Prostaglandin Derivatives: Nonaromatic Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi.

Ten new prostaglandin derivatives (PGs), sarcoehrendins A-J (1-10), together with five known analogues (11-15) were isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton ehrenbergi. Compounds 4-8 represented the first examples of PGs featuring an 18-ketone group. The structures including the absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. All of the isolates and six synthetic analogues (3a, 3b, 4a, and 11a-11c) were screened for inhibitory activity against phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), which is a drug target for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Compounds 2, 10, 11a, 11b, and 13-15 exhibited inhibition with IC50 values less than 10 µM, and compound 15 (IC50 = 1.4 µM) showed comparable activity to the positive control rolipram (IC50 = 0.60 µM). The active natural PGs (2, 10, and 13-15) represent the first examples of PDE4 inhibitors without an aromatic moiety, and a preliminary structure-activity relationship is also proposed.

Determination of prostaglandin profiles in lipopolysaccharide-challenged guinea pig spleen.

We previously reported that splenic extract from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged guinea pigs inhibits the exaggerated febrile response of splenectomized guinea pigs, suggesting that the spleen generates an inhibitory factor. Earlier results indicate that the factor is a lipid. In an effort to identify this factor, lipid fractions, isolated from splenic extracts of control and LPS-challenged guinea pigs, were analyzed with emphasis on identifying and quantifying prostanoids, which according to current knowledge are the likely bioactive factors. Prostaglandins have been extensively implicated in central and peripheral thermoregulation, and thus these lipids were targeted for characterization in the spleen. Analysis was done on the splenic extracts using solid-phase extraction, analytical and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Four prostaglandins (PGs, 6-keto-PGF(1α) , PGF(2α) , PGE(2) and PGD(2) ) were identified and quantified. Our data shows that these PG levels are doubled in LPS-treated guinea pig spleen compared with the control group. The methods used in this investigation to characterize PG in the spleen offer significant advantages over immunoassays previously used to identify and quantify PG in the spleen and other biological tissues. These methods will be utilized in further research needed to definitively characterize the role of splenic-derived PG in modulation of the febrile response induced by LPS.

Intravascular filarial parasites elaborate cyclooxygenase-derived eicosanoids.

The nematode parasites that cause human lymphatic filariasis survive for long periods in their vascular habitats despite continual exposure to host cells. Since prostanoids formed from arachidonic acid can modulate interactions among platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells, we examined whether intravascular nematode parasites can elaborate prostanoids. Microfilariae of Brugia malayi utilize exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid to generate and release two predominant prostanoids, prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2. Filarial metabolism of host fatty acids to form these vasodilatory, antiaggregatory, and immunomodulatory eicosanoids provides a means by which these helminthic parasites may influence host immune and other cellular responses.

Evidence that the bone resorption-stimulating factor produced by mouse fibrosarcoma cells is prostaglandin E 2 . A new model for the hypercalcemia of cancer.

A transplantable mouse fibrosarcoma, HSDM(1), produces a potent bone resorption-stimulating factor. The factor can be extracted from the tumor tissue and harvested from the medium of clonal strains of HSDM(1) tumor cells growing in monolayer culture. It has several chemical and biological properties of a prostaglandin. Using radioimmunoassay techniques, we have shown that HSDM(1) cells synthesize and secrete large quantities of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). The specific bone resorption-stimulating activity of the HSDM(1) factor extracted from the tumor is high and approximately equal to that of PGE(2) as measured in a bone tissue culture system in vitro. Indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of PGE(2) synthesis in HSDM(1) cells, also inhibits production by the cells of the bone resorption-stimulating factor, and has no detectable nonspecific effects on the bone culture assay system. Mice bearing the HSDM(1) tumor have higher levels of both calcium and PGE(2) in serum than control mice. We conclude that PGE(2) is the bone resorption-stimulating factor produced by HSDM(1) tumor cells, and that secretion of PGE(2) by the tumor in vivo accounts for the relative hypercalcemia observed in tumor-bearing animals. The HSDM(1) tumor cell system constitutes a new model for studying the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia associated with certain malignant tumors.

