Antibacterial activity of combined aditoprim and sulfamethoxazole against Escherichia coli from swine and a dose regimen based on pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling.

The mortality of livestock caused by pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) still accounts for a large proportion of deaths in large-scale production and reproduction, which causes devastating economic losses to the pig breeding industry. The aims of this study were to investigate the antibacterial activity of combined aditoprim (ADP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) against clinical isolates of E. coli from pigs and to develop a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model to formulate the optimal dose of ADP/SMZ for the treatment of pig colibacillosis. Blood and ileum fluid samples were collected at different times after single intramuscular injection of ADP/SMZ (5/25 mg/kg b.w.) to healthy pigs and E. coli-infected pigs. Concentrations of ADP and SMZ in plasma and ileum fluid were analyzed by HPLC. The peak concentration (Cmax ) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-24h ) in ileum fluid of healthy pigs were 1.76 ± 0.27 µg/ml and 18.92 ± 2.87 µg·h/ml for ADP and 19.15 ± 2.63 µg/ml and 125.70 ± 11.86 µg·h/ml for SMZ, respectively. Cmax and AUC0-24h in ileum fluid of infected pigs were 1.88 ± 0.13 µg/ml and 15.12 ± 0.75 µg·h/ml for ADP and 19.71 ± 3.68 µg/ml and 133.92 ± 17.14 µg·h/ml for SMZ, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of combined ADP and SMZ (ADP/SMZ) against 185 strains of E. coli from pigs were determined. The MIC50 and MIC90 of ADP/SMZ were 0.5/2.5 and 4/20 µg/ml, respectively. The MIC of the selected pathogenic E. coli SHC28 was 0.5/2.5 µg/ml in Mueller-Hinton broth and 0.25/1.25 µg/ml in ileum fluid, respectively. In vitro, the mutant prevention concentration, the post-antibiotic effect, growth, and time-killing curves in vitro and ex vivo of ADP/SMZ against the isolate SHC28 were assayed for PD studies. The results showed that ADP/SMZ exhibited strong concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity against E. coli. After integrating the in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters of infected pigs and ex vivo PD data using the sigmoid Emax (Hill) equation, the AUC24h /MIC values in ileum fluid for bacteriostatic, bactericidal, and bacterial eradication were 18.84, 65.39, and 110.68 h, respectively. In conclusion, a dosage of 3.45/17.25 mg/kg ADP/SMZ by intramuscular injection daily for 3 consecutive days may be sufficient to treat swine colibacillosis due to E. coli with a MIC of 0.5/2.5 µg/ml.

Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors of the Pathogen Box against Vibrio cholerae.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious public and economic threat. The rate of bacteria acquiring AMR surpasses the rate of new antibiotics discovery, projecting more deadly AMR infections in the future. The Pathogen Box is an open-source library of drug-like compounds that can be screened for antibiotic activity. We have screened molecules of the Pathogen Box against Vibrio cholerae, the cholera-causing pathogen, and successfully identified two compounds, MMV687807 and MMV675968, that inhibit growth. RNA-seq analyses of V. cholerae after incubation with each compound revealed that both compounds affect cellular functions on multiple levels including carbon metabolism, iron homeostasis, and biofilm formation. In addition, whole-genome sequencing analysis of spontaneous resistance mutants identified an efflux system that confers resistance to MMV687807. We also identified that the dihydrofolate reductase is the likely target of MMV675968 suggesting it acts as an analog of trimethoprim but with a MIC 14-fold lower than trimethoprim in molar concentration. In summary, these two compounds that effectively inhibit V. cholerae and other bacteria may lead to the development of new antibiotics for better treatment of the cholera disease. IMPORTANCE Cholera is a serious infectious disease in tropical regions causing millions of infections annually. Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, has gained multi-antibiotic resistance over the years, posing greater threat to public health and current treatment strategies. Here we report two compounds that effectively target the growth of V. cholerae and have the potential to control cholera infection.

A genetically targeted reporter for PET imaging of deep neuronal circuits in mammalian brains.

