Identification of potential biomarkers and pathogenesis in neutrophil-predominant severe asthma: A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Airway neutrophilia has been associated with asthma severity and asthma exacerbations. This study attempted to identify biomarkers, pathogenesis, and therapeutic molecular targets for severe asthma in neutrophils using bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: Fifteen healthy controls and 3 patients with neutrophilic severe asthma were screened from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional and pathway enrichment analyses, gene set enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network construction, and analysis were performed. Moreover, small-molecule drug candidates have also been identified. RESULTS: Three hundred and three upregulated and 59 downregulated genes were identified. Gene ontology function enrichment analyses were primarily related to inflammatory response, immune response, leukocyte migration, neutrophil chemotaxis, mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, Jun N-terminal kinase cascade, I-kappaB kinase/nuclear factor-κB, and MyD88-dependent toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Pathway enrichment analyses and gene set enrichment analysis were mainly involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the TNF signaling pathway, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, 1 important module and 10 hub genes (CXCL8, TLR2, CXCL1, ICAM1, CXCR4, FPR2, SELL, PTEN, TREM1, and LEP) were identified in the protein-protein interaction network. Moreover, indoprofen, mimosine, STOCK1N-35874, trapidil, iloprost, aminoglutethimide, ajmaline, levobunolol, ethionamide, cefaclor, dimenhydrinate, and bethanechol are potential drugs for the treatment of neutrophil-predominant severe asthma. CONCLUSION: This study identified potential biomarkers, pathogenesis, and therapeutic molecular targets for neutrophil-predominant severe asthma.

Indoprofen exerts a potent therapeutic effect against sepsis by alleviating high mobility group box 1-mediated inflammatory responses.

Indoprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and has provided insights into treatment of spinal muscular atrophies; however, the treatment effect of indoprofen on sepsis and the precise underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. This study was carried out to examine the inhibitory effect of indoprofen on high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-mediated inflammatory responses in vivo and in vitro. Intraperitoneal injection of indoprofen (20 or 40 mg/kg) at 8 h post-sepsis markedly improved the survival of BALB/c mice and ameliorated multiple-organ injury by blocking the inflammatory responses. In addition, indoprofen partially reduced the HMGB1 level in the serum and in the lung, as well as ameliorated pulmonary edema. Mechanistically, indoprofen potently inhibited the release of HMGB1 following stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), and suppressed recombinant human HMGB1(rhHMGB1)-induced inflammatory responses. It was also found that indoprofen has both cyclooxygenase 2-dependent and -independent inhibitory effects on the proinflammatory effect of HMGB1 in THP-1 cells. Further, the drug reduced rhHMGB1-induced cell surface levels of toll-like receptor 2, toll-like receptor 4, and receptor of advanced glycation end-products in a concentration-dependent manner. Collectively, these data demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effect of indoprofen in sepsis was associated with HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses, thus offering a favorable mechanistic basis to support the therapeutic potential of indoprofen for the treatment of lethal sepsis or other inflammatory diseases.

Indoprofen prevents muscle wasting in aged mice through activation of PDK1/AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND: Muscle wasting, resulting from aging or pathological conditions, leads to reduced quality of life, increased morbidity, and increased mortality. Much research effort has been focused on the development of exercise mimetics to prevent muscle atrophy and weakness. In this study, we identified indoprofen from a screen for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator α (PGC-1α) inducers and report its potential as a drug for muscle wasting. METHODS: The effects of indoprofen treatment on dexamethasone-induced atrophy in mice and in 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1)-deleted C2C12 myotubes were evaluated by immunoblotting to determine the expression levels of myosin heavy chain and anabolic-related and oxidative metabolism-related proteins. Young, old, and disuse-induced muscle atrophic mice were administered indoprofen (2 mg/kg body weight) by gavage. Body weight, muscle weight, grip strength, isometric force, and muscle histology were assessed. The expression levels of muscle mass-related and function-related proteins were analysed by immunoblotting or immunostaining. RESULTS: In young (3-month-old) and aged (22-month-old) mice, indoprofen treatment activated oxidative metabolism-related enzymes and led to increased muscle mass. Mechanistic analysis using animal models and muscle cells revealed that indoprofen treatment induced the sequential activation of AKT/p70S6 kinase (S6K) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which in turn can augment protein synthesis and PGC-1α induction, respectively. Structural prediction analysis identified PDK1 as a target of indoprofen and, indeed, short-term treatment with indoprofen activated the PDK1/AKT/S6K pathway in muscle cells. Consistent with this finding, PDK1 inhibition abrogated indoprofen-induced AKT/S6K activation and hypertrophic response. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the effects of indoprofen in boosting skeletal muscle mass through the sequential activation of PDK1/AKT/S6K and AMPK/PGC-1α. Taken together, our results suggest that indoprofen represents a potential drug to prevent muscle wasting and weakness related to aging or muscle diseases.

