An association study of ABCG2 rs2231142 on the concentrations of allopurinol and its metabolites.

ABCG2 is a gene that codes for the human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). It is established that rs2231142 G>T, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the ABCG2 gene, is associated with gout and poor response to allopurinol, a uric acid-lowering agent used to treat this condition. It has also been suggested that oxypurinol, the primary active metabolite of allopurinol, is a substrate of the BCRP. We thus hypothesized that carrying the rs2231142 variant would be associated with decreased oxypurinol concentrations, which would explain the lower reduction in uric acid. We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the association between the ABCG2 rs2231142 variant and oxypurinol, allopurinol, and allopurinol riboside concentrations in 459 participants from the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort. Age, sex, weight, use of diuretics, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were all significantly associated with oxypurinol plasma concentration. No association was found between rs2231142 and oxypurinol, allopurinol and allopurinol riboside plasma concentrations. Rs2231142 was not significantly associated with daily allopurinol dose in the overall population, but an association was observed in men, with T carriers receiving higher doses. Our results do not support a major role of ABCG2 in the pharmacokinetics of allopurinol or its metabolites. The underlying mechanism of the association between rs2231142 and allopurinol efficacy requires further investigation.

Thiopurine pharmacogenomics and pregnancy in inflammatory bowel disease.

The thiopurine drugs azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are widely used for the maintenance of clinical remission in steroid-dependent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thiopurines are recommended to be continued throughout pregnancy in IBD patients, but conclusive safety data in pregnant patients remain still insufficient. On the other hand, a strong association between a genetic variant of nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X-type motif 15 (NUDT15 p.Arg139Cys) and thiopurine-induced myelotoxicity has been identified. Pharmacokinetic studies have revealed that thiopurine metabolism is altered in pregnant IBD patients and suggested that the fetus may be exposed to the active-thiopurine metabolite, 6-thioguaninetriphosphate, in the uterus. A recent study using knock-in mice harboring the p.Arg138Cys mutation which corresponds to human p.Arg139Cys showed that oral administration of 6-MP at clinical dose induces a severe toxic effect on the fetus harboring the homozygous or heterozygous risk allele. This suggests that NUDT15 genotyping may be required in both women with IBD who are planning pregnancy (or pregnant) and their partner to avoid adverse outcomes for their infant. The risk to the fetus due to maternal thiopurine use is minimal but there are some concerns that are yet to be clarified. In particular, a pharmacogenomic approach to the fetus is considered necessary.

Impact of the coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the provision of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) antenatal care and outcomes of pregnancies in women with IBD.

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 on pregnant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is currently unknown. Reconfiguration of services during the pandemic may negatively affect medical and obstetric care. We aimed to examine the impacts on IBD antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective data were recorded in consecutive patients attending for IBD antenatal care including outpatient appointments, infusion unit visits and advice line encounters. RESULTS: We included 244 pregnant women with IBD, of which 75 (30.7%) were on biologics in whom the treatment was stopped in 29.3% at a median 28 weeks gestation. In addition, 9% of patients were on corticosteroids and 21.5% continued on thiopurines. The care provided during 460 patient encounters was not affected by the pandemic in 94.1% but 68.2% were performed via telephone (compared with 3% prepandemic practice; p<0.0001). One-hundred-ten women delivered 111 alive babies (mean 38.2 weeks gestation, mean birth weight 3324 g) with 12 (11.0%) giving birth before week 37. Birth occurred by vaginal delivery in 72 (56.4%) and by caesarean section in 48 (43.6%) cases. Thirty-three were elective (12 for IBD indications) and 15 emergency caesarean sections. Breast feeding rates were low (38.6%). Among 244 pregnant women with IBD, 1 suspected COVID-19 infection was recorded. CONCLUSION: IBD antenatal care adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic have not negatively affected patient care. Despite high levels of immunosuppression, only a single COVID-19 infection occurred. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were infrequent.

Temporal changes in vascular reactivity in early diabetes mellitus in rats: role of changes in endothelial factors and in phosphodiesterase activity.