Positron emission tomography (PET) allows biomolecular tracking but PET monitoring of brain networks has been hampered by a lack of suitable reporters. Here, we take advantage of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, ecDHFR, and its unique antagonist, TMP, to facilitate in vivo imaging in the brain. Peripheral administration of radiofluorinated and fluorescent TMP analogs enabled PET and intravital microscopy, respectively, of neuronal ecDHFR expression in mice. This technique can be used to the visualize neuronal circuit activity elicited by chemogenetic manipulation in the mouse hippocampus. Notably, ecDHFR-PET allows mapping of neuronal projections in non-human primate brains, demonstrating the applicability of ecDHFR-based tracking technologies for network monitoring. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of TMP analogs for PET studies of turnover and self-assembly of proteins tagged with ecDHFR mutants. These results establish opportunities for a broad spectrum of previously unattainable PET analyses of mammalian brain circuits at the molecular level.

Chemo-optogenetic Protein Translocation System Using a Photoactivatable Self-Localizing Ligand.

Manipulating subcellular protein localization using light is a powerful approach for controlling signaling processes with high spatiotemporal precision. The most widely used strategy for this is based on light-induced protein heterodimerization. The use of small synthetic molecules that can control the localization of target proteins in response to light without the need for a second protein has several advantages. However, such methods have not been well established. Herein, we present a chemo-optogenetic approach for controlling protein localization using a photoactivatable self-localizing ligand (paSL). We developed a paSL that can recruit tag-fused proteins of interest from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane within seconds upon light illumination. This paSL-induced protein translocation (paSLIPT) is reversible and enables the spatiotemporal control of signaling processes in living cells, even in a local region. paSLIPT can also be used to implement simultaneous optical stimulation and multiplexed imaging of molecular processes in a single cell, offering an attractive and novel chemo-optogenetic platform for interrogating and engineering dynamic cellular functions.

Magnetic solid-phase extraction based on carbon nanotubes for determination of sulfamethoxazole, acetyl sulfamethoxazole and aditoprim residues in edible swine tissues with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Sulphonamides (SAs) are widely used in animal husbandry. In our work, based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes, a novel residue method was developed for highly sensitive and determination trace levels of sulfamethoxazole, acetyl sulfamethoxazole and aditoprim in edible swine tissues by LC-MS/MS with magnetic solid-phase extraction. The samples were extracted using 2% ammoniated acetonitrile and purified by magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE). Under the optimal conditions, good linearity was obtained ranging from 5 to 160 µg kg-1. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 2 µg kg-1 and 5 µg kg-1 respectively. The average recoveries were 73.9-94.8% at different spiking levels. The inter-day RSDs were 6.2-10.7% and the intra-day RSDs were 2.4-5.4%. MSPE based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes was a simple and efficient method to enrich and separate the analyses and could be successfully applied for extraction of sulfamethoxazole, acetyl sulfamethoxazole and aditoprim residues in swine tissues.

A trimethoprim derivative impedes antibiotic resistance evolution.

The antibiotic trimethoprim (TMP) is used to treat a variety of Escherichia coli infections, but its efficacy is limited by the rapid emergence of TMP-resistant bacteria. Previous laboratory evolution experiments have identified resistance-conferring mutations in the gene encoding the TMP target, bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), in particular mutation L28R. Here, we show that 4'-desmethyltrimethoprim (4'-DTMP) inhibits both DHFR and its L28R variant, and selects against the emergence of TMP-resistant bacteria that carry the L28R mutation in laboratory experiments. Furthermore, antibiotic-sensitive E. coli populations acquire antibiotic resistance at a substantially slower rate when grown in the presence of 4'-DTMP than in the presence of TMP. We find that 4'-DTMP impedes evolution of resistance by selecting against resistant genotypes with the L28R mutation and diverting genetic trajectories to other resistance-conferring DHFR mutations with catalytic deficiencies. Our results demonstrate how a detailed characterization of resistance-conferring mutations in a target enzyme can help identify potential drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may ultimately increase long-term efficacy of antimicrobial therapies by modulating evolutionary trajectories that lead to resistance.

Synthesis, Biological Activity, and Molecular Dynamics Study of Novel Series of a Trimethoprim Analogs as Multi-Targeted Compounds: Dihydrofolate Reductase (DHFR) Inhibitors and DNA-Binding Agents.

