Sulforaphane Analogues with Heterocyclic Moieties: Syntheses and Inhibitory Activities against Cancer Cell Lines.

Recent studies have shown that sulforaphane (SFN) selectively inhibits the growth of ALDH⁺ breast cancer stem-like cells.Herein, a series of SFN analogues were synthesized and evaluated against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and SUM-159, and the leukemia stem cell-like cell line KG-1a. These SFN analogues were characterized by the replacement of the methyl group with heterocyclic moieties, and the replacement of the sulfoxide group with sulfide or sulfone. A growth inhibitory assay indicated that the tetrazole analogs 3d, 8d and 9d were significantly more potent than SFN against the three cancer cell lines. Compound 14c, the water soluble derivative of tetrazole sulfide 3d, demonstrated higher potency against KG-1a cell line than 3d. SFN, 3d and 14c significantly induced the activation of caspase-3, and reduced the ALDH⁺ subpopulation in the SUM159 cell line, while the marketed drug doxrubicin(DOX) increased the ALDH⁺ subpopulation.

A review of experimental models in colorectal carcinogenesis / Modelos experimentais de carcinogênese colorretal

Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular changes that lead to the disease is necessary to develop early diagnosis and optimal treatment modalities. Rodent models are rapid, reproducible and exhibit an adenoma-carcinoma sequence similar to that found in humans. The objective of this manuscript is to review the most common chemical carcinogens used to induce experimental tumors and the usual methods of evaluation.

O câncer colorretal é a principal neoplasia maligna do trato gastrointestinal. Um melhor entendimento dos processos moleculares e celulares é necessário para o desenvolvimento de estratégias que permitam um diagnóstico precoce e um tratamento mais eficaz. Modelos que utilizam roedores são rápidos, reprodutíveis e permitem o estudo da sequencia adenoma-carcinoma de forma similar a encontrada em humanos. O objetivo desse manuscrito é revisar os principais modelos de carcinogênese química e os métodos mais usuais para avaliação dos resultados.

Impact of Precursors Creatine, Creatinine, and Glucose on the Formation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines in Grilled Patties of Various Animal Species.

The impact of precursors such as creatine, creatinine, and glucose on the formation of mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) were studied in patties of 9 different animal species equally heat treated with a double-plate contact grill. All grilled patties of the various species (veal, beef, pork, lamb, horse, venison, turkey, chicken, ostrich) contained several HAs such as MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline; 0.5-1.4 ng/g), 4,8-DiMeIQx (2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline, 0 to 1.3 ng/g), PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine, 1.2 to 10.5 ng/g), harman (1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b] indole; 0.5 to 3.2 ng/g), and/or norharman (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole 0.5 to 1.9 ng/g). Residual glycogen (glucose) content varied greatly from 0.07 to 1.46 wt% on a dry matter (DM) basis. Total creatin(in)e content in raw meat (1.36 to 2.0 wt% DM) hardly differed between species, except in turkey and ostrich (1.1 wt% DM). Chicken contained, compared to all other species, very low concentrations of glucose (0.07 wt% DM) and the highest levels of nonprotein nitrogen compounds. The free amino acids lysine (r = 0.77, P < 0.001), tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, isoleucine, and aspartic acid (r = 0.47-0.56, P < 0.05) showed significant correlation to PhIP in chicken. Also a linear correlation was found to exist between PhIP (r = 0.87, P < 0.001) and MeIQx (r = 0.35, P < 0.01), and the molar ratio of creatin(in)e to glucose, respectively. Harman as co-mutagens was linearly correlated to the concentration of glucose (r = 0.65, P < 0.001). By contrast, norharman was not significant correlated to glucose levels.

Direct activation of the proposed anti-diabetic receptor, GPR119 in cardiomyoblasts decreases markers of muscle metabolic activity.

GPR119 agonists are emerging rapidly as a pharmaceutical treatment of diabetes. Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease yet the cardiac-specific consequences of GPR119 activation are unknown. This study demonstrated that GPR119 agonism in cardiac myoblasts reduces metabolic activity in high and low concentrations of fatty acids, with high concentrations of palmitate largely attenuating the effects of the GPR119 agonist, PSN632408. The effects of GPR119 activation on gene and protein markers of metabolism were dependent on fatty acid exposure. Activating GPR119 did not affect cell hypertrophy of lipid accumulation regardless of lipid exposure. These results suggest that the pathways activated in response to GPR119 modulation in cardiac muscle cells differ between healthy and metabolically dysregulated states. However regardless of the pathway activated by GPR119, these effects may cause detrimental reductions to oxidative/metabolic capacity under both conditions. Thus further development of GPR119 agonists for treating metabolic diseases is warranted.

