Validation of Cadherin HAV6 Peptide in the Transient Modulation of the Blood-Brain Barrier for the Treatment of Brain Tumors.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a major obstacle by preventing potential therapeutic agents from reaching their intended brain targets at sufficient concentrations. While transient disruption of the BBB has been used to enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy in treating brain tumors, limitations in terms of magnitude and duration of BBB disruption exist. In the present study, the preliminary safety and efficacy profile of HAV6, a peptide that binds to the external domains of cadherin, to transiently open the BBB and improve the delivery of a therapeutic agent, was evaluated in a murine brain tumor model. Transient opening of the BBB in response to HAV6 peptide administration was quantitatively characterized using both a gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent and adenanthin (Ade), the intended therapeutic agent. The effects of HAV6 peptide on BBB integrity and the efficacy of concurrent administration of HAV6 peptide and the small molecule inhibitor, Ade, in the growth and progression of an orthotopic medulloblastoma mouse model using human D425 tumor cells was examined. Systemic administration of HAV6 peptide caused transient, reversible disruption of BBB in mice. Increases in BBB permeability produced by HAV6 were rapid in onset and observed in all regions of the brain examined. Concurrent administration of HAV6 peptide with Ade, a BBB impermeable inhibitor of Peroxiredoxin-1, caused reduced tumor growth and increased survival in mice bearing medulloblastoma. The rapid onset and transient nature of the BBB modulation produced with the HAV6 peptide along with its uniform disruption and biocompatibility is well-suited for CNS drug delivery applications, especially in the treatment of brain tumors.

The Antioxidant Activity of Recombinant Rat Hepatic Fatty Acid Binding Protein T94A Variant.

PURPOSE: Liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) is a cytoplasmic polypeptide that transports substrates throughout the cytosol and functions as an antioxidant. A common polymorphic variant, FABP1 T94A has a minor allele frequency of 26-38%, 8.3±1.9% homozygous in the human population. The purpose of this study was to mutate and isolate recombinant rat FABP1 to the T94A variant to evaluate the mutant's antioxidant activity using in vitro studies. METHODS: Site-directed mutagenesis was used to generate a mutation in rat cDNA within a pGEX-6p-2 vector. This plasmid was transformed into competent cells and cultured for expression of FABP1 T94A mutant. The mutated protein was purified using GSTrap Fastflow columns within an ÄKTA FPLC system. A 2,7-dichlorofluorescein (DCF) assay was used to screen the T94A variant antioxidant activity. Additionally, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assay was used in determining T94A mutant antioxidant activity in hydrophilic and lipophilic environments through the use of the azo compounds AAPH and MeO-AMVN, respectively and in the presence and absence of the long-chain fatty acid palmitate and α-bromo palmitate. RESULTS: Although the FABP1 T94A (20 µM) mutant significantly reduced DCF fluorescence compared to control (no protein; P< 0.001), there were no significant difference when compared to the wild-type (WT) FABP1. T94A was able to diminish the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) in both lipophilic and hydrophilic systems. There were significant differences between T94A mutant and WT FABP1 at concentrations 1 and 10 µM (P< 0.05) in the hydrophilic milieu, however, this was not seen at 20 µM and also not seen in the lipophilic milieu at all concentrations. When T94A was pre-incubated with the long-chain fatty acids palmitate or α -bromo palmitate, MDA formation was decreased in both lipid peroxidation systems. There were no statistical differences between the WT FABP1 and T94A bound with fatty acids in both lipid peroxidation systems, however, there was a slight statistical difference when the T94A and WT FABP1 bound α-Br-PA in the AAPH lipid peroxidation system only. CONCLUSIONS: The T94A has antioxidant activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic environments. The T94A variant of FABP1 does not have a loss of function in regard to acting as an antioxidant but the extent of function may be influenced by ligand binding. We conclude that populations having the minor T94A allele frequency would have similar ROS scavenging potential as those with nascent FABP1.

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Intraoperative Cefazolin Concentrations and Sternal Wound Infections.

This study characterizes the pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial prophylaxis and sternal wound infections following cardiac surgery. Duration of surgery and cefazolin plasma concentration during wound closure were independently associated with surgical site infection at 30 days. Furthermore, a duration of surgery of >346 min and a total cefazolin closure concentration of <104 mg/liter were significant thresholds for an increased risk of infection. This study provides new data that informs dosing strategies for effective antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Selective DOT1L, LSD1, and HDAC Class I Inhibitors Reduce HOXA9 Expression in MLL-AF9 Rearranged Leukemia Cells, But Dysregulate the Expression of Many Histone-Modifying Enzymes.

