Tenidap inhibits 5-lipoxygenase product formation in vitro, but this activity is not observed in three animal models.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The effect of tenidap on the metabolism of arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway was investigated in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND TREATMENT: In vitro (cells). Arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated rat basophilic leukemia, (RBL) cells; A23817 activated neutrophils (human rat, and rabbit), macrophages (rat), and blood (human). In vitro (enzyme activity). RBL-cell homogenate; purified human recombinant 5-LO. In vivo: Rat (Sprague-Dawley) models in which peritoneal leukotriene products were measured after challenge with zymosan (3 animals per group), A23187 (11 animals per group), and immune complexes (3-5 animals per group), respectively. METHODS: 5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (diHETEs, including LTB4) were measured as radiolabeled products (derived from [14C]-AA) or by absorbance at 235 or 280 nm, respectively, after separation by HPLC. Radiolabeled 5-HPETE was measured by a radio-TLC analyser after separation by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Deacylation of membrane bound [14C]-AA was determined by measuring radiolabel released into the extracellular medium. 5-LO translocation from cytosol to membrane was assessed by western analysis. Rat peritoneal fluid was assayed for PGE, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, LTE4 or LTB4 content by EIA and for TXB2 by RIA. RESULTS: Tenidap suppressed 5-LO mediated product production in cultured rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells from exogenously supplied AA, and in human and rat neutrophils, and rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated with A23187 (IC50, 5-15 microM). In addition, tenidap was less potent in inhibiting the release of radiolabeled AA from RBL-1 cells (IC50, 180 microM), suggesting that the decrease in 5-LO derived products could not be explained by an effect on cellular mobilization of AA (i.e., phospholipase). Tenidap blocked 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) production by dissociated RBL-1 cell preparations (IC50, 7 microM), as well as by a 100000 x g supernatant of 5-LO/hydroperoxidase activity, suggesting a direct effect on the 5-LO enzyme itself. In addition, tenidap impaired 5-LO translocation from cytosol to its membrane-bound docking protein (FLAP) which occurs when human neutrophils are stimulated with calcium ionophore, indicating a second mechanism for inhibiting the 5-LO pathway. Surprisingly, tenidap did not block the binding of radiolabeled MK-0591, an indole ligand of FLAP, to neutrophil membranes. Although its ability to inhibit the cyclooxygenase pathway was readily observed in whole blood and in vivo, tenidap's 5-LO blockade could not be demonstrated by ionophore stimulated human blood, nor after oral dosing in rat models in which peritoneal leukotriene products were measured after challenge with three different stimuli. The presence of extracellular proteins greatly reduced the potency of tenidap as a 5-LO inhibitor in vitro, suggesting that protein binding is responsible for loss of activity in animal models. CONCLUSIONS: Tenidap inhibits 5-lipoxygenase activity in vitro both directly and indirectly by interfering with its translocation from cytosol to the membrane compartment in neutrophils. A potential mechanism for the latter effect is discussed with reference to tenidap's ability to lower intracellular pH. Tenidap did not inhibit 5-LO pathway activity in three animal models.

In vivo inhibition of cathepsin B by peptidyl (acyloxy)methyl ketones.

Peptidyl (acyloxy)methyl ketones, previously established as potent irreversible inhibitors of the cysteine proteinase cathepsin B in vitro, were investigated and optimized for their inhibitory activity in vivo. Incorporation of polar or charged functional groups in the inhibitor structure afforded effective cathepsin B inhibition, following dosing to rats. The most effective inhibitor, Z-Phe-Lys-CH2OCO-(2,4,6-Me3)Ph (8), was found to give ED50 values of 18 mg/kg po (orally) and 5.0 mg/kg ip (intraperitoneally) at 4-5 h postdose, and 2.4 mg/kg sc (subcutaneously) at 24 h postdose, for liver cathepsin B inhibition (measured ex vivo). The subcutaneous route of administration of (acyloxy)methyl ketone 8 also provided potent cathepsin B inhibition in certain peripheral tissues (e.g., ED50 1.0 mg/kg for skeletal muscle, 0.1 mg/kg for heart). These investigations demonstrate that peptidyl (acyloxy)methyl ketones such as 8 have promise as tools for the characterization of in vivo biochemical processes and as therapeutic agents.