New cytotoxic prostanoids from Taiwanese soft coral Clavularia viridis.

Chemical investigation of the AcOEt/MeOH extract of Clavularia viridis collected in Taiwan has afforded four new prostanoids, named claviridins A-D (1-4, resp.). The structures of compounds 1-4 were determined on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques, including COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY experiments. Pharmacological studies revealed that compounds 1-4 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against human cancer cells.

Prostaglandin-like fatty acid derivatives from Artemisia anomala.

Four prostaglandin-like fatty acid derivatives anomalone A-D (1-4) were isolated from the aerial part of Artemisia anomala S. Moore. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses.

Prostaglandins in human seminal fluid: two novel compounds.

Human seminal fluid frozen immediately after ejaculation contains two novel prostaglandins. These are present in larger quantities than the previously reported prostaglandins. They are characterized by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry as 19-hydroxyprostaglandins E1 and E2. Most of the previously identified prostaglandins may be artifacts.

Bioactive marine prostanoids from octocoral Clavularia viridis.

Chemical investigation of the nonpolar extract of soft coral Clavularia viridis resulted in isolation of five new prostanoids, designated as claviridic acids A-E (1-5, resp.), in addition to the known clavulones I-III. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic techniques, especially HR-ESI-MS, CD, and 2D-NMR experiments. The isolated marine prostanoids exhibited potent inhibitory effect on PHA-induced proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as significant cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer cells (AGS).

Targeted profiling of arachidonic acid and eicosanoids in rat tissue by UFLC-MS/MS: Application to identify potential markers for rheumatoid arthritis.

We describe a method for the targeted analysis of bioactive arachidonic acid metabolites through cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway in knee joint, liver, kidney, spleen and heart using an ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass (UFLC-MS/MS) method. Method validation was investigated, including linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, extraction recovery and stability for the simultaneous analysis of prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxanes (TXs), leukotrienes (LTs) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). The method enables us to chromatographically separate branched-chain species from their straight-chain isomers as well as separate biologically important eicosanoids. The concentrations of the following major eicosanoids were significantly increased in rheumatoid arthritis model rats than in normal ones: 5-HETE, 8-HETE, 12-HETE, 15-HETE, PGF2α, TXB2, 5-HpETE, LTE4, PGE2, PGD2, LTB4. Further multivariate data analysis (partial least square-discriminant analysis) showed COX products (PGs, TXs) were readily distributed towards liver and kidney, LOX products (LTs, HETEs) towards knee joint and spleen, and heart had no characteristic metabolites. The method described here offers a useful tool for the evaluation of complex regulatory eicosanoids responses in RA disease states and provides support for use of dual inhibitors of COX and LOX enzymes on RA treatment.

Evidence for prostanoid biosynthesis as a biochemical feature of certain subclasses of non-small cell carcinomas of the lung as determined in established cell lines derived from human lung tumors.

Detectable levels (greater than or equal to 0.2 pmol/10(6) cells) of one or more prostanoid species resultant to calcium ionophore A23187-induced biosynthesis from endogenous arachidonic acid were distributed in 28 cell lines derived from different histological classes of lung tumors as follows: large cell undifferentiated carcinoma (3 of 3 cell lines); adenosquamous carcinoma (1 of 2 cell lines); squamous cell carcinoma (0 of 2 cell lines); adenocarcinoma (9 of 10 cell lines); bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (2 of 2 cell lines); and small cell carcinoma (1 of 9 cell lines). Using the mean levels of 9 alpha,11 beta-prostaglandin F2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin D2, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha as an index of prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase activity, the distribution in cell lines representative of the different histological classes of human lung tumors exhibiting PGH synthase activity exceeding mean values greater than or equal to 2 pmol/10(6) cells was as follows: large cell undifferentiated carcinoma (3 of 3 cell lines), adenosquamous carcinoma (1 of 2 cell lines), adenocarcinoma (8 of 10) cell lines), bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (2 of 2 cell lines) and small cell carcinoma (0 of 9 cell lines). Three different prostanoid species accumulated to mean levels greater than or equal to 2 pmol/10(6) cells. Prostaglandin E2 levels exceeded 2 pmol/10(6) cells in 14 of the 16 cell lines in which this prostanoid accumulated to detectable levels. Cumulative levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha exceeded 2 pmol/10(6) cells in 9 of the 15 cell lines in which prostaglandin F2 alpha reached detectable levels. Detectable levels of thromboxane B2 were observed in five cell lines with thromboxane B2 accumulation exceeding 2 pmol/10(6) cells in two of the five cell lines. 9 alpha,11 beta-prostaglandin F2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha accumulated to detectable levels in the culture medium of one cell line, while prostaglandin D2 accumulation to detectable levels was observed in two cell lines. Stimulation of cultured human lung tumor cells exhibiting PGH synthase activity greater than or equal to 2 pmol/10(6) cells in the presence of 10(-5) M exogenous arachidonic acid resulted in a 2- to 4-fold increase in the accumulation of individual prostanoids, while the inclusion of a 10(-5) M exogenous concentration of arachidonic acid failed to stimulate detectable prostanoid production in human lung tumor cells in which PGH synthase activity was not previously expressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Isolation and identification of prostaglandin E2 from gastrointestinal tract of shark Triakis scyllia.

