Cytotoxic Mechanism of Excess Polyamines Functions through Translational Repression of Specific Proteins Encoded by Polyamine Modulon.

Excessive accumulation of polyamines causes cytotoxicity, including inhibition of cell growth and a decrease in viability. We investigated the mechanism of cytotoxicity caused by spermidine accumulation under various conditions using an Escherichia coli strain deficient in spermidine acetyltransferase (SAT), a key catabolic enzyme in controlling polyamine levels. Due to the excessive accumulation of polyamines by the addition of exogenous spermidine to the growth medium, cell growth and viability were markedly decreased through translational repression of specific proteins [RMF (ribosome modulation factor) and Fis (rRNA transcription factor) etc.] encoded by members of polyamine modulon, which are essential for cell growth and viability. In particular, synthesis of proteins that have unusual locations of the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence in their mRNAs was inhibited. In order to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity by the excessive accumulation of spermidine, the spermidine-dependent structural change of the bulged-out region in the mRNA at the initiation site of the rmf mRNA was examined using NMR analysis. It was suggested that the structure of the mRNA bulged-out region is affected by excess spermidine, so the SD sequence of the rmf mRNA cannot approach initiation codon AUG.

Green conventional and first-order derivative fluorimetry methods for determination of trimebutine and its degradation product (eudesmic acid). Emphasis on the solvent and pH effects on their emission spectral properties.

In this report, the fluorescence properties of the antimuscarinic drug trimebutine maleate (TRB) were fully studied and characterized. TRB exhibited intrinsic fluorescence that is greatly dependent on the local environmental factors including the solvent nature and the pH. Yet, its fluorescence was not significantly influenced by the existence of some surface active agents and polymer. The outcomes of this investigation verified that TRB fluorescence emission is intense in ethanol: 1.0 M aqueous acetic acid (9:1, v/v) with emission maxima at 357 nm and excitation maxima at 270 nm. Whereas, going towards higher pH causes fluorescence quenching. These conditions permitted ultrasensitive fluorimetric determination of TRB over the concentration range of 2.00-1500.0 ng/mL with a lower detection limit of 0.40ng/mL Application for the determination of TRB in tablets, ampoule and suspension was successfully achieved with %recoveries ranged between 98.21-100.17%. Furthermore, a first order derivative fluorimetric method was validated for resolving and simultaneous determination of TRB and its degradation product and impurity, eudesmic acid (EUA) making use of the pH-mediated fluorescence spectral shift of EUA. An ethanolic solution containing acetate buffer (pH 5.3) was used for this goal with excitation at 255 nm and measurement of the first order derivative peak amplitudes at respective zero-crossing points of 375 and 351 nm over the corresponding concentration ranges of 20.00-500.00 and 10.00-300.00 ng/mL for TRB and EUA, respectively. The two methods were assessed regarding greenness and eco-friendship by the National Environmental Methods Index and analytical eco-scale score approaches which confirmed their excellent greenness and safety.

Discovery of a novel trimebutine metabolite and its impact on N-desmethyltrimebutine quantification by LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: A failure in incurred sample reanalysis (ISR) for N-desmethyltrimebutine (NDMT), during the analysis of a trimebutine-containing drug GIC-1001 Phase I study, led to the discovery of a never-before reported metabolite of trimebutine. RESULTS: A positive bias for NDMT during the ISR and post-reconstitution stability evaluations indicated the presence of an unstable metabolite of NDMT. Precursor ion scans performed on freshly extracted samples enabled the identification of this metabolite to be the NDMT glucuronide conjugate and its fragmentation pattern suggested that the glucuronide moiety was attached at the N-terminal of NDMT. CONCLUSIONS: An acidification step was introduced in the extraction procedure to completely hydrolyze the glucuronide and measure the total NDMT in plasma, rendering this method a successful fit-for-purpose assay.

Antinociceptive effect of (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine against a mechanical stimulus in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy.

Trimebutine (2-dimethylamino-2-phenylbutyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, hydrogen maleate) relieves abdominal pain in humans. In the present study, the antinociceptive action of systemic (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine, a stereoisomer of N-monodesmethyl trimebutine, the main metabolite of trimebutine in humans, was studied in a rat model of neuropathic pain produced by chronic constriction injury to the sciatic nerve. Mechanical (vocalization threshold to hindpaw pressure) stimulus was used. Experiments were performed two weeks after surgery when the pain-related behaviour has fully developed. (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine (1, 3, 10 mg/kg s.c.) produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects on the nerve-injured and the contralateral hindpaw. The effect of the lowest dose (1 mg/kg s.c.) of (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine on the nerve-injured paw was equal to that seen after a ten time stronger dose on the contralateral paw. The effect of (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine (1 mg/kg) was not naloxone reversible. The results suggest that systemic (S)-N-desmethyl trimebutine may be useful in the treatment of some aspects of neuropathic pain.

Interactions of trimebutine with guinea-pig opioid receptors.