[C-H Functionalization by Transition-metal-catalyst or in Situ Generated Base].

Direct functionalization of the C-H bond is a highly attractive method because it does not require any pre-functionalized starting materials. Therefore this method can be adopted to attain the atom- and step-economic synthesis of organic compounds. We recently developed novel C-H functionalization reactions using two strategies. The first strategy is transition-metal catalyzed C-H functionalization, which comprises the copper-catalyzed oxidative C(sp3)-H functionalization of 2-alkyl-N-arylbenzamides for the synthesis of N-aryl-isoindolinones. This method can be applied to various substituted substrates and the synthesis of bioactive compounds, indoprofen and DWP205190. It provides an efficient approach toward the construction of isoindolinone skeletons. The second strategy is an in situ generated base-mediated C-H functionalization comprising the deprotonative silylation of C(sp)-H and C(sp2)-H bonds by the base generated in situ from trifluoromethyltrimethylsilane (CF3SiMe3) and its activator. In the C(sp)-H silylation of terminal alkynes, 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (DMPU) acts as both a solvent and activator; therefore no additional activator is required. Moreover, the preferential deprotonation of terminal alkynes using this system proceeds faster than the trifluoromethylation of ketones and esters.

Enantioselective simultaneous analysis of selected pharmaceuticals in environmental samples by ultrahigh performance supercritical fluid based chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

In order to assess the true impact of each single enantiomer of pharmacologically active compounds (PACs) in the environment, highly efficient, fast and sensitive analytical methods are needed. For the first time this paper focuses on the use of ultrahigh performance supercritical fluid based chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer to develop multi-residue enantioselective methods for chiral PACs in environmental matrices. This technique exploits the advantages of supercritical fluid chromatography, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Two coated modified 2.5 µm-polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases were investigated: an amylose tris-3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate column and a cellulose tris-3-chloro-4-methylphenylcarbamate column. The effect of different chromatographic variables on chiral recognition is highlighted. This novel approach resulted in the baseline resolution of 13 enantiomers PACs (aminorex, carprofen, chloramphenicol, 3-N-dechloroethylifosfamide, flurbiprofen, 2-hydroxyibuprofen, ifosfamide, imazalil, naproxen, ofloxacin, omeprazole, praziquantel and tetramisole) and partial resolution of 2 enantiomers PACs (ibuprofen and indoprofen) under fast-gradient conditions (<10 min analysis time). The overall performance of the methods was satisfactory. The applicability of the methods was tested on influent and effluent wastewater samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first feasibility study on the simultaneous separation of chemically diverse chiral PACs in environmental matrices using ultrahigh performance supercritical fluid based chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Integrated In Silico-In Vitro Discovery of Lung Cancer-related Tumor Pyruvate Kinase M2 (PKM2) Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: The tumor pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is involved in the glycolytic pathway of lung cancer and targeting this kinase has been observed to radiosensitize non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OBJECTIVE: An integration of in silico virtual screening and in vitro kinase assay was described to discover novel PKM2 inhibitors from a candidate library containing >400,000 commercially available compounds. METHOD: The method is a stepwise screening scheme that first used empirical strategies to fast exclude those undruggable compounds in the library and then employed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD)-based rescoring to identify few potential hits. Subsequently, the computational findings were substantiated using a standard kinase assay protocol. RESULTS: Four compounds, i.e. nalidixic acid, indoprofen, hematoxylin and polydatin, were identified to inhibit PKM2 kinase at micromolar level, with IC50 values of 53, 21, 340 and 128 .M, respectively. CONCLUSION: Structural analysis revealed that hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, π-π stacking and hydrophobic forces co-confer high stability and strong specificity to PKM2-inhibitor binding.

Enantiomeric separation of acidic compounds by nano-liquid chromatography with methylated-beta-cyclodextrin as a mobile phase additive.