The aims of this study were to study the influence of the duration of diabetes, the role of endothelial-derived vasodilators, and the role of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoform activity in the early changes in vascular reactivity of aortic rings from diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in female rats by intravenous streptozotocin (85 mg/kg). Two or 4 wk later, thoracic aortic rings from control and diabetic rats were isolated, and vascular responses to acetylcholine (ACh), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) [nitric oxide (NO) donor], DMPPO (PDE5 inhibitor), and phenylephrine (PE) were obtained in the presence and absence of endothelium or other drugs. PDE isoform activity was also measured. At 2 wk, responses to ACh and DMPPO were enhanced, whereas those to PE were attenuated in diabetic rats relative to controls. Indomethacin and SQ-29548 (a thromboxane A(2) receptor antagonist), but not N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, corrected these differences. The responses to SNAP, and cAMP and cGMP hydrolytic activities, were similar in the two groups. In contrast, at 4 wk, ACh, DMPPO, and PE produced similar responses in the two groups: N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester rendered the response to PE lower in the diabetic group, and this was corrected by indomethacin, but not SQ-29548, treatment. The response to SNAP was greater in the diabetic group, and this was corrected by DMPPO. Activity of all PDEs was decreased at 4 wk. We conclude that, at 2 wk, there is modulation of thromboxane A(2) production, but no change in the NO system or PDE isoform activities. At 4 wk, a reduction in NO activity is superimposed; at this stage, PDE activity is reduced, together with increased production of vasodilating prostaglandins, possibly as a compensatory mechanism to maintain normal vascular reactivity.

Symmetrically and unsymmetrically bridged methylenebis(allopurinols): synthesis of dimeric potential anti-gout drugs.

Liquid-liquid phase transfer alkylation of 4-methoxy-pyrazolo[3,4-d]-pyrimidine (1a) with a dichloromethane/dibromomethane mixture (3:1, v/v) gave the regioisomeric methylenebis(heterocycles) 3a-5a. These were converted by dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide containing dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at concentrations between 0 and 60 vol-% into the methylenebis(allopurinols) 3b-5b by nucleophilic SNAr reactions at C(4). The effect of DMSO on the reaction kinetics was investigated.

Inhibition by 2,6-dithiopurine and thiopurinol of binding of a benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide to DNA in mouse epidermis and of the initiation phase of two-stage tumorigenesis.

The chemotherapeutic agent 6-mercaptopurine was previously shown to inhibit the binding of 7r,8t-dihydroxy-9,10t-oxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-benzo(a) pyrene (BPDE-I) to DNA in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Two compounds related to 6-mercaptopurine, 2,6-dithiopurine (DTP) and thiopurinol (TP), have been tested for inhibition of the binding of BPDE-I to epidermal DNA in mouse skin. Doses of test compound (0.2-20 mumol) or solvent control were applied to the shaved backs of female SENCAR mice. Fifteen min later, 200 nmol [3H]BPDE-I were applied to the same area and 3 h later the mice were sacrificed and epidermal DNA was purified and adduct formation was quantitated radiometrically. At the highest doses studied, DTP and TP inhibited DNA binding by 90 and greater than 80%, respectively. The dose necessary to inhibit DNA binding by 50% was about 0.8 mumol for DTP and about 2 mumol for TP. To test whether this protective effect was long-lasting, the time between application of purinethiol and [3H]BPDE-I was systematically increased. Although the level of protection was decreased by increasing the time between applications, both compounds inhibited binding 50-60% even after 24-48 h. A radioactive compound tentatively identified as a TP-BPDE-I adduct could be recovered from epidermal homogenates following topical application of TP and BPDE-I. We used a standard two-stage initiation-promotion protocol to test the effects of these compounds on mouse skin carcinogenesis. Mice were treated with 0, 1, or 10 mumol of either TP or DTP, and 15 min later were treated with an initiating dose of BPDE-I (200 nmol). Twice weekly promotion with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was begun 2 weeks later and continued for 23 weeks. A dose-dependent inhibition of tumor incidence and multiplicity was noted with both compounds. Treatment of skin with 10 mumol of DTP prior to initiation lowered the number of papillomas per mouse by greater than 90% compared to solvent controls; a 10-fold lower dose resulted in about 50% inhibition. The 10-mumol dose of TP resulted in about 50% inhibition. Mice were examined for 50 weeks for the presence of squamous cell carcinomas. Compared to the positive control group, 10 mumol DTP inhibited carcinoma incidence and lowered the total number of carcinomas by 90-95%. Treatment with 10 mumol TP had no significant effect on carcinoma incidence, and only slightly lowered the total number of carcinomas.