Mixed lineage leukemia results from chromosomal rearrangements of the gene mixed lineage leukemia (MLL). MLL-AF9 is one such rearrangement that recruits the lysine methyltransferase, human disruptor of telomere silencing 1-like (DOT1L) and lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), resulting in elevated expression of the Homeobox protein A9 (HOXA9), and leukemia. Inhibitors of LSD1 or DOT1L reduce HOXA9 expression, kill MLL-rearranged cells, and may treat leukemia. To quantify their effects on histone modifying enzyme activity and expression in MLL-rearranged leukemia, we tested inhibitors of DOT1L (EPZ-5676), LSD1 (GSK2879552), and HDAC (mocetinostat), in the MLL-AF9 cell line MOLM-13. All inhibitors reduced MOLM-13 viability but only mocetinostat induced apoptosis. EPZ-5676 increased total histone lysine dimethylation, which was attributed to a reduction in LSD1 expression, and was indistinguishable from direct LSD1 inhibition by GSK2879552. All compounds directly inhibit, or reduce the expression of, HOXA9, DOT1L and LSD1 by qPCR, increase total histone lysine methylation and acetylation by LC-MS/MS, and specifically reduce H3K79Me2 and increase H3K14Ac. Each inhibitor altered the expression of many histone modifying enzymes which may precipitate additional changes in expression. To the extent that this decreases HOXA9 expression it benefits mixed lineage leukemia treatment, all other expression changes are off-target effects.

Absolute Oral Bioavailability of Creatine Monohydrate in Rats: Debunking a Myth.

Creatine is an ergogenic compound used by athletes to enhance performance. Supplementation with creatine monohydrate (CM) has been suggested for musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Until now, little is known about its pharmacokinetic profile. Our objective was to determine the oral bioavailability of CM and the influence of dose on oral absorption. Rats were dosed orally with low dose (10 mg/kg) or high dose (70 mg/kg) 13C-labeled CM. Blood samples were removed at various time points. Muscle and brain tissue were collected at the conclusion of the study. Plasma and tissue levels of 13C-labeled creatine were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of CM were built using GastroPlus™. These models were used to predict the plasma concentration-time profiles of creatine hydrochloride (CHCL), which has improved aqueous solubility compared to CM. Absolute oral bioavailability for low dose CM was 53% while high dose CM was only 16%. The simulated Cmax of 70 mg/kg CHCL was around 35 µg/mL compared to 14 µg/mL for CM with a predicted oral bioavailability of 66% with CHCL compared to 17% with CM. Our results suggest that the oral bioavailability of CM is less than complete and subject to dose and that further examination of improved dosage formulations of creatine is warranted.

Increased Post-Translational Lysine Acetylation of Myelin Basic Protein Is Associated with Peak Neurological Disability in a Mouse Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Citrullination of arginine residues is a post-translational modification (PTM) found on myelin basic protein (MBP), which neutralizes MBPs positive charge, and is implicated in myelin damage and multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we identify lysine acetylation as another neutralizing PTM to MBP that may be involved in myelin damage. We quantify changes in lysine and arginine PTMs on MBP derived from mice induced with an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The changes in PTMs are correlated to changes in neurological disability scoring (NDS), as a marker of myelin damage. We found that lysine acetylation increased by 2-fold on MBP during peak NDS post-EAE induction. We also found that mono- and dimethyl-lysine, as well as asymmetric dimethyl-arginine residues on MBP were elevated at peak EAE disability. These findings suggest that the acetylation and methylation of lysine on MBP are PTMs associated with the neurological disability produced by EAE. Since histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been previously shown to improve neurological disability, we also show that treatment with trichostatin A (a HDAC inhibitor) improves the NDS of EAE mice but does not change MBP acetylation.

