Non-enzymatic reduction of a 1,2,4-thiadiazolium derivative.

It was discovered that 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-5-phenylamino-[1,2,4]-thiadiazolium bromide (1), a 1,2,4-thiadiazolium derivative, could be reduced to the corresponding imidoylthiourea, 1-[(2-methoxy-phenyl)-(2-methoxy-phenylimino)-methyl]-3-phenyl-thiourea (3), by some biologically interesting reducing reagents including glutathione, cysteine, and ascorbic acid. The reduction also occurred in Sprague-Dawley rat and Yorkshire swine plasma, suggesting that thiol containing biological molecules existing in the plasma are mainly responsible for this reaction. A facile method for preparation of 3 from 1 was established by using 2-thioethanol as reaction reagent as well as solvent. The structure of 3 was fully characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization source (ESI-MS). Those new findings could shed light on the development of 1,2,4-thiadiazolium derivatives for their potential pharmaceutical applications.

A phase I trial of alfimeprase for peripheral arterial thrombolysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety profile, pharmacokinetics, and thrombolytic activity of alfimeprase, a novel direct-acting thrombolytic agent, in patients with chronic peripheral arterial occlusion (PAO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, open-label, single-dose, dose-escalation study, 20 patients with worsening symptoms of lower extremity ischemia within 6 months of enrollment were treated with alfimeprase in five escalating dose cohorts (0.025 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg) by means of intraarterial and sometimes intrathrombic pulsed infusion. The primary endpoint was safety assessed by adverse event rates. Additional safety assessments included vital sign monitoring, serum chemistry testing, hematologic testing, and coagulation testing for 28 days after the procedure, as well as alpha2-macroglobulin and antialfimeprase antibody testing for as long as 3 months after treatment. Pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated with use of an assay that measures free and alpha2-macroglobulin-bound (ie, total) alfimeprase. RESULTS: No patient experienced a hemorrhagic adverse event. Mean plasminogen and fibrinogen concentrations were not substantially altered by treatment. Three transient treatment-related adverse events were reported in the same patient: one incidence each of increased blood fibrinogen level, skin rash, and headache. All three adverse events were graded as mild. The pharmacokinetic profile of alfimeprase suggested that the half-life for total alfimeprase ranges from 11 to 54 minutes (median, 25 min) in patients with PAO. The serum alpha2-macroglobulin concentrations decreased transiently in a dose response-like manner between 12 and 24 hours and returned to within normal limits approximately 14 days after alfimeprase exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Alfimeprase in doses as high as 0.5 mg/kg was generally well-tolerated in patients with chronic PAO. No bleeding complications were noted. The stable fibrinogen concentrations suggest that the activity of alfimeprase may be limited to the target thrombus. Alfimeprase holds the potential to achieve dissolution of thrombus with a diminished risk of hemorrhage.