The relationship between metabolism, DNA binding, and carcinogenicity of 15,16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta(alpha)phenanthren-17-one in the presence of a microsomal enzyme inhibitor.

The mean latent period for skin tumor production by the carcinogen 15, 16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta [alpha] phenanthren-17-one (Compound IVb) in the mouse was 30 weeks for a dose of 60 mug/week and about 45 weeks for 60 mug/week, while at 0.6 mug/week, no tumors were observed during 100 weeks. Simultaneous administration of the closely related noncarcinogen (IVa) (54 mug/week) together with the carcinogen at 60 mug/week had no effect on the mean latent period. Simultaneous administration of a threefold quantity of the microsomal enzyme inhibitor 7, 8-benzoflavone (I) with the carcinogen at the highest dose increased the mean latent period to 38 weeks, while at the intermediate dose it completely suppressed tumor formation. Neither ketone IVa nor IVb bound covalently to calf thymus DNA in vitro without prior metabolic activation. After incubation with rat liver microsomes and NADPH in the presence of air, both ketones bound covalently to added DNA in vitro, the noncarcinogen (IVa) about four times more extensively than the carcinogen (IVb), roughly in proportion to the overall extents to which these ketones were metabolized. In contrast, overall metabolism of the carcinogen (IVb) was somewhat increased by the addition of a threefold quantity of the inhibitor (I) to the incubation mixture, but binding to added DNA was almost completely prevented. These results are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that cellular DNA is the target of the carcinogen (IVb) for tumor initiation.

Mutagenic and carcinogenic metabolites of the carcinogen 15,16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one.

Microsomal metabolites of the carcinogen 15,16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one (Structure I) were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and their structures were established on the basis of their ultraviolet and mass spectra, together with considerations of their general chemical properties. This was assisted by comparisons with metabolites formed in the same way from the synthetic 15-hydroxy (Structure III), 16-hydroxy (Structure II), and 11-hydroxymethyl (Structure IV) derivatives, which themselves occur as metabolites of Structural I. Products derived from attack at the two benzo-ring double bonds occurred, but no K-region products were found. Only metabolites having a non-bay region 3,4-dihydrodiol system were mutagenic and bound to DNA after in vitro microsomal activation, and it was concluded that the 3,4-dihydro-3,4-diol (Metabolite e) was the main form and that the 3,4-diols of the monools (Structure II to IV) were minor proximate forms of this carcinogen. In a two-stage experiment, the synthetic 16-ol (Structure II) was shown to be almost as carcinogenic as was Structure I itself in mice; the 15-ol (Structure III) and 11-hydroxymethyl derivative (Structure IV) were much less active. The same order was also observed in the mutagenicity of these compounds in the Ames test.

Studies on the biochemical effects of the aldose reductase inhibitor 2,7-difluorospirofluorene-9,5'-imidazolidine-2',4'-dione (Al 1576, HOE 843). Detection of D-glucaric and D-glucuronic acid excretion by high resolution 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

The effects of two aldose reductase inhibitors on the biochemical composition of rat urine were investigated using high resolution 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. We report the elevated excretion of D-glucaric acid (DGA) and D-glucuronic acid (GCA) following treatment with 2,7-difluorospirofluorene-9,5'-imidazolidine-2'4'-dione (Imirestat, IM, Al 1576, HOE 843) at 50 mg/kg/day for 1 month, but not with 3-4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl-4-oxo-3-phthalazine-1-ylacetic acid (Ponalrestat, Statil), dosed at 50 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. Sugar aciduria was also detected following treatment with the cytochrome P450 inducer phenobarbitone (PB) at 45 mg/kg/day for 1 month, although the qualitative and quantitative pattern of excretion of sugar acids differed greatly between the IM and PB treatment groups. The levels of GCA excreted are elevated 11-fold by IM treatment from 19.0 to 210.0 mumol/24 hr, but only 2.5-fold by PB, from 9.7 to 23.9 mumol/24 hr. DGA was not detectable in control urine, although levels did increase by 30% during the study from 7.5 to 10.9 mumol/24 hr, between day 8 and day 29, with IM treatment, and by 60% from 1.7 to 4.9 mumol/24 hr following PB administration for the same time period. This predominant elevation of DGA and GCA caused by IM treatment far exceeds previous records. In contrast, PB treatment resulted in an increase in intensity of a number of partially resolved sugar resonances, but at a much lower level than resulted from IM treatment. A raised level of DGA and GCA is usually associated with hepatic P450 induction; however, we report here profound DGA and GCA uria as a result of the inhibition of the aldehyde reductase, hexonate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.19, EC 1.1.1.20). This mechanism is not closely linked to P450 induction, corroborating the current view that elevated excretion of DGA is not a reliable indicator of hepatic enzyme induction. This study further demonstrates the use of high resolution NMR spectroscopy in the detection of a novel biochemical effect which may go unnoticed during routine clinical chemistry tests.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of norethisterone in women after oral doses of ethynodiol diacetate.