Eighteen previously undescribed trimethoprim (TMP) analogs containing amide bonds (1-18) were synthesized and compared with TMP, methotrexate (MTX), and netropsin (NT). These compounds were designed as potential minor groove binding agents (MGBAs) and inhibitors of human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR). The all-new derivatives were obtained via solid phase synthesis using 4-nitrophenyl Wang resin. Data from the ethidium displacement test confirmed their DNA-binding capacity. Compounds 13-14 (49.89% and 43.85%) and 17-18 (41.68% and 42.99%) showed a higher binding affinity to pBR322 plasmid than NT. The possibility of binding in a minor groove as well as determination of association constants were performed using calf thymus DNA, T4 coliphage DNA, poly (dA-dT)2, and poly (dG-dC)2. With the exception of compounds 9 (IC50 = 56.05 µM) and 11 (IC50 = 55.32 µM), all of the compounds showed better inhibitory properties against hDHFR than standard, which confirms that the addition of the amide bond into the TMP structures increases affinity towards hDHFR. Derivatives 2, 6, 13, 14, and 16 were found to be the most potent hDHFR inhibitors. This molecular modelling study shows that they interact strongly with a catalytically important residue Glu-30.

Inhibitor design to target a unique feature in the folate pocket of Staphylococcus aureus dihydrofolate reductase.

Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) is a serious concern due to increasing resistance to antibiotics. The bacterial dihydrofolate reductase enzyme is effectively inhibited by trimethoprim, a compound with antibacterial activity. Previously, we reported a trimethoprim derivative containing an acryloyl linker and a dihydophthalazine moiety demonstrating increased potency against S. aureus. We have expanded this series and assessed in vitro enzyme inhibition (Ki) and whole cell growth inhibition properties (MIC). Modifications were focused at a chiral carbon within the phthalazine heterocycle, as well as simultaneous modification at positions on the dihydrophthalazine. MIC values increased from 0.0626-0.5 µg/mL into the 0.5-1 µg/mL range when the edge positions were modified with either methyl or methoxy groups. Changes at the chiral carbon affected Ki measurements but with little impact on MIC values. Our structural data revealed accommodation of predominantly the S-enantiomer of the inhibitors within the folate-binding pocket. Longer modifications at the chiral carbon, such as p-methylbenzyl, protrude from the pocket into solvent and result in poorer Ki values, as do modifications with greater torsional freedom, such as 1-ethylpropyl. The most efficacious Ki was 0.7 ± 0.3 nM, obtained with a cyclopropyl derivative containing dimethoxy modifications at the dihydrophthalazine edge. The co-crystal structure revealed an alternative placement of the phthalazine moiety into a shallow surface at the edge of the site that can accommodate either enantiomer of the inhibitor. The current design, therefore, highlights how to engineer specific placement of the inhibitor within this alternative pocket, which in turn maximizes the enzyme inhibitory properties of racemic mixtures.

Simultaneous Control of Endogenous and User-Defined Genetic Pathways Using Unique ecDHFR Pharmacological Chaperones.

Destabilizing domains (DDs), such as a mutated form of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR), confer instability and promote protein degradation. However, when combined with small-molecule stabilizers (e.g., the antibiotic trimethoprim), DDs allow positive regulation of fusion protein abundance. Using a combinatorial screening approach, we identified and validated 17 unique 2,4-diaminopyrimidine/triazine-based ecDHFR DD stabilizers, at least 15 of which were ineffective antibiotics against E. coli and S. aureus. Identified stabilizers functioned in vivo to control an ecDHFR DD-firefly luciferase in the mouse eye and/or the liver. Next, stabilizers were leveraged to perform synergistic dual functions in vitro (HeLa cell death sensitization) and in vivo (repression of ocular inflammation) by stabilizing a user-defined ecDHFR DD while also controlling endogenous signaling pathways. Thus, these newly identified pharmacological chaperones allow for simultaneous control of compound-specific endogenous and user-defined genetic pathways, the combination of which may provide synergistic effects in complex biological scenarios.

Designer Palmitoylation Motif-Based Self-Localizing Ligand for Sustained Control of Protein Localization in Living Cells and Caenorhabditis elegans.