A prostaglandin was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of the shark Triakis scyllia and identified as prostaglandin E2 by bioassay, thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, ultraviolet absorption spectrometry and mass spectrometry. The fatty acid composition of the tissue was also determined. The amount of eicosatetraenoic acid in this tissue was 17.2% of the total fatty acids, but the percentages of eicosatrienoic acid and eicospentaenoid acid were low.

Metabolism of eicosapentaenoic acid by aorta: formation of a novel 13-hydroxylated prostaglandin.

We have investigated the metabolism by fetal calf aorta of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6), two polyunsaturated fatty acids found in high concentrations in marine oils. The major product formed from 20:5 by particulate fractions from fetal calf aorta is delta 17-6-oxoprostaglandin F1 alpha. In addition, we detected a novel isomer of delta 17-6-oxoprostaglandin F1 alpha, in which a hydroxyl group is present in the 13-position instead of the 15-position. Eicosapentaenoic acid is also converted to 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-heptadecatetraenoic acid as well as to five monohydroxy isomers with hydroxyl groups present in the 11, 12, 14, 15, and 18 positions. Although 20:5 was metabolized at about one-third the rate of arachidonic acid (20:4), greater amounts of monohydroxy fatty acids, the major one being the 11-hydroxy metabolite, were formed from 20:5. Unlike 20:5, 22:6 was not metabolized to any detectable products by fetal calf aorta, but both of these polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibited the oxygenation of 20:4 by cyclooxygenase from aorta with IC50 values of 4.1 microM (22:6) and 15 microM (20:5). These results suggest that 20:5 has a high affinity for cyclooxygenase, but that the intermediate 11-oxygenated intermediate has a lower affinity than the corresponding intermediate from 20:4, resulting in a greater loss of substrate after a single oxygenation. The formation of oxygenation products from both 20:4 and 20:5 was inhibited by 13-hydroperoxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (13hp-18:2). The IC50 values for inhibition of cyclooxygenase products by 13hp-18:2 were about twice as high as those for inhibition of prostacyclin synthase products. Consequently, there was little diversion of prostaglandin endoperoxides to other prostaglandins in the presence of 13hp-18:2.

Biosynthesis of 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin E1 and F1 alpha from 5,6-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid by ram seminal vesicles.