Behavior of N-methylated allopurinols and related 4-thioxopyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidines towards bovine milk xanthine oxidase.

1. All available N-mono- and N,N'-dimethylallopurinols and the corresponding 4-thioxo derivatives have been tested as substrates or inhibitors of bovine milk xanthine oxidase (xanthine: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.3.2). 2. None of the compounds tested revealed any inhibitory activity towards the enzyme. 3. All compounds were resistant to enzymic oxidation, with the exception of 7-methylallopurinol and its 4-thioxo analog. Both these compounds were attacked at position 6. 7-Methylallopurinol was oxidised nearly ten times faster than the isomeric 3-methylhypoxanthine. 4. These observations can be explained by assuming that for attack at C-6, the enzyme must bind both to N-1 and N-2 in the pyrazole ring and causes tautomerisation, which places a double bond at position 5,6 in the pyrimidine ring. This activation process resembles the activation of hypoxanthine.

Solid-phase parallel synthesis of 4-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides.

The synthesis of pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine nucleoside library using solid-phase parallel synthesis methodology is described. Glycosylation of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of 1- and 2-(methyl)-1H and 2H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidine-5,7-(4H, 6H)-dione (5) with 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-D-ribofuranose in the presence of TMS triflate provided two novel protected nucleosides 6 and 7. The structures of 6 and 7 were assigned by 1H and 2D NMR experiments. Nucleosides 6 and 7 were then transformed to the key intermediates 12 and 15 respectively. Reaction of 12 and 15 with MMTCl resin in the presence of 2,6-lutidine afforded the necessary scaffolds B and C. Different amines (96) were introduced selectively by nucleophilic substitution on scaffolds B and C using solid-phase parallel semi-automated synthesizer. Cleavage of the products from the solid support with 30% HFIP in a parallel fashion yielded nucleoside libraries simultaneously, and they were analyzed and characterized by high-throughput LC-MS.

Oxypurinol - A novel marker for wastewater contamination of the aquatic environment.

The anti-gout agent allopurinol is one of the most prescribed pharmaceuticals in Germany and is widely metabolized into oxypurinol (80%) as well as the corresponding riboside conjugates (10%) within the human body. To investigate the occurrence of allopurinol and oxypurinol in the urban water cycle an analytical method was developed based on solid phase extraction (SPE) and subsequent liquid chromatography electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In raw wastewater concentration levels of oxypurinol ranged up to 26.6 µg L(-1), whereas allopurinol was not detected at all. In wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents, concentrations of allopurinol were

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of allopurinol riboside.

There are no safe and effective oral drugs to treat leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease. The safety, pharmacokinetics, and metabolism of single and multiple oral doses of allopurinol riboside, an investigational antiparasitic agent, were evaluated in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 32 healthy male volunteers, at levels up to 25 mg/kg q.i.d. for 13 doses. No significant toxicity was detected. Allopurinol riboside peaks in plasma 1.6 hours after administration, has an elimination half-life of 3 hours, and steady-state concentrations in the therapeutic range. However, in contrast to preclinical studies in dogs (plasma levels proportional to oral doses up to 200 mg/kg), we found that plasma levels were unexpectedly low and did not rise with increasing dose. Furthermore, allopurinol and oxypurinol (unanticipated metabolites) were detected at levels proportional to the dose of allopurinol riboside. We present a model that includes incomplete absorption, metabolism of residual drug by enteric flora, and absorption of bacterial metabolites to explain these findings in humans.

Identification of a transcription factor like protein at the TOR locus in Leishmania mexicana amazonensis.