Some racemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, namely naproxen, indoprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, carprofen, cicloprofen, flunoxaprofen and suprofen were separated into their enantiomers by nano-LC. Chiral recognition was achieved adding to the mobile phase heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (TM-beta-CD). Capillary columns of 100 microm id, packed with different RP particles were used for experiments. Effect of experimental parameters such as mobile phase composition, stationary phase type and length of packed capillary column on retention factor and chiral resolution of analytes were studied. The stationary phase type played a very important role in the enantiorecognition process. Best results in terms of highest enantioresolution factor and largest number of separated enantiomers were obtained reducing the particles size to 3 microm with RP(18) stationary phase. Most favourable mobile phase for enantiodiscrimination was obtained using relatively low concentrations of ACN (30%, v/v), 30 mM of TM-beta-CD and pH value of 3.0. The retention time of all studied enantiomers decreased by increasing the CD derivative concentration. The retention factors of selected studied compounds, specifically flurbiprofen, naproxen and suprofen, were measured employing TM-beta-CD concentrations in the range 0-40 mM. Assuming a 1:1 enantiomer/CD ratio, the apparent association constants of the studied enantiomers were calculated.

Singlet oxygen scavenging activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

It has long been known that singlet oxygen ((1)O2) is generated during inflammatory processes. Once formed in substantial amounts, (1)O2 may have an important role in mediating the destruction of infectious agents during host defense. On the other hand, (1)O2 is capable of damaging almost all biological molecules and is particularly genotoxic, which gives a special relevance to the scavenging of this ROS throughout anti-inflammatory treatments. Considering that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) constitutes a first approach in the treatment of persistent inflammatory processes (due to their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase), a putative scavenging activity of NSAIDs for (1)O2 would also represent a significant component of their therapeutic effect. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scavenging activity for (1)O2 by several chemical families of NSAIDs. The results suggested that the pyrazole derivatives (dipyrone and aminopyrine) are, by far, the most potent scavengers of (1)O2 (much more potent compared to the other tested NSAIDs), displaying IC(50)-values in the low micromolar range. There was a lack of activity for most of the arylpropionic acid derivatives tested, with only naproxen and indoprofen displaying residual activities, as for the oxazole derivative, oxaprozin. On the other hand, the pyrrole derivatives (tolmetin and ketorolac), the indolacetic acid derivatives (indomethacin, and etodolac), as well as sulindac and its metabolites (sulindac sulfide and sulindac sulfone) displayed scavenging activity in the high micromolar range. Thus, the scavenging effect observed for dipyrone and aminopyrine will almost certainly contribute to their healing effect in the treatment of prolonged or chronic inflammation, while that of the other studied NSAIDs may have a lower contribution, though these assumptions still require further in vivo validation.

Isoindol-1,3-dione and isoindol-1-one derivatives with high binding affinity to beta-amyloid fibrils.

Based on the structural features of Indoprofen and PIB, a series of isoindol-1,3-diones 1a-k and isoindol-1-ones 2a-l were designed and synthesized. These 23 compounds were evaluated by competitive binding assay against aggregated Abeta42 fibrils using [(125)I]TZDM. All the isoindolone derivatives showed very good binding affinities with K(i) values in the subnanomolar range (0.42-0.94 nM). Among them, isoindol-1,3-diones 1i and 1k and isoindol-1-ones 2c and 2i exhibited excellent binding affinities (K(i)=0.42-0.44 and 0.46-0.49 nM) than those of Indoprofen (K(i)=0.52 nM) and PIB (K(i)=0.70 nM). These results suggest that isoindolones could be served as a scaffold for potential AD diagnostic probes to monitor Abeta fibrils.

Dexibuprofen (S(+)-isomer ibuprofen) reduces microglial activation and impairments of spatial working memory induced by chronic lipopolysaccharide infusion.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been proposed as a therapeutics to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The present study shows that the peripheral administration of dexibuprofen (S(+)-isomer ibuprofen), which causes less gastric damage and has better anti-inflammatory effects than ibuprofen, reduces the microglial activation in the cortex and hippocampus, and reduces the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in the hippocampus, which has been induced by chronic infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the fourth ventricle of Wistar rats. The effects of dexibuprofen on impairments of spatial working memory induced by LPS infusions were measured with a trial-unique matching-to-place task in a water maze which assessed memory for place information over varying delays. When performing the water maze task, the rats with the LPS infusions showed spatial working memory impairments relative to the rats with the artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Daily administrations of dexibuprofen reduced the spatial working memory impairment induced by the chronic LPS infusion. The results indicate that NSAID treatments using dexibuprofen significantly attenuate the processes that drive the pathology associated with AD and that this process may involve the suppression of microglial activation.