Inducing protein translocation to the plasma membrane (PM) is an important approach for manipulating diverse signaling molecules/pathways in living cells. We previously devised a new chemogenetic system, in which a protein fused to Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR) can be rapidly translocated from the cytoplasm to the PM using a trimethoprim (TMP)-based self-localizing ligand (SL), mgcTMP. However, mgcTMP-induced protein translocation turned out to be transient and spontaneously reversed within 1 h, limiting its application. Here, we first demonstrated that the spontaneous reverse translocation was caused by cellular degradation of mgcTMP, presumably by proteases. To address this problem, we newly developed a proteolysis-resistant SL, mDcTMP. This mDcTMP now allows sustained PM localization of eDHFR-fusion proteins (over several hours to a day), and it was applicable to inducing prolonged signal activation and cell differentiation. mDcTMP also worked in live nematodes, making it an attractive new tool for probing and controlling living systems.

Chemogenetic Control of Protein Anchoring to Endomembranes in Living Cells with Lipid-Tethered Small Molecules.

The self-localizing ligand-induced protein translocation (SLIPT) system is an emerging platform that controls protein localization in living cells using synthetic self-localizing ligands (SLs). Here, we report a chemogenetic SLIPT system for inducing protein translocation from the cytoplasm to the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi membranes, referred to as endomembranes. By screening a series of lipid-trimethoprim (TMP) conjugates, we found oleic acid-tethered TMP (oleTMP) to be the optimal SL that efficiently relocated and anchored Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (eDHFR)-fusion proteins to endomembranes. We showed that oleTMP mediated protein anchoring to endomembranes within minutes and could be reversed by the addition of free TMP. We also applied the endomembrane SLIPT system to artificially activate endomembrane Ras and inhibit the active nuclear transport of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), demonstrating its applicability for manipulating biological processes in living cells. We envision that the present oleTMP-based SLIPT system, which affords rapid and reversible control of protein anchoring to endomembranes, will offer a new unique tool for the study and control of spatiotemporally regulated cell signaling processes.

Hydroxy-α-sanshool isolated from Zanthoxylum bungeanum attenuates learning and memory impairments in scopolamine-treated mice.

Learning and memory impairments are common symptoms of dementia in neurodegenerative disorders. Occasionally, we found that Zanthoxylum bungeanum pericarps (ZBP) significantly activated the spontaneous activity of the hippocampus (HIPP) and paraHIPP (P < 0.001, uncorrected), implying the potential ability of ZBP to improve cognitive impairments. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the improving effect of hydroxy-α-sanshool (HAS), a characteristic ingredient of ZBP, against scopolamine (1 mg kg-1, i.p.)-induced learning and memory deficits. HAS (5 mg kg-1, p.o.) markedly reversed scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments, as indicated by its performance in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test (P < 0.01). Furthermore, HAS (2.5 and 5.0 mg kg-1, p.o.) also dose-dependently prevented changes in hippocampal neuronal morphology and apoptosis, inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, increased the acetylcholine (ACh) content, and increased the protein and mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phospho-cAMP response element-binding (p-CREB) compared with those in the model group (P < 0.05 & P < 0.01). These findings demonstrated that HAS attenuated scopolamine-induced cognitive impairments mainly by enhancing the activity of the cholinergic system and increasing the CREB/BDNF signalling pathway.

Broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody and a sensitive multi-residue indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the antibacterial synergists in samples of animal origin.

To monitor the abuse of antibacterial synergists, a hapten, trimethoprim carboxylic derivative (TMPCOOH), was designed by using molecular modelling technology. A broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody (mAb) TMP/2G1 was prepared, for which the IC50 values of trimethoprim, diaveridine, aditoprim, baquiloprim, ormetoprim, and brodimoprim were 0.232, 0.527, 1.479, 4.354, 0.965, and 0.119 µg L-1, respectively. Based on the broad spectrum mAb, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to determine the residues of antibacterial synergists. The limit of detection regarding the developed ic-ELISA for antibacterial synergists ranged from 0.025 to 1.126 µg L-1 in milk, honey and edible animal tissues. The recoveries ranged from 81.4% to 107.7%, with a coefficient of variation less than 20%. A good correlation (R2 = 0.994) between the ic-ELISA and HPLC-MS/MS showed the reliability of the developed ic-ELISA.

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial study via new heterocyclic derivatives of trimethoprim.