Measurement by radioimmunoassay of plasma norethisterone (NE) has been used to compare the bioavailability of tablets containing ethynodiol diacetate (EDA) with that of a standard oral solution of this progestogen in 12 normal women. The tablets investigated were from three batches which showed different in vitro dissolution rates. There were no significant differences in the bioavailability of the tablet formulations, which were essentially bioequivalent to the solution. Peak blood levels of NE were reached within 4h of EDA administration in solution or tablets. After the peak, NE plasma levels declined in two phases, with a mean terminal elimination half lives of 4 to 6.9h. The pharmacokinetics of NE after EDA administration showed some similarity to those observed by other workers after oral doses of NE itself.

PIP: Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of norethisterone (NE) were studied in 12 women, aged 21-37 years, after oral doses of ethynodiol diacetate (EDA). Plasma NE levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, were used to compare the bioavailability of EDA tablets (Ovulen 50; 1 mg EDA plus .05 mg ethinyl estradiol) with that of a standard oral solution of EDA. The 3 different batches of tablets studied showed different in vitro dissolution rates, 82.6%, 94.6%, and 99% at 3 hours. No marked differences were seen in the bioavailability of the tablet formulations, which were essentially bioequivalent to the solution. Peak plasma NE levels were reached within 4 hours of EDA administration in solution or tablets. Following the peak, NE plasma levels declined in 2 phases, with mean terminal elimination 1/2-lives of 4-6.9 hours. These results have shown that small variations in in vitro dissolution rates do not affect the bioavailability of NE from tablets containing EDA.

Studies on the disposition of a 5-nitroimidazole in laboratory animals.

The disposition and metabolism of a 5-nitroimidazole compound (SC 28538) was investigated in the rat, beagle dog and rhesus monkey. The absorption of [14C]-SC 28538 was rapid and essentially complete after oral dosage in male animals, and also after intravaginal dosage in the female rat. Peak plasma levels of radioactivity occurred within 2 h of dosage. In the rat and dog the radioactivity was excreted predominantly in the faeces (greater than 60%) but in the monkey more than 60% was excreted in the urine. In both the male and pregnant female rat radioactivity was concentrated in the gastro-intestinal tract, liver and harderian gland and the concentrations of radioactivity in other tissues was generally lower than in plasma. Radioactivity was cleared more rapidly from plasma than from the majority of tissues. SC 28538 was extensively metabolised to form glucuronide and amino acid conjugates. The half-life of SC 28538 was of the order of 1 h in the dog and 3.7 h in the monkey.

Propantheline bromide plasma level, urinary excretion and pharmacological data in a comparison of the bioavailability of three oral formulations of Pro-Banthine.

To determine the comparative bioavailability of three oral formulations of propantheline bromide (PB) by both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, six normal men received three standard Pro-Banthine 15 mg tablets, two prolonged acting (PA) Pro-Banthine 30 mg tablets or one developmental PA Pro-Banthine 45 mg capsule, in a study of balanced random crossover design. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of the unchanged drug were measured after each treatment using a stable isotope dilution assay. Salivary secretion rate and heart rate measurements were also made at intervals after each medication. The standard Pro-Banthine formulation was significantly more bioavailable, weight for weight, than either the developmental PA capsule (45 mg), p less than 0.05, or the two 30 mg PA tablets (60 mg), p less than 0.01, based on urinary excretion and plasma levels of PB and on salivary secretion and heart rate data. There was no evidence of significant prolonged action for the PA formulations.

Plasma levels and urinary excretion of orally administered propantheline bromide in man.

After a single oral dose of 30 or 60 mg of propantheline bromide peak plasma levels of the drug were reached within 2 h in six healthy men. Mean peak plasma concentrations were 20.6 and 53.1 ng/ml after 30 mg and 60 mg respectively. The mean apparent absorption and elimination half-lives after 30 mg dose were 0.22 and 1.57 h respectively, and similar half-lives were found at the higher dose level. There was a dose related change in plasma levels and AUCinfinity of the drug, and some 3% to 4% of the administered dose of propantheline bromide was excreted unchanged in urine at each dose level. Comparison of the plasma levels and urinary excretion of the drug with those seen after i.v. administration in an earlier study indicated an apparently low systemic availability of orally administered propantheline bromide. There was tentative evidence of a qualitative relationship between the oral dose administered, plasma concentrations and the effects of propantheline bromide on salivary excretion.

Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trienes having intact and 13,17-seco-D-ring structures.