A randomized, crossover study to determine bioequivalence of two brands of dexibuprofen 400 mg tablets in healthy Asian adult male subjects of Indian origin.

AIM: To estimate the bioavailability and evaluate bioequivalence of a single dose of a dexibuprofen tablet (test formulation, containing dexibuprofen 400 mg, manufactured by Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pune, India) and to compare it with that of a single dose of a Seractil tablet (reference formulation, containing dexibuprofen 400 mg, manufactured by Genus Pharmaceuticals, Bershire, UK) under fasting conditions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence, randomized crossover design, test and reference formulations were administered as individual single doses to 24 healthy adult Asian male subjects of Indian origin under non-fed conditions, with 4 days washout period between dosing. 17 blood samples were drawn from each subject over a 12-hour period. Pharmacokinetic parameters, Cmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-infinity and Cmax/AUC0-infinity were calculated from the plasma concentration-time data of each individual and during each period by applying non-compartmental analysis. Analysis of variance was carried out using logarithmically transformed and non-transformed values of the stated pharmacokinetic parameters. Data for test and reference formulations were analyzed statistically to test for bioequivalence of the two formulations. RESULTS: All 24 subjects who received the two formulations on two occasions with a washout period of 4 days, completed the study and provided an adequate amount of blood at each sampling point. After oral administration the values of Cmax (microg/ml), tmax (h), AUC0-t (microg/ml x h), AUC0-infinity (microg/ml x h) for reference and test formulations were 23.501 and 22.948, 1.156 and 1.281, 69.795 and 68.455, and 72.454 and 70.208, respectively. ANOVA and CI test showed no significant (p > 0.05) variation in these pharmacokinetic parameters of test and reference formulations. When the AUC0-t values for both formulations for non-transformed and log-transformed data were compared, the test formulation showed a bioavailability of 98.08% and 99.56%, respectively, as compared to reference formulation. These values are within the acceptance limit of 80 - 120%. No adverse events were observed in any of the subjects during the two runs of the study. Both clinical and laboratory parameters of all subjects showed no clinically significant changes. CONCLUSION: The test formulation containing dexibuprofen 400 mg (manufactured by Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pune, India) was bioequivalent to reference formulation (Seractil, manufactured by Genus Pharmaceuticals, Berkshire, UK). Both formulations were well tolerated. The test formulation can be considered a pharmaceutically and therapeutically equivalent alternative to Seractil.

Modification of pepsinogen I levels and their correlation with gastrointestinal injury after administration of dexibuprofen, ibuprofen or diclofenac: a randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a 2-week treatment with dexibuprofen, in comparison with ibuprofen and diclofenac, on pepsinogen plasma concentrations and gastrointestinal mucosa, as well as the correlation of these changes with gastrointestinal mucosal injury. METHODS: 60 patients with rheumatologic disease in chronic therapy with NSAID, were included. After a 7-day run-in period patients were randomly assigned to receive a 14-day treatment with dexibuprofen (Group A; Day 1 - 3 = 400 mg t.i.d; Day 4 - 14 = 400 mg b.i.d.), ibuprofen (Group B; Day 1 - 3 = 800 mg t.i.d; Day 4 -14 = 800 mg b.i.d.) or diclofenac (Group C; Day 1 - 3 = 50 mg t.i.d; Day 4 - 14 = 50 mg b.i.d.). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (Day 15), capsule-endoscopy (Day 16, 7 patients of each group) and determination of pepsinogen plasma concentrations were performed (basal and Day 15). A semiquantitative scale was designed for the assessment of the gastrointestinal mucosa. RESULTS: No differences in plasma pepsinogen were found between treatment groups or gastrointestinal injury grades or between basal and post-therapy determinations. Dexibuprofen showed gastroduodenal mucosal injury in fewer patients (42.1%) than was the case with ibuprofen (5%; p = 0.003) and diclofenac (30%; p = N.S.). Dexibuprofen administration was also associated with more patients having no intestinal mucosal damage (42.86% vs. 28.7% in the diclofenac group and 14.29% in the ibuprofen group; p = 0.0175). The rate of clinical adverse events was similar in Groups A, B and C (28%, 38% and 34%). CONCLUSIONS: Dexibuprofen showed a lower rate of gastroduodenal and intestinal mucosal injury. This effect was not mediated by modifications of plasma pepsinogen levels.