Affinities of trimebutine (TMB) and N-desmethyl trimebutine (NDTMB) for mu, delta and kappa opioid receptor subtypes have been examined using specific 3H-ligands and guinea-pig membrane. TMB and NDTMB showed a relative higher affinity for the mu receptor subtype although they were, respectively, 30- and 48-fold less active than morphine. The receptor selectivity index for mu, delta and kappa were 100:12:14.4 for TMB, 100:32:25 for NDTMB and 100:5:5 for morphine. The sodium shift ratio was 14 for TMB, 10 for NDTMB and 37 for morphine. These data show that (unlike morphine, a pure mu agonist) TMB and NDTMB can be classified as weak opioid agonists and confirm that peripheral opioid receptors mediate their gastrointestinal motility effects.

Effects of orally vs. parenterally administrated trimebutine on gastrointestinal and colonic motility in dogs.

The influence of oral administration and intravenous infusion of trimebutine maleate (TMB) and N-desmethyl TMB (NDTMB), its main metabolite, was investigated in conscious dogs equipped with chronically implanted strain-gauges. In fasted dogs, TMB (10 to 20 mg/kg per os) delayed the occurrence of the next activity front on both stomach and duodenum by reinforcing the duration of the intestinal phase II. It also induced the occurrence of an additional migrating phase III. These effects were associated with a colonic stimulation generally followed by an inhibition. Comparatively NDTMB at similar dosages disrupted the antral cyclic phases which were replaced by continuous low amplitude contractions during 5-7 h. The MMC pattern persisted with a significant increase in the duration of phase II, and the colonic motility was inhibited during 4.3 to 6.7 h. Infused intravenously at a dose of 3 mg X kg-1 X h-1, TMB immediately inhibited the gastric cyclic contractions in fasted dogs. As for the oral route, the small bowel exhibited an increase in the duration of phase II frequently associated with the occurrence of an additional phase III. Furthermore an inhibition of the colonic motility was observed only at the end of the infusion and lasted at least 4 h. At similar dosage NDTMB had less pronounced inhibitory effects on gastric activity fronts and in contrast with TMB, the inhibitory effect on the colonic motility was observed as soon as the infusion of NDTMB started. These data demonstrate that orally administered TMB stimulates intestinal motility as previously described for i.v. route but in contrast to parenteral administration also stimulates antral and colonic motility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Involvement of opiate receptors in the mode of action of trimebutine]. / Participation des récepteurs opioïdes dans le mode d'action de la trimébutine.

Several studies in dogs, cats, rabbits and humans have suggested that the motility stimulating properties of trimebutine (TMB) are mediated by peripheral opiate receptors. The present work deals with the capacity of TMB and its N-desmethyl metabolite (NDTMB) to displace mu, delta and kappa specific ligands from their receptors using guinea-pig brain membranes and ileal myenteric plexus synaptosomal membrane preparations. The activity of both compounds on the twitch response induced by transmural stimulation on the guinea-pig ileum as well as the mouse and rabbit vas deferens was also investigated. These preparations have been proposed to be specific for the mu, delta and kappa receptor subtypes respectively. TMB (0.2 to 1.8 microM) and NDTMB (0.3 to 6 microM) displayed a good affinity for all receptor subtypes in brain and myenteric plexus preparations. Both compounds also inhibited the twitch response of all three isolated organ preparations. The decreasing order of IC50's of TMB ranged from 0.75 microM in the guinea-pig ileum to 7.1 and 39 microM in the vas deferens of the rabbit and the mouse respectively. These results indicate that TMB and NDTMB possess mu, delta as well as kappa agonist properties without true specificity for one or the other of these subtypes. They also confirm that activation of peripheral mu, delta and kappa opiate receptors mediate the gastrointestinal motility effect of TMB.

Local actions of trimebutine on canine gastrointestinal tract.

The local actions of trimebutine on the circular muscle of canine gastrointestinal tract were studied after close intraarterial injection. The effects resembled those of metenkephalin at all sites. In stomach, trimebutine had no excitatory effects, but inhibited responses mediated by cholinergic post-ganglionic nerves. In small intestine, trimebutine stimulated the quiet gut by probably both neural and direct smooth muscle mechanisms, and it inhibited the field-stimulated phasic contractions. In large intestine, trimebutine had no excitatory actions and only weak inhibitory actions on the field-stimulated gut. Excitatory actions most likely seem to use the mu or delta receptors while inhibitory actions may focus on kappa opiate receptors.

[Mode of action of trimebutine: involvement if opioid receptors]. / Mode d'action de la trimébutine. Implication des récepteurs opioïdes.