The TOR gene (TOxic nucleoside Resistance gene) was mapped to a 2.3 kb fragment on the amplified DNA from tubercidin resistant Leishmania (TUB). This DNA fragment conferred upon wild type cells resistance to tubercidin, inosine dialdehyde, formycin A and B and allopurinol riboside and a reduced ability to accumulate purine nucleobases and nucleosides. These properties were characteristic of the parental TUB cells which carried the intact amplified DNA and have been hypothesized to be caused by a reduction in the activity of the multiple purine transporters within this organism. The TOR gene was found to be partially homologous to the rodent and human Oct-6/SCIP/Tst-1 gene. It lacked, however, the POU specific domain of this class of transcription factors and contained only the first two helices of the POU homeodomain. This truncated homeodomain was not required to confer resistance upon wild type cells to toxic nucleosides, suggesting that TOR was not a repressor with independent DNA binding capability.

Pyrazolopyrimidine metabolism in the pathogenic trypanosomatidae.

Pyrazolopyrimidines are purine analogues. These compounds are metabolized by the pathogenic hemoflagellates and other members of the family Trypanosomatidae as though they were purines. This metabolic sequence does not exist in man or other mammals. In the hemoflagellates, the pyrazolopyrimidine base, of which allopurinol is the paradigm, undergoes ribosylphosphorylation to the ribonucleotide. This ribonucleotide may remain as such or be aminated to the amino analogue and further converted to the aminopyrazolopyrimidine ribonucleoside triphosphate. The latter is incorporated into RNA. This metabolic sequence has been demonstrated in the genera Leishmania and Trypanosoma.

C4-substituted 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as adenosine agonist analogues.

The synthesis of four novel C4-substituted 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines is reported, and the compounds were examined as adenosine receptor agonist analogues. Neither receptor affinity nor biological activity was as potent as the purine counterparts. Adenosine agonists appear to be sensitive to modification of the purine base, with a nitrogen atom in the 7 position necessary for efficacy.

Effect of DMPPO, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats.

1. Cyclic guanosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) is the second messenger of important physiologically active mediators controlling the pulmonary vascular tone. To potentiate the effects of cyclic GMP on the pulmonary vasculature, we used DMPPO, a new selective PDE-5 inhibitor, and examined its action in a rat model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. 2. Levels of cyclic GMP measured during baseline conditions at 5 and 60 min of perfusion were similar in the perfusate of isolated lungs from normoxic and chronically hypoxic rats and did not differ with time. Pretreatment with DMPPO (1 microM) induced a larger increase in cyclic GMP concentration in the perfusate from chronically hypoxic rat lungs (31+/-36 at 5 min to 1821+/-83 pmol ml(-1) at 60 min) than in normoxic rat lungs (329+/-20 to 1281+/-127 pmol ml(-1), P<0.05). 3. In isolated lungs preconstricted with U-46619, pretreatment with DMPPO (1 microM) potentiated the vasodilator effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (100 pM-10 nM) and sodium nitroprusside (1 pM 10 nM), but did not alter vasodilation to isoproterenol. 4. In conscious rats previously exposed to 15 days hypoxia and studied under 10% O2, DMPPO (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg(-1), i.v. bolus) caused a dose-dependent decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure (Pap) with no change in systemic artery pressure (Sap) and cardiac output. 5. Continuous infusion of DMPPO (0.1 mg kg(-1) h(-1) i.v. by osmotic pumps) in rats exposed to 10% O2 during 2-weeks reduced the Pap (P<0.05) and the degree of muscularization of pulmonary vessels at the alveolar wall (P<0.01) and alveolar duct levels (P<0.05) despite no significant change in right ventricular hypertrophy. 6. These results suggest that cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibition may selectively dilate pulmonary circulation during chronic hypoxia.