The effect of a dexibuprofen mouth rinse on experimental gingivitis in humans.

OBJECTIVES: The pharmacodynamic properties of ibuprofen are related nearly exclusively to the S(+)enantiomer (dexibuprofen). This study investigated the effect of a 1.5% dexibuprofen mouth rinse in an experimentally induced gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The trial was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-period and two-sequence parallel group cross-over study in 24 healthy volunteers aged 21-30 years (16 males, eight females). Customized guards were worn during tooth brushing to prevent any plaque removal from the experimental area (first and second pre-molars and molars in one upper quadrant). After 22 days of plaque accumulation, the mouth rinses (1.5% dexibuprofen and placebo) were administered under supervision three times daily (rinsing for 1 min. with 15 ml) for 8 days. The wash-out time between the two study periods was 14 days. Parameters evaluated at days 0, 7, 14, 22, and 30 were the Löe & Silness gingival index (GI) and the Quigley & Hein plaque index (QHI). Data were tested for treatment, period, and carry-over effects (parametric cross-over analysis). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.240) in GI between placebo and dexibuprofen. However, the decrease in QHI was significantly greater (p=0.019) with dexibuprofen as compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION: In the present study, a 1.5% dexibuprofen mouth rinse had no effect on gingivitis whereas an anti-plaque effect was demonstrated.

Comparative study of the photophysical properties of indoprofen photoproducts in relation with their DNA photosensitizing properties.

The photophysical properties of indoprofen photoproducts have been examined in various solvents by absorbance and emission spectroscopies in relation with their photosensitizing properties. The photophysical properties of 2-[4-(1-hydroxy)ethylphenyl]isoindolin-1-one (HOINP) and 2-(4-ethylphenyl)isoindolin-1-one (ETINP) are typical of a singlet excited state when the ones of 2-(4-acetylphenyl)isoindolin-1-one (KINP) are based on its triplet excited state according to previous work. The effect of solvent polarity on the absorption and fluorescence properties of HOINP and ETINP has been investigated as a function of Delta f, the Lippert solvent polarity parameter. A solvatochromic effect, function of the polarity region, has been observed for both photoproducts due to a change in the dipole moment of the compound upon excitation. In low-polarity regions, the excited state dipole moment of HOINP undergoes only a moderate increase (11.5 D) as compared to the dipole moment of the ground state (4.5 D) suggesting that the fluorescence arises from the locally excited state while in high-polarity regions it is strongly increased (42.9 D), which can imply that the emission takes place from a charge transfer state. In the case of ETINP, it would seem that the emitting state is rather a charge transfer state whatever the region is (16.9 and 31.8 D for the calculated excited-state dipole moments in the low and high-polarity regions, respectively). HOINP and ETINP do not produce thymine dimers by photosensitization but induce photooxidative damage via an electron transfer mechanism.

Indoprofen upregulates the survival motor neuron protein through a cyclooxygenase-independent mechanism.

Most patients with the pediatric neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy have a homozygous deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, but retain one or more copies of the closely related SMN2 gene. The SMN2 gene encodes the same protein (SMN) but produces it at a low efficiency compared with the SMN1 gene. We performed a high-throughput screen of approximately 47,000 compounds to identify those that increase production of an SMN2-luciferase reporter protein, but not an SMN1-luciferase reporter protein. Indoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, selectively increased SMN2-luciferase reporter protein and endogenous SMN protein and caused a 5-fold increase in the number of nuclear gems in fibroblasts from SMA patients. No other NSAIDs or COX inhibitors tested exhibited this activity.

DNA photosensitization by indoprofen - is DNA damage photoinduced by indoprofen or by its photoproducts?

The in vitro photosensitizing activity of indoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, toward DNA has been studied by gel sequencing experiments using (32)P-end labelled synthetic oligonucleotides in phosphate buffered solution. Upon irradiation at [small lambda] > 320 nm, piperidine-sensitive lesions were induced in single- and double-stranded DNA, exclusively at the position of guanine bases. In single-stranded DNA, all G sites were modified. This pattern of photooxidative damage without isotopic effect in deuterium oxide, is characteristic of a Type I mechanism involving electron transfer from the base to the excited drug. In duplex DNA, a Type I process was also observed since selective DNA breakage occurred with high selectivity at 5[prime or minute]-G of a 5[prime or minute]-GG-3[prime or minute]sequence. When the oligonucleotide displays TT sites, an energy transfer process becomes predominant, giving rise to the formation of thymine dimers as evidenced by using T4 endonuclease V. Moreover, the methyl ester of indoprofen has been synthesized in order to study the influence of the indoprofen photochemical properties in DNA photosensitization. The poor efficiency of this compound shows that the drug itself is not directly implicated in DNA photodamage and seems to imply the involvement of indoprofen photoproducts.

