion spectra of degradation products. The structural elucidation showed that the tricycle moiety was unstable under thermal acidic and oxidative conditions since four degradation products possess an opened oxathiazepine ring. Then, a simple and fast HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for the determination of the degradation kinetic of BZN under acidic and oxidative conditions. The method was linear in the 5-100 µg mL(-1) concentration range with a good precision (RSD=2.2% and 2.7% for the repeatability and the intermediate precision, respectively) and a bias which never exceeded 1.6%, whatever the quality control level. With regards to the BZN concentration, a first-order degradation process was determined, with t(1/2)=703 h and 1140 h, under oxidative and acidic conditions, respectively.

Complexation of triptolide and its succinate derivative with cyclodextrins: affinity capillary electrophoresis, isothermal titration calorimetry and 1H NMR studies.

The complexation of the triptolide PG490 and its succinate derivative PG490-88Na with various cyclodextrins was studied using three complementary techniques: affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparent binding constants of the complexes formed between the drugs and 8 CDs (α-CD, ß-CD, γ-CD, HP-α-CD, HP-ß-CD, HP-γ-CD, CM-ß-CD and amino-ß-CD) were determined by ACE through linear Scott's plots. The apparent and averaged binding constants of the complexes formed between PG490-88 and ß-CD, γ-CD, HP-α-CD, HP-ß-CD or HP-γ-CD are contained in the narrow range 135-167 M(-1). For the anionic CM-ß-CD and cationic amino-ß-CD, these constants are 38 and 278 M(-1), respectively, which is in accordance with electrostatic repulsions or attractions with the succinate moiety. ITC and NMR investigations for the binding constants determinations were performed for 2 CDs allowing high complexation: HP-ß-CD and amino-ß-CD. The three techniques provided similar results. ITC and NMR, in contrast to ACE, allowed to study the complexes formed between the neutral compound PG490 and neutral cyclodextrins. A more advanced characterization of the PG 490-88Na/amino-ß-CD complex, which displays the highest apparent binding constant, was undertaken using NMR spectroscopy. The 1:1 stoichiometry of the complex was established by (1)H NMR 1D and selective 1D TOCSY experiments using the continuous variation method. Moreover, the 1D and 2D ROESY experiments revealed the inclusion of the isopropyl moiety of the triptolide derivative in the hydrophobic CD cavity. Altogether, the data provide strong evidences that the two triptolide compounds can be efficiently complexed with CD.

Determination of pKa values of benzimidazole derivatives from mobility obtained by capillary electrophoresis.

Dissociation constants of benzimidazole derivatives have been determined using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). Since CZE is a separation method, high purity and known concentration for the samples is not necessary because only mobilities are measured. The precision of pK(a) measurements of seven compounds is useful to observe pK(a) shifts induced by chemical variations. Some of them were compared to potentiometry and spectroscopy experiments. Good correlated pK(a) values are observed between the three analytical techniques.

Design, synthesis, and DNA-binding of N-alkyl(anilino)quinazoline derivatives.

New N-alkylanilinoquinazoline derivatives 5, 12, 20, and 22 have been prepared from 4-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline 3, 4-chloro-6,7-methylenedioxyquinazoline 19, and commercially available anilines. Differents classes of compounds substituted by an aryloxygroup (6a-c, 16a,b, and 17a,b), (aminophenyl)ureas (12a,b and 13a-f), anilines (4a-m, 20a,b), N-alkyl(aniline) (5a-m, 21a,b, 22a,d), and N-aminoalkyl(aniline) (22e-g) have been synthesized. These molecules were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities and as potential DNA intercalating agents. We studied the strength and mode of binding to DNA of these molecules by DNA melting temperature measurements, fluorescence emission, and circular dichroism. The results of various spectral and gel electrophoresis techniques obtained with the different compounds, in particular compounds 5g and 22f, revealed significant DNA interaction. These experiments confirm that the N-aminoalkyl(anilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline nucleus is an efficient pharmacophore to trigger binding to DNA, via an intercalative binding process.

Chiral resolution of melatoninergic ligands by EKC using highly sulfated CDs.

EKC methods for the enantiomeric resolutions of melatoninergic ligands were developed using anionic CDs (highly S-alpha-CD, highly S-beta-CD, and highly S-gamma-CD) as chiral selectors at acidic pH 2.5. The optimization of the various operational parameters (nature and concentration of the CD, phosphate buffer concentration, addition of organic modifiers in the BGE, and temperature) allows baseline enantioresolutions (superior to 2) in short analysis times (inferior to 7 min) for all studied analytes. Some analytical characteristics of the optimal method were then studied for each analyte: repeatability, linearity, and LOD and LOQ. Lastly, determination of the apparent binding constants for the 18 complexes formed between the six analytes and the three CDs led us to rationalize the complexation mechanisms.