New compounds of trimethoprim heterocyclic derivatives were synthesized. These compounds were synthesized through the condensation reaction between trimethoprim with bromoacetic acid to yield compound 1. Several Schiff bases 2-7 have been synthesized by the condensation different aromatic aldehydes with compound 1. Compound 8 were formed from the reaction of sodium nitrite and acetyl acetone in presence of conc. hydrogen chloride to obtain the hydrazono derivative; then, Cyclocondensation of compound 8 with hydrazine hydrate, phenyl hydrazine and dinitrophenyl hydrazine respectively to yield compounds 9-11 in ethanol affording the pyrazoline derivatives. This work involves the synthesis of some 1,2,3-Triazoles derived from compound 1 by the action of sodium azide on the diazonium chloride salt to yield 5-azido-8-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)imidazo[1,2-c]pyrimidin-3(2H)-one 12. Finally, by reaction of 12 with acetyl acetone and ethyacetoacetate; respectively in sodium ethoxide/ethanol as a solvent to form compounds 13, 14. The structures of the compounds 1-14 were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral data and antimicrobial evaluation of the some newly synthesized compounds and found that the synthesized compounds are active against tested Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Proteus.

Trimethoprim: An Old Antibacterial Drug as a Template to Search for New Targets. Synthesis, Biological Activity and Molecular Modeling Study of Novel Trimethoprim Analogs.

A new series of trimethoprim (TMP) analogs containing amide bonds (1-6) have been synthesized. Molecular docking, as well as dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibition assay were used to confirm their affinity to bind dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. Data from the ethidium displacement test showed their DNA-binding capacity. Tests confirming the possibility of DNA binding in a minor groove as well as determination of the association constants were performed using calf thymus DNA, T4 coliphage DNA, poly (dA-dT)2 and poly (dG-dC)2. Additionally, the mechanism of action of the new compounds was studied. In conclusion, some of our new analogs inhibited DHFR activity more strongly than TMP did, which confirms, that the addition of amide bonds into the analogs of TMP increases their affinity towards DHFR.

Halogenated trimethoprim derivatives as multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus therapeutics.

Incorporation of halogen atoms to drug molecule has been shown to improve its properties such as enhanced in membrane permeability and increased hydrophobic interactions to its target. To investigate the effect of halogen substitutions on the antibacterial activity of trimethoprim (TMP), we synthesized a series of halogen substituted TMP and tested for their antibacterial activities against global predominant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. Structure-activity relationship analysis suggested a trend in potency that correlated with the ability of the halogen atom to facilitate in hydrophobic interaction to saDHFR. The most potent derivative, iodinated trimethoprim (TMP-I), inhibited pathogenic bacterial growth with MIC as low as 1.25 µg/mL while the clinically used TMP derivative, diaveridine, showed resistance. Similar to TMP, synergistic studies indicated that TMP-I functioned synergistically with sulfamethoxazole. The simplicity in the synthesis from an inexpensive starting material, vanillin, highlighted the potential of TMP-I as antibacterial agent for MRSA infections.

A Trimethoprim Conjugate of Thiomaltose Has Enhanced Antibacterial Efficacy In Vivo.

Trimethoprim is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world. However, its efficacy is frequently limited by its poor water solubility and dose limiting toxicity. Prodrug strategies based on conjugation of oligosaccharides to trimethoprim have great potential for increasing the solubility of trimethoprim and lowering its toxicity, but they have been challenging to develop due to the sensitivity of trimethoprim to chemical modifications, and the rapid degradation of oligosaccharides in serum. In this report, we present a trimethoprim conjugate of maltodextrin termed TM-TMP, which increased the water solubility of trimethoprim by over 100 times, was stable to serum enzymes, and was active against urinary tract infections in mice. TM-TMP is composed of thiomaltose conjugated to trimethoprim, via a self-immolative disulfide linkage, and releases 4'-OH-trimethoprim (TMP-OH) after disulfide cleavage, which is a known metabolic product of trimethoprim and is as potent as trimethoprim. TM-TMP also contains a new maltodextrin targeting ligand composed of thiomaltose, which is stable to hydrolysis by serum amylases and therefore has the metabolic stability needed for in vivo use. TM-TMP has the potential to significantly improve the treatment of a wide number of infections given its high water solubility and the widespread use of trimethoprim.