3-Carboxy-5-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-isoxazolecarboxamide, a new prodrug for the antiarthritic agent 2-cyano-3-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-butenamide.

The title compound 3-carboxyisoxazole 3 was synthesized by cycloaddition of carbethoxyformonitrile oxide to N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-pyrrolidino-2-butenamide (6) with spontaneous elimination of pyrrolidine followed by hydrolysis of the ethyl ester. Compound 3 was shown to be absorbed intact after oral administration to rats. Over 24 h, the compound was metabolized to yield plasma concentrations of the antiinflammatory agent 2-cyano-3-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-butenamide (2), similar to those obtained following an equivalent dose of the established prodrug of 5-methyl-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]isoxazole-4-carboxamide (1).

Changes in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mass in agonist-stimulated human neutrophils.

Changes in the endogenous synthesis of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) mass have been quantitated in human peripheral neutrophils stimulated with FMLP, LTB4 and PAF using a recently described, highly specific radioreceptor assay. Each agonist induced a concentration-dependent synthesis of IP3 which was detectable within 10 seconds after stimulation. IP3 production was short-lived, returning to basal levels within 90 seconds. The maximal stimulated level of IP3 in response to FMLP and LTB4 was 30-50 50 pmoles/10(7) neutrophils. PAF was more effective (approximately 100 pmoles IP3/10(7) neutrophils). The response to FMLP was inhibited by pertussis toxin, but was unaffected by cholera toxin. Pretreatment with cytochalasin B did not enhance IP3 synthesis. These findings are generally consistent with previous studies employing [3H]myo-inositol-prelabeled cells, and provide one of the first measurements of IP3 synthesis by mass in agonist-stimulated human neutrophils.

Spectrophotometric monitoring of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathway activity using ionophore stimulated whole blood.

We have employed clotting human blood stimulated with ionophore to develop a system for measuring cyclooxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase, and 12-lipoxygenase pathway products released into the serum fraction. In a single chromatographic run, 5-HETE, 12-HETE, 12-OH-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT), LTB4, 20-OH-LTB4, and 20-COOH-LTB4 are quantitated by UV monitoring after separation by HPLC. The kinetics of product formation/release of all fatty acid products into the serum show an apparent lag of approximately 2 min, after which time the amounts of HHT, 5-HETE, and LTB4, respectively, plateau at 10 min while 12-HETE increases over a 60 min period. The system is responsive to standard cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors, and is of value of evaluating prospective blockers of AA metabolism in a whole blood setting.

Solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of lipoxygenase pathway products.

Liquid chromatography methods for quantitation of leukotrienes and HETEs (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids) in biological samples are described. Extraction is accomplished by acetonitrile precipitation of proteins followed by selective acetonitrile elution from a solid-phase C18 extraction cartridge. Isocratic elution of extracts from short reverse-phase columns with 3 microns C18-bonded silica results in elution of all components of interest in less than 10 min. The addition of the mobile-phase additives, trifluoroacetic acid and triethylamine, enable the peptido-leukotrienes to be eluted with excellent peak shape and unique elution times. As little as 1 pmol of each metabolite can be detected by uv spectrophotometry with a wavelength change from 280 to 235 nm midway through the chromatographic run. This method is demonstrated by the extraction and analysis of leukotriene and HETE standards from human serum.

Multihormonal control of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in developing rat liver.

Tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) enzymatic activity was undetectable in fetal rat liver until 1 day before birth (21 days). In utero injection of (Bu)2cAMP induced both catalytic and mRNA activity. By contrast, in utero injection of hydrocortisone acetate did not elicit the appearance of TAT enzyme or its functional mRNA. Injection of both the steroid hormone and the cyclic nucleotide elicited the appearance of nearly adult levels of the enzyme and its mRNA. By 24 h after injection of (Bu)2cAMP alone or in combination with hydrocortisone acetate, enzymatic activity had returned to basal levels. Functional TAT mRNA levels, however, remained elevated. The role of insulin as a potential repressor of TAT activity in utero was examined. Reducing circulating fetal insulin levels by injection of streptozotocin was not sufficient to induce TAT enzyme activity. In vitro, either (Bu)2cAMP or hydrocortisone acetate alone induced TAT enzymatic activity in liver explants from fetuses as early as the 16th day of gestation. Explants from fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were able to maintain induced levels of TAT enzymatic activity 48 h after removal from medium containing hydrocortisone.

Enhanced saline intake and decreased heart rate after area postrema ablations in rat.

The area postrema (AP) is a circumventricular organ located in the dorsal medulla. Previous studies found that AP lesions lead to increased saline ingestion in the rat. The salt appetite was thought to be a result of primary disruptions in sodium regulation or in cardiovascular regulation. To assess this we measured food and fluid intakes, urinary electrolyte and aldosterone concentration, and blood pressure and heart rates in AP lesioned and control animals during a period of normal sodium intake and during a period of excessive sodium intake. Rats with AP lesions exhibited sodium appetite but not natriuresis. In fact, sodium intake greatly exceeded output. Their urinary aldosterone levels were similar to those of control animals during both periods. The lesioned rats also had lowered heart rates, yet, their blood pressures were similar to control animals. These results are discussed with reference to a possible role of the AP in satiety and in maintaining homeostasis.

Regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase messenger ribonucleic acid in rat liver. effect of cycloheximide on messenger ribonucleic acid turnover.

Tyrosine aminotransferase messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) activity in rat liver was rapidly increased 3-6-fold following in vivo administration of hydrocortisone acetate, dibutyryladenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate, or the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Treatment with the steroid hormone or cyclic nucleotide in combination with cycloheximide resulted in levels of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA 10-20-fold greater than control values. These changes in mRNA activity were not accompanied by changes in albumin mRNA or total liver template activity. The rapid decline in tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA activity following cordycepin inhibition of de novo RNA synthesis was prevented by cycloheximide treatment. This protection was not observed when pactamycin was substituted for cycloheximide, demonstrating that the inhibition of protein synthesis per se was not responsible for the stabilization of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA. Based upon the effects of cycloheximide and pactamycin on rat liver polysome structure, it is concluded that the cycloheximide-mediated increase in tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA activity is the result of stabilization of the mRNA molecule which renders the message less susceptible to inactivation and degradation in the cytoplasm. The action of cycloheximide is very specific for tyrosine aminotransferase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and probably several other mRNAs that code for minor liver proteins that turn over rapidly in response to hormonal or metabolic stimuli.

Induction of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA by glucocorticoids and cAMP in fetal rat liver.

Tyrosine aminotransferase (L-tyrosine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.5) enzyme and mRNA activity were not detectable in day 20 fetal rat liver. Precocious induction of catalytic activity by in utero injection of dibutyryl cAMP was a direct consequence of the de novo appearance of translatable tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA. In contrast, in utero injection of hydrocortisone acetate failed to elicit fetal liver enzyme activity. This failure was due to the inability of the steroid hormone to induce the appearance of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA activity. In fetal rat liver explants, either compound was capable of stimulating the synthesis of adult levels of enzyme and mRNA. However, catalytic and mRNA activity comparable with that seen in vivo 24 hr after birth required the concerted action of both inducers.

Multihormonal control of tyrosine aminotransferase in isolated liver cells.