Electron impact mass spectra of 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one, its oxime, the homologous 18-norketone, 1-methyl-oestra-1,3,5(10),13(18)-tetraene-17-carbonitrile and the corresponding 13,17-seco epoxide are described. The major fragmentation pathways of these compounds are reported and discussed in relation to their structures, and the structures of the ions m/e 144, 157, 170 and 183 characteristic of the 1-methyl-oestratriene skeleton are described. The relative abundances of these characteristic ions were shown to relat to the presence or absence of a 13,17-seco-D-ring in these compounds.

Effective decision-making: progressing compounds through clinical development.

In today's drug-development environment, companies are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency and maintain returns on investment. Tomorrow's environment is likely to be harsher still, and companies that survive and prosper will be those that are already responding by re-inventing their structures and culture to meet the challenges that lie ahead. In this review, we explore some of the strategies and issues that are central to this process, with particular reference to decision-making in drug development.

Co-carcinogenicity of promoting agents.

An experiment is described to investigate whether coadministration of a promoting agent would enhance the carcinogenicity of a repeatedly administered complete carcinogen. Topical application of the strong carcinogen 15,16-dihydro-11-methylcyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one (I) in toluene containing 1% v/v croton oil is about five times more effective than applications in toluene alone, as judged from the respective mean latent periods. A similar effect is also apparent for benzo[a]pyrene.

Identification of a plasma metabolite of 5-(2-bromo-E-ethenyl)-2'-deoxyuridine.

A prominent plasma metabolite was detected in animals and man after oral administration of 5-(2-bromo-E- ethenyl )-2'-deoxyuridine. The metabolite was isolated by solvent extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography and was identified by mass spectrometry as 5-(2-bromo-E- ethenyl )uracil.

Application of ion-exchange and lipophilic-gel chromatography to the purification and group fractionation of steroidal spirolactones, isolated from biological fluids.

Chromatography of steroidal spirolactones on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 under selected pH conditions allowed efficient separation of these compounds from other steroids and many of the endogenous components of human urine. The spirolactones were recovered in high yield, mostly over 90%. Lipophilic-gel chromatography provided a useful method for group fractionation of mixtures of these spirolactones with high recoveries (generally over 90%), unaffected by the presence of endogenous material from normal human urine.

The metabolism of canrenone in vitro by rat liver preparations.

1. The metabolism of [1-3H]canrenone, a primary metabolite of spironolactone and potassium canrenoate, by rat liver preparations in vitro has been investigated. 2. Canrenone was metabolized by 3-oxo-delta 4-reduction to give 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-spirolactones, and also by a number of O2 and NADPH-dependent microsomal hydroxylation reactions. 3. A major metabolic route requiring the presence of a microsomal fraction, but apparently independent of oxygen and NADPH, led to the formation of a number of compounds tentatively identified as trihydroxy-spirolactones.

Identification of some urinary metabolites of propantheline bromide in man.

The peak plasma concn. of total radioactivity occurred 6 h after a single oral dose of [carboxyl-14C; methyl-2H3] propantheline bromide was administered to a healthy man. At this time 10% of the dose was present in the total plasma volume. 2. A total of 71% dose of radioactivity was excreted in urine in 96 h after dosage, 59% dose being excreted in the first 24 h. About 5.3% of the orally administered propantheline bromide was excreted unchanged. 3. T.l.c. analysis and g.l.c.-mass spectrometry showed xanthanoic acid, hydroxyxanthanoic acid(s), and propantheline as urinary metabolites of the drug. 4. A glucuronide of xanthanoic acid, a hydroxylated propantheline and the (2-hydroxyethyl)diisopropylammonium ion were tentatively identified as urinary metabolites. Hydrolysis of propantheline and conjugation of the resulting xanthanoic acid appear to be the major routes of metabolism of this compound. 5. A mean elimination half-life of 9.2 h was obtained for the total radioactivity by pharmacokinetic analysis of plasma and urine levels of 14C.

Electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectrometry of steroidal spirolactones.

Electron impact and chemical ionization mass spectra are reported for several steroidal spirolactones and their TMS ethers. The electron impact spectra were characterized generally by low abundance molecular ions and large numbers of fragment ions. Methane chemical ionization spectra exhibited high intensity [M+H]+ and/or [M+H-H2O]+ or [M+H-TMSOH]+ ions with few other fragment ions. Ammonia chemical ionization spectra had intense [M+H]+ and/or [M+NH4]+ ions with a few fragment ions generally formed by loss of H2O or TMSOH from these parent ions. Ammonia chemical ionization gave intense parent ions even for polyhydroxy compounds and their TMS ethers in contrast to methane chemical ionization. The results of this study suggest that a combination of electron impact with ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry would offer the best techniques for detection and identification of these compounds in biological fluids.

Identification of some human urinary metabolites of orally administered potassium canrenoate by stable isotope-labeling techniques.

A single oral dose (200 mg) of an equimolar mixture of potassium canrenoate and its 20,20,21,21-tetradeutero analogue was administered to three healthy men. The steroids in urine collected for 24 hr after dosage were isolated on XAD-2 resin, and purified and fractionated into groups by lipophilic gel chromatography before and after hydrolysis of conjugates. GC/MS analysis of these fractions allowed the detection and identification of canrenone, canrenoic acid and its ester glucuronide, 3 beta-hydroxy-3-deoxocanrenone, 3beta-hydroxy-4,5alpha-dihydro-3-deoxocanrenone and a 3epsilon-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3-deoxocanrenone. In addition a number of di- and trihydroxy compounds formed by reduction and hydroxylation were partially identified from their E1 and C1 mass spectra. The results provide information on the metabolism of oral potassium canrenoate in man, and demonstrate the utility of combining stable isotope labeling, lipophilic gel chromatography, and GC/MS in studies of steroidal spirolactones.

Disposition of bemitradine, a renal vasodilator and diuretic, in man.

1. 14C-Bemitradine (50 mg) was rapidly and efficiently absorbed (approximately 89%) in man following a single oral dose, as a solution in gelatine capsules. Peak 14C levels of 895 +/- 154 ng equiv./ml (mean +/- S.E.M.) were reached within 2 h, and declined with half-lives of 1.07 +/- 0.25 and 13.0 +/- 5.6h. 2. No bemitradine was detected in plasma, but peak concn. (124 +/- 29 ng/ml) of its desethyl metabolite were reached at 1.05 +/- 0.28 h, and declined with a half-life of 1.32 +/- 0.08 h. 3. Desethylbemitradine was rapidly metabolized to its ether glucuronide, a phenol and a dihydrodiol which were also present as glucuronide conjugates. The glucuronides were the major compounds in plasma from 2 h after drug administration. 4. Excretion in 5 days amounted to 88.8 +/- 2.3% and 10.4 +/- 2.1% dose in urine and faeces respectively. No bemitradine or desethylbemitradine were excreted unchanged. 8-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-7-(3,4- dihydroxycyclohexa-1,5-dienyl)-1,2,4-triazolo-1,5c-pyrimidin e-5-amine (E; 17% dose); 8-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazolo-1,5c- pyrimidine-5-amine (F; 4% dose), their glucuronides (A, 19% dose and B, 6% dose respectively), desethylbemitradine glucuronide (D, 25% dose) and an unidentified metabolite (C, 12% dose) were excreted in urine. Compound F was the major faecal metabolite.

Application of 19F-n.m.r. spectroscopy to the identification of dog urinary metabolites of imirestat, a spirohydantoin aldose reductase inhibitor.

1. Urine from a dog dosed orally at 20 mg/kg with 14C-imirestat, a spirohydantoin aldose reductase inhibitor, contained 17.7 and 12.5% of the administered radioactivity at 0-48 and 48-72 h respectively. 2. Radio-h.p.l.c. of the 0-48 h urine revealed a complex mixture of metabolites and a small proportion of parent drug (1.6% of dose). Direct 19F-n.m.r. spectroscopy of this urine showed the fluoride ion, numerous metabolites which were predominantly glucuronide conjugates and, as a minor component, the parent drug. 3. After incubation with beta-glucuronidase the 0-48 h urine gave a 19F-n.m.r. spectrum showing fewer signals. This finding is consistent with aromatic ring hydroxylation followed by glucuronidation being the major metabolite pathways. 4. Deconjugated urine was analysed by proton-coupled 19F-n.m.r. and two-dimensional 19F-19F correlated spectroscopy. Results indicate that major components included three monohydroxy metabolites, a diphenol with both phenolic functions in the same ring, and a phenolic metabolite containing only one fluorine atom. 5. Semi-preparative h.p.l.c. of 0-48 h dog urine gave individual glucuronides isolated as mixtures of C-9 epimers. These fractions were hydrolysed and purified a second time by h.p.l.c. to give aglycones which were analysed by multi-nuclear n.m.r. and g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. The 3- and 4-hydroxy derivatives of imirestat were identified, as was the 2-hydroxy product obtained during or following defluorination. The other major aglycone was postulated to be the 3-fluoro-2-hydroxy metabolite. This represents a novel 'NIH-shift' type pathway for the metabolism of fluorobenzenes.

The measurements of propantheline ion in biological fluids after administering propantheline bromide to man.

The measurement of propantheline ion has been accomplished in urine and plasma following administration of propantheline bromide to man. Trideuteropropantheline bromide is added to the biological fluid to act as a carrier and internal standard to quantify the propantheline ion using multiple ion monitoring. Methane was used as reactant gas but following the discovery of exchange of the trideuteromethyl group when using methane, ammonia was used for later analyses. The determination of propantheline ion in urine and plasma after administration of propantheline bromide to man is described.