cis-5(6)Epoxy-cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid was recently found to be metabolized by ram seminal vesicles to 5-hydroxyprostaglandin I 1 alpha and 5-hydroxyprostaglandin I 1 beta, 5(6)epoxyprostaglandin E1 and 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin E1. The epoxide can be hydrolyzed by epoxide hydrolases to 5,6-dihydroxy-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid. The latter was incubated with microsomes of ram seminal vesicles for 2 min at 37 degrees C and the polar metabolites were purified by reversed phase HPLC and analyzed by capillary column gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major metabolite was identified as 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin F 1 alpha. In the presence of glutathione (1 mM), 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin E1 was also formed. The 3H-labelled vicinal diol and the 3H-labelled epoxide were metabolized to polar products to a similar extent, but the formation of prostaglandin E compounds in the presence of glutathione was lower from the diol than from the epoxide or from arachidonic acid. The likely prostaglandin endoperoxide intermediates in the metabolism of the diol (5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin G1 and 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin H1) thus appear to be less prone to be isomerized to prostaglandin E compounds than prostaglandins G2 and H2 and their 5(6)epoxy counterparts. 5(6)Epoxyprostaglandin E1 and 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin E1 can be chemically transformed into 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin B1. The latter can be analyzed by HPLC or by mass fragmentography, and a simple chemical synthesis of 5,6-dihydroxyprostaglandin B1 from prostaglandin E2 is described.

Lipid-mediator synthesis in peritoneal macrophages from mice injected with immunostimulants.

The metabolism of bioreactive lipid mediators was studied in two types of activated macrophages (M phi). We compared the capacity of resident and activated M phi to release, upon a zymosan challenge, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products as well as PAF-acether (platelet-activating factor) and its 2-lyso precursor. Activated M phi were obtained from mice injected intraperitoneally either with nonviable C74 streptococci (St-M phi) or with trehalose dimycolate, a defined immunostimulant isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TDM-M phi). Both activated populations exhibited common features: conversion of endogenous [14C]arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2 rather than into prostaglandin I2 and low biosynthesis of PAF-acether, probably due to an impairment of the acetylation step. However, contrary to St-M phi, TDM-M phi did not display a marked overall reduction of arachidonate metabolism. In addition, as compared to resident M phi, TDM-M phi presented a ratio of thromboxane B2/6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha 30-fold higher, a better conversion of leukotriene C to leukotriene D and a higher capacity to release the PAF-acether they synthesize. These macrophages thus seem to be valuable tools for studying the formation of mediators and for determining specific markers of an activated state.

Interaction of prostaglandins with blood plasma proteins. I. Binding of prostaglandin E 2 to human plasma proteins and its effect on the physiological activity of prostaglandin E 2 in vitro and in vivo.

PIP: The binding of (PGE2) prostaglandin E2 to human plasma proteins was investigated by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography and acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and quantitatively assessed by equilibrium dialysis. PGE2 added to human plasma in vitro was found to become mainly bound to plasma albumin. This binding was also demonstrated by adding PGE2 to human serum albumin solutions. The binding of PGE2 to human serum albumin inhibits the contraction-producing effect of PGE2 on the isolated gerbil colon in vitro. The depressor effect of PGE2 on the rat blood pressure was used to assess the in vivo effect of PGE2 albumin interaction. The blood pressure lowering activities of free and albumin-bound PGE2 were found to be the same when administered either intravenously or intraarterially. The significance of these observations with regard to estimation of PG concentration in whole blood or plasma, and their possible effects on PG metabolism is discussed.^ieng

Re-evaluation of thin layer chromatography as an alternative method for the quantification of prostaglandins from rat Kupffer cells.

In contrast to conventionally used immunoassays, thin layer chromatography (TLC)--by prelabeling of cells with radioactive arachidonic acid (AA)--allows to differentiate between cellularly built and added prostanoids and thus to investigate feedback effects of prostanoids on their own release. PGD2, TXB2 and PGE2 released from zymosan-stimulated Kupffer cells were separated with distinct RF-values, corresponding to those of the pure substances. Quantification of PGD2 and PGE2 gave comparable results with TLC and immunoassays, but measurement in the presence of added prostanoids was only possible with TLC. Moreover TLC was superior to immunoassays in having a longer linear range while being comparably sensitive. Cellularly built TXB2 in its radioactively labeled form was not detectable by TLC. Inhibition of TXB2 release by externally added AA or technical artifacts were excluded, suggesting that the cellular AA-pools used for prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis differ in their accessibility for added AA. Thus, TLC is a simple, sensitive and precise method for the quantification of cellularly built prostaglandins but not of thromboxane even in the presence of added prostanoids.

Separation of major prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and monoHETEs by high performance liquid chromatography.