Cardiovascular effects of a novel, potent and selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, DMPPO: in vitro and in vivo characterization.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular effects of a novel, potent and specific phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE 5) inhibitor, 1,3 dimethyl-6-(2-propoxy-5-methane sulphonylamidophenyl)-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-(5H)-one (DMPPO) in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aortic rings and different in vivo rat preparations. 2. DMPPO elicited a concentration-dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings with functional endothelium. DMPPO-induced relaxation was abolished by endothelium removal or pretreatment with the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue (10 microM). 3. In aortic rings without endothelium, the potency (pD2= -log10 EC50) of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to induce relaxation increased from 8.13 +/- 0.05 in the absence of DMPPO, to 8.32 +/- 0.05 and 8.52 +/- 0.08 in the presence of 30 nM and 100 nM DMPPO, respectively. Similarly, the potency of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in inducing relaxation increased from 7.38 +/- 0.07 in the absence of the PDE 5 inhibitor to 8.07 +/- 0.11 and 8.15 +/- 0.08 in the presence of 30 nM and 100 nM DMPPO, respectively. In contrast, relaxation to the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, was unchanged by DMPPO (100 nM). 4. In rings without endothelium, DMPPO (100 nM) increased by 2.5 fold intracellular levels of guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP). Moreover, DMPPO (100 nM) potentiated the increases in cyclic GMP levels induced by ANP (30 nM) by 3 fold and SNP (30 nM) by 2.7 fold. Adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels were not modified by DMPPO. 5. In anaesthetized normotensive or spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), DMPPO (2 and 5 mg kg-1, i.v.) lowered blood pressure without affecting heart rate. Similarly, in conscious SHR, orally administered DMPPO (5 mg kg-1) induced a 25 mmHg decrease in blood pressure for at least 7 h without modifying heart rate. Meanwhile, urinary cyclic GMP was increased by 50% whereas cyclic AMP remained unchanged. 6. In normotensive anaesthetized rats, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (i.v. bolus) induced a decrease in blood pressure which rapidly returned to baseline. In DMPPO (1 mg kg-1, i.v.)-treated rats, the hypotensive effects of SNP (10 to 100 micrograms kg-1) were prolonged over time whereas the peak effect was unchanged. 7. In pithed rats, phenylephrine (i.v. bolus) induced dose-dependent increases in blood pressure. Pretreatment with DMPPO (5 mg kg-1, i.v.) partially inhibited the pressor response to phenylephrine (0.3 to 100 micrograms kg-1). 8. In conclusion, the potent and selective PDE 5 inhibitor, DMPPO, produces relaxation in isolated vessels in the presence of a cyclic GMP drive and reduces blood pressure of intact animals. Its high oral bioavailability and long duration of action should make it a useful tool to study the role of cyclic GMP in various biological systems.

Effects of cyclic GMP elevation on isoprenaline-induced increase in cyclic AMP and relaxation in rat aortic smooth muscle: role of phosphodiesterase 3.

1. In rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine, the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (10 nM to 30 microM) produces greater relaxant effects in preparations with endothelium than in endothelium-denuded preparations. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms involved in this effect and in particular investigate the possibility of a synergistic action between adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP). 2. Isoprenaline-induced relaxation of rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine was greatly reduced by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 300 microM) or the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue (10 microM) or IH-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 microM) but unaffected by indomethacin (10 microM), a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. Similarly, in intact rings, the concentration-response curve of forskolin (10 nM to 1 microM) was shifted to the right upon endothelium removal or treatment with methylene blue. 3. In endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings, isoprenaline-induced relaxation was potentiated by the guanylate cyclase activators atrial natriuretic factor (ANF, 1 to 10 nM) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 1 to 10 nM), and to a greater extent in the presence of the cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE 5) inhibitor, 1,3dimethyl-6-(2-propoxy-5-methane sulphonylamidophenyl) pyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidin-4-(5H)-one (DMPPO, 30 nM). Relaxation induced by isoprenaline was also potentiated by the cyclic GMP-inhibited PDE (PDE 3) inhibitor cilostamide (100 nM). 4. Intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels were measured either in rat cultured aortic smooth muscle cells or in de-endothelialized aortic rings. In both types of preparation, isoprenaline (5 nM and 10 microM) increased cyclic AMP levels and this effect was potentiated by cilostamide (10 microM), by rolipram, a cyclic AMP-specific PDE (PDE 4) inhibitor (10 microM) and by cyclic GMP-elevating agents (50 nM ANF or 30 nM SNP plus 100 nM DMPPO). In isoprenaline-stimulated conditions, the increase in cyclic AMP induced by rolipram was further potentiated by cilostamide and by cyclic GMP-elevating agents. Cilostamide and cyclic GMP-elevating agents did not potentiate each other, suggesting a similar mechanism of action. 5. We conclude that in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells an increase in cyclic GMP levels may inhibit PDE 3 and, thereby, cyclic AMP catabolism. Under physiological conditions of constitutive NO release, and to a greater extent in the presence of the PDE 5 inhibitor DMPPO, cyclic GMP should act synergistically with adenylate cyclase activators to relax VSM.