The regulation of tyrosine aminotransferase activity by glucocorticoids and cyclic AMP was investigated in isolated liver parenchymal cell suspensions. The induction and maintenance of elevated levels of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in liver cells were completely dependent upon the presence of both the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, and glucagon of dibutyryl cyclic AMP. No induction was observed when any of these compounds were tested alone. Immunotitration experiments revealed that the 6- to 7-fold increase in tyrosine aminotransferase activity following the addition of dexamethasone and glucagon was accompanied by a parallel increase in the amount of immunologically reactive enzyme protein. Pulse-labeling experiments established that this increase in enzyme protein could be fully accounted for by a corresponding increase in rate of synthesis of tyrosine aminotransferase. Neither hormone had any effect on the rate of degradation of the enzyme. The increase in tyrosine aminotransferase synthesis evoked by the presence of both hormones was blocked by the addition of actinomycin D or cycloheximide to the medium, demonstrating that RNA and protein synthesis were required for the induction of enzyme activity. By varying the time and order of addition of the inducers and inhibitions, evidence was obtained that the hormones act sequentially. The steroid hormone acts first, presumably to increase the level of functional tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA or its precursor. The processing of this precursor to a translatable form or the specific translation of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA is apparently dependent upon a specific cyclic AMP-controlled process. In vivo experiments demonstrated that both glucocorticoids and cyclic AMP increase the level of functional tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA in the liver. The actions of the steroid hormone and cyclic nucleotide were blocked by alpha amanitin, establishing the requirement for ongoing gene transcription. The protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide, emetine, and puromycin, were as effective as cyclic AMP in increasing tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA activity. The action of these inhibitors is probably related to their ability to elevate hepatic intracellular cyclic AMP levels, thus mimicking cyclic AMP administration. Extension of these in vivo studies to isolated liver cells will provide a valuable system for investigating the regulation of gene expression by glucocorticoids and cyclic AMP.

Induction of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA by protein synthesis inhibitors.

Several protein synthesis inhibitors were as effective as the inducers hydrocortisone or cyclic AMP in elevating rat liver tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA levels when assayed in the wheat germ cell-free translational system. Cycloheximide, emetine, or puromycin increased this mRNA activity 6- to 7-fold within 4 h after in vivo administration. No increase in total hepatic mRNA levels or tryptophan oxygenase mRNA was found after treatment with these protein synthesis inhibitors. Furthermesults suggest that a short lived protein may specifically regulate the level of functional hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA or that ongoing translation of this mRNA is required for its degradation.

Increase in hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA during enzyme induction by N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA was quantitated by translation in a cell-free system derived from wheat germ followed by specific immunoprecipitation of the newly synthesized enzyme subunit. Hepatic poly(A)-containg RNA prepared from rats treated for 4 h with N6, O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline was approximately 5.6 times more active in directing the synthesis of the tyrosine aminotransferase subunit relative to untreated controls. The overall template activity of the RNA prepared from control and cyclic AMP-treated animals was virtually identical, demonstrating that the cyclic nucleotide effect was specific for the tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA. At all times, after a single injection of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and theophylline, the increase in hepatic enzyme activity was accompanied by corresponding induction in the level of functional tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA. Other inducers of tyrosine aminotransferase, such as glucagon and hydrocortisone, also increased the level of tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA in proportion to their effect on enzyme activity. The RNA polymerase II inhibitor, alpha-amanitin, completely blocked the dibutyryl cyclic AMP-mediated increase in tyrosine aminotransferase mRNA activity. These studies demonstrate that, in intact animals, the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase activity by dibutyryl cyclic AMP can be completely accounted for by a corresponding increase in the level of functional mRNA coding for the enzyme.

RNA synthesis in isolated hen oviduct nuclei.

Nuclei have been prepared from the oviduct of the adult laying hen which are capable of synthesizing large amounts of RNA for long periods of time. The time course of RNA synthesis is linear through 3 h of incubation after an initial burst of activity and is inhibited 60-70% by alpha-amanitin. Maximum synthetic activity requires the presence of serum albumin to stabilize the nuclei, high concentrations of the four ribonucleoside triphosphates, and an incubation temperature of 25 degrees C for continued linear synthesis beyond 30 min. The RNA synthesized in vitro is predominantly 10-20 S with a small proportion of higher molecular weight product. Much of the 10-20S RNA is probably transcribed by RNA polymerase II and is of a size comparable to ovalbumin mRNA. A fraction of this RNA appears to contain poly(A) sequences suggesting that there is some processing of the newly synthesized RNA. These nuclei may provide a useful system for studying the control of the transcription and maturation of ovalbumin mRNA in vitro.