Synthesis of a natural product-like compound collection through oxidative cleavage and cyclization of linear peptides.

Massive efforts in molecular library synthesis have strived for the development of synthesis methodology which systematically delivers natural product-like compounds of high spatial complexity. Herein, we present a conceptually simple approach that builds on the power of solid-phase peptide synthesis to assemble precursor peptides (oligomers) designed to undergo oxidative cascade reactions. By harnessing the structural side-chain diversity and inherent stereochemical features offered by readily available amino acids (monomers), a proof-of-concept collection of 54 skeletally and stereochemically diverse compounds was generated, and selected compounds were elaborated into isoform-selective metalloprotease inhibitors.

Stimulating ß-cell regeneration by combining a GPR119 agonist with a DPP-IV inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Activating G-protein coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) by its agonists can stimulate glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) release. GLP-1 is rapidly degraded and inactivated by dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV). We studied the efficiency of combining PSN632408, a GPR119 agonist, with sitagliptin, a DPP-IV inhibitor, on ß-cell regeneration in diabetic mice. MATERIALS & METHODS: Diabetes in C57BL/6 mice was induced by streptozotocin. PSN632408 and sitagliptin alone or in combination were administered to diabetic mice for 7 weeks along with BrdU daily. Nonfasting blood glucose levels were monitored. After treatment, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), plasma active GLP-1 levels, ß-cell mass along with α- and ß-cell replication, and ß-cell neogenesis were evaluated. RESULTS: Normoglycemia was not achieved in vehicle-treated mice. By contrast, 32% (6 of 19) of PSN632408-treated diabetic mice, 36% (5 of 14) sitagliptin-treated diabetic mice, and 59% (13 of 22) diabetic mice treated with PSN632408 and sitagliptin combination achieved normoglycemia after 7 weeks treatment. Combination therapy significantly increased plasma active GLP-1 levels, improved glucose clearance, stimulated both α- and ß-cell replication, and augmented ß-cell mass. Furthermore, treatment with combination therapy induced ß-cell neogenesis from pancreatic duct-derived cells. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that combining a GPR119 agonist with a DPP-IV inhibitor may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for stimulating ß-cell regeneration and reversing diabetes.

N-heterocyclic dronic acids: applications and synthesis.

Substituted hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acid derivatives--either as dronic acids or their dronate sodium salts, are important pharmaceuticals in the treatment of diseases arising from excessive bone-resorption. Potential has also been identified in areas ranging from parasite-growth inhibition to immunological and cancer therapeutics. Representative clinically relevant N-heterocyclic derivatives include zoledronic and risedronic acids. The biochemical background and mechanism of action of these drugs are discussed, along with trends in structural development and future prospects. Synthetic routes to dronates are then summarized. The most popular route to valuable dronic acids involves the 3- component condensation of a substituted acetic acid, phosphorous acid, and phosphorus trichloride. However, the protocols recorded in the literature are very diverse. This review gives a critical account of reported methods, explores the contradictions and suggests a practical synthetic procedure after clarifying the inconsistencies described. Possible mechanisms of the reaction are also discussed.

Cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of Cu(II), Co(II), Pt(II) and Zn(II) Complexes with N,O-chelating heterocyclic carboxylates.

A series of Cu(II), Co(II), Pt(II) and Zn(II) coordination compounds has been prepared by the reaction of the metal chlorides with pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, imidazole-4-carboxylic acid, benzimidazole-2-carboxylic acid and 1-methylimidazole-2-carboxylic acid. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-VIS, elemental analysis, and some by (1) H-NMR, X-ray crystallography, HPLC and LC/MS spectroscopy. All complexes consist of a 2:1 ratio of ligand to metal ion. IR and X-ray crystallography show that coordination is through the nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen donor atoms of the ligand to form chelating rings. DFT calculations predict that the trans-coordinated isomers are thermodynamically more stable than their cis-forms. Only one of five complexes studied by X-ray crystallography, Cu(II) complex of 1-methylimidazole-2-carboxylic acid showed a cis-configured metal ion center. HPLC analysis indicated that Pt(II) complex of 1-methylimidazole-2-carboxylic acid is dominated (>90%) by the trans-configured complex. All other complexes showed one isomer, presumably the trans-form. The cytotoxic activity was investigated in human cancer cell lines in vitro; only the Pt(II) complexes were active. The antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains and one fungi was estimated by the MIC method and best results were found amongst the Co(II) complexes. These results indicate that trans-coordinated bischelating N,O-heterocyclic carboxylates of Pt(II) are an interesting new class of potential antitumor agents.

Dinuclear copper complexes of organic claw: potent inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases.