Antileishmanial action of 4-thiopyrazolo (3.4-d) pyrimidine and its ribonucleoside. Biological effects and metabolism.

Thiopurinol [4-thiopyrazolo(3.4-dyprimidine, TPP] and its ribonucleoside (TPPR) were effective in vitro against the intracellular and extracellular forms of L. braziliensis and L. mexicana. They also inhibited the transformation of the amastigote of L. donovani to the promastigote. These thio-analogues had about the same activity as allopurinol [4-hydroxypyrazolo(3.4-d)pyrimidine, HPP] and its ribonucleoside (HPPR). the thiopyrazolopyrimidines were converted primarily to the ribonucleoside-5' -phosphate (TPPR-MP) and to an unidentified metabolite, but not to any of the adenine ribonucleoside analogues previously shown to be formed from allopurinol and its ribonucleoside. There was an antagonism between the growth-inhibitory effects of allopurinol and thiopurinol. This is consistent with the findings that the intracellular concentrations of TPP and TPPR-MP are sufficient to inhibit the conversion of allopurinol to allopurinol ribonucleotide (HPPR-MP) by the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase by 30 per cent and the amination of HPPR-MP by adenylosuccinate synthetase by 50 per cent respectively. Consequently, the incorporation of the aminated product (aminopyrazolopyrimidine) into RNA was substantially decreased. The difference in metabolism between the thio- and hydroxypyrazolopyrimidines suggests a difference in their mechanisms of action against the pathogenic leishmania.

Monophosphates of formycin B and allopurinol riboside. Interactions with leishmanial and mammalian succino-AMP synthetase and GMP reductase.

Formycin B 5'-monophosphate (Form B-MP) and allopurinol riboside 5'-monophosphate ( HPPR -MP) are isomers of IMP that are metabolically produced when Leishmania spp. are incubated with the antileishmanial agents formycin B and allopurinol or allopurinol riboside. The interactions of Form B-MP with succino -AMP synthetase and GMP reductase from both leishmanial and mammalian sources were compared with the data of earlier studies with HPPR -MP. Both analogs could substitute for IMP as a substrate for succino -AMP synthetase isolated from Leishmania donovani. The V'max values of Form B-MP and HPPR -MP were about 1% of the V'max of IMP. Only Form B-MP (and not HPPR -MP) could serve as an alternative substrate for mammalian succino -AMP synthetase. The V'max of Form B-MP was 40% that of IMP. The corresponding analogs of AMP, ADP and ATP were produced when Formycin B was incubated with mouse L cells. The Formycin A residue was incorporated into the cellular RNA. The amount of Formycin A-TP produced (relative to ATP) in mouse L cells was considerably less than that produced in Leishmania spp. Both Form B-MP and HPPR -MP were inhibitors of partially purified GMP reductase from L. donovani. The binding of Form B-MP and HPPR -MP to human GMP reductase was 40- and 100-fold weaker, respectively, than the binding to leishmanial GMP reductase. Pretreatment of promastigotes of L. donovani with either allopurinol or Formycin B resulted in greater than 95% reduction of the incorporation of the radiolabel from [14C]xanthine into ATP and greater than 80% reduction of the incorporation of the label into GTP. The HPPR -MP and Form B-MP present in these cells may have inhibited the leishmanial succino -AMP synthetase and GMP reductase. The analogs had little or no effect on the pool sizes of ATP and GTP of either mouse L cells or L. donovani.

On the metabolism of allopurinol. Formation of allopurinol-1-riboside in purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency.

Allopurinol-1-riboside, a major metabolite of allopurinol, is commonly thought to be directly synthesized by purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in vivo. As this enzyme is otherwise believed to function in vivo primarily in the direction of nucleoside breakdown, we have determined by high performance liquid chromatography and a conventional chromatographic method the urinary metabolites of allopurinol in a child deficient of PNP. In this patient approximately 40% of urinary allopurinol metabolites consisted of allopurinol-1-riboside, thus proving the possibility of indirect formation of allopurinol-1-riboside via allopurinol-1-ribotide in vivo, catalysed by hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) and a phosphatase.