Several studies in dogs, cats, rabbits and humans have suggested that the motility-stimulating properties of trimebutine (TMB) are mediated by peripheral opiate receptors. The present work deals with the capacity of the drug and its N-desmethyl metabolite (NDTMB) to displace mu, delta and kappa specific ligands from their receptors using guinea-pig whole brain membranes and ileum myenteric plexus synaptosomes membranes. The activity of both compounds on the twitch response induced by transmural stimulation of the guinea-pig ileum and of the mouse and rabbit vas deferens was also investigated. These preparations have been claimed to be specific for the mu, delta and kappa receptor subtypes respectively. TMB (0.2 to 1.8 microM) and NDTMB (0.3 to 6 microM) displayed a good affinity for all receptor subtypes in brain and myenteric plexus preparations. The decreasing order of IC50 (50 per cent inhibitory concentration)'S of TMB ranged from 0.75 microM in the guinea-pig ileum to 7.1 and 39 microM in the vas deferens of the rabbit and the mouse respectively. These results indicate that TMB and NDTMB possess mu, delta as well as kappa agonistic properties without true specificity for one or the other of these subtypes. They also confirm that activation of peripheral mu, delta and kappa opiate receptors mediate the gastrointestinal motility effect of TMB.

Studies of metabolic pathways of trimebutine by simultaneous administration of trimebutine and its deuterium-labeled metabolite.

Trimebutine maleate (I), (+-)-2-dimethylamino-2-phenylbutyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrogen maleate, and a deuterium-labeled sample of its hydrolyzed metabolite, 2-dimethylamino-2-phenylbutanol-d3 (II-d3), were simultaneously administered to experimental animals at an oral dose of 10 or 50 mumol/kg, and distribution ratios of the two alternative initial metabolic steps, i.e., ester hydrolysis and N-demethylation, were estimated by determining the composition of the urinary alcohol-moiety metabolites, II, and its mono- and di-demethylated metabolites, III and IV, by GC/MS. In dogs, the order of quantities of the metabolites from II-d3 was II much greater than III much greater than IV, showing predominance of conjugation over N-demethylation. However, this order was reversed when the amounts of the metabolites from I were compared, indicating that I was preferentially metabolized by N-demethylation followed by ester hydrolysis and conjugation in this order. In rats, a considerable proportion of I was presumed to be metabolized by ester hydrolysis before N-demethylation. In in vitro experiments employing the liver microsomes and homogenates of liver and small intestine from rats and dogs, it was found that both ester-hydrolizing and N-demethylating activities were higher in rats than in dogs, and the conjugating activity was higher in dogs than in rats. It was also found that I, having a high lipophilicity, was more susceptible to N-demethylation than less lipophilic II. These results from the in vitro experiments could account for the species differences in the distribution ratio of the metabolic pathways of I in vivo.

Local actions of trimebutine maleate in canine small intestine.

A study of the local actions of trimebutine (TMB) maleate and its N-diesmethyl metabolite (TMB-M) was carried out in the gastrointestinal tract of anesthetized dogs. In the unstimulated small intestine, but not in the stomach or colon, i.a. TMB and TMB-M caused activation of circular muscle. Like the activation by i.a. [Met5]-enkephalin, this was antagonized by naloxone. In field-stimulated segments of stomach and small intestine circular muscle, TMB or TMB-M, like dynorphin-1-13 or [Met5]-enkephalin, inhibited the phasic and tonic contractions which were mediated mostly by cholinergic, postganglionic nerves. However, the inhibitory effects of dynorphin-1-13 or [Met5]-enkephalin on small intestine were antagonized by naloxone whereas those of TMB sometimes or those of TMB-M usually were not. TMB or TMB-M did not affect responses to i.a. acetylcholine, but high doses reduced the contractile responses to subsequent field stimulation and excitatory responses to [Met5]-enkephalin. We concluded that the excitatory local actions of TMB or TMB-M on small intestine involved opioid receptors probably of the mu or delta types. Inhibitory local actions on nerve-mediated responses, however, may not have involved opioid receptors. Comparison of these data to results when TMB or TMB-M were given i.v. suggests that these agents also have peripheral actions to affect gastrointestinal motility at sites outside the gastrointestinal tract.

The opioid receptor selectivity for trimebutine in isolated tissues experiments and receptor binding studies.

Differences of affinity to and selectivity for trimebutine between peripheral and central opioid receptors have been investigated. Trimebutine inhibited electrically induced contraction of guinea-pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) but not of rabbit vas deferens, and the inhibition was antagonized by naloxone and, to lesser extent, by nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). The pA2 values for morphine and trimebutine with naloxone were higher than the values for these compounds with nor-BNI in both GPI and MVD preparations. GPI preparations incubated with a high concentration of morphine or trimebutine developed tolerance; however, there was no cross-tolerance between them, suggesting difference in the underlying mechanisms. In mouse and guinea-pig brain homogenate trimebutine was about 1/13 as potent as morphine to displace the [3H]naloxone binding, while it has no appreciable affinity for kappa-opioid receptors in [3H]U-69593, a selective kappa-receptor agonist. These results suggest that trimebutine, showing its low affinity to opioid receptors, possesses mu-receptor selective properties rather than those of kappa-opioid receptor in the peripheral tissues and in the central brain homogenate.