Evaluation of cefazolin antimicrobial prophylaxis during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Objectives: Although clinical practice guidelines recommend standard cefazolin antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) dosing for cardiac surgery, limited data exist as to whether adequate concentrations are achieved in this patient population. The goal of our study was to characterize intraoperative cefazolin concentrations particularly at wound closure with regards to maintaining target cefazolin closure concentrations ≥40 mg/L. Methods: Adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and receiving cefazolin AP according to protocol were studied. Blood samples were collected after the preoperative cefazolin dose, prior to intraoperative cefazolin doses and at wound closure. Intraoperative trough and closure concentrations were characterized and evaluated against a target threshold of ≥ 40 mg/L (≥8 mg/L unbound, assuming 80% protein binding). Results: Fifty-five subjects (64.9 ±âŸ10.4 years, 89.7 ±âŸ16.5 kg, CLCR >50 mL/min/72 kg) completed the study. Total cefazolin concentrations were <40 mg/L in 40% (12 of 30) of intraoperative trough samples and 9.8% (5 of 51) of closure samples. Below-target concentrations at some time during surgery were documented in 30.9% (17 of 55) of subjects. In multivariate analyses, lower body weight (P = 0.027) and shorter duration of surgery (P = 0.045) were significant predictors of closure concentrations <40 mg/L. A total cefazolin exposure (preoperative and intraoperative doses) of ≥ 7.6 mg/kgdosing weight for every hour of surgery (intermittent dosing) was required to achieve target closure concentrations. Conclusions: The standard cefazolin AP regimen was not reliable in maintaining target closure concentrations ≥40 mg/L in patients with normal renal function undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB. The findings supported a cefazolin AP regimen consisting of at least 2 g preoperatively and every 3 h during surgery.

Disposition, Metabolism and Histone Deacetylase and Acetyltransferase Inhibition Activity of Tetrahydrocurcumin and Other Curcuminoids.

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), curcumin and calebin-A are curcuminoids found in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcuminoids have been established to have a variety of pharmacological activities and are used as natural health supplements. The purpose of this study was to identify the metabolism, excretion, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of these curcuminoids and to determine disposition of THC in rats after oral administration. We developed a UHPLC-MS/MS assay for THC in rat serum and urine. THC shows multiple redistribution phases with corresponding increases in urinary excretion rate. In-vitro antioxidant activity, histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and anti-inflammatory inhibitory activity were examined using commercial assay kits. Anticancer activity was determined in Sup-T1 lymphoma cells. Our results indicate THC was poorly absorbed after oral administration and primarily excreted via non-renal routes. All curcuminoids exhibited multiple pharmacological effects in vitro, including potent antioxidant activity as well as inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP3A4 and lipoxygenase activity without affecting the release of TNF-α. Unlike curcumin and calebin-A, THC did not inhibit HDAC1 and PCAF and displayed a weaker growth inhibition activity against Sup-T1 cells. We show evidence for the first time that curcumin and calebin-A inhibit HAT and PCAF, possibly through a Michael-addition mechanism.

Pharmacokinetic Analysis of an Oral Multicomponent Joint Dietary Supplement (Phycox®) in Dogs.

Despite the lack of safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies, multicomponent dietary supplements (nutraceuticals) have become increasingly popular as primary or adjunct therapies for clinical osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine. Phycox® is a line of multicomponent joint support supplements marketed for joint health in dogs and horses. Many of the active constituents are recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Due to a lack of PK studies in the literature for the product, a pilot PK study of select constituents in Phycox® was performed in healthy dogs. Two novel methods of analysis were developed and validated for quantification of glucosamine and select polyphenols using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. After a single oral (PO) administrated dose of Phycox®, a series of blood samples from dogs were collected for 24 h post-dose and analyzed for concentrations of glucosamine HCl, hesperetin, resveratrol and naringenin. Non-compartmental PK analyses were carried out. Glucosamine was detected up to 8 h post-dose with a Tmax of 2 h and Cmax of 9.69 µg/mL. The polyphenols were not found at detectable concentrations in serum samples. Co-administration of glucosamine in the Phycox® formulation may enhance the absorption of glucosamine as determined by comparison of glucosamine PK data in the literature.

Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE)-Induced Elevated Expression of the E1 Isoform of Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2E1): Implications in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-Induced Neurological Disability and Associated Myelin Damage.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by the destruction of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. At present, there is no cure for MS due to the inability to repair damaged myelin. Although the neurotrophin brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a beneficial role in myelin repair, these effects may be hampered by the over-expression of a transcriptional repressor isoform of methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) called MeCP2E1. We hypothesize that following experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced myelin damage, the immune system induction of the pathogenic MeCP2E1 isoform hampers the myelin repair process by repressing BDNF expression. Using an EAE model of MS, we identify the temporal gene and protein expression changes of MeCP2E1, MeCP2E2 and BDNF. The expression changes of these key biological targets were then correlated with the temporal changes in neurological disability scores (NDS) over the entire disease course. Our results indicate that MeCP2E1 mRNA levels are elevated in EAE animals relative to naïve control (NC) and active control (AC) animals during all time points of disease progression. Our results suggest that the EAE-induced elevations in MeCP2E1 expression contribute to the repressed BDNF production in the spinal cord (SC). The sub-optimal levels of BDNF result in sustained NDS and associated myelin damage throughout the entire disease course. Conversely, we observed no significant differences in the expression patterns displayed for the MeCP2E2 isoform amongst our experimental groups. However, our results demonstrate that baseline protein expression ratios between the MeCP2E1 versus MeCP2E2 isoforms in the SC are higher than those identified within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Thus, the DRG represents a more conducive environment than that of the SC for BDNF production and transport to the CNS to assist in myelin repair. Henceforth, the sub-optimal BDNF levels we report in the SC may arise from the elevated MeCP2E1 vs. MeCP2E2 ratio in the SC that creates a more hostile environment thereby preventing local BDNF production. At the level of transcript, we demonstrate that EAE-induces the pathological enhanced expression of MeCP2E1 that contributes to enhanced NDS during the entire disease course. Thus, the pathological induction of the MeCP2E1 isoform contributes to the disruption of the normal homeostatic signaling equilibrium network that exists between cytokines, neurotrophins and chemokines that regulate the myelin repair process by repressing BDNF. Our research suggests that the elevated ratio of MeCP2E1 relative to MeCP2E2 may be a useful diagnostic marker that clinicians can utilize to determine the degree of neurological disability with associated myelin damage. The elevated MeCP2E1 vs. MeCP2E2 ratios (E1/E2) in the SC prevent BDNF from reaching optimal levels required for myelin repair. Thus, the lower E1/E2 ratios in the DRG, allow the DRG to serve as a weak secondary compensatory mechanism for enhanced production and delivery of BDNF to the SC to try to assist in myelin repair.

Quantification of cefazolin in serum and adipose tissue by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-Tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS): application to a pilot study of obese women undergoing cesarean delivery.

Higher doses of cefazolin are required in obese patients for preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, owing to its low lipophilicity. An ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to quantify cefazolin in serum and adipose tissue from 6 obese patients undergoing cesarean delivery, and using stable-isotope labeled cefazolin as an internal standard. The method has a 2µg/g lower limit of quantitation. The concentration in adipose tissue was 3.4±1.6µg/mL, which is less than half of the reported minimum inhibitory concentration of 8µg/mL for cefazolin. Serum cefazolin concentrations were more than 30-fold higher than in adipose tissue.

Inhibitors of enzymes catalyzing modifications to histone lysine residues: structure, function and activity.

Gene expression is partly controlled by epigenetic mechanisms including histone-modifying enzymes. Some diseases are caused by changes in gene expression that can be mitigated by inhibiting histone-modifying enzymes. This review covers the enzyme inhibitors targeting histone lysine modifications. We summarize the enzymatic mechanisms of histone lysine acetylation, deacetylation, methylation and demethylation and discuss the biochemical roles of these modifications in gene expression and in disease. We discuss inhibitors of lysine acetylation, deacetylation, methylation and demethylation defining their structure-activity relationships and their potential mechanisms. We show that there are potentially indiscriminant off-target effects on gene expression even with the use of selective epigenetic enzyme inhibitors.

HDAC inhibitors induce global changes in histone lysine and arginine methylation and alter expression of lysine demethylases.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are cancer treatments that inhibit the removal of the epigenetic modification acetyllysine on histones, resulting in altered gene expression. Such changes in expression may influence other histone epigenetic modifications. We describe a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method to quantify lysine acetylation and methylation and arginine methylation on histones extracted from cultured cells treated with HDAC inhibitors. The HDAC inhibitors vorinostat, mocetinostat and entinostat induced 400-600% hyperacetylation in HEK 293 and K562 cells. All HDAC inhibitors decreased histone methylarginines in HEK 293 cells but entinostat produced dose dependent reductions in asymmetric dimethylarginine, not observed in K562 cells. Vorinostat produced increases in histone lysine methylation and decreased expression of some lysine demethylases (KDM), measured by quantitative PCR. Entinostat had variable effects on lysine methylation and decreased expression of some KDM while increasing expression of others. Mocetinostat produced dose dependent increases in histone lysine methylation by LC-MS/MS. This was corroborated with a multiplex colorimetric assay showing increases in histone H3 lysine 4, 9, 27, 36 and 79 methylation. Increases in lysine methylation were correlated with dose dependent decreases in the expression of seven KDM. Mocetinostat functions as an HDAC inhibitor and a de facto KDM inhibitor.