A procedure using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described for the separation of major primary cyclooxygenase metabolites (prostacyclin metabolite-6ketoPGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, and prostaglandins F2 alpha, E2, and D2), leukotrienes (C4, B4, and D4), monohydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (15-, 11-, 12-, and 5HETEs), and free arachidonic acid. It is therefore possible to quantitate major arachidonic acid metabolites by a single chromatographic procedure. Using this technique we have determined that a major arachidonic acid metabolite of human lung macrophages co-elutes with leukotriene B4.

Punaglandins, chlorinated prostaglandins, function as potent Michael receptors to inhibit ubiquitin isopeptidase activity.

Cyclopentenone prostaglandins exhibit unique antineoplastic activity and are potent growth inhibitors in a variety of cultured cells. Recently the dienone prostaglandin, Delta(12)-PGJ(2), was shown to preferentially inhibit ubiquitin isopeptidase activity of the proteasome pathway. It is theorized that isopeptidase inhibition and general cytotoxicity of prostaglandins depend on olefin-ketone conjugation, electrophilic accessibility, and the nucleophilic reactivity of the endocyclic beta-carbon. Delta(12)-PGJ(2), which contains a cross-conjugated alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone, was a potent inhibitor of isopeptidase activity, whereas PGA(1) and PGA(2) with simple alpha,beta-unsaturated pentenones were significantly less potent and PGB(1) with a sterically hindered alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone was inactive. To further investigate the proposed mechanism, punaglandins, which are highly functional cyclopentadienone and cyclopentenone prostaglandins chlorinated at the endocyclic alpha-carbon position, were isolated from the soft coral Telesto riisei. They were then assayed for inhibition of ubiquitin isopeptidase activity and antineoplastic effects. The punaglandins were shown to inhibit isopeptidase activity and exhibit antiproliferative effects more potently than A and J series prostaglandins. Also, the cross-conjugated dienone punaglandin was more potent than the simple enone punaglandin. The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a vital component of cellular metabolism and may be a suitable target for antineoplastic agents. These newly characterized proteasome inhibitors may represent a new chemical class of cancer therapeutics.

Separation, identification, and estimation of prostaglandins.

PIP: The procedures which may be and are being used to provide a basis for the analysis of submicrogram quantitities of prostaglandins are surveyed. Discussion is focused on the following: 1) sources of standards; 2) properties (effect of different pH values, effect of blood, metabolism, solubility); 3) extraction; 4) detection; 5) estimation (ultraviolet, optical rotatory dispersion, densitometry, radioimmunoassay, enzymatic assay, isotopic methods, bioassay); 6) separation of prostaglandins (separation of PGE, PGF, and PGA with PGB compounds, separation of PGA and PGB compounds, and separation of individual prostaglandins); and 6) structural identification. Methods of prostaglandin analysis, with the required sensitivity for application to individual tissue and fluid specimens, are still in the developmental state. Although prostaglandins may be ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom, no systematic study of their distribution has been made to date. Recent work has shown that PGE1 has a potent effect on the formation of 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) which is widely believed to be an intracellular intermediate in hormone action.^ieng

The release of spasmogenic substances from human chopped lung tissue and its inhibition.

1. Human lung tissue, passively sensitized with reaginic antibodies, released prostaglandins E(1), E(2) and F(2alpha) in addition to histamine and slow reacting substance (SRS-A), when exposed to the appropriate antigen. No rabbit aorta contracting substance (RCS) was detected.2. Experiments with rats and guinea-pigs showed that the release of RCS is not confined to anaphylactic reactions mediated by non-reaginic antibodies but may be a feature of anaphylaxis in guinea-pigs alone.3. Human lung tissue gently agitated with a blunt nylon rod liberated an E-type prostaglandin and RCS in addition to histamine and SRS-A.4. Human isolated bronchial muscle was contracted by RCS.5. Disodium cromoglycate antagonized the release of prostaglandins during anaphylaxis but not during agitation of human lung tissue, whereas indomethacin blocked the release of prostaglandins during agitation and anaphylaxis.6. The release of an E-type prostaglandin during anaphylaxis in human lung tissue, which inhibits the further release of histamine could be another example of the regulatory role of prostaglandins in body functions.