Three dinuclear copper complexes of organic claw ligands (2,2',2″,2'''-(5-R-2-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)bis(azanetriyl)tetraacetic acid, R=methyl (H(5)L1), chloro (H(5)L2) and bromo (H(5)L3)): [Cu(2)NaL1(H(2)O)(2)] (1), [Cu(2)HL2(H(2)O)(2)] (2), [Cu(2)NaL3(H(2)O)(2)] (3), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectra, thermo-gravimetric analyses, X-ray diffraction analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectra, pH-potentiometric titration, molar conductivity. Their inhibitory effects against human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TCPTP), Megakaryocyte protein tyrosinephosphatase 2 (PTP-MEG2), srchomology phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) and srchomology phosphatase 2 (SHP-2) are evaluated in vitro. The three copper complexes exhibit potent and almost same inhibition against PTP1B and SHP-1 with IC(50) values ranging from 0.15 to 0.31µM, about 2-fold stronger inhibition than against PTP-MEG2, 10-fold stronger inhibition than against TCPTP, but almost no inhibition against SHP-2. Kinetic analysis indicates that they are reversible competitive inhibitors of PTP1B. Molecular docking analyses confirm the inhibition model. Fluorescence titration studies suggest that the complexes bond to PTP1B with the formation of a 1:1 complex. The results demonstrate that copper complexes that are potent PTPs inhibitors but have different inhibitory effects over different PTPs, may be explored as new practical inhibitors towards individual PTP with some specificity.

Endogenous and synthetic agonists of GPR119 differ in signalling pathways and their effects on insulin secretion in MIN6c4 insulinoma cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: GPR119 is a G protein-coupled receptor that is preferentially expressed in islet cells and mediates insulin secretion. Oleoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine and oleoylethanolamide (OEA) act as endogenous ligands for this receptor, whereas PSN375963 and PSN632408 are two recently reported synthetic agonists. In this study, we explored mechanisms underlying GPR119-induced insulin secretion. In addition, we assessed the potential utility of the synthetic agonists as tools for exploring GPR119 biology. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We examined natural and synthetic GPR119 agonist activity at GPR119 in MIN6c4 and RINm5f insulinoma cells. We evaluated insulin secretion, intracellular calcium [Ca(2+)](i), ion channel involvement and levels of cAMP. KEY RESULTS: We report that increases in insulin secretion induced by OEA were associated with increased cAMP and a potentiation of glucose-stimulated increases in [Ca(2+)](i). We also demonstrate that ATP-sensitive K(+) and voltage-dependent calcium channels were required for GPR119-mediated increases in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In contrast to OEA, the synthetic GPR119 agonist PSN375963 and PSN632408 have divergent effects on insulin secretion, cAMP and intracellular calcium in MIN6c4 cells. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The endogenous ligand OEA signals through GPR119 in a manner similar to glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its receptor with respect to insulin secretion, [Ca(2+)](i) and cAMP. In addition, PSN375963 and PSN632408 substantially differ from OEA and from one another. These studies suggest that the commercially available synthetic agonists, although they do activate GPR119, may also activate GPR119-independent pathways and are thus unsuitable as GPR119-specific pharmacological tools.

Agonist lead identification for the high affinity niacin receptor GPR109a.

A strategy for lead identification of new agonists of GPR109a, starting from known compounds shown to activate the receptor, is described. Early compound triage led to the formulation of a binding hypothesis and eventually to our focus on a series of pyrazole acid derivatives. Further elaboration of these compounds provided a series of 5,5-fused pyrazoles to be used as lead compounds for further optimization.

Synthesis and growth inhibition activity of alpha-bromoacrylic heterocyclic and benzoheterocyclic derivatives of distamycin A modified on the amidino moiety.

The design, synthesis and in vitro activities of novel alpha-bromoacryloyl pyrazole, imidazole and benzoheterocyclic derivatives of distamycin A, in which the amidino moiety has been replaced by moieties of different physico-chemical features are described, and the structure-activity relationships are discussed. In spite of the relevance of these modifications on the distamycin frame, these derivatives showed significant growth inhibitory activity against mouse leukemia L1210 cells. Therefore, the presence of the amidino moiety, and in general of a basic moiety, is not an absolute requirement for biological activity of alpha-bromoacrylic derivatives of distamycin.

Toxocaríase visceral / Visceral toxocariasis

Larva migrans visceral é uma infecção universal que ocorre mais frequentemente em crianças menores de 10 anos de idade, caracterizada por febre, hepatomegalia, doença pulmonar e eosinofilia. O agente é o ascaris intestinal de cães e gatos. O benefício das drogas anti-helmínticas não está definido. O tratamento com tiabendazol, albendazol ou mebendazol está indicado nas complicações da doença. A transmissão da infecção pode ser prevenida estimulando as crianças a lavarem suas mãos após brincarem em áreas onde há cães