Photochemical and photophysical properties of indoprofen.

The photophysical properties and photochemistry of indoprofen (INP) have been investigated. Absorption and emission spectroscopies in phosphate buffer, ethanol and ether show that INP photophysics is dominated by a singlet-singlet transition of pipi* character. INP fluoresces at room temperature, with a quantum yield approximately 0.04. Flash photolysis experiments together with the lack of phosphorescence at room temperature point to a very weak intersystem crossing. The photoreactivity of INP is centered on the propionic acid chain and gives rise to photoproducts similar to those obtained with other arylpropionic acids (ethyl, hydroxyethyl and acetyl derivatives). Thus, irradiation of INP in aqueous buffer results in photodecarboxylation and leads mainly to oxidative compounds whose proportions increase with increasing oxygen concentration. These data suggest a photoreactivity occurring from the excited singlet state.

Aseptic meningo-encephalitis related to dexibuprofen use in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report with MR findings.

We report of a 22-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of obtundation and a febrile illness. These symptoms had occurred after ingestion of 16 tablets of dexibuprofen. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed multiple hyperintense white matter abnormalities without gadolinium enhancement. No infectious origin or signs of a lupus flare were found. Our report is the first description of MR findings in dexibuprofen-induced aseptic meningitis, which here is actually a case of meningo-encephalitis. Patients suffering from SLE show increased susceptibility to non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced aseptic meningitis/encephalitis, an important differential diagnosis to be considered at the work-up of altered mental status.

A three-component coupling process based on vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS(AR))-alkylation reactions: an approach to indoprofen and derivatives.

The intermediate anion derived from the vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) of hydrogen reacts with a series of alkyl halides to generate the corresponding alpha-alkylated conventional VNS product in a one-pot process. This one-pot VNS-alkylation reaction offers a convenient route to a range alpha-substituted nitrobenzyl phosphine oxides, sulfones, and esters via a three-component coupling reaction. Reactions of alpha-chloroethyl phenyl sulfone (14) and ethyl 2-chloropropionate (16) with nitrobenzene followed by subsequent addition of an alkylating agent give a series of sulfones and esters bearing an alpha-aryl quaternary center. The VNS-alkylation protocol has been applied to the synthesis of derivatives of Indoprofen from nitrobenzene using readily available inexpensive starting materials. Indoprofen itself was prepared using the conventional VNS reaction in four steps and 24% overall yield from nitrobenzene.

Computer simulation of the interaction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: indoprofen and NS398 with cyclooxygenase.

We have applied computer simulation technique to study interaction of two anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) indoprofen and NS398 with cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes. We have also investigated conformational flexibility of the two drugs by systematic search and simulated annealing molecular dynamics (SAMD) methods. Both the drugs were docked in the cyclooxygenase channel using in house docking program IMF1. The complexes were energy minimised by molecular mechanics (MM) method. These were heated for 30 picoseconds (ps), equilibrated for 110 ps at 300K and subjected to 'production simulation' for 110 ps by molecular dynamics (MD) method using Sanderís module of AMBER 5.0 package and united atom force field mostly from PARM96.DAT. Integration was carried out with time step of 0.001 ps, distance dependent di-electric constant with scaling factor 2.0 for 1-4 interaction and cut-off distance for non-bonded pair-list equal to 8A. The non-bonded pair-list was upgraded after every 20 cycles. The coordinate output from MD trajectories is analysed using analysis package of AMBER 5.0, MOLMOL, P-CURVES 3.0 and in house packages: ANALMD, ANALP1. We have observed perturbative changes in COX-1 and COX-2 structures due to indoprofen and NS398. In case of indoprofen specific changes between COX-1 and COX-2 were noted in helix D, H6, S6 and helix H8 in the cyclooxygenase cavity. In case of NS398 these were in helix B in membrane binding domain, helix H6, S8 and S10 in cyclooxygenase cavity and helices H14-H16 in small lobe close to haem binding region. Implications of these results in enzyme selectivity by NSAIDs is discussed here.