The antibacterial activities of aditoprim and its efficacy in the treatment of swine streptococcosis.

Aditoprim (ADP) has potential use as an antimicrobial agent in animals. However, its pharmacodynamic properties have not been systematically studied yet. In this study, the in vitro antibacterial activities of ADP and its main metabolites were assayed, and the in vivo antibacterial efficacy of ADP for the treatment of swine streptococcosis was evaluated. It was shown that Salmonella and Streptococcus from swine, Escherichia coli and Salmonella from chickens, E. coli, Streptococcus, Mannheimia, Pasteurella from calves, Streptococcus and Mannheimia from sheep, and E. coli, Flavobacterium columnare, Acinetobacter baumannii and Yersinia ruckeri from fishes were highly susceptible to ADP. Haemophilus parasuis from swine, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas punctate, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus agalactiae from fishes, and Klebsiella from calves and sheep showed moderate susceptibility to ADP, whereas E. coli, Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia, Pasteurella, S. aureus, Clostridium perfringens from swine, S. aureus, C. perfringens from chickens, and S. aureus from calves were resistant to ADP. The main metabolites of ADP showed equal activity to that of their parent compound, and the prevention and therapeutic dosages of ADP recommended for swine streptococcosis were 10 and 20~40 mg/kg b.w., respectively. This study firstly showed that ADP had strong antibacterial activity and had potential to be used as a single drug in the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.

A novel prediction approach for antimalarial activities of Trimethoprim, Pyrimethamine, and Cycloguanil analogues using extremely randomized trees.

Malaria is still one of the most serious diseases in tropical regions. This is due in part to the high resistance against available drugs for the inhibition of parasites, Plasmodium, the cause of the disease. New potent compounds with high clinical utility are urgently needed. In this work, we created a novel model using a regression tree to study structure-activity relationships and predict the inhibition constant, Ki of three different antimalarial analogues (Trimethoprim, Pyrimethamine, and Cycloguanil) based on their molecular descriptors. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first attempt to study the structure-activity relationships of all three analogues combined. The most relevant descriptors and appropriate parameters of the regression tree are harvested using extremely randomized trees. These descriptors are water accessible surface area, Log of the aqueous solubility, total hydrophobic van der Waals surface area, and molecular refractivity. Out of all possible combinations of these selected parameters and descriptors, the tree with the strongest coefficient of determination is selected to be our prediction model. Predicted Ki values from the proposed model show a strong coefficient of determination, R2=0.996, to experimental Ki values. From the structure of the regression tree, compounds with high accessible surface area of all hydrophobic atoms (ASA_H) and low aqueous solubility of inhibitors (Log S) generally possess low Ki values. Our prediction model can also be utilized as a screening test for new antimalarial drug compounds which may reduce the time and expenses for new drug development. New compounds with high predicted Ki should be excluded from further drug development. It is also our inference that a threshold of ASA_H greater than 575.80 and Log S less than or equal to -4.36 is a sufficient condition for a new compound to possess a low Ki.

Simultaneous determination of aditoprim and its three major metabolites in pigs, broilers and carp tissues, and its application in tissue distribution and depletion studies.

Aditoprim (ADP) is a recently developed dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor that has shown promise for therapeutic use in veterinary medicine because of its excellent pharmacokinetic properties. In this study, a sensitive and reliable multi-residue chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) method for the quantitative analysis of ADP and its three major metabolites was developed, and the tissue distribution and depletion profiles of ADP and its major metabolites in pigs, broilers and carp were investigated. Edible and additional tissues (heart, lung, stomach, intestine and swim bladder) were collected for analysis at six different withdrawal periods after ADP administration for 7 days. ADP, N-monomethyl-ADP and N-didesmethyl-ADP were detected in almost all tissues in the three species. The liver, kidney and lung showed higher residue concentrations, and the liver showed a longer residue half-life (t1/2) than other tissues. In the liver, ADP was the most abundant component with the longest persistence. The results suggest that the liver was the residual target tissue and ADP was the marker residue, and the conclusive withdrawal time (WDT) of 20 days in pigs, 16 days in broilers and 25 days in carp was estimated using the assessment